Helping Equines in Bushfires February 2014

Posted on 10/02/2014 by Admin

Evacuation, assistance available, welfare groups, social media networking, volunteering, etc. Any useful information related to horses and other equines caught up in bushfires that we haven’t linked to here yet, please let us know. feb 2014 horses in bushfires

National 

Victoria

South Australia

Western Australia

Information on emergency planning, evacuation and caring for horses after a fire:

 

If you know of resources that would be useful to this page please let us know.

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Off The Track: New Careers in Mounted Security for Ex-Racehorses

Posted on 04/02/2014 by Admin
ATC Mounted Division Security

Photo: ATC Mounted Division

A group of former racehorses have found new careers as security mounts in NSW. The horses attend race days, music festivals and other events, and they also visit aged care and special needs facilities where they are much loved by the residents. There is also a job opportunity available to work with these horses, keep reading to find out more.

Raewyn Parkin is Equine Security Coordinator with the Australian Turf Club Mounted Security Division. Here is what she has to say about giving ex-racehorses a new opportunity after racing:

“The Australian Turf Club Mounted Security Division originally developed alongside the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Trust, as the operational advantages of security mounted on horses became evident with the ‘Future Music Festival’ held each year at Randwick Racecourse.”

Time Out at a Music Festival

Time Out to Relax at a Music Festival. Photo: ATC Mounted Division

“Ex Racers seemed the ideal solution as they were readily available, athletic, courageous, and responsive to their riders. Utilising the very horses bred for this industry also meant that they could become ambassadors for the Thoroughbred horse, demonstrating on a day to day basis to the wider community that their home is not just on the track, but that they are indeed wonderful animals that can be competitive in just about any equestrian sport if given the opportunity.”

Training Session at Canterbury Racecourse, NSW

Training Session at Canterbury Racecourse, NSW. Photo: ATC Mounted Division.

“As well as their security duties on race days and at events and music festivals, our horses take part in community engagements. These engagements entail visits to local aged care and special needs facilities where the residents (and sometimes family members) are able to interact with the horses by the way of pats and even feeding the horses carrots and apples (the horses love carrots and seem to enjoy the visits almost as much as the residents).”

There are more great photos and information on the ATC Mounted Division website and Facebook page. You can follow the horses as they get out and about.

There’s also an opportunity right now for those who would like to work with these lovely ex-racehorses as part of the mounted security division. You will need to be an experienced rider with a security license. Here are the basic details:

Are you an experienced rider with a Security License?

The Australian Turf Club’s award winning Mounted Security Division is currently recruiting riders to join our team.

We require experienced, capable riders that hold a current NSW 1A, 1C Security License for casual work (primarily Saturday day shifts) within the Sydney Metropolitan area on race days and at events.

Our shifts range on average from a minimum 4hrs to 12hrs at above award rates.

If you are eligible please phone us on 0409 513 039. You can follow our Facebook page at ATC Mounted Division

 

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Events February and March 2014

Posted on 01/02/2014 by Admin

Some big events in the next two months, a free online course in nutrition, the Australian Brumby Challenge final in Vic, the “Horse Home Show” in Qld will feature large animal rescue and the South East Qld Brumby Association, there will be a horse psychology and behaviour workshop in Victoria, plus there are volunteer days and more! horse-images-11 horse care

Date change: NARGA’s National Animal Rescue Week has now been changed from March to 27th Sept – 3rd Oct 2014. See Facebook event. 

February 2014

  • Sat 1st & Sun 2nd Feb – Upper Beaconsfield, Vic – Victorian Brumby Association “Australian Brumby Challenge” – Website and Facebook page
  • Sun 2nd Feb – Freemans Reach, NSW – Horse Rescue Australia “Volunteer Day” – website
  • Sun 2nd Feb – Highvale, Qld – Equine Action Qld “Dream Board/Vision and Fundraising Meeting” – Facebook event
  • Sun 2nd Feb – Hunter Valley, NSW – Horse Welfare Inc “Volunteer Induction” – Facebook event
  • Sat 8th Feb – Caboolture, Qld – QSEC’s “Horse Home Show” will include a Large Animal Rescue Demonstration, and the South East Qld Brumby Association are among the exhibitors – Website
  • Sun 9th Feb – Camden Park, SA – Horse SA “Changing Rein Forum ~ Promoting life after racing for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds”  – Website
  • Sun 9th Feb – Willowmavin, Vic – Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” – Website
  • Mon 10th Feb – Monarto, SA – Horse SA “Horse Owners Bushfire Survival Planning Workshop, Monarto & Murray Bridge Region” – Website
  • Sat 22nd Feb – Gold Coast, Qld – Large Animal Rescue “Presentation to Gold Coast Writers’ Group” – Website
  • Sat 22nd Feb – Willowmavin, Vic – Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” – Website

