Recent content by Skib

Added note. I am in the South East and grew up near Epsom Surrey. In my second year if riding, I liked to hack from different places so I used 5 or 6 yards and I have never been to any yard where the people didnt look after both their horses and their staff. Most yards wanted one to have a...

I bake sour dough bread every Monday using a starter which I have kept going for years. My starter is active but it is white and not mouldy so not truly sour, and is a mix of organic strong white flour and tap water. The night before I am going to bake bread, I mix my starter with a cup of...

Most people start by taking riding lessons at a yard. That means the yard owners and staff get to know you. By doing that one learns how to tack up and untack and to put rugs on and to remove them. I would then look on the BHS site for a yard that offers the BHS Stable management course. I...

Could you explain how to reach this please? I am not managing to find it.

Yes. A good idea. I have had my own safety stirrups and leathers for years and always put them on any RS horse I am hacking. I dont bother for RS school lessons as it is years since I last fell off in a lesson. I have never had my foot stuck in a stirrup in the school. But I do always have my...

I have Mountain Horse half chaps that go over my Mountain Horse winter lace up boots. They are marked "genuine leather" I bought them at the same time as the boots and they are designed to go over the boots. It was expensive but that was way back in 2011. They are suede but much wear has...

I dont think one should under state ones capabilities. I did that and spent a couple of months almost in lead rein status and no canter at all. Though there was an advantage that me and the mare got to know each other so when we were at last allowd to canter she just flew for me. Honestly I...

How lovely. One of the best rides of my life was on a mule, predictably named Mouse. She too was sure footed down Bryce canyon.

When one learns to ride as an adult, one is taught basic leg and hand cues. I rode the beginner horse in a small school for a year using those cues. Then I realised the pony was reading my thoughts and i stopped basic cues. One was taught that it was better to ride through feel and shifts of...

Lace up, shortish boots like my Mountain horse can be tightened to give ankle supoort. When I broke my ankle the NH provided a support bandage which one wears under ones socks. However generally speaking, one should not ride with rigid ankles. One needs the flexibility because the stirrups will...

My old share was very fond of pears. And always ate any banana skins as well. So she was injected eating her last meal out in the field - pears and bananas.

I am not wonderful with people and social skills. It is possible that some people who are good with horses and communicating with horses may be less good with people? This may be even truer if one competes. I never competed with horses but my father expectd me to come top of the class which...

You need to consider the length of stride. I was taught (classical RI) that the horse steps forward to the point that lies beneath its nose. That looks to be so in all the pics posted, But the face of the horse is behind the vertical. If you lengthen the reins you need to increase the length of...

Written before reading the above. Your trainer is the person who knows you best and knows your horse. In your place, I would follow his advice. Sell this horse and look for another. I am not a competitive, sports person rider - just an ancient RS sharer and hacker. But I do also like dressage...

Both private and deals hboth proved dire for me. I changed into my riding clothes and went to inspect a horse for sale privately. The viewing was at the seller's house, on her lawn and was not to be ridden, so I walked away. Ditto, I changed and went to see a horse at a dealers (nearby county...