An Equine Conversation

I am so pleased to be welcoming our 2nd first time guest to An Equine Conversation for Season 5. We’ve had some super wild weather here in my part of the world this Spring that meant this guest and I had to reschedule recording this episode multiple times. Despite the severe storms, power-outages, trees down, no internet, we got there in the end and are bringing you an episode with our most wonderful Equine Veterinary Dentist, Dr Paul Owens from the Horse Vet Dentist. I won’t lie, I used to think the horses mouth was a whole lot simpler than it is. For many years, my horses had an annual visit from an equine dental technician. I’d seen a couple of talks given by them & I thought I knew much of what there was to know. Gosh, how wrong I was! It was thanks to a number of wonderful horsie friends whose opinions I rate, who were working with Dr Paul Owens and singing his praises, that we too got Paul on board our horse-care team maybe 4-5 years ago now. And wow, have we learnt so much over that time. Paul’s knowledge is amazing, as is his preparedness to educate interested owners. Each time Paul’s here, which is every 6-months, there are things I learn and get to see with my own eyes in my horses mouths which is really impactful for my understanding. We really love having Paul as part of our herd’s care team as we share the mission of improving welfare for equines through our work and both love learning more, with Paul bringing us information on the latest research into all things horses mouths. Not only that, but we get to hear some cool stories about the work he does with Zoo’s Victoria too. Which, for those of you who like me, train with positive reinforcement, mean that Paul is already really familiar with this training approach as he sees it in action in his work with the Zoo & is so awesome in supporting what I do with my herd, which can be to our amusement. In his visit here just a few weeks ago, Rufus is such a pro at loading on the crush, we’ve made it so positively reinforcing for him, that he took himself there before we were even ready for him. In today’s episode, we’re going to peer inside the horse’s mouth with Paul and learn a bunch about how it works and equine oral health care.   Dr Paul Owens: Paul graduated from the University of Liverpool in the UK in 2001 following a degree in Animal Science and PhD in Animal Nutrition. He worked in North Yorkshire in mixed practice where he developed his interest in equine dentistry attending several BEVA course in this field. In 2007 Paul came to Australia working in Equine/Small Animal Practice in SE Melbourne before eventually setting up a dedicated veterinary dentistry practice in 2011 called HorseVetDentist. The practice offers a wide range of equine dentistry services from routine dental assessments to referrals for advanced dental extraction techniques, periodontal treatments and restorative dentistry. Paul is a tutor on the EVDS veterinary dentistry courses and teaches veterinary students at the U-Vet centre Werribee. He has been fortunate to assist with dentistry procedures at Zoos Victoria and Healesville Sanctuary. Paull attained his MANCVS Memberships in Equine Dentistry in 2014 and continues to attend workshops in dentistry both overseas and in Australia.   In this episode we discuss:  1:23 - introduction to this episode & to Dr Paul Owens 4:08 - Dr Paul Owens bio 5:20 - welcoming Paul 6:59 - Paul’s Vet Dentist origin story & ongoing education 13:24 - the importance of evidence-based practice 15:37 - how the horse’s mouth works 20:33 - are donkey and mule mouths the same? 21:24 - what a horses’s oral check/assessment involves (a lot!) 30:53 - teeth are living structures 33:14 - the carrot bite test & the periodontal ligament 35:22 - dental pain in humans and horses (with a shout-out to Dr Chris Pearce at the Equine Dental Clinic Ltd) 40:00 - size of the carrot for the carrot bite test 42:16 - 2 big common dental diseases of the front teeth: nerve exposure & EOTRH 46:03 - more on dental (and other) pain in horses & how easy it is to miss (shout-out to Dr Sue Dyson) 51:05 - one thorough oral examination is not enough - it’s a repeated process as our horses’ mouths are dynamic & change over time 54:23 - standards for thorough oral examination timelines 57:01 - horses’ baby teeth 1:03:02 - top tips for dental health 1:11:55 - on working with Zoo’s Victoria animals 1:17:09 - episode wrap-up & what’s on next week   Links from Paul: The HorseVetDentist on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049882937335] Equine Dental Clinic Ltd on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheEquineDentalClinic]   Our links mentioned this episode:   Sign-up to our email list [https://www.abbeysrunequestrian.com.au/] Abbey's Run Equestrian website [https://www.abbeysrunequestrian.com.au/] Abbey's Run Equestrian on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035172595508]   Thank you to Matthew Bliss for podcast production & consultation. If you'd like him to help with your podcast, get in touch by email at business@mbpod.com [business@mbpod.com]

