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
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
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