Road Apples

Ok, here's the backstory, and it's happened three times now.

I've been on Loestrin 24 Fe for almost three years now, but have only recently become sexually active. I was put on birth control due to excessively heavy bleeding and really bad cramping that would leave me in bed for several days.

Anywho...

I haven't had any instances of breakthrough bleeding until recently. Usually we're somewhat active, but we don't really plan when we have sex, it just kind of happens, lol. The couple of times we have been able to plan something, however, despite my being in the middle of a pill pack, I will get more bleeding than when my pack ends and I menstruate.

Is it possible that I get so excited and anticipate our rendezvous enough that my hormones override the Loestrin and cause me to menstruate?

I'm going to ask my gyno next time I see her, but it doesn't seem to be anything worrying, just annoying when I can plan to get him all to myself, lol.

I've begun the long and tedious process of looking at pickups. I honestly don't know where to start.

I'm looking to haul what will probably be a two-horse trailer with up to two large drafts in it (approx. 2000 lbs apiece- might need to modify a three-horse slant-load), probably a gooseneck with only a tack room, no "living quarters."

Since I'd use it around the farm, I'd like it to be 4x4. Automatic transmission. I'd like a regular cab with 8' bed.

Haven't decided yet on gas or diesel... blaaahhh on fuel prices, lol.

Do I need a dually?

What kind of towing capacity should I look for (no clue what trailers weigh...)?

What other considerations do I need to take into account?

How much does it cost to have the fifth wheel put in?

What's your preferred make/model?

Pros/cons?

I just need a starting point. My thoughts are all over the place on what exactly I want, so I just put the basics up there. My budget isn't inexhaustible, I'd like to stay under $35,000 new or used.

Thanks!

I am looking to officially adopt my very first horse from a rescue I have been working at for the past year and a half (and volunteered at for eight months prior to that). I've cared for these horses on an almost-daily basis, and am fully aware of what I'm getting myself into in regards to their health and training (which is why my decision is so tough).

One is a gelding, with whom I have a very strong bond. However, he has Stringhalt and at only 8 he already has hock arthritis. He will probably not be sound for more than easy trail rides and the occasional gaming show and halter classes. I have resigned myself to the fact that I cannot afford a pasture ornament, and that taking him to a boarding facility will starve him of all the attention he gets from going to exhibitions, shows, and day-to-day at the farm. I love him to pieces, but I know in all fairness he would be better off staying at the rescue and having his ego inflated.

I am torn between two mares at the farm, one is a daughter of the other.

The daughter arrived stunted, and at age three, she is still growing after being put on the right diet. I have worked with her to get her over her extreme phobia of having her feet handled, to being almost ready to have her first ride (we're waiting for her to mature a bit more physically, she probably won't be backed until summer). She is very smart (like her dam), and I have a close bond with her as well (probably more of a trust and respect relationship than "love"). Seeing as she isn't under saddle yet, we don't know what her limitations may be.

The dam, however, has been under saddle for approx. six months, and I am taking Dressage lessons with her to get her "finished." She, too, had big feet issues, and in gaining her trust I was able to get her over that fear of having her feet touched. But... we discovered she has stifle issues, where if she turns too quickly or is asked to canter, her stifles lock and she panics (which usually ends up with the rider becoming a lawn dart). There is the distant possibility that as she gets more in shape (whew, it's been a battle getting her off her forehand!), she will no longer have those issues, but it certainly is NOT a guarantee. I forgot to mention, she would need to be trimmed at least every four weeks, as she gets trippy easily (my farrier would be interested in teaching me to rasp in between); she might have to go in front shoes to move back her breakover, so that would definitely be a huge added expense every month.

So I guess the big dilemma is this: Would it make sense to choose the horse who may in the future be able to go W/T/C and I can show dressage on, etc.? Or should I go with the filly I have worked with from the ground up, who we have no idea what her riding capabilities might be? It sounds like a no-brainer, but I have a greater relationshiop with the filly than her dam.

