britjayhawk0405

Well, foot size and calf are fairly straightforward, but how do you properly measure the height? I was having trouble finding boots that fit my height (all are way too tall), so I thought I may be measuring incorrectly and now I'm even more unsure. I have read so many "guides" that give conflicting information.

Some say to do it seated, with your foot flat and knees at a 90 degree angle, while others say to do it while standing.

Some guides say to measure from the floor to the bottom of the "bend" of the knee, while others say to measure from floor to the bony protrusion at the outside of the knee.

Some guides say that whatever results is your proper measurement, while others tell you to add half an inch.

And while measuring the height, do you measure perpendicular to the floor (straight up from heel to knee), or contour the tape against the back of your leg?

Right now the measurement I have is a 15" (measured perpendicular to the floor to the bottom of the bend of the knee, nothing added)- and I am not finding any boots in a women's size 7 that are anywhere near that short (with the exception of a few that assume if I am that short, then my calf must be massive?). I'm really hoping there's a problem with how I'm doing it, because custom boots are definitely not in my budget and I've heard horror stories about people paying hundreds/thousands of dollars and their "custom" boot coming in extremely ill-fitting.

((I am having the worst time getting this question to actually appear in the section and/or have the image link actually work. Major apologies for the redundancy if this ends up double/triple/etc-posted.))

My trainer got a new horse in for me to ride. He's very green, but really fun and so sweet. It sounds like he came from a bit of a shady background, or at best some people who just didn't understand that he hated the jobs they were having him do (barrel racing, then endurance races). That and couldn't keep weight on him, as the lady who now owns him and is leasing to my trainer had to take a year to get him back up to weight, I'm told.

He's now learning about indoor arenas, balancing a rider around corners, and carrying a rider over a small line of fences. He's a little sensitive, but has a good brain and tries hard.

This is just a quick picture snapped with a phone after my lesson/his bath, so sorry he is not stood up squarely, but any comments on his conformation? I have my own guesses, but I like hearing others' input to sharpen my eye.

((Image link will be added momentarily, as I believe this is what is keeping the question from posting properly.))

He looks rather warmblood-y to me, but he doesn't have a brand and I'm doubtful someone would have grabbed a WB and had their first thought be "barrel racer!" I'm guessing on a stocky TB or a larger QH, or some mix of the two/three/something else. And theories (and why)?

Thanks everyone!

((I am having the worst time getting this question to actually appear in the section and/or have the image link actually work. Major apologies if this ends up double-posted.))

My trainer got a new horse in for me to ride. He's very green, but really fun and so sweet. It sounds like he came from a bit of a shady background, or at best some people who just didn't understand that he hated the jobs they were having him do (barrel racing, then endurance races). That and couldn't keep weight on him, as the lady who now owns him and is leasing to my trainer had to take a year to get him back up to weight, I'm told.

He's now learning about indoor arenas, balancing a rider around corners, and carrying a rider over a small line of fences. He's a little sensitive, but has a good brain and tries hard.

This is just a quick picture snapped with a phone after my lesson/his bath, so sorry he is not stood up squarely, but any comments on his conformation? I have my own guesses, but I like hearing others' input to sharpen my eye.

http://12acrefarm.webs.com/Abel.jpg

He looks rather warmblood-y to me, but he doesn't have a brand and I'm doubtful someone would have grabbed a WB and had their first thought be "barrel racer!" I'm guessing on a stocky TB or a larger QH, or some mix of the two/three/something else. And theories (and why)?

Thanks everyone!

((Asked this earlier and realized the picture link was broken. Hopefully this one will work.))

My trainer got a new horse in for me to ride. He's very green, but really fun and so sweet. It sounds like he came from a bit of a shady background, or at best some people who just didn't understand that he hated the jobs they were having him do (barrel racing, then endurance races). That and couldn't keep weight on him, as the lady who now owns him and is leasing to my trainer had to take a year to get him back up to weight, I'm told.

He's now learning about indoor arenas, balancing a rider around corners, and carrying a rider over a small line of fences. He's a little sensitive, but has a good brain and tries hard.

This is just a quick picture snapped with a phone after my lesson/his bath, so sorry he is not stood up squarely, but any comments on his conformation? I have my own guesses, but I like hearing others' input to sharpen my eye.

http://12acrefarm.webs.com/Abel.jpg

He looks rather warmblood-y to me, but he doesn't have a brand and I'm doubtful someone would have grabbed a WB and had their first thought be "barrel racer!" I'm guessing on a stocky TB or a larger QH, or some mix of the two/three/something else. And theories (and why)?

