I absolutely love reading your mails and of course sharing all your great tips and ideas.
Claire is my better half and has been horse mad since being really little – yep 4 years old onwards.
She used to read every pony book going, looked after and rode other people’s horses and worked at stables for free rides, like alot of you I expect.
She finally got her own horse as a grown up after a long,’it’s never going to happen’ wait – then there was no stopping her ,taking part in local events doing dressage, show jumping and cross country.
Her great love was show jumping and she had a gorgeous, though naughty, warmblood mare (Hanoverian x Welsh cob) called Bohemium Spice, Bo for short.
Then work got more demanding & babies came along, which meant that Bo found a lovely new family – but now Claire wants to ‘get back in the saddle again.’
For the moment, Minnie keeps us busy:
Al
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General disclaimer: Just so thereâs no room for error: We are not vets and have no qualifications relating to horse care in any way shape or form. This blog is simply the stuff we’ve found interesting. Canât be clearer than that.
Found your site by accident and have throughly enjoyed reading all the info and totally agree in the freedom of horses. I have not ridden or had a horse since I was a kid. I will soon be a 65 year old Grandma and want to get a horse but really knowing enough not to get a sick or damaged animal is becoming a real trial. Friends are helping! Have you got any tips that would help me in making the right discission. Thank you!
Thanks! This really helped! đ
I also wanted a slow feeder but did not want to spend hundreds of dollars. So, here is what I did. Lay out 2 or 3 bales (depending on how many horses will be eating) end to end. Then make another row right beside it. Now measure around it. You will have two long sides and two short sides. Buy 4 pieces of wood and connect them to make a rectangled box to hold the hay. Then I had a piece of hog panel cut to fit snugly inside the box. I then attached a bunjy cord to each corner to hold panel in place. It also acts as a spring as it lowers the panel as the hay is eaten. Use short bungy cords and hook them under the bottom of the box. Release the cords on one side to refill. It worked great throughout the winter. I would take a photo but they are put away right now as horses are on pasture for the summer.
Here are a couple of tips I have learned while making these.
1. Use thicker wood for the box or ankor it down or the horses soon learn how to flip it over.
2. Make sure you stir up the uneaten hay before adding more so that it all gets eaten.
3. If you chose to put a bottom on the box you will need to raise it just a bit and you will need to provide drainage. I used the earth for the bottom of mine as the earth remains frozen solid here in Wisconsin.
Hi Cathy, Sounds like an interesting idea. When you set it up again, some pictures would be awesome! Patent your idea- horse people love spending money! lol Patti
I have found your website really helpful! I am a reasonably new horse owner and all of your tips have come in usefull at some point! Thanks heaps
Binbons xx
Just read about the wd40, I use Pam vegetable spray on our horses mane and tail when she gets into the burdocks. It works perfectly. (good for kids too!)
I have found homebrand or cheap baby oil (not Johnson & Johnson as fragrant) in a spray bottle excellent for untangling or removing burrs from mane, tail and fetlock. You only need a light spray, and not every day. This has minimal additives in it. Vege oil would work, but it is heavier in content and will not spray so light and evenly.
I have a problem that I am hoping someone can help me with. I have a 8yr QH gelding, he biting the tails of other horses in the herd. We took him out of the herd for 1 month, he was back out 1 week when he started again. I have tried grazing muzzles which have hepled some but they rub his chin raw and he figths so hard when putting them on.The other boarders complain about what he does..I need help..
Renee, I have heard that horses will do that if they are mineral deficient. Maybe someone can verify that.
Give him salt blocks, the occasional treat and try giving him a large rubber horse ball to play with.
It sounds as if he has A) psychological problem, or B0 as the others have said, a Mineral deficiency. If you are hard feeding him, try a 1/2 tsp. of Epsom salts in his feed every 2 or 3 days for a month – Epsom salts is magnesium, he may be deficient in that. Otherwise do as suggested, and give him access to a mineral block.
I have a question. I have an OTTB. He is a gentle guy (16hh), 13 years old. He is not bomb proof at all when we ride down the back lane or in the bush. He spooks, he sees things and usually plants his feet. I know that there are things you can do by waving traps and things around and he is fine when you do that. It is the little unexpected things like we where walking into the barn and the cement was wet from some water and it was darker in color. right away he stops, flared nostrils…I tell him to STOP and LOOK….and he looks..bending his head down to look then he is fine…I know the signs and when I tell him to look he will but so many other times he spots things even in the distance that I dont see…eg. falcon in the cut field of corn 1000 feet away…plants his feet…does anyone have any suggestions….oh yes, dark wet rotten tree stumps are also scary….
