Revellers have been banned from bringing sky lanterns or balloons to a major festival.

The RSPCA has welcomed the news that BBC Radio One has included lanterns and balloons on its list of prohibited items for its “Biggest Weekend” in Swansea (26-27 May).

Numerous horses, and other animals, have been injured or killed by balloons and lanterns in recent years.

Parts can be eaten by animals, or cause entanglement or entrapment, which can lead to injury, stress or even death.

RSPCA wildlife expert Llewelyn Lowen said the preventative action by BBC Radio One is “really positive news”.

“It was a cause for celebration recently when Wales’ council land became a no-fly zone for dangerous sky lanterns — so it’s great news to see Radio One reminding attendees of the Biggest Weekend not to bring them along,” he said.

“It’s such a big event for the city of Swansea; so it’s a great way to again highlight to the public as to the dangers of sky lanterns.

“These devices can have deadly consequences and a devastating impact for pets, farm and — perhaps most pertinently — wild animals.

“Releasing helium balloons, or deflated balloon litter, also poses a risk to animals, so it’s welcome also that Radio One are urging Biggest Weekend goers not to bring these along either.”

Article continues below…

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The RSPCA lobbied for local authorities to ban the release of sky lanterns on council-owned land in Wales.

In February, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council became the 22nd and final Welsh local authority to ban the release of lanterns on its land.

The RSPCA is now campaigning for the Welsh government to introduce a countrywide ban on releasing the objects on private land.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

Today I clean for our guests who arrive at 3pm!

HERE WE GO!

Amazing.

The article said the horse was fine… that is lava behind him.

Ha!

Sweet.

Fall colors in Spring

Yikes!

Yup!

Hubby sent this one to me…

Thank you, Becky. Gorgeous.

I love this!

Handsome.

The Gentle Barn

Oh I just want to dive in there!!!

Mother Nature is amazing.

SPECIAL OFFER!

One of our very supportive readers, Doris, sent 60 handmade cards for us to use as a promotion for the MAY BUCKET FUND KANSAS 53 horses.

Doris McQuiddy took all of these lovely, scenic photographs, printed them all, cut them to size, added her special signatures, added photos to the back –  and sent them to me FOR THE BUCKET FUND HORSES!!!!

Thank you, Doris!

Click the below buttons and we will send to you a selection of these handmade cards (shipping included)!  We only have limited sets so come get ’em!

TO PURCHASE A SET OF THESE HANDMADE CARDS:

–Set of 4 cards for $20 per set  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A SET OF 4 CARDS

–Set of 5 cards for $25 per set  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A SET OF 5 CARDS

All the monies we will then donate to the May Drop in the Bucket Fund!  You will love these cards!  Such a bargain for all this love!

All the cards are beautiful and come with envelopes. I will select a nice set for you!

All beautiful photography by Dorothy McQuiddy. She created and printed these cards with love for the Bucket Fund horses.

MAY BUCKET FUND EMERGENCY SEIZURE! 53 HORSES!  STARVING, PREGNANT MARES, TINY WEANLINGS AND YEARLINGS…

Click here to read their story.  Click here to Donate!  Thank you!

All donations are 100% tax deductible!

–We are  2/3 the way there to helping ALL 53 of these horses have a better life!

CLICK HERE to see the donation thermometer rise!

She looks much better!

The post SATURDAY IS PHOBLOG DAY! appeared first on Horse and Man.

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

Your purchase with R.W. through this link helps the Bucket Fund!

When you shop @AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to Horse And Man Inc.



Supporting The Bucket Fund through Amazon Smile is HUGE for the horses. Please choose HORSE AND MAN when you make your Amazon purchase through this link. THANK YOU!

We had a big sale over the weekend and several really nice pieces are here for you!  I will list more every couple of weeks!

click image to go to FB page

All shipping is included!  Proceeds benefit the May Bucket Fund Horses!!

AMAZING DAISY CHAIN!  ONLY $9!!

This one of a kind piece is a real encased daisy with Czech Glass crystal, frosted and bright yellow beads attached to bronze chain. The pendant is 2.5″ x 2″. The chain is 42″. IF you wish to shorten it, just tie a knot in the chain! Great alone or layered! So unique! The daisy can float to the chain only part if you’d like to wear it back to front.

To purchase FOR $98, click here!

TAHITIAN BEACH necklace/bracelet   ONLY $36!

