Powder Monkey's Business

31/08/2024

Aromatherapy and Horses

Monkey’s Legacy clinic this year is becoming something special with many aspects coming together, including looking at some serious riding and fitness, we are exploring many other aspects of horsemanship.

Monkey’s Legacy Clinic is running for three days September 20 21 and 22, 2024. with clients invited to stay over for our communal bonfires and entertainment. Campfire discussions are a powerful way to exchange and learn when we are working with our wonderful Equine friends.

This year we are looking at exploring using techniques like Aromatherapy and seeing if it has any impact on us and our horses. We all know smell for us is powerful, and for Horses – ABSOLUTELY!!

Having witnessed how horses utilize smell in their world is a very under explored area. Recently, with Amy Makejev from AIM Natural HealthCare, we experimented on some of the horses here and we have been getting very interesting reactions from the horses. How are we going to utilise this with our training schemes? That is a very interesting question we are going to be explore.

On the Sunday morning, 22 Sept, we are holding the Equine and Human Wellness Clinic with Amy Makejev and Sydney Vrakas. Exploring using methods to develop and improve mental and physical health is the key to this session. Everyone likes to talk about Anxiety, and no one wants to talk about solving it.

Come to this clinic and find real, effective methods and techniques that work for every day people. For every day riders. Do these same techniques work with people and horses who compete at high levels? Yes. Do you have to compete? No. Do you want to improve your riding, your horsemanship, and the health of you and your horse? Of course.

We look forward to sharing our explorations of Aromatherapy with you. In preparation for the clinic, it will be useful to think about just how much impact every day smells have on our lives. As well as Amy’s beautiful oils, we introduced a few other common smells available, and we obtained some very unexpected and positive reactions, and seeking how each horse responded was intriguing.

This session is a part of the Monkey’s Legacy clinic on horsemanship to be held September 20 – 21 – 22 2024

The session commences with a delicious catered breakfast at 830 am and continues until 1130 or as required. Running the session is Allie from PMB Equine, Amy from AIM Natural Health Care, and Syd from Blue Wren. This session we are focusing on body tension, anxiety and solutions to improving both the physical health of both us and our loved Equines by comparing humans to the horses.

If you wish to attend this session as standalone you are welcome.

Cost is $40 with breakfast supplied.

Please feel free to book through Allie, Amy or Syd.

https://www.facebook.com/aim.naturalhealthcare

https://www.facebook.com/BlueWrenRM

28/08/2024

Powder Monkey arrived in Wagga as a strapping young growing fast gelding. He still had his stitches in from his injury in Tassie from jumping the fence. It tickled a bit getting them out and took a wee bit of negotiation, especially over the last stitch. Such tasks are challenging with a single person, so a horse with a great temperament is a good start, but it is never enough so, on to the next step, giving him more education. Young horses, like young kids seek education as preparation for work as adults, so Allie wasted no time starting to build a relationship and connection where Monkey could understand and have the confidence to work as an big grown up boy. Allie did very well with teaching Monkey how to be rugged, to let the farrier do his work, to understand when to move and when to stand still. Monkey took to everything very well, taking on the saddle and bridle and most things had no issues. There was one moment – there was no round yard where Allie was keeping the horses so Allie solved this by renting a local roundyard and, thought the practice of travelling is incredibly valuable to young horses, so it was a win that gave Monkey practice in floating, short little trips to gain confidence, and also to learn more important things. Like how to cope in new places and environments. On a return trip, Monkey spoke up.. “I know I have been getting in and out of this dam thing for the past three months, but you know what? I don’t like it and I have decided not get on”. It is an age old question – What do you do when the pony will not get on the float? There will be many out there familiar with the question. Allie’s words were along the lines of Sure, that is fine Monkey – you do not have to get on I am not going let you do ANYTHING else. You can stand there, but nothing else, ps, would you mind taking a step closer to the float Monkey. 45 minutes later, Monkey gave a big sigh, rolled his eyes and walked on the float.
Throughout his life Monkey travelled extensively, and that first lesson held strong his entire life. He did have one quirk getting on - he always took about 15 seconds at the bottom of the ramp before he agreed. Bless him. He remained great to float for all of his life, though he did better with more space when he lost his fitness. There was one other occasion when PMB were driving the big truck at the Orange show that Monkey decided once again to say no for a while. The only occasions in 26 years of extensive floating. He travelled to Kandos to the vets the night before he died, travelling like a Champion heading off to win the Nationals.

