Recent content by paddy

Hello! Has anyone used floor mats on stable walls please? Was it successful? We've a number of spare floor mats and I'm thinking we may as well use them for something! Thanks!

At one point, OH was having 2 lessons with our regular trainer - one on "QE2" and one on "kayak". With QE2, young, big moving, not enough power to control it, he had to set up the turns well in advance to give her plenty of time. With kayak, sharp little mare, by the time he'd thought about...

Here are a few: If you change your mind about going to see the horse, or you're going to be late, let the seller know. Don't talk to the sellers about the horse you really loved that just failed its vetting and how great it was. Ask about the horse in front of you. Touch the horse in front...

Hi. I'm sure I spotted an article recently, possibly in H&H, about an unsuccessful claim against a dealer. Someone had bought a very nice pony for her daughter, proved to be too much for her, brought a claim....? Along those lines? Can anyone point me in the right direction? In particular...

It was sufficiently exciting in the old days - lots count of the number of times we had 10 riders cantering up Rotten Row to find someone pushing a pram across the Row in front of us and into our path.

The Hyde Park yards not cantering is a new one. I used to escort rides through the Park many years ago and regularly had to b*ll*ck certain yards for cantering past/ away from rides of beginners. The speed limit in the Park is (or was) a 'hand canter', unless you're in the Cav and being p'd...

for someone with hips? Off to Olympia next week and have realised that all of my breeches are lightweight. I really fancy some fleecy lined ones, but I'm a size 14/16 with relatively large hips and relatively small waist, with short legs (sounds attractive doesn't it :( ?!). Can anyone...

One of ours shot off wearing the pessoa, span round and round and was trussed like a chicken. She then stopped, looked at OH as if to say "help" and hasn't been any problem since. I've stopped using it on my boy as it made his legs go nicely and his back not work (trainer's comment when I rode...

I can do a novice dressage test on my 16.3hh ID in a 20x10, plus the various lateral movements, so you can pretty much do anything dressage-wise. Just keep the pace slow and steady, which will really help with a horse that is on the forehand anyway.

Lots of non-driving friends really enjoy the British Masters indoor 4-in-hand carriage driving at Olympia - it's fast and furious. The final qualifier for the only British wild card entry is this Saturday (7 November) at Addington. Entry is free. If you're not sure what to expect, I've...

Have a chat with Geraldine Graham at Lenamore Stables. She's not a dealer as such but does buy and sell from time to time. Good facilities too. She backed my boy for me donkeys' years ago.

Horrified by what they're doing but in response to some of the posts above, a contract is not void because someone is in breach of contract. If you're looking to bring a contract to an end due to breach, I suggest you seek legal advice from someone who has actually seen the contract and is...

My trainer says that horses, like humans, are one sided. It is the job of good riding and training to make them less so. It does take time and patience though.

My parents are in Donegal. I'd certainly not ride on the roads where they are - way too fast and lots of accidents. I've only had one issue with my English accent - dad's Irish and mum is Geordie, so they get away with it but my southern England accent is a bit more 'noticeable' - and the...

We lost my OH's TB several years ago; he'd been field mates with my ID for some years. Pad was put to sleep in his stable, but OH let Mac see and sniff him on the way to the field in the morning. Mac called once from his field and then got on with life. I think they do understand.