March 10, 2010 – What does it mean when a mare has a jiggly butt after being in the pen with a stud?

What do you think it means" Since this is a family website, I'll refrain from any other comment, other than to say that it sounds like a good time was had by all.

March 9, 2010 – My senior gelding started dropping weight about a month ago. 2 weeks in I noticed and couldn't believe how quick and badly he looked. I separated him from the other horses and started feeding 2 scoops of senior feed twice a day as well as 1 scoop of alfalfa with rice germ oil and all the hay and water he wants. I'm not seeing any improvements.

There is something going on other than the feed. You need to contact your veterinarian. Depending on how old he is, sometimes a horse's intestines lose the ability to absorb nourishment. Or, it could be something else, such as a dental problem. Your vet will know and this can't wait. Call your vet immediately!.

March 8, 2010 – As a horse trainer, is it better for me to file as a business or as a farm for tax purposes?

A farm is a business. The IRS treats income from any source as taxable. Farmers with land also pay real estate taxes. And, if you incorporate your business, your business will get a separate tax number under which its taxes must be accounted for, unless the income flows through to your personal return, such as in the case of a single-member Limited Liability Company (LLC).

This is really a question for an equine attorney and an accountant — get thee expert help!

March 5, 2010 – Why does my horse always move away when I try to tack her up to go for a ride?

Well, think about it from her point of view. There she is, happy and contented in her stall or pasture with her friends nearby, munching away. And then you come along with a tight corset that you insist on strapping on as tight as you can manage, not to mention, shoving a steel bit contraption in her mouth that prevents eating, and then the two of you go out and work hard. Substitute "teenager" for horse and you'll see why only the horse's innate good nature prevents her objections from becoming a bit more forceful than merely shifting her feet around.

Try to minimize stress by making her workouts fun and the tacking process easy. And when you ride, do you just ride in a ring or paddock? If so, break it up with the occasional trail ride. That helps to break monotony and introduce newness and exploration to a ride. On trail rides, ride with others both for safety and added fun. Horses actually enjoy going out exploring in groups because they feel safer with other horses along and like moving together.

Finally, incorporate some cantering, and if you're comfortable with it, some galloping into those rides. Horses are by design, running machines, and do enjoy the occasional gallop. You don't need to run flat-out, just get to at least a mild gallop once in a while that makes you both feel alive.

If you can do these things, your horse is much more likely to enjoy your rides.

March 4, 2010 – Will chicken feces harm horses?

Chicken feces? It's filled with bacteria, so if a horse did eat it, I can't imagine that it would either taste good or be healthful for the horse. A horse likely would not eat feed contaminated with chicken feces in any event.

Why are you asking this question, anyway? Keeping chickens in a stable likely isn't all that harmful, just because the chicken poop would be scattered around outside where the chickens roam during the day. But force feeding chicken feces is another thing entirely. This is definitely not recommended (but you likely knew that anyway).

March 3, 2010 – Why does my horse respect my trainer, but not me?

Because on your first date, and your second, and third, and fourth, and so on, things went in a fashion that taught your horse that he could have things his way. On the other hand, your horse trainer likely established early on in the relationship with your horse that things would, in fact, go the horse trainer's way. There is a method to this, and you should talk more to your trainer to figure out all the little signs and strategies the trainer uses to establish the way things should be. This does not mean brutality, punishment, or pain for the horse, in fact, sometimes it's as simple as giving the horse fun options and not so fun options.

Horses learn pretty fast how to amuse themselves, and if they figure out that you mean fun, they're likely to go along with your suggestions just to see where you're going with things. You have to learn how to observe your horse, and to understand what it means when he looks bored, mad, happy, unhappy, sad, sick, annoyed, interested, non committal, and so forth. Horses are actually fairly easy to read — everything they think about is expressed with their ears, eyes, and their body language.

Do some reading, ask some questions, observe your horse, and you could be happily surprised — reading horses isn't hard. Fortunately, you can change a horse's opinion of you regarding respect. In fact, horses readjust opinion and rank in the herd all the time.

Good luck!

March 2, 2010 – My horse backs up for me to brush his rear end. Does this mean anything?

If he's backing into the brushing, it means he likes it and has an itchy back end that needs attention. If he's backing away from the brushing, it means you're brushing too hard and he's attempting to get away from you. Horses express their opinions with their feet, usually.

