Recent content by Opticalillusion

Hi guys, I bought (well, pretty much rescued from clue-less owners) a new pony as a mother/daughter share 4 days ago. She's only young (4 1/2), and hasn't had much done with her - she was sold to me as broken but she's only backed and needs mouthing, I asked if they had long-reigned her to...

I don't think it was the girth, as it's a wintec one so it's all in a sleeve. It does fit, but is on the second-to-bottom holes on one side, and the bottom on the other, so maybe it has pinched because it is too tight... hmm... I do think it might have been a sting, but we were in a housing...

Thanks guys :) It REALLY took me by surprise as she had just been so, so good. I suppose at the back of my mind, I thought it was too good to be true lol. I kind of expected it, but when the spooks never came, I guess I got over-confident. Still, it really didn't feel like she was spooking at...

Thinking about it, she does actually play with the bit a little so maybe she bit her tongue?? That would explain the sudden bronco. I'll call the dentist in the morning :) Also, little timmy is due his bloods in a couple of weeks, so I could get the vet to check her back etc at the same time...

She is in an extra-wide Ideal GP saddle with elasticated wintec girth, and a loose-ring snaffle bridle. Her saddle wasn't fitted professionally, but I have spent AGES finding one that fits (I must have tried around 20 on her without getting on and they were all too narrow). Everyone on my yard...

That sounds lovely.. I love little fast ponies :) When I schooled my friend's little welsh, I found that the half-halt was my best friend. I collected her in, and whenever she seemed to get a little quick and giddy, I would slow her back down a gait. I spent lots of time slowing down her...

I thought about that too, but the reason I take her out so much is that her paddock is rather small - around 1/2 an acre - and I worry that she's getting bored. She seemed to love going out too. Also, people send their horses in for breaking at professional yards, and they are broken in a matter...

Hi guys, wondering if you can help... I bought a halter-broken cob mare a few months ago and have since been working on breaking her in. She's been doing fantastically and has taken it all in her stride. Honestly, she's not put a hoof wrong - until now. Of course, as she's green, she's...

Dinky Muzzles are fantastic. They're the only ones that don't rub my pony, and are super-comfy and padded. As far as I know they do them in all sizes too :) and they're quite cheap compared to others.

Bugger - it's only valid for the first test. I was hoping it would be for any - My Shettie has had 2 tests so far and we're just trying to get him stable on his meds. Costing a fortune! :(

I've been working her every other day, starting with 10 mins on lunge then a walk out. I'm going down tonight and am just going to fuss and groom her while she has some grass outside the paddock (where it's nice and long). The side reins are going in the bin, and I'm going to re-introduce the...

That's what I thought CM. I've been putting them on only for work, but have other, 'experienced' people at my yard telling me that I should leave them on for a long time to get the horse to get used to the bit. Surely that would just cause a hard mouth anyway though, never mind the boredom...

Thanks for your replies :) I think i'm going to try without the side reins. I did wonder if I was becoming soft in my old age for thinking that she wasn't just being lazy. But she even moves away from the headcollar in the stable because she knows that after the headcollar comes the bridle...

Hi guys, Three weeks ago, I bought a lovely traditional cob mare. She has just turned three, and was only halter broken when I got her. I have introduced the bridle, which she took to really well. She started taking the breaking bit (with keys) for 10 mins a day, and now we have...

Oooooo! That's giving me some hope!!!! :D She looks loads wider than Ruby too. I guess i'll just buy the extra wide gullet and go from there. If not, I can always sell the saddle with 3 gullets then. P.s. She's gorgeous Magic :) x