Alex Austin - Ethically Equine

07/11/2024

A few clipped this week ready for winter.

31/10/2024

This is Luna another adorable two year old.
I first met her when she was just one day old.

Luna is quite a pro now with the ground work exercises such as backing up, hind quarter yields, front quarters over, head lowering and lateral flexion responding with her attention from the lightest request on the rein.

The past few sessions she is progressing nicley with lunging and long reining. We are also walking out on the lanes away from her mum and other herd members.

She is such a star 🤩

26/10/2024

I'm loving the Autumn colours. 🧡❤💛

So lucky to live and work in such a beautiful place. 🍂🍁🍂

20/10/2024

My young horse Castan having his teeth checked over by the brilliant Andrew Gardner .

Castan is only three so nothing really needs doing. Since he was a yearling Andrew has handled him when he visits to do my other horses. This helps Castan become comfortable with the dentist process a little bit at a time. Today he tried the gag to get used to the feel of it, all fine and very relaxed. Andrew is so good with them , even gave Castan a lovely cuddle at the end .

18/10/2024

Working with this lovely two year old called Tintin. Introducing him to a roller for the first time, we had a little walk around so he could get used to the feel of it . All very relaxed and great that he is engaging with it and checking it out.

03/10/2024

Oakey doing some moves with owner Juliet.
Its rewarding seeing him come on so well with his ridden work and growing up into a fine horse.

28/07/2024

So much Ragwort around everywhere at the moment, concerning for future hay supplies and our horse paddocks.

𝗥𝗮𝗴𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁 | 𝗔 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁

The dreaded ragwort is flowering now and is easy to spot. It is also starting to go to seed, so any not removed posthaste will spread through its wind-borne seeds.

The safest way to remove it from horse pastures is to pull or dig it up, hopefully getting all the roots at the same time. Wear gloves and a face mask to protect yourself from the sap and pollen. Gather it into re-used feed bags and put the plants flowers down, roots up, to avoid inadvertently spreading seeds. Put pulled plants straight into the bags – don’t carry them around as this risks spreading seeds.

Once you have collected your ragwort, get rid of it. Take it to the local tip or burn it straight away, but don’t just leave it. It will continue to develop seeds even though you pulled it up and the seeds will spread far and wide on the breeze.

Absolutely ensure that no animal can get near it, as once pulled up, it becomes palatable but no less poisonous. Ragwort poisoning builds up over the horse’s life, gradually destroying its liver.

26/07/2024

This useful exercise will encourage a feel for being led nicely, teaching the horse to move with you while not rushing ahead or dragging behind.
The driving part of the exercise is essential for a young horses training in preparation for long reining, lunging or being sent forward in situations such as self loading onto a trailer or lorry.
The 'one step exercise' the horse steps up next to you but not into you, once again reminding them about your personal space zone.

04/07/2024

As some of you may know I'm a huge fan of ground work exercises for our equine partners.
Nicely done ground work helps our horses gain an important understanding of personal space, moving their feet in any direction upon request and creating a supple/ willing mental attitude.

I have created a few videos which I will share over the next few days.

01/06/2024

Castan showing off his two new big front teeth.

11/05/2024

A perfect example from my client walking her horse through a trailer and loading before travelling.

I've had the pleasure of working with this horse since he was a yearling, he's backed now and really enjoys his work.

Currently I'm advicing on loading/travelling and he's doing incredibly well. We started with short loop journeys then returning home. Now we take him to quiet forest car parks where he hacks out, then bring him home completely stress free, the trailer is a NICE place to be.

Increasing exposure to different places slowly and not over loading with the pressure of events or shows helps to build his confidence in travelling.