Thanks everyone!

I am fortunate enough to have been offered two positions as a pharmacy intern. One position is with a large retail chain, and the other with a small hospital.

I was offered the retail position first, and so had already accepted it and am training for the position. This employer and I agreed on me working roughly two days a week, but they are willing to adjust my schedule if needed to accommodate my studies. When I mentioned during my interview that I was eventually interested in entering the field of veterinary pharmacy, the pharmacist mentioned that this corporation would soon be starting up a pet prescription program (but no mention of specifically when).

However, today I was also offered the position at the hospital. The job seems like something I would enjoy more, as well as have some additional influence over my duties since they are just starting the pharmacy intern position at the hospital (I would be the first intern). However, it sounds like the hours would only be one or two weekends a month, and I was looking for at least one day a week. On the other hand, I would get more experience relevant to veterinary pharmacy (such as dosing, compounding and preparing IV bags) in a hospital setting.

Both work environments seem very nice, the other employees and supervisors friendly, helpful, and flexible. The commute time is the same, although I may experience more traffic going to the retail position during rush hour. Pay is not particularly important to me, since I know it will be roughly the same at either position, and much more than I was making the previous semester.

I could also potentially accept both positions, however, I am worried that this would become overwhelming once school starts (I am a pharmacy student and my course load is much harder/more time-consuming than the average student with the same number of hours).

Which position would you go for? While any pharmacy experience will be beneficial for school, I am not quite certain that the benefits of either position outweigh the disadvantages of the other, thus I am confused.

Are there other factors I have overlooked that I should consider?

Would it be wise/feasible to do both?

I have been asking my family and some classmates their advice as well, but I figured some outside, unbiased opinions wouldn't hurt. Opinions from pharmacists on which would be more beneficial during pharmacy school would be greatly appreciated, if available.

We get the question in the Horse section all the time about how much it costs to keep *a* horse, and almost invariably, somebody answers "it varies," since, well, it does. ;) What's normal for one type of horse/geographical region is outlandishly expensive/unbelievably cheap for another.

So, horsepeople, give us a rundown. How much do(es) YOUR horse(s) cost to board, feed, shoe, ride, train, etc?

(And guess what? The more/better answers we get, the more "how much does it cost?" people we can point to this question as reference! ;) hurrah!)

---

MY HORSES:

Board: $0/month, as they are kept at my fiance's parents' house (Although the barn I take lessons at charges $600/month for stall board.)

Grain: $75/month for each horse, one being fed Nutrena Senior, and one being fed SafeChoice. They go through 6 bags/month each, and we are friends with the feed store owner who gets us a $12/bag deal.

Hay: $0/month, since we bale and put up our own brome hay for this year. At one time over last winter, we spent about $50/month per horse for hay.

Supplements: $22.50/month for the two-year old, and $41.50/month for the senior mare

Wormer: $6 to $11 per dose, depending on which active ingredient

Farrier: $90 for both horses' feet trimmed, every 6 weeks, or $120 if the mare gets front shoes

Vet: $70 for shots, $30 for teeth floating. However, the vet is a friend and also does not charge us for traveling, since we live next door to her mother, who also has horses.

Lessons: $160/month

Saddles: one 20+ year old Collegiate that cost me $450 at least 10 years ago, and a $1700 Tucker Gen II High Plains trail saddle

Bridles: two were "inherited," the third was a cheap-y Kincaide that cost about $45 new

Halter/Lead: about $25 for a nylon halter + cotton lead

Winter Blankets: about $90 per horse, new

I don't mean those who can't afford them financially, or those who don't have enough time, are abusive to people/animals, etc.

I mean someone who is genuinely interested in horses, is taking lessons (and has been for a while), wants to learn about them, seems to be financially and emotionally stable... but they just don't quite "get it."

For a mild example (and example only!!), I know a girl at my barn whose father wants to buy her a horse, and though she comes regularly to lessons (and has for some time), seems to really struggle in her lessons and with horse care on the lesson horses. Sometimes it seems she isn't trying, but others it seems she just really doesn't have a clue, despite our trainers' best efforts (as well as the working student's and myself, who answer any question she has for us).

She is a very nice and friendly girl, and doesn't seem to intentionally want to do any harm to the horses, but she does have her moments that make me wonder. She seems to forget what needs to happen from one lesson to the next. Things like how to put polos on (despite being shown almost weekly), the fact that her lesson horse needs polos, that baths are necessary in this heat, how her course should go (after saying it back to the trainer), diagonals, how to unhook/adjust various parts of the bridle, how to adjust her stirrups, not to let the horse cut corners, etc. Every week I hear my trainer working on the same problems- almost more to do with *what* she needs to be doing rather than actual equitation/riding problems.