I should probably wait until the filly is actually under saddle, but there are others interested in her, and I'd have to make my decision relatively quickly. The mare is turning out to be a good lesson horse for the rescue, but I don't think anyone else would be able to continue her dressage education the way we have been progressing.

Ugh, I know I just ramble, but I just need some guidance as to what YOU would do in this situation. I feel the time is right to get a horse, and those are the ones I would be most comfortable getting.

I'm going to start showing a roan Clydesdale filly in hand, but I'm not sure which color-enhancer to use. She's more on the bay side, but has a lot of white spots through her coat, plus her face, mane, tail, and feathers. If I use red shampoo on her body, it kind of makes the white spots disappear and she loses that flash. Obviously, I'm going to use purple on her face and feathers, but what do I do to keep the roaning apparent but the coat still red? And do I use purple in her main and tail to have the white stand out?

We just took in 10 Polish Arabian mares from that big seizure from Canterbury Farms in MD. So they have the halters on they came with (they were all haltered as part of the roundup, and just got whatever put on them), but some of them are too small to be on long (we need to leave the halters on because some are somewhat feral). We are a draft horse rescue, so any spare halters we have are way too big. I'm going to buy a few to donate... So should we go with pony size or cob for the Arabians? They're all pretty small, under 15hh (when you work with drafts, anything under 17hh is small, lol) and small heads.

Here's the deal:

My father has been through two divorces, and is now engaged to a third wife.

From what I have seen she treats him like crap.

I am a mature adult, but whenever I see how she treats him, I feel a tremendous amount of anger. But when I go to confront him about it, I break down in tears, I'm so angry. And whenever I see him, she is around, so with her hovering I really can't get him alone without causing a scene.

I think he is truly blind about how she treats him. They've known each other for six months, and have only been dating for a fraction of that time. I know there are some people out there who meet the love of their life and get married after a couple of days and live happily ever after, but she certainly isn't his soulmate.

She complains about every little thing he does. We had dinner at my father's house a couple of nights ago, and she was whining about him getting the wrong kind of bread (the kind he had gotten was way nicer than what he usually gets), she didn't want kidney beans mixed in with her black beans from the big pot of chili, he wasn't making the rice right (which she had started, and he had never made before)... it was the dinner from hell. I sent a few meaningful looks in my father's direction, but he never picked up on them. I refrained from saying anything because her children were there.

This has been building for a while, but her behavior at dinner sent me over the edge, and I realized I don't want my dad to be with her any more.

Now that I've had some time to cool off, I've written this letter, but haven't sent it yet:

"Before you go off doing something stupid…

I want you to know how I feel about ____.

I don’t want you to marry her. Ever.

Do you really not see how $hitty she treats you? Judging by your posting of “I’m engaged” on Facebook the night after the dinner at your house, I’d say you don’t.

You normally love cooking. But her whining and complaining seriously bummed you out. And seeing you bummed out really bums me out, too.

Being ill is no excuse for how she acted that night, or how much she whines about every little thing you do or any thing that is not done her way.

She should be grateful we went out of our way to accommodate her childish “I don’t like kidney beans” fit.

She should be grateful you got better bread than you usually do, even if it wasn’t Sourdough.

Her behavior at the dinner pissed me off, and I only refrained from saying more than “Geez, she’s picky” and visibly rolling my eyes to make you get the hint because her kids were there.

And in case you think I don’t like her just because of the dinner (wah, she was sick, yada yada yada), I think her behavior in general is immature and unbecoming of anyone older than the age of twelve. Honestly, who throws a fit and cries over someone not accepting a “Friend” request on Facebook?!?!?!

She needs to grow up and stop taking advantage of you. She’s sucking the life out of you.

You need to realize that you don’t need to be in a constant cycle of dating less than six months, then engaged, then married, then divorced in a couple of years, then back dating again. There’s no rush to get engaged. It’s okay to date someone for longer than a year, and it’s okay to break up with people (it’s a hell of a lot easier than divorce)."