Everything with Monkey was going beautifully and Allie was in love. Monkey took to everything very well, went everywhere and then Allie decided it must be time to convert it all to under saddle. Sounds easy. Yeah, nah. Allie learnt she had totally misunderstood the breaking in process and paid the price with a gravity check or three. Nothing wrong with the pony, but Breaking In – Starting - is more complicated and emotional for the horse and when a rider is going to climb aboard for the first time, it is more about teaching a horse how to face up, confront fear and learn how to trust so the horse feels not only safe and confident, but willing and eager to play these amazing games with the Weird Chimpanzees. After Monkey dumped Allie enough to make her stop and think, (it wasn’t many..) she encountered Doug, an old school horse breaker who was willing to help Allie learn why working with breakers is another whole new ball game.
With Doug, it took one day. Monkey was trotting with Allie at the end of the day. Doug used a very small solid high yard which a horse can walk in, but not trot. Allie learnt an incredible amount from Doug, who was totally impressed with Monkey and called one of the easiest to break in horses he had ever dealt with. Doug was the first one to demonstrate how confident he was in Monkey by passing under his belly. Some clients will remember Allie would do this with him. A life time habit.

10/08/2024

Collaboration with excellent professionals is exciting

---- Monkeys Legacy Clinic ------

We are delighted to start introducing everyone to some of the things happening at this years clinic. Sunday Morning is going to be our Wellness session with a delicious breakfast to accompany it. This is Amy, who will be joining Sydney Vrakas and Allie in looking at the bodies of us and our horses and seeing what we can assist. This workshop is hands on with us and the horses. It will be very interesting to explore the Aromatherapy - not something I would normally consider - but I have seen horses respond to smell very strongly, and smell is definitely used by horses extensively.

This workshop is included in our clinic prices, but for any clients who want to attend this clinic as stand alone are welcome Cost $30/ adult

Sunday 22 September 830 - 1030am

EQUINE and HUMAN WELLNESS WORKSHOP
with breakfast.

https://www.facebook.com/aim.naturalhealthcare?__cft__[0]=AZX10UjLj9J8l5z6rmAq9X6prPu_-4DotaZA1DJZTy4MPHMve6WSqWfcwN-DsHErf8W-zciXMSuf0dT6FQe948BdLNt24x1vFPul3-gTpsNSEGI1zT-4WgTd1XAquaWLVGCU_gIHQtZzsyb1nor4JCyGvXHp0Zzwwq8SoofNZlpZELC799ZaWc8mEyZEf5cMfooRiMrdTN3uayGpjwKxgTZlBxY_Wrol1bco_qVl2XNEkA&__tn__=-]K-R

https://www.facebook.com/BlueWrenRM?__cft__[0]=AZX10UjLj9J8l5z6rmAq9X6prPu_-4DotaZA1DJZTy4MPHMve6WSqWfcwN-DsHErf8W-zciXMSuf0dT6FQe948BdLNt24x1vFPul3-gTpsNSEGI1zT-4WgTd1XAquaWLVGCU_gIHQtZzsyb1nor4JCyGvXHp0Zzwwq8SoofNZlpZELC799ZaWc8mEyZEf5cMfooRiMrdTN3uayGpjwKxgTZlBxY_Wrol1bco_qVl2XNEkA&__tn__=-]K-R

10/08/2024

---- Monkeys Legacy Clinic ------

We are delighted to start introducing everyone to some of the things happening at this years clinic. Sunday Morning is going to be our Wellness session with a delicious breakfast to accompany it. This is Amy, who will be joining Sydney Vrakas and Allie in looking at the bodies of us and our horses and seeing what we can assist. This workshop is hands on with us and the horses. It will be very interesting to explore the Aromatherapy - not something I would normally consider - but I have seen horses respond to smell very strongly, and smell is definitely used by horses extensively.

