Camanda

I don't keep my horses in a stall, I have a shedrow barn so the three mares have free run in and out of one stall and one run in big enough for two. We split the run in into two pieces to keep them from kicking each other out. They get along fine, until night that is. My mare is the dominant one and will herd the other two into the stall or the run in. If they are in the run in, she will turn her butt to the entrance and kick at them to keep them in. If she is in the stall she will kick at the wall between the stall and run in. The kick boards in the stall are starting to break,and when she kicks the sound is like a shotgun blast. She will do it all night and keep my parents up. Winter is coming soon and I can't separate her as she will not have any shelter. She will not kick when people are around, she is submissive around people. I don't know how to get her to stop other than to possibly hobble her at night.

I have been searching for a really great recipe for alfredo sauce to make for dinner tonight. However I have noticed there are two main recipes, one with cream cheese and the other with parmesan. I was just wondering if one is better than the other, or if they are similar.

I am 21 and I just signed an apartment lease with my boyfriend to live in the city away from home for the first time, however my mother has made it clear that she does not want my horse to stay home with her when I move! She owns two mares as well but says she doesn't want the extra work. I said I would pay for 1/3 of the hay and grain, but the work load is the problem. I'll be living about 45 minutes away. I said she could lease my horse to make a little extra cash, but disputed that as well saying she doesn't want to be responsible for someone else and setting it all up. She said I could try and lease her to a barn that would allow me to keep riding her, but I don't think any barn will want her given that she is just a trail rider. Best she can do is haul kids around all day. I have a full time job for now, but I am going back to school to be a full time student and working part time. My boyfriend works full time as well, but I am not sure I could afford to lease her anywhere. I would work off her board, but between work, school, and taking care of my apartment (cooking cleaning etc) I will not have the time. I REALLY don't want to sell her. That is not an option for me right now. Any other suggestions?

Just a general question! Did you and your horse keep up the training during the difficult winter this year? How are you coming along on your summer goals?

Is there any way I can figure out my horse's past? I bought her from a friend who doesn't remember where or who she bought the mare from, despite only having her for 2 years. She can't remember what the mare did before she bought her. She said that the mare was used for 4-h (I dont know what that entails because I've never been in/part of 4-h). She also said that the mare had at least one colt, maybe 2. Essentially I bought a mare that I know nothing about. I've had her for a year now, and she is great. Her past doesn't dictate what she is now, I am just curious what she was bred for and what she did. I mean, you don't just breed for fun, do you?

The friend I bought her from doesn't have her papers and doesn't remember anything about where or who they bought her from. They gave me a general area of a town they think it might have been, but that's not much to go on. Not to mention, I'm not even sure the name she came with is truly her name. The mare is 14 now, so she has lived a pretty long time somewhere.

All I can think to do is put up a question on my local Craigslist and Facebook to see if anybody knows anything. But then again, she doesn't have any distinguishing markings. She is ALL dark bay. The only color on her is white saddle marks, and who knows when those came about.

Any advice? Or is it a worthless waste of my time to even try to find more about my mares history?

I have my mare in a Jr. Cow horse bit right now, but even with that super tiny shank, I would rather switch back to something milder. I'm right now teaching her to be more soft laterally, which translates to being soft vertically. The moment I add even a little pressure on the bit, she fights it before she gives, which makes me wonder if the bit is just a little too sharp for her. She is "hard mouthed", which is just an excuse for saying that someone had some very hard hands when riding her. Anyway, I have a loose ring snaffle and a full cheek snaffle, I have curb straps to keep the bit from sliding, but I don't have the guards to keep the loose ring from pinching her, so which should I switch to? And if I use the full cheek, do I need the curb strap?

Oh, and PS: I know training isn't about the bit or your hands. It is about your legs and seat, but right now she is so dead sided. One step at a time. Giving to pressure first and foremost so she has a nice stop before we work on going.

Thanks for the opinions!