I realize there's some immature language in there, but that's some of the anger coming across even a couple of days later. I'm going to give it a day or so to sit before sending it.

Is sending such a letter an appropriate response? I really can't talk to him in person about it, because I will break down crying and babbling incoherently, and once a woman starts crying, my dad just tunes it out and plays ignorant.

Thanks for your advice.

I've searched around for a cooler that would fit a Clydesdale who wears a 90" blanket, but most companies have said that they would have to make one custom-fit. So instead of paying over $100 for a custom cooler, I'm considering making one myself. No one I know has a cooler big enough for him, so I can't borrow one to take measurements.

Any ideas? Places I can find a cooler pattern? Or what proportions?

I need some suggestions as to good barn work boots.

I currently wear tall Bogs muck boots (rubber on the foot, neoprene above that up the calf), but my feet get way too sweaty (completely soaking through thick wool socks), which makes my feet incredibly sore from being wet for 8+ hours.

I've tried my desert combat boots, but the holes that make them breathe let in a lot of water (and somehow the cleaning kit doesn't have anything that will remove caked-on horse slop).

I need something with support that will breathe (i.e. not rubber), but still keep my feet warm and dry in the mud and snow for days that can go as long as 12 hours. Since my faux-Carhartts are a little short around the ankle, I'd like the boots to be a little taller, maybe halfway up the calves if possible.

I'm going to need to wear the boots every week day until the end of January, so they need to have little to no break-in time, yet still be affordable (i.e. less than $200 if possible).

I really like Ariat's men's work boots, but I need a size 6 in men's, and they just don't make them that small.

Thanks! I know I'm a little nitpicky, but when you need to be on your feet for that long, you can't afford to not take care of them.

I've been asked to show a horse from a local rescue at an upcoming dressage show.

I've been taking dressage lessons, but they're more focused towards proper connection, communication, and engagement than "Extended Trot from ___ to ___."

I've been told it's not a formal show, that it would be fine to look nice but not totally dressed up, and they don't even care if you're on the correct diagonal or not.

What I don't know to expect is how the classes are going to work? I'm assuming it's one person at a time, but who calls out your test? How long are the tests? How hard are they? I'm just going to do W/T, what kind of things do they ask you to do? How early do you see the tests? I don't even know how the classes are divided up...

I'm definitely going to talk to my riding instructor about what to expect, I'd just like to know what to start working on and what specifically to ask her about.

I've become very attached to a young (six years old) Clydesdale gelding at a rescue in my area, and he has bilateral Stringhalt. As far as I know, he is not medicated in any way, and his diet is not restricted at all, either. He has significant muscle wasting, but is in very light arena work (mostly walk, only a little trot because it's hard to ride a trot that feels like the horse has a flat tire, lol) once or twice a week, occasionally a ride in a hilly pasture.

He's certainly not the brightest bulb in the box (he's been at the rescue for six months and still doesn't know where his stall is), but he has such a lovable personality that I'd like to help him out if I can.

Are there any medications or supplements that he can be put on to help him recover? Some days are better than others, but he's nowhere near as bad as he was when he got there (he was a belly-kicker).

Are there any training regimens that would help him? I've done a little dressage on him at the walk to get him to become more flexible and get him to use his hind end more; is more exercise better for him? Should I make him trot hills and cavaletti to make him use his hind end and increase his hind muscle, or will that make his Stringhalt worse?

He is safe to ride as long as you recognize what kind of day he's having, and occasionally he's good enough to canter a lap or two in the (small-ish) indoor.

Also, can I expect a complete recovery in the long term? He is such an honest horse, I think if I were in the position to, I would adopt him, but I want to make sure the Stringhalt would be at least manageable, if not able to be completely cured.

I'm getting a tack trunk as a college graduation gift, and I am looking at some of my options within the budget. I currently have almost everything except my saddle squeezed into one of these: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_... I really like the portability, so wheels are a plus.

