Cooinda Park Equestrian

26/04/2024

08/04/2024

Jump on this Quick!
Evan Parker clinic lessons this Sat/ Sunday.
Great opportunity to get some training underway. Choose your jump height. Groups will be configured to match ability/ height.
Green horse lessons welcome for those not comp ready but wanting to get out and about with their horses.
Payment confirms booking.

27/03/2024

25/03/2024

We tried our hardest but a week of heavy rain will not be conducive to jumping. If it fines up on the weekend so you can ride your horse, Evan says “no stirrup work, flat and poles”. Start to get fit for when we can get him back next… TBA

20/03/2024

Does your horse look outwards and forwards when you ride, or does he look downwards?

The physical and mental welfare of a horse suffers when he is ridden with his neck too round (hyperflexed), with the nasal plane behind a vertical line to the ground ('behind the vertical' or 'behind the bit') - as in the left photo.

Research shows that horses ridden in hyperflexion have restricted breathing and vision. A horse at liberty would never carry himself in this way for more than a very brief period.

Reasons for horses being ‘behind the vertical’ could include bad training, heavy hands, restrictive gear such as a standing martingale or side reins, the horse avoiding contact or the rider thinking it looks good.

The experts say the horse when working should ideally have his head slightly in front of the vertical, fairly close to a straight line perpendicular to the ground, and the poll should be the highest point, as in the second photo. This horse is looking outwards and forwards.
When you next ride, make sure that your horse is not looking downwards. If he is, allow or encourage him to look outwards and forwards!

Did you know?
- If your horse approaches a jump or mounted games barrel with his head pulled to the outside, or tucked near his chest for example, his vision is greatly restricted.
- Horses have a natural preference to look closely at things on their left side, which has probably helped horsemanship develop mounting, leading, bridling etc from the near (left) side.

When you walk the showjumping or cross country course, how can you plan to assist your horse see the obstacle in front of him?

20/03/2024

Townsville Riding for Disabled (RDA) has been operating through Ranchlands Equestrian Centre since 2004. Our motto is “Riding Develops Abilities” and we work with each of our riders to help them to achieve the most they can be.

Our dedicated volunteers come from a broad experience base who tirelessly give of themselves and their time. We can currently assist up to 14 riders a fortnight on a rotational basis. Each rider is assessed for capability and a coaching plan is created to help them achieve their personal goals. These goals are determined in consultation with a wide range of people, all focused on providing the best for the riders.

The RDA Townsville group currently has a number of vacancies for the 2024 riding season. If you or a family member with a disability are interested in joining as a rider, please contact us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) to arrange an interview, fees and T&C’s.

Session times -Thursday -9am till 10.30am as two 45-minute sessions from start of second term to end of fourth term of QLD Public School term calendar each year.

05/03/2024

Weather pending, but we’re travelling hopefully!

04/03/2024

What is fear in horses?

Behavioural scientists describe fear in horses as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and this unwieldy name suggests the origin of the flight response - the brain and the adrenal glands.

A structure deep inside the brain called the amygdala sorts out stimuli as fearful or not.

Fearful stimuli receive special attention by the brain; responses to them are learned far faster than any other type of response, sometimes in a single experience.

In addition, unlike other learned responses, learned fear responses are never forgotten. They can be suppressed with careful training, so they become less easily retrieved, but under the right circumstances, they can come back in full-blown expression.

In horse training, the flight response should be prevented or suppressed before any significant expression so that the horse doesn't learn to incorporate it in his training.

This can be done by slowing the legs of the horse through downward transitions in a moment of flight; taking training slowly and gradually to avoid over-facing; training clearly and systematically to avoid confusion, and reviewing management practices to help build mental security.

This is an excerpt from 'Academic Horse Training' p. 53, available to purchase via our online store.

16/02/2024

Ok wet season, we’ve had enough now

09/02/2024

Townsville’s Equitana! I strongly encourage all my students and horse enthusiasts to go along and support this event. Tickets are closing soon.

Booking link below:

https://equinevetservices.simplybook.net/v2/

25/01/2024

22/01/2024

🌀 CYCLONES 🌀

We are staring down the barrel of our second tropical cyclone warning within 5 weeks, this one is predicted to be hitting a little closer to home!!

Tips to keep your horses as safe as possible:
🌀 Remove all rugs, head collars and fly masks, leave your horse bare to avoid snagging of accessories on fences or flying debris
🌀 Conduct a paddock walk-through and clean any objects that could become airborne in high winds, or objects that may injure your horses
🌀 Clear your fence lines and make them as visible as possible to your horses
🌀 Store enough fresh water for drinking in case your supply is cut - 40L per day per horse minimum
🌀 Take a recent photo of your horse with identifying features in case you need to prove ownership or search for your horse after the storm passes
🌀 Braid a luggage tag into their mane with your contact information and their paddock address so they can be returned if separated from your property - from experience, spray paint on coats and sharpie on hooves tends to wear off in heavy rain and mud!
🌀 Keep/restock your horse first aid kit on hand, especially with bandage material, cleaning solution (betadine or similar) and an antiseptic cream.
🌀Make sure your horse has received a tetanus vaccine in the last 12 months, and if not, give a booster pronto!
🌀 Contact us ASAP if your horse is injured - we will make an assessment if it is safe to attend. If not, we will give advice over the phone and attend as soon as it is safe to do so.

We will remain open 24/7 for emergencies but some of our upcoming scheduled appointments may be rescheduled. We will reach out to clients who may be affected.

0458 806 183

Stay safe North Queensland!

06/01/2024

Awesome! Words to live/ride by!

19/12/2023

Next time you are waiting at the in gate or start box not sure if you want to vomit, cry, or run away-

16/12/2023

8 Top Tips for Equestrians from Dr. Temple Grandin

10/12/2023

2023 Cooinda Park Christmas party

Lots of laughs and good times! Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄 💃 🐎

31/10/2023

Well, this is a new one for me… Fluffing around with some desensitisation training with my reactive and sensitive fresh off the track thoroughbred, and he just lay down and had a nap! I think that’s a good thing 🤷‍♀️ ?! Seemed like he needed it, he’s such a toddler! 😆

11/08/2023

Even the best have moments!

10/08/2023

Thanks for rallying to receive, fill in and return the forms. This is the last call - I will be making a decision THIS WEEKEND on if I have enough numbers to fly up but it is looking good at this stage.

The process will be that I will work out approximately how long I need to be in each location and send out provisional dates and costs based on that. I will then need people to confirm and pay in advance to secure their appointment.

I'm so excited about returning to FNQ and seeing so many familiar faces (human and equine!), as well as meeting and helping new clients.