Recent content by daffy44

I've just started trying it a bit with my gp horse. I tried him in a headcollar with a pair of reins attatched and he was brilliant in that from the start, I could easily ride him through a gp in a headcollar, so I thought I'd try a neck rope. It took more concentration than I expected! But he...

Why not just ask if you can go and watch both trainers teach? Trainers have different teaching styles just as we all have different learning styles, so being able to watch a few lessons should give you a good idea of their teaching styles so you can decide who you think would suit you and your...

I dont think it has to be either or, as others have said, I totally agree that its down to whatever suits the individual horse best. My horses have mainly been barefoot for the last twenty years, but I've also had a couple of horses who were shod, it depends on the horse. I have always done...

I'm afraid that I dont think it matters who speaks out, it wont make any difference. I think the only thing that will really affect Helgstrand is hitting him in the wallet, until people stop using his stallions, and stop buying his sales horses, I very much doubt anything will change. He had a...

Yesterday was lovely, mild and sunny, Spring was just messing with us. Today grey, cold, windy and the forecast is rain every day, and I'm so fed up with mud now, I've had enough of everything being squelchy and revolting, and my heart goes out to the poor farmers.

Others have expressed it more eloquently than I can, but for moments like this.

I dont care about colour, markings or what side the mane lies, 16.2 min as I have long legs, prefer mares, but a gelding isnt a deal breaker. Must have a good character, just a nice person, likes being with people, good brain and trys to work with you under saddle. Good feet and nice...

Yes! And never will again.

Just to add insult to injury, I just had an email from Tesco giving me 20% off suncream!!! Suncream!! We havent had 24 hurs without rain for goodness knows how long, and the forecast is more of the same, and Tesco is offering suncream at a discount, I could cry!

I try really hard not to whinge about the weather, and I appreciate its warmer and lighter now, but the rain and the mud!! Its getting soul destroying, I'm on clay and everywhere is disgusting, I'm so fed up with it now. Usually by now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but this...

I've had several 17hh and over, the horse in my avatar is 18hh, but he wears 6ft 6 rugs, 24" dressage girth, and bog standard full size bridle/headcollars, he doesnt require anything out of the ordinary in terms of feed, hay or lorries. I'm 5ft8 but with long legs, so big horses suit me well...

Such a shame, and a big loss to the eventing calendar.

It can be confidence, at home the horse is confident of its surroundings etc, so doesnt feel it needs the riders help or support. Away from home the horse may feel insecure and need its hand holding a bit, and so rely on its rider more, which will make it seem better behaved.

I loved both those articles, for those who are interested Uta Graf's book "Effortless Dressage Program" is also brilliant, its one of my favourites.

I also thought you meant a different kind of walkies, my cat often comes on a walk with me and the dog, but her big loves are the horses. She comes with to turn out, bring in, watches schooling, does trot poles, and loves to join us hacking at home. For proper hacks I have to make sure shes...