Q: “Every time I try and mount my horse, she moves backwards. If someone holds her head, she’s fine, but without a helper she moves back. I do not pull on the reins and also try not to be overbearing. How can I fix this problem?” Carol. Hi Carol, It can be dangerous if your … Read more
Q: My two young mares have started chewing the wooden fence railings, much to my husband’s annoyance! They live out together, and have access to grazing 24-7. They get hard fed a breeding mix at a level that is appropriate for them, and they also get hay in the morning and again in the evening. … Read more
q: I have two geldings and we don’t have space – and I don’t have the time or the money – for a third. My problem is how overly attached they are to each other. They graze together, obviously, and I ride and lead when hacking, and even when I am schooling, one is in … Read more
Q: Do your trainers have any tips for stopping a horse from pawing and kicking out while he is travelling in the float? My 10-year-old crossbred gelding does this if he is travelling on his own, or with a friend. He is wrecking the inside of my float and it’s quite distracting for me when … Read more
Q: My 16-year-old thoroughbred has recently started to drop and roll every time I ride him in the arena. He is sound and as far as I can tell, in good health. What on earth could be causing this and what can I do about it? The only other time I’ve heard of this is … Read more
Hi Neil. My mare has a cow phobia, and apparently has for all of her 15 years. Now, the issue is that she has to live right next door to them. The arena backs right onto a cow paddock on one long side and the farmer has a race which he moves his cows up and down daily on … Read more
Q: 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
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