Hobby Horse Ranch

☺️ Welcome Annabelle!

We are delighted to welcome the third vet to our team: Annabelle Woods 🩺 🐴

Hi everyone! I’m originally from northern NSW and have just graduated from the University of Queensland. I’m thrilled to be joining the team and getting immersed in all aspects of GP equine practice, but I have a particular interest in lameness and diagnostic imaging. When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me with a book, out playing sport, or hanging out with my dog. I can’t wait to meet you and your horses soon!

Marinda Piddington @ Caitlinpiddington

🌟 Ready to start your coaching journey in 2026 or need to update your instructor qualification? 🌟
Registrations are now open for our next Bronze Instructor Schools, running
Wednesday the 28th and Thursday 29th January 2026!

🌙 Evening session: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

This is an excellent opportunity for:
✅ New instructors starting their journey with the Bronze Certificate or NCAS Preliminary
✅ Current NCAS instructors needing to update
✅ Introductory or Old System instructors who need to transition to the new system

👉 Don’t miss out – register now:
https://ponyclubnsw.org.au/forms/bronze-state-instructors-zoom-school/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1MBNA_oOFGH8xbRtd8xeNzhzCGc4woHZYSy9fR6BggnY6vnwwUAbiH_HQ_aem_Vd5pQOe-YwI1zbYsn1MA6Q

Let’s build the next generation of great Pony Club coaches together! 🐴✨

Exciting morning with another little girls horsey dreams coming true! Welcome Mickey!

Too tired… 😴

So glad we had this little guy to show my kids the ropes! They learned so much in and out of the saddle 😂💕 #PonyKids #equitation #pony

🥰

The crowd at Belmont Park was roaring.

It was the 1999 Belmont Stakes, and Charismatic—already winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness—was chasing racing immortality. Thousands were on their feet. Millions were watching.

Then everything changed.

Near the top of the stretch, Charismatic took a bad step. His stride faltered. The dream was over in an instant.

His jockey, Chris Antley, didn’t hesitate.

He eased the horse immediately, swung out of the saddle, and did something rarely seen on a stage like that. Antley wrapped his arms around Charismatic’s left front leg, holding it up, bracing the horse’s weight with his own body.

He knew exactly what had happened.

A catastrophic fracture.
One wrong movement could mean the end.

While the crowd fell silent, Antley stood there—calm, focused, refusing to let go—until veterinarians and track staff rushed in. Thanks to his quick thinking and sheer physical effort, Charismatic was stabilized on the track.

The horse survived.

Charismatic was retired from racing, later becoming a successful sire. His life continued because, in the most pressurized moment of his career, a jockey chose compassion over competition.

That day wasn’t remembered for who won the race.

It was remembered for how someone showed up when it mattered most.


~Oddly Fact Club

😍

Horse Riding Lessons

Tamworth, Walcha and Surrounds

Qualified Dressage Coach with Equestrian NSW.
Insured
Teaching horse riding since 2008

Term lesson plans

Monday closed
Tuesday- tba (area to be finalised)
Wednesday- Bective, to Loomberah, to moonbi
Thursday - Walcha Area
Friday online lessons

Protocol Sessions

Ground work and ridden work as well as performance plans and competition support.

Kids from 4yo

All abilities, all breeds

Saturday /Sunday
Available for Clinics in NSW
Available to Judge at Dressage, Eventing, show days, pony Club etc within 6 hours of Tamworth

When I am not competing or teaching I usually am at working dog trials.

Simone
0429122756

Nice work Backtrack!

Youth crime is a big hot topic, this program in regional NSW Armidale, aims to address it in a different way. Reporting by Amal Wehbe, ABC News Social Media team. Choose your news on the ABC NEWS app and stay in the know https://ab.co/abcnewsapp #EmbeddedArmidale #Armidale #YouthCrime #Safety

🐴ℹ️ Information for Horse Owners ℹ️🐴

🌞 Anhidrosis – No Sweat 🐴

The Australian summer is well and truly here, and sweating is one of the most important ways horses regulate their body temperature. When this system fails, the consequences can be serious.

Anhidrosis, also known as non-sweaters, dry coat syndrome, or blowers and puffers, describes a reduced or complete inability to sweat.

What is anhidrosis?

Anhidrosis occurs when a horse partially or completely loses its ability to sweat. Without effective sweating, horses struggle to cool themselves and are at risk of overheating, particularly in hot, humid climates common across much of Australia.

Signs of anhidrosis

Common signs may include:
• Minimal or absent sweating after exercise
• Rapid breathing or flared nostrils after light work
• Lethargy, reduced performance, or reluctance to exercise
• Dry, flaky coat or patchy hair loss
• Elevated body temperature after work
• In severe cases, collapse or even death

How is anhidrosis diagnosed?

Diagnosis is often based on clinical signs and history. Intradermal sweat testing may be used to confirm the condition. This involves injecting small amounts of sweat-stimulating drugs (such as terbutaline, salbutamol or epinephrine) into the skin and observing the sweating response. Horses with anhidrosis show little or no reaction compared with normal horses.

Managing anhidrosis

There is no single cure, but careful management can help affected horses stay comfortable:

• Environmental management – shade, fans, misters and constant access to cool water
• Clipping – helps reduce heat retention
• Exercise modification – work during the coolest parts of the day and reduce intensity
• Nutrition and electrolytes – use electrolytes and consider anhidrosis-specific supplements under veterinary guidance. Some evidence suggests vitamin E may be beneficial, and some owners report benefit with vitamin B supplementation
• Active cooling – cold hosing, ice packs and cooling sprays
• Alternative therapies – some owners report benefit with acupuncture or herbal supplements, though scientific evidence is limited

When to call the vet

Heat stress and heat stroke are emergencies. Contact your veterinarian urgently if your horse shows persistent body temperature above 39.5 °C, muscle tremors, weakness, collapse, or severe respiratory distress.

With veterinary guidance and attentive management, many horses with anhidrosis can continue to live comfortable, active lives. If you’re concerned your horse may not be sweating normally, speak with your equine veterinarian early.

😆

You do have to wonder what our horses are really thinking about us...