March 1, 2010 – I recently had a second horse owner abandon her horse at my barn. I can't afford the expenses to care for additional horses at this time. What charges can I bring against this owner?

In most states, there is a process to sell the horse for the board fees. You want to properly adhere to the process to avoid legal problems later. This usually involves a trip to court after filing some papers and giving notice to the abandoning owner — contact an equine attorney for this.

Though it may hurt to spend money on this situation, you'll be saving yourself from a "trespass to chattel" lawsuit when the owner returns in six months demanding her horse back.

February 26, 2010 – Is it true most Thoroughbreds need thin gullet saddles?

As a breed, Thoroughbreds have higher withers and narrower frames, than say, some strains of Quarter Horses or draft horses. I don't think that necessarily means a thin gullet saddle, but you're right to think about saddle fitting as a requirement for riding well. General statements aside, each horse is an individual and needs to be fitted for his/her own frame. I've met many a thoroughbred built like a tank, so you'll just have to look at your own particular specimen to see what works best for him/her!

February 25, 2010 – What documents must I use if I give a horse as a gift? Do I need to make any filings?

A bill of sale stating the item is a gift should do the trick. You don't need to do any filings unless the horse is registered with a breed registry, and then the filing will depend upon the requirements of the breed registry. You should check with whichever registries your horse is registered.

February 24, 2010 – My horse bites when I groom him. What can I do?

Tie him up so that he can't reach back very far, and then keep an eye on him. Brush him softly so that you're not giving offense or pain to him unwittingly, and then, if he goes for a nip, smack him on the shoulder and loudly say, STOP IT!

This horse needs manners, and as his owner, it has to be you that needs to teach him some. You'll have to be on guard for a while. This is obviously a bad habit and habits die hard, so be warned.

February 23, 2010 – What does it mean when a horse won't get up?

It means that he's in distress — call a veterinarian immediately!

Horses are not designed to stay on the ground for very long because their own weight crushes their skin, producing pressure sores. Then it crushes their organs which shuts down their digestion and breathing — this eventually kills them.

Act quickly!

February 22, 2010 – I have a 9yr old Appendix. I have owned him for 4 years. Ever since I've gotten him, he has not liked being brushed. When I run my hands along his sides and back, his tail will swish and his ears go slightly back, like it's uncomfortable.

I have had him massaged, thinking that his back may be out. I have had several farriers work on his feet and they all say he has great feet. I thought maybe I was using the wrong saddle and he was sore, so I had him fitted with a saddle by a professional. The problem of sensitivity is still there.

I can ride him and he seems fine. He will do anything I ask him. It bothers me that I can't really touch him though, without it causing him to be irritable. I was told to look into "Blood Worms" or worms in his muscles. Could this cause him discomfort, and if so, how can I find out if he has them?

I don't think it is blood worms. This parasite causes unexplained weight loss, diarrhea, swollen belly, poor coat, and sometimes colic. It's usually found in herds with parasite problems. Somehow, I doubt that is your situation, after all you said regarding your attention to his care and comfort. However, the only and best way to rule this out is by calling your veterinarian.

As to other possibilities of what could be bothering him, it's likely that whatever it is has nothing to do with you. If you bought him at age 5, then he already had a history with humans before you met him, and that may be what he's thinking about when you brush him. He just has to learn that what you're doing is pleasant and nonthreatening.

Try to change his mind as follows: give him a pat and a stroke every few times you meet him, lengthening those pats on some days and other days ignoring that. He won't know when you're going to try and when you're not going to try. Then, when you do, start small, build up, but again, don't use any rhythm with it so he doesn't discover any reliable pattern.

He'll soon likely learn to appreciate this attention when flies are a problem, and when shedding season is here. Or again, he may not. Sometimes a horse just doesn't like something, no matter what you do. But this is a good way to to see if he can become more comfortable with being touched.

February 19, 2010 – I volunteer at a horse rescue and am working on learning techniques (studying with Richard Shrake) to work with the horses we rescue. One item I seem to find difficult to find information on is how to stop a young horse from biting?

Second, we have a young horse that bucks when you ask him to canter. Is working on a longe line the best way to work this out of him?

Young horses are "mouthy" for the same reason teenagers are: they haven't "larn'd their manners" yet. If you've ever seen a boss mare or mother horse doing the "teach'n", it's an impressive display. All horses have to be taught manners, and there are many books and columns written on the techniques. However, because you're a volunteer at this organization, I would be cautious about suggesting YOU doing the training of manners because you could get hurt. Talk to the owners about this issue. They should have guidelines for the volunteers. Otherwise, this is a job for a horse trainer.