Hello there,
First of all you need to build trust with him. To do that you must get him to “join up”. To do that get him cantering round a fairly small enclosure like a pen. Keep your eyes fixed on his, don’t let him go the other way. Eventually he will put his head down low to the ground, when you feel he has done that enough take your eyes off him and turn away. He will come to you instantly. Rub is neck and shoulder, don’t pat him, horses see this as predator actions.
Now that you have got him to “join up”, you need to teach him that there is nothing to be afraid of. Act calm, tell yourself, out loud that it’s just a (whatever the problem is). Your horse will be able to sense your mood.
You could also try make an obstacles course. Get poles on the the ground, raised poles, random noises like car horns, car engines, motorbikes, buzzers and any other things that are scary to horses. You could get someone to fly a kite that looks like a bird.
Don’t get angry with your horse, if he does something wrong or doesn’t understand or feels scared show him there is nothing to be scared of. Do NOT hit him, this will only make the situation worse. Throughout all of this don’t ride him. Don’t even tack him up. If he wants to buck, run, leap and squeal, let him. A horse should do something because hen wants to, not because he has to.
Sarah has the right idea, but it will not solve the problem totally out riding.
Also DO NOT do round yard work unless trained – I have seen horses worse off because the people had a “little knowledge – no sense”. – I actually had a better horseman than me who had been to a ‘join up’ clinic ask me to re demonstrate as he wasn’t sure on some things. Smart man!
The main thing is being confident. As you know your horse is going to play up, you unconsciously transmit that to him, so he will play up!
Try going on small, short rides first, even if only a 5 minute trek, and do over and over for the amount of time you usually ride him for. Even if it means riding on the trail for 2 minutes, turn back, turn around, back again and so on. You and he will get bored with it so you will lose your unconscious fear, and he will sense it, and get bored too!
This means a lot of patience!
Give it a go and let me know how it turns out!
Hi Debbie
Whenever I have had a horse like this the first thing I do is NOT RIDE IT!! Instead I put on a halter and we go for a walk side by side. Long, long walks and find every possible scary horse eating tree stump, laneway, building, car, truck, motorbike, trailer and whatever else there is out there that could possible pose itself as a remotely possible predator… There are so many according to so many horses! Lol. Your reactions will control your horses reactions. Your heart rate will control your horses heart rate. Make sure you have a nice long lead rope attached to your horse so you are able to approach and touch, sit on or move around the potential horse eating object in a very relaxed manner and still have control of your horse. Spend the time with the potential threat until your horse understand that maybe it’s judgement of the situation was a little hastey. You need to do this in the environment where it is ridden. Not a round yard. All horses know that the horse eating things aren’t really going to eat them in a round yard but will out on a trail!!!
I have been laughed at forever as I spend a lot of time talking to horses, especially in these situations. The tone of my voice, the calmness in my voice and my relaxed body language can control the outcome very quickly. If I tense up or quicken my voice, use a higher pitch even, my horse will think it was right and we both must escape immediately. Try humming a tune. It will lower your heart rate immediately and that of your horse. Try it seriously. If you focus on it you will feel your heart slow down and then watch your horses reaction. I always get a laugh out of it myself as it is immediate for both. I love doing it!
We all love to ride but if you take just a little time to do the important ground work first not only will your horse be safer to ride, more likely than not you will build a bond that will blow your mind away!
I have a problem mounting on my horse, Shahnesh. I have to use a stool to get up because I am so short and I am a senior. He swings his back end towards me everytime I try to get on and he knocks me me over. My instructor holds on to him while I get on and we found we have to cover his eyes. That seems to work. There has to be a way I can correct this behaviour.
I use a ‘make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard’ approach. If my horse doesn’t stand still when I try to mount,I make him run around me quickly several times on a short line. Then I try to mount again. Every time he doesn’t stand still for mounting I immediately make him move his feet quickly. It only takes a short time for him to realize that standing still for mounting is easier/less work than not standing still. After mounting don’t walk off right away. Let him stand and relax for a bit. He will soon realize that standing still for mounting gets him the reward of relaxing and is easier/less work. The right is easy and the wrong thing means work. Hope this helps. Safe riding.
