Recent content by sally2008

Can anyone recommend a source of bandage pads to go under stable bandages please? I need some long enough to go from under knee / hock right down over the coronet band to keep freshly washed and chalked socks clean overnight without attracting every woodchip in the box! I have been using...

I'd rather pay an excellent farrier than spend my money with the vet later, that's why ;)

My 27 year old is hacked 3-4 times a week (for an hour - mainly walking with with odd canter on good going) and does a schooling session of about 45-50 minutes once a week. He completes in VHS / SSAD veteran classes during the summer months. We jump him occasionally but as a former event...

It could be that she physcially can't come onto the bit at the moment. My advise would be to take a good look at her foot balance (yes really). Tie her up in the yard and allow her to relax and choose here own foot placement (ie. don't push / pull her back / forward to get her to stand...

Second this - if you don't want to purchase you can hire it from places like Speedyhire

To be honest I wouldn't be bothered in the least about brands at this stage - just go for a decent secondhand that fits properly. He's going to change shape as he grows so its more important to make sure that his first experience of saddles is not one of discomfort. What type is he? Have...

It could be thrush or heel pain but very often a horse toe lands if it has no choice because of poor foot balance. If he's not been doing enough work to be self-maintaining I would be booking him in with the farrier / trimmer to check and if they tell you that toe-landing doesn't matter then...

My first thought would be to have the balance of his feet checked by a farrier who properly understands the importance of skeletal alignment. A vet will happily take your money for x-rays, MRI scans etc then tell you his feet are out of balance (yes, I am a cynic when it comes to these things)...

I'm afraid I am one of those crusty old ratbags who will go upto anyone who it taking a whip to a horse unjustifiably and have a word about modifying their behaviour if they don't want to suffer the same fate. Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti discipline - a smack (when mounted) is a smack and...

Hiya, my basic rules are: 1. The harder the ground, the smaller and pointier the stud. Save the big, block type ones for very heavy going. 2. Don't re-tap stud-holes unless they need them as it is very easy to cross-thread them - then they won't be easy to screw in! 3. Plug the...

My view is why buy yourself trouble when it comes along in wheelbarrow loads for free? Either have her vetted at your own expense for your own peace of mind or walk away. The alledged opinion of the owners friend who may be a vet wouldn't cut it for me. Sorry - that probably isn't want you...

You don't need another horse. There you go. Sorted ;) No point talking yourself into buying anything in my view. Out of interest, why is he up for sale again?

Clive Meers Rainger - a very barefoot friendly and knowledgeable farrier. Does great work with the Equine Lameness Organisation too.

Yes, I have come across this before. Always best to check your policy documents. I don't usually come down on the site of insurance companies as, in my opinion, they are far too quick to look for a get-out clause, but as basically anyone can buy a knife and a white coat and call themselves a...

They don't always have to be for advertising purposes. My farrier has an excellent site which is used to provide horse owners with information and education: http://www.equinefootprotection.co.uk/