As to your second question, I did a post recently on this very topic. Horses buck for a variety of reasons ranging from "I have to get this mountain lion off of me" to "Watch Me Blow Off Steam!" If it's the first reason, all of the lunging in the world won't stop him. But if it is the second, it might put a dent in the boisterousness. Again, the primary consideration is safety here — don't get hurt! Let the owners take the lead on this issue.

February 18, 2010 – Just bought a 5 year old thoroughbred and she has been in a field for the last 6 months. She has rain scald on her back and its healing but she won't let me go near her back with a brush or anything to try treat it. She either tries to kick out and squeals or just stamps her back leg. How do I gain her trust and stop her doing this so I can help her back?

She acts this way because it hurts. Does she do this if you use a soft sponge? If not, try to use Selsen Blue shampoo with a very soft sponge, then use a hose at a low setting to wash off the suds.

You'll have to work with her over time, it won't happen right away. Just keep trying with the hose and the sponge, starting at her shoulder, and working your way back. Eventually she'll figure out that it doesn't hurt and even feels good. Once she decides that, she'll stand still for you.

February 17, 2010 – It snowed yesterday and last night. We had our 2 horses in their stalls. Today, we put them in the pasture and my "submissive" horse charged the dominant horse, kicked and bit at her. Now we're afraid to let them be together. Why did this happen and how do we, hopefully, reintroduce them. My horse had only been here a week, but gladly accepted the submissive role.

Horses re-negotiate roles all of the time. They continuously test each other's resolve and nerve and determination to be the leader. They also learn new things all of the time, and if your horse has only been there a week, then she might have just been biding her time, trying to decide whether to be the leader or not. I even hear of stories where horses that have been taught to "cut" cattle, learn so well that thereafter, they are always the alpha horse in the herd, just because they learned how to push livestock around. In fact, horses will attempt to test OUR nerve as the leader too, so just keep that in mind when your horse does something as if daring you to do something about it. She might very well have that thought in mind!

As to your particular question, I would not draw a conclusion about their relative herd positions until they've been together for a while. If you continuously (over several weeks time) see dangerous behavior by one to the other, that is, savage punishment, bullying, and enforcement techniques, then by all means, don't pasture them together. This is rare however, and usually a threat display is all that it takes. After all, somebody has to be the boss. Don't get involved unless you have to, and then only in order to preserve safety.

February 16, 2010 – I leased a horse about five months ago. She is lame and my veterinarian is not sure what is causing it. Can I break the lease?

Obviously, this is something about which you should contact an equine attorney about before making a final decision. The problem with breaking a contract is that it could put you at financial risk, and it could also give you a bad name in the industry. Courts don't look positively upon those who break contracts.

In addition, it doesn't sound as though you know exactly what is going on from your description. The lease's wording, assuming it's in writing, will play a major role in this matter get resolved or adjudicated. You need to call an equine attorney in your area to sort this all out. This is not as simple as just breaking your lease and thinking everything will turn out right.

February 15, 2010 – Why is giving a horse a big drink after he's gotten really hot, winded, and sweaty, a bad idea?

Horses actually have a really good cooling system. They sweat efficiently, and for large animals, can manage hot weather quite well. However, giving a horse a large drink of cold water while he's still heaving and sweating does put the animal at risk for colic or foundering, either of which is very dangerous for the horse.

This situation was captured in the Black Beauty story when the hapless "Joe" nearly kills Beauty in this manner. The best way to hydrate a horse is to cool him off by walking and let him take sips of water occasionally as he cools off. He can drink his fill once he's completely cooled down and dry.

February 10, 2010 – From time to time, we receive quite a few submittals asking about Equine Insurance and what to buy. This is a fairly complex area and I decided to write an article to provide readers with information that I hope will make the process somewhat easier. The article is entitled: Buying Horse Insurance.

February 9, 2010 – Hi! I recently purchased a very sweet and handsome AQH. He is just what I was looking for, but I found out after I had him a few weeks that he had had an upper suspensory injury a few years back which they treated with a nerve block and stall rest. I have been riding him as often as I can, but with temperatures often in the single digits and no arena, I've not been out as much as I would like to be.

