Recent content by Tammytoo

It is a nightmare isn't it! One thing I would say is that it is not always a good thing to get a horse with the intention of "letting them learn together". I would consider perhaps an older horse, a schoolmaster type that can teach your daughter the finer points of competing and let her have...

Ring your vet. It may be nothing it may be a problem, only your vet can say. I would not wait and see as foals can be vulnerable.

As neither of you have evented before, I think it would be a mistake to buy an unproven youngster. You really need a schoolmaster to teach you the ropes and then you will be in a position to bring on a young horse. I have seen the unhappy results of people buying youngsters as first horses and...

I think you need to get a good horsey vet to check him out. If you have tried everything you can and if he has been stressed over the last few months because of his attachment issues then there's always a chance he might have them. If his behaviour is getting worse then it may well be a pain...

A friend uses straw pellets which she reckons are more absorbant, you don't have to damp them down as the horse breaks them down by just walking round. Once she had put down a nice deep bed (followed recommendations) she only used one bag a week and at around £2.75 a bag, depending on quantity...

It's the element of surprise that works. Keep the bag up your sleeve, in your pocket or stuffed down your jacket, anywhere you can whip it out quickly and noisily, but don't let it rustle beforehand. I used to practice on the ground first, got really good but never needed to do it again!

Mmm difficult one. Would you consider feeding a supplement? Global Herbs do one called Rig Calm for geldings and stallions with difficult behaviour. I'm not suggesting he is a rig, but he is being difficult and domineering in his behaviour towards you because of the mare. I have used...

Well done you! You are obviously a thinking rider, for which your horse will thank you. Another good way to improve your riding is to have a lesson on a horse simulator. This helps you to improve your position and aids without having to worry about controlling the horse as well. I might well...

OK, this is a last resort thing and I'll probably get shot down flames for suggesting it as well ! I once spent 2 hours with a highly respected natural horse trainer trying to get my horse into a few inches of water. Eventually, trainer climbed on board grabbed hold of the neckstrap with one...

So disappointing for you after all that effort. The first thing that crossed my mind was perhaps a mare for a companion was not such a good idea, even though he is a gelding he is obviously smitten with her! Plus the fact that he was kept on his own for a while will have made him clingy. Is...

You should never whip or kick your horse. I once listened to a lady talking to Pony Club members when she saw them kicking and hitting their ponies in the excitement of gymkhana games. She asked them if they would kick or whip their dog if it didn't do the right thing instantly. They were...

This.

Whatever feels right and works for you both is the right thing. I was told by an very well respected trainer that it can take about 7-10 minutes for a horse to evaluate a "scary" thing so trying to force him/her past it can trigger a panic reaction. Unfortunately, as you say, the gallopimg...

So sorry you lost your boy too soon. Have you considered getting an ex.racer from somewhere like theThoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre in Lancashire? Worth giving them a ring as they don't always put all their horses on the website. I am also going to pm you.

Have you tried putting a noticein your local tack shop and agricultural feed suppliers? You could ask the sharer to pay for shoeing and hard feed, things that you would not have to pay if you just turned your horse away. Make sure your horse insurance covers any sharer riding her and try to...