Painter's Polka Dots

I've got a horse available to lease out and I'm having trouble finding someone to lease her to. If you live in my area and think you'd be interested, say so! Any suggestions on places to advertise?

I have given riding lessons before to more advanced riders, but I've never started off at the absolute beginnig with a rider who knows almost nothing. Any suggestions of some good exercises to do with the rider to help them with basic skills? It's been so long since I was a beginner, I can't remember much of what I did in lessons back then!

I'm teaching beginnig Western riding skills, but my background in riding and instruction includes Western pleasure, trail, Dressage, jumpers, hunters, equitation, and a variety of other disciplines, so I'm pretty open to the notion of cross-training regardless of wether you ride in an English or Western saddle.

I was thinking I will start off on the lunge line just getting comfortable with the walk and doing some stretching and balance exercises.

Once she makes it off the lunge, I was going to set up a basic obstacle course of a few cones and ground poles for her to ride around, over and between, to work on steering skills.

Any other suggestions of exercises to help a beginning rider develop balance, coordination, and good seat and position?

Thanks!

My puppy, a 10 week old boxer-pitbull mix (NO COMMENTS ON HIS BREED, THANK YOU! HE'S A RESCUE I DIDN'T BREED OR BUY), has a very aloof personality and, unlike every other puppy I've ever had, is not interested in pleasing me! He may or may not come when called- even sitting on the ground and enticing him with treats or a toy doesn't always work. He has no interest in walking with or following me around, and when the leash is on him, he fights it constantly. I cannot simply drag him everywhere- and that's what I have to do to get him to move. Treats do not work, nor does anything else I've tried, like squatting down, calling, patting my leg, etc.

I'm to a point where nothing I can find online is being helpful- it all assumes the puppy wants to follow me around- and he doesn't. He's a sweet a loving little guy, but he just has no interest in pleasing me.

Any advice on teaching him to walk on the leash? Something other than treats and calling him, since those don't work

Can anyone tell me- If I allow my Americauna hens (lay greenish or bluish eggs, also known as 'easter egg" chickens) to breed with my Light Brown Leghorn rooster (white eggs if it were a hen!), what will the the resulting offspring be like? Specifically, what color eggs will they lay?

Can anyone tell me about the genetics of egg color or refer me to a website that explains it?

I have never attended a cattle auction before, but am thinking of going and buying a calf or two to raise for my household.

Can someone translate this report for me? http://www.pulaskicountystockyard.com/market_repor...

Specifically, what is a "Springer?" A "Replacement?" Is this report really saying that a 100-200 lb steer sells for $109-$124? What does "Feeder" mean?

And why do the prices get lower as the steer gets bigger? That makes no sense...

Also, can you tell me about how a livestock auction works- and any tips for getting good prices or for what to look for to get a healthy calf or young steer?

Can someone explain about the 2 braids that seem to always be present in the mane of a tennessee walking horse in shows? What's the history or tradition of it? Are they special in some way, or do they just braid ribbons into a lock of hair?

It's a 1970's-era bass boat, and we ripped the entire floor out of it and re-did it, set it all in with new fiberglass. Then we sanded it all down smooth, and used Bondo to fill all the damaged areas and old holes from all the old equipment we took off. Now we'd like to paint it, but are unsure what kind of paint would be easiest to use and yet durable enough... it has to be something we can apply with brushes and/or rollers. Right now we're only looking to paint the interior, the floor, and the top side of the boat.