Recent content by Briony2122

Please don't use a chifney I heard of a horrendous injury caused by one a "be nice" headcollar will do the trick - excellent for strong pullers too. They are about £25.00 Just introduce it when she's calmer and walk her forward say halt or whatever and you stop quietly, she will walk into the...

Best of my knowledge just two confirmed outbreaks in Norfolk one at Wreningham and one at Snetterton, however probably best not to go out unnecessarily until scale of problem clarified as transmission can be by humans touching infected horses.

I had a pony who couldn't dangle his bit more than a few inches, so it was an inside job from the start. I agree that gloves are irritating but I have to come clean and say it does take a while to get your nails clean if you don't use them. What no-one has yet owned up to - but I will - is that...

Used to use devils claw long term for arthritic pony, effects did seem to grow less - but perhaps he got worse. Finally moved on to 1/2 sachet of bute x 2 per day, but would always use devils claw in preference to bute for mild discomfort. Consider homeopathic remedies for long term joint/soft...

You need to prioritize your time 1. Judges will be impossible to find at last minute if SJ look for BSJA judges, other discplines have lists too. 2. First Aid ..St Johns will cost about £40-£80 a paramedic type service with ambulance about £250. Unless you are miles away from hospital probably...

Have you moved the partitions? even a small amount of extra width can make your horse feel insecure. My TB has always done what you describe in a lorry but travelled well in a trailer. Like you I am a very careful driver and know that it is not the driving. I would definitely get a "back" check...

My horses have loved browsing on our willow trees and if a branch has fallen then they strip the bark as well. If we know one of ours is uncomfortable we will pull small branches of to give them a treat. Never seen anything except beneficial effects and this over 13 years. BUT I tnink it will...

Definitely try a rescue centre as they will have a range of loan equines and will know which might be prone to laminitis. I have an elderly TB who needed a companion urgently after the loss of her freind of 13yrs and was provided with a lovely native companion. The risk of laminitis from good...

Consider thrashed rye grass as an ad lib feed as there is little food value and horses seem to love it. Be careful about the laminitis trust logo, I am sure that just because a feed manufacturer has paid for the priviledge of its endorsement that doesn't mean it can be fed ad lib with no ill...

Not quite the same, our big horse had hole in ligament, top vets in windsor treated it with ultrasound therapy, seemed to work. Note no prior evidence of lameness tho' must have been born with it. At first problem looked like splint from concussion. Horse had moved to yard with concrete floors...

What an exam wouldn't tell you is will the owner have EMPATHY Knowledge is important but can be sought from professionals, friends etc, experience and kindliness are soothing for a horse, but when it comes down to it an owner that looks out of their horses eyes to see if what they're asking is...

is he bothered by flies? If so the a rambo fly rug is useful as it doubles up a very lightweight rug for summer rain/wind. Used on a thoroughbred that can't stand the rain tickling her as its runs off. Most cobs need very little in the way of rugs and the only addition I would add to your...

You are doing the right thing to strip graze and exercise. Stabling at night can be helpful as he'd be eating hay not grass, but avoid a starvation paddock as my dartmoor got sand colic from eating the sandy roots. Try Homeopathic remedy Belladonna 30c from Nelsons as a preventative and at the...

I would try two things. Using bubble wrap wrap the breast bar and tape it in place with tape. This will give your horse something more comfortable to lean into in the forwards direction. Consider fitting either an inflatable pillow (ones for lorries were advertised a few years ago) or a foam...

Our Cleveland Bay X lives on Hi Fi Lite and Even Keel (Badminton Feeds) which is a supplement for mountain & moorland ponies! He has 1 teacup of even keel with Hi-Fi twice a day and is out in the day. He is a very good do-er and needs his grazing monitored. I'm afraid I think a muzzle would...