Recent content by SlinkyMinxy

I started the backing process with my 3-year-old in June - she's pretty much taken it all in her stride but I still haven't sat on her and probably won't now until the spring. I don't want to do it until I know I have a clear run at it in terms of time - for the past few months, life has just...

Jonathan Wood Vets is the closest as they are based in Crediton. It's a mixed practice but all the vets have some horse experience. If you want a horse-specific practice, then probably best to try Stringer Equine Vets or Phoenix Equine (both based Exeter way). Penbode Equine Vets (Holsworthy)...

I've used Rapasorb for the last couple of winters - the bales are the same size as other makes of chopped straw but really tightly packed in, so there's actually a lot more bedding per bale when you open it. I ordered a pallet load which came to £420 including delivery. I know it's supposed to...

I bought one from Maxima Equestrian last year for my 2-year old, who was quite narrow at the time. They have buckles on the front straps so you can adjust the fit. The other thing I really liked is that they are not cut particularly deep, which suited my horse at the time and meant less chance...

A couple of years ago I had to argue this very point in a legal case! My view is that a vetting is less like an MOT on a car (where there is a very clear pass or fail on certain predefined criteria) and more like a house survey, where you might choose to proceed or walk away, depending on the...

That's interesting, thanks for the heads up. I looked at a property a couple of years ago that had direct access on to the Pegasus trail and I did wonder what it was like to ride. Just because something's marked on a map as a bridleway, doesn't mean it's rideable in reality!

The area around Beaworthy is quite good too, as there's Cookworthy Forest and the Pegasus Trail, which is a bridleway along a disused railway track and runs for miles. I completely agree with Dixie's comment about needing alternatives for Dartmoor when the weather is bad - it has a climate all...

Another vote for Dartmoor - I'm on the northern edge, where the hacking isn't quite as good but there is nothing to beat the vast, wild landscapes! One thing to bear in mind if you are looking at buying property is that getting planning permission for anything within the National Park boundary...

I used Richard Maxwell's pressure and release training halter for my very rude two year old, as she was totally ignoring everything else. It took about two sessions for her to understand it to the point where it went so slack it actually fell off!

Vauterhill?

It might be worth contacting them anyway, they may be able to recommend another practice in your area.

Another vote for Stringer Equine, they did the AI for my homebred, although that was using chilled rather than frozen semen. They do all the AI work for Langaller Stud, so should know what they are doing!

I found the Weatherbeeta Freestyle rugs were a really good fit on my big-shouldered ISH. The darts are further forward than normal, which really seemed to help with the fit.

I haven't lived in the area for about 10 years so may be a bit out of the loop, although I still have friends at livery in the area. As well as the ones you mention, there's Rollestone Farm and Saundercroft Farm if they're both still going, although the second rarely has spaces. I think...

The webinar was given by Prof Natalie Waran in conjunction with the FEI Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission The main focus was the effect of stressful experiences such as weaning on the adult horse. The webinar began with a discussion of social licence and the use of horses in competitive...