I'm not familiar with suspensory injuries or treatment using nerve block and I'm wondering what the typical scenario is for such an injury and treatment. Is this something that should have been disclosed before purchase or is it nothing really to worry about? Thank you for your time.

A suspensory injury refers to an injury to the suspensory tendon in the leg. The suspensory tendon is one of the tendons that supports the fetlock joint, and if it becomes injured, it can prevent the horse from performing its usual and normal activities. This is a soft tissue injury and/or sprain and/or tear, and its seriousness ranges from severe (snap the tendon) with no possibility of healing, to one in which minor rest is all that is required to heal. A nerve block is a technique of temporarily numbing the limb from pain. The nerve will regenerate its function after a time, so it's not a final solution to leg pain for the horse.

As far as the degree of seriousness in your particular case, it depends on the seriousness of the original injury, and if he ever became lame from it afterwards, either from your use or someone else's prior use. Another consideration is that of your intended use for this horse. Base on what you shared in your inquiry, it sounds as though your horse had mild to mid-range issues which could be just fine by now. If the horse became well and sound after this original injury, I don't know that it would be serious enough that it had to be disclosed. That is just my initial reaction to your question though without resort to the fundamental right of every lawyer: asking questions in a searching fashion to get to the bottom of it all!

February 8, 2010 – I have a 17-year-old gelding and he is an awesome horse, but I would like to improve his leg reining. How would I do this and would it take a long time? He is a pretty fast learner, but I don't know if he is too old to be improved in that area.

In my previous post, I wrote about training an older horse. The same advice goes for you: consistent repetition over time will build skills. How much time depends on your skill and your horse's interest. It's always better to hire a professional in these matters, and is usually cheaper than ruination. That is one possible result of an unskilled trainer working a horse that is ostensibly being taught something, and sometimes not what the unskilled trainer has planned.

February 5, 2010 – A person we board for brought a horse to our ranch and told me that I was free to ride her. When I did, I found that she doesn't know a whole lot. We later found out that she is sixteen years old. All she knows how to do is follow another horse's rear end because she is a pack horse. Where do I start? Is it too late to train her?

No, it's not too late to train her, but the fact you ask this question means that you may not be able to train her. This isn't a knock on you. It just means the period of time that it takes to adjust her expectations will require a level of observation and judgment that you may not possess yet. If you do want to broaden her horizons, you'll have to take it very slowly, be very consistent, and build on one skill at a time. This could take weeks and even months as you introduce each new talent.

I am sure she will enjoy it, but just as we people get set in our ways, she may be confused at sudden changes and could react with fear or crankiness. Any of these states can be dangerous for you, so my best advice is to advise your boarder to hire a trainer for a month. Otherwise, don't fool with her. She is not yours, and your safety comes first.

February 4, 2010 – I own a nice mare that I free-leased to a friend. We had a verbal agreement that if she ever could not take care of the mare, she would call me and I would take the mare back. Now I find out that she intends to sell the mare next week. I am frantic, what can I do?

Unfortunately, the situation you describe is all too common in the horse world. There may, in fact, be a remedy for you, but you'll need to consult with an equine attorney. Generally speaking, the transfer of ownership of a horse requires a writing in order to prove your case, but not always. It'll depend on the exact circumstances that occurred in your situation.

For example, courts will look at the conduct of the parties in an attempt to assess the situation. But the fact is, the situation is usually colored by each party's description of the arrangement, and the fact they're in court already indicates they don't see the situation the same way. It goes without saying, I guess, that if you ever lease a horse again, it should be in writing. Call an equine attorney right away.

February 3, 2010 – Why does my horse poop within 10 minutes of being locked in her stall? She has free run to come in and out all day but during the cold nights, I lock her in. When I leave the barn to get her grain or water, she poops. After I clean it up, if I leave for another 5 minutes, she poops again. Is this a sign that she doesn't like her barn? We live in an area where there are alot of coyotes or wild dogs and I'm wondering if they're coming around the barn at night.

I also just got her back in August after a 6 year absence and I don't know if that has something to do with it.

You may not credit this, but horses can be incredibly fussy about where they poop. Not all horses, some are complete pigs and seem to enjoy mucking up the muck. Other horses will only poop in one corner and at certain times. I had a horse that would only pee in his stall. If he was out all day, he would hold it.

