Recent content by Leitrim

I don't know whether you are grooming him in his stable but, just in case, try to position yourself so that he can't swing his back end round and pin you against the wall. A pony I was grooming would do that, probably not intentionally, and it hurts and is frightening. Will he back up and move...

When I had had my first horse for a few months I sent some pictures to the previous owner with an update on how he had settled in. I mentioned that said horse was happy and 'doing' well. The previous owner replied very politely that he looked to be doing maybe a bit TOO well. I took the hint and...

No. Don't worry about lessons. Just spend more time bonding with it so that it understands what you want telepathically.

That's a real shame. If I took a KBP to a show I'd wear a tabard saying "I'm not welsh or Shetland or a mini-connie. I'm a rare speciality - a Kerry Bog Pony". I wonder if that would result in good, bad or NO publicity!

This is the breed standard as set out in the Kerry Bog Pony's cooperative society page. I can't put a photo up as I don't own a KBP myself and other peoples' photos might be copyright, but if you google Kerry Bog Pony images you'll find loads. The characteristics of the Kerry Bog Pony (KBP) are...

There is a Facebook group for the Kerry Bog Pony. At least three established Irish breeders regularly post to it and they know who has ponies in England. It's a pity that there are no M&M classes in UK but if people showed them in LR or childrens' equitation classes over here the breed would...

Connemara ... in answer to Feival's photos.

I just wish I COULD find the very expensive protective boot that my filly deposited somewhere in a big muddy field 2 winters ago.

I don't think you could have described that feeling so vividly if you had not really experienced it. I hope it was a real breakthrough for Leo and has consolidated his trust in you .... after all you got the physio in!

Could you not get a round bale sheep feeder and tie it very securely on top of a large pallet to keep the base of the bale off the ground. The feeder would have to be the same diameter as the pallet (more or less) to prevent your shetland getting its hooves caught in the spaces of the pallet...

Based as I am on 4.5 acres of very hilly clay my main concerns would be gradient and soil type. Sheep previously grazed my land and while it was fine for them it is pretty hopeless, even dangerous, for horses throughout wet winters and it isn't the type of terrain you could easily harrow or...

Because the OP has had the courage to admit that she is nervous and has asked for advice and because people like to try and help in an encouraging way.

In this situation I think personally that driving would certainly NOT be a safe alternative to riding. A horse alone is potentially heavy and dangerous if out of control. A horse linked up to a carriage with all of the harnessing involved is even more potentially dangerous and serious injury...

Best of luck with that and your GCSEs.

Walking out in hand is useful (I think) to help you realise how well-mannered the horse is, i.e. concentrating on you, walking shoulder to shoulder, not crowding you, not trying to stop to graze, responding to woahs, walk on and trot on ... and for you to work out what tone of voice the horse...