GORGEOUS COLORS on this Czech glass graduated bead necklace/bracelet with handmade sterling flower at crystal closure. Wear as a pop of color alone or layered! 20″

To purchase for $36, click here!

GORGEOUS PEARL and STERLING WOW PIECE! $56

These yummy creamy Czech glass pinched pearls combined with handmade sterling beads are scrumptious! Wear alone to flatter your neck or layered. A beautiful graduation present! 17″

To purchase for $56, click here!

BEACH GLASS BRILLIANCE! Only $58

Gorgeous colors for you or your graduate! Weighty, bright and memorable! These varied and polished pieces of beach glass practically burst off of your neck! Sweet handmade sterling silver flower at crystal closure. 23″

To purchase FOR $58, click here!

BRIGHT SKIES necklace! Only $28!

Sweet Czech glass beads in graduated sizes of blue sky with clouds! Handmade sterling heart at crystal closure! 17″ So cute!

To purchase, click here!

SO AWESOME EQUINE MEDAL FROM BELGIUM! Only $70!

This piece makes such a statement! The medal and chain are both impressive and weighty! I purchased the pendant in Belgium. The pendant is 2″ x 2″ plated silver. Chain is heavy duty. 24″ Wow!

To purchase FOR $70, click here!

TWO IN ONE – DOUBLE BLONDE CARAMEL! Only $48!

This is two necklaces strung together. Both Czech glass beads on cream, caramel and gold hues. Varied sizes, some frosted. Really pretty! 20″.

To purchase for $48, click here!

SWEET, PETITE DANDELION NECKLACE!  This is the classic style of our Polish artist.  She loves the freedom of blowing dandelion seeds!  Captured between glass and eco-friendly tin, this pendant is 1.5″ long and under and 1′ wide.  Lovely.  30″ chain.

To purchase sweet, petite dandelion necklace for $48, click here.

GORGEOUS CAPTURED ROSE necklace!  This is gorgeous and weighty.  Lovely!  A peachy and yellow/orange bud in glass with bronze frame.  Pendant is 2″ long and 1.5 across.  One of a kind for sure!!  Great alone or layered!  Chain is 30″

To purchase Gorgeous captured rose for $54, click here!

SILVERY OLIVEY ICE! Only $42!

I love the colors and unique shapes on this one! The big Czech glass beads are silver and olive and clear. So watery and refreshing! Varied Czech glass beads in frosted, silver and opaque. Really pretty layered with silver or pearl, too! 20″

To purchase, click here!

SPECIAL OFFER!

One of our very supportive readers, Doris, sent 60 handmade cards for us to use as a promotion for the MAY BUCKET FUND KANSAS 53 horses.

Doris McQuiddy took all of these lovely, scenic photographs, printed them all, cut them to size, added her special signatures, added photos to the back –  and sent them to me FOR THE BUCKET FUND HORSES!!!!

Thank you, Doris!

Click the below buttons and we will send to you a selection of these handmade cards (shipping included)!  We only have limited sets so come get ’em!

TO PURCHASE A SET OF THESE HANDMADE CARDS:

–Set of 4 cards for $20 per set  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A SET OF 4 CARDS

–Set of 5 cards for $25 per set  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A SET OF 5 CARDS

All the monies we will then donate to the May Drop in the Bucket Fund!  You will love these cards!  Such a bargain for all this love!

All the cards are beautiful and come with envelopes. I will select a nice set for you!

All beautiful photography by Dorothy McQuiddy. She created and printed these cards with love for the Bucket Fund horses.

MAY BUCKET FUND EMERGENCY SEIZURE! 53 HORSES!  STARVING, PREGNANT MARES, TINY WEANLINGS AND YEARLINGS…

Click here to read their story.  Click here to Donate!  Thank you!

All donations are 100% tax deductible!

–We are  2/3 the way there to helping ALL 53 of these horses have a better life!

CLICK HERE to see the donation thermometer rise!

She looks much better!

The post Some New Jewels to help the May Bucket Fund Horses! appeared first on Horse and Man.

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

Your purchase with R.W. through this link helps the Bucket Fund!

When you shop @AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to Horse And Man Inc.



Supporting The Bucket Fund through Amazon Smile is HUGE for the horses. Please choose HORSE AND MAN when you make your Amazon purchase through this link. THANK YOU!