March 2014

  • *Changed date to Sept/Oct* – National – NARGA (National Animal Rescue Groups of Australia) “National Animal Rescue Week” – Facebook event
  • Sun 9th Mar – Willowmavin, Vic – Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” – Website
  • Sat 15th Mar – Portarlington, Vic – The Winged Horse Equine Welfare Inc “Horse Psychology and Behaviour Workshop” – Details on Facebook
  • Sat 22nd Mar – Willowmavin, Vic – Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” – Website

Expressions of interest sought ~ 2015

All year long
  • Host your own fundraiser for Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria “Extra little bit of hope” – Download the program here (PDF file)
  • Host your own fundraiser or book a brumby spotting tour and training demonstration to support South East Qld Brumby Association – Website
  • Equine Emergency Rescue ~ Organise your own equine emergency rescue event in 2014 – click here for details
Other calendars of events

Please email us at editor(at)australianhorserescue.com it you know of any events involving equine welfare or rescue for Australians. 🙂

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Brumby Management, Rescue & Rehoming Update

Posted on 27/01/2014 by Admin

The latest brumby events, dozens of brumbies available for adoption, brumby news and recently released brumby books.

Australian Brumby Challenge

The final of the Australian Brumby Challenge is on at the Victorian Equestrian Centre in Upper Beaconsfield on the 1st and 2nd Feb 2014. Trainers have had 100 days to work with their brumbies in two sections – ridden and yearlings. Find out more on their website, including details on how to be approved to bid at the auction for one of these amazing horses at the end of the event.  Also see their Facebook page.

Aussie Brumby Support

Brumby News

Brumbies Available for Rehoming

(Note: Each organisation below has their own terms and conditions. Eg. some are for sale while others for adoption. Some are handled and/or trained while others are not. Some may be available immediately while others are looking for “expressions of interest”. Our focus here is on horses caught or conceived in the wild, however some orgs do also breed horses so please ask the organisation first if this factor is important to you. Listings retrieved 27th Jan 2014. Please check all details with the organisation/s to make sure information is up to date, and don’t forget there are more organisations listed on our Brumbies page who may have brumbies available in future.)

South Australia

Coffin Bay Brumby Preservation Society Inc – 1 filly listed on website

Queensland

South East Queensland Brumby Association Inc – Pearl is an 8/9yo mare and they also have a mare named Grace with a colt foal Bo born Nov 2013.  Please read full details on their site. 

Western Australia

Outback Heritage Horse Association of Western Australia Inc – Has a listing for two horses (from May 2013) a gelding named Digger trained under saddle and a halter trained filly named Merrivale Hazel. They also encourage interested people to contact them to join a waiting list for future horses. Find out more on their website.

Victoria

Victorian Brumby Association – Has 8 brumbies listed on their website, aged from 10 months to 8yo, with mature heights from 13.3 – 14.3hh, fillies and geldings.

The Australian Brumby Challenge final event on the 1st & 2nd of Feb includes an auction of VBA horses to pre-approved bidders – There are two sections, ridden brumbies and yearlings. Find out about the horses at their website here and about the auction and approval process here.

New South Wales

Hoofs2010 Inc – Three brumbies listed on their website, Kosciuszko Belle a rising 3yo filly, Kosciuszko Adelong a 2yo filly and NT Tarlton a rising 4yo gelding.

Hunter Valley Brumby Association Inc – Two brumbies listed on their website, HVBA Pallano a 3yo gelding and HVBA Bravo a 4yo gelding.

Guy Fawkes Heritage Horse Association Inc – Four horses listed on their website, but also receive new horses on a regular basis. (Update: Some horses may have been sold from their Australia Day open day)

Save The Brumbies – Have photos of four horses available on their adoption page, and also rescued orphans from aerial slaughter west of Alice Springs. See their site for more info. 