Jan’s approach is fine for someone not “senior” and small stature in the same person.
Is he a good ride once you are on him? If not, sell him and get another safer horse. As someone that has found out no matter how young you feel, you do not bounce as well as you once did!
If however you are attached to him, he needs to know who is boss. Get someone younger to do what Jan said (that knows what they are doing), and a bit of loose round yard joining up (again with someone that knows what they are doing), and have you by them so you can see what to do, and have him learn respect for you.
Good luck.
I have a problem and need som advise. I have a ottb who is the love of my life. I adopted him a year ago from a resuce I volunteer at. He is a cribber. đ
I have tried the dare cribbing collar but I really don’t want to go that route again. Has anyone found something to help? He is cribbing on the wood fence where I keep him but it’s really making a mess. Any advise anyone can offer will be a big help. Or if you have any ideas on something safe to put on the fence I am open to also.
1. Don’t inflict pain on him.
2. There is a simple remedy that works however you have to use it everyday.
Firstly give him something to play with, just a large rubber horse ball will do.
Secondly mix vinegar, lemon juice and 1-2 teaspoons of salt. Make sure the salt is completely dissolved. Sprinkle this on anything he chews, (except food). Use varying amounts of each ingredient otherwise he will become accustomed to the taste.
Kim;
Something you might try for your cribber that I do around my place, rub irish spring bar soap on the wood posts and any place else that he chews. All 3 of my horses have chewed on the posts around the barn, some they’ve chewed almost thru!! But after I rubbed the soap on them they quit. It has a strong smell but very nice. It might work!
Where can you get the Irish spring bar soap in Australia? Will it work on my Kelpie dog chewing down the wood fence! (Yes I do exercise him and work him!)
Cheers, Kathy.
Regarding this recipe…
âHi All
I have made a very effective fly repellent and its all natural.
250ml Apple Cider vinegar
1 tea spoon / 15 drops lavender essential oil
1 tea spoon / 15 drops tea trea oil
1 tea spoon / 15 drops euculuptus oil
if you want to you can also add citronell oil but only 8 drops. Mix with 1/4 water and one drop dishwash soap to get the oil and the vinigar to mix
Chrisâ
The measurements dont make any sense.
5 ml = 1 teaspoon,there are 20 to 25 drops to 1 ml depending on viscosity. Therefore it would be 100 to i25 drops to fill a teaspoon. Regarding the water 1/4 WHAT!!! Is this a cup or some other type of measurement. I am all for using something natural but this is not accurate.
PLEASE CLARIFY
I would love to see a debate on this site about the use of spurs, he seems bit riders cop a lot of slack but the use of spurs never seems to get talked about. Just like bits they can be painful to the horse in the wrong hands and yet I have seen many “bitless” riders that advocate that their choice of riding style is apparently totally painfree yet they use spurs. In saying that I have seen spurs used gently as only and aid with many bitted riders, and vice versa. Please have a debate about this subject, it would be interesting to see the type of feedback you receive.
In my opinion I HATE spurs, I have never used and never will. They are cruel and inhumane. Personally I think they are a form of torture. I rid tackless and I never inflict pain or get angry with my horses.
I have only once used spurs, and they were dummy spurs, on a Clydesdale cross gelding when show jumping, and it was only a pressure before a jump – never dug or jabbed. As for spurs in general, if only used as above on naturally lazy horses ok – but I see no need for them otherwise. I have ridden and trained horses with neither bit or bridle.
The worst I saw was at a rodeo when a calf roper lost the calf, yanked back on the curb bit, and spurred at the same time – the poor horse! I reported it, and she was banned from competing for 2 months. We must report abuse of any kind!
Hi Al,
I am a beginner horse owner and I’m absorbing as much as I can about natural horsemanship. I feel I’m really bonding with my horse, but he has this quirky problem area that I can’t figure out. Once in a blue moon, for no apparent reason, he freaks out when he’s tied. I was grooming him a couple of weeks ago and he tried with all his might to release himself from being tied. His previous owner was there (I board him at her place) and we were talking, when all of a sudden he pulled back with everything he had trying to get loose. I grabbed the side of his halter and pulled him back, and talked calmly to him to soothe him, which worked. The prev owner said that once in a while he just ‘does this’. Nothing spooked him – it just happened. Any ideas? Your thoughts would be appreciated. And thank you for your website – it’s very helpful and informative.
