Baerlochan Australian Stock Horse Stud

29/08/2024

Very much on my mind...

.from the desk of victoria. One of the key challenges during times of low pasture growth and seasonal variability is meeting livestock nutritional requirements in the most sustainable and economical way. Securing quality nutritional fodder by conserving excess pasture production and/ or growing crop...

24/08/2024

Inevitable questions considering what has been going on in the horse world during the last month...

The Charlotte Dujardin scandal was the latest in a long line of equine controversies and, perhaps, we should get out of the saddle for good

10/08/2024

Fence testing 101 with Alex...just because it is orange, doesn't mean it is a carrot.

02/08/2024

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/02/paris-olympics-2024-equestrian-event-scandals

There are dozens of quiet achievements at the equestrian events, of riders overjoyed with personal bests, supporting their horses through missteps, and praising their successes

01/08/2024

Sometimes my heart hurts at the lost potential of this gentleman, sidelined by injury as a foal, but producing some sparkling babies at home!

31/07/2024

"that was cool!:...understatement, surely!

25/07/2024

From WA to Paris...

From WA, to Paris 🚀

WA is so proud of you Will, bon voyage, it's go time 🎉

Australian Olympic Team | Equestrian Australia | Equestrian Western Australia | Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries | David Templeman MLA | SportWest |

23/07/2024

Relevant!

"The Bond"
In twilight's gentle, fading hue, An ageing rider and her horse, so true. Years they've travelled, side by side, Through seasons' change and time's long tide.

Her hands now worn, once strong and bold, Still find his mane, their story told. With every wrinkle, every line, A testament to love's design.

They've seen the dawn of countless days, Shared quiet nights and moonlit rays. His steadfast gaze, her soothing voice, In quiet harmony, they rejoice.

No need for words, their bond is deep, A promise made, a vow to keep. Through life’s long journey, thick and thin, Her horse, her heart, her dearest kin.

As twilight fades to evening's rest, They stand as one, forever blessed. An ageing rider and her loyal steed, A friendship timeless, pure indeed.

22/07/2024

Activate Tree Planting, the best weekend! Trees in the ground, smiles on faces, music in the heart and soul. Hope restored, energy rekindled...thank you Katie White, Kahree Garnaut, Dylan Gleave, Sally Mally, Antoinette Vincent and all of the other folk equally responsible for such a nurturing few days of wind, air and earth. And humanity. Best things ever!

10/07/2024

Not sure what was the most special this morning...foal hugs or finding mushrooms!

02/07/2024

So excited about the fact that this young man is heading our way (well, not too far away from our way!)...no secret that we have a thing about the Haydon horses, given that Cuffy is out of Haydon Brooch...

Early start for c**t Haydon Palermo (Haydon Tourmaline x Ellerston R***i) to commence his journey to Western Australia. He has such strong playing genetics being out of Haydon Angel Jewel’s full sister and combining the top international mares in R***i’s pedigree Cruiser, Sheltie, Pinky, Dinghy, Blue and La Luna. His brother Haydon Oracle stands in the UK and just won the Diamond Jubilee International played on Sunday. He is being leased to stand in Western Australia by Chris Dunlop and he can be contacted on 0408 901855. Chris Dunlop

24/06/2024

Hanson Oracle in the UK...

Haydon Oracle (Haydon Tourmaline x Victory) played in the winning English team beating Argentina 6-3 in the Diamond Jubilee Ladies International yesterday. Taken here at the start of his chukka. He has some nice progeny starting to come through in the UK.

23/06/2024

Over the moon with Over the Moon. (Shooting the Moon - Derogate (Ally) Shelley Wallis

20/06/2024

Specialising in nostril shots! Velocity (Qualia Cufflink-Cunnamore Calibre)

19/06/2024

Of course, there are lots of negative comments about this story: helmet, cantering on bitumen, danger, risk...etc etc...but his enthusiasm is infectious..

18/06/2024

In their winter woollies, two yearlings looking after their little brother. Hot Toddy flanked by Mead and Charlie...waiting not so patiently for their breakfast!

18/06/2024

From the archives, photo credit Natalie Mollett, Lofty and Barbara ...those were the days...

18/06/2024

Oh my gosh, sick at home, cleaning out some old email folders and came across these pics, emailed to me by someone 12 years ago: that person now owns one special pony that is the progeny of the big mare...Cunnamore Slingshot. Lesson is: everyone needs a sick day; there is always an upside!

17/06/2024

We grow old together...Qualia Cufflink...the creator of good memories (actually, probably a bit unfair...he is not old!)

17/06/2024

Legacy breeding...

17/06/2024

We are practising standing still and staying still...but somehow we managed to snap a nostril selfie in amongst the fumbling. Ginny is so much like her two big sisters. Honest, but with a mind of her own.

16/06/2024

...and good evening!

14/06/2024

Good morning everyone!

13/06/2024

Vicki Hill made me think of Arra, and dogs!

I want horses to have opinions.

A horse with an opinion will express when they do not feel safe - because they are being pushed too hard, because they are hurting, because we’re asking for something incorrectly, because our energy is off. An opinion can tell me that something is not right - and it is my job to do my best to figure it out.

Leslie Desmond famously said “What value does yes have if no is not an option?” If we don’t give them the ability to express themselves, how will we have a clue how they are feeling? Do we actually care? How will they be able to learn willingly verses through submission? And yes, there is a difference. A BIG difference.

A horse with an opinion is thinking for themselves, verses blindly doing what is asked even when they are not mentally or physically capable. Better to refuse a fence rather than jump it in such a way that is going to be dangerous. Better to be unsettled in warm up and try to figure it out before entering the show ring. Better to act up in smaller ways, rather than push them through until the bigger explosion or the really unsafe risk happens.

In my practice, the horse is a feedback loop. How she moves and reacts, in addition to what I feel under my hands and see, tells me things. I need to be willing to let the horse have an opinion, to express how they feel, so that I do not push beyond boundaries to ask too much. I try not to get to “no”, but no is okay. No is important, just as important as yes.

A teacher recently said to me that the way we train and ride horses is often separating their sensory and motor functions to the point that they really don’t know where their bodies are in space. The way we strap down their heads and prevent full range of eye sight; the way that we restrict breathing and mouth movement (which impacts the entire body) by cranking nosebands tight; the use of harsh bits; when we drug them before we ride; the way that we simply ask for constant submission.

I have not really stopped thinking about this.

We are, in essence, teaching horses to ignore their nervous systems when we are on their backs.

No thanks.

No “dead broke” horses for me. If my horse, or any horse I’m working with, is feeling fear or pain or sweet release, I sure as hell want to know it.

Photo credit: Olia Gozha

13/06/2024

So, because we have been spending quite a bit of time with Hot Toddy during the last week, I am struck time and time again by his resemblance to both his grandfather, Binnia Impressive Destiny, and his great-grandfather, Acres Destiny. Not just in colour, but with that temperament, that one that makes his own sire so special.