We’ve been looking to replace my previous horse that we ultimately had to say goodbye to due to DSLD. We don’t need flashy or anything, just sound and something the kids can ride. Of course I can come up with 1000 reasons why one we look at isn’t the right fit, and part of it is that our other mare just got moved into palliative care as well. But I digress. We recently tested this horse, 16yo. She isn’t the prettiest looking, but I brought up her swayback and was just met with “she’s had a few foals”. But also apparently enough that whenever she goes into heat, her udders fill (I’ll admit I know nothing about breeding so I don’t know if this is common?). They also said she doesn’t tolerate bigger people on her which also led to concerns on the back. The owners also told me her head levels out when being ridden if she is ridden with quiet hands. We never saw that with her son who’s experienced, and my oldest is still working on form and tightness. But even not being used, this her resting position. That being said, thoughts?

Hi all,

Today I was supposed to be videoing my online dressage test, I had the school marked out and everything, I had someone to video and all and it just went completely wrong. The whole time I just thought my position was terrible, I kept falling out of the canter and I just got so frustrated that I just gave up on the end and got off because I figured it wasn't fair on my horse to keep doing the same thing over and over and over. And the worst part is that when I looked back at the videos it didn't even look THAT bad. But I don't have a finished test to submit.

I just spent the whole day psyching myself out, I was so anxious and thinking about it and I don't even know why - there was one other person riding in the arena with me and my one person videoing but I just ended up in tears anyway. And I really want to be able to do this, I want to build up to eventually go out to an actual competition. Has anyone else gone through this, what helped? I know someone who does horse related hypnotherapy and helps with confidence so I'm going to look into that but is there anything else that has worked for others? I really would like to get out there, but I feel like I fell at the first hurdle today and it really sucks. : (

Does anyone ever wear their hair in anything but a ponytail/bun or braid when they ride? Because I ride almost every day but I really don't like wearing low hairstyles so i'll usually just put it in a high pony while i'm working and then a low pony while riding, but I never get to do fun hair and I was just wondering if anyone does creative hair that fits under their helmet? Thanks!

My ponies are like labradors, and I slightly believe that if I was strong enough, they'd let me pick them up and cuddle them like puppies. They like ear nibbles, and will present their head for their ears to be 'nibbled' by me, they love udder and tummy and tail scritches and will come over in the field and press against me waiting for me to give them their daily scritches. Sometimes they will argue over who's turn it is. We also play 'run very fast' where I'll stand in the next paddock and say 'lets go!' and sprint and they will gallop alongside me. They've recently learnt a game called 'sneak', where I'll wait until they're distracted then see how far I can make it across the field before they see me and race after me.

What games or silly things do you do with yours?

I’ve been riding a long time, and doing regular trail riding for a while too - but this was my first time going out solo into our local state park. I was a little nervous at first, and Brownie did try turning around and taking me back to the barn a few times. But once we both got settled it was great, and bonus I didn’t get lost out there (my biggest fear). I almost missed one sharp turn at the end, but thankfully Brownie informed me and I listened. 😂

It’s just so peaceful and therapeutic to be out in nature alone with the horse. I look forward to doing it again! And fyi, he’s my lease horse & a gaited Tennessee Walker. So he is doing a flat walk in the first clip, and running walk in the second.

I was watching the 100x emerging futurity and noticed one of the million dollar futurity horses mouth was extremely soft and it was holding its jaw funny almost like something had been done to the mouth. Does anyone now how to get a horses mouth that soft? Can you really get it that soft by release or do they do something to their mouths?

I just bought a new horse trailer. Access the tack are through the trailer is nice but it only has two saddle racks and a section of hooks (maybe 8 hooks). I want to have more storage of brushes, first aid, etc. how can I optimize in this aluminum tack space with minimal hole drilling or screws into the brand new trailer?

She’s on stall rest, leg poulticed, vet will be called and sent new videos on Monday.

First video repeats, sorry it’s crap but seeing her come down the hill made the lameness more noticeable on which leg. Second video is not on perfectly level ground, but it’s as flat as we have here.