This workshop is included in our clinic prices, but for any clients who want to attend this clinic as stand alone are welcome Cost $30/ adult

Sunday 22 September 830 - 1030am

EQUINE and HUMAN WELLNESS WORKSHOP
with breakfast.

https://www.facebook.com/aim.naturalhealthcare?__cft__[0]=AZX10UjLj9J8l5z6rmAq9X6prPu_-4DotaZA1DJZTy4MPHMve6WSqWfcwN-DsHErf8W-zciXMSuf0dT6FQe948BdLNt24x1vFPul3-gTpsNSEGI1zT-4WgTd1XAquaWLVGCU_gIHQtZzsyb1nor4JCyGvXHp0Zzwwq8SoofNZlpZELC799ZaWc8mEyZEf5cMfooRiMrdTN3uayGpjwKxgTZlBxY_Wrol1bco_qVl2XNEkA&__tn__=-]K-R

https://www.facebook.com/BlueWrenRM?__cft__[0]=AZX10UjLj9J8l5z6rmAq9X6prPu_-4DotaZA1DJZTy4MPHMve6WSqWfcwN-DsHErf8W-zciXMSuf0dT6FQe948BdLNt24x1vFPul3-gTpsNSEGI1zT-4WgTd1XAquaWLVGCU_gIHQtZzsyb1nor4JCyGvXHp0Zzwwq8SoofNZlpZELC799ZaWc8mEyZEf5cMfooRiMrdTN3uayGpjwKxgTZlBxY_Wrol1bco_qVl2XNEkA&__tn__=-]K-R

09/08/2024

Another chapter…

Powder Monkey was bred in Tasmania, by the purebred Cleveland Bay Stallion, Wetherby Barry Crump, from a thoroughbred mare called Summer Morning. Born in 1995, Powder Monkey was named as a joke. Powder Monkeys were associated with gunpowder and explosives. Powder Monkey the horse was very NOT explosive. He was this soft kind 2yr old gelding who just took a relaxed view on life. He remained that way his entire life. Monkey spent the next two years growing up and waiting in Bernie, Tasmania

Meantime Allie had moved from Whyalla to living in Wagga, and had dragged poor old Spaz all the way from Whyalla to Wagga Wagga. A massive drive across the Hay plain, no wonder it was three months it was before Spaz forgave Allie… 7 hours in the float the first day, 12 the second. Poor lad, such a good boy. Wagga was a bit of a climate shock, but the country side was excellent for horses.

In Wagga, Allie found a good coach called Anne who helped Allie with training. Spaz was a lovely horse, but if you are going to ride, the correct mindset is important. Especially if you are going to compete. Allie found working fulltime – with compulsory over time, University by distance education, and serious competing one step too far. Allie had stepped away from competing in 1994 to focus on training as priority. This priority remains with Allie to this day.

In Wagga with Anne’s excellent coaching, Spaz and Allie developed more as a relationship, without the pressure of competition, and the joy of riding a higher level dressage was born. Spaz had competed and won at Medium level in Whyalla, so the chance now was to improve the basics and develop flying changes, pirouette and all the tricks that lead into Advanced level. Such a lovely horse.

After 7 years away from the competition arena, Allie and Spaz successfully stepped back into competition, with a dressage comp in Wagga. It was nice to find enjoyment and the real purpose of competition. Sadly, soon after that test, Spaz went lame and was diagnosed with pedal bone osteoitis. Essentially his thin thoroughbred soles did not give enough protection and his pedal bone would flare up with too much work, esp on hard ground. Spaz would have been about 12. This condition is a chronic condition no cure, but only management. Obviously asking him to continue working fulltime was inappropriate. He retired to some light trail riding, and Allie was in a position to look for and have a second horse. Always a challenge to find a new heart horse.

After 6 months of looking, finding one but it failed the vet check, Michelle, an excellent friend from Whyalla spoke up… She was in Tasmania and had found her AMAZING horse Pere. Pere was also by Wetherby Barry Crump, but his mum I think was an Andalusian? He was Monkey’s Big Brother. BIG.

Michelle raved over the horses - these Cleveland Bays – and just how good they are. And here was Allie with a bit of cash and looking, so after some photos, letters and a VHS tape… Watching the video of trying to persuade Monkey to raise a trot was pretty funny. The people put a lot of effort in, Monkey did not.. To get to see Monkey canter involved Michelle riding Big brother Peregrine up the hill with Monkey at least making some effort to join in. A few phone calls later, Allie paid the dollars, booked the ticket and went to meet the horse she had bought. Allie flew into Bernie, met up with Michelle, then out meet Powder Monkey and his breeders.

