Neil Davies
Q: The horse I lease has a serious aversion to horses coming toward him when riding in the arena. He’s an off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) and, his current owner doesn’t know what sort of incident he might have had in his past that made him this way. It doesn’t matter if we’re walking or trotting, he tends … Read more
How would you go about introducing a puppy to being around horses? 2. How about an older dog (ie. a pound rescue type dog) who is new to horses? 3. What about the other way around, if you have a horse who is not used to dogs? Any tips or suggestions? 4. Have you any … Read more
Question from a reader “I’d like your expert opinion about calming down a hot-headed TB. I have to keep him boxed at night as he gets staggers from the grass. I mostly work him every day but it’s hard to give him a full schooling session when he is so full-on. Some friends have suggested … Read more
Q: My young mare has suddenly started being nasty to other horses (I’ve had her since a foal and she’s always been sweet natured). She is now 5. I know I can’t do anything about how she treats her paddock mates. But lately she’s started lungeing violently with her teeth bared at other horses tied … Read more
Q: Hi I have a question about mares…we’ve recently acquired a 12 year old TB mare (our first young mare). She is generally respectful and nice to handle. But she has major social issues with other horses – she simply cannot be in the same paddock as even through the fence any interaction with other … Read more
Q: I have a question in relation to an issue that we have with my daughters pony and our pigs. When we first got the pony she spent the best part of the time cavorting about the paddock when she saw the pigs. When in the paddock the other horses ignored the behaviour and … Read more
Question from a reader: “I’ve owned my 6-year-old warmblood-cross gelding for three years, and he has recently started to get really nappy when I ride him (although not always). He will stop out of the blue, sometimes rears or bucks a little, and refuses to go forward. I’ve ridden horses for many years, and I cannot … Read more
Q: I’d like some advice about introducing a new horse to a herd. My two elderly geldings (21 and 24) have been together for most of their lives. I have been riding the younger one, but his jumping days are over and though I will keep hacking him lightly, I am about to purchase a … Read more
From Sharon What do you think about using food treats as rewards while training horses. Is it effective, or does it just turn them into pushy, demanding horses? Does it encourage them to start nipping for treats, which is what we were told at pony club? Hi Sharon It is okay to use treats as … Read more
Question: I recently bought an 11-year-old TB gelding with a potentially dangerous habit. This horse is a bit high energy, but he generally behaves well both on the ground and under saddle. The problem comes when I turn him out after riding him. As we approach the gate to his paddock, he rushes up to … Read more