Recent content by conkers

This is exactly how my old boy is kept. He is kept in a large, flat field with hedges for shelter and with access to a barn that is bedded down with straw and lots of Haylage to eat. I am very lucky where he is as they take looking after the oldies seriously and keep the slightly livelier...

You are being taken advantage of. Not the paying when you are on holiday part - I would expect to do that. But having your times changed or restricted on a regular basis without an alternative being offered. I would end the share. I would also make sure that I would put a message on the...

If the stress is greater than the enjoyment you get out of having horses it is time to walk away. That is exactly what happened to me. For various reasons the stress just kept increasing and I ended up selling my youngster and retiring my old guy. It wasn't an overnight decision but by the...

If you are in military accommodation, can't you have a word with whoever is in charge of the barracks and let them sort it out. I would have thought that the sergeant (or whoever it would be - I'm not really up on ranks) would not be happy to hear that anyone living there was causing a problem...

My old lady takes the decision when it comes to walks. She is 15 and also has a weakening back end. Some days she just potters around the garden and some days she comes for a walk with the youngsters. You can really tell when she wants to come as she is the first out of the door and to the...

Most unusual dog I've come across was a Pekingese. The owner was surprised that I knew what it was. There was a Manchester Terrier in our puppy class. Very cute but tiny.

Last night my young whippet Cedric came trotting into the room having been in the garden, looking very pleased with himself. He then spat out a massive spider that he had been carrying onto the carpet. Said spider then ran straight at me. It was not fun. Cedric was then so scared by my...

No real science with picking my puppies other than I wanted a boy. First puppy - had the choice of 3, couldn't decide so went with the one with the strongest brindle colour. He has turned out to be calm, gentle and kind. An absolute sweetie. Second puppy - went to see the litter of 9 pups...

I find it odd that there is a very active campaign not to walk your dog in the middle of the day when temperatures are hot and yet it is somehow OK to work a horse hard in similar conditions. For me, similar rules apply.

If you can afford it, go for it. Sounds like you've put a lot more thought into it than most folk would so I can't see the down side.

Not quite on a walk but just about to set off. My favourite dog walk picture of them all together.

I think it depends on your puppy and your situation. Granville was always crated when we went out, probably until he was around 8/9 months old. He was left out of the crate overnight when it started to get cold, so when he was about 6 months old. He just came up onto the bed with us instead...

My horse is there on retirement livery. They are lovely people. Knowledgeable and caring.

My horse is on retirement livery. He shares a large field with 5 other horses - so 6 in total. He has access to a barn which is bedded down with straw and he has access to as much haylage as he wants. The owners check on him each day and organise things such as trimming, injections etc. He...

I got similar when a young girl asked me if my whippet was a Daschund. I think she was just proud that she know that a Daschund was a breed even if she'd clearly never seen one.