When Monkey first saw Allie, he could not have been impressed. He tried to jump the fence to get away, and probably because he was never one for excess exercise, he badly jumped the fence and cut himself right up inside his offside hind leg. Nearly a second gelding. Allie was very impressed that when the vet came to treat this already 16hh 2 year old, he had no problems sticking his head in between Monkeys hind legs while he applied a few stitches. Silly Monkey was a bit ashamed. Getting the stitches out a few weeks later was not quite so easy…

After a bit of arrangements, Allie returned to Wagga, and awaited the transport bringing Monkey across Bass strait and then up from Melbourne. Of course Monkey travelled well. Sensible lad. Welcome to your forever home, Powder Monkey.

26 years. Half a life

05/08/2024

------------Monkeys Legacy Clinic -----------

September 20 - 21 - 22 2024

This years clinic is shaping up to be our best yet. With a massive strong team coming together, this year clients are going to have access to the extra-ordinary and highly experienced Allie, Beryl, Sydney and Amy. This team of ladies between them have decades of working with horses and people and have come together to help everyone build a better relationship with our horses, no matter what level horse or human you are.

Here is a glimpse of our up coming program.

Friday Day cost $160
930 - Gates open, setup camp
1130 - Group meet and greet, chat about where we are all at. A quick bite to eat.
1 pm - With our horses on the arena for our personalised assessment of where everyone is at and identifying where we want to go with our horse.
4 pm - afternoon tea finish up
6pm - Dinner, Bonfire, Conversation Mechanical ponies

Saturday Day cost including dinner and Party $180
830 - Breakfast
930 - Rider warm up and unmounted exercises.
1030 - Exercises on the arena. For the Horses
1230 - lunch break. Presentation
1330 - Exercises on the arena. For the Riders
330 - Afternoon tea finish up

5 pm GATES OPEN FOR PARTY Attendees Delectable dinner available $20 /person

630 MONKEYS MONUMENTOUS MEMORIAL OPENING
followed by Delicious Dinner and the Hobby Horse Games including the granny panty challenge. Bonfire.

Sunday Day Cost $140

830
Breakfast and Wellness session with Sydney Vrakas, Amy Makejev and Allie with a a hands on session for us all learn how to look after the horses and our bodies better. We will be comparing and exploring the similarities and differences between humans and horses.
1030 Onto the horses and we take our new skills out to test with a trail ride / paddock ride with obstacles. Picnic lunch while we are out.

Conclude the weekend when everyone has had enough...

This clinic is suitable for all levels who really want to learn about horses from real people who have decades of hands on with horses at every level including competing at National levels in Multi disciplines.

For bookings contact Allie 0428761254
All inclusive price for the entire weekend $450

02/08/2024

------------Monkeys Legacy Clinic -----------

September 20 - 21 - 22 2024

Plans are coming together for the clinic very nicely with the property getting some upgrades, and the pony preparations are beginning already. A few surprises await people attending the clinic, which will hopefully become favourite property features.

This year we are releasing a special edition Polo shirt. Based on our usual fantastic style, this year we are having a one off special edition logo, to help remember the Foundation of PMB Equine, the Magnificent Powder Monkey, who taught with so much compassion and willingness. We have a future, because of his generosity in showing and teaching so many people over the decades. Our present and future is built on the past. Horses teach us always that the foundations are the most important thing to get right.

If you are interested in Polo short and /or cap, they will be coming in adult and kids sizing. Cost per shirt will be $54 for adult and $49 for kids.

Message through your orders below or 0428761254

02/08/2024

MONKEY'S LEGACY CLINIC
SEPTEMBER 20 21 22

We are delighted to announce the involvement of Amy Makejev in our clinic.
Amy is very well known at PMB Equine, having started as a student many years ago with her delightful pony Spook. Spook was beautifully educated by a young Amy, who has gone on to adult things, while Spook went onto educate Jess, Claudia Adelaide and is still going well. Spook took his family to the Nationals where his young riders sat at the table with Olympic Champions.