Brumby Books

Some books released recently:

As always, see our “Brumbies” page for a directory of brumby organisations and news updates.

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Horse Welfare Events Jan and Feb 2014

Posted on 04/01/2014 by Admin

Happy New Year! Coming up in the next 2 months there is the Australian Brumby Challenge, Large Animal Rescue events, a racehorse welfare demonstration and opportunities for volunteers to help out at a working bee or volunteer day. A somewhat quiet start to the year. If you know of any events we’ve missed let us know!

Amish buggy giving rides to tourists, USA.

Amish buggy giving rides to tourists, USA.

If you are travelling overseas check out our new page “Responsible Tourism for Working Equines“.

January 2014

  • Sat 4th & Sun 5th Jan – Cranbourne, Vic – We Were Champions “Working Bee” – Facebook event
  • Sat 11th Jan – Gold Coast, Qld – Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses “Magic Millions Demonstration – 1% to Stop the Slaughter” – Facebook event
  • Sun 12th Jan – Willowmavin, Vic – Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” – Website
  • Sat 18th Jan – Cranbourne, Vic – We Were Champions “Adoption Day (with 30 horses looking for homes)” – Facebook event
  • Sat 25th Jan – Willowmavin, Vic – Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” – Website

February 2014

  • Sat 1st & Sun 2nd Feb – Upper Beaconsfield, Vic – Victorian Brumby Association “Australian Brumby Challenge” – Website and Facebook page
  • Sat 8th Feb – Caboolture, Qld – QSEC’s “Horse Home Show” will include a Large Animal Rescue Demonstration, and the South East Qld Brumby Association are among the exhibitors – Website
  • Sun 9th Feb – Willowmavin, Vic – Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” – Website
  • Sat 22nd Feb – Gold Coast, Qld – Large Animal Rescue “Presentation to Gold Coast Writers’ Group” – Website
  • Sat 22nd Feb – Willowmavin, Vic – Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” – Website

Expressions of interest sought ~ 2015

All year long
  • Host your own fundraiser for Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria “Extra little bit of hope” – Download the program here (PDF file)
  • Host your own fundraiser or book a brumby spotting tour and training demonstration to support South East Qld Brumby Association – Website
  • Equine Emergency Rescue ~ Organise your own equine emergency rescue event in 2014 – click here for details
Other calendars of events

Please email us at editor(at)australianhorserescue.com it you know of any events involving equine welfare or rescue for Australians. 🙂

 

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Horse Stories: Jimminy ~ Orphan of an Aerial Cull

Posted on 16/11/2013 by Admin

This is the story of a foal named Jimminy. He was the only horse remaining after a 2008 cull of 662 horses at Frazier Downs south of Broome in Western Australia. If you’ve guessed that this is a sad story, you would be correct, as in addition to the cull, unfortunately, in the end Jimminy did not survive either.

You may wonder why we’re posting a story from several years ago. Quite simply we hope that by sharing his story more caring people may become aware of this important horse welfare issue, including the present situation with ongoing welfare challenges, from an Oct/Nov 2013 cull at Lake Gregory in the Kimberley.

Libby Lovegrove from Wild Horses Kimberley takes up the story:

“This is Jimminy. The people of Bidyadanga /Frazier Downs, rang me after the cull and asked if I could save this little boy.”

Jimminy. Photo: Wild Horses Kimberley

Jimminy. Photo: Wild Horses Kimberley

“He was the last horse left standing after the horrific cull of 662 horses by the Dept. of Agriculture WA in 2008.”

Jimminy sleeps in the sun, day 3. Photo: Wild Horses Kimberley

Jimminy sleeps in the sun, day 3. Photo: Wild Horses Kimberley

“I brought him home in the back of our Troop Carrier, he slept on my lap, and I cared for him day and night for 12 days.”

Jimminy feeding day 12(4)

Jimminy Feeding Day 12. Photo: Wild Horses Kimberley

“This photo is of Brumby, a palomino wild horse trapped from Doongan station in the Kimberley, who was really keen to make friends with Jimminy. Jimminy not so keen!” Continue reading →

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Horse Welfare Wrap Up October 2013

Posted on 16/11/2013 by Admin

Here is our monthly wrap up of news articles and other posts related to horse welfare and equine rescue, in Australia and around the world. This month the NSW bushfires saw multiple horse rescues and other animal welfare organisations working hard to help fire affected people with their horses and other animals. An amazing effort by all involved. An aerial cull of wild horses at Lake Gregory began to much outcry from advocates of sustainable and humane wild horse management. The usual happy rehoming/adoption stories are included below, with the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Trust celebrating its 100th horse rehomed, as well as an article where Olympic medalists discuss thoroughbreds in eventing.

