Bethany Stone Equine

25/02/2023

Couple of jumps from our session this morning. Couldn’t be happier with how Flash is going. We’ve finally figured out that we don’t need to go full dragon and speed up before a jump and we can now stay in a steady relaxed canter which makes for a much nicer jump technique 🎉

11/11/2022

Showjumping rules can be daunting, so we've created a quick cheat sheet to help our followers — particularly those new to the sport 🐴📝
If you're up for further reading, you can find the complete set of jumping rules here: www.equestrian.org.au/Jumping-rules

01/11/2022

•SADDLE FITTING•

How often do you pull apart your saddle to check everything is still as it should be?

For the month of November Jess is offering $50 saddle health checks for all makes and models.

Your saddle health check will include:
• gullet screws and integrity
• girth points
• tree checks
• panels checks
• general fit and saddle health advice

This is a picture of a saddle I pulled apart on the weekend. As you can see in the picture this gullet screw was holding on by a thread. It’s incredibly important we are regularly (and thoroughly) checking our gear. Remember our saddle is the tool we use to communicate with our horse.

Simply bring your saddle in any time between Monday - Friday and Jess can take a look for you.

01/11/2022

I spent today at Avondale Tavern with these cuties, Coco and Rio at Yandaran P&C’ Melbourne Cup Luncheon raising money for Save a Horse Australia

Pamela you did an absolutely incredible job this year organising the event! Thanks to everyone who came and said hello! It was great to see you all!

30/10/2022

A couple of rare ears-forward photos of Flash 😂

26/10/2022

Remember to release after every aid. Releasing aids as soon as the horse gives the desired response is extremely important.

First, the release tells the horse that he did what you wanted. This removal of pressure is what scientists call 'negative reinforcement', because pressure has been removed. It makes the horse more likely to respond next time you give an aid.

Second, the release gives the horse a chance to develop self-carriage (when he maintains tempo, speed and line). This has the added benefit of giving riders the chance to return to their own neutral position (eg, 'quiet' legs and hands).

Third, the release makes it easier for the horse to tell the difference between one aid and another. This improves rider communication and reduces horse confusion.



Note: This particular Training Tuesday tip is about releasing after every aid, which is called 'negative reinforcement'. From the earliest rider Certificate, Pony Club Australia encourages 'positive reinforcement', which involves adding something that a horse finds pleasurable, like a scratch or a food reward.

10/10/2022

This is the first time Flash has been so fit and I’m so happy with her progress. She is beginning to get much more responsive, balanced and soft through her gaits. For a horse who’s flatwork has been a nightmare to work with cuz she finds the lack of poles and jumps boring, she’s finally starting to get somewhere. Testing out a new bit today to stop her charging into jumps and it worked a treat 👌.

13/07/2022

With the wet weather hanging around there’s bound to be plenty of greasy heel and rain rot around

Greasy Heel
We have been hearing about a lot of our customers having trouble with greasy heel on their horses. Rest assured - we have plenty of products in store to help clear it up! Pop on in for a chat and let us help you choose the most appropriate product for your horse.

07/07/2022

Great day for Flash 😂 two needles and wormer

30/06/2022

1 year with this girl today 🥰

29/06/2022

You might be paying me, but my contract is with your horse.

He starts talking to me as soon as I lay my eyes on him. It's not that I hear his voice or see pictures projected to me. His body speaks to me. I notice the placement of his feet beneath his body, the angles and symmetry of his hooves. I take in the rhythm of his breath, the motion of his ears, the wrinkle over his eye.

As you begin to tell me his story, my eyes continue scanning over the contours of his body. The hollows and creases explain a history of imbalance in his muscles. I make a mental note to look at your saddle.

I know he travels on the forehand well before you mention that he leans on the bit. The thickened throat-latch and hypertrophied under-neck muscles have been shouting at me since I arrived. That he spooks randomly at nothing comes as no surprise to me either.

Tensegrity will absorb many physical problems as they arise, allowing bodies to do an amazing job of compensating for physical trauma, but like us, as horses get older, trauma accumulates and creates dysfunctional posture and movement patterns.

And it's not just physical damage suffered through knocks, falls and micro-tears that takes a toll. There's emotional trauma from being weaned, trapped in yards, deprived of sufficient forage, transported, “broken-in”, separated from herdmates and so on…

Chronic emotional trauma can manifest as fascial restrictions. Dehydrated fascia becomes rigid, creating a strangle hold around muscles, nerves, tendons and even organs, limiting range of motion and sending pain signals to the brain. A vicious circle is created. The body braces as if to form a protective armour against unseen threats and the nervous system remains ever ready to flee, fight or freeze.