Here is where the adult Amy is now - running her own successful business and wanting to get back working with horses that she loves

Amy is an integrative Naturopath, Personal trainer, Metabolic Balance coach, Mum, wife & founder of AIM Natural Healthcare. Amy has completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) with distinction in 2021 and for the last 3 years, has worked in the dispensary of one of Sydney's most highly regarded integrative medical centres; housing integrative GPs, a pediatrician, dentists and Naturopathic practitioners. She has gained invaluable insight into the role natural medicine can play in patients lives & how it can help relieve & reverse chronic illnesses. She has also completed studies in fitness, health coaching, personalised nutrition programming and trained clients in industry leading gyms such as Fitness First in NSW & QLD.

As a natural health practitioner, Amy believes her role is to partner with you to discover your own answers to your health concerns. She empowers you with her knowledge, experience & tools to help you connect with the wisdom of your own body & understand what it needs at the time. Guided by time-honoured naturopathic principles, Amy enjoys utilising evidence-based integrative medicine, alongside cutting-edge functional testing to create tailored treatment protocols that may include personalised dietary guidance, customised nutraceutical & herbal medicine prescriptions & appropriate lifestyle & environmental recommendations to address your unique health care needs.

Since moving back to Bathurst this year, Amy has been practicing online while growing her presence in the local region through informative masterclasses at local gums & supporting the health of the local community through her involvement in events such as ours.

30/07/2024

We are delighted to confirm that Blue Wren Remedial Massage and PMB Equine are collaborating to provide excellent expertise at Monkey’s Legacy Clinic on September 20 , 21 and 22nd.

Sydney Vrakas (B Arts, G Dip Ed, Dip Rem Massage) is a qualified educator of 20 years and remedial massage therapist who is passionate about working with people, dogs and horses. Allie (BSc Med Lab Sci) is a passionate horseman with over 45 years experience in producing excellent horses for all purposes, including high level competition.

On the Sunday morning, after a scrumptious breakfast, Allie and Sydney will be holding a body work session for people and horses. Through comparing their respective expertise, you will learn what you can do to help both you and your horses maintain best wellness. This workshop will focus on head, shoulders and posture, and how it affects your riding. A tense rider makes a tense horse. Learning how to minimise that tension is one of the most useful things we can do for ourselves and our horses. During this workshop, you will have opportunities to be hands-on, learning what various types of tension feel like in yours and your horses’ muscles. You will learn some simple techniques that can ease this tension. We look forward to sharing the day with you!
After our Sunday morning session, it will be on to the horses and out the back paddock for some fun.

Cost for the all three days all inclusive is $450 or Cost per day including meals
Clients can book individual sessions of interest. Enquire for your best package.
Sunday session with Breakfast – body workshop $50

28/07/2024

A first chapter.

Powder Monkey Business (PMB) Equine is owned and run by Allie Booth, who with the legendary Powder Monkey, setup teaching horses and humans in the Central West districts in 2004. This year marks 20 years of working as a horse professional for Allie. The story behind PMB Equine however, started much earlier.

Adelaide in the 1970’s Allie begged for a pony every year, finally succeeding having an old horse called Woofy on loan in 1977 for 6 months, before obtaining her own pony Shiran, a bay trotter, in 1979. Woofy was in his thirties when he taught Allie. Allie learnt with the Mylor Valley Pony Club in the Adelaide Hills, travelling around South Australia with the ponies, competing in eventing, for 9 years all around South Australia, including the Naracoorte and Monarto 3DE’s with a friend’s horse Bushfire, and her own horse Duke. Her only mare at this stage, Luna, was in there briefly too

In 1984, Allie moved from the Adelaide hills to Whyalla for 8 years, taking her TB gelding Duke with her, and while there, owned and trained a succession of horses for herself and friends. She bought Spaz (Classic Rhythm) in around 1993 from a retiring race horse trainer. Allie turned from eventing to dressage with this horse. She won extensively with her horse Classic Rhythm in dressage and showing. Classic Rhythm took Allie into Medium level dressage and high level showing, before Allie commenced her university degree. At this time, Allie changed focus to training rather than competing, which made perfect sense because Allie has always been interested in helping ponies to be their best.

In 1995 Spaz and Allie travelled (truly it was said with great affection) and made the move to NSW. In that same year Powder Monkey was born.

the story continues..

