horserush

Why are our clinics unique?

Andrew’s farrier career has covered the whole spectrum of hoofcare for horses. Since discovering the many benefits of the “Barefoot Option”, his business has evolved from traditional master farrier to specialist barefoot trimmer….quite a journey and he has truly seen the hoof from all sides!

He has studied in depth the theories of world leaders in equine hoofcare and has developed over many years his own method that works for Australian conditions.

Not only has Andrew worked “down under” thousands of horses, he has a strong network with leading equine vets and equine body workers as well as Australia’s other leading barefoot trimmers. This adds up to a huge “database” of experience on which to draw.

What will you learn?

-Theory behind growing healthy hooves

- Hoof function and operation

- Parameters of the physiologically correct hoof

- Landmarks to establish the correct framework

- A recipe for basic maintenance trimming (practice first on cadaver legs, then trim your own horse)

- Safe use of trimming tools

- Safe handling of horses while trimming

- How to make a hard job easier

Who are these clinics for?

Horse owners who want to take charge of their own horse’s hoofcare; whether they actually want to trim themselves, or just learn the parameters of healthy feet so they can make informed decisions about their horses.

Cost: Victorian Clinics: Full participants $132 Auditors $66 GST inclusive.

Interstate Clinics P.O.A.

Bookings: Prior booking is essential

PH 03 57734306 or email:

mayfieldf@bigpond.com

If you would like to host your own clinic -anywhere in Australia- please give us a call.

Sponsored By: Equethy Accreditied instuctor teaching humane methods. Advocated by the Australian Hoof Care Association. www.equethy.com

EquineXpo 2005 proudly sponsored by The Horse Hospital held at Ascot Racecourse in Western Australia on the 18 – 20 March was a tremendous success, with over 6,500 people attending this inaugural event for the state. Never before in WA had this many companies from the equine industry united under the one roof with a multitude of displays, seminars and demonstrations taking place to create the expo’s motto “Everything for the Horse Enthusiast”. With 70 trade stands, 2 seminar areas, 2 horse arenas and the most stunning venue imaginable, it was a horse lovers heaven for 3 days.

The team from Horse Rush TV attended and were most popular with stunning demonstrations given each day by Guy McLean and Manolo Mendez that kept the crowds enthralled and wanting more. It was the first time Guy McLean has been to WA and judging by the reaction of the audience it won’t be his last, with his cool style and amazing horsemanship skills he easily won over the horse he was working with and the crowd within minutes. Guys’ style is one of creating a partnership with your horse and gaining it’s trust so that the two of you can work together in a safe and calm manner no matter what the situation. And of course no display would be complete without Guy lying his trusty new steed down on the ground and then wrapping him up in tarpaulin, head and all, without the horse even batting an eyelid. He then finished off by standing on his horse’s back and cracking those stock whips, not bad for someone who only met the horse 30 minutes prior to the demo!

Manolo Mendez also has the knack to draw a crowd and made the training of a dressage horse to do piaffe and passage look very easy. Manolo has the ability to communicate with not only the horse, but to the audience as well in an easy to understand way that even those who are not dressage orientated can relate to. Many people who do not know anything about dressage were glued to his presentation and amazed at how his methods worked within a short amount of time. Most comments afterwards were about how he respected the horse and it’s well being and that no force was used to gain the results he required and the effectiveness of his training. It is a treat to have people of this level willing to share their training methods and horsemanship skills and how they can be related back to any horse from any discipline.

Other special guests were Stuart Tinney and Heath Ryan who were brought over by Nature Vet for the expo. Both riders did ridden demonstrations each day in their own unique styles and were available throughout the event to chat and sign autographs. Stuart did a Master Class on Jump Training and Heath did an entertaining display that explained the Basic’s of Dressage in a fun and easy to learn manner. These two Australian icon’s in the industry really love to share their knowledge and are so passionate, they are such great ambassadors for the sport, it was a pleasure and a privilege to have them involved with the expo.

Other attractions that proved to be popular was the Mixed Breed Parade that showcased over 14 different horse breeds ranging from the Miniature through to the Clydesdale, A Parade of Champions that featured local racing hero's Rogan Josh and Village Kid and a special appearance by Sonja Johnson on Ringwould Jaguar, WA’s Eventing dynamic duo. Seminars by Colleen Kelly, Dan Guerrera, Maureen Rogers, Dr Michael Bascombe, Lex Wills, Ian Wharton, Dr John Kohnke, Dr Keith Phillips and The Australian Equine Veterinary Association all proved to be well received and appreciated.

Fashion Parades, Charity Auctions and demonstrations on float loading, horse dentistry, saddle fitting and barefoot trimming were also among the assortment of things on offer for visitors to the event.

Overall feedback from both exhibitors and visitors to the event has been extremely positive and we look forward to making EquineXpo a regular fixture on the WA equine calendar. So don’t miss it next year, EquineXpo 2006 will be held on the 17^th – 19^th March at Belmont Racecourse, for enquiries on how to exhibit contact Emma on 08 9409 6666.

Popular equine lifestyle television program, “Horse Rush”, recently joined forces with equine learning centre, West Rock Farm, to provide a weekend education expo that focused on providing innovative solutions to problems that most horse owners face at some time. Horse Rush, which is now playing to wide audiences in USA and will shortly go national in Australia on the cable networks, also used the occasion to film a DVD, that will be available for purchase from the end of April.

While Victoria’s mysterious Hanging Rock, only 50 minutes from Melbourne, is the backdrop for West Rock Farm and the expo, there is nothing mysterious or ethereal about the goings on there.

The 2-day Expo program covered topics such as the benefits of bare hoof trimming, Cranio Sacral treatment, muscle and chiropractic treatment for better performance, natural feeding, whole of mouth dentistry, training that promotes calmness and proper muscle development and even a look at physiotherapy programs for bringing horses back to fitness after injury. The presenters consisted of some of Australia’s most respected in their field with internationals from the U.S.A., Denmark and New Zealand.

You can now have the chance to enjoy the wonderful Expo program in the comfort of your own living room. This informative DVD features trainers, Guy McLean and Manolo Mendez, respected equine health practitioners Dan Guerra (USA), Maureen Rogers (USA), Geoff Culverwell (NZ), Alistair Brooks, Dr. Tony Hanegraaf, Richard Weis, Antoinette Foster, Daren James and many more, in an equine education feast you will want to watch again and again.

Dan Guerrera is a registered Master Farrier who graduated out of the Kentucky Horseshoeing School. He believes that through a proper regime of trimming to the individual needs of the hoof, the horse will be able to bear its weight correctly, enhancing its ability to correct and heal naturally.

Maureen is the founder of Equine Cranio Sacral Workshops and travels internationally for teaching, lectures and private consultations and works in conjunction with veterinarians, equine dentists, trainers, physiotherapists and horse owners throughout the USA and is the author of several articles in national and international publications.

Morton has been competing internationally since 1987, has competed at the Sole and Sydney Olympics, the World Equestrian Games in Stockholm and many other events in Europe. He trains riders in Germany, Italy and England and has four mares that he breeds with from his farm in Denmark

Any person responsible for the welfare of horses should acquire maximum possible expertise, because the well-being and usefulness of horses depend on the skill and attitude of the individuals who manage them. Assistance or advice on management of horses can be obtained from veterinarians or other qualified advisers. - RIRDC