Regards,
Cheryl
Firstly grabbing him by his head cooler probably didn’t help. He may feel scared by your presence or actions. Don’t take it personally, SOE horses are like that. They are very sensitive. Try and make your body round instead of square, talk to him in a soothing voice constantly, rub his neck and shoulders, gently pinch the crest of his neck. Let him know you are there and there is nothing for him to be afraid of. Also check that he has no injuries.
How long have you operated this website? I find it has an interesting group of people. I think people would be interested in the history of your developing this site. Fred and Joan.
I really enjoy horses, and I want to thankyou for all the information you gave me, and thw other’s!
I have a Tennesse Walker, that is mainly my friend’s, but we share her with riding wise! I would love to knkow more, and thanks for the natural tips! I will DEFIANTLY use them… Thanks again!
Hi, I’m a new horse owner. I was around horses alot in my school yrs and now in my 30s I am able to have a horse. I bought Tucker 1 month ago and he’s adapting well to his new home. He’s a 12 y/o gelding who barns with a 7 y/o gelding. They are getting along for te most part with a few fights, nothing serious. Anyway, tucker seems to be, stubborn, bull headed. He’s a trained horse, can do anything you ask him to do. I get nervous when running full out when the other gelding is with us because tucker seems to be very competitive. Today we were running and when the other horse was catching up to us, tucker moved his hind quarters and kicked out to the other horse( no one got hurt) I’m not real experienced, more like between beginner and intermediate. I was nervous at how fast he was running adm worried I could get thrown off for any reason. He wouldnt respond to me pulling back. He can spook, but seems to be very rare so far. Does great on trails and traffic. Any suggestions on getting him to listen to me better.. Seems he only wanted to get in the lead again. Thx, I find this site very helpful.
1. Try half-halts. Lightly pull on the reins and then push him on again.
2. Try and act calm, if you canât pretend you are calm, being nervous wonât help at all.
3. Try working with him on the ground in an enclosed area for 2-3 weeks. Donât ride him. When you feel like you trust him and he trusts you then try riding him in an enclosed area tackless.
If none of these help then feel free to e-mail me at sarahgracemclean@msn.com if you would like some more help.
Hi can someone advise me on rugging a horse for the first time, he is 4yrs old and never been rugged. I have had a tarp on his back and even an old quilt, but today I put the his new rug on, which went really well, until I took his halter of and he decided to move after a few seconds then just bolted around his yard, I let him go for about a minute or so then went in with his halter and called him to get his attention, he came over so I put his halter back on and when he calmed down I took the rug off, I’ll do it again tomorrow, am I doing the right thing?
I’m back into horses again after many years without one of Gods greatest gifts to us. I began with lots of ground work, one on one, just sharing each others company, learning each others body language my boy Jack following me around, doing liberty, and becoming very attached. I’m lucky he shares 200 acres with 16 other horses, all owned by different people. He has the beauty of freedom and herd ship but will come when whistled to me. Then we started barefoot , then bitless, and soon treeless saddle,he is very accepting giving and a complete joy…….I’m now 60 years old and still learning and understanding these amazing creatures….time, is all it takes, patience, crawl before you walk, so to speak and the reward is an extension of yourself and a truly great friend for life. Cheers xx
It is wonderful isn’t it, the relationship with a horse! I turned a horse out on a property after he had come 2nd in a one day Event (Dressage/Cross-country/Show jumping – and he was a 14,3hh Ex Trotter!)for the winter in a 100 acre paddock. Every time I went to see him, and whistled, he would come over the hill at a gallop and neighing to me. I would leave him a biscuit of hay (he didn’t need it having the 100 acre to himself) but he would leave it as soon as I drove away, and race me until the fence, and stand there until I was out of sight (used to make me cry).
he did have cattle with him, so he wasn’t totally alone!
I have recently acquired a TWH and use her for a trails ( no shows). I have a Circle Y Equestrian saddle. I am having a problem with her to keep her at a walk. She seems to walk with hesitation and takes small steps almost like it is hurting her, however she goes into her other gaits with ease. Never heard of a horse that prefers not walking. She rode great for the first 2 months and only in the last 2-3 weeks has she done her “tender” walk. Does anyone have a suggestion? I am wondering about getting a gaited saddle but am perplexed as to the real cause of this. Any ideas? THank you for your response.