Here are the few I am considering:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=x1-273...

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=x1-273...

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=x1-275...

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=x1-473...

I need it to fit an 18" AP saddle as well as all my other horse stuff, like boots, breeches, helmet, half chaps, grooming supplies, polo wraps, saddle pads, etc. The saddle is in a thick padded case, so I'm not really concerned about scratches while getting it in, but I don't want to have it always squeezed and give me curled flaps. My plan is, if the plastic is strong enough, I'd like to screw in a saddle rack like this: http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=x1-272... inside and be able to put stuff underneath so in case something spills it doesn't get all over my saddle.

I'm leaning towards the Horseman's Pride trunk, but my biggest concern is saddle fit for that. The others not so much, I just haven't seen them in person. I know someone with the HP trunk, and if I have to I'll take my saddle over to their place and see how mine would fit.

I'd like to hear about experiences with any or all of the above trunks? Or why you didn't/wouldn't buy a certain one? I kind of like the Fairfield because it looks nice and has a sliding tray and removable tote, but I don't know if it is big enough for all my stuff. So here's the order of what I'm liking most at the moment (from favorite to less favorite):

1. Horseman's Pride Trunk (http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=x1-273...

2. Sportote Deluxe Trunk (http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=x1-273...

3. Fairfield Trunk (http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=x1-275...

4. Sportote Tack Trunk (http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=x1-473...

If I must resign myself to not being able to fit my saddle in it, I think the Fairfield would be my first choice. If that were to be the case, what would my saddle storage options be? It's in a nice protective case, but I feel I need to put it on a proper rack.

Another option I haven't discussed with the gifter is building my own tack trunk (which would more resemble a tack cabinet) and having them provide some funding for the supplies. Obviously, this isn't as convenient as buying a ready-made tack trunk, but would allow for more customization. My mother, however, would like use of her garage over the summer, so I don't know where I'd build it.

BUT, the reason I'm not considering a full-out custom trunk right now is because I don't own a horse at the moment. Once I am closer to being able to afford a horse, I will more than likely pursue building my own cabinet. All the horse stuff I have right now is pretty much riding-related from taking lessons and showing for a while, so once I get all the horse-ownership-related stuff, I will upgrade.

The trunks I am looking at now are just supposed to get me maybe 5-7 years until I need one that will hold blankets, halters, bridles, lead ropes, etc.

As you can see, this is a little complicated.

Any advice?

I'll give a thumbs-up to everyone who has bothered to read this far, LOL.

I learned today that one of the horses I look after sometimes was born with a tendon deformity that caused the tendons to form over his hooves. This was years ago, and he had surgery to fix them and now you can't even tell, except he will never be riding sound (which is a shame, because he would probably be so much fun to ride!).

Anyway, does anyone know what the defect is called? I couldn't really find anything on Google that looked like what was described to me, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't contracted tendons because the deformity involved the tendons on the front of his pasterns.

Just found an awesome website where you can find forms for all sorts of things, like breeding contracts, buying/selling/leasing, a bit of everything.

http://www.equine.com/help/legal.aspx?utm_source=f...

So, to make this an actual question...

What situations have you encountered when you wished you'd had a contract? Do you make your own contracts? Have you ever been hindered by a contract?

I had to get a prescription filled at a Wal-Mart near my college, and I'm going to have to get a refill while I'm at home over spring break. Can I get it refilled at a Wal-Mart pharmacy near my home? I know how to transfer prescriptions, but I'm going to have to refill it up at school in the future as well, so I'm trying to avoid transferring it for the moment if I can.

Their website isn't exactly helpful, that's why I'm asking on here.

I saw this article earlier today: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100131/ap_on_re_us/us...

and I figure it could be very useful in the barn. I'm going to get a tin and use it on my mare's chest and belly once the spring bugs come out. What do you (individually) use it for? What are some other practical applications at the barn?

