Antoinette Foster Dip. Nut. Equine Nutritional Therapist/Medical Herbalist/Nutritional Therapy Genetics/Product Formulator. Antoinette Foster is one of Australia's most highly qualified equine nutritional therapists; she is also a qualified medical herbalist and human nutritionist and author of the successful book "Eat Like a Horse". Antoinette has been a practitioner for over 29 years and has continued her training throughout this time. She began work in 2010 with Dr Margie Smith, a molecular geneticist; and was introduced the world of genetic science and the effect on gene expression from nutrition, this knowledge has been brought into the equine side of Antoinette's business. Genetic science has advanced substantially in the last 20 years and integrating the knowledge that Antoinette has into the management of horses is extremely exciting. Antoinette's interests in genetics lead her to a new professional diploma course in Nutritional Therapy and Genetics which she completed in December 2015. In 2017 the long awaited Equine Nutritional Therapy course will be released as Antoinette's company becomes a service provider and the course has been approved.

Antoinette has always believed that every equine, just like every human are individuals and they should be treated in this way with profound respect for their health and well-being. Antoinette conducts several seminars and information nights throughout the year and her presentations are dynamic, enjoyable, and highly educational. Her aim is to provide horse owners, trainers and breeders with the tools to ensure that their horses achieve optimum health on a long-term basis. Antoinette's company is also registered for Research and Development and in 2017 clinical vet trials begin, covering Osteoarthritis, Insulin Resistance and Equine Gut Microbiome. Antoinette is a passionate horse owner and rider and plans to return to the dressage arena once again after a very long break from competition with her new young Warmblood Coffee (Friedensthal Fidertanz /Belcam Calandra). Antoinette is a member of several organisations including the IICT and Nutrition Australia and writes regularly for several publications. Towards the end of 2016 Antoinette and her company along with software developer GoalMaker Software Solutions developed a new individualized software program for horse owners, this is a unique program that allows for each horse to be accessed as an individual. The program, released in April 2017, is a free service.

in this podcast Antoinette talks at Equitana New Zealan about the horse's gut & how to keep it healthy. The equine digestive system can be easily impaired by many common management mistakes. She talks about what improves digestive health in horses, from correct dental maintenance, to what you feed your horses, how often and even at what height that feed is located from the ground. Given the prevalence of colic, ulcers and other digestive conditions in modern horses, the key to their overall health is often contained in their gut! The equine intestinal tract contains a complex microbial population called micro biota which plays an important role in health and disease. It appears that the micro biome can be altered quite intensely in certain disease states. Laminitis for example can be a very severe disease that can be set off by an increase of dietary starch. By the time the starch reaches the hindgut it causes an enhancement of lactic acid bacteria, lactate build up and acidification of the contents of the gut. I also discuss the new science of equine microbiome gut health testing and what relevance this plays in the health and well-being of the digestive system of the horse.

I found talking to Antoinette fascinating and am sure that you will love it too.

This month's podcast guest is Equine Vet Leigh De Clifford talking best practice wound care.  

Born and raised in rural Australia on a mix farm, Leigh grew up around racing, rodeo and campdrafting.

Leigh graduated from Massey in 2008 and worked in a large equine hospital in western Victoria before taking up a position as the private veterinarian for Qatar Bloodstock and Qatar Racing, based in Gloucestershire, UK.

Leigh’s interests include sports medicine, lameness and surgery and is keen on advancing the management of the equine athlete to get maximum performance, whether it be polo, dressage, eventing, show jumping or racing. Leigh was also recently asked to join the Australian Equestrian Veterinary Team for WEG in 2014.

When not at work Leigh can be found running around a rugby pitch, at the gym or grooming for his wife at her dressage competitions.

During the interview Leigh and I talk about initial first aid, what to clean wounds with, how to prevent proud flesh, what to put on wounds and how to get the best result.

You'll get heaps out of this interview - I really enjoyed it and hope you do too

Michelle Nichols is the Victorian agent for Southern Stars Saddlery. She doesn't just sell products though......she's all about people and horses geared for success, happiness and health. Michelle knows her stuff and here we talk all things safety gear for people and horses. There are a few surprises and some fabulous information.