Unfortunately the way my land is situated, everything is on a slight slope. My yard, my pasture, everything. It isn't a really steep slope, but you definitely know when you're walking uphill. I would like to build my own 50ft round pen, but I'm not sure if it would do me much good to have one on a slope. Like I said, it isn't a terrible hill, just a very gentle incline. I might ride in the round pen, but I would mostly just do some free lounging.

I get that a hill wouldn't be too detrimental. But even a lope could be hard to handle when going downhill and at a circle. My mare would have to change pace and shorten or lengthen her stride accordingly, but besides that, are there any other downfalls to having a round pen on a bit of a slope? I would dig out a flat spot, and I might talk to someone about doing that if I can, but right now, as a quick short-term pen, would having it on a hill be a bad thing? Would it do any damage to tendons? I mean, my pasture is on the same slope, they walk, trot, canter it every day and so far, no injuries. But it isn't the same as running in circles.

So pretty much, would it be bad or unhealthy for my horse to be worked in a 50ft round pen on a slope? WAIT. One more question. My mare is pretty clumsy, has no collection, just has no coordination. Health wise she is fine, she is just the opposite of a sure footed horse. Would working her on the hill in this round pen help with her over all balance and coordination? Or make it worse?

I should mind my own business, and I am, but whenever I think about this, it concerns me. Maybe you guys could either make me feel a bit better.

This friend of the family has ZERO, and when I say zero I mean ZERO, experience with horses. But due to a recent trail ride she has decided to become an Equine Acupressure and acupuncturist. She's going to be taking online classes for 3 weeks I believe and then she has to go to a few clinics as tests that she has to pass before she can practice. But I personally don't think that three weeks is enough. I feel like that is nothing. How can you learn all the anatomy, physiology, even the attitudes in that amount of time? Obviously she will be working with horses that are in some kind of pain and with no prior knowledge, how will she know how to handle any situation? I've had horses for many years, I've encountered many situations, but sometimes even I lose my composure and go blank on what to do. I dont think online courses can teach what she needs to know.

But people must do it, since it exists. It is her life and she can do whatever she well pleases with it, it has nothing to do with me, really. But this doesn't seem safe for the horse or person, at least, I dont think so. She even said, "Maybe I can come practice on your horses!" I sort of laughed and said no. She isn't young, and who knows, maybe this will be her calling.

Maybe you guys know of someone who has done something like this and it all turned out great? Quell Some of my worries?

I have a low withered, short backed, 13.2 (maybe 14)hh Arabian QH cross. She has low withers but is kind of wide in the shoulder. I've got a saddle that fits her shoulder wise that I can use for measurements and yes I have a breast collar so a saddle wont slip back, but I can't find a saddle that will fit her short back. My saddle now has a square saddle skirt that just about touches her butt. Would a round saddle skirt help instead?

And no, I don't have access to a saddle fitter because in my area, and state, horse riding isn't very common. Things like chiropractors, massage therapists, and saddle fitters are few and far between. And I mean FAR between. And I don't keep my horses at a barn that has access to those kinds of people. And I have never been to a barn that has ever used any of those people anyway.

But has anyone here had trouble with finding a saddle for a short backed horse?Any luck with a certain brand or style? Would a round skirt be better?

Please try to take it easy on me, I dont often deal with saddle fit. I haven't had a problem with a saddle fitting before and I'm just not quite sure where to go on this one. And I'm not some young uneducated punk. But you don't have to believe me on that.

My little arab/qh was started on barrels and cows before I bought her, but since I didn't have any interest in showing, never kept up with it. Yesterday I was working her and I found out that she has automatic flying lead changes. Not to mention she can turn on a dime and is unbelievably responsive to cues. Now, I am taking lessons for WP which feels like the opposite of gymkhana events, but it has really helped me improve my seat. I would like to get her back into training her for gymkhana events, it doesn't seem fair that will all her talent and love of going fast that I should just trail ride her everywhere. I know how to start training her for it, and I wouldn't do any serious showing, just like local play day type things. But I have a few questions:

1) Does she have to have papers? Or be registered? Because she isn't. And I don't have her papers.

