Recent content by Tickles

Well, unless you are a RS or offer carriage rides or something the cob was always going to be a giant hairy adorable pet. Just a ridden pet. So, if you are happy to keep him unridden then I don't see why you shouldn't. Be worth getting him started well as 'insurance' in case he ever has to go...

Wow! At your Gelderlander. And aww, bless at the littl-y, hope he isn't too sore - obviously not suffering with lack of ambition!

So, these ponies have - company - rugs (albeit patched ones) - food (hay) - water And the 'welfare' issues are - poor grazing, which might actually benefit many lami-prone ponies - you don't know if they are wormed (if they aren't a have a high worm burden I agree this isn't great) - poor...

Is he used to being in such a busy environment? Has he come from a quieter yard? How confident are you that he is left alone when you aren't around? I think you said another livery may have been treating him? What about any kids (as he is small so more likely to appeal)? Sounds like you have...

What are you doing (grooming? playing? feeding? can he not just be tied up short for whatever?) when he bites? Is he biting other things (e.g. chewing a lead rope) too?

So many congratulations. I'm a late-starter too. And it means the world. Well done.

Do you need the bit dressage-legal? If not then you sound like a good partnership to try bitless. Depending on how much brakes/help with way of going you need at all could be worth looking into some of those options. To simulate a side-pull you can just pop reins on a head collar as a cheap...

I love the way that one these threads you always get a bunch of people (person A, person B, person C,...) who would PTS their elderly horses rather than rehome them. Presumably that means that person A thinks they would provide a far better home than person B who thinks they would provide a far...

I think some people plait one into the forelock with some success. Personally I'd worry about it not being removable (without scalping!) if pony got stuck in something but otoh perhaps still safer than the lami risk.

Oh, I read OP's post as he only hacks once/week but might school/do in hand work/whatever on the other days. /Some/ horses are fine with minimal work, espec. if turned out in between with company, but some will never be once/week types. Think you need to clarify the work schedule OP.

So, field shelter (good for box walker too), limited grazing (many ponies don't get what they want to eat...). And your son grows, fast (and he will because that is what kids do). If you can manage the change in mgmt no need for the final solution yet.

Do you think that your mare's previous owners would have her back? If the gelding is so great and your instructor has facilities to produce your mare why is she offering you such a good price on the gelding? Is it because she will be doing a part-x with your mare who has good potential? Or...

You may like to include some more details about riding facilities at the yard in the ad (because a sharer is sharing the yard unlike a loaner who may sometimes be able to choose where the horse lives). So, "We're on a fun and friendly yard in Guilsfield with 24/7 turn out in summer, and an...

I'd consider it for loss (e.g. from field/if you come off hacking) as well as theft. It is something even a non-horsey person can see (without needing to approach closely as for one of the tack-labels/hoof brands) and may consider relevant if your horse is found or sighted. If you pop the mark...

So, the girl was initially helping you out but, now you're back from confidence issues/injury you'd like her to contribute financially (to shoes)? That doesn't sound unreasonable but I can see making the transition could be a little socially awkward. So, as above really... ask yourself If the...