Recent content by dollyanna

I'd sleep with him without hesitation. If it's out of character then he is very stressed, and all you'll do by sleeping with him is reassure him you are there with him and everything will be ok, even if it is all different for now. It's more likely to cause problems at home if you leave him to...

I used to love layering the rugs, also putting a jute on and folding the front flaps back over the back to keep them warm while they dried off. If it's any reassurance I'm in my 30s too and the very large yard I was on was still using some of these until I was a teenager, so only 20-25yrs ago...

Mine was younger but at about 3yrs she had 2 enormous splints come up on her front legs. She was field kept entirely and no hard roadwork, I suspect they might have been related to a bad farrier trim shortly before (switched after that trim) but now you'd never know, they have completely...

It is indeed just neem oil, whatever they claim, and much cheaper to buy elsewhere - I get Mother Nature's Goodies version from ebay. As to whether it works - yes, it is pretty awesome stuff, I use it on everything, hair regrowth after cuts or rubs is impressive, it keeps the flies off (and...

I'd second the use of biteback products, they are amazing. My mare isn't sweetitchy but does react badly to bites - she gets eaten alive which leaves sore areas rather than itching, but is driven mad by the flies which does lead to itching. The biteback cream calms everything down and it heals...

It's not always easy either, some dogs are totally different in kennels to being homed, and even if they go into foster they can be totally different a month later so if they are only fostered for a short time then their true challenges might not show. Any good rescue should offer backup at...

Also consider going a little further and look at the Total Contact Saddles. Absolutely adore mine and never any issues with fit.

Forgive me asking but did you actually have a scan or x-ray to diagnose it? I ask because I have a huge number of patients who suffer a back problem, get told it is a slipped disc when it's not and live thinking it is popping in and out - which they don't do. If you haven't had a scan then ask...

Nope, I never ever try to convert anyone. I actually prefer not to talk about it - if someone asks then my reason is always "because I have not yet found they needed them" (applies to bits and shoes) as that is the truth. I would rather avoid the conversation with bitted and shod people on the...

There is lots of other stuff you can do other than ride. Why not explore something else with your horse, and just accept a break from riding? Inhand stuff in the school, agility, juping, longreining, inhand hacks to graze together and explore what plants he likes. All of this will help with your...

I would track it to optimise the movement for them - consider this before building stables etc as you can put the track on the outside. There's a great fb group for tracks, quite a few have very small tracks.

I have 2 Lownthwaites and they are chalk and cheese but would call neither of them stubborn or tricky. I think the idea of them being stubborn comes from a misunderstanding of the breed - they are smart, intelligent survivors so will not do things just because, but give them respect and trust...

Rather than having a turnout, have a look at some of the track systems on tiny areas - it would give the horses a longer space to move around keeping them healthier, but might compromise your arena (though someone here earlier suggested a track around the arena which could work well). There's a...

Many kennels have their own freezer or at least fridge, and it is easy enough to just provide a complete mince for the week in individual portions. I would ask them to provide bones if I am away, partly due to hygiene (they mey not want raw bones all over the kennel) but also because I am...

Poor boy :-( Speak to your vet about using sterile medihoney as a wound dressing, I'm pretty sure it has been shown to be effective against MRSA wounds, though I don't have the research to hand, but a couple of years ago my old boy got necrotising fasciitis in his leg secondary to a cat scratch...