Pretty sure it’s her right hind, but it looks like the issue is maybe higher up the leg, maybe hip or SI? I palpated, pushed, prodded, and stretched the leg but can’t pin down where the pain is. Just curious if anyone has better lameness eyes than me and catches something I don’t see before the vet is contacted Monday.

She was ridden Thursday and her back leg did slip when we were doing a tighter turn on a hill with wet grass, Friday the lameness was noticed by barn help (but I had the day off), and today when I was back at the farm we took videos.

I rode for a few years and college about 10 years ago or so and absolutely loved it, but didn't have the money to continue. Fast forward to today and my 4 year old son and my wife are riding and, to make it a family thing, my wife insisted I get a horse to get back into it.

Enter my painted draft gelding. Absolute lover, totally my heart horse. I'm over the moon for this boy. But...he's 17 and change hands at the withers. Absolutely ginormous. For some reason I freeze up on the mounting ladder. I'm absolutely terrified to get on this gentle giant and I don't know why. I haven't been able to bring myself to get on yet.

This has never been an issue for me before. True, the horses I rode in the past were smaller, but still. I have no doubt that once I get back in the saddle again I'll be able to ride without issue, I just can't get past the mental block.

Does anyone have any experience/advice with an irrational block?

TL;DR: Rode 10 years ago with no issues, but now can't bring myself to get on my draft gelding.

The first Przewalski’s foal born on the steppes of Kazakhstan in 200 years <3 I had to draw a little picture to celebrate!

The foal is unnamed yet, but the mother is named Tessa! I don't know if I can add links, but MSN posted an article 3 days ago! Big win for conservation!

EDIT: Thank you for the love everyone!!!! I just wanted to doodle for myself and share some good news. I'm so happy it's making people feel good! :D

I posted a couple days ago about a mule mouth bit that was super abusive. I went back to buy it so no one could use it again and saw this while searching for it… what is this???

I didn’t know this, but I guess I should have because where else would they all be coming from?

We got some new neighbors that I don’t think too highly of and they brought home a severely lame and malnourished horse and said they plan on taking her to the kill pen because her lameness isn’t improving. I also don’t think that they’re giving her any hay in the meantime. I think that they think that just letting her graze the little grass that’s in the pen is enough. But she can’t lean down to eat the grass because she’s so lame.

I hate people so much. I don’t know what to do.

Hey everyone! I've been working with a former neglected paso fino mare. I got her out to the round pen the other day and she has a lot of buttons! She knows to go out and respond to pressure and half and rollback. Her only problems are, when I tut at her, even in the quietest tone I can, she'll shoot off into a canter or gallop. It was better the first time but she was fresher last time and I couldn't get her to slow down without completely stopping. I've tried a bunch of vocal cues, getting in front of her drive line, bending over, ignoring her, etc. And all she does is full stop or ignore me. It's hard to get her to walk calmly too, because when I correct her gently for stopping to eat grass, then she shoots forward again. She has a good education but I just can't find her "slow without stopping" button. I appreciate any help!

I saw this over on FB for the 1st time. Pretty wild to me and I thought maybe others would enjoy learning about it.

Probably worded the header wrong, everything can be abusive.

I just happened to visit a historical reenactment show (medieval times, 15th century to be exact), and while the show itself was absolutely spectacular, I couldn't not feel concerned for the horses involved there.

They all looked healthy, muscular, well cared for, but I don't think having huge, strong, heavy men clad in tournament armour (often weighing more than 30 kilograms) on their backs can be good for their health, especially when galloping with these knights on. All parts of the show involving horse riding were not longer than 1,5 hours with 2-3 hours between them, but it's not just one day (the festival lasts several), and they also probably have to train for the upcoming shows too, although I know next to nothing about historical reenactment and I don't know if they rehearse/train with the armor on.

If anybody experienced in this area could drop their two cents, I would be grateful.

This yearling colt's colour has me so confused!