Hi Sarah,
We have 2 gaited horses, a TWH and a Rocky Mtn horse. We started out with both of them using “gaited” saddles, but have since found that the tree is too curved, and does not fit our TWH. Our Rocky Mtn still uses a gaited saddle, but we use Parelli Theraflex saddle pads (air bladder inside, so you can adjust the amount of air), and insert shims to help fill in the gaps. Works well so far. As far as the way your TWH is walking, make sure your saddle is not too far forward, and that there is plenty of clearance for his scapula to move. I use a rule of thumb of about 5 inches (when the horse is standing), from the back of the scapula to the screw in the saddle tree. Hope this helps!
I have recently acquired a TWH and use her for a trails ( no shows). I have a Circle Y Equestrian saddle. I am having a problem with her to keep her at a walk. She seems to walk with hesitation and takes small steps almost like it is hurting her, however she goes into her other gaits with ease. Never heard of a horse that prefers not walking. She rode great for the first 2 months and only in the last 2-3 weeks has she done her “tender” walk. Does anyone have a suggestion? I am wondering about getting a gaited saddle but am perplexed as to the real cause of this. Any ideas? THank you for your response.
Spend 2-3 weeks with her in an enclosed area. Do NOT ride her throughout this. Just spend time with her, if she wants to run, leap or squeal, let her. Don’t tack her up at all. Tell her with your voice to walk on, trot and canter and maybe even jump. Don’t rush it though. Then when you fill comfortable try riding her bareback and with a bridle. Then build up to riding tackless
Check she hasn’t any lasting injuries – get the vet or Farrier out.
I have difficulty understanding why Americans have no idea what trainers of TW horses do to make them pick up their feet at a walk, when Australians do!
Your horse is either still carrying an injury, or is still physiologically carrying the stress and memory of purpose injury to make her pick her feet up at the walk.
Get the Vet, or Farrier -if no injury, then if it is in her mind, will take you a long time, and patience to sort out. See the American Humane Society Website regarding the practices of training a TWH!
American Humane ANIMAL Society ( đŻ my bad)
my 5 year old gelding named jessie…his putting his ears back on his head at me….he has never done this be for.
there were 4 mares next to me for 5 years…they have now been sold…would this make my gelding
play up…and if so will he get over it.and how can i help him get over it…i cant ride anymore but i work with him everyday.his moods change hour to hour.
thank you linda.
I would say he is lonely, and as he hasn’t got a herd to belong to now, he considers you his herd, and he is trying to be the boss.
Be the Alpha mare! Any time he is loose in the paddock, and he puts his ears back at you (in fact – do this anyway as too dangerous when he is tied up) throw your hands at him in an angry way and grunt. Keep doing until he comes up chewing his mouth. same as in a loose box. I have done this with stallions and colts, and it works, as the Alpha mare is top boss – NOT the Stallion!
And if tied up -raise your hand and grunt.
Good luck.
My horse was hurt by another horse running him through a fence and cutting his leg really bad. Now he is only comfortable around the other 3 horses that we own. When we try to ride him around other horses he cuts up really bad. what can we do?
HMM. A tough one. How long ago was this? Maybe it may just take time. or perhaps for a while lead him with other horses either on foot or ridden.
đ I’ve not any tips recently. I look forward to these very informative pieces. Thank you….Billy
please add me to your emails.. i really enjoy them! thanks!
Hi everyone,
I am brand new to riding. I’m in my 50’s. My husband grew up w. horses. We now have 10 acres of land and talk of building a barn and getting a couple of horses.
Is there a reason not to consider rescues and shelters when looking for a horse? I used to do dog rescue so I have a heart for helping “recycled” animals. Would it be best to find a horse that requires adoption as a pair since I’d be sure they get along?
Dear Lori,
It depends on how your husband grew up with horses. If he was raised to be sensitive etc, then maybe yes. But if he was brought up to “take charge” then NO!
Abused and neglected horses need more than the right feeding and care. They need a lot of psychosocial work, and working out what happened to them. You could start perhaps with a tiny pony or two (good lawn mowers) but please, as a new rider, do not get an abused horse unless your husband knows what he is doing!
