<![CDATA[Winning Horsemanship - Blog]]>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:30:48 +1000Weebly<![CDATA[Horse Expenses Cost Cutting Guide]]>Tue, 22 Sep 2020 02:30:29 GMThttps://www.winninghorsemanship.com/winning-horsemanship-blog/horse-expenses-cost-cutting-guideHaving a horse can be an expensive hobby at the best of times. And right now, with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic affecting many businesses and employees, is not the best of times! It's easy for horses and ponies to seem like a bottomless pit into which you tip your money. But it is possible to make your dollars go further and still maintain your horse's health and welfare.

Maybe one of the money-saving tips in our handy infographic below will help you to stretch your dollars further. Please feel free to share!

And use the comments to tell us about your favourite horse budget hack.
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]]><![CDATA[A new poem by Joanne Verikios, inspired by a horse called خليل]]>Fri, 01 May 2020 12:30:00 GMThttps://www.winninghorsemanship.com/winning-horsemanship-blog/a-new-poem-by-joanne-verikios-inspired-by-a-horse-called
When We Are. A poem by Joanne Verikios, inspired by a horse called خليل

When We Are
By Joanne Verikios
inspired by a horse called خليل


When your
vibration
finds the rhythm
of our vibration,
it is because you
allow yourself to be love,
to respond as love,
to send love.
When you trust, we trust,
trust is all and all is love.
Then, in the glory of
all nature,
we make one song,
one verse, the universe.
You, we, are the universe.
We are. We. Are. We are.
]]><![CDATA[On Warmbloods, Powerlifting & the Publishing Process with Joanne Verikios (Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast)]]>Sun, 15 Mar 2020 12:55:16 GMThttps://www.winninghorsemanship.com/winning-horsemanship-blog/on-warmbloods-powerlifting-the-publishing-process-with-joanne-verikios-equestrian-author-spotlight-podcastDo you have a book in you?
If you've ever wanted to write a book, you can find out a bit about my odyssey to becoming an author in this podcast.
I am immensely grateful to Carly Kade for having me on her show and for being such a gracious and perceptive host. I love what Carly does for the equestrian author community 🐎❤📖🎧.
Friends, click on the picture below to access this and many other interviews about horses, writing, publishing and marketing your own book.
#authorsunite
Joanne Verikios on Carly Kade's Equestrian Author Spotlight
]]><![CDATA[2020 Horse Calendar Gift For You To Download]]>Fri, 20 Dec 2019 07:39:22 GMThttps://www.winninghorsemanship.com/winning-horsemanship-blog/2020-horse-calendar-gift-for-you-to-download
Winning Horsemanship 2020 Calendar Gift
Click the picture to download the Winning Horsemanship 2020 Calendar
This time of the year means many things to different people.

In addition to the usual end of year celebrations and traditions, I like to think of December-January as a time for reflection and planning. This is especially appropriate as we move into the second decade of this century. With the added twist of 2020 often being used to describe excellent vision, it's the perfect time to revise your dreams, plans and goals.

So, to inspire and crystallise your 2020 vision, I have created a downloadable calendar for the New Year. It's also a token of my appreciation for you being part of my wonderful online circle. Thank you!

The 2020 calendar features an iconic image of someone riding their horse along a beautiful beach, with their mirror image reflected in the wet sand. It could be at sunrise or sunset - both times of renewal and spiritual significance - combining dreams, intention and action. On the second page there is room for you to write down your top priorities. These are the things you want to get really clear on; the things you really want to manifest.

If you print your calendar on both sides of an A4 sheet of paper, write out your plans and then laminate the page, your intentions for the year ahead will be sealed and it will last well. Alternatively, you could pin or paste both pages on your dream board, along with some other images.

Need some ideas? Check out this article for some great ideas for transforming your New Year and your life!

Your 2020 New Year calendar is ready for immediate download here (or click on the picture above).

Please feel free to share on social media and with your friends, colleagues and students.

My very best wishes to you, your loved ones and your beloved horses for a merry Christmas and happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Joanne Verikios xx

]]><![CDATA[Horses and Emergencies - How to Survive Fires, Floods & Other Disasters]]>Wed, 09 Oct 2019 06:00:07 GMThttps://www.winninghorsemanship.com/winning-horsemanship-blog/horses-and-emergencies-how-to-survive-fires-floods-other-disastersThe original version of this article by Joanne Verikios was published in Equestrian Country Magazine, Issue 7, Winter 2019
as "How To Prepare Your Horse For An Emergency".
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Images courtesy of Canva.com
My Country by Dorothea Mackellar is a stirring poem that shows an awed but philosophical acceptance of the beauty and terror of nature. As I write this, parts of Dorothea's country - my country - are again being wracked by floods, starved by drought and destroyed by bushfires. Australia has cyclones too; other parts of the world have tornadoes, typhoons and hurricanes. And then there are earthquakes, mudslides and avalanches.

In addition to what nature throws at us, we sometimes have to deal with disasters that result from human error, or crimes such as arson.

So my question for you is, how ready are you and your horse for an emergency?
  • Could you rescue your horse from a burning stable?
  • Do you know what to do in the event of a bushfire or wildfire?
  • What is your flood emergency plan?

This article sets out some simple skills and tactics that could save your horse's life... and your own.
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Number one is to THINK about all the horrible things that could happen, and have a PLAN.

