Recent content by Lothmorwel

What ever you do, DO NOT be tempted to try and pull his head down/in - he will brace and that will disrupt all energies coming from his back end and you'll have a fightey hollow pony. Work on lateral flexion, make sure your hands are super soft, that the contact is steady, that he responds to...

I like the hints and tips here! I haven't any experience with totally novice kids but I have exerienced nervous mummies freaking their kids out before they get on (faffing over what-ifs and reminding child of the possibility of falling off!). Try and make sure the parents don't interfere, assign...

I agree with all comments. One thing I'd add is to get him used to flappy ropes and things brushing against and wrapping round his legs. I may be over-cautious but I like being prepared and know that if I drop a line and it wraps around my horse's leg that she is fine with it rather than not...

Does he know what you're asking? Some horses simply ignore new riders but others may not know what's going on. My horse is fine but likes the middle of the road on a particular part of our hack - I've noticed at that part the road has a steep camber on it and must be annoying to walk with one...

I am totally shocked to hear that your 'helper' did that! I am assuming that he isn't allowed to ride your horse at all? Either he's got confused somewhere and thinks riding your horse is ok or needs one hell of a talking to! Especially when he went against your wishes with the bit and didn't...

I agree with the left hand/right hand issue. Very few horses are actually 'naughty' - usually it is a mis-communication between horse and handler/rider. Sounds like your pony hasn't got a clue what is being asked of her so you should go back a few steps and get her more two-sided. Horses don't...

I can see what they are saying in that you should be safe and know your horse and not rely on a hat to save you if you know bad things will happen - ride a safe horse and you shouldn't need a het. But OF COURSE you should wear a hat wilst riding! So what if they 'alter balance and...

Tell your friend to sort her horse's behaviour out - that is SERIOULY dangerous and needs dealing with. Try and find out why your baby had a mental - excitement or misunderstanding or possibly pain??? Instead of focussing on the bad thing that happened, try and work out why it happened from...

I found one of my friend's ponies with choke a few years ago. Greedy ****** had eaten half a bag of chaff. He had his head head down and was heaving and coughing/sneezing green slime out of his nostrils. I panicked and called my friend, she called vet and came over. Vet said to get a bottle of...

I haven't got any pictures but I do a similar plait on my chunky cob in summer to keep her mane out of the reins and stop her overheating - she's rather unfit and is a rather 'warm' horse. I start with a normal plait at the top of the mane then add more and more, a bit at a time as I go down -...

Is there no way of a share or loan or something less final but that means someone has responsibility of the money and his care? Even if he has to go to a different home, maybe that is one way to go? The perfect owner for him may be some one who can't raise the funds to buy outright but who can...

How about moving yards? If the YO and friend are slightly nervous and he's used to being bolshy then things could be spiralling out of control with them. It's great that he's fine with you as it shows he can learn respect and can be a nice boy. Food orientated ponies can be frustrating and door...

We're lucky if we get out once a week at the moment and that's for a quick round the block before dark. We have no arena, just a field. How about doing some ground work with him? You can do yielding hind & forequarters, lunge/long-line, pole work, desensitising to things you'll find out and...

I usually thank everyone unless someone's been a total prat. Sometime I don't get the chance, they're gone past so quick!! Very nice people get a vocal thank you and wave and smile. On the opposite side of this coin I once yelled a sarcastic 'you're welcome' at a group of horse riders who...

Added extras are great assuming horses aren't on a diet. How about mixing it up with different veg every now and then? Whole swedes are great fun. We don't usually add veg to out ponies feed unless we've got spare, but that's more to do with being rather skint than anything else!