Please note: this episode does contain 'conversational profanity' I am so grateful for the knowledge that business coach, Erin Moore has brought into my life & so I’m delighted that Erin is back with me on An Equine Conversation this episode, to share more of her wisdom with you. In this episode, we’re taking a look at some of the gnarly problems that face micro & small businesses, especially those who work in caring industries (with a focus on the equine world). We consider some of the differences between big and small businesses, and how our consumer expectations differ between the two. We discuss how you, we, as consumers, can support micro & small businesses so that they/we, can continue to provide awesome products and services to you, …. and not contribute to ‘tanking the market’. Annnnd there might be some great tips in there for micro & small business owners too. There is so much in this episode that it’s hard to capture it all in a short, written intro, so you’ll just have to listen to hear all the wisdom within.   Erin Moore: Erin Moore was a dog trainer for 13 years, and, by her own admission, made every mistake a dog training business owner could make. After burning out and leaving the industry completely, Erin knew that if she wanted to come back to it, she would need to figure out a different way to do things. So Erin did just that. She hired a coach and learned all about the business end of things, and that changed her entire business and her life. Now Erin coaches trainers on how to set up their businesses so that they can actually have a life and not burn out like she did!    In this episode we discuss:  1:24 - profanity warning 1:52 - introduction to this episode & giving the context (shout-out to Jemima from the now closed Sweet Iron Co & Shelby from Milestone Equestrian) 8:23 - welcome back Erin 9:24 - the caring industry, small versus big businesses 13:31 - defining ‘tanking the market’ 15:38 - I’ve done it & the absence of business education 19:00 - being draw to a caring industry, our values & beliefs & how we can help more people 21:11 - free content - time & effort and small versus big business 24:41 - the impact on veterinarians 32:07 - the extra load of financial stress & empathising with the humans 35:33 - if we’re not financially secure, we can’t help anyone and regardless, we can’t help everyone 37:41 - when small businesses make more money, they can help more people 40:07 - the impact of not supporting small business 42:01 - a snapshot of the different hats worn in a business & the costs you don’t see 49:37 - the different aspects of running a micro or small business - besides the actual passion part 52:22 - the correlation between neurodivergence & small business 53:11 - where does the time go in business 54:40 - the importance of self-care for how we show up in business (or what you get as a consumer) 1:00:45 - what do we do as consumers - what’s your sphere of influence (shout-out to Samantha from The School of Visibility) 1:09:37 - more top tips on what you can do & a summary of what you can do 1:17:20 - episode wrap-up & what’s on next week   Links from Erin: Free, thought-provoking resources on Erin’s website [https://www.dogbizcoach.com/freeresources/] (and other ways to work with Erin too) Find Erin on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/businessendoftheleash [https://www.facebook.com/businessendoftheleash]   Our links mentioned this episode:   Sign-up to our email list [https://www.abbeysrunequestrian.com.au/] Abbey's Run Equestrian website [https://www.abbeysrunequestrian.com.au/] Abbey's Run Equestrian on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035172595508]   Thank you to Matthew Bliss for podcast production & consultation. If you'd like him to help with your podcast, get in touch by email at business@mbpod.com [business@mbpod.com]

In today’s episode I’m going to chat with you about the awesomeness of virtual learning in the horse world. This episode is inspired in part by Ivy sharing her experience in last week’s episode and just how integral Michelle’s remote support has been to Swagger and Ivy’s journey and progress. But it’s also inspired by my own experiences with the virtual learning landscape, and by conversations I’ve had with a few people who groan at the prospect… And if, you’ve had to do eLearns for your job, then um, let me just say that these can be, uh, dry, and um, uninspiring. So please, please don’t rate your virtual learning experience based on those alone! If you are groaning at me suggesting more screen time, I know so many people have screen-fatigue, particularly off the back of Covid and due to the way some jobs now operate, I’m not immune from this at all, but if you can stand to, bear with me while I talk through why virtual or remote learning is awesome and why it’s not actually always about the screen. Spoiler alert, you’re listening to me right now, learning, sans screen. I want to nudge you up-front to say that you’re actually likely already engaging in enjoyable, helpful, virtual learning - most likely the free stuff if not paid. Like me, you’re a good chance to have watched things on YouTube, see things on social media, read blog posts, and I mean, you’re listening to this podcast. You’re doing it already! Today, I’m talking more about the paid virtual learning opportunities that exist. I’m going to start with talking about my experience as a learner, then expand on what online learning can do for you. Then I’m going to switch and talk about my experience as an educator and coach and what it’s like from that perspective – which will also explore why the benefits for me and other coaches are benefits for you too.   In this episode we discuss: 1:24 - episode introduction 3:00 - you’re already doing it 4:01 - my experiences as a learner with remote/virtual learning 5:13 - the challenge of being so far away 7:28 - the variety of online learning delivery methods 8:47 - horses get to stay home 9:58 - loving virtual learning despite technology not being ‘my first language’ 10:49 - making new friends 12:54 - it’s inclusive for me 14:22 - benefits of remote/virtual learning for you & some of the challenges with a conventional format 18:28 - it’s not always about the screen 22:06 - consuming on your time, in your location 23:44 - learning remotely is not new here in Australia 25:04 - learning the tech is like learning anything 26:18 - why virtual learning is great as an educator with a micro-business & why that makes it great for you too, starting with some of my history to give context 31:27 - the overheads, the real costs 33:15 - what virtual learning offers us 36:02 - in-person learning is also awesome 36:56 - ask super nicely 38:29 - after listening 40:14 - episode wrap-up & what’s on next week   Links mentioned this episode:   * Sign-up to our email list [https://www.abbeysrunequestrian.com.au/] * Abbey's Run Equestrian website [https://www.abbeysrunequestrian.com.au/] * Abbey's Run Equestrian on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035172595508]   Thank you to Matthew Bliss for podcast production & consultation. If you'd like him to help with your podcast, get in touch by email at business@mbpod.com [business@mbpod.com]