: great reading thanks
Can I have some comments as to a ‘problem’ that has arisen with my 5 year old Irish Thoroughbred. I have had him 3 months and he is proving to be a really good boy, I have that connection with him in as much he trusts me. Although I can ride (english style) to a competent level, I am not so arrogant to think that I can ride him properly outright. As I see it I am LEARNING to ride HIM and therefore forming a partnership. I took him to his very fist showing show this weekend as his new owner, an in-hand for Thoroughbreds and Retired Racehorses, (TARRA) and he was brilliant as there was a lot going on. The problem I discovered is that he would not load back onto the trailer. No barging or rearing or pulling back just simply, planted himself and defiantly would not move. I know I have to ‘practice’, but I do not own my own trailer or box, but any ideas from anyone in terms of alternative methods (nice ones) would be appreciated. Hoping you can help a first time owner from England! Many thanks
HORSES ARE NOT DUMB! Part 2
Finally got my Arab/QH back after three years from a friends property. I called to him, he trotted up to me and rubbed his head on my shoulder.
I put him in his own paddock. Today, as my travelling daughter said she wanted to go for a ride, I put my grey mare in the back yard, then got Solli (the A/QR) in the front yard, to re acquaint each other, as they were good friends before he left 3 yrs ago.
They rubbed heads against each other, nibbled withers – and when I let them out together, you would swear there was a 3 metre rope tying them together! Poor Solli tho, we had a 115yr large shed pulled down while he was away, and he kept pacing the new grass area and sniffing the fence!
They have not moved more than 3 metre away from each other – I took a photo of them grazing, mirror image down to the legs in same position!
Who says horses don’t have friends??
I absolutely love your website! It has been very informative and inspiring to me, not only as a horseowner but also as a steward who loves and respects the horse. . . one of God’s most magnificent creatures.
Great website! Very informative. How do you become a member? I saw the member login but no place to register/join.
We have not received your e-mails in quite some time and we miss them! We enjoy reading the experiences of other horse people from all over the world. Fred and Joan.
Hi, I’ve stopped receiving your brilliant newsletters!!
Can you put me back on your mailing list please.
Many thanks
Alan
But keep up the good work đ
I know that the ownerâs behavior is reflected in the horse. Both my horse and my dog arenât respecting me as pack/herd leader all of the time. That is to say sometimes they disrespect me and e.g. my dog will refuse to come or stay when I give a commandâsometimes. My horse, a mustang, has spooked the last two times I took him outâonce down the street and once in his own pasture near a grove of trees. This is problematic for me because i am disabled and both times he managed to dump me. Now I have a fear factor about riding him darn it. He is a great horse otherwise and he and my donkey always want to be around me outside. I have been making him âmove his feetâ for me lately while I am on the ground, eg. at feeding times or other times I am just wanting to walk past him. That seems to be helping. Thanks for that tip from an earlier tip on this website. Any other suggestions would greatly be appreciated as my metal knee only bends half way and I donât want to end up in surgery again. And I dearly love riding Tattoo bareback or with saddle. I just donât want him to spook. It has nothing to do with him being bored though. Both times he dumped me were in different places, doing different things. I know I need to ride him more.
If possible, can you copy and email me your suggestions? I canât seem to find my way back to these sites to find answers to my postings. Thank you!
I have posted this once before but it never got moderated.
How do you sign up?
Please send your newsletters to my friend at boumrang@hotmail.ca . Thank you.
My young horse whom is nearly 3 years old has been detected with a heart murmur, details as follows:- Astonâs occurs during contraction so is called a systolic murmur. We also work out which region on the left and right chest they are loudest at; Astonâs is loudest over what we call the mitral valve on the left side. The mitral valve separates the top and bottom sections of the heart and prevents oxygenated blood from going from the bottom part back into the top when the heart contracts. I am most suspicious that Aston has what we call mitral regurgitation which is where the valve isnât working as well as it should at stopping the blood flowing from bottom to top with each heart contraction. We also grade murmurs depending on how loud they are and if we can feel a vibration on the side of the chest too â Astonâs is about a gr 4/6. To confirm all this information an electrocardiogram would be necessary to evaluate his hearts rhythm and an ultrasound scan of the heart to visualise the blood in the heart and the size of the heart etc.
