Recent content by paddi22

I had a similar horse and a trainer said to me 'you don't need it to be pretty, you need it to be effective' and that always stuck with me

a lot of them also need constant work to keep them sane and productive partners, which doesn't often suit amateur riders who are juggling jobs and kids. also a lot of amateur riders don't really need a lot off blood, a cob cross can easily motor around a metre event or sj course. that also tend...

yeah had heard people raving about it, but when read the back was very surprised. basically as you say linseed and beet pulp would do!

I don't use no fills. I find them got damp and soggy and actually made the horses colder. 50g all the way

I used the Fenwick mask on a very hot show jumper and found it helped a bit. wasn't a wonder thing, but she was def a bit more relaxed in it

I would pts together if I was in your shoes. as someone who takes horses in for retirement the odd time, I wouldn't want a horse that was difficult to head collar, it makes a world of pain for farriers or catching for emergencies. PTS at least you have peace knowing you gave them a safe and...

did a clinic before and the instructors advice was to 'land in your heel'. I found visualising that really helpful to push my heel forward and down.

yes mine seem to process it that way in the past. there can be heightened emotion during the pts process and it can be messy at times, so I think its less stressful for remaining horses to just be shown the body after.

I would foster an old pony from a charity to act as a companion. that way you can return it if you don't need it down the line. the charity will also be able to try different ponies until you find one that suits. I let them see the body afterwards but I don't usually have them close when being...

is she on any painkillers? I had a horse that had two ops as well and she was on Bute for weeks after it and then a painkiller for months after that. mine was also on antibiotics for weeks after too. with my one, the hock swelled and then got repeated abcesses from the joint clearing itself out...

with your skills, I would focus on rehabbing horses from injury. do you have your own yard you can work from?

you might be able to use these kind of mats, would be cheaper than mud mats,

don't worry about people bad mouthing the yard. people tend to be able to spot trouble makers who bitch about yards they have left, and you often find they have a known history of it, so people don't take them seriously. happy liveries will naturally get the word out that it's a happy yard now...

do you have contracts? if not, bring them and make sure they cover the issues you are having. then when people break them kick them out. honestly, once the worst few are gone you will find everyone else steps in line. can you afford to hire a yard manager for a while? someone experienced and...

red horse do a good filler as well.