wings

My dogs have never had the opportunity, if they did they certainly cleaned up well as I've never found the evidence. The cats have also been ruthlessly efficient, we don't have mouse/rat issues in the barns and every kill is eaten. My neighbour however had a lambs tounge ripped out while it was being born. A friend lost all her hens when a fox came in and killed everything, gnawed on the corpses a bit and didn't take a single one with it. So yes I find the actions that numerous foxes have carried out to be quite vile and as a species I very much dislike them. I feel the species has no place in this country and they cause a lot of damage.

Funny. Every hunter I've met takes pride in their skills, believes in what their doing and won't take a shot that isn't a kill shot. The 'pleasure of killing' is fairly far down the list if it's even there. And I meet a few as we happily have people, gun and bow hunters, out to hunt the rabbits and foxes on our property. I'm a hunter in training myself and I know my motivation is the safety of my miniature foals and future chooks along with the native wildlife we're trying to attract. And staffydave I interupted a pair of foxes on their second rampage through my pet rabbit hutches. The first one they didn't even take anything, just riped them apart and left the pieces for me to find. You'll have to forgive me if I and others continue to use such as 'vile' when describing them.

Now there's a name I know to run very far away from It'll be nice when there is an official ruling on Kim's situation, with everything going on around it it's hard to call from the sidelines.

Which is why my family doesn't use them, we opt for shooting instead as we want out methods to target the problem and not feed back through the food chain. Problem is, do you know how hard it is to find a good hunter these days? Very, they're all so sick of the attitude they cop for what they do. At the end of the day there really isn't a nice way to kill, but sometimes it's the best thing to do. I wish we had access to sniffer dogs to find our local foxes before someone resorts to bait. TSD Em is lovely!

These pics are brilliant! My old poodle x, Indy, used to follow one of our burmese cats around, the cat just had to meow and the dog would sit, drop and roll over :laugh: Indy worshipped that cat!

Oh no how terrible :( My thoughts go out to her people, I hope you find justice.

I love coming up with registered names... although since I have horses I only need one name at a time! Unless I have a "super special" name I want to use I name from the mum's name, I also try and keep the paddock name in theme. Two from this year are "Work of Art" who is out of "Painted Lady" with the short name of "Picasso." Another is "Waltzing Matilda" out of "Patchwork Jillaroo" (her foals have to have 'Aussie' names) and is "Tilly" for short.

Great pics! They are such amazing dogs, there are a few local to me now and I love watching them work

Agree!

Christmas holidays with interstate family had nothing to do with the beach, family or the xmas prezzies.... it was all about the GSD! She taught me to love dogs, she was the only dog in my life for years and I will always have the best memories of her. She had the tolerance of a saint! I was very obssessed with her and followed her everywhere, I fell asleep against her many times, I snuck away from the table at lunch times to share food with her, got up early for her daily swim or walk. Bliss!

I always love your race day photos! Keep meaning to come down and actually watch it all in person, looks like so much fun

How does someone not have enough space and time after 3 weeks Poor whippets...

Very stylish! When are you and the OH coming to build me one? I have fantasies of a large completely raised dog run - too many snakes here to allow the dogs free access outside in the summer. That's my fear as well, we see a lot of red bellies out here so I'd rather run a ramp from our raised verandah to a raised converted cubby to give my future dogs more space when they are outside and unsupervised.

Do you have a pic of inside? What sort of mesh have you used on the front? Is the ramp flat or stepped? I think it is brilliant :D

Sir WJ that is BRILLIANT! Can you share more details? :)

I have a particular tactic that is delivered with a smile and utter politeness. At least that way I'm not the snob or the bad guy. I ask if the parents have been health checked, if the pups have seen a vet and been microchipped etc. My hope is not so much to convince the idiot selling but more to convince the potential buyer that maybe it's not the best move to make. Sometimes it works.

This forum really can be wonderful. The amount I have learnt here is fantastic, but what struck me most was when I was a very new poster and had a lot of personal issues that made things very difficult with my kelpie. To be honest I expected to be eaten alive for considering rehoming but a lot of DOLers took the time to help me see that it really was for the best for me and for my dog. I'm still thankful for all the kind words and support, this place got me through that rough time :)

