Stable Hands Byron Bay

19/01/2025

Helen is now a Certified Freelancer with The British Grooms Association and a World Wide Member, which sets her apart by showing her commitment to professionalism and maintaining the highest standards within the way she works in the Equestrian Industry. Helen has completed several units of online training through the BGA as well. You’ll now see the BGA logo on the Stable Hands website and marketing material moving forward 🙌🏻

19/01/2025

Just completed the 1 Day Puppy Perfect Training through the Institute of Modern Dog Training (IMDT)🙌🏻 While I’m on a break from my usual business operations and services, I’ve decided to delve into various courses and training for my continued professional development (CPD) across both aspects of horse and dog care. This course was very informative, delivered by an excellent trainer and went at a great pace. I have more developments and courses coming up, and I can’t wait! So watch this space!

24/12/2024

🎄🎁🎅🏼 Wishing all my friends, clients and followers - The Stable Hands Family, - a very Merry Festive Season and a Happy New Year! This year has definitely thrown me some curve balls in the last 6 months, including gaining one pony Cloud, and losing another in my soul horse Jamie (a dedication post about him is still to come) both unexpectedly; a work contract, a romance & a sponsorship opportunity that all fell through; and subsequently a move back to the Uk that I wasn’t fully prepared for, with all the emotions and everything else that brought with it.
But… I am trusting that the New Year will bring in new beginnings, new opportunities, and I’m excited to see what 2025 has in store for Me, Cloud and the StableHands family. I know this year has been a tough one for many people, so I’m going to usher in as many positive thoughts and manifestations as I can for all of you! Follow your dreams, work hard, and keep going. All the best for 2025 ✨✨✨

24/12/2024

🦄 My most recent Cloud update photo! 🦄 He’s growing up so much and has finally lost all his foal fluff! It’s so exciting to see his progress, although it’s bitter sweet that I’m not there to see it myself. He’s in the best of hands with and - thanks so much for taking such good care of my Not-so-Little-Cloud! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

24/12/2024

🦄 Helen Update!🦄
While I’m in the Uk, I have been very lucky to start working for in Formby. I’m here full time, and have joined an amazing team of dog care professionals. The Pawfect Retreat is compromised of a luxury dog hotel, a doggy daycare & a canine hydrotherapy centre, and the team here really go above and beyond for their clients and the dogs here in our care (my kind of people ☺️) and I’m proud to be part of their team. We have so many wonderful dogs coming through the hotel, and of course our regulars at the daycare! It might be cold, and a shock to the system after living in Aus for so long, but the sunrises and sunsets over this property are some of the best I’ve ever seen, sorry Byron but you’ve got some competition! 🤣 Check the place out, it’s pretty impressive!

07/11/2024

To all my Stable Hands Family, as some of you know already, Stable Hands Byron Bay will be on hiatus while I take a prolonged break to visit family in the Uk. The last few months have thrown me quite a few curveballs and it’s been a challenging time. I’ll be back next year refreshed and ready to look after your horses and pets once again, and I will be looking to expand the Stable Hands team and client base. I want to thank all my amazing clients for their support, kindness and understanding.
I’ll be posting progress and updates on my socials, so don’t go anywhere! I’ll be back soon!
With Love, Helen 🦄

07/11/2024

Always Slow Down and be careful when passing, give them a wide berth too!

Please be aware that horse riders sometimes ride in double file to protect novice riders or nervous horses, are often able to see and hear further ahead than a motorist, and may signal to you. The riders may be children or young people. Horses are powerful animals that are easily frightened and can panic in traffic. Please slow down and give them plenty of room when overtaking.

22/10/2024

No wonder we don’t need the gym when we have horses! 🤣

𝙹𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚗 𝚌𝚊𝚔𝚎 🍰🧁🎂

21/10/2024

New advice for worming your horses to prevent resistance. Key take aways: FECs should be used as a tool to inform you about your horse’s worm burden BEFORE using a treatment. There are new tests available for worms the FEC doesn’t pick up on, and a low worm burden can be healthy for your horse so it can build immunity. A new horse to the premises should always have an FEC done straight away before any treatment is given. Good read, lots of information! Always consult your vet or specialist for advice about your particular horse🐴🪱

New guidelines on equine worm control have been launched – with the warning: “If horse owners don’t make these changes now, it will be too late.” Cross-sector group CANTER (Controlling Antiparasitic resistance in Equines Responsibly), has published a “crucial” document setting out key pr...

09/10/2024

I will never be able to describe the power of time spent cleaning stalls.

During this time I have made some of the biggest decisions in my life. I have silently thought my way, step by step, through some of the biggest disasters of my life. I have ugly cried my way through heartbreak all while cleaning stalls. I’ve thrown bags of sawdust in range as I thought about all of the sh*tty things going on in my life. Each stall has oddly given me a place of comfort as I stood, fork in hand, feeling empty during the times I’ve felt so alone. It has taught me to appreciate the serenity of the quiet. Realizing the ones in my life I can count on and the numerous fake people who are only present when convenient for themselves. I’ve enjoyed a free gym membership, as I’ve sculpted my back and shoulders into “he man”, just sifting away. I’ve stumbled my way, dry heaving, with sunglasses ....cleaning stalls through morning sickness, because god forbid my best friend be forced to stand in a dirty stall. Today I spend my morning cleaning stalls and processing my life. I’m mentally making life changing decisions, as I write this post, knowing that whatever I decide, it will be the right one, as it was made in a stall.