She is old enough to drive and have a job, so not too young to remember these things from one week to the next.

I feel badly for her, because I'd love it if anyone who loved horses and had the funds could have one... but I'd want those horses to be safe and comfortable as well! (I also feel badly because it seems her father gets grouchy at her for not progressing any so that he can buy her a horse, so perhaps getting the horse isn't her idea/desire at all, but I can't say for certain.)

Enough of the storytelling (since it is merely an example, and not a question of whether this particular girl should get a horse since I am not fully informed of her situation), though, and back to the basic question...

Do you believe that it is possible that a person who loves horses, and wants to learn about them (and does try to learn), can still have a hard enough time understanding basic care and riding principles that they should not own horses?

I live in the Midwest, and temperatures here are in the 90s with high humidity.

Every year starting in late spring, I become less able to ride due to the heat. After grooming and tacking up, simply warming up my horse gets me to the point where I can barely go a lap around the arena without having to stop to drink, breathe, and/or use a wet towel to cool off. When I get hot, I become unable to really catch my breath and feel weak and shaky.

This past month after jumping in my lessons I have essentially had to immediately get off the horse after my 'final' course, take off helmet/chaps/gloves and sit down to rest, drink, and cool off, otherwise I am certain I would have collapsed. Today I had my trainer running across the ring with a soaked towel ready to grab the horse and me doing an 'emergency dismount' before I even hit the exit gate so I could stand in front of a fan. Thank god my fiance always comes with me, so he has been able to grab my mare and cool her off while I am recovering.

It has gotten to the point where my lessons are hardly bearable, let alone fun. My 'hour' lessons generally run 30-40 minutes now because that is all I can stand. I can hardly think of riding my horses at home during the week because of the heat and how exhausted it makes me.

I try to take precautions- I moved my lesson to 10am so I would be riding during a cooler time of day. I wear as light/loose/breathable clothes as possible. I drink at least a water bottle worth of fluids during my lesson and continue to drink while tacking up and riding, plus my trainer and fiance are ready ringside with towels soaked in cold water. Lessons are in an indoor, shaded (obviously) arena with fans running all around.

We are thinking of moving the time even earlier, to 8:30am right after the ring opens and my trainer has instructed me to hydrate heavily the night before lessons.

Is there anything else I can do to make it more bearable, so that I might be able to last longer/actually enjoy riding in the summer? Or any ideas why I overheat so quickly compared to others?

I have been considering a Great Dane as our next dog (a few years down the road, yet), because I believe they fit well with our lifestyle (not very high energy, simple grooming, good with other dogs and small animals, trainable, and large enough to not be high-risk around horses). If I have any misconceptions about those things though, please correct me.

I'm not at all intimidated by their size (I have horses and honestly, when people tell me my 90-lb GSD is huge I don't understand what the fuss is about), and have read up on appropriate protein and fat levels for puppies. It doesn't seem like they actually eat as much as people think, either. I have also read that living space isn't really an issue because they are "couch potatoes," but I did want to throw it out there that by the time we got the Dane, we would be living on a farm with acreage (not that it would be an outside-only dog, by any means).

I wanted some more information about raising them and their breed-specific health issues, such as:

1) Should spay/neuter be delayed because of their growth pattern and large size, and if so, how long? Does this differ any between males and females?

2) How advisable is a gastropexy to prevent bloat? Approximately how much does this procedure cost? How early should this be done (and if it is relatively early, is it better then to move up the spay or hold off on the pexy)?

3) Are there any health tests that can be done in the parents to determine their status as far as Wobbler's goes? What tests should be done besides OFA and CERF testing?

4) I have read that keeping their exercise to a low level as a puppy is advisable. Can anyone clarify what a "low" or appropriate amount of exercise would be, and until what age is this advisable?

5) What size/dimensions for a crate is appropriate? We bought the largest one our local pet stores sell for our GSD, and I know there is no way that thing would be comfortable for an adult Dane.

I have been considering this breed for the future, and have been doing some online research about the breed. They seem like they may be a really good match for my fiance and I, but I wanted to see if *I* would be a good match for them.

So, for those who have had experience with or own(ed) Danes, what would you describe as the ideal home/living situation/owners for them? Ideal living quarters, routines, training methods, etc.? What sort of things should a Great Dane owner be willing to do/live with?

