Missy

Over the last 2 years my gelding has slowly progressed to flipping out whenever someone touches his ears. First, he would just slightly elevate his head when it was time to bridle him, then it progressed to him pulling his head to the side, then going backward, then not letting me touch his ears at all (so obviously, no bridling). I can't let anything else touch his ears either, and even though I've yet to have problems haltering him (I do not slide the halter over his head, I do it the old fashioned way and buckle it up) he is now elevating his head in anticipation of me brushing up against his ears.

What could this be? I originally thought training issue, but I'm beginning to wonder... Because I was able to bridle him without his panicking a couple of months ago (he would elevate his head but wouldn't flip out or rear). I have never pinched his ears, or banged his teeth, they are floated once a year. He still has no problem accepting the bit, it is JUST his ears.

I'm at a loss. It's not ear mites or anything that other horses can contract, he has been in with my mare constantly for the last 5 years and I can do anything with her ears. In all my years of having horses, training, and owning this boy (had him since he was 11 months) I have never encountered an issue that has progressed the way this one has. He was on free lease when this issue began two years ago, so that's what lead me to believe it was a training issue... Because before she took him on free lease I could bridle him no problem, and play with his ears... Now if I touch one he pulls his head away and goes to rear.

Could it be an ear infection of some sort? I'm not familiar with ear infections in horses.

My 15 year old male ringneck constantly has really long toenails. We only clip them when absolutely necessary, because it's really traumatizing for him... But even when we clip them, a week or two later they have grown again and are just as sharp and long as before.

I recently bought him a cement perch which is supposed to help file the nails, but he isn't the kind of bird that "plays around" - He just sits on his perch and talks, so the perch isn't doing much for his nails.

Is there any other kind of tool I can use that will help file his toenails? I've never had this problem with any other parakeets I've had.

I have a coming 22 year old QH mare who has foaled successfully without complications three times before (her last foal was in 2001). I however, did not own her at the time so this is my first time dealing first hand with a pregnant mare. She is a completely healthy mare who has never in her life had any complications of any kind. She was ultrasounded 4 weeks after exposure and was confirmed in foal with a large embryo and a healthy-looking uterus.

She is now just a few days past 7 months and today I noticed her teats were a little larger than normal. I thought it may by mastitis, but on close examination I gave a teat a gentle squeeze and out came what looked like milk. I have been told by my friend who has been breeding horses for 25 years that some mares will lactate their entire pregnancy (three of her mares do) but I was also told it could be a sign of abortion. Just wanting some more input from other horse-experienced people and what they think this might be as I am concerned. Should I get the vet out again to check to see if she's still in foal? She's not really showing much belly yet (although, she has always been an easy keeper lol) but to me it looks like it's hanging lower than normal.