Recent content by pennyturner

In addition to length and width, you also need to consider the curve of the tree. Some horses need a very flat tree, others a nice banana shaped one, and I wouldn't expect a saddler to make a curved tree fit a flat horse.

If I cross-tie a horse in a trailer I always give him enough free movement to reach either side for hay. I only need to stop him turning around, not to immobilize him completely! What are you trying to stop him doing OP?

Growing pains at 3 or 4 yes, but unlikely at 5.

There is something to be said for stallions, and ex-stallions. They tend to poo on top of the last one, so you only have a very few big piles, the largest of which is always quite near the gate. I don't do it, but it would be very possible to construct a muck pile, and get them to poo directly...

When I last went, they insisted it was tested loaded, but not with horses. Had to fill up 6 oil drums with water. Do they still do that?

My top tip is, like driving, to be very aware of the moment that the rein is taken up as you ask the horse forward and GIVE WITH YOUR HANDS right away. Otherwise the horse walks into the contact, and you've just trained them to baulk.

Just a word of warning. I trim all of my own, and it's back-breaking. I'm physically robust, but I would think twice about doing it as a day job.

Get shorter reins.

Yup, unless it's a nice summer day, when I might not bother with the saddle.

I don't as a rule, including hours bareback, but I did once ride in a synthetic that was fractionally too wide for the pony... never again!

Same. In fact, barring complete numpties, most people looking at the real cheapies do know what they're doing, because unless you're an idiot, you assume you're going to have to do some work. No reason a stallion shouldn't be a suitable child's pony. Shetlands on the other hand should only...

Which you can also use to sweep the chimneys. :)

Regardless of the end result (and I agree, balance looks questionable), I'm not sold on the wisdom of using a draw knife towards your wrists :/ Surprised he's still got two arms!

I bought some pipducks last year, and was really pleased with them as they're a bit like Hunters used to be. However, they only lasted about a year - they have now split.

The local DC once referred to my Welsh x hunter as a 'destrier'