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My horse has small bruising on one of her hoof wall from a mild case of lami a few months ago. She's now completely sound and it doesn't seem to affect her. What would peoples opinions on starting exercise again? A large part of me says to wait until the bruise has gone to not risk further...

I've a mare than is (unfortunately) a very good doer, she's also carrying far too many pounds. She's unridden due to multiple lameness issues, her ridden future is really uncertain at the moment. She's clipped on her belly and neck, on grassless turnout and on rationed hay. Still the weight is...

Recently I've been pondering over trying a bitless bridle for two of my horses but really confused over which type to try. My cob mare, built like a tank, is a serial leaner and bit chewer; working better once contact is completely dropped, obviously though, it isn't safe to ride like this on...

Ive been looking into doing some para dressage but I'm a little confused. I understand that I need to have a classification to take part in the para classes; but would I also be able to take part in the 'normal' classes. Mostly I just want to try my hand at it but the process looks long and...

Does anyone have any recommendations for a breastplate that clips onto the d-rings instead of leather buckles? I know they exist because I looked after a pony with one a few years ago. I've just been looking but they all look so complicated and have all these martingale attachments that I don't...

Ive been bringing my horse back into work after a long period turned away due to various issues. We've started doing a little bit more schooling recently and she's doing okay, a little rusty but its to be expected. However, she's seems almost incapable of cantering 20m circles. Whenever I ask...

Currently looking for a saddle to break in my pony but she's a bit of an awkward shape. She's a 13.2 cob, relatively short back with no withers at all. She's got pretty tiny shoulders which I'm hoping will muscle up once in work. Ive had my other cobs saddle on her which fits her wither but...

Found myself in a bit of a situation and could use some advice. Going to have to be brief and change a few details as to not be identifiable. Basically, bought a horse late last year. Cash in hand and passport exchanged. Previous owner now wants horse back. We've said no, for many reasons but...

Todays the day that I've kicked the horses out 24/7. The grounds dried up remarkably well from the storm earlier in the week, so off they went into the summer field. After a run and a buck around they've settled down, scoffing the new grass. I've actually had to put fly masks on today...

I've always battled with my cobs weight. Never managed to get her down to the right weight and stay there, no matter what work she was in. However, she's having the winter off, unrugged and the weight is coming off really nicely. Her ribs and spine can be felt very easily, the gutter on her bum...

Just a moan really, a bit of reassurance perhaps. I'm having to turn my horses away for a good few months as riding them is nearly impossible. My gelding has pair bonded with my mare and becomes downright dangerous (rearing) when taken away, so i cant hack him alone. The mare would go alone but...

Sorry in advance if its a little long. I have slight concerns over my 8 year old mare, theres just something i can put my finger on. The other night she sweated up in her stable, only in a lightweight. She is clipped but its growing back so i put it down to this and a mild night. Then she came...

Having got some bog boots only a couples of months ago, they've already got a hole (which i thought they might). Though I cant go through winter with holey boots. I've been hankering after some dubarry's for ages but i don't want to spend all that money if they are going to leak in a few...

A few weeks ago my gelding injured himself over night in his stable. Just a small injury on the point of his hock but it's not healing. I put some cream on it for a few days then let it be; he seems to be knocking the scab off when he lays down/gets up in the stable. Would bandaging it with a...

Can anyone recommend a calmer for an anxious gelding? Every time he's brought into the yard he becomes this shaking wreck who poos himself. It's a pitiful sight, anyone would think he'd been abused. It's also transferring into ridden work and has dumped his rider the past two times after getting...

Little late with the news but we picked up our latest addition on Friday evening. A lovely 16.2hh 13yo black dutch warmblood gelding. Still getting used to his size as I'm only a shorty and he's still a little on his toes from the move but he's such a genuine lad. Introduced him to my mare...

Finally able to get properly looking for our second horse, one that sounds ideal has come up and I'm quite excited about viewing her. She's a little younger and a bit greener than i set out for but I'm quite sold on her for some reason! Will be taking my sensible head to the viewing though. A...

Recently i've started riding Millie in the field as its been dry and i thought it would be good to do a little schooling. However she does get herself so excited, once we've had our first canter, thats it. All she wants to do is bomb around until her legs fall off. I presume this is down to her...

Went to do last checks on Millie tonight and found blood on the inside of her back leg, on closer inspection it appeared to come from two areas of her stomach. One spot like a 6 inch cut and another lump-like scab. Both swarming with flies, there wasn't much blood, only a few drops. Neither seem...

After a similar previous thread i was wondering which colour (or colours!) would suit my tri-coloured Irish cob. I've got a white one already, I love it but want to add a bit more colour. Plus, you can never have too many! I may in the end buy them all but i'm having to sit on my hands for now...

After horse tanking off while leading several times this week, twice this morning nearly dislocating my arm. I've had enough. So in trying this chain on headcollar thing but how do you attach it? Simple as possible please, my brain is fried lately.

With the relentless rain yesterday and heavy snow this morning, the fields are completely underwater :( Rather sick of it all now, they were almost bone dry! Much to the disgust of Millie, i've had to take her off grass and onto the hard standing by the barn where she'll be spending the next...

I rode for the first time today since the beginning of December due to the weather and the fact that she's developed the awful habit of napping. Mostly it went well, only a few arguments to be had. Sharp as a lemon but hopefully with more work she'll settle. Anyway, it hit me on the way back...

Millie started moulting about 2 days ago and now its a full on hair explosion. Hoping it means spring is on the way! Anybody else's horse moulting? Surprised that she's started doing so already.

Looking for an alfalfa free chaff as horse has started not wanting to eat her halleys timothy hay chop, i think she's become a little bored. I don't mind a little molasses as she wont be fed buckets of the stuff. Just enough to hide her supplements. I've heard that mollichaff is supposed to be...

gah, this horse is turning into a walking vet bill.. long story short my mare has become a little madam out hacking. A week ago i took her out and i only got a mile down the road before she refused to go any further, i tried to make her move but she got wound up and started jogging and sticking...

Just wondering if anyone can tell me what these small lumps on my mares shoulder might be. They've been there a few weeks and don't seem to be itchy or sore. I cant see anything on the skin underneath but i can feel the bumps when i run my hand over them. Theres a tiny amount on her other side...

When i turn Millie out in a morning and bring her in; we have to walk through a field to get to her paddock and every time without fail, she'll stop for grass along the way. Its not just a stop and head down affair, it's a pull my arm out of my socket to get the longer stuff a couple of feet...

My horse has extremely dry skin resulting in dandruff all over her body, her coat has become a little dull too, she's been treated for mites so now I'm thinking its just dry skin. Is there anything i can give her to help this? I've seen that soya oil or linseed is supposed to be good for the...

Afternoon all, I'm in a situation where I'm lucky enough to have my horses at home and i wouldn't want to change that. However, our hacking is good, straight onto the penine bridleway but theres so little opportunity to have a canter, unless we ride quite far which isn't always possible. The...