Should I be concerned? Some say he will grow out of it, should I have him further examined asap?
Hi and thank you for all the tips! I had the pleasure of growing up around horses. My Dad in his younger days was a bull rider/ranch hand/ best Dad ever. Last June 6 he passed leaving me to fight for our horses with the rest of the family that wanted to take them to killer auction… They are not killer material. Had to give up horse trailer and tack. What I did manage to keep was lost in Colo. flood. I lost everything to human waste and oil. -My horses were in three different place and all but Stallion have been reunited at a friends property. FEMA is avoiding me. If anyone knows of any help I could get for the horses it would be so appreciated. I got to have all the fun growing up as my Dad did all important stuff. Am cramming fast a furious….All I have is halters and Leeds.We barley got them out in time BUT they have saved my life! Thank you God…..
You for doing this. I stumbled upon this site. I’d like 2b on email list if poss. Again, thank you for all of your great share of so many(unrandom) acts of kindess & words honoring & helping the Noble Horse.
What is the best way to train a horse to stand tied to a post.
Hi, I have not received your fantastic newsletters for a while. Could you please re-subscribe me.
Thanks a lot for all the great tips
Alan
I have adopted a retired police horse, Tank, who is very aggressive with me. He turns away from my touch and is challenging to deal with. He came from my trainer’s lesson program and has been ridden many times by 8 year old children with no problems. He was given to me because when worked repeatedly he would have seizures. I have tried being gentle and patient with him with no luck. I am at the point of giving him up but have never given any animal I owned away. Any suggestions on what may be happening with him? I have a mare that he is alternately loving and aggressive with. Even she keeps her distance from him when I am around. I am afraid that he is too possessive with her and will injure her further if I keep him.
Thanks
I would love to get some tips for my daughter, she recently started showjumping.
Regards
Alida
It is really interesting reading the stories and queries on this site, great information. I have always loved horses and rode a bit when young. Found horses are like people in that they all have totally different personalities, and therein lies the bonding, by being sensitive to their uniqueness and beauty. When a horse knows you love it,they will love you back, but as Kathy says never be cruel or angry with a horse. Sure they can be temperamental and at times hard to work out and that is why I like this site, our shared experiences can help each other.
Soon I will be going with a young friend who invited me to celebrate her birthday by going to a horse rescue to groom some horses with her. I have seen these horses before, as they boarder friends boundary line. The poor things seem so unhappy and miserable.they are mangled and dusted badly and when I first saw them I wanted to jump the fence and bond and groom them. There may be several young girls going with us so there will be plenty of opportunities to teach them about proper care, but am a little concerned about putting inexperienced girls with neglected horses as they may spook more than most, but, then again the girls are kind and hors es are sensitive to that so it may work out. Is the horse rescue place likely to have proper grooming equipment, curry, hard and soft brushes?
Hello,
My two daughters and I are taking care of a 12 year old male Tennessee Walker named King. He is a sweet boy and has just started allowing us to pick all 4 hooves. We have a serious nipping problem. He tries to bite for no apparent reason. We are not sure what to do. He was like this before we started caring for him but it seems to be getting worse. Any advice?
How do I join your site it doesn’t tell us how to do that and I really like what I’ve been reading so far it really strikes a cord with me and that is what I want to accomplish with my frieisian warm blood cross.
thanks, Melody.
How do you become a member
Where do I sign up?
DOC
How do I join your site it doesnât tell us how to do that and I really like what Iâve been reading so far it really strikes a cord with me.
Thanks
Alan
Found this website and hoped you can help I have just purchased a 5 month old filly and she is scared of her own shadow I have managed to stroke her head while eating but nothing more was told she was haulterd and could touch all over this is not the case she is currently full of dried poo and needs weight on with the winter months coming in I need to get a rug on her but I can’t even get an head collar on her she I should start led and as soon as I go in runs to the back of the stable will come to me and eat food off my hand but only if I have food please any advice appreciated
Thanks so much for your website – I’ve enjoyed learning a lot about horses. Unfortunately, I’m frustrated with my horse situation and not sure what I should do to improve it (for my gelding “Bokkie” and myself).
