sarah

I'm upgrading my XC practice course, and looking for some obstacle ideas. Does anyone have any pics/videos of your favorite fences or obstacles? These fences are 3' and under.

For what reason do you choose not to wear a helmet? Do you feel that you are taking a risk when you don't? For what reason?

After a month of managing an abscess on what has a barefoot TB when I purchased him, he is finally sound and ready to start working. The dilemma is how to manage to foot, of which myself, my vet and my farrier and all have differing opinions. I had put shoes on the front prior to the abscess, so when the shoe was pulled, he was left with one on and on stall rest. He has graduated to a boot on the bare hoof and turn-out now that he's sound. The vet initially suggested leaving that hoof booted until the ground froze (it's fairly muddy here), then putting the shoe with a pad back on. The farrier agreed, but thought that considering the improved condition of the hoof, it would be acceptable to shoe/pad now. The most recent conversation with the vet was entirely different. He recommended investing a pair of riding boots (more rideable than the EZ Boot Trail he's wearing now) until spring. Here are my concerns: It's snowy/icy here in the winter, and I'm not thrilled about him not wearing studs. Considering the condition of his feet when I got him, barefoot is not an option. The foot that looks best at this point is the one that has the shoe. Also, he's a functional horse in training, and I'm not stoked about having a clunky boot on while attempting to teach him to move properly. That being said, I've never met anyone who has used a boot for anything other than trail riding, and I'm not convinced it as as much trouble as I think it is.

Has anyone had experience working in a boots? Is that really a more viable option than putting a show with pad on?

Recently acquired a horse I'm having difficulty naming, and could use some assistance.

He is a 4yo unraced TB gelding, bay with 2 white socks. I think he'll turn out fairly fancy, but I expect he'll always be a little goofy.

I'm a pretty big Red Sox fan, and so far, the winner is Fenway.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=24200732993...

I've recently been inundated with responses to my car for sale, which I've apparently prices too low. The first person to respond to my ad has offered to bring cash and take as is, but I've since had an offer well above my asking price. I feel obligated to take my asking price from the first person, but I am in no position to turn down extra funds. What would be reasonable in this situation?

I'm planning on buying a remote car starter for my boyfriend's favorite Jeep as a Christmas gift. We've set price limits this year, and while I'm looking at car starters, it seems that there may be other parts needed to install the starter other than what is involved in the kit. I'm definitely going to have it installed, I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas what might be needed other than the kit for this particular vehicle, to insure I stay within my budget.

I recently purchased an appendix mare who is very well trained in WP. I purchased her to retrain her to retrain her to event, but also to introduce myself to a more all-around type horse. To lighten the training, I take my horses cattle sorting on occasion. My concern is that my knowledge of WP is minimal to say the least, and I've always used snaffles to train and sort in. dg

I'm struggling right now to find her a bit we can agree on - the french link I usually use is not the winner, but considering we'll be spending the rest of the winter just playing around, I'm not really concerned about that yet. What I'd like to do is put her in something that I can sort in, but may be more "westerny" than the snaffle I usually use... I rode her in something with a shank when I bought her, and I'm thinking for this, I'd like to put her back in one. Any ideas on something that she might be accustomed to that would be acceptable to sort in?

I've finally worked out how to sync my MP3 player primarily by giving up on Itunes and using Windows Media Player. I've also tried Allway Sync, which seems OK as well. The EXTREMELY frusterating part now, of course, is I can't get the music I bought off Itunes on to the stupid thing because the files are "locked."

So besides feeling shafted for paying for these files and not being able to use them without an Ipod (thank you, Apple) is there any way around this?

If I burn them to a CD, will I be able to re-upload them in to WMP?

For those of you in the northern regions of the US (and I'm sure out of the US), you know it hasn't gotten above 18 degrees F for more than a handful of days in the last two months. But are you still riding? What temperature makes you stay on your own two feet, and is that for your benefit, or your horses'?

My 2 yo DSH was diagnosed with feline asthma in November. She has been on a Prednisone regimen, tapered as directed.

She had been back to her normal, active self until last night, when we ended up at the emergency hosp for the beginnings of an asthma crisis (nostrils flaring, increased respiration). She has been her maintenance dose of pred for 3 weeks.

This morning, she had the same symptoms, and had to be taken to her reg vet. She is now on the rescue enhaler 3 times daily and back up to her maximum prednisone dose. She seems to be much more comfortable now, but at her age particularly, I would like to make her environment as asthma-friendly as possible.

My apartment is almost all carpet. I have a hepa-vac and use it regularly, but I'm concerned the carpet may still be part of the problem.

We use allergen-trapping dusting spray, and changed the litter to pine from clay.