The guy who manages the horses for the shoot put this out through the equestrian centers FB page. https://www.facebook.com/#!/loweshowhorsecentre To dispel rumors, gossip and to detail the facts, Lowe Show Horse Centre is issuing an official statement regarding the ocean rescue on May 15, 2012. Since 2006, renowned professional photographer April Visel, has hosted seven photography workshops called Artistry In Motion. The workshop involves both classroom and location education where April teaches other photographers techniques on how to photograph horses in action. Capturing images of equines in motion is a highly difficult skill requiring impeccable timing, a masterful eye and is an artistry that often takes years to perfect. The workshop has several location shoots — one of which is a beautiful, horse-friendly beach in Summerland, California, just south of Santa Barbara. Thousands of people ride on this particular beach every year as it’s one of the few beaches left in California that allows horses. When Jim Lowe, professional Arabian and Half-Arabian horse trainer for 35 years and owner of Lowe Show Horse Centre, was asked to participate and volunteer a few of his show horses for the workshop, Jim agreed as he had seen the artistic images captured by the photographers from previous workshops. “I have been a part of many beach photo shoots in years past,” says Jim. “They have always been very memorable experiences and the photographs are breathtaking. When you live close to the ocean in California, you want to make images using the beautiful landscape. Not everyone gets the opportunity to photograph their horses on the beach. In fact, many horse owners will never get that opportunity.” Jim volunteered a few of his best show horses — 12 time National Champion Papa Rhazi (15-year-old Half-Arabian), 15 time National Champion Mamage (23-year-old purebred Arabian stallion), National Champion Victim Of Love (6-year-old Half-Arabian), and Air of Temptation (known as William who turned 7-years-old on May 14, the day before the photo shoot). William was one of the newest members in the barn having been purchased by Jon Peters in February 2012 for his 14-year-old daughter Kendyl to ride and compete with. “While it’s very fun and exciting to be a part of a photo shoot on the beach, the horse’s safety was my number one priority,” says Jim. “These are show horses that compete all year with their adult and youth amateur riders. Their health and well-being had to be preserved in order for them to continue to compete. My job, in addition to training them for competition, is to protect them and keep them healthy. Much like how I care for my own four children.” The horses were trailered north to the beach location from their home farm in Somis. At 5:00 pm, the horses were groomed up, tacked and taken down to the beach where they spent time getting acclimated with the ocean. “Some of the horses had never been in the ocean before so it was important to spend as much time as needed to get them to feel safe in the new environment,” says Jim. “I had done this more than 30 times before so I knew that in order to get the best shots, I had to build their confidence and trust, and get them to relax and feel secure. There was no pressuring them or forcing them to dive in. I slowly and quietly allow them to see, hear and feel the water and the sand and encourage them to not be afraid. Generally a horse will trust my direction and the surroundings within 20 minutes. And then they start to enjoy and play in the water.” On the beach, there were 10 student photographers in attendance (all of whom are horsemen and women themselves and one of whom was a practicing veterinarian), 7 total horses (three of which came from another training barn), 2 professional horse trainers, a skilled handler for each horse and models who were experienced riders. First up on the shoot list was William and Jim. They spent more than 15 minutes just walking up and down the shore. William was nervous at first but was getting more comfortable with each wave. Jim decided to dismount and walk him (by hand) into the water. “We were about knee deep in the water when a wave broke right under us,” says Jim. “I think what scared him was both the wave breaking and the sound that it made. There was a strong echo in the cove so the sounds of the waves crashing were magnified.” At that moment, William jumped forward, pulling the reins out of Jim’s hands and William began swimming about 20 feet out parallel to the shore. “We all were thinking that he would see his herd and his people and swim to land. The tide was coming in so we thought that would also help to push him in.” But after about 5 minutes of swimming south, Jim and 2 other people tore off their clothes and dove into the ocean in an attempt to direct him to the shore. One of the model/riders (a skilled roper), attempted to lasso him with no success. As the three swimmers got closer to William, he made a 90 degree turn and swam directly out to the horizon. At this moment, all emergency and rescue services available were called. William swam 2.5 miles west and over an hour passed before he was located by an oil rig crew chief. He used one of the boats to search for William and get a visual so that the fire department and harbor patrol could bring him back to land. “He was so far out from land that we couldn’t see him anymore,” says Jim. “It was the most helpless feeling I’d ever experienced. We just didn’t know where we was, if he was still swimming or if something tragic had happened. A million things were going through all of our minds. We were relying solely on the help of the boaters to find him and bring him back. And since it was starting to get dark, finding him quickly was critical.” “When we were all standing on the beach watching him swim further and further out to sea, we just kept asking ourselves, why? Why did he swim out instead of heading towards his herd and his people? He was swimming against the current and we just didn’t know why. A vet later explained to me that when horses are swimming, their vision is much different than humans’. With the placement of their eyes and with their noses lifted upward out of the water, they have less visibility than a human does. They see the horizon differently — their perspective is skewed. So it’s likely that he couldn’t see us — especially in rough ocean water. He might have panicked, but contrary to what some people have been saying, he’s not a stupid horse. He’s actually very smart and trains exceptionally well. It’s one of the reasons why I train Arabians and Half-Arabians. I’m a tall man and would be better suited physically to a bigger breed, but I chose this one because of their unparalleled qualities of beauty, resilience, stamina and intelligence.” Once William was located, members of the fire department and harbor patrol secured buoys to his saddle (he was still wearing both his saddle and bridle), put a life preserver around his neck, and slowly swam him along the side of the boat, back to the shore. Two paddle boarders assisted in escorting him and the big boat that located him, provided lights to help guide them to land. At 8:45 pm, William walked onto the shore and was greeted by cheers and applause and a crowd of people with blankets to warm him up. His tack was removed and he was led up the hill and put in the horse trailer to be taken to the veterinary hospital Alamo Pintado in Santa Ynez. He was given a full physical, fluids and checked out to be in really good shape, all things considered. “The rescue team was truly extraordinary and highly applaudable. They were in a situation that they had never been in before and they rose to the challenge and handled William with kid gloves. We can’t thank them enough for their attention to detail, their professionalism and their bravery.” “Some people have questioned the precautionary measures taken for the beach shoot. I’ve done this many times before (as well as Ms. Visel) without incident and I would have never, ever guessed something like this would happen. I think all future beach shoots will now have another line of protection — perhaps a boat or jet ski. And I hope others will learn from this as well. Were there risks involved with a beach shoot? Of course. Every day we are faced with risks. Getting into your car is a risk. But imagine all of the amazing things you would miss if you spent your life not taking chances.” “As life goes around, people can be very quick to judge, criticize and point fingers. Too often, people want to spin a story and find someone to blame and pinpoint the negatives in a situation. If it makes people feel better, I have big shoulders and will accept the blame. No one was negligent. No one was singularly responsible. But at the end of the day, I am ultimately accountable for the safety and well-being of my clients’ horses. And I will unfailingly do whatever it takes to serve them because that’s the professional and honorable thing to do. There are many should haves, could haves, would haves but the story has a happy ending and I hope that people will make that the focus of this incident. It was a fluke accident with long moments of uncertainty, but at the end of the day, everyone came out of this safe and sound, a 14-year-old girl still has her horse and we learned something from the experience. It’s a miraculous survival story of a horse that never gave up and who beat the odds. That should be the real storyline.” “While it was one of the most stressful experiences of my life, it was also one of the most amazing. William swam for almost 3 hours and 5 miles round trip. It’s incredible and a true testament to the Arabian breed. I’m not sure a horse of another breed would have fared as well. His age and physical condition were also big contributors to his survival. The horses in training with me are treated like Olympic athletes. They are in impeccable physical condition because there is a lot asked of them when they compete.” “Arabians are also endurance horses and have a courage and a spirit in them that most other breeds lack. They are mechanically built with a greater lung capacity than other breeds which allows them to go longer distances. Originally desert and war horses, Arabians were trusted by great warriors to carry them into battle because they knew this breed had the heart and the stamina. William is an incredible example of our breed. And I’m looking forward to getting him back to the barn for a hero’s welcome home. He’s got a long show career ahead of him and he’s got the love of a young girl. I suspect after this, he will have a very big fan club. While this could have had a devastating ending, it didn’t and it will be a story we will all tell for the rest of our lives. And a survival story with a happily-ever-after is the best story to perpetuate.”

