Recent content by Abacus

Personally I don't think they are the answer to this problem. If he leans on your hands and you hold him there (with or without draw reins) you are 'letting' him learn (mentally and in muscle development) that he can be heavy in the hand or rein. My instructor here would say something like (and...

Would a simpler and cheaper solution be to swap for more heavy duty struts? The sort you get on big lorries rather than gas struts.

A basic question but is he the same with another horse, if you have a safe steady type to take him out with (leading inhand, at least your horse if not both)? This might help you to distinguish between whether it is a pain response or fear. My feeling is that it is the latter, if it's triggered...

Without making any comment on the industry or whether these stats are good enough yet, there is actually about a 13.5% reduction in the fatality rate from 2001/2 to the period from 2021-2024. (0.24% to 0.2075%). (Edited)

I have a 4yo (well, now rising 5) who broke my shoulder back in April. After sending him off for schooling and very carefully riding him again, I have jumped him the last 2 days, he can now have a winter break. Very proud of him and also of me for being brave. He is an utterly fabulous ride -...

How old is he? If things are genuinely bad to the point of compromising his welfare, I would consider a move. I realise you might not want to share too much info but more would be helpful here - in terms of the degree of current concerns, and the other temporary options. Your post is a bit...

One way is to calculate the price of similar DIY locally and multiply by 5 stables, probably add a bit for sole use. Depends a lot on whether the contract includes maintenance or whether they are to do that (cynical me wouldn't really trust most horsey tenants to maintain properly).

I also think it is a massive concern that they are so widely available through online methods rather than properly prescribed, if you are willing to pay. I don't know if this is how your relation accessed them but in this case, a stone to lose doesn't seem enough to warrant drugs (where the...

It is possible that the motivational effect of losing weight does inspire users to be more careful (i.e. make lifestyle and food choice changes) after stopping the drugs. From my experience when I lost some weight previously (maybe 1.5 stone, I was never really overweight but had a bit to lose)...

I should have said, my estimates are based on prices in the south east (I’m in south Oxfordshire) - I’m not in touch with regional differences.

Assuming you are mucking out on your days? I would charge a basic DIY rate per horse of approx £150 to £180 per month (but possibly more if poo picking - at my yard I harrow to avoid this!) plus approx £15 per day for turn out, bring in, feed, give hay, muck out. Personally I don’t change rugs...

I’ve been known to keep my car running and on full heat to keep riding boots warm until I’m ready for them. Chaps sitting in the heated seats plus a pair of gloves to switch into. Changing into cold boots is torture!

I always take February off from riding, sometimes starting a bit sooner if the weather is making things tough. By March I find myself missing it and wanting to get back on. I think it’s good for them at any age to have a break, heals any minor niggles you might not have noticed yet, and...

I believe in just one pair of good wool socks - bridgedale, Nordic socks and smartwool are all good. Cotton has almost no insulation. And for long days out, heated insoles (the disposable sort).

We get ours (round and square) from macveigh Parker - nearest depot to you is Lancashire so you’d have to check if they deliver. You get a discount with a trade account and the quality is good. Alternatively search for local wood yards that are near enough to collect...