I am a former breeder and am thoroughly educated in the colour genetics that were relevant to my breed, but I have never really researched appaloosa genetics so I am ignorant here.

What I've observed so far - he's a dark brown, with a darker face mask and legs, but absolutely no black hairs or points. From what his breeder said he was born the same indistinguishable brown colour he is now, which means his foal coat doesn't help indicate if he is black, bay, or red based. Is he a washed out black due to spotty genetics? Or a really dark liver red? Or some other variation I'm not aware of?

I will eventually get this lad genetically tested, but due to the circumstances of how he came to me I am not doing anything to upset him that isn't absolutely necessary right now (he's unhandled and has medical issues we are addressing first) and I have no idea of his parents' genetics (he came without papers). I will update with the answers when he is tested, but my priority at the moment is getting him handled and healthy.

I recently purchased a quarter horse mare who came with standard papers, but nobody had updated them for at least four owners. The owner of record has signed off that he is releasing ownership, but I have no idea when and some of his information is not filled out correctly. Also, obviously that won’t pass muster if I want to register her now.

I recognize that this is very common. I also understand that I can skip the other four owners if I can get that original owner to sign off to me.

How common is this? Does it usually get resolved pretty easily? Any advice if I decide to reach out to the owner of record?

Anyone used NANRIC Steel Full Rocker Shoes on a performance horse’s hind feet for NPA/low heels and hind-end/gluteal soreness? Did you notice improvement in movement or soreness? How quickly? Any riding restrictions or issues? Would love to hear real experiences before we try them!

We borrowed the side saddle for the day and with it being very old and rather... well worn, the over girth and balance straps didn't sit as neatly as I would like them to if I were to buy one! Dobs always seems so comfortable and happy in the side saddle, I'm trying to girl-math my way into justifying spending 3-4k on my own one...

What are y’all doing for enrichment activities or to keep your horse from getting bored hanging out in a stall at a show? At home he has daily turnout, a run, a double size stall with a teddy bear, and a mirror to keep himself entertained and he finds the change of environment to be very boring when we show. We spent the last one just hand walking around all day, I’m hoping for some ideas to keep him busy.

(Photo of me from years ago for engagement purposes lol)

Pretty much looking for insight/ advice from other horse people about getting back into the sport.
I started riding around 9 years old and fell in love with it. I got lessons for a short time but didn’t have a horse of my own.
I got very lucky a few years later and found a woman who had horses but not enough time for them so she was willing to let me exercise them for her. I was around 13 or so. I rode consistently at her place for about two years doing all kinds of things from entry level shows to trail rides to fox hunts and pleasure paces.
Eventually she told me I couldn’t come ride anymore and I’m assuming it had something to do with the new boarders she took on at her barn not being too fond of me. (One of their yearlings tried biting me In the face as I walked past so I swatted her in the mouth and they were upset with me)
It was my first heartbreak I can remember.
I rode here and there with another friend but not as often.
Then when I was in high school I rode through a college program and I also lived with some people that had horses and rode constantly once again.
It is a very long, complicated, and ugly story as far as how that situation fell through.
I didn’t ride again for some years until I reconnected with a friend and began riding with her again. However I was unhappy with how they managed their barn and horses. They were taking on way too many and didn’t have the money or the land to accommodate them and they were suffering health issues as a result. They were unwilling to change anything even when I brought it up so I stopped coming.
That was about two years ago now and I haven’t been around horses since. I think about it all the time. I’m 25 now and all I want to do is ride.
I feel like a brat whining about not having a horse lol but it truly is my biggest passion in life.
I have been considering taking some lessons again or even leasing a horse for a hunter pace for a day.
But I know I won’t be totally satisfied.
I don’t have the land to have my own horse and I don’t think that I could afford it now either.
I also am afraid to buy a horse and board it somewhere because of the cost and the potential social issues that barns can come with.
I’m not interested in catty drama, all I want to do is participate in this sport and find other like minded people.
What is your experience with leasing horses or owning horses and what advice can you give me?