I live in New England, so at this time of year, the heat is on all the time.

So to my question... has anyone tried anything particular that seemed to ease asthma symptoms?

I was thinking about buying an air purifer, but I'm afraid I just might be panicking.

My terrier spent a few minutes with one my favorite boots. He didn't have long, but he did manage to put a golf-ball size hole through leather, lining, and 2 seams about 3 inches up from the heel.

Normally, I would write them off to "just boots" - but these were my mother's... they're not expenseive, but they really have a lot of meaning to me.

Could they be repaired, or is it time to let them go and trash them?

I'm sure there are actually words for that - I'm low-tech.

Does anyone know of a program that would allow me to put together several pieces of my own music and "slow it down"?

I'm trying to make a piece for a dressage (horse) freestyle that is a little less boring than elevator music.

Saddle fitter just came, and said there is no way my saddle is ever going to fit my horse. I decided to keep the horse, although it was a tough decision :P

It's a County Stabilizer - my concern is being able to get a decent price in my rural area. I can't afford to stick it on commission for any amount of time, as I can't really afford to buy another saddle before selling this one.

Any ideas for a quick(ish) but cost-effective way to sell a saddle?

Post-laceration repair, Lucy has developed edema from her toes to halfway up her upper leg (hind). The bandage was ditched ~6 hrs after it was put on, and she's been wearing a medi-boot when necessary, and naked otherwise.

Luckily she's a fabulous patient, and I've been able to elevate her leg for the majority of the day. I've also tried brushing the leg to help move the fluid. Unfortunatly, it doesn't seem to be making much of a difference - in fact, the affected tissue looks fairly bruised.

Is anyone aware of any other treatment methods? I thought about heat-packing to help circulation, but it is fairly warm... cooling to reduce swelling? lol - anyone?

I'm just about to "invest" in a new batch of scrubs, but I'd like to get some that actually fit. I LOVE Cherokee, but I swim in the Small.

Any suggestions for the short and slender?

Sam has been playing with his new toy for a total of 2 hours now. He has surgically removed the nose, and is now removing the stuffing/ standing on top of and ripping the fur out.

The toys he has gone through:

Mr. Armie from GoDog with ChewGuard. (this was the 2 hr nasal reconstruction)

Hide-A-Toy Squirrels (lasted several days, maybe due to size)

PetStages Lion

Others included foe-lambskin turtle, fluffy "tuff" eagle, "pullable" rover, "Squiggly" giraffee (6 noisemakers, all removed through <1" "incisions")

He's done well with Kongs, but he prefers squeekers to food any day. Rope toys are not interesting, he makes rawhides/bones a living nightmare for me (watch constantly, and remove pieces from his mouth every few minutes). Rubber toys and beanies end up in his stool a few days later.

This is a dog who eats crab apples (he has only 1 front leg) and leaves the core - he's meticulous.

So... anyone had any success with a squeeky toy that can hold up to a Miniature Schnauzer Surgeon?

I've never done a half lease before, and it seems to me that things aught to be made a little more clear than the standard full lease. Does anyone have or know of where I can find a decent contract for a half lease?

I've been trying to find alternatives to condoms (besides the pill), and am starting to think that the reason I dislike condoms is from a physical reaction rather than emotional.

I assumed that the sex-kill was from the thought of fiance having to wear a condom (and knowing he didn't like it).

After talking it over with fiance, the reason he hates them is because I "dry up" - we get a lot of friction, no lubrication despite the lube on the condom, and I feel like I'm burning after.

I wear latex gloves at work, but not for extended amounts of time. I guess my hands become itchy with extended wear, but I assumed it was the drying factor of the powder. I don't notice any swelling or redness.

Does that fit in to an allergic reaction catagory? I've heard not-so-fabulous things about latex-substitutes.

I lost 20 lbs after coming off the pill several months ago.

Fiance and I have been using condoms, but they've been a serious sex-drive killer, to the point where we don't have sex to avoid the condom.

STDs are not a concern - this is year 3, and we've both been tested.

Has anyone had any experience with affective birth control methods that may not make me gain weight?

I need your opinion, pet owners!

I do a lot of work on my clinic's website, and have been thinking that it might be worth our while to allow clients to put in for refills on their pet's medication online rather than having to call. This would mean...

There would be a 3-business day wait for online refills as opposed to 24-hr for refills called in.

Any problems with refills would mean you would be contacted within 3 days rather than within the same day (ie, if your pet is due for bloodwork). This would not apply for any OTC meds, like vitamins, supplements, flea/tick control, or for heartworm prevention.

Would you use it? What are the pros/cons in your opinion?