Dear diary,

My name is Hovis and I am holy. Well my hoof is. I am Sir Hovis of the Holey Hoof; with a name sake to bread and a foot resembling Swiss cheese all I need is some pickle and I’m the quintessential British sandwich. Mind you, since mother is always in a pickle and to many viewed as a sandwich short of a picnic then maybe we’re already there?!

So, what has caused me to have a newly religious foot? Well Cool New Shoes Man came to visit at the beginning of the week and isn’t happy still with my foot — you must remember the abscess was so deep and the excavation so cavernous that potholers kept arriving to have a look. He’s convinced that the abscess itself is healing but my foot is still a bit yucky and he’s loathe to cover it up lest my foot sweat, rot and then fall off. Which would, to be fair, induce a day of national mourning of the like only seen when Wrong Direction went their separate ways…

So, in a fit of cunning brilliance (or drug induced madness) he’s put a breathing hole in my hoof: sort of the podiatry equivalent of a whale’s blow hole. Mum looked somewhat aghast while I, personally, do have concerns that mice may view this as the height of luxury accommodation and move in. He assures mother this was in fact a stroke of genius and that no he hasn’t been sniffing the Kevin Bacon again. And by that I do mean the hoof ointment and not the actual Kevin Bacon; although to be fair, with CNSM you can never be entirely sure…

The new foot hole means I can get back to work and crack on with operation get fit and ready for THE call. Which still hasn’t come. To be honest, while I keep up my show of nervous anticipation, I am now resigning myself to the fact that it’s not going to happen. Hope is fading faster than mother’s faculties and I am facing the harsh reality that I’m just too much power for any of them to cope with. With hindsight I should have trotted slowly and with the appearance of a yard brush rammed up my derriere rather than power housing down the long side with the wonderful Mary King doing an admirable job of trying to get me under control while my wafting feathers paid homage to the power of my stride. I should have cantered with the boring slow collectedness of Tortilla Chip himself rather than sticking my head between my legs and demonstrating that I can do both a handstand and a Mexican wave — at the same time… The following day I should have kept the demonstration of lateral work to the speed of Charlotte-thingie-in-a-garden and Viagra rather than showing that I can do lateral at the speed of Seabiscuit.

Continued below…

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I know now that I made a massive mistake in hinting at the pure power that sits under this unassuming athlete’s body. I’ve scared them, haven’t I? That’s what this is: fear. I sensed it in the other horses in the warm-up ring — Andrew Nicholson’s steed looked like it had swallowed not just the wormer but the syringe too when Mary and I were warming up — and now it’s infected the riders too. I get it, I really do but I thought the Brits were made of sterner stuff than this…

So, I’m off to avoid house hunting mice, my whip wielding mother and to cry (manfully of course) for the likely loss of an eventing career that would have put British Eventing on the map.

Laters,

Heartbroken Hovis

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

An owner was left speechless when her miniature Shetland gave birth to a very unusual foal last week (16 May).

Scotland-based Lauren Mosgrove only discovered her mare, Peaches, was in foal when she was grooming her stomach and felt a kick.

Her vet confirmed the 12-year-old was pregnant and Lauren assumed the sire was her Shetland colt, who had escaped into Peaches’ field last year.

But when Peaches gave birth five weeks later, Lauren realised the father was in fact her three-year-old donkey, Baby Donk.

Lauren had not considered that 7.2hh Peaches and 13.1hh Donk would breed due to their size difference.

“It was a huge surprise,” said Lauren. “As soon as I saw her head I knew the foal was the donkey’s.

“She was up within five minutes. Peaches loves her and is just fine, there was no damage done, which was a really huge relief.”

The mule foal, believed to be the first miniature Shetland-donkey cross, has been named Katie.

Peaches and Katie are progressing well and the foal is almost as tall as Peaches.

Lauren hopes to back Katie when she matures.

“I think she’s going to grow to about 14hh; she’s the first of her kind in the world,” said Lauren.

“Katie is very cheeky — she thinks she’s a miniature racehorse.

Continued below…

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/wp-content/themes/keystone-theme/shortcodes/js/collections.js

“She’s been making tiny little noises, we’re not sure if she sounds like a donkey or a horse yet.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

Opinion

Good grooms who are willing to work and who really care about horses have become like unicorns. What has caused this worldwide shortage of grooms, across the disciplines?