Today we welcome our first new guest for this Season. Ivy Starnes caught my attention through her generous sharing of videos documenting her journey with a horse called Swagger, a young, now gelding who was previously living in the wild. I’ve been captivated by Ivy’s training with the support of her coach and friend Michelle, as they help this incredibly unique and quite spectacular horse learn about connecting with humans. He has forced Ivy to really refine her training, and it is super inspiring to watch. Not only is the training lovely, and the problem-solving Ivy and Michelle work through, but also Ivy’s dedication to recording the journey and then paying forward the assistance she was given earlier in life, by sharing the footage so openly. I’m so pleased that Ivy is joining me today so we (I mean, let’s be honest, I invite people onto An Equine Conversation so I get to hear from them too) get to hear more detail around Ivy’s experience with this seriously unique horse.   Ivy Starnes: Ivy Starnes has been training horses since she was 16 years old.  She started with natural horsemanship methods and has slowly moved more and more towards positive reinforcement.  While she still uses pressure and release, Ivy is doing more and more with clicker training.  She spends most of her training and teaching working with gaited horses and riders, working to get a smooth and relaxed gait for the trail.  In April of 2023, Ivy was given McSwagger to train for the Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue.  Swagger was a feral gelding from eastern Kentucky and Ivy had no previous experience training wild horses.  Ivy had seen wild mustangs trained before and assumed she would be able to train Swagger just as easily.  He quickly proved her wrong and Ivy is on a journey of training Swagger using only positive reinforcement, documenting the moments and sharing them so others will realize that some horses really do need a lot of time to overcome their fear.     In this episode we discuss:  1:25 - episode introduction 3:50 - where in the world are Ivy & Swagger & the climate they live and train in 11:55 - talking hay 12:42 - whoops, sorry Tassie listeners! The rest of what I said was right but you are not 'an Island off Australia', you are 'an Island OF Australia'. My bad! 13:30 - Ivy's unique horsie origin story & gaited horses 26:50.954 - Swagger's story 32:13 - how Swagger came to be with Ivy & initially it seemed it would be easy... 36:57 - but it didn't start well 39:54 - getting out of the rut & getting some help  42:13 - help that's remote 43:60 - starting to slowly solve Swagger's disengagement 48:44 - a break-through and the progress snowball starting to slowly roll 51:56 - the approach for Swagger's care & welfare needs, particularly hoof care 1:03:11 - developing Swagger's environmental curiosity 1:04:35 - the highlights reel from February 2024 onward 1:09: 43 - coaching support with Michelle 1:13:44 - what MAYBE next 1:15:14 - Ivy's biggest learnings & recommendations 1:21:15 - supporting Swagger's journey & finding Ivy 1:24:14 - further thoughts 1:26:47 - wrapping-up with Swagger & Ivy's gift to us & what's on next week   Links from Ivy: Go Fund Me link: https://gofund.me/83d83a1f [https://gofund.me/83d83a1f] Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IvysHorses [https://www.facebook.com/IvysHorses] Website: www.IvysHorses.com [http://www.ivyshorses.com/]   Our links mentioned this episode:   Sign-up to our email list [https://www.abbeysrunequestrian.com.au/] Abbey's Run Equestrian website [https://www.abbeysrunequestrian.com.au/] Abbey's Run Equestrian on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035172595508]   Thank you to Matthew Bliss for podcast production & consultation. If you'd like him to help with your podcast, get in touch by email at business@mbpod.com [business@mbpod.com]

Today, I want to speak about ‘the hard’ in horses. I recently shared a post on our Abbey’s Run Equestrian Facebook page about this & it resonated with a lot of people. This topic is inspired by those who in the past few months have shared their hard with me, just how tough-a time they’ve had of it, and the thinking and reflection that those conversations have left me with. I don’t think we share enough about the hard and so this episode aims to change that.   In this episode we discuss: 1:20 - episode introduction 2:54 - what do I mean by ‘the hard’ 5:06 - some examples 6:20 - the unwell, the injuries & the impact 10:17 - resource limitations, access limitations & financial strain 19:50 - social media’s role 21:49 - human health impacts 23:47 - what do we do about it? 27:19 - episode wrap-up & what’s on next week   Links mentioned this episode:   * Sign-up to our email list [https://www.abbeysrunequestrian.com.au/] * Abbey's Run Equestrian website [https://www.abbeysrunequestrian.com.au/] * Abbey's Run Equestrian on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035172595508]   Thank you to Matthew Bliss for podcast production & consultation. If you'd like him to help with your podcast, get in touch by email at business@mbpod.com [business@mbpod.com]