NSW Bushfires

oct 2013 bushfires

  • See our post “Helping Equines in NSW Bushfires ~ October 2013” for information on the organisations who volunteered their and services to evacuating and caring for horses, collecting donations and otherwise supporting fire affected horses and their owners.

Brumbies and Wild Horses

Equine Emergency Rescue

Happy adoption/rehoming stories

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Serious Concern Over Images of Injured and Deceased Horses from Aerial Cull in Western Australia’s Kimberley

Posted on 06/11/2013 by Admin

Distressing photographs have emerged of injured and deceased horses from an aerial cull of around 7,000 wild horses in Western Australia’s Kimberley.

Those who have been following the story of the wild horses of Lake Gregory and surrounds over the last few years will know that there have been repeated calls for culls, and also a previous plan to transport horses long distances to slaughter which did not go ahead. It seems that despite attempts to establish more humane management of the horses, a recent count found six thousand horses and a decision was made for aerial culling to be carried out.

Photo: Libby Lovegrove

Photo: Wild Horses Kimberley 2010

Estimates of over 7,000 horse deaths from the cull are being reported, and Wild Horses Kimberley have released images of injured and deceased horses which have raised serious concerns. Supporters of aerial culling insist that the horses are killed quickly and humanely, however Wild Horses Kimberley’s photographs, including one of a horse standing with what appears to be blood down his/her shoulder, call this into question.

You can view some of these distressing images on the Wild Horses Kimberley website **Graphic content warning ** Distressing images from wild horse cull at this link from Wild Horses Kimberley **Graphic content warning **

A vet supervising the cull admitted that of the 452 out of 7,000 horses he examined, approximately 1% were still alive after being shot.

Media Coverage:

Letters to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs:

  • Wild Horses Kimberley have uploaded a letter to their website from Animals Australia’s Executive Director Glenys Oogjes regarding the cull. You can read it at this link (PDF file)
  • They have also uploaded a letter from traditional owners at Bililuna (Lake Gergory) stating that they did not want a cull to go ahead but rather to implement other management. You can read it at this link (PDF file)

    Photo: Libby Lovegrove

    Photo: Libby Lovegrove

RSPCA Media Release:

Want to take action?

For previous AHWRN posts from the last few years about the wild horses of Lake Gregory and surrounds, click here. 

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An Each Way Bet for Horses in Need ~ 2013

Posted on 04/11/2013 by Admin

Betting on the Melbourne Cup this year? Want to support the horses that make it all possible? It’s easy! Here’s a simple way to have a little something each way for horses in need: Race horse galloping

Step 1. For the Win – Donate

Got a favourite horse charity? Horses bred for racing are regulars through the doors of most equine welfare organisations. What better time to give those organisations a bit of support!

But what if you don’t know any horse welfare charities? Easy – Check the list below (under step 2) for registered charities helping equines in need.

Step 2. For a Place – Share 

Let people know ~ Spread the word ~ In person or online!

Ideas:

  • Share this post!
  • Share a story, about an ex-racehorse you know, or perhaps about one that is rehabilitating at a rescue organisation right now
  • Talk about the horse rescue charity/charities you chose to donate to, and all the great work they do
  • Check the directory page on our website and “like” a few Facebook pages of organisations you’d like to support
  • Worried about the welfare of racehorses? Find out more about the big issues here
  • Promote racehorse rehoming programs! Find out more on the AHWRN thoroughbreds and standardbreds resource pages.

Thank you for being a part of this!

Not sure who to donate to?  Continue reading →

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Have you got your 2014 calendar yet?

Posted on 02/11/2013 by Admin

Calendars make great Christmas gifts! Check out the range of calendars available this year from Australian horse rescue and equine welfare organisations! Delight your friends and family with beautiful images all year round that help equines in need!

Ordering information, prices, postage, etc on each organisations site:

(Please note, images used here are not from any of the calendars)

(Please note, images used here are not from any of the calendars – for illustration only)

So many beautiful calendars! (If we’ve missed any, please let us know!)

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