Q: My 5 year old pony, Charlie, is starting to pluck the top wire on fences. It is becoming more and more of a habit. He use to just do it when he was waiting for his feed, but now he is doing it to gain attention and even when being groomed. I’m worried about … Read more
Q: Hello there. I am fairly new to horses, and I’d like to know your trainers’ opinions about the practice I’ve seen of people ‘desensitising’ horses by doing what looks to me like chasing them around a big yard with a plastic bag on a stick. What are they trying to achieve? Dan, via email Good … Read more
Q: “I have a former racehorse who is very unhappy about having his ears touched around the base especially, which makes it quite hard to bridle him. For example, to arrange his forelock and mane around his headpiece, and also to get rid of sweat from the area. Can you please give me some advice … Read more
Q: We were given a thoroughbred former racehorse who is quiet and gentle on the ground, to lead and work on a lunge. But he is a horror to ride – gets extremely wound up and scuttles around sideways, throws his head around, gets into a foaming sweat… all this just trying to walk him … Read more
Q: “My horse constantly pulls against me and shakes his head when I ride. How can I fix this?” From Sally *** Hi Sally, There’s no magic fix for head shaking or any other problem. Like all problems, head shaking doesn’t exist in isolation. Your horse’s head-shaking could be caused by any number of things. … Read more
Q: We have fairly recently moved on to a property that backs on to a quite built-up area with our two horses, who have previously only ever lived in a quiet rural property. I am a bit worried about the impending Guy Fawke’s celebrations, and how the horses will cope with fireworks that are likely … Read more
Q: In your view, when is the best time to teach a young horse how to load and travel in a float or truck? My mare has just foaled and a friend has suggested I take the foal for a short trip before too long. I have other friends who wait until the young horse … Read more
Q: Hi there. I have a five-year-old crossbred who I have just started riding. I am having problems getting him to canter though (he canters fine in the paddock with his mates). He just trots faster and faster and faster when I try to get him to canter. Have your trainers got some suggestions please? … Read more
Question: 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
Question from a reader: “I’m about to lease a horse, who the owners say is ‘cold-backed’. Apparently he dips or humps his back when first under saddle, sometimes bucks, and is better when you lunge him for a bit before mounting. Is this a physical (medical) thing, or a training/behavioural issue? Any suggestions?” Sue, via … Read more