Just curious :)

We have a mare who over the summer gets very scabbed up under her girth and belly from scratching at insect bites. Now that it's winter, she's not having much of a problem, but there are a few persistent scabs. I'd like to use something to loosen them up that won't sting or itch, because she's found a way to scratch her belly on the rough ground, which just makes it worse. Someone suggested diaper rash cream- any favorite brands? Desitin, Butt Paste, etc.? The vet has checked her out and said at the moment that it's not infected or bacteria or fungus-related, they're just remnants that are still tender and mildly irritating. I've clipped the patch so the hairs aren't being pulled, too. And she's had her teats cleaned as well, and she's on a rotating dewormer schedule.

In the summer, we use fly predators and marigold fly spray, but she's just a bug magnet.

So... diaper rash cream? Other good products? How to help her better next summer?

Thanks!

I was mucking my horse's stall today, and found a yellow plastic shell casing- I think it was caught in his shoe in the pasture and it came out in his stall. It was yellow and on the copper (?) end it said "Winchester." I know nothing about guns, but I want to know what kind of bullet it was, and what it's used for- could someone be hunting deer on our property? Our property is strictly off-limits to hunters, with many signs around and within the property informing people of it, as well as regular patrols by game warden. Obviously, I am very concerned if someone has been on my property (and in my horse's pasture!) with a weapon and fired it. Someone told me the herd took off the other day, looking completely terrified, but they couldn't recall if they heard any gunfire. It is possible that the casing has been there since before the property was built upon (around 8 years), but because we mow the pastures so often, one would think that it would have been more damaged- it only looks like it was squished from being stepped on, and a little muddy.

Please help!

Again- what kind of bullet came from it, and what is it used for?

Thanks!

Does anyone know if the saddle case fits a 17.5" AP saddle?

Here's a link:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-339...

I'm having issues drawing a sector. I want to draw the bottom half of a circle, from pi to 0.

Here's the code that's not working for me:

Circle (130, 345), 10, , -pi, (-0.0001)

It's drawing a line, and not the semi-circle.

It's my first class with Visual Basic, we're supposed to keep it simple.

Thanks!

I have an 8-year-old standard-sized Yorkshire Terrier (he's about the size of a beagle) and we've had him for about a year and a half. His previous owners found his behavior amusing, and he has improved greatly since we've had him, but we're still having some issues.

99% of the time, he is very well-behaved and easy-going. However, there is no in-between with him: he is either very good and happy, or he turns into Cujo.

We have the most problems when we try to do anything to him, like feel in his fur for ticks or trim his nails or give him a haircut. He just does not like to be messed with, and has even bitten the vet through a muzzle (and he was on "doggie downers" at the time as well), and he has been banned from PetSmart grooming. We are always forced to physically restrain him, and because of this we are not sure he is going to live as long as our previous dogs (just because of the fact that if he's hurt we cannot help him).

His behavior started after he had to spend several months at the vet because he was hit by a car (this was before we got him), and his previous owner has just found out that that vet uses shock collars on the dogs in there so they don't bark- and my dog is very vocal, that's for sure.

At the present, if he starts growling at us, we firmly tell him "no" and remove him from the situation- if he's on the couch, we make him get down by tipping over the cushion. If he's on my mother's lap and is growling at me (jealousy is a big problem when I'm home), I don't leave until he stops growling.

When grooming, he is very food-motivated, and I've gotten to the point where I can trim his bangs if I hold a training treat in front of his nose, and I have taught him that he is rewarded for being patient (by making him sit and stay when I put his food bowl down, and releasing him with a vocal command). The only thing he really enjoys is getting a bath, because he loves getting toweled off and massaged by the water.

I just want to be able to take him places without worrying about his behavior, and how bad he looks because we can't trim his nails or give him that great of a haircut. I'm going to be home for winter break for about a month, and plan to do behavior boot camp with him, including going to the vet for weight checks and putting him on the table, etc, and rewarding him for good behavior. I do not hit my dog- I do not want him to be afraid of me, because that just makes him so much worse as his previous owners used to hit him.