My husband and I live in Saudi Arabia and I wanted a horse. My idea was having a well-trained, docile horse who would be happy to ride with me around the Project (read – large farm) in the morning, let me do some grooming (which I would love as I enjoy physical labour and want to develop a solid, close relationship), and enjoy our friendship without too much stress. I knew a lot of work would be needed, but that’s no problem. My husband has a lot of experience with training young horses, but he always had a herd of trained horses to provide a lot of the education for the young foals. He thought it would be nice to get me a young horse whom I could train from the beginning myself. I wasn’t keen on the idea since I don’t have a lot of horse experience, but he felt he’d be able to guide me.
He got Bokkie from one of his work colleagues. The colleague doesn’t speak much English, so we have no clue what the history of this horse is. We suspect he was about 2 1/2 years old when we got him (which makes him around 3 years old now). I was living elsewhere at the time, so I only saw Bokkie once for 10 days before I moved here last month. During that first visit, I was able to put a halter on Bokkie, lead him with a rope (though that wasn’t very fluid), and I put a fly-net on him after only 15 minutes of introducing it to him. He seemed quite calm. While I was back home, I don’t think my husband really had time to do anything with Bokkie. When I showed up last month, I found that Bokkie bites now, hates being moved with a halter (I can slowly get one on him, but he balks when you try to direct him with it), and doesn’t let me put his fly-net on. As a matter of fact, he tries to bite me (that’s what it seems like and he has nipped me to good bruising a couple times when I haven’t moved away quickly enough – no amount of correcting seems to help) all the time UNLESS I give him a rope to chew on. When he’s chewing on the rope, I can suddenly (not always, but usually) rub him, groom him, touch his legs, etc. Only when he’s chewing on the rope.
I’m able to let him walk on his own from the stall to the exercise area with some guidance from me verbally and physically but without a halter or rope. In the exercise area, he usually plays by himself because he’s too excited to listen to me. I’ve given him an empty 6gal water jug to play with which he loves and with which gets a good workout. He rolls it around with his head and occasionally kicks it with a front hoof, especially when it’s trapped against the wall in order to move it away and get it rolling again. But as for getting him under control to use a halter and do groundwork, I’m at a loss. I’ve watched a Monty video to learn what to do, but the horse in the video isn’t putting up a fight as it’s brought into the training area. I understand what the video says about how to join up, I just need help BEFORE that point to lead him safely with a halter and rope.
I’ve told my husband that the situation isn’t fair to Bokkie and he really should go to a new home where the folks are more experienced in working with such a spirited horse. But he’s hesitant to do that because we’re afraid the next owner will abuse him since he’s not easy to work with. I’m trying to read up on how to be the Alpha in the herd, but I’m obviously not doing it right because Bokkie hasn’t gotten the fax yet! When I try to act dominant, he just stands and looks at me with his ears forward. Then he raises his head much higher than me and keeps standing there. The message seems to be, “I know I’m still dominant over you, whatever you say or do.” Argh!!! Can someone please give me some advice? Telling me I was stupid for getting into this situation is kind of a moot point as I already know that. đł
Look forward to good advice from all your readers!
Sandy in Saudi
Hi there, any advice please for footstamp/mites?
Tried everything in the book including Frontline.
Is the vets injection the last resort?
Any comments would be great,thanks.
Hi cathy . Is it good to feed ur horses a lot of carrots
đ A big thank you for your valuable tips. My husband is the “rider” and me the groom. He has used a bitless bridle and telephathy for years and it works.
Question: the Horse Whisperer book is it a hard cover book or one of those new read on computer ones?
Hi. I am having an issue with my horses becoming herd bound after being off work for a while. I am building a round pen and was wondering is it better to separate them for short periods of time at the start then gradually extend or for a longer period of time right off the bat and work with join up etc. before returning to the others.
Thanks
Hi I really enjoy your site, I am learning a lot as a first time horse owner. I have an odd question, what are “tail pulls”? I spoke with Su Burnett, a horse psychic – she is very good – and she said my horse Jace wanted “tail pulls”. I have been tentatively tugging on his tail but he does not seem at all impressed, is there a “right” way to do tail pulls???Thank you.
I have noticed something I have not seen before with my two mares, I have a 26 year old and a long yearling filly, the filly keeps trying to mount the older mare, she doesn’t squeal or act studdy nor does she do that to the gelding, anyone else seen this type of behavior?
Hi I have a mare 5 years old and I been told she is being rid bifore but when I try to ride she doesn’t move a toll .Any help how can I make it to move. â