So once you have told me his story, it is my duty that I tell you what his body said to me. Be assured - these are my observations, not accusations. He’s always been like that, you say? Well how about today we start to do something about it? Not after the show next weekend, not after the trail ride, or after the $150 jumping lesson with the coach from out of town. For the sake of your horse, it needs to be now.

I've made a promise to your horse that I will
See him
Hear him
Honor and respect him.

I promised to do all in my power to help him feel safe so he is free to become the magnificent creature I know he can be.

So before I take your money - are you with me?

29/06/2022

Winter Combo’s are priced to Clear!

Strong 1200 Denier rip stop outer shell fabric that’s waterproof and breathable.
220g poly fill for warmth.
Leg Straps.
Low cross surcingles.
Twin buckle front closures.

Only $79.99! Hurry in, sale ends soon!

28/06/2022

So nice to have the jumps set up at home 🥰 slowly bringing the height of the jumps up again.

24/06/2022

New saddle day for fat, shiny Flash 🤩

21/06/2022

Staff Pick!

This week’s staff pick is by our wonderful Bethany! She has chosen our Training Leads, and loves them because of their quality and versatility. “I use these leads everyday. Whether I’m leading a beginner on their horse, lunging, ground working, long reining or tying up a horse, they’re my go to.”

These leads are soft to touch and easy to manage, and with excellent quality rope and fittings they are made to last.
We have a range of lengths and colours in store now!

20/06/2022

Ari did a fabulous job this afternoon with Chicky working on riding without stirrups! 🤩 Go Ari!!

Sara Lidia Abdy

06/06/2022

LOVE this! ❤

26/05/2022

25/05/2022

Hey Everyone!

With this off the chart rainy weather recently I thought it would be fitting to make a post with a couple of concerns working horses in the weather 😊.

Unfortunately when it rains it creates an environment that the risk for injury is extremely high. A horses leg is extremely fragile and I take precautions to minimise any injuries. Horses are big animals and in the event of a slip, they have a lot more weight that they need to recover than ourselves.

I take the risk for horses injury very very seriously as if a horse injured itself (normally slipping on wet ground) not only am I liable, it also means potentially weeks or months of recovery depending on the severity of the injury and also hours spent rehabilitating and treating an injury. Not to mention the money spent to treat this sort of thing, vet visits etc. I have seen results of horses slipping and falling several times first hand and if I can avoid this I definitely would.

As much as we love working with our horses, Sometimes it is better for your horse to stay in the paddock than to run the risk of an injury. Especially in the case of riding our horses, as having your horse fall from underneath you or your child is something that no one wants.

Unfortunately I need to trust the weatherman and may need to cancel a session for this reason because at the end of the day, I am here to help you and your horses and not hinder their progress. 😊

20/04/2022

Read , let it sink in, then read again :

“No. 1. Get your tack and equipment just right, and then forget about it and concentrate on the horse.

No. 2. The horse is bigger than you are, and it should carry you. The quieter you sit, the easier this will be for the horse.

No. 3. The horse's engine is in the rear. Thus, you must ride your horse from behind, and not focus on the forehand simply because you can see it.

No. 4. It takes two to pull. Don't pull. Push.

No. 5. For your horse to be keen but submissive, it must be calm, straight and forward.

No. 6. When the horse isn`t straight, the hollow side is the difficult side.

No. 7. The inside rein controls the bending, the outside rein controls the speed.

No. 8. Never rest your hands on the horse's mouth. You make a contract with it: "You carry your head and I'll carry my hands."

No. 10. Once you've used an aid, put it back.

No. 11. You can exaggerate every virtue into a defect.

No. 12. Always carry a stick, then you will seldom need it.

No. 13. If you`ve given something a fair trial, and it still doesn't work, try something else—even the opposite.

No. 14. Know when to start and when to stop. Know when to resist and when to reward.

No. 15. If you're going to have a fight, you pick the time and place.

No. 16. What you can't accomplish in an hour should usually be put off until tomorrow.

No. 17. You can think your way out of many problems faster than you can ride your way out of them.

No. 18. When the horse jumps, you go with it, not the other way around.