If you have ever been involved in fire drills, then you will know how boring they can be. That's the idea! Going through the motions for evacuation when there's no emergency, prepares us for an orderly departure if and when there is a fire or a bomb threat. We need to bring that same approach to the stable and paddock.
 
Begin with the BASICS. Ensure that your horse is accustomed to being handled, leads without question, loads into a vehicle and will stand when tied. Remember that you might not even be on the scene when evacuation is required, so your owe it to your horse to make sure he or she is comfortable with being caught by other people.
 
The best way to get a horse to follow you out of a burning building, or indeed during any frightening circumstances, is to apply a blindfold. Teach acceptance of a blindfold in advance. Slowly and tactfully, practise covering your horse's eyes. Start with one hand and one eye, then both hands and both eyes, then use a shirt or a scarf. When you horse is comfortable with this (if you do it right they will come to enjoy it), start leading them around while blindfolded. Tie the blindfold or tuck it into the halter or bridle so you can remove it quickly, always keep your horse safe (you are now the eyes of the partnership) and begin with very short walks. As you can imagine, this really develops the trust your horse has in you. Having your horse responsive to you even though he or she cannot see, also builds mutual trust.
The best way to get a horse to follow you out of a burning building, or indeed during any frightening circumstances, is to apply a blindfold.
Image used with the kind permission of Western Horseman. Originally published in "The Revised Horseman's Scrapbook. Helpful Hints For Horsemen" by Randy Steffen (12th printing, 1996).
IMPORTANT: When you lead a horse out of a burning building, don't let him or her go until you have them securely enclosed or tied up at a safe distance. Unfortunately, horses have been known to dash back to the "comfort" of their stable, even if it's in flames.
 
If there is an approaching bushfire, you or someone else may need to load your horse onto a float, truck or trailer really fast. It may not even be your float and it may have one or more other horses already in it, so when the flames are approaching is not a good time to try this for the first time!
 
The key to success is to practise loading your horse into floats and trucks in advance. Begin at the walk. When that skill is solid, step it up to a jog, and then at "evacuate now!" speed. Even if your horse is a seasoned traveller, increase the pressure now and then by pretending to be in a real hurry. It's always interesting to find out how your horse reacts to a change of pace and atmosphere and you may be surprised to discover some areas that need more work. If you don't have a float to practise with, "load" your horse into yards and stables. Lead her into your house or or garage or garden shed! The more variations you can think of and work through, the stronger the bond between you and your horse will grow.

If possible, always tie your horse in the float. The first reason for this is that you don't want them to succeed in pushing through the front window or jumping over the tailgate if they happen to panic with all the noise and heat and smoke. Or to make a break for freedom if the personal access door swings open! When all hell is breaking loose is not a good time for your horse to break loose! The second reason is that you may be able to save other people's horses you encounter along the way, as long as yours can't escape when you drop the ramp.
 
Have a GO KIT ready to load into your vehicle too. This should include at least one bucket, a bale of hay or a bag of feed per horse, spare halters and lead ropes, a torch with batteries, mobile phone and charger and a basic first aid kit.
 
But what if there is no transport, or no time to get some? It's far from ideal, but in this case, you'll have to trust your horse's survival instincts and turn him or her loose. Before you do, though, here are a few tips.
 
Whether you're in a fire or a flood situation, improve the horse's chances by removing any halter, flyveil or other equipment that could catch on debris. As above, lock them out of the stable and prevent access to small areas where they might seek safety but could get trapped instead. Next, secure all yard and paddock gates in the open position and cut the fences in the corners so the horses can get out if they follow the fence lines in low visibility conditions.
 
Improve your chances of getting your horse back by having a set of current photographs showing their markings and brands. The photos can also come in handy for the authorities, posters and social media if your horse ends up lost or sheltered a long way from home. Make sure you know where your horse's registration papers are, and what his microchip number is. It's good practice to have photos, registration documents and other records uploaded somewhere that's safe, fireproof and waterproof. Oh, and do consider taking out insurance.
 
You should also write your phone number on your horse, preferably in a couple of places (not on a rug, which could burn or get torn off). Spray paint, permanent marker or even hoof black or boot polish are all options, depending on how organised and innovative you are. Another idea is to plait some ribbons into mane and tail with your details written on them in indelible ink. Some people recommend painting or writing your number on the hooves. If there's time, put it everywhere you can and take another couple of photos showing your ID efforts before release.
 
It's a good idea to mark your horse in this way even if you take them to a safe haven, in case conditions there change suddenly too.
 
To sum up…
 
It sounds scary and it is. I pray that you never have to use this information, but if you do, I hope the emergency best practices outlined above inspire you to create a training strategy, an evacuation plan, a Go Kit and identification procedures that will work for you.
 
When it's not life and death, you can make it a game or a drill. When it is life and death, you'll have a much better chance of survival. As the Boy Scouts say, BE PREPARED!
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Joanne Verikios is a successful rider, breeder and exhibitor. She is an accomplished horsewoman and experienced judge. Joanne's book "Winning Horsemanship. A Judge's Secrets And Tips For Your Success" was written to give you that winning edge and is highly recommended. Apart from a wealth of information about horses, Joanne's book is jam packed with the art of winning in life.
While the focus is on the bond between humans and horses, it reveals powerful mindset and personal development techniques, often conveyed with humour. Joanne wrote her book to fill in the knowledge and experience gaps for people who didn't grow up around horses and horse people. Click here to buy the book or click here to ask Joanne a question.
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