I've always loved the Pointer response :laugh:

I'm determined to own an Irish Wolfhound at some point in my life. The years may be shorter then some breeds but they will be awesome years! Yes it will be heartbreaking when they die but my horses can live to 30+ years and I'll outlive all the ones in my care, be it 5 or 30 years I'll make the most of them :)

Nice to have a happy ending, although like some of the other posters I like bigger enclosures! Old wives tale ;)

Then hopefully our RBBs will stick around the dams and drains with their frogs! Quite happy for them to enjoy themselves there

Fantastic photos! Wish I had some to add!

Poor thing A lot of people are saying it's going to be a 'bad' snake season this year thanks to the increased rodent activity. I've noticed around my place a huge increase in frogs. Do you think we'll be seeing a lot more out and about or will the increased food supply keep them away?

I just don't agree with this and I don't think that you have a good concept of horse ownership. Horse ownership is heaps less restricted than dog ownership. Horses aren't registered with council (in most places), I'm sure there is plenty of dodgy fencing around and you don't have to train your horse. The only difference I can see is most horse people are horse-crazy like we are dog-crazy, so a heap of care is taken. I see less of 'lets get a pony and shove it in a field'. People that do that seem to realise the error of their ways fairly quickly too. It isn't the fencing, training & zoning that is important it is the owner. I think the horses would suffer more than the humans too if every household owned one. Well said Jules and aussielover. I'm guessing a lot of the "that's a silly comparison" comments come from horse owners/lovers. Perhaps it's one of those things where you don't necessarily see it unless you're involved in it? A dog is a predatorial animal, a horse is a prey animal. They are geared quite differently so I just can't seem to make this comparison work correctly. Additionally most horse related deaths occur from a complete accident, the animal had no intention of causing harm. Unfortunatly a lot of accidents with dogs show that the animal did indeed intend to cause harm.