Basics 
Care
Colors 
Welcome to another Monday morning edition in the a-z of plants your horse can’t eat. Today’s plant is one that looks altogether uninviting, the Goldenbush is as ugly as it is toxic.
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How to Apply a Poultice
Back to the educational videos again, this week is another helpful video for horse owners of all skill levels. Horse’s feet can be troublesome and it pays to know how to care for them.
Being in the Know
Helen Milbank writes for Your Horse Magazine and in this video she demonstrates how to apply and protect a poultice in your horse’s foot. This is something anyone can apply to their horse and in the end it could help save you vet bills.
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Read Black Beauty Online – Chapter 7. Ginger
Chapter 7. Ginger
One day when Ginger and I were standing alone in the shade, we had a great deal of talk; she wanted to know all about my bringing up and breaking in, and I told her.
“Well,” said she, “if I had had your bringing up I might have had as good a temper as you, but now I don’t believe I ever shall.”
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Goat Weed – Toxic Plant of the Week
Now that we’ve seen the F’s it’s time for the G’s in the a-z of plants your horse can’t eat. Today’s plant is one that is often associated with health, however Goat Weed is not a plant horses should come in contact with.
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Olympia Headcam – Ben Maher @ Eraser Stakes
Today’s video is something totally different and one that can’t help but be a little exciting. Headcams have been used in various sports and how you can even have a ride @ Olympia.
Ride the Course
Not all of us get an opportunity to ride the courses at Olympia and this cam allows everyone to sit in the saddle for a go. Granted it’s not the best angle or quality, but it’s good enough to give a thrill to those who’ve jumped fences before.
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Read Black Beauty Online – Chapter 6. Liberty
Chapter 6. Liberty
I was quite happy in my new place, and if there was one thing that I missed it must not be thought I was discontented; all who had to do with me were good and I had a light airy stable and the best of food. What more could I want? Why, liberty! For three years and a half of my life I had had all the liberty I could wish for; but now, week after week, month after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a stable night and day except when I am wanted, and then I must be just as steady and quiet as any old horse who has worked twenty years. Straps here and straps there, a bit in my mouth, and blinkers over my eyes.
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Fumewort – Toxic Plant of the Week
We’ve reached the end of the F’s in the a-z of plants your horse can’t eat and next week we move on to the G’s. Today’s plant grows all over and looks very unassuming, but while Fumewort are a common sight, they are incredibly dangerous little buggers!
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The Mare’s Oestrus Cycle
While it may elicit a giggle or two, the female reproductive cycle effects us all. Mares can be as affected by it as we can and it pays to know that.
Delicate Subject
In the video below Jane Williams from Hartpury College explains the stages of the mares oestrus cycle and how this affects the female horse’s behavior when under saddle. Believe it or not, understanding your mare’s cycle can lead to a much more harmonious relationship with her.
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Rabicano White Pattern – Horse Coat Colors
Over the last few months I’ve been working my way through the colors section, providing some new information and bigger images. I’ve almost made my way through the white patterns and next week we start the rare colors.
White Patterns
There are a handful of white patterns that can affect the base colors as well as those affected by modifiers and dilutions (or even other white patterns). Today I want to share a little about the rabicano white pattern which is responsible for animals that look almost roan and almost appaloosa.
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Read Black Beauty Online – Chapter 5. A Fair Start
Chapter 5. A Fair Start
The name of the coachman was John Manly; he had a wife and one little child, and they lived in the coachman’s cottage, very near the stables.
The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming, and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, the squire came in to look at me, and seemed pleased. “John,” he said, “I meant to have tried the new horse this morning, but I have other business. You may as well take him around after breakfast; go by the common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill and the river; that will show his paces.”
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Foxtail – Toxic Plant of the Week
It’s another week and well into plant season, here is today’s plant your horse can’t eat. Today’s plant grows all over and looks very unassuming, but while Foxtails are a common sight, they are incredibly dangerous little buggers!
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How to Administer Eye Drops or Cream
As I’m on an educational kick lately, I thought I’d keep going with it, today is a handy video to help newbies administer eye medication.
Delicate Spot
Eye meds are a pain on every level, the eye is a sensitive area and horses don’t much like you sticking things in them. However sometimes it’s a necessary evil and we have to make the best of the situation. Hopefully this video helps that a little.
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