One factor is that competitions have popped up all over the world so one week horses need to be in Hong Kong, the next they need to be in Calgary. It’s impossible for one groom to be in all these places, so with the demanding show schedule of some top riders, there has been an ever-increasing demand for freelance grooms to help accommodate their horses’ needs as they follow the tours.

They get paid a hefty daily rate, travel to many chic destinations, then don’t need to work a good part of the year so take some downtime. They have half the amount of work but get paid the same. Who wouldn’t want to do that?

We also have a growing number of wealthy amateurs in showjumping who offer high-paid grooming positions but less work than most professional working stables. Experienced grooms who have paid their dues certainly deserve to get paid well, having put a lot of sweat and hours into the job, but not all grooms deserve these high-end jobs.

The younger generation of grooms seem to think they deserve these high-paying jobs without putting in the time. Unfortunately, these particular jobs have raised the base salary in normal working stables. There are unqualified grooms wanting to work for above their pay grade, but employers don’t want to pay for a service they don’t get.

Escalating problem

Times are changing and the economics of many countries are improving, giving opportunities in new industries to many people. Life as a groom can be exciting because of the opportunity to travel, but it is tough physical labour. Younger generations with better opportunities simply take different paths rather than groom horses.

Over the years, small family breeding operations have fallen by the wayside because costs have increased above their means. These types of places throughout the world were full of kids who were born and raised around horses — they were true horse people. These families were a great source of grooms, but we are losing that.

With economies improving, there are also more people who can afford horses. This then adds to a higher demand for grooms and therefore the problem escalates.

Teach the fundamentals

Our sport has been so commercialised that we haven’t spent enough time teaching the younger generations enough about proper horsemanship. Many grooms once rode as kids, but perhaps weren’t talented enough as riders, so the one way for them to stay with horses was to become a groom.

Trainers simply don’t take the time to teach the fundamentals of proper horsecare any more, they only teach riding. I see it over and over again with young grooms who can ride pretty well, but have no idea how to make a horse look good because they were never taught.

What we need urgently is qualified grooms who are willing to put in the necessary hours to make the money they deserve.

Ref Horse & Hound; 24 May 2018

Take a virtual walk around the 90cm cross-country course at the 2018 H&H Festival of Eventing.

The cross-country of this three-day unaffiliated event takes place on Sunday (27 May).

Fence 1 (orange numbers)

Fence 2

Fence 3

Fence 4a

Fence 4b

Fence 5a

Fence 5b

Fence 6

Fence 7

Fence 8

Fence 9a

Fence 9b

Fence 10

Fence 11

Fence 12a

Fence 12b

Fence 13

Fence 14

Fence 15a

Fence 15b

Fence 16a

Fence 16b

Fence 17

Don’t miss the full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk.

If you’re on the lookout for a horse to teach you the ropes, take a look at these schoolmaster horses for sale on the Horse & Hound website this week.

1. ‘Safe and smart’

Height: 16hh

Age: 14

Gender: gelding

Selling points: “‘Hilton’ is a safe, talented, honest and fun all-rounder who has evented up to British Eventing (BE) novice level and is currently competing at BE90/100. He has successfully competed in British Dressage (BD) up to elementary and has also showjumped up to newcomers. He is currently in full competition work and has been placed at his first and only outing so far. Last season he was placed every time out eventing too. Hilton knows and enjoys his job and is a real confidence giver that has transformed his current owner from dressage diva to an eventer — he always brings you home safe and smiling. He is easy to do and does not need to be ridden every day.”

View the advert

2. ‘Amazing’

Height: 16.2hh

Age: 15

Gender: gelding

Selling points: “This wonderful horse is very easy and sensible to ride. He isn’t strong or fizzy and is snaffle mouthed at all times. He is very laid back and an absolute sweetheart to handle. He can be ridden by the most novice of riders in the school and has done everything. He has jumped up to 1.30m in Ireland and has a very good record. He loves to be fussed and is good to do in all ways. He would suit someone who is nervous and doesn’t want anything sharp or too forward going. He is a real kick-on type of ride and schoolmasters like him rarely come onto the market. He has a wealth of experience in all fields and could teach someone a huge amount.”

View the advert

3. ‘Total all-rounder’

Height: 16.2hh

Age: 12

Gender: gelding

Selling points: “This horse hacks alone and in company and has been ridden by both a tall man and teenage girl. He is an honest chap that is scopey and keen to a fence but not silly or spooky. He doesn’t have an affiliated record but he would easily go eventing.”

