Recent content by SPSP

I don't have any access to pony's usual refilling water trough so need a way to water him for a couple of weeks until it's available. I don't have any way of buying buckets etc. but do have a wide, low plastic dustbin, which is sturdy and clean (not used) so would this do on a very temporary...

Spoke to the owner when he had a similar episode about a year ago, although it was ridden rather than on the ground- he took off with me on a hack. Owner just said "that's not like him" and it was left at that. Although this time he's being wonderful ridden but a nightmare on the ground. Last...

No, owner is meant to but doesn't have time anymore. He's out on grass 24/7.

Have shared this pony for about 4/5 yrs. he's been a saint the whole time but recently it's just been awful. He's suddenly become nervous, and even dangerous. Yesterday he ran past me when taking him out of the arena, cantered all the way round the yard (loose) and back to the field. It was...

So... Went to catch G today and he was eating some poo- no idea if it was his or one of the other's. He's out 24/7 living on grass alone.. Am wondering if it could be a nutritional deficiency?? Anyone had any experience of horses doing this? Apart from that he's on great form and seems full of...

Does anyone know of any good exercises etc. to help encourage a green horse to lower its neck and stretch through its back? Pony likes to carry its head very high particularly in trot, is green so I have a feeling he just needs to build up the muscle... Any ideas? Thanks!

Sometimes I just wonder whether I'm doing it right... Had a fall today which made me realise that I may be pushing G too far too soon. He was doing superbly and I introduced something new too soon and he didn't understand and off I came :( entirely my fault and we're now giving the jumping a...

Mine does exactly the same, like yours he has a balanced diet so I honestly think that after all this time of him doing it it's either boredom or just habit. It seems to be only one type of wood that they chew so perhaps it just tastes good to them? Since he's moved in with a bigger herd of...

Put him straight in a snaffle, if you're comfortable with it. Forget head position for a while, too much focus on it won't help his balance. Is your weight distributed evenly on both seat bones? Are you collapsing down one side?

Which would you recommend? Thinking about getting a new one as mine's starting to fall apart. Would be using it for general riding and showjumping.

Thanks, Nudibranch! Schooling whip idea is excellent- I think G gets a bit claustrophobic when pressed up next to a gate so will probably be helpful to him if he doesn't have to get so close- thanks again, great idea!

Does anyone have any techniques for opening and closing gates whilst out hacking? We have quite a few near us and I hate having to keep getting off to get through them. G will not stand at a gate though... He gets really tense and doesn't understand what I'm asking him to do... I'm not sure he's...

G is exactly the same. However, with him it's being stallionish rather than him acting up out of fear. Equally, he isn't last in the pecking order but rather at the very top- he is without a doubt the leader in his herd of 5. All the others are mares and foal. He wasn't socialised at a young age...

As others have said, get it checked out ASAP. Mine was out 24/7 when he was lame a couple of months ago, and I mean hopping lame. So glad he didn't go on box rest, he came out of it fit and supple whereas he would've been so stiff if he'd been on box rest. Plus it meant he could decide himself...

Does anyone else's horse turn into a lunatic in the wind? Found mine and his 4 buddies galloping circles around their 10 acres yesterday- they're normally so chilled haha! Caught him just fine... But then spent 40 mins getting him to the gate, seriously!! Every 2 steps he bucked and spun... I...