Find out more about Michelle at www.southernstarssaddlery.com or look her up on facebook.
#HorseSense #Horse #Horseequipment #safetyequipment #horseriding #Horsesafety

Ever had a time when you spent a whole day prepping your horse for an event only to get up the next morning to find he WILL NOT get on that float? Does this classic Norman Thelwell cartoon remind you of anyone?? In this episode I talk to resident horse trainer extraordinaire Steve Brinkworth on how to get your horse to love the float. We cover refusing to get on, rushing off, scrambling and much more. A really, really useful episode!! Head over to equinecareclinic.com to the show notes where you'll be able to download a video (available 27.5.16)

Carol Layton is a woman with a curiosity that led her down the path to becoming one of Australia’s leading Equine Nutrition experts. With a background in Science and a love of horses, Carol found that she couldn’t find good evidence to back the way we were feeding our horses. There was not much to help horse owners work through the maze of feeds at the feed store and so most of the information was based on people’s opinions or small pieces of research undertaken on small groups of horses. This began a search for real knowledge about equine nutrition and led her to Dr. Elizabeth Kallon. Dr. Kallen is a Vet who has specialised in the development of sound nutritional practice for all horses. Carol has studied under Dr. Kallen for almost 10 years now and lectures both here and overseas on the subject.

Carol also consults and sells balanced mineral mixes individualised for your horse's particular needs. Her website can be found here http://balancedequine.com.au/ and her facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/Balanced-Equine-270340003009716/

Today she talks about feeding the laminitic horse.

A fabulous interview. We did have a few hiccoughs with the connection but it has turned out pretty well in spite of this!!

#HorseSense #Horse #Equine #EquineCareClinic #laminitis#equinenutrition

Sandi Simons is an inspirational horse riding woman. Why? Because she has felt the fear of losing her confidence as a horse woman and rider......and more. In this interview Sandi talks about her journey from struggling mum afraid to get on her horse to the confident woman she is today, helping other women overcome their fears and insecurities. Be inspired and motivated by Sandi. In her words - you're worth it.

#HorseSense #Horse #Equine #Courage #Inspiration #overcomingyourfear

I love my horses and I also love the land. I want to live as sustainably as possible and not be one of those horse owners that ruin the land their horses run on.

We also all want the best for our horses and by far the best nutrition or horses is grass so it stands to reason that we want to grow as much of it as possible and manage worm burdens and the like.

Jane's system of land/grazing management combines horses natural grazing behaviours with sensible systems of horse keeping to make our lives easier. I could listen to Jane all day - some incredibly practical information that we can all implement with minimal fuss and cost.

A scientist, researcher and author, Jane's a wealth of information and tours both Australia and the UK teaching these principles.

You can find out more at her website: http://www.equiculture.com.au/equicentral-system.html

#HorseSense #horse #equine #Equinecareclinic

This interview changed my thinking and what I knew about how horses breath and how they work under pressure.
Prof Cook has dedicated his life’s work to the study of issues with the horse’s breathing and how this is impacted by the way in which we ride and the equipment we use. As an equine ear, nose and throat surgeon and specialist he began by asking the seemingly simple question ‘what impact does a bit have on a horse?’. This question started a long journey to research and study. In the course of this study he came to see that horses actually didn’t need to be ridden in bits and in fact this is a relatively recent phenomenon and that the use of bits not only decreased performance but potentially were causing significant damage and even death. He developed a bitless bridle based on the research and now sells these to continue funding the research. If there is one episode you should listen to it’s this one. Resources and links: Prof Cooks website: https://www.bitlessbridle.com/

#HorseSense #horse #equinecareclinic #equinecare #horsebit #bitlessbridal

Pauline Naudi is a first responder for the Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance Group. Pauline is a Veterinary Nurse and Equine Acupressure Therapist. She started her journey with Cushings when she came across Jack, her cheeky little pony. Pauline had two horses with Cushings, Jack and Spur, and found it difficult to get good information on how to best manage a horse with Cushings. Then she found the Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance Group which she has been part of ever since. Pauline has a wealth of knowledge on the topic and this interview covers what to do and where to go if you think your horse has Cushings. Incredibly practical and helpful interview.

Here's some helpful links:

EIRCG - https://ecir.groups.io/g/main (the new link) and http://ecirhorse.org/ (still current)

Hay testing: http://equi-analytical.com/

#HorseSense #Horse #Equine #EquineCareClinic #Cushings #Insulin #CushingsResistance #InsulinResistance#equine cushings

#Horsesense #horse #equine #mindsetcoach #coach

Catherine Louise Birminham grew up in a non horsey family with an obsession for horses and an absolute determination to make them her life. Starting by helping out at Riding for the Disabled with her mum she went on to become an accomplished Grand Prix Dressage rider and subsequently a coach. She has ridden and coached at the highest level in Australia, Germany and Japan. Now Catherine has added successful author to her name with Ride for Life and now Just Be You. I caught up with Catherine for an interview whilst she was in Bali writing book number 3. In this interview she tells her story and talks about the rider/horse connection. This discussion went deep and its a fantastic interview.

You can find out more about Catherine at http://catherinelouisebirmingham.com/ and her books can be ordered online on Amazon or through her website.

#Horsesense #horse #equine #equinecareclinic #horsetips #dressage #Spirituality#Catherine Birmingham