Recent content by Winters100

This is a great way of doing it. One of the things that I really notice in the UK is just how much processed and prepared food there is. When I was last in the UK caring for my Mother I tried to keep to broadly the same diet that I have at home, but as I could not get out to shop was ordering...

I think that most of us, especially as we get older, need to be incredibly careful about what we eat and how much, for years I have written down everything that I eat, because I know how easy it is to gain. I have also always felt that the idea that people who are larger gorge on food is a bit...

Definitely sell. Too much can happen between now and pony being suitable. Good luck!

More than 10 years ago an old school friend, who was not horsey, asked me if it would be a mistake to buy an 18 year old pony for her daughter, because she was worried that she would never be able to sell it. The pony has now taught all 3 of her children to ride, and when it was outgrown by her...

To me gut instinct is part of it, but I try to buy with my head rather than my heart. I would say have a list of what are the essential boxes the horse should tick, what would be nice, but not essential, and also what would be dealbreakers. Do not feel that you have to buy, remember that not...

If I was the owner of the horse I would be immensely grateful that my sharer offered to help with the rehab, and would certainly not be expectling a financial contribution. Edited to add that you should not allow yourself to be bullied by the owner. I am guessing that you are somewhat younger...

Based upon recent experience I can agree with this. I was recently visited by an old friend and her husband, who was very proud to tell me that he was hunting in the UK, and had been awarded his hunt buttons. I borrowed a friend's cob to take him riding here. I think it is enough to say that...

I used to think that it would be a shame to lose this tradition, and that allowing trail or drag hunting would be a reasonable compromise to allow hunts to continue, without the need to cause unnecessary suffering. Now I believe that hunts have shown themselves to be unwilling to keep within the...

Sorry to hijack this thread, but it seemed a good place for a bit of a rant. I am seriously considering only walking my dogs on busy roads, where hopefully other dogs will be leashed. I am sick to death of hearing 'don't worry, he's friendly' as other dogs charge up to us at full speed. Today...

Give it time. WHen I first put my shelter up none of them would go near it. Now my geldings head for the shelter at the first sign of drizzle, wheras my old mare, who is much tougher, and very much 'in charge' of the pack, happily stands outside whatever the weather!

My opinion on this is that too many people have no fun at all with their horses, because they have overhorsed themselves, and become afraid of them. They then pay a fortune on trainers and lessons to try to fix a relationship which will never be a fit. I know, because I did it myself, and I...

To me it depends upon what your income requirements / expectations are. If you are younger and needing to establish yourself / save for the future then it could be problematic, but if you are older and looking at it as a lifestyle option then it could be ok. The income will probably be patchy...

Poor you, that sounds really hard. Is there anyone else who can help you? Maybe a friend on the yard? One lady at our stable has a horse on extended box rest and I give him his morning walk each morning, then 2 days a week I also to the lunchtime one, and on those days another friend does the...

The thing is though is this the life which you would consider acceptable for your own horse? For me the fact that they survive and do not colic is a pretty low bar - I have higher expectations for the management of my own horses.

That is very honest, to recognise how you are feeling about it. The thing is that one of our biggest mistakes can be thinking that we are the only one who can care for our animals. It is actually not true, and thank goodness that this is the case, because actually none of us know for sure that...