Lisa's Equine Services & Solutions

09/06/2021

🤣👌🐎

09/06/2021

08/06/2021

I totally agree with this! 🙌 Unless there is a medical reason all weaning should be slow and gradual. Much less stress on your valuable and much loved mares and foals.

Justine Harrison Equine Behaviorist
WHEN SHOULD YOU WEAN YOUR FOAL?

This wonderful photo gives interesting insight into the behaviour of 3 generations of horses in one family.

In a natural environment a mare may not wean her foal until the next one is born a year later, some mares may nurse two foals (born in consecutive years) at the same time. Weaning usually occurs around 9-16 months. Depending on the situation mares do sometimes wean earlier than 9 months and sometimes later – as we can see here in this image. This means that naturally foals would be weaned much later than in our current domestic situations.

The mare-foal bond and their time spent together is so important. This relationship will affect how foals behave and interact with others throughout their life. The mare doesn't just provide nutritional support from her milk, but also emotional support – nurturing, protecting and teaching the foal so they can grow up to be a confident adult. Early and/or abrupt weaning can have long-lasting and devastating effects on a foal’s state of mind and influence their learning, social skills, confidence and health going forward.

There is increasing evidence to show we should be weaning much later than the common domestic practice of 4-6 months to ensure the long term physical and psychological wellbeing of the foal, or indeed letting the mare wean the foal herself when she is ready.

The weaning process needs to be gradual and as stress free as possible – ideally without either of them realising they are being weaned. Abrupt separations are extremely traumatic for both mare and foal so should be avoided at all costs. A difficult weaning can also mean a foal is more likely to perform stereotypies, develop separation anxiety or become fearful in later life.

Studies looking at the effects of artificial weaning have shown it is clearly a stressful experience for foals and it can have a huge impact on their health. One study found 21% of foals had ulcers before weaning and this increased to a staggering 98% two weeks afterwards. Since this is the case why is early and traumatic weaning (where the mare and foal are separated in one event) still such common practice?

In the wild foals nurse as much for comfort as they do for nutrition. Here is Hayden nursing on her Mom Scarlet as Hayden’s foal Chelsea nursing on her Mom. A family moment. Because to wild horses, family is what their lives are all about. Fabulous Photo by John T Humphrey. Please SHARE our posts and help us teach about wild horse behavior.

08/06/2021

Here it is guys and gals!

Here is a list of areas that I will be travelling to! 🚙💨

* Karoonda, Wynarka, Borrika.

* Loxton, Renmark, Kingston On Murray.

* Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge, Yumali, Mannum, Monarto.

* Mt Barker, Lobethal, Meadows, Echunga, Strathalbyn.

Unfortunately there is a catch! There must be a minimum of 3 clients booked for each area or within a 50km radius of those towns listed above. As long as you are within the 50km radius of those towns I will very happily travel to you to work with you, your horse/pony/donkey or mule! I cater for all Equines great and small, neigh or bray! 👌😊

At this point in time unfortunately I cannot offer lessons on my wonderful school horses until we get our facilities up and running but this will hopefully be available in the near future! 🐎

If you are unsure if I service your area and you don't see it listed above, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your location and if there is availability!

Services currently available:

* Horsemanship/Groundwork Lessons
* Beginner and Intermediate Riding Lessons
* Float Training
* Horse Handling and Problem Horses
* Introduction to Liberty/Trick Training
* Pony Hire for Rides or Parties


For any enquiries please either send a message via Facebook, send a text or email! Happy Horsing! 👌🐎

08/06/2021

👀 Watch this space!👀

This evening I will be posting the current areas and surrounds that I will be traveling to!

Don't currently own a float? Nervous to take your equine partner off of the property? Have an equine friend who is difficult or nervous to load? No problems!! 👌🐴

I travel to you! 🚙💨👍🐎



Services currently available:

* Horsemanship/Groundwork Lessons
* Beginner and Intermediate Riding Lessons
* Float Training
* Horse Handling and Problem Horses
* Introduction to Liberty/Trick Training
* Pony Hire for Rides or Parties

Don't hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions or would like to make a booking!

05/06/2021

Evening check on the gang out in the back paddock. 🐴 Love where we call home 💕

05/06/2021

I see you.
I see your worry.
I see your thresholds.
I see when you don't fully understand and I need to explain more clearly.
I see when you are upset.
I see when you are worried about the wind.
I see when you are worried about a friend who is leaving and you are left behind.
I see when you have difficulty to coordinate your legs for a complicated exercise.
I see when you feel a bit stiff and need a little longer to warm up.
I see when you feel fresh and want to just play!
I see when you are happy!
I see when you want to connect!
I see when you have an urgent itchy spot you would like me to scratch.
I see your need for friends.
I see your need for movement.
I see your need to forage.
I see your need for mental stimulation.
I see your need to feel safe no matter what we do together.
I see your need for routine.
I see your need for me to be coherent and clear.

I see YOU.

What a difference it makes to a horse once she knows I SEE her.
Not just me and my needs, my desires, my goals.

But her. What does she want? How does she feel about what I do with her? How can I present things to her that she will happily accept?

You and Me, Together.

It's about the Relationship.