Recent content by pennandh

I totally get where you're coming from, and thank you for the suggestion, but I literally never school without a schooling whip (which normally lives in my right hand to back up the dodgy leg). I think the root of the issue is that that leg basically has no lateral stability at the knee, so...

I mean, if you were looking for a standard bridle that actually fits properly (which solves a multitude of sins), Native Pony Bridles do mix-and-match ones, and they have some very useful 'in between' sizes of nosebands/headpieces/etc. specifically for short, broad heads. I got my double from...

Probably a bit of an odd question, but my riding instructor has suggested putting a lead weight (like you'd use in a weight cloth for racing, or for eventing in days gone by) in each boot to try to discourage my right heel (attached to the leg with a wonky knee) from coming up when I go to put...

As someone who is also 5'6" (and about 10st 7lb), I have never felt under-horsed on my family's 13.1hh Highland. When I was a teenager, I used to have quite a lot of trouble stopping him! Smaller Highlands of the 'island' type tend to be strong for their size, and they usually have big enough...

Highlands are fantastic - ours came from the Dykes Hill stud over 13 years ago, and has since tried everything from side-saddle to polo. He is absolutely the sweetest thing, and quite limber enough to manage Elementary dressage and jumping 85cm if the mood takes him. Also no worries about being...

Since I started riding (20 years ago now), I've switched riding schools a few times - once, when I was about 8, because my favourite pony had to be PTS and it upset me to go there and not see him; once because my much-younger sister wanted to start riding and the yard I rode at wasn't insured to...

BD allow you to ride aside, so you should be fine for dressage. Also, you absolutely can do rising trot in a side-saddle. It's a bit weird, and 99% of instructors won't teach you how unless you specifically ask because you don't do it in the show ring (tbh it's not really necessary unless you...

In general, I'm not fussed what 'sort' of names horses have, but I do have a fondness for horses named after ships - I would absolutely call a heavyweight hunter Dreadnought, for example, or buy a child's pony called Pickle.

Personally, I'd take a shallow seat every time, as I tend to find deep seats feel very restrictive (not to mention I have a pony who sometimes overjumps hugely). However, as everyone has been saying, it's very much a matter of personal taste; so try a few out and see what you find most comfortable.

I have yet to find a dressage saddle that didn't have too high a cantle for my liking (is it really only me that finds them incredibly annoying?); so I'd almost definitely end up with something more like the Dever working hunter saddle I used to loan - very straight cut, minimal knee rolls, and...

I love Highlands, but probably wouldn't seek out another because I could do with a 14.2hh to take up my leg and I already struggle to stop my 13.1hh at times; so I'd be over-horsed. Apparently they come in a docile variety, but I'm used to the highly-strung-eventer-on-stubby-legs version, and I...

Not that I really have the money at the moment, but when I eventually get there the list will probably look something like this: - Old-fashioned small/lightweight hunter, preferably TBxCB or TBxID - 15.2hh-16.0hh - Clean legs - Dark, solid colour (love a nice seal brown) or roan - As few...

I love my idiot Highland to pieces. He's a bit spooky sometimes, and occasionally decides life would be much more fun at a flat-out gallop, but he does absolutely everything I've ever asked him to try: western (trail obstacles and barrel racing); jousting; a few minor bits of stunt-riding...

Conformation is not the absolute be-all and end-all, but it is important in terms of estimating probable soundness and way of movement. Some horses do manage to perform in spite of less-than-ideal conformation, and that is what competition records should tell you when considering a new purchase...

I'd double-check you've got it in right if the angle is really all that severe, but they are supposed to do that: it avoids collisions with the protruding cheekbone and minimises the possibility of catching the flesh of the cheeks between the bit-cheeks and the molars.