Recent content by lme

Why not a nice TB?

Another pony patter here. I’m also a happy hacker, mostly at walk, and only when the weather is good. I hack somewhat unhappily when it’s cold or wet. My ‘ponies’ tend to be nicely bred sports horses so ‘wasted’ on me. However they seem pretty happy.

I found HM saddles awful to sit in. Stride free have a wide channel and I find them much more comfortable.

If she's a really nice mare, its going to be worth going for a top class stallion - Zangersheide now have Balou de Reventon for next year - they are really easy to deal with.

One of mine had ulcers from (slightly) arthritic hocks. Very easy fix with arthramid and they were much happier. We now make sure they have a vet check / top up if needed if they seem uncomfortable (but have insurance that encourages that approach)

You're expecting a lot from a 4yo. He just sounds like a young horse has gaps in his education and lacks confidence. If you like him, but don't yet have the skills to bring him on, I'd turn him away for the winter and then either get a lot of help from a good young horse producer to bring him...

We have had foals weaned at 6m and at at youngstock livery and foals kept at home in a family group (2 mares and their 2 and 3yos plus new foal). The latter was much less stressful. The foal was weaned at maybe 10 months, by which time he was spending most of his time with his 'siblings'. We...

We always have a pack of sighthounds - I've had multiple Saluki's / Saluki crosses and I love their attitude to life. Current ones have zero recall, a tendency to be dramatic and an ability to bend humans to their wlll. I am currently being told in no uncertain terms that it is time for bed.

What’s high pay is going to vary by region. If you need to be an easy commute to London (where a lot of the best paid jobs are) it would be easy to spend £2k a month on each horse assuming you wanted to compete and used full livery with training etc or paid for help with horses at home. That...

If I saw 'rising 5' on an advert, I'd assume a 4yo who is now closer to 5 than 4. So at this time of year, they would be 5 some time in the spring.

Tech can be great - it can be well paid, and if you prioritise flexibility when choosing which industry to work in (which I didn't) its perfectly possible to have a role with minimal need to be in the office and the ability to take time out as needed.

I wouldn't buy a 3yo who had been backed

Another one who would prefer a trainer to come to me. Especially with a horse that has an issue. However, if I had to pick from 1 and 2, I’d choose trainer 1, as no turnout would be a deal breaker.

We have some very nice mares and have bred horses we could never afford to buy as adults, its fun (and quite addictive) but its not cheap. Vets fees, expensive stud fees, more vet fees when things go wrong, keep, training etc etc. Its worth it though. I think of it as buying them in instalments.

I’d say not essential and would much rather have good turnout. We’re on a yard with a very nice school but barely use it, even for young horses as the hacking is decent.