I understand that there are those who think us horse people should get “real” jobs. And that all we do is spend our days “playing” around. I’m genuinely sorry that you have never been exposed to a lifestyle that teaches you discipline, how to love unconditionally, put something other then yourself first, bust your ass for the things you want and need, kept humble by a 1200 lb animal, the real meaning of “hard work”, early mornings and late nights spent caring for something other than YOU. Those are things a “real job” will never give you.

Some of you haven’t cleaned stalls .....and it shows.

- Aubrey Burwell

26/09/2024

Keep a close eye on this weather system everyone!

2 LOWS FOR SEQLD & NENSW - Widespread Rain, Possible Flooding, Damaging Winds & Dangerous Surf! *Share + Tag family and friends*
A cold core upper low will track North East into both areas tonight causing instability to increase. Scattered showers, rain areas and isolated storms with hail are expected to develop this afternoon and evening through North East NSW into Southern inland QLD. This activity is likely to push into SEQLD early Friday morning (Blue line & arrow).
The upper low is expected to spawn a surface low just off the NENSW & SEQLD coasts overnight Friday before intensifying in strength during Saturday. The 2 lows are forecast to become aligned into one (White circle & arrows). Heavy rainfall is likely between Port Macquarie and Tweed Heads including inland areas to the ranges with current data suggesting up to 200mm is possible - this could lead to some flooding given the ground is already wet. Depending on EXACTLY where the low develops will determine the heaviest rainfall - if it is slightly further north then heavy falls will spread into the Gold Coast and Brisbane as well so watch for forecast updates and changes for that. Scattered showers and rain areas are likely across SEQLD (along and east of the ranges) during Saturday.
Damaging South to South Easterly winds up to 100kmhr are possible on Friday and Saturday for exposed parts of the Gold Coast - Hinterland, Border Ranges and Main Range of SEQLD, Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast in NSW.
Dangerous surf and beach conditions also expected along the NENSW coast into the southern SEQLD coast.
So overall across SEQLD it is going to be wet, cold and windy on Friday & Saturday - if the low develops further north severe threats could include parts of SEQLD. NENSW watch for severe weather with heavy rain, flash flooding, damaging winds and dangerous surf.
*** To access our full forecast details with high resolution maps, more towns, rain, storm and flood maps plus live warnings sent to your email and phone click to subscribe here *** >>> https://higginsstormchasing.com/subscribe/

ECMWF rain forecast via weatherwatch.net.au

18/09/2024

Long toes only affect the navicular right?

The leg has a series of joints. The metacarpo-phalangeal joint (fetlock), the proximal interphalangeal joint and distal interphalangeal joint (Pastern and coffin). Each one of these joints is a centre of rotation and because of how the digit is not underneath the limb, but in front off, each of these joints is profoundly affected by the distance from its centre of rotation to the point at which the ground acts through the hoof. In the form of the turning force (moment).
An increased turning force must be counteracted by whatever keeps those joints from descending under the load, the tendons AND ligaments.

Hence why long toes affect ALL of the soft tissue structures on the back of the leg. Both tendons and the suspensory!

If you would like this information clarified, explained in simpler terms and would like an introductory lesson in equine digit biomechanics then join myself and The study of the equine hoof on the 3rd Oct at 7pm BST where I will be doing just that.

https://equineeducationhub.thinkific.com/courses/digit-biomechanics-101

10/09/2024

Make sure you pups are fully vaccinated, and your older dogs have their annual vaccinations 🐶

PARVO VIRUS CASES IN BALLINA.

Dog owners please be aware there have been reported cases of parvovirus in the Ballina area.

Please take the time to research this virus and familiarise yourself with the signs, symptoms and transmission of the virus.

It is a highly contagious and hearty virus.

If you suspect your dog or puppy is affected call your vet for advice. Do not walk in unannounced and risk exposing others.

We will be operating with caution so as not to put animals in our care at risk.
Parvo is a devasting and often fatal virus so please respect safety measures put in place.

Please ensure your dog or puppy is fully vaccinated and vaccinations are kept up to date.

15/08/2024

SAVE THE DATE!!!

We are back & diving straight into a T-Shirt hack and Jumping Equitation day. This day is a great opportunity to dust off your cobwebs to prepare for the spring shows ahead or to learn the ropes of competing in the hack ring. We have also added a great Jumping Equitation program to perfect your style and technique over a jumping course.

We have a great program being released in a couple of days with equally great prizes.

11/08/2024

Very important when overtaking horses on the road, and well demonstrated, give us at least 2 metres, and pass slowly 🙏🏼