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Oh. Crazy. Don't you guys have to vax?
ETA - ah, i did some reading. So, what now? Are they going to start vaxing? Or wait it out and retighten quarantine? In the UK you just have to vax and boost every 6 months and you're good to go. You have to keep up to date (they're really strict - can't get onto showgrounds etc. without your passport/vax card being up to date) but it's no hassle once you're used to it. Not everyone i know vaxes, but everyone who shows/breeds does. Others don't always but it rarely kills so it's not too bad if they get it. It's funny to imagine you guys never having had to deal with it - like us and rabies i guess.
Bx
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We never had to vax because we never ever had it before. Vaxing was only ever done in quarantine before horses left here and before horses arrive :(
Anyway, it's hit more than just the racing industry in Vic now.I just got the press release from DPI, EFA, HRCAV and PCAV that no events are to be held for the month of September. No rallies, clinics nothing. Unless you can certify that you are following all the biohazard protocolly stuff...and what pony or riding club can be bothered with all that kerfuffle??
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We cant transport horses, nobody is allowed on the property that has contact with any other horses including farrier vet or instructors. We cant ride outside the property either and have to pick up our own horse feed, cant get anything delivered at all. All races, shows and any other horse events are all cancelled or postponed and some poor people are stuck at some events they were competing at and can't leave until the lockdown is lifted, they must be going quietly insane.
Thanks for the tips, he isn't that bad so that has helped so far, he has improved about 50% in 4 months and that is not really trying too hard, so i am lucky to have a lovely boy.
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It could be, allgirls, that his previous owner/rider was doing something else entirely that had him in this habit and that simply by being around you he'll cure himself of it. I know one pony who worked in a riding school with beginner kids on her back all day, they had to use a lunge whip in the school to get her to canter as she was so reluctant to go forwards. She was bought by my friend, fast-forward 3 months and they had her in a running martingale because she's so keen she's practically bolting! Only working 8-10 hours a week instead of 3-5 hours a day and not having inexperienced riders bumping about on top had turned her back into herself. :)
What on earth do you do in a medical emergency!? The vet can't come to you at ALL?
Bx
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The vets can still come but they have to take 'biosecurity' measures and a lot of vets are only attending cases if they have to.
On the other topic, racers can be a hassle to re-educate but it is very rewarding to do so. The old walking off while mounted trick is pretty standard for OTTBs. I like Hoobley's method but as another suggestion, I do the 'hassle them back to where they were originally standing' trick. Basically, if they go to walk off, I don't get on, I either back them up back to where they were standing or if they have moved sideways, I make them sidestep back to where they were. I do this by jabbing (gentling) with my thumb. It takes some persistence but it's worth it to have a horse that stands still when you went to get on!
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Oh my SamanthaP, Rega (the stallion) would have tried to do a murder if i'd gotten into a confrontation like that with him! I only used the hassling when it came to personal space (i.e. i'm allowed in his but he's not allowed in mine unless invited) and even then it could be pretty risky.
Does anyone else use join-up as a technique? I found that VERY effective.
Bx
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That's the way i have been doing it samanthap and has worked pretty well so far, all his previous owners didn't give him any time or love so he just laps up our time together and he actually enjoys (most of the time) learning.
We can only get the vet in an emergency, we just happen to be lucky that one of the guys can put shoes on so if it goes on for a while he will come in handy.