No. 19. Don`t let over-jumping or dull routine erode the horse's desire to jump cleanly. It's hard to jump clear rounds if the horse isn't trying.

No. 20. Never give up until the rail hits the ground.

No. 21. Young horses are like children—give them a lot of love, but don't let them get away with anything.

No. 22. In practice, do things as perfectly as you can; in competition, do what you have to do.

No. 23. Never fight the oats.

No. 24. The harder you work, the luckier you get."

~Bill Steinkraus

16/04/2022

Hey Everyone!

I have recently had a few people contact me in regards to what services I offer. Below is a description of my services and pricing as also found on my website at https://bethanystoneequine.square.site 😊.

At this stage, I am a mobile horse trainer so I am unable to offer lessons on my own horses, at my property or using my gear or float. I will travel to you to work with you and your horse.

• Groundwork Lesson •

One-on-one groundwork session with your horse. I will both instruct you and work with your horse myself to achieve the desired outcome and improve your relationship with your horse. Prices starting from $60.

• Exercise Training Ride •

One-on-one riding session with your horse. I will discuss what your expectations and goals are for your horse and will train them during a ride including warm up, workout and cool down. Prices starting from $50.

• General Beginner Lesson•

One-on-one lesson beginning with the basics. Whether you are new to horses or just want your children to learn the right way, I will start at the beginning to help you learn the basics the safe way. These sessions cover everything from grooming to tacking up, to trotting over your first jump. Prices starting at $50.

• Intermediate to Advanced Specialised Lesson •

One-on-one lesson with you and your horse at an intermediate to advanced level in a particular discipline. I will work with you and your horse to achieve your goals using my industry and competitive knowledge to get you and your horse show ready. Prices starting at $60.

• Re-breaking Session •
For horses that have been broken in but out of work for months or even years. I will work with you and your horse to bring them back under saddle again. Whether you are unsure how your horse will react to being under saddle or just don't have the knowledge to try it yourself, I will help you to bring your horse back under saddle in a calm, relaxed manner. Prices starting at $60.

• Float Loading Session •

For horses that can be tricky or impossible to load. I will work with the horse and your float/trailer to improve their confidence in a relaxed manner and train them to self load. Never have to worry about getting stuck at an event again for hours trying to load your horse! Prices starting at $60 per hour.

DISCLAIMER
Please note that as horse's are animals with limited attention spans, the session lengths indicated above are flexible to the needs of the individual horse. I will never push a horse past their limits in order to meet a time limit as this will hinder your horse's progress.

16/04/2022

04/04/2022

And we’re back in action! Flash is back in work and so am I! 💪

I am currently in the process of confirming availability with clients to organise my schedule from this week. If you have been waiting to get onto me until I have returned from holidays now is the time as I cannot confirm if I have any available time slots going forward if you don’t contact me now so I can confirm a time for you! Feel free to shoot me a DM at any time. 😊

03/04/2022

🚨 NEW PRODUCT ALERT 🚨

4CYTE EPIITALIS FORTE

What is 4CYTE?

4CYTE is a non invasive gel for horses used to treat joint and cartilage related diseases. Specially formulated horse feed additive that protects and repairs damaged joints with the active ingredient an exclusive plant seed oil that is patented for its cartilage repair and pain relief properties.

👉 Easy to use
👉 Can be used daily and taken in conjunction with other medications and supplements
👉 No known side effects
👉 Recommended by veterinarians
👉 Widely used with excellent results
👉 Available in 250ml and 1L options

Pop in store and ask the team about 4CYTE. Limited stock available.

28/03/2022

A friendly courtesy post to all my valued clients! 😊

I have had to implement a small price increase on all of my services due to inflation, rising fuel costs and improving my services.

These price increases will be implemented from the beginning of April.

These increases are minimal and no more than I need to to keep my business running smoothly and allow me to continue to travel to my clients who need me most!

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or concerns.

I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things next week! 😊

16/03/2022

Hey Everyone!!

So a little bit late but that’s a wrap! I am hanging up the boots and jeans for a bit and will not be working horses for the next three weeks because I’m off to get married this weekend! 😁 I will be back in action from April 3rd after some much needed time off. Can’t wait to get back into it already!

Also stay tuned for a name change…. 🤭

10/03/2022

NO LONGER AVAILABLE - SESSION BOOKED

09/03/2022

Cancellation appointment available this afternoon! DM to book. This is the last available session before I take 3 weeks off! 😊