View the advert

4. ‘An absolute pleasure’

Height: 15.3hh

Age: nine

Gender: gelding

Selling points: “This horse is an absolute pleasure. He works well on the flat and has beautiful paces — his canter is to die for. He jumps a course of fences and has cross-country schooled. He has done lots of pleasure rides where he has always behaved impeccably. He hacks alone or in company and is very good in all traffic. He is fantastic to clip, box, shoe and catch. He is a dream to have on the yard and is one of those horses that brightens your day. We all argue over who is going to ride him in the morning and he makes us all smile. He has shown up to county level in his previous home and he deserves only the best.”

View the advert

5. ‘Quality horse’

Height: 16.2hh

Age: 10

Gender: gelding

Selling points: “This is an exciting one-star/novice event horse that would suit a competitive rider. He has four BE points and 30 BE foundation points and has previously showjumped in age classes in Belgium. He is big moving with a scopey jump and is very brave and honest. He isn’t spooky and knows his job. He hacks alone or in company and travels well, happily standing on the lorry all day at competitions. He is a straight forward horse to do and is always laid back. He is currently fit and out competing at novice/CIC* level and is an excellent schoolmaster to take a rider up through the levels.”

View the advert

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6. ‘Super’

Height: 15hh

Age: nine

Gender: mare

Selling points: “‘Sugar’ has been working in our riding school for the past four years. She has been used for lessons, hacking, cross-country, showjumping and hunting. She has been ridden safely by riders of all abilities and is well schooled. Sugar goes in a lovely soft outline and responds to the leg. She is a great jumper, a confidence builder across country and a super safe hunter — she is snaffle mouthed for all activities. Sugar would be perfect in a riding club or Pony Club home where she can have fun.”

View the advert

View more horses for sale on horseandhound.co.uk

NB: Horse & Hound has not checked the accuracy of the claims made in these adverts and cannot be held liable if the information included above is inaccurate in any way

Take a virtual walk around the 100cm cross-country course at the 2018 H&H Festival of Eventing.

The cross-country of this three-day unaffiliated event takes place on Sunday (27 May).

Fence 1 (pink numbers)

Fence 2

Fence 3

Fence 4a

Fence 4b

Fence 5a

Fence 5b

Fence 6

Fence 7

Fence 8

Fence 9a

Fence 9b

Fence 9c

Fence 10

Fence 11

Fence 12a

Fence 12b

Fence 13

Fence 14

Fence 15a

Fence 15b

Fence 16a

Fence 16b

Fence 17

Don’t miss the full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk.

A seven-year-old part-Warmblood, part-Dartmoor pony who was conceived by accident in the field is heading for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) after winning his first even SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) working show horse qualifier at Stretcholt.

Melissa Northwood and her partner bought the 15hh gelding Mendip Voyage (Barney) from his breeder Sandra Partridge when he was a four-year-old.

“I was looking for a bigger horse to event and actually had one I was going to buy, but was let down at the last minute,” said Melissa. “I saw him on the internet and thought he’d make a good project so went to see him — he was only 14.2hh.”

It was not until after she’d bought him that Melissa, who works as a saddle fitter and also teaches dressage and eventing students, found out how he came about.

“He was a complete accident. His mother is a 16.1hh eventer by the stallion Tallents Asa and his sire is a naughty Dartmoor pony who escaped into her field,” she said. “No one knew she was in foal.

“He has a big jump but is also very nimble and quick, which is where the pony is evident.”

After a a couple of seasons eventing, Melissa made the decision to hit the show ring and in four shows, the pair have had four victories. “He was looking so well and had matured so much, mentally and physically, that I thought we’d give working hunter a go.”

Although she has successfully competed in British Show Pony Society classes and rode for the Hunnables as a young girl, Melissa will be making her Birmingham debut.

“HOYS is the one thing that has always eluded me,” she said. “So I’m excited to get the chance to compete there after a lot of near misses when I was younger.”

Even though the duo beat 20 other competitors to win their SFAS qualifier, Barney and Melissa’s pre-Stretcholt training did not quite go as planned, as the gelding suffered an injury over winter.

“We’d only jumped twice before going to the show,” she added. “But on the day he jumped a beautiful round. One of the judges said he was a lovely chap.”

Continues below…

Barney will be aimed at competing at Bath and West show and Melissa also has hopes of trying some elementary dressage with him this summer.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.