News |
Our Latest News for Summer 2007-2008
Dear Friends,
The season is upon us and we are counting down the days until opening weekend in November! Winter is well and truly over with the days getting warmer and longer. We had a great winter with lots of snow but unfortunately not much rain. It was looking promising in late Autumn with the dams filling up and everything turning green however there hasn’t been much rain since and things are already starting to dry out so it doesn’t look like the droughts over yet!
The horses are all well and very, very fat. After such a light season because of the bush fires, their fitness level this year is probably not quite as good as it normally is so they have started their pre-season training a little earlier than normal much to their horror! We’ve had a couple of new ones join the herd and all of the old favourites are still going strong. We put three of the girls to our stallion Bluey, a clysdale cross quarter horse who we have since gelded and have our fingers crossed while we wait on the results of their pregnancy tests.
Chris is busy trimming horses ready for the season and hoping that his back holds out – one of the perils of getting older I’m afraid! We’re getting ready to check our riding tracks and start the pre-seasons maintenance work on Razorback. Although Razorback was lucky enough to escape any serious damage from the fires, unfortunately all of our water pipes melted so we need to replace all of the pipes so the horses can have a drink. The DSE also pulled down our bathroom after the fires but didn’t have the funds to re-build so replacing the bathroom before the start fo season is also high on our priority list. October will be a very busy month.
You will all be pleased to hear that the Craig’s Hut re-build project is well under way and Fiona represented the horse riding tour operators on the Stakeholders Reference Committee so we were able to have some input into the process. The project encompasses general improvements to the whole area around Craig’s Hut so when it is complete will enhance your overall experience when visiting the Hut. The plans are almost finalised and the building is due to commence at the beginning of November with the official re-opening on Australia Day although it is anticipated that the building will be finished before then if all goes to plan. Still, don’t let the fact the hut’s not there stop you from doing our Craig’s Hut ride as the views are still magnificent and it will be; hopefully, a once in a life time opportunity to see the hut during the rebuilding phase.
I am sure everybody is aware of the Equine Influenza (EI) outbreak in New South Wales and Queensland which has been a devastating blow to the horse riding community throughout Australia. The authorities are also working hard with people in the affected areas to try and contain the spread and eradicate the virus. We all have our fingers crossed as eradication will not be a simple task given that the virus can be transmitted to horses from humans. So far Victoria is EI free and everybody is working very hard to keep it that way. For us it will be business as usual but we have introduced bio security measures to be on the safe side as the last thing we need after the horrific fires of last season, is to be shut down this season because of EI.
The rides are starting to book up with only a few spots left in November and on some of the longer rides so those keen to enjoy the spectacular scenery the Victorian High Country has to offer, don’t put the decision off too long. However, there is still plenty of space available on our New Year’s Eve ride. What better way to see a new year in than under the stars on top of a mountain! We missed being up at Razorback last year, in fact it was the first time in 4 or 5 years that we have not been in the mountains to celebrate the new year.
Well, that’s about all of our news for Spring. With Christmas getting closer by the day, don’t forget we have gift vouchers available and what better present than memories that will last a life time.
Best wishes and hope to see you all again this year.
Until later.
Chris , Fiona and all the crew and horses at High Country Horses
If you wish to be emailed copies of our newsletters or special deals please email us at info@highcountryhorses.com.au and ask to be added to our email list