Recent content by alice.j

I'm not sure it's an abscess, he had one (in the same foot!) a few months back, and he was very definitely lame, not just 'off' as he is now. But it might be, I'll keep an eye on how he's walking and see if anything changes. He is still weak, especially in his hindquarters, but I'll make sure he...

I've tried having strong words in the past but nothing's changed; he'd rather just shoot a horse than spend a lot of money on fixing it. It's cruel but he has about 40 running in a feral herd, and a few in the yard, and would rather buy booze and fags. I don't like riding for him but at least...

The pony I ride has been feeling off for a few weeks now, and in the past few days it's really come to a head; he's stiff and limping in his left hind. With some help, I've managed to pinpoint the problem to his left hip, but am not sure what to do now. If he were mine, I would have already...

Gorgeous!!

I prefer to stay on and wait it out but am another of the 'depends on the situation' gang. My pony can be very very spooky, but trusts me completely, so if he's being really difficult I know it's easier (for both of us) for me to dismount, lead past, and remount. Sometimes he is just stubborn...

Well, the plan was to ride my main pony 4-5 times a week, 1xflatwork, 1xjumping, 2xhacking, and if I have time for another ride, either another flatwork session or a hack. Then I'd hack the other pony twice a week. However, they've closed the main road to the yard for repairs, so either I get up...

Thanks everyone, will spend tomorrow evening googling livery yards around there! :)

I'm big on hacking with youngsters, as it's easier for them to do things without having to worry about corners. With both youngsters I've backed, I've taken them out with a friend (also on a horse) and when we've found a decent straight bit (only a few strides long, with maybe a bit extra in...

He does leg yield (and is much better on his right rein than his left!), and I've tried this before but no luck. I'm hoping that once he knows that he can actually canter on the right lead, doing this will help encourage him! I feel like I'm straight but I'll have to check this today! I'll...

Due to some recent ... developments in my equine life, I'm considering moving yards (and hopefully buying 'my' pony). I live near Ringwood, and can't really afford - time or petrol-wise - to be at a yard more than 15-20 minutes away, though would stretch a bit for the 'perfect' yard (if those...

I would love to get his back and teeth checked but he actually belongs to a very grumpy man who won't even get the vet out unless there's blood pouring from a wound or a limb missing. I may be able to get his teeth checked in a couple of months when my friend gets her two done, but I'm unlikely...

I posted a few weeks (months?) ago about my pony, who struggles to pick up his right leg canter lead. I got several good suggestions - asking for canter over a pole, and lunging him being the most repeated. However, in the time since then, he hasn't improved at all. In fact, I think he's getting...

This is why I'm doing intros on my pony, despite his occasional lack of impulsion, his spookiness and his nose in the air! (he's getting better!). It's all well and good practicing the tests at home but without actually competing, I have no idea if the improvement I think I can see and feel is...

I think I was about 10 (now 23 and 11 months ;) ). I don't think my parents knew, tbh, but we always had to tell someone on the yard exactly where we were going and how long we were expecting to be if we went out at all until we were about 13, and if we went out alone until about 15-16. Didn't...

I think you could get the same temperament for a lot less money, IMHO. If you can afford it, go and see him, but for me, it's a huge no.