I would love as much detail as you are willing to give me, and also feel free to be as blunt as you want about what this breed absolutely -needs-.

I will give further details of my situation if requested, but I was trying to get relatively unbiased "what's right for the dog" opinions first.

I do not mean in a 'leave your dog outside 24/7 and hope it doesn't run away' sense.

I mean in an 'if you do not have a leash or within a solid fence at all times, there is a very high probability this dog will run away at some point' sense.

I am also referring to breeds that are not likely to respect electric-rope/electric-tape horse fencing around the perimeter of a property, do not become familiar with 'home' or boundaries, and would probably go 'roaming' if you didn't have eyes on them at all times. Our perimeter fencing will probably end up being quite similar to this: http://www.huttonville.com/nmferriwarehouse/pictur...

So what breeds would you call a good, sturdy, tall fence an absolute requirement?

Are there any websites that have honest, accurate, no-nonsense information about the different dog breeds? Alternately, dog breed 'selector' quizzes that do the same (and are actually accurate and comprehensive)?

I wanted to do some preliminary research, for several years down the road, but it seems a lot of the sites have inaccurate information, or will make every breed sound like they are wonderful for all owners- which we all know isn't true.

I know that every dog is an individual and that an individual dog of any breed could, maybe, pretty much be what any family needed, but I find it far better to try and match a breed to a lifestyle and start with that basic compatibility.

I am looking for some sort of resource that will say point-blank, 'don't consider this breed if xxx', 'this breed is harder to potty train than most', 'only experienced dog owners should consider this breed,' etc. along with the good things about the breed.

I rode a different horse in my lesson the other day and he had a new bit- one of the strangest I had ever seen (this is a boarder horse that is used in lessons and quiet enough for beginners to ride, so the tack is often up to the boarder).

Looked exactly like this: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p303/Milliebabe...

Google informs me that this is a "wonder gag." All I knew at the time was that it was a big old nasty thing, and the reins were attached on the bottom ring of the shank portion. Needless to say I was doing everything I could to be out of his face- probably to the point of having slightly long reins, but it was a 'lazy,' brief lesson with the working student, so I didn't much care.

Usually this horse rides in a twisted snaffle. I have seen this horse get a pretty good extended canter going, but have never seen him racing around out of control- in fact, compared to the horse I usually ride he felt pretty slow and dull. What's the point of putting something like that in a beginner lesson horse's mouth?

There is another girl who rides at my barn in the lesson before mine every week that is honestly a bit clueless about horse care. She has been riding quite some time and still needs help occasionally with tacking up, putting on wraps, knowing which tack/boots to use, when to give baths, etc. I am not certain if she just has never been really properly taught these things, and often am the one that helps her out before her lesson.

I recently found out that her dad is wanting to buy this girl her own horse, but I think she still has a lot to learn before she gets one.

I thought that maybe asking her if she would like to come to my house (she is a young adult, almost the same age as me, so that part isn't a big concern) every week or so and learn more about horse care with my horses. Would this be a good idea?

I wasn't sure how to ask about this however and phrase it in a way that makes it clear I want to help her out, but without insulting her?

Also, would it be improper to ask for compensation for these horse care 'lessons'? And again, how would I put that across without being rude?

I genuinely want to help this girl. She is very nice and seems like she wants to learn, but just needs a bit more help. I would hate to see her future horse suffer just because nobody ever took the time to teach her how to do things. I could also really use another source of money though, so I'd much prefer to get paid if I used my time and horses to do this.

How would you go about asking her?

The other day, we were out on the farm, and riding a dirt bike around the pasture. We suddenly had the idea to encourage our German Shepherd to run along to try and get him some good exercise, and he proceeded to race along beside/behind us at full speed for nearly 3 miles (still in the pasture, not the road, and not on a leash). After that, we quit, worried that he was going to get hurt running that fast for so long (we also slowed down a couple times while we were still doing circles to to make sure he didn't want to stop), and took him down to his water dish.

He was panting like mad and had slobber/foam all over his face, but after a drink of water he immediately jumped in to playing basketball with the family, so I don't think he really used up all of his energy.

Will a dog run themselves to death if they are enjoying it though, or will they slow down and stop if they have had enough?

He seemed to be having a blast running after the dirt bike on the grass, so I'd like to do it again (and maybe go further so he is properly tired), but I want to be sure I'm not going to have him keel over or hurt himself.

How far can a dog run full speed? And will they stop themselves when they've had enough?

Our local fun/schooling shows are mostly western. I wanted to start off exposing our 2-year-old to shows by entering him in some halter or showmanship classes, and I also guessed since I was taking him I might as well take the old Warmblood mare as well, so she is not left behind alone in the pasture.