2) Does she have to have a show name? Her name currently is Labatt's Blue, I just call her batty. If she needs a show name, what could it be?

3) I ride her in a rope halter, sometimes in a loose ring French link, would that matter? Or would I have to use a shanked bit because she is over 6?

4) Does clothing matter for a play day? Should I wear something specific?

I know a lot of people don't lime barrel racing because it seems to have a lack of communication, but I don't want it to be about her speed or winning. Just her having a good time if she wants to. I have never used any kind of spur and never intend to. She doesn't need it anyway, a little kissing noise and she is off.

THIS IS JUST SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO DO. I AM NOT CURRENTLY DOING IT AND AM NOT SURE IF I EVER WILL. JUST AN IDEA IS ALL. So don't get all on my case about how I'm not ready or forcing my horse into it. If she shows no interest, or starts getting sour, I just won't do it. I'll never push her. ONCE AGAIN. THIS IS JUST A DREAM. NOT ANYTHING I HAVE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED. I KNOW IT TAKES MONTHS TO TRAIN RIGHT SO YOUR HORSE DOESN'T GET HURT.

Spalding fly predators? How well do they work? Do they work on biting flies or just house flies?

I'm lucky enough to own a cute little Arabian mare who is just the greatest little thing. Aside from my QH and TWH that is. She developed sweet itch and, as I have only owned her for the winter months and the previous owner didnt mention anything about it despite my asking lots of questions, turns out she is really allergic to fly bites.

I had the vet come out and take a look at her. The vet put her on a steroid and an antibiotic. Now she just isn't acting herself. She is normally very energetic and always wanting to go for a ride. But now she is sluggish. Stands in one place all day, head lowered, and she was sweaty within minutes of putting a saddle on. Which I then immediately took off because she obviously wasn't feeling well.

My question is; Is it the steroid or the antibiotic? She just finished her antibiotic last night, but she has to keep taking the steroid for another week or so. I can't remember the name of it... DMX tablets maybe? Something with those letters in it.. Haha jeez I'm not much help.

Nothing else has changed in her diet or environment so I'm 99% sure it is the medication causing her behavioral change.

So my mare is just the nicest little thing, she is gentle with every body. She is around kids all the time and she is always being introduced to new people who can touch her all over without a problem.

However, about a year ago she had a choking episode and when the vet finally came out, she had cleared whatever was stuck, but just to calm her down the vet wanted to give her a mild sedative. The moment he got near her with the needle, she reared up and took off. I didn't have her tied to anything, I was just holding her. The vet said she was fine and not to worry about the sedative.

Well, the other day I had a different vet out because my other horse had sweet itch and I asked the vet to take a look at my mares eyes because they are constantly weeping. The moment the vet looked into her eyes she pulled away and took off. She wouldn't even let me touch her for a while. Again I didn't have her tied to anything, the vet was just holding her halter. The vet wasn't manhandling her, she was actually pretty soft about it.

This is COMPLETELY out of character for her. Any other stranger could look into her eyes and not have her freak out. I believe that before I bought her (from a neglectful home) that some vet probably bulldogged her into standing still. She doesn't like male or female vets. Obviously I can't just have vets come out and work with her. There are only 7 equine vets in my area and they are all booked up for weeks. Not to mention it is $250 just to have a vet step on my property. And besides, it really isn't an emergency.

But I need her to be able to relax around vets, just in case something does happen that requires serious attention. But I can't think of a way to work with her. Like I said, any other person can handle her. Just not vets.

I'm currently training my QH mare to ride in a rope halter like I do with my Arabian, ans although she gives to pressure fine on the ground (She can flex laterally both ways, back up to steady pressure, she doesn't pull against me) She seems to be having trouble connecting that to when I am on her back. Now, I did rush it a bit and expected her to pick it right up like she normally does, I found that no matter how much pressure (Steady or otherwise) she seems to run through it.

She stop pretty well, but she doesn't like to turn. I'm working on getting her more sensitive to leg, right now you could have the strongest legs in the world and you couldn't move her off it, but she really takes advantage of the fact that she isn't being guided by a bit.

