Mel

I have a cat who frequently vomits from hairballs (he's long haired and is a bit excessive in his grooming habits, even though I brush him). I am wondering if anyone has suggestions for a cat food that

A. Reduces Hairballs

B. Does not contain dyes that leave stains when the cat does vomit (This is a biggie as I am moving to a house with brand new, light colored carpets and will also have new furniture)

C. Is not extremely top of the line expensive or hard to find at a feed or pet store

Thanks for any and all advice.

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone has any gadget free tips on bring a forward canter down to a more western lope. I ride my horse in dressage through Spring & Summer, but I like to do a bit more laid back riding with him in the off season so I do a bit of Western. His canter is nicely balanced and relaxed, and he does know how to collect, but I would appreciate some tips on bringing him down to a more Western lope.

I am not looking to compete in Western and I am a very experienced rider in the English disciplines so I am not going to be seeking out a trainer. I do get the foundations of gait balance, collection, etc. Again, this is just something we do for fun--a few no pressure challenges, just enough to have something to work on but nothing to stress over getting perfect. I am not going to drill him down to a super slow show lope, I just want to turn things down a notch or two form the forward English movement. He already does very well with a jog and that has not confused him between the disciplines--I can send him right on forward into a working trot.

So, any tips on improving the lope and getting a horse to settle out of the English canter and into a more western movement?

My shih-tzu mix puppy is losing is milk teeth and I have noticed he seems to be a bit ouchy when trying to chew his food--he is rolling the kibbles around in his mouth and trying but not succeeding at crunching them like usual. I believe he is at the teething stage where is adult molars are starting (no chewing problems up until a few days ago).

Would it be detrimental to the development of his teeth if I soften his kibble a bit with some warm water--not to mush state, but just a bit softer? I did it this morning and he ate better than he has in two days and seemed very happy. Just not sure if doing this will cause any problems with the normal process.

Probably a silly question, but he's my special little guy and I want to make sure we are doing everything right.

My 13 year old lab has considerable arthritis in her knees (rear hock area). She is on Cosequin & Rimadyl and we keep up with the vet frequently. I also have horses and wrapping the legs for support is quite common, with boots and wraps available for extra support for arthritic and highly active horses. I am wondering if wrapping is something that could help my dog as well? I know how to wrap correctly--I've been wrapping horse legs for years and it is something I will discuss with my vet at our next appointment, but curious about it at this point and looking for input.

Getting a Shiffon (Brussels Griffon x Shih Tzu) in a week. The name Bump started out as a joke, because I have always been a big dog person and said that a small dog would just be a little bump compared to my big guys. The name has kind of stuck with family and friends. Thoughts? Is it too ridiculous, or ridiculously cute?

Sorry...I am in the horse section a lot and naming posts drive me nuts, but I am really on the fence about this one and would appreciate some input from fellow dog lovers:)

Got the idea to poll this after answering Fennec's question--

While unacceptable, I have to admit I laugh about this idiosyncrasy of my horse (though of course I address it seriously with him).

My horse has been thoroughly drilled in ground manners. Pretty much to the point that I can flick a finger in a certain direction and get a response. There is one thing though that will crumble his resolve and tempt him like crack to a crackhead, Polar Fleece. He knows without a doubt that mouthiness in any form is absolutely unacceptable and merits a swift correction, but I can see the battle in his eyes when I wear a polar fleece hoodie around him. He literally can't stand it and has to try to grab it with his mouth (which he knows he will be and is punished for) the first time the polar fleece comes out for the season.

So, does your horse have some sort of "Kryptonite" that tests every ounce of their resolve to behave as expected? Does anyone else's horse have this weird attraction to polar fleece?

My two dogs, especially my Golden really seem like they need my approval and permission to eat their food. They will eat on their own, this is more of a tendency than a constant thing. I am just looking for some incite on this behavior. Is it a sign of respect to me that they wait for my approval to eat or is it over dependency? something else?

Just curious, again, it is not a problem that I am looking for suggestions on how to deal with, as they will eventually eat if I ignore them I am just wondering what it means.

I have a 12 year old lab. Two weeks ago, she had a hard knot on her nose and overnight it became quite swollen. I took her to the vet in the morning and we assumed it was a bee sting. A steroid shot worked just fine and her nose was back to normal in 24 hours.

This morning, the knot is back in the exact same place. It is about the size of a silver dollar. The soft swelling of the whole side of her face hasn't come back yet.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be? It doesn't seem to be bothering her at all, but I am just very puzzled that it returned. Of course I will contact the vet, but as it is the weekend and not seeming to bother her, I will take her Monday unless things get worse in the mean time.

Hi all,

I am starting to browse around for a Western saddle for my horse. I am just looking for something to use once in a great while for trail rides and low key riding in the off season (usually we do dressage).

His dressage saddle was custom fitted to him and has been great for improving some back issues he had do to a saddle that didn't fit him well in the past. I don't want to undo anything here. I did speak with my saddle fitter about what to look for in a Western Saddle.

