Pioneer Park Talieb - from paddock scruff to endurance horse

Update for January (even tho it is now February!)

Pioneer Park Talieb successfully completed his first endurance social ride of 20km with Louise Miller aboard.  Accompanied by Lian Meaney on the legendary Kai Hai Sterling Sha'Kieraa - from the looks of the photos below they had a great ride!

Who is responsible?

We prefer riding horses to motorcycles for the companionship the horse gives us, for the sheer exhilaration of feeling his responses to our (almost) every command.


No one thinks it strange when we talk to them, hug them and love them. But the fact remains that they are not machines and, as such, at each endurance ride a number of horses do not complete the ride.

The diffcult part is t the metabolic status of the horse. Veterinarians look at recovery rates (using pulse rates as the main parameter) and the horse’s general metabolism (level of dehydration, gut sounds, appearance of mucous membranes, muscle tonus) and have to make a call based on these few parameters. But they are not equipped with bionic vision to see whether all the internal organs are still doing well, or to see whether the mineral (sodium, chloride, calcium, potassium, magnesium) balance in the body is within the acceptable range. Furthermore, veterinarians cannot evaluate the impulsion and general habitus of the horse when under saddle. Sometimes they are put under unnecessary pressure when too few veterinarians do duty at a ride.


Riders, on the other hand, do not have the training to interpret the parameters evaluated by the veterinarians. But they should read the horse and should be able to feel whether the horse is his usual self, or possibly not as strong as expected. This calls for some degree of horsemanship, and the less often the rider rides the horse in training, the more horsemanship is required to still be able to read the horse.


Trainers (or owners) also cannot interpret the veterinary examination. But they know how well the horse was prepared, and what the horse should be capable of doing. They also should be able to assist the rider in interpreting the general signs the horse is showing.


So who is responsible when a horse collapses? Everyone. The trainer, who should guide the rider and not expect miracles when the horse is not really fifi t. The rider, who should read his horse and be willing to call it a day when the horse doesn’t feel well. The veterinarian, who should do a thorough examination at all times and should clearly convey his opinion to the rider. The organising committee, who should make sure enough veterinarians are called upon to do duty at the ride.


Who is to blame? Often no one. Sometimes the rider, who did not heed advice or did not read the horse. Sometimes the trainer, who wanted to win above all else. Sometimes the veterinarian, who rushed through the examination.  Sometimes all of them together.


Blaming people does not change the situation. Let’s all rather learn from each unpleasant experience, and improve on what we are doing. Concentrate on your contribution, and set the example!
By Inayat

Pioneer Park Talieb - from paddock scruff to endurance horse

This weekend we have the 3rd ride in the series hosted by Pure Endurance from the Finch Hatton Show grounds.
Pioneer Park Talieb (Shades of Shagrir x Tareva-Chine) will be making his endurance debut here - starting in his first 20km ride!
Talieb is working really nicely, forward and brave (so long as he's not too far in front of the other horses) and quite sensisble.  He has really impressed me with his keeness for work and honesty in what he does.
Have I mentioned how big he is?  15.3 hands - amazing - sire is 15.1hh and dam 14.3hh ...

Louise Miller will accompany Talieb on his first ride on Saturday afternoon, here's hoping the rain holds off for us to host another successful weekend.

Photos to come post event.

Endurance Team for 2012

Introducing the Team for Pioneer Endurance for 2012:

Pioneer Park Azaylia (Turingal Park Nijinski x Azaria) Endurance Mare - 2*
Pioneer Park Navarone (Lyle x Azaria) Endurance gelding  - 3*
Shades of Shagrir (Simeon Shagrir x Naydia-Notova) Endurance gelding - 1*
Pioneer Park Amurra (Maf-Ue El Hossan x Azaria) Endurance Mare - marathon mare
Kai Hai Sterling Sha'kieraa (Ibn Sterling Shaklan x Kai Hai Princess Sairaa (exp Jor) Endurance mare 3*
Pioneer Park Talieb (Shades of Shagrir x Tareva-Chine) Novice gelding
Pioneer Park Wings of Sudan (Chip Chase Sadaqa x Agecroft Sahara) Novice Stallion
Avondale Park Della Cairo (Mahazin Ibn Cairo x Craigdarroch Chandelle Silque) Novice mare

Looking forward to a very busy and tough, but rewarding 2012!

Training Resumes!

Boxing Day 2011 and for us it means that our holiday is over and training for endurance resumes!  Both me and the ponies are very definatly guilty of some over-indulging this festive season and have gone from Fab to Flab (well, the ponies at least could have been considered Fab, not sure about me!). 
With a dedicated training buddy we set out yesterday at 7am in the already sweltering heat - probably would have been better off starting somewhere around 3am~
Talieb (Pioneer Park Talieb) is being ridden for a combination of 'legging-up' and general saddle education and has been under saddle around 3 times a week during December.  Buddy Louise Miller is riding him today while I start the super mare, Miss K (Kai Hai Sterling Sha'kierra) back into work.  This pair work nicely together, Talieb trying in vain to match Kieraa's super marching walk!  Today Talieb impresses us both by trotting thru water without blinking an eye and crossing numerous water crossings - his only upset is the nasty palm fronds that try to catch him by the leg (palm fronds like to eat horses ::  we all know that right?)
Then we saddle Della (Avondale Park Della Cairo) and visiting mare Tarnya who is on a "working holiday" whilst her owner is on a real holiday!  Della is all business and has the best work ethic so not terribly impressed this day being partnered with Tarnya who thinks she should eat her way around the 10km loop.
With good intentions of riding more horses in the afternoon, we call it a day and head to the creek to cool off with hubby and dogs in tow to swim and relax in the cool water - finally some Boxing Day tradition!

Managing Horses on Small Properties Workshops are being held on 11, 12 & 13 November in Proserpine, Sarina & Mackay, respectively. The aim of these workshops is to promote safety, care & welfare for you, your horse and the environment.


The workshop will be presented by Jane Myers. Jane has been involved in the Horse Industry for over 30 years and is the author of publications including "Managing Horses on Small Properties".


The workshop will cover a range of topics:


Horse characteristics: how horse behaviour contributes to the management of a horse property


Pasture improvement and renovation


Horse and pasture management: how horse health and good property (environmental) care are linked


Manure management: how manure can be detrimental to a property and the environment if not properly managed and how to turn manure into an asset rather than a liability


Water management: importance of clean water, how to manage horses so that they do not pollute the waterways and how to use water responsibly


Vegetation management: the role of trees and plants both in the local and wider environment and the importance of revegetation and protection of trees and plants on a horse property


Property design and planning: what facilities are necessary on a horse's property and where to place them, the importance of planning and how to set about it.

 Cost: $20 per person or $30 for two (includes lunch and morning tea)


RSVP: Registration and payment required by 8 November.


For more information please contact the relevant Landcare/Catchment group, depending on the workshop you are interested in.


Proserpine workshop: Friday 11 November, phone Whitsunday Catchment Landcare (WCL) on 4945 0267


Sarina workshop:Saturday 12 November, phone Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association (SLCMA) on 4956 1388


Mackay workshop: Sunday 13 November, phone Pioneer Catchment and Landcare (PCL) on 4944 1979

SUMMER OF FUN with Pure Endurance

The small club of Pure Endurance Inc will be hosting a series of events from the Finch Hatton Showgrounds near Mackay.

These events will be of varying distances from 20km to 40km and even 80km.  We will also hold TPR training, CS training and assistance as well as Education sessions.

Volunteer's are welcome - come along, you'll be surprised at what you can learn and how much fun you will have!  PDF Flyers are available, just email me your interest and I get one straight out to you.