CATEGORIES

Problems in adolescent parrots

This article by the late Liz Wilson provides an insight as how to deal with those adolescent parrots and some tips on implementing effective controls

Just A Blemish?

If a puffy lump appears on a hock joint, how worried should we be? Matt Smith MRCVS discusses the significance of swellings

Norfolk Parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookii)

The Norfolk Parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookii), is also known as the Tasman Parakeet, the Norfolk Island Green parrot, or the Norfolk Island Red-crowned Parakeet. It is endemic to Norfolk Island in the Pacific ocean, situated just under 900 miles from Australia from where Norfolk is governed.

The Holistic Parrot

Those of us who keep parrots may have recognised some of the commonalities between avian viral and bacterial infections and Covid-19 (Coronavirus). One glaring similarity that jumped out for me is the fact that an individual can be a carrier without showing any symptoms. This is why it is so essential for the health of our existing parrot collections to quarantine every new bird for a set time period, and receive a clean bill of health from your avian veterinarian, before introducing them into the rest of your flock. Many of the avian pathogens go through a cycle and into dormancy where standard disease testing cannot detect them, but they can still be shed in the feather dander and faeces contaminating food, water and the environment.

Natural light and good health

In this final Part 5 of his light series, John Courteney-Smith explains how full-spectrum+UV-B light plays a vital part in achieving good health and, perhaps, offers a solution to feather plucking

Consequences of too much food

If there is one act that many of us parrot keepers are guilty of with our birds, it is the daily overfeeding of the flock. It is not an easy habit to avoid considering how important nutrition is to the health and longevity of psittacines. The rationale often is, “Give birds lots of food and they will pick out what they need and never go hungry, hence I am doing the right thing.”

Maintaining the breeding system

While a virus has paralysed the world of human beings, nature has maintained its usual progress, although with the absence of various contaminations, acoustics, gas emissions and many others that, in our day by day work, we do not become affected. A pause that definitely will be recorded in some way, even in the physical memory of the earth.

Wild And Captive Blue-Throated Macaws

David Waugh, Correspondent, Loro Parque Fundación, describes how they are genetically distinct and the implications on their conservation

Native Life In A Vanishing Landscape

To many the fox is a baby, with dishy eyes and a soul, but to those who deal with the aftermath of his predations, he’s a devil and tinker

Flexion in focus

What effect does dressage head and neck position have on a horse’s airway? Peter Green MRCVS finds out, in his latest research round-up

Strangles week online as virus highlights biosecurity

As people realise the importance of minimising disease spread, it is hoped this will help improve equine practice

Nutrition consultant

Dr Dan Martin on switching from the rugby world to horses – and one jockey’s disgusting Christmas dinner

‘The trophy had his name on it…'

This year marks the sixth occasion when Badminton has been cancelled. Emma Sewell and Pippa Roome trace those other “lost Badmintons” and how their absence affected the following years’ events

Working to ensure our sport is one of the first to return

Federations have been working behind the scenes on ways to make horse sport work after lockdown

New standard for frangible fences could boost invention

The move follows months of comprehensive research into minimising risk in eventing

Jane Tuckwell

Badminton’s new director has had a tough start with the 2020 event being cancelled due to Covid-19. She talks to Pippa Roome about her 46-year history with the event and the changes that will now come in for 2021

Infinite possibilities

In the absence of real sporting action, it’s fun to speculate on how this year’s Badminton might have panned out – even though such “events” can never be used to allocate prize money or influence Olympic selection. Diarmuid Byrne, from the data analytics company EquiRatings, plays out a simulated competition

Badminton's backstage heroes

Running Badminton requires the time, energy and skill of thousands of people every year. Catherine Austen speaks to a few of the key players about their roles and favourite memories

Get set, go

A horse’s career may be crowned in a five-minute championship round, but the logistics of reaching that apex is a gargantuan task. Martha Terry talks to those working behind the scenes.

‘George Goring was never boring'

George Goring – team chasing legend, master, and hotelier – has died aged 81 after an illness. His daughter, Theresa Goring, remembers his life less ordinary

It shouldn't happen to a groom

Behind every rider’s success is a groom’s trials and tribulations. Sarah Jenkins finds out what comical goings-on have attributed to riders’ glory over the years

‘It was my first event on them…'

Andrew Nicholson reflects on memories of his rides at Kentucky

‘We need to show the inside story'

Graham Fletcher on grabbing media attention – and why the time is right.

‘We must encourage each other'

Katie Jerram-Hunnable on staying positive during these uncertain times

Spencer Wilton

The Olympic dressage rider on understanding his horses, pre-test resets and the grand prix ride he’d like to have back on his yard

Harry Whittington

The trainer bagged his first Cheltenham winner before the lockdown. Catherine Austen discovers his unique prep and how he’s reliving the memories.

Refresh, Refuel And Recover

It takes a team to optimise a threeday-eventer’s recovery between the cross-country and showjumping phases, as Liz Brown MRCVS explains

Insurance You Can Rely On

SEIB are drawing on experience to be here to help through these uncertain times and beyond

Udderly nightmarish

Spotting mastitis isn’t easy and swift treatment is essential in order to avoid storing up problems for the future, warns vet Bella Lowis

My first ever pig

Broadcaster and presenter Paul Heiney has written about his tempestuous relationship with a Large Black pig in his brilliant new book, A Pig called Alice. In this extract, he reveals how the idea of the purchase came about