The Horse Downunder Magazine

The Autumn Edition of The Downunder Magazine is out on the news stands from March 1 and for our online subscribers, available from February 26.

Izzadora the Trickstar
Izzadora, Izzy for short, was 9 months old when we first saw her and fell in love. She was bred by David and Brenda Rondo at "The Oaks" in western Sydney. Her father is the Wizzard a baroque style Friesian and her mother, Willow, is an imported modern style Friesian mare.

Within a few months of getting her home it was obvious that she was not the sort of horse to stand around in a paddock doing nothing. So I started teaching her tricks to keep her entertained. She took to trick training like a duck to water. Trick after trick. She would pick them up in minutes not days or weeks.

The King of the Ranges
The King of the Ranges Stockman's Challenge is a challenging competition inspired by the high standard of horsemanship demonstrated by the legendary Bung McInnes who was known as "The King of the Ranges."

All the colour of the Hamilton weaner sale
The Christmas holiday break is a short one for Hamilton (Victoria) stock agents. Focus quickly passes from Christmas dinner to the logistics of moving many thousands of cattle through the saleyards in a manner pleasing to sellers, buyers, staff and the cattle ... no easy task!

Young Aussie Horseball Team at World Cup
The first ever Australian Horseball Association team to travel overseas has returned to Aussie soil after competing at the 2012 Heinz Wolffe Under 16 Horseball Tournament in Montpellier, France. This tournament was part of the World Cup played 7th to 11th November.

The Aussie team in full team uniform, led in the opening ceremony, with Megan Reid having the honour of carrying the flag for Australia.

On Trial
The intimate partnership between a working sheepdog and his master has long been recognized and the natural evolution of this relationship is the sport of dog trialing. State and national events are held across Australia but the competitive spirit is at its peak when the New Zealanders bring their dogs to play.

Old Laura Station - Oldest Cattle Property in the Cape
A rough 4wd route links the small outback town of Laura and the Lakefield National Park, Queensland's second largest National Park. From Battle Camp Station and on to our destination, the homestead at Old Laura Station, is a world surrounded in red bull dust and a landscape that looked as it more than likely did to those pioneers who carved a living from this harsh, but beautiful countryside with its vast river systems and spectacular wetlands. The indigenous culture was evident from the galleries we came across at Split Rock and dated back to around 13,000 years ago. This is Quinkan country and the art work showed large paintings of animals and totemic ancestors.

Life's Simple Pleasures at Cabarita Beach
The dream holiday for any horse lover must be to take your equine friend along with some of your human friends and their horse pals to what must be one of the best kept secret camping spots ever. Throw in one of the best beaches on the north coast of New South Wales on your doorstep and you have the magical charm of the Cabarita Beach Equestrian Grounds.

The Stockman's View
Have you ever wondered what life might be like for animals on board a live export vessel? So too did Jim McDonald from South Gippsland in Victoria. Jim having previously travelled widely, working across the north of Australia in the cattle industry decided to find out first hand for himself.

Jagumba
I first saw the property as I came down off of the mountain to the south along the powerlines that are part of the Snowy Hydo Scheme. I was on my way to Barry Paton's property "Brumby's Run" after spending a week with the Tom Groggin folks moving cattle up to Davies Plains. After finishing up there, I set off with my two horses down through Geehi and across to Khancoban where I was told to follow the powerline across to Brumby's Run.

Horsemanship should be Fun - With Clinton Anderson
Most people discover me and my training method because they had a problem with their horse that they wanted fixed. It could have been anything - the horse reared, he bucked, he was pushy, he ran away on the trail, he tried to kill them if they came within five feet of him - the list is endless. But my point is most people come to me with specific problems. They find me because they realise that what they're doing isn't working - they need more information.

Equitana Australia Joins the Fight to Save Waler Horses
Equitana Australia is very proud to announce that is is partnering with the Waler Horse Society of Australia, to raise awareness of the plight of the Waler Horses in Central Australia.

Weaning - Setting your cattle up for life
Weaning is one of the major events in the annual cattle production calendar. More than just a routine event, weaning is a process which influences an animal's entire lifetime. Managing the weaning process correctly will influence a range of production factors from behaviour and handling through to feeding and animal health.

Moby's Memoirs
Neigh neigh neigh ... Welcome to my very own blog!!! Moby's Memoirs. I can't explain just how excited I am to have my very own space to vent. I'm possibly more excited about this little venture than feed time! My "girl" (you know how you over hear your owner referring to you as "my horse", well I refer to her as "my girl") decided that I needed to have a break. You know, I kind of agreed. I was sick of being woken up at Sparrow Fart on the weekends to be carted down the high way to one show or another let alone the weekly early morning work outs! Just because she has kids, and a job to get to, doesn't mean that I should have to get out of bed at 5.30am!.

An Undulating Experience
A mob of fifty eight keen riders and their equine companions recently headed for Tugalong Station in the Southern Highlands at Canyonleigh, a somewhat hilly part of the world, to say the least!

Speed2Succeed 'Back to Basics' Barrel Racing School
Some people have horses to enjoy a peaceful trail ride, while others are into full on competition every weekend, then there are those who want to compete but they're just a little nervous and unsure of where to begin. This is where Speed2Succeed barrel Racing Productions and Allstar Barrel Racing Productions are working together, to gently show them some direction and encouragement.

A Family Affair
The Upper Hunter branch of Team Penning ran its last competition for the year at Merriwa Showground on Saturday and Sunday 3/4 November 2012. Unpredictable weather and cattle made for an interesting day for this fast paced sport which is rapidly increasing in popularity. Like many other spectators, I was a little uncertain on the finer points of this competition.

Cattle Muster
News from Charolais, Herefords, Limousin, Shorthorn Beef, Santa Gertrudis and Texas Longhorn.

Lighten Your Load
Your regular column on getting you through life's struggles.

We have some great photo coverage from all over Australia including: