We are looking to create a new committee to move us into 2010.  If you are interested in volunteering your services as a committee member or in any other way please email contact@savequus.org.  Your input would be greatly appreciated.

If you have an animal welfare concern please direct your concern to the RSPCA who can be contacted on (08) 92099300 or 1300 CRUELTY (that is 1300 278 3589)

Get Glam and re-live the Glory Days at Ladies who Disco
Get your fashion one-hit-wonders out on November 1st for the final Ladies who Disco event for 2008

The Ladies will deliver more cheesy musical greats for “One-Hit-Wonders” like The Knack, Aqua and Vanilla Ice and want disco-goers to dress up for the night.

Disco Diva Ally T said while the one-hit-wonders will span the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, the dress code will be easy.

“Just get that glam, stylish or even crazy outfit that you only ever wore once – out of the cupboard and frock up – it doesn’t matter what decade you bought it in,” she said.

“If you thought it was a good idea at the time and haven’t been game to wear it since – it will be right for Ladies who Disco!”

The Ladies who Disco continue to prove themselves to be anything BUT one hit wonders – having raised almost $50,000 in two years for small Perth charities who need it most.

November 1st will be no exception with the proceeds of the night going to Save Equus – a Perth based charity which cares for and rehabilitates horses that have been abused or neglected.

“Save Equus is run by a dedicated group of volunteers who are passionate about horse welfare,” said Ally T.

“They are in desperate need of funds and publicity and that’s exactly why we want to support them.”

Perth financial dynamo Ebony Caldow will team up with the Ladies on the night to give disco-goers an exclusive preview of her new cosmetics range – EMC Mineral Cosmetics. The range, which is due to hit stores in December – came about from Ebony’s desire to create a makeup that suited her own skin that was not tested on animals.

“My team of makeup artists will be on hand on the night for makeup touch-ups using the product and we’ll even revive some crazy makeup styles of the 80’s and 90’s,” said Ebony.

“We’ll go a bit retro for the Ladies as a special treat because they are supporting such a great cause – Save Equus Horse Rescue.

“We might even do a few Adam Ant stripes for the boys!”

Ladies Who Disco is a group of five PR and marketing professionals who raise funds for small, under funded charities in Perth by holding five ‘disco’ events per year at Geisha Bar in Northbridge.

One-Hit-Wonders

Saturday 1st November

8.30-11.00pm

Geisha, Northbridge

Tickets are $38 plus $2 paypal charge and include a drinks package and exclusive samples from EMC Cosmetics

Buy tickets online at Geisha Shop at http://www.geishabar.com.au/ you click on “Geisha Shop” then One-Hit-Wonders
MORE INFO: RACHAEL 0411771004

A very important indicator to us of a horse’s physical condition and general welfare is its weight, so gauging a horse’s weight to reflect its condition is an important part of Save Equus’s initial assessment of a horse. The following body score rating system, created in Victoria by Patricia Ellis (Attwood) of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, is the system used by Save Equus. This system helps us communicate about the condition of the horse.

We would like to advise members of this system, so that if you ever have the need to call us about a horse you are concerned about, you will be able to describe the horse’s condition to us more effectively.

An important thing to note when reading this body score rating system is to take account of the horse’s activity level. This information is noted in the body score rating system.

We do not recommend members go out assessing horses with this body score rating system – that is our job and we have trained our volunteers to do this. What we would appreciate is that if you are talking with us about a horse you are concerned about, you tell us about the horse’s neck, back and ribs and pelvis as per the body score rating system, so we get a better idea (first up), through your description, of the condition of the horse.

Methods of estimation

1. Assess visually and by feel, the horse’s pelvis and rump, back and ribs and neck.
2. Give those areas individual scores using a scale of 0 (very poor) to 5 (very fat).
3. Intermediate assessments can be given half scores.
4. Using the pelvic and rump assessment as the base, adjust that score by a half point if it differs by one or more points from the score for the neck or ribs.
5. Height measurement should be performed on level ground when the horse is relaxed and standing squarely. Use the highest point of the withers as the measuring site. Allowance should be made for shoes.

Body condition scoring system

0 Very poor		Very sunken rump Deep cavity under tail Skin tight over bones Very prominent backbone and pelvis Marked ewe neck
1 Poor	<	Sunken rump Cavity under tail Ribs easily visible Prominent backbone and croup Ewe neck – narrow and slack
2 Moderate		Flat rump either side of backbone Ribs just visible Narrow but firm neck Backbone well covered
3 Good		Rounded rump Ribs just covered but easily felt No crest, firm neck
4 Fat		Rump well rounded Gutter along back Ribs and pelvis hard to feel Slight crest
5 Very fat		Very bulging rump Deep gutter along back Ribs buried Marked crest Folds and lumps of fat

Typical body score conditions of various classes of horses

New Rugs – Summer rugs at the moment

Worming Paste – in date

A Laminating Machine

When parents act like children,
in-laws make you think “Divorce”,
Go out into your pasture,
wrap your arms around your horse.

His gentle breath enfolds you,
and he watches with those eyes
He may not have a PhD,
but he is, oh, so wise!

His head rests on your shoulder.
You embrace him oh so tight.
He puts your world in balance,
and makes it seem all right.

Your tears they soon stop flowing.
The tension is now eased.
The stress has all been lifted,
and you’re quiet and at peace.

So when you need the balance
from troubles in your day,
The best therapy that you can seek
is out there eating hay.

- Unknown

It began with her finding her 18 year-old horse with his head swollen to twice its normal size. His eyes were about the size of cricket balls and swollen shut. His cheeks, gullet and all around his face were also swollen to at least twice the normal size. The symptoms were localised only to the face – there was no swelling inside the mouth, but the back of his throat was very swollen. He was looking for food, though he could only swallow minute amounts due to the swelling. His temperature was normal, as was his heart rate. His blood work showed no elevation in white blood cells and everything else was normal.

Every one was stumped! He was treated across the board for infection and allergic reaction (though to what they did not know). He had been in a new paddock which has a lot of native bush in it, but no-one suspected it was anything he ingested or else his whole body would have reacted, not just his head.

The question was raised as to whether it could be viral or toxin. Then the question of avocado poisoning was raised. Unfortunately the cases for these are so few that only one has been documented and information was scarce, even on the internet. The Ag Department was contacted, but had little to offer.

After one horse tragically losing the fight, the good news is that the remaining two are recovering slowly, but it’s taking time. Their owner is trying to build them up with gentle exercise and says they can manage only about 10 minutes at a time, then they’re exhausted. She can’t speak highly enough of Michael, the vet at the Oakford Equine Hospital who, she says, has “truly gone above and beyond” and with his continuing care all are hopeful a full recovery will be made.

So here is just a reminder to check your paddocks for bad plants. Although avocados were suspected by the vet, it has not been confirmed, so check everything!