Red Gum Equine Services

Red Gum Equine Services A student of the horse and part time barefoot trimmer doing my best to learn what I can and help a few horses along the way. Based in the Top End of Australia.

I'm often asked if I'll ever quit my office job in order to go full time in the horse industry. My typical response is t...
16/11/2025

I'm often asked if I'll ever quit my office job in order to go full time in the horse industry. My typical response is to give a short hysterical type laugh followed by "and deal with horse people every day? Absolutely no way in hell, I don't have a thick enough hide for that." The originator of the question usually has a laugh in response and walks away not realising that I am in no way joking, not even for a second.

It's a sad reality that I am not alone on this and that the horse industry is not only a physically tough industry to be in but it's a mentally tough industry to make a living from as well. Mental burnout of equine professionals is a real thing, some bounce back stronger than before, others crawl back to just get by and some don't make it back at all and that's sad. To make a living in the horse industry the biggest thing you need is a thick hide, Buffalo thick hide, followed by a sense of humour (albeit somewhat twisted at times) and then talent/knowledge/skills/something to offer.

All the little things add up. It's the unspoken word and actions that can hit hard. The equine professional who does everything they can for a client, is told they're amazing and their help is seemingly appreciated is suddenly dropped for someone else. It's the coming and going of clients for various reasons and, to be honest, some of those reasons can be a real kick in the guts.

Then there's the rumour mill and criticisms that runs hot when something goes awry. The whole "2 sides to the story" thing however the side of the equine professionals is rarely heard unfortunately :( The advice that is misinterpreted and not followed that can taint the reputation of the equine professional. The rumour mill is a vicious and very real part of the game sadly. Horses, much like funerals, can bring out the best AND worst in people.

Surviving the roller coaster ride that is working in the equine industry, no matter how big or small your business is, sure isn't easy and not for the feint of heart. I have a great deal of respect for anyone who does it full time, whilst it can be incredibly rewarding it sure ain't easy.

Of course there are the amazing clients, the ones who make it all worthwhile and it's those precious individuals who help keep the equine professionals going and available in the industry for others.

Equine professionals often present as being fine, tough, hard sort of people but just know that sometimes this is a front they have to put on in order to keep going and keep getting business in order to survive. Be kind and considerate to your equine professional, they are honestly doing their best for both you and your horse and are human too. Whilst it isn't up to anyone to be responsible for the mental health of others it doesn't hurt to be aware of how your actions could impact.

My verdict on the Icar nippers..... superb 👌👌👌 Definitely worth the investment.
16/11/2025

My verdict on the Icar nippers..... superb 👌👌👌 Definitely worth the investment.

It's the little things that bring me joy some days...... like a horse standing perfectly square at the end of a trim 🥰 T...
15/11/2025

It's the little things that bring me joy some days...... like a horse standing perfectly square at the end of a trim 🥰

The way a horse stands can tell you a lot about what's going on in their bodies especially their feet. I don't fixate on it as such, I don't make it my mission to get every horse I touch to stand perfectly, I just take it as good feedback and interesting information and continue on my merry way.

Where does the money you pay your hoof care professional go? Mostly into the fuel tank of the vehicle they're driving, s...
13/11/2025

Where does the money you pay your hoof care professional go? Mostly into the fuel tank of the vehicle they're driving, some of it goes to a muscle therapist, food and then there's tools 🛠

There's 22 rasps in the pile in the photo at an average of around $45/rasp which only last maybe 20 or so horses, so yes...... that's a $1000 worth of rasps sitting right there which I gave away to a local hobbyist knife maker. I've just upgraded my nippers so there's another $450ish (but they should last me the next few years).

Whatever $$ are left we do what we please with which for me goes straight back to my horses and professional development. It's a labour of love that's for sure.

📸 Penny and James enjoying a drink at a mates place after a ride out yesterday morning.Penny is such a good drinker 🥰 Do...
10/11/2025

📸 Penny and James enjoying a drink at a mates place after a ride out yesterday morning.

Penny is such a good drinker 🥰 Doesn't matter what the water is in, what it tastes like, if it looks and smells like water she will drink it and often times seeks it out. I didn't even realise this little sink of water was there yesterday but Penny dragged me to it. Having a horse that drinks well certainly makes life easier especially when you live in the tropics and is absolutely gold when travelling.

It's been interesting watching James follow suit. When we were travelling home from Tamworth he was a bit snorty at some of the water troughs but soon drank after he saw Penny dive right in.

Good ponies, very very good ponies, one less thing I have to worry about 👌

Nice hoof from this morning 👌 Trimming feet at this time of year isn't the most pleasant job - it's dirty, smelly work a...
08/11/2025

Nice hoof from this morning 👌

Trimming feet at this time of year isn't the most pleasant job - it's dirty, smelly work and I sweat through a set of clothes by the time I've done the first hoof but the feet are soft thanks to the rain so that's a plus. Some days I wonder why I do it but then I pick up a foot like this, one that used to have a lot of separation but now has a good connection between wall and lamina and realise that maybe I'm not doing too bad 🤔 That old self doubt is ever present so I cherish the wins, however small they may be.

The extra $$$ is handy as well and physical work is good for the mind so on I go.........

It's one thing to have the gear, it's another to know how to use it, the saying "all the gear no idea" comes to mind rig...
04/11/2025

It's one thing to have the gear, it's another to know how to use it, the saying "all the gear no idea" comes to mind right about now 🤣

I'm venturing down a bit of a classical dressage rabbit hole at the moment, this may surprise some, others it won't surprise them at all. I've booked myself a seat arena side at a 3 day clinic with Manuel Jorge de Oliveira in Canberra in March next year. Manuel Jorge is a classical riding and dressage coach based in Europe, bit controversial, there's a few things he does I'm a bit unsure of but overall I'm curious as to what he's about and what I could learn 🤔

For a while now there's been a few things with Penny's overall posture and muscling that has irritated me and I've long suspected that some quality in hand work in a cavesson could benefit her enormously.

So here I am, Portuguese style cavesson purchased from a little saddlery in Portugal, whether it is suitable or not I'm about to find out. Maybe I'll buy a different style eventually maybe I won't, who knows where this little adventure will take me.

Now to learn how to use it 👌 I'm off to do some reading and watching.

📸 Penny and James modelling my latest investment. For those wondering the noseband is flexible and will shape to their nose when adjusted correctly. This is certainly not for use on horses who don't have an idea of following a feel, very much a refinement tool.

I used Provex Australia h**p seed oil with Elle last year to help with her itch and noticed a big improvement to previou...
04/11/2025

I used Provex Australia h**p seed oil with Elle last year to help with her itch and noticed a big improvement to previous years. I wasn't going to put James onto it but I've noticed him rubbing his chest and neck a bit lately. I'm not sure if it's "itch" or he's just normal itchy from being sweaty, either way I'm not taking chances so a bottle of Provex h**p seed oil is back in my fridge and going into his feed. I will build him up to 30 - 40ml/day and see how he goes.

I've had a number of people ask how Penny handled being separated from Elle........The answer is, surprisingly, exceptio...
03/11/2025

I've had a number of people ask how Penny handled being separated from Elle........

The answer is, surprisingly, exceptionally well. Elle was super controlling of Penny, she's got a lot of dominant sort of energy, a big presence about her and likes to be the one who calls the shots. Penny walked up the paddock with Elle the day that she left but as soon as that halter went on Elle, Penny turned and ran back to her new friends, the friends Elle had been working so hard to keep Penny away from for days. Elle was more upset about not being in control of Penny than Penny was about Elle leaving.

Since being home Penny has settled really well. She's often the first one up to me in the paddock, something I had seen her try to do before but was often times blocked by Elle. Usually when they see me hooking the float up a game of "catch me if you can" follows but nope, yesterday Penny watched me hook the float up and was first up to me and put her head in the halter 🥰 She's playing more in the paddock and seems to like having a horse to push around a bit but she's not nasty about it.

Don't get me wrong I miss Elle enormously but it sure is nice watching Penny come out of her shell. It's been an interesting couple of months but so glad it's all working out better than expected.

Took James out for his first lead out beside Penny over the weekend and what an absolute legend Penny was to put up with...
02/11/2025

Took James out for his first lead out beside Penny over the weekend and what an absolute legend Penny was to put up with his antics 🤣

James is young, he is smart and he's full of play which somehow translates to being rather bitey at times. Penny handled it well, she got a bit anxious as I kept putting James in his place and she didn't quite know how to handle that energy for so long, I can very much understand that and overall she was a superstar.

I've been wanting to take James out beside Penny for a while but to get to my local trails involves riding past a lot of barking dogs that rush at their fences as you ride past. I took him out to a mates place yesterday where the trails are much quieter for his first time out. I will do another ride or two out from this place then venture onto our local trails and really put some miles and exposure under his feet.

Put a high tie up next to my round yard over the weekend and James tested it out this afternoon. Such a handy thing to h...
30/10/2025

Put a high tie up next to my round yard over the weekend and James tested it out this afternoon. Such a handy thing to have setup.

Seeking expressions of interest for a 3 day horsemanship clinic with Daryl Crowe in Darwin in late May/early June 2026.D...
28/10/2025

Seeking expressions of interest for a 3 day horsemanship clinic with Daryl Crowe in Darwin in late May/early June 2026.

Daryl is a brilliant horseman who has a lot to offer riders of all disciplines and levels of experience. Horsemanship clinics aside Daryl and his family are also keen competitors and can be seen in various competitive arenas across Victoria and NSW including cutting, cowhorse, stockmans challenges and extreme cowboy racing. These events are not the sole focus of the clinic though with clinics adapting to suit the riders and horses in the arena on the day.

Tentative dates at the moment are either 30 May - 1 June OR June 6 - 8 (Kings Birthday weekend).

Let me know if you're interested and what date suits best and we will go from there 🙂

Want more info? Sure thing, feel free to send me a message.

❗️❗️📢***UPDATE*** Dates no longer tentative, confirmed date of clinic is 30 May - 1 June. 📢❗️❗️

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Darwin, NT

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