Horse whisperer wins award
Q
A CARMARTHENSHIRE horse trainer has been recognised by the Queen for her work in the equine industry.
Joanna Lowes, who is based at Coetir Bach farm at Maesybont near Cross Hands, was born and raised in Penarth.
Her work has seen her help veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress injuries or disorders.
She uses a method called ‘Join-up’ as an effective tool to help participants rediscover themselves through the eyes of the horse, helping them to deal more effectively with emotional trauma and other issues.
Jo’s passion began at an early age, attending lessons at Downside and Cardiff Riding school.
“Despite attempting to
Afollow advice to get a proper career and keep horses as a hobby, I ended up riding throughout university and later travelled extensively – taking up equestrian positions in far-flung places.”
Opportunity struck when Joanna was selected to become a personal assistant to world renowned Carlifornian “horse whisperer” Monty Roberts.
Her talent was recognised by the master of horsemanship, and this resulted in a huge learning curve while journeying around the world. Jo said: “I was riding previously unridden horses in front of large audiences, in wonderful historic buildings like the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.
“I went on to complete
I think I’ve been bitten by a horsefly as I have a red, sore blister and my ankle has swollen. What should I do?
Most insect bites should clear up within a day or so and can be treated at home with bite cream, over-the-counter anti-histamine tablets and painkillers.
The fact you have a blister and your ankle has swollen, does suggest a horsefly bite, but obviously I can’t be certain without seeing it. Don’t worry though, almost all bites and stings can be treated simply without seeing a doctor. With horsefly bites you might also experience symptoms like dizziness or wheezing, which may indicate a more serious reaction and you may need further advice.
If you notice signs of an infection such as pus or redness travelling up the leg or if you feel unwell, I would seek the advice of a healthcare professional. Almost without exception, insect bites will feel better with antihistamine tablets and do not need to be seen by a doctor or need antibiotics – but they can look and feel very sore.
Amy advanced exams to become a certified instructor, and became a coach for Horse Sense and Healing Clinics.”
This is only the second occasion in history that the British Crown has awarded certificates for influential equine protection work. It had been planned to recognise these individuals in-person at Buckingham Palace, but the event was postponed due to Covid.
Jo has moved to a smallholding at Maesybont. Here she is able to provide an exemplary standard of horse training for uneducated young horses and address behavioural issues, routinely working with horses labelled dangerous or having been failed by previous training attempts.
Is the contraceptive patch safe and effective?
The contraceptive patch is a very effective method of preventing pregnancy, and may improve heavy or painful periods, PMS and acne, and help guard against osteoporosis and ectopic pregnancy. There is also evidence that it helps to prevent some ovarian and womb diseases and cancers.
You need to apply a patch once a week for three weeks, then have a week without a patch where you would usually experience a withdrawal bleed (like a period). It works by releasing a daily dose of hormones through the skin into the bloodstream in much the same way as the combined pill. It’s very sticky, very rarely comes off and you can swim and shower without having to worry.
This method of contraception isn’t suitable for everyone and some users report headaches and irritation to the skin but it is especially useful for people who struggle to remember a daily pill. Talk to a healthcare professional about your options, to ensure you find the safest and best method for you.