`

22/07/2024

What fabulous students we get here. This young 9 yr is riding our terrific pony Minx Monkey enjoying what it is to have a pony. A simple bond of a great pony looking after a kid whose learning how to look after the pony.

20/07/2024

LETS TALK ANXIETY .... ------- September Clinic 20 - 21 - 22 ------

Apparently it is all the rage to talk about it, and what causes it, over and over. Mental health issues are on the rise, and what does this have to do with riding? Everything. Because the current situation is we all talk and have counselling, and the next step is is here, "Now lets use the drugs". Am I talking about horses or people? Both.

Are drugs helpful - sure, but the rate of use is sky rocketing in both people and ponies and it is not a pretty sight.

How about we change the conversation and start learning how to recognise and remove anxiety so we can get on with living and riding better. Our horses will thank us for it.

Here at PMB Equine we have known for a long time that anxiety is in fact
1. Normal
2. Helpful
3. Controllable
4. Removable

That is for both you and your horse. If you are a high performance rider, you will all know that mindset of our horse affects our placings and performance. As an every day rider you will be often faced with road blocks because you cannot find the path past the anxiety, either for you or you horse.

A calm soft horse is a safe horse. A soft flowing horse is better balanced in mind and body. A fluid flowing horse and rider have more fun.....

Simple techniques are available to learn how you can very simply increase the time spent with your horse to better effect. After decades of riding, training and coaching, anxiety is an old friend in all of us. We have many many clients at all levels who started in situations with their riding who can attest to the methods, techniques, approach and attitude here at PMB Equine. Happy, calm, safe working horses are key. We have made many here over the years.

Sign up for the September Clinic and we can assist you with getting much more from your riding.

Not feeling anxious? Doesn't matter - even senior experienced riders will benefit from the high level experience available on the weekend. From Grand Prix dressage, to foals, from endurance racing to carriage driving, the level of experience available for riders on the weekend is huge.

19/07/2024

---- Monkey's Legacy Clinic -----

SEPTEMBER 20 - 21 - 22 2024

PMB Equine is offering an opportunity to learn from long-term horse professionals, who have well over a combined hundred years plus of experience working with
horses. We have had many roles including instructors, breeders, trainers and Horse in any way you can imagine. We have vast amounts of knowledge and experience in almost any horse discipline you could name. Dressage, showing, campdrafting, droving, carriage driving, endurance.. the list is longer.

We are interested in finding people to pass knowledge onto . The current direction of the horse industry is concerning, and full of much misinformation. Come and work with highly experienced people, who enjoy passing on a wealth of knowledge about horses. Come and find out best solutions for you and your horse.

Allie has a BSc and spent many years working in the Pathology industry so she backs her knowledge up against years of education in health. She has been worked with horses for over 45 years and finds much cross over between the species.

Come and learn how to manage your horse better, including movement, health, anxiety, and technical skills to assist your journey with your horse.

We have experience at all levels of horsemanship, from breeding, training, feeding, shoeing, and competition, covering decades of horses in our care. This year, clients attending the clinic will have access to a huge amount of experience people.

Who will this clinic suit? People who love horses and want to do the best for them.
You will not mind hard work, because you and the horses are going to need the Sunday morning session after Friday and Saturday work. The first session Sunday will be on body work. Learn how we can care for our's and a horses bodies better. Learn some simple techniques that have great effect. Learn how the techniques can benefit both horse and rider.

Friday and Saturday will be a combination of theory and practical tips to help you and your horse in any way we can. Any type of issue on ground or in the saddle, even highly experienced riders will be able to gain from this fabulous clinic. Are we going to have fun? YES!! The hobby horses are not just for sh*ts and giggles.... but believe it or not , there is much to be learnt....

PMB Equine has a long history covering a huge number of disciplines from dressage to carriage driving, endurance, and just plain old trail riding with everything in between.

Cost is$450 fully inclusive for you and your horse - supply your own horse feed, but we will feed the people.

Saturday night will be open to everyone, with a BBQ and food available.

PMB horses will be helping out at the clinic too, because the best way to teach a green rider, is to use a wise horse. If you want to book a PMB pony, or have queries contact Allie on 0428761254