I found this one and I am curious to hear if anyone has tried it. Auto adjusting flex tree? Sounds almost too good to be true.

http://www.statelinetack.com/item/royal-king-auto-...

I am going out of town for a few days and these days are going to overlap with the last two days of my period.

I would really like to either skip my period this month or start it a few days early.

I take Generesse, which is the same thing as Loestrin 24 fe (24 active pills, all the same, 4 inactive).

So, my question is--could I

A. Start my inactive pills 3 days early and then the next pack respectively early after the 4 inactives. This way I have my period but it will be over before my trip.

OR

B. Skip the inactives and go straight to my new pack

A would be preferable. Would this work to change my period schedule and would my BC still be effective?

I will of course confirm things with my doctor, just looking to here if either of these options have worked for anyone else.

I gave bruschetta a go for the first time. I am very happy with the flavor, but it came out with quite a thin sauciness to it. Big tomato chunks with lots of thin watery juice--I'd like the juice part to be thicker next time.

I used 3-4 fresh tomatoes, tons of feta, and then seasonings. I'd really like to stick with the fresh tomato taste and avoid any canned tomato products. Baked in a casserole dish for about 15-20 minutes on 350.

Any suggestions?

The back left side of my tongue feels irritated and is bumpier than the other side. Not painful, but annoying, feels kinda like a bit of food is stuck back there. I have been to the dentist and ENT and neither were concerned (ENT ran a scope through my nose & down my throat). I am 28 and I do smoke (trying very hard to quit). Any thoughts on what is going on? I am still terrified that this is cancer, though the ENT would have seen anything suspicious looking, right?

A long time ago I heard a song and have not been able to place it since. My details may be fuzzy, but here was the basic premise: It was about a guy who was in the service I believe, or perhaps away on a job, who calls his wife back at his ranch and asks her what she thought about him bringing his friend back home with him who had been paralyzed. The wife said it would just be too hard for the paralyzed man to enjoy life at the ranch/farm. Turns out it was him who had been paralyzed.

I have only heard this song once and hit has been driving me crazy for ages to know who sang it and what the title is.

Mucho thanks!

Found a red eared slider turtle in my yard. I live in MI and my research is showing that they aren't native here. It is just a baby, about the size of a silver dollar.

Should I let it go at the near by creek? I am all for setting it free, but if it isn't native to the area, I don't know it if that would be for the best.

Just started running. I am starting slow and just running about a 10th of a mile and walking a half mile twice a day. However, after just a week of doing this I am experiencing anterior shin splints (I have very flat feet). I am really starting to enjoy running and I am starting to see a bit of improvement in my stamina and breathing already. The shin splints are fairly mild and only hurt for a little while after a workout.

SO my question is:

Do I have to stop running to allow them to heal or is it ok to push through it?

I will be getting some better shoes ASAP. Other than that, anything else I can do to help with the shin splints?

I am going to go get some better shoes today--any tips on what to look for in a good shoe? Not looking to spend a ton of money as I am just getting started.

My horse was at a show today, he was quite well behaved and calm. However, when the other horse from the barn left his stall (not a horse my horse is particularly close to any other time), he will call every minute or so. It is insanely annoying. Otherwise, my horse seemed fairly calm, eating his hay and not getting worked up. What can be done about calling? My horse is so vocal away from home and I find it quite nerve wracking and embarrassing.

Going to be doing some schooling shows in the near future. Last year I showed in the Fall, so a vest over a long sleeved shirt was weather appropriate and neat. For summer, I am thinking my polar fleece vest would look very out of place and ridiculous. I could wear a polo, but the problem is I do not feel comfortable with how I look with the polo tucked into my breeches, the look is not flattering on me, and I know that my self consciousness will translate into my ride. Has anyone seen any light weight summer vests anywhere? Or even polo type shirts that are banded at the bottom so you get the tucked in look without actually having to tuck them in? Would it be absolutely awful to not tuck my shirt in?

Curious about the Welsh pony breed. I understand that the different sections represent different types and variations, but what I am wondering is how the section process works. Are the sections essentially unique breeds that require certain lineage? For instance-does a Section A have to come from Section A parents? Are they automatically a certain section at birth or is there a testing process?

Just wondering, have been doing a bit of reading and while I have found info on what each Section entails, i haven't turned anything up yet on the process. Thanks:)

From the US btw;) which is why I am so clueless about this probably as there aren't many Welshes around my region.

Lesson activities for a very young rider?

A friend is giving lessons to a very young rider (5) and I am trying to help her identify some activities we can do. These are of course on the informal side and kept very safe, she is on a quiet horse and will stay on the lead line.

Because she is young, we are trying to think of fun, short things she can do. We've done the riding with no hands, toe ear and tail reaches, leading around cones, Simon Says etc. Looking for a few suggestions on short, fun activities that a youngster can do undersaddle while on a lead line.

Thanks!

First of all, I would just like to note that I have and will always use a professional saddler when it comes to saddles for my horse, this is just something I'd like to learn more about.

Does anyone have any good text of video links on the topic of saddle fitting? As I said, the topic interests me. I have done some browsing but I haven't turned up the greatest resources as of yet.