Ann

I have a tropical tank that currently only has a pictus cat and some zebra danios in it. My heater is on the far side of the tank (35 gal) from the thermometer. I keep the temp at about 68 on the thermometer--my current fish are doing beautifully. Can I add a few goldfish or will this be too hot for them?

I have been offered a rescued female bulldog. She was used as a breeder in a puppy mill but, despite the abuse, she is a sweet and loving dog who would be a perfect addition to my home. She is about 8 years old, has been vetted, and seems to have no health problems except a lack of muscle tone from being kept in a cage for most of her life.

But I can't seem to find good information on any bulldog-specific care she might need. The only thing I know is they can get overheated, perhaps have breathing problems, and need their folds cleaned. Any good recommendations for websites or care videos? I want to know what she'll need before I commit to being her new home.

Thanks!

My daughter's horse tosses his when being asked to transition down when approaching obstacles (like the ground poles in the video) and while cantering. He is an OTTB (18 years old--off the track 8 years) and yes, we have had his teeth done, his bit fitted, and saddle fitted.

Any ideas about what could be bothering him?

http://www.youtube.com/user/grumpyotter?feature=mh...

Any constructive ideas will be appreciated! Before we consider artificial aids, we want to get to the root of the problem.

Oh, and his name is Slick.

1) If the lameness is on a front leg, will the head bob UP or DOWN when that foot hits the ground at the trot?

2) Will the lameness seem more or less severe when turning toward the lame leg at the trot?

I have been trying to puzzle this out and have been getting so many differing opinions I am stuck. What is your experience?

My horse was injured in the tendon and the vet thinks it was just a bruise, luckily, but wants his mobility limited for the next week by confining him to a portable turnout paddock--very small. We are to observe his motion first with wraps on, then off, and just see how he goes, then reassess the injury.

However, the barn manager will not permit me to use the portable paddock. It is owned by another owner who offered it to me when she heard my horse was lame.

The barn manager's excuse is that "everyone would want one" and "it would interfere with mowing." When I reminded her that the other owner was permitted to use one she said she paid a $100 per month fee. I said, "Fine, since I will probably only need it for 5 days, I will pay $17, which is what it breaks down to."

She then repeated the "everyone" and "mowing" excuse.

Her suggestion is that I just turn him out alone in a big paddock. The vet explicitly prohibited this as he might buck and play and re-injure the leg.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Do barns prohibit this usually? I don't know what to do--I am terrified to turn him out with full mobility before we are sure that his leg is fully healed.

My former throughbred racehorse will do lovely front collection, but is strung out in the hind. We are committed to training him properly--what will encourage hind collection?

He's 17 and raced for 10 years, then was owned by people who tried to use him as a lesson horse. We've had him for a year and work on basic obedience and responsiveness to aids.

Any ideas appreciated!

I am trying to identify my horse, who is a Thoroughbred. Thoroughbreds have lip tattoos consisting of 1 letter and 5 numbers. The problem is, his lip tattoo is very difficult to read because he is over 15 so it has faded, and he has mottled lips.

Is there any way to make the tattoo more readable? I have tried taking digital photos and enhancing them--is there any kind of lighting that might help? Or any kind of photo-enhancing software? The tattoo itself is kind of light purple/blue.

(I have already read the Jockey Club tips and also consulted Equiline)

Thanks!

I am trying to identify my horse, who is a Thoroughbred. Thoroughbreds have lip tattoos consisting of 1 letter and 5 numbers. The problem is, his lip tattoo is very difficult to read because he is over 15 so it has faded, and he has mottled lips.

Is there any way to make the tattoo more readable? I have tried taking digital photos and enhancing them--is there any kind of lighting that might help? Or any kind of photo-enhancing software? The tattoo itself is kind of light purple/blue.

Thanks!

My daughter's horse is a 16-year-old former racehorse (thoroughbred). At the beginning of a ride, he is attentive and obeys her very well. He is learning to collect himself and do an extended trot. He'll do a nice turn on the forehand, flexes well, and seems quite eager to please.

However, once he is well warmed up, he gets very energetic and refuses to listen to her--all he wants to do is prance and gallop.

Any advice for how to keep him as his usual darling self?

I like odd locales like post-nuclear holocaust, medieval, or dirty cities--I just hate fighting or shooting or dying. I like exploring, solving puzzles--that kind of thing. Any recommendations?

I am a history professor and enjoy re-enacting battles in class. I am looking for a fairly simple battle (this will be the students' first experience with military history) to illustrate strategy, tactics,and logistics. I have been digging through the battles of the Hundred Days Offensive but getting bogged down as this area is not my specialty. This is a US history class, so I need a battle that includes US soldiers. (When I teach Western Civ, I use Verdun) I thought perhaps a WWI buff might be able to help. Thanks!

I've searched the net and it is very confusing--all kinds of crazy recommendations. Does anyone have personal experience with a good home-made remedy?