Recent content by RuthM

I'd watch the age. Rising 4 is an odd term to use this time of year, unless the horse is every bit a 3yr old! It'd just make me very wary.

She's a twallop! (Lecturer that is). I think that, stay at home, go to work, nursery, childminder, private ed, sweets, no sweets - all of it is just details. For happiness I think there are just 2 rules, love 'em and be straight with 'em! Not saying that details don't make any difference...

I think the emotion certainly comes across it's just a way of speaking and thinking that does nothing to persuade me, I happen to also believe that expressing disdain to those who don't agree is not that persuasive either. You might be surprised to find that there are plenty who disagree with...

Dry Rot, I'm curious, you sound like you work with animals and as such I'm not really sure how such anthropomorphism occurs? In your post you'd think foxes were like mini animal chavs beating up the disabled, rather than an animal with a strong hunting drive which has held it off any endangered...

I agree I've not had much experience of the kind of yards where there's a whole bunch of folk doing their own thing. I guess I would hope that even within that there will be a small proportion still with a desire to learn and improve - even amongst the ones using DR badly! Some parts of...

I think that's why I thought a thread of 'good' would be very functional, it's not the equipment at the root of the bad associations it's the way and the why they get used when the understanding isn't there. When I've heard draw rein debates I've rarely seen anyone change view, perhaps...

There are lots of draw reins threads here and a huge breadth of opinion/experience. I thought a thread about positive use would be an interesting resource. So here goes my view! I've no objection to draw reins being used on a horse after it has 3 established paces - which by default means...

I think of it like this. If the land belongs to the father and the horse was bought by his money, directly or indirectly then if he feels to geld is right it's a no brainer. To have 5 horses housed is one doozey of a favour. If the horses and where they are kept is paid for by OP then it is...

If you've bought a warmblood for so little why not send her somewhere good with the money you've saved? Some brushing up for a greenie would proabably still be good but you'd avoid the risks of a confusing start. Those around you that have lots of knowledge would be a start for chasing a...

She's not allowed to touch reins yet - seat first! I've told her you learn to ride every bit as much on the ground, self discipline, where your body is, predictability, honesty with horses, reward, and 1st rule, and the biggest rule - love them.

Fion, just a thought why not start a thread on kids wearing hats upon any contact with ponies? I am really proud of her and of the way I view safety around horses, she is learning from scratch but without shortcuts and in a highly disciplined manner. I don't want to debate it here though...

It's ok, Lolly - I put the pics prefix on! :D She's not allowed back feet except shadowing me. She wants to pick while I hold but I won't let her as her hands have to learn facing the right way and 2 peeps round a foot doesn't sit with me well!

I know most proud Mum pics have kids on board but, for me, knowledge and skill on the ground is the same and Munch has been working towards this under strict rules! She was very proud to be allowed to go it alone! She's 4 BTW.

It is limited, it's inside out, ie - was allowed to close gates cubbing a few times but plaited for others to hunt 3 times a week, wasn't involved in campaigning, never hunted one of my own, held plenty owned by londoners to be stitched, ones on 'my block'. I was a groom not hoy poloy, not a...

Cool, learned something new and good! Blame Labour, blame anti's or blame video cams, it was the last of the 3 that brought it all down, that and the 'united front'. I'm glad it's over, even the Tories had more sense than to bring it back when half the planet has got a vid cam in their...