So the two horses we would be trying to enter are a 2-year-old AQHA-registered Appendix gelding (definitely the lanky hunter type, NOT a bulky halter type) and a senior warmblood mare who is very good weight and in good condition for her age.

The classes the local show circuit tends to offer is usually something along the lines of:

Halter, Stock Type

Halter, Saddle Type

Halter, Registered Quarter Horse

Halter Horse, 2 & Under

Plus or minus a few classes because sometimes they divide by sex as well, and sometimes will add/subtract the horse age group classes. Then there are the showmanship classes as well, which we'd just be in open showmanship.

I am less confused about what to enter the 2-year-old TB-looking Appendix in as it seems he might have a couple of options, but where would I place the warmblood? Would she have to do showmanship only?

Is "Saddle Type" for gaited/saddleseat type horses, or any english-style horse?

We may be able to find some hunter-specific in-hand classes for them, but they will be few and far between, so this type of show is what we have the greatest chance of going to/going to more often over the summer. I just didn't want to look too out-of-place with my horses in the wrong class.

Is there an alternative to a muzzle to keep our GSD from chewing while I am out and he cannot be kept in the crate?

He cannot be kept in the crate because of his digestive problems. He has the famous German Shepherd stomach (which is a story in and of itself, he goes to the vet Saturday to get another round of tests). We keep him to a sensitive stomach dry food and absolutely no human food or treats, but he will still occasionally get diarrhea. We have noticed this tends to happen a lot more frequently if he is kept crated, which we think is due to stress.

So, we have been trying to leave him out of his crate as much as possible, but keeping him confined to the tiled kitchen where he has less things to get into. I always leave him with a full bowl of water and a few of his toys, but sometimes when I come home he will have pulled a newspaper from off the kitchen table (or something like that), and shredded it into a million pieces and left a big mess. He doesn't appear to actually eat it so far (and must not because he doesn't become sick afterward), but I'm crossing my fingers on that.

Is it wrong to muzzle him to keep him out of trouble while I'm gone?

Or is there anything else I can do to keep him from ripping things up when we'd like to avoid crating him?

(Also, if it's relevant he gets walked at least 3 times a day and goes out several times a week to run for a couple of hours on the farm. We're moving soon to our own farm where he could stay in an outside run or in the barn and won't have to stay in the kitchen where he can get at things, but right now that is the only place in our apartment we can keep him somewhat confined.)

I have noticed there are a few answers who raise and show rabbits with ARBA on here, so I wanted to ask a few questions. I am getting prepared to show Dwarf Hotot, and have been shadowing a fellow DH/Netherland breeder in my area. Please only answer if you show with ARBA (or the UK equivalent).

What breed(s) do you all raise?

Why did you choose these breeds?

Which is your least favorite breed and why?

What size cages and show carriers do you use for each breed? (I have been trying to find some decent cage size estimates for the larger breeds like Blanc de Hotot and Rhinelanders, but so much of that information seems directed at pet rabbit owners rather than someone who breeds show animals.)

Can you tell me a bit more about how the National Convention is run- how you enter rabbits, how the show is conducted (coop/carrier, are there runners or do you handle your own rabbits, what days/when judging happens), what other events occur, etc.?

Where I was growing up (St. Louis county), they didn't seem to have 4-H (or I wasn't aware of it in my area), so I was never involved in it as a kid, so I don't know a whole lot about it.

Now I am about to turn 21 and going to pharmacy school in Kansas where 4-H is a bigger thing. I love animals (especially horses, dogs, and rabbits), and I love teaching people how to care for animals- I am hoping to go into veterinary pharmacy upon graduation. I thought that 4-H sounds like it would be a good place for me to volunteer since I know the kids do animal-related projects, but I don't know too much else about the program.

What do 4-H volunteers/counselors/advisors do? Is there a specific type that works mainly with the animal portion?

Are there requirements to being in these positions (I already have to maintain BLS certification and vaccinations for pharmacy school)?

What would they expect me to know in order to be competent at teaching the kids?

Is this something that a relatively busy person could undertake (~17 hours of college classes a semester, plus I work part-time and have a fiance and horses)?

Here's the DreamHorse ad: http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_hors...

Here's his YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o46CtSaDz4M

Do you feel this horse is worth his asking price? (and why)

Also, what precisely is going on in the cross-country segment of the video? Is he fighting the rider, excited/scared about jumping, etc.?

Do you think he'd make a good show hunter?