Recent content by countryal

My 5yo mare has gained a lump on her pastern. She has been occasionally putting a short stride in, and doesn’t just feel 100% from time to time, but not obviously lame or sore. She is still forward and willing (only ridden in school) Vet and farrier are coming this week. Has anyone...

From personal experience, I think its really important to get an instructor involved early on with a young horse. I start having lessons with mine a few weeks after she was backed. At first all we did was walk work (straightness, turning, standing square etc) and ground work until she was going...

I'm unmotivated in winter, and struggle with time when working full time, so mine have a winter holiday until February. Have tried to keep going in the past, but the pressure of have to ride, muck out and fit everything else in made it less enjoyable.

I often find in the rain, a no fill rug gets condensation making the rug damp underneath, but a 50g liner stops this. It's like if you wore a no fill waterproof jacket with a vest top, it gets sticky, but put a jumper on and it prevents the damp, sticky feeling.

I have a pair of Horzehoods tights, and they have a lovely compression band, my favorite pair to ride in. They also have winter versions.

There's a lady called Jenny Inman that does saddle fitting only, doesn't sell saddles so can't plug new ones! There's also Todds Saddlery that fit and carry stock.

I think it's good to try new people. Clinics are a good way of trying without committing to someone. I have had lessons with the same person for several years, and was against trying anyone else, but due to price increases and distance (two hour round trip) I tried someone new. She comes to my...

I am - really looking forward to it!

I use these, and can be stacked to make them higher, or if you've got someone who could make them could do them bigger for extra height if needed. Same idea as traditional cavaletti but much safer! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302942825772

As long as it is smart, fits and is clean the colour doesn't matter. Saying that, black may go better with a piebald, but there are no rules about tack colour. Make sure you've practiced loading and travelling, and your horse is used to being with other horses so it doesn't come as shock to...

I have one that has had lami in the past, and 2 other natives that are good doers. I've found keeping them on restricted grazing 24/7 is easier to keep the weight off than coming in. I've no need to feed hay so no help on that sorry.

I also think it is very strange that a judge can judge a class they are going to be competing in at HOYS? I understand that these are often experts in the breed / type, but surely it should be independent judges with no invested interest in the outcome of the results?

I use Native, Cob and Pony saddles (think now AH Saddles) on my highlands that are wide. A lot of people rave about Fiona Cork saddles for natives, but no personal experience.

Local riding clubs around us have seen increases in entries, as people are not wanting to travel as far. Such as the nearest BD venue is 100 mile round trip, but 20 for unaffiliated.

Some companies allow you to add them to your car / pickup insurance at their specified value