I only ride with one rein so I'm not giving mixed signals. When she feels like walking back to her lean too there is nothing in the world that could get her to turn away from her path. I can stop her, but not turn her head. I've used a steady pressure and a bumping pressure to get her to turn, but both she is turns her head the other direction to try and avoid the pressure.

I've gone back to just flexing when I'm on her back so she realizes that I still have control, but the moment her feet start moving she thinks she is in charge. I dont have a round pen or an arena, just a pasture with other horses in it. I only trail ride, I dont do any kind of showing, and I would love to get her to a point where we won't need that pesky bit.

But any advice on how to get her to stop running through the halter?

Well, since it is summer, I guess I should start shaving again... But I have really sensitive skin and even the high end razors give me razor burn. It's not pretty. Is there a really good shaving gel or cream that I can use to help? Or maybe some home made things to put on after shaving to help? I hears honey can help, but I've never tried.

Any suggestions? Oh, and it has to be safe for around the bikini line.

Thanks!

My best friend of 15years likes to ride. She used to take lessons and show when she was young, but that was a long time ago. We have never fought about anything in all the years we have been friends. I have a few horses and we ride together, but she is a big girl. I mean, she is just about 200lbs and about 5'7 1/2". She wants to ride my 13.3 arab/QH but I'm worried that she is just too big. Maybe if she had better balance and an overall better seat I wouldn't be so wary, but I dont think I want her riding my pony.

I'm willing to give her tips to help her with her seat and balance but I'm not sure I will ever be comfortable letting her trot or canter.

How can I break it to her as nice as possible that she is just too big for the little mare?

So I have a QH, she isn't particularly tall, maybe 14.3, and since I didn't get much riding done over winter, she is lacking in muscle (no worries, I am doing very gradual hill work with her and up/down transitions).

But I have a neighbor who has always wanted to learn how to ride. However, he is a big guy. Probably about 280pounds and around 5'10" maybe a bit taller. My saddle is pretty light, no more than like 20pounds, maybe. If that. My horse can carry me and my saddle for miles up and down hills without even breaking a sweat, but I'm 130pounds and 5'7".

I would really like to help this guy learn to ride. Obviously I wouldn't have him trot or canter or anything above a walk, but I just don't know if my mare can handle his weight.

Especially right now since she is a bit flabby from winter. But even after she gets stronger from consistent work, I still don't know if she could do it. I know horses can carry 20% of their weight, but there are other things that factor into that, like bone density, back length, hoof strength, or whatever. I know since you can't see her that it would be awfully hard to give a definitive answer, but any thoughts?

And I'll probably talk to me vet about it when I see him again.

Chestnut horses to go a little bald while shedding their winter coats? I've heard it from a couple people that it is more common among chestnut colored horses. Is it really? Or is it just a lack of some nutrient?

I really want to buy my mom a horse hair bracelet for her birthday. Or make one. Anyway, the cheapest I can find online is like $57 and it looks super basic. I know "you get what you pay for".

Has anyone made one before?

Do you have a link that could go through it for me step by step on how to make one?

Would it be better to just buy one?

Cheapest place online for a custom made one?

How well do they hold up?

Pretty much, anyone with any experience with this, can you help me out?

Cantering in your lessons? I am not a total beginner, but I am self taught, so I have some bad habits, but I started taking lessons some time back. Once a week for an hour I took private dressage lessons, by the second lesson I was cantering. I was comfortable with it, but I was surprised by how soon the trainer introduced me to it. I just trail ride for fun, and that was my first real experience with English and a controlled canter. Then due to personal issues, my trainer left the state and I had to fine someone new. Again, by the third lesson she had me cantering. Now I am taking Western Pleasure lessons, and I had my first lesson recently and she wanted me to lope! I always heard that it normally takes weeks to develop enough body control and balance to properly canter and stay collected.

Anyway, when did you start cantering? What was the most surprising thing a trainer has asked you to do?