the Authors

Catherine Bird

Catherine Bird is the author of A Healthy Horse the Natural Way, holds diplomas in Medical Herbalism, Aromatherapy, Remedial Massage and is a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (USA).  Her experience working with horses goes back more than a decade from newborn thoroughbred foals right through all stages of track work to Olympic competitors and NSW Mounted Police.  Her weekend courses are presented throughout Australia and overseas.  Catherine has a wealth of knowledge that she enjoys sharing with horse owners for the benefit of their horses with her courses and articles that are published worldwide; Australian publications include Horsewyse, Hoofbeats, Australian Equestrian/Practical Riding; US publications include Natural Horse Magazine, Holistic Horse, The Gaited Horse; along with European magazines including Sweden's Hastfynd.

Catherine appeared  on the 2002/2003 season of Channel 9's Animal Hospital showing how she uses aromatherapy, herbs and kinesiology to assist owners with their horses and has been featured in previous series for her massage work with her favourite police horse Angus.

Catherine is based in Sydney, but is invited overseas to present at conferences, including the International Alliance for Animal Therapy and Healing Conference held each year in Portland Oregon. 

Catherine is available for consultations by appointment, and enjoys assisting the horse owner develop a bond between their horse, and the competitor improve their performance with a 'healthy and happy natural' approach.  Catherine’s web site click here

Victoria Ferguson

Victoria Ferguson grew up on a sheep station in Central Queensland.  She went mustering with her father and  started riding in shows at the age of 5 years.  She has been addicted to horses ever since.  Well known in the equestrian industry, Victoria has competed successfully with hacks, showjumpers, eventers, camp drafters and dressage horses.  With her Grand Prix dressage partner Gamekeeper, Victoria was selected on the long list for the Australian team to the 1990 World Championships.  She is an Equestrian Federation of Australia Level 2 Dressage Coach, which includes a Certificate of Horse Studies.  Victoria has a Diploma of Herbal Medicine, having completed her herbal medicine training with Dorothy Hall, the eminent Australian herbalist and author.

Victoria is the author of the best selling handbook for horse owners “The Practical Horse Herbal”.  The 2^nd edition was recently published in the UK for international distribution.  In their Foreword Dr Ian Bidstrup MVSc and Dr Joanne Watkins MVSC said “This book provides reliable concise information on nutrition and basic herbal remedies for many of the routine problems that horse owners will encounter.  It is information they can depend on to enable them to help care for their horses themselves in many instances”.

Health care providers for both humans and animals are realising the public's desire to use less toxic treatments when challenges to health occur.  There are other health options available, and this book is a valuable reference for people looking for treatments that will nurture the body, unlike many of the medical procedures and drugs currently available.

Hilary Page Self

Hilary Page Self's life-long involvement with horses and their care began at the age of ten. Throughout her adult life she has studied and keenly advocated the use of herbal remedies and other alternative medicine, which she has used for both herself and the assortment of animals in her care.  Hilary lives with her husband in Somerset, where together they run a farm, a small private stud and a successful business – Hilton Herbs, a company which produces herbal and natural health care products for horses and dogs and which is a member of the British Herbal Medicine Association.

A Modern Horse Herbal is a detailed guide to medicinal herbs for horses and how they can help in the treatment of a wide range of common ailments.  The book provides an A-Z of common ailments and conditions – from allergies to wounds – which can be effectively and safely treated with herbal medicine.  It is full of tried and tested advice.

To provide background information a Materia Medica lists the properties of fifty readily obtainable herbs, giving details on habitat, collection, actions and uses, enlivened by fascinating folklore and case histories.  In addition the author discusses several non-herbal products, such as cider vinegar, honey, yoghurt and probiotics, whose healing properties can be harnessed for horses.  There are guidelines on how to make herbal preparations, such as teas and infusions, and on how to use herbs in compresses and poultices.  Advice is given on how remedies are selected and dosages determined, bearing in mind that most herbs take time to bring about a healing reaction, because they work to strengthen the body as a whole rather than deal with symptoms in isolation.