Yippee!!! Spring is nearly here. The paddocks are starting to grow grass again. Now is the time to start adding Magnesium supplementation (and reduce any supplements with potassium), in your horse’s diet, as they will be getting more potassium in the spring grass. Lucerne chaff contains more potassium than other chaff options.
Here at AVIS we have been undergoing infrastructure changes. These include moving to working from Henderson Veterinary Clinic on Thursdays and some Saturday afternoons. This means clients can choose if they want to visit me still in Kumeu, with their dogs and cats (Tuesdays 2-6pm or some Fridays/Saturdays). Depending on clients’ preferences, Fridays may also become a day of working from Henderson Veterinary Clinic. Many of you will know Brett Christian (Henderson Homeopathic Vet) and his vet nurse Rachael. His clinic is located at 12 Lincoln Road (closest to Henderson end of Lincoln Road, not the motorway end). Brett had kindly given me his upstairs sunny front room to do my consults from. I will be starting work there on Thursdays from 22nd September.
As part of the restructuring, we sadly have had to say farewell to Pam Houston, receptionist and business development manager. I will be manning the work phone and answering emails as I am available. Please leave a short phone message if I am not available to answer it when you call. Alternatively text your details; (name, pet’s name and email address), or email your query to vetacupuncture@azurfarm.co.nz
Having grown considerably in clientele over the last few years, I will be looking into fully computerising my animal records which will speed up accessibility (especially working from multiple sites). I am looking forward to trialing Hippo software in the next 30 days, and hopefully it gets the accountant’s tick of approval too!
Recently I sent our Spring newsletter to all my clients (if you didn’t get a copy, please email me to go on the newsletter mailing list). The competition on the back page, must be entered by the 30th August… hurry last few days to get your answers in!
I will be back in Melbourne for 2 weeks at the beginning of September (2nd to 15th) and again beginning of November.
Last week I laid the front paddock out as a equine training ground: 60×20 grass arena with trot poles, jumps, and other interesting training aids such as Linda Tellington-Jones “star and labyrinth’ patterns. Having completed the Animal Biomechanics post grad diploma in Melbourne during the year, I am keen to get a friendly equine group meeting on Mondays (any time between 10am-5pm) or Tuesday (10am-2pm) to work on in-hand training, rehabilitation and strengthening exercises, as well as just basic training of youngsters.
I will have Manolo’s cavessons, ($250) DVDs ($70)and bamboos available to use and purchase. We can also make use of TTouch body wraps and the 20m sand round pen.
As parking for multiple horse floats is limited at Azur Farm, I would suggest you use the facilities at the Kumeu Trotting Club ($5) and walk your horse over to Azur Farm. There will be a $5 entry for using the facilities at Azur Farm as well on these days. ($10 if you want to come outside these times with bookings essential). Check out more details for this on the website or email me you interest in joining the group.
After judging at a fun working equitation event in Monegeetta, Victoria, along with Manolo Mendez and Steve Halfpenny, earlier in the year, it gave me some ideas (rocker bridge, gate opening practice etc) to add to the training field. Once i have some sheep fencing sorted, I will be making some training items for horses to walk over etc.
Well must go and make the most of the sun and have some fun interactions with my lovely equine mates!
Happy riding!
Fiona