As for the reasons why, I dare say each horse has his individual reason. I wish we did have ESP, it would be so much fun to ask them! You have offered up some reasons, but I think you'll just have to observe her. After a six year absence, I'm sure you've got some catching up to do.

February 2, 2010 – Is it legal for a barn owner, who is a farrier, to forbid their boarders from bringing to the barn a farrier of the boarder's choice for the health of their horse's feet?

A land owner can forbid anyone he or she wishes from their property. By the same token, a boarder may refuse to patronize such a narrow minded and obviously protectionist establishment. So the boarder can just give notice and move to a new barn. In this economic recession, the boarder has the upper hand. I would talk to the barn owner, point out the economic realities of the situation, and see if you get anywhere.

February 1, 2010 – Hi, I have a 10 year old thoroughbred gelding and sometimes while I am grooming him or tacking him up, he looks at his sides while I am touching that area. Does that mean he has an upset stomach or maybe just that he is sensitive in that area?"

I think it means that he likes to watch what you're doing to him. An upset stomach or colic would be accompanied by many more signals of distress, such as sweating, pawing, lying down and rolling, a lowered head, disinterest in surroundings, dull eye, etc. In the event that any of these occur, DO NOT wait, but call your veterinarian immediately. Colic is one of the most dangerous ailments commonly faced by horses, so do not fool around with it if you should ever see its symptoms.

January 29, 2010 – Can you tell me how to install English stirrup leathers?

Sure. On each side of the saddle is a small flap called the skirt. Under the skirt is a stirrup bar. You want to push the rounded end of the leather up under the stirrup bar until you can grab it and pull it through. You want the iron to already be on the stirrup leather when you do this. That's really all you need to do. See the photo at left for what it's supposed to look like when you're done.

January 28, 2010 – What is causing my horse's tail to fall out?

If your horse is turned out with other horses, you may wish to see if one of the other horses is munching on it. Otherwise, there are some skin problems, such as Rain Rot and Mange that can cause hair loss. You need to call your veterinarian because these conditions are contagious and you'll need professional help to resolve them.

January 27, 2010 – Why does my horse stomp her feet when I walk toward her?

Because she's impatient to get going on your project — this is a good sign! Horses are very readable in their emotions, and this is one sign of impatience.

Have fun, you obviously have one convert to the mission!

January 26, 2010 – What is the proper way to steer a horse with your legs or feet?

Horses can learn to move away from pressure — in fact, that's what sidepassing requires. So, if you press your leg, knee, or thigh into the area near their girth, they can learn to move away from that pressure. You can also steer them that way if you reinforce this training over time. In fact, when I ride polo ponies, most of the steering is with my legs. It saves their mouth and is fun. Try it!

January 25, 2010 – My ex-race horse keeps bucking. How do I fix this?

He's obviously enjoying himself at your expense. Here's a question: Are you a secure enough rider with a good enough seat so that his attempts amuse you rather than frighten you? If you are a strong rider, and say, are in an Australian stock saddle, where the knee poleys on the front of the saddle really help you stay locked in place, then a horse that attempts to buck is really not much of an issue. You just keep their heads up so that they can't really dig in for a rodeo moment, and instead urge them forward. Bucking is a lot of work and soon they even out and fly straight.

However, if these attempts frighten you, get a trainer and have them work with the horse. You may not be able to eradicate the problem entirely; horses do this because it's fun for them. But you should be able to reduce the problem so it's no longer much more than a few crow hops very infrequently, and something not to worry about.

January 22, 2010 – What is the problem with a horse that is hard to stand up?

A horse that does not like to stand up is having leg and foot problems. This is serious because horses are not designed to be on the ground; they are too heavy and the pressure of their bodies will destroy their skin, then their circulation, and finally will cause organ failure. You need to call in a veterinarian and possibly a farrier to see what the problem is. Do not delay because his behavior means your horse is trying to tell you something is wrong.

January 21, 2010 – I just bought a big horse that's a afraid of humans. How can I settle him?

This situation has danger written all over it. Get expert help immediately. A horse that big feeling the need to defend himself from people is one of the most dangerous equine situation humans encounter in ordinary life. Work with your trainer. No doubt they'll tell you that the key is to be consistent and careful, and to slowly get your horse used to you and to different situations. But the specifics of how to do that will require an expert on the ground with you.

Good luck and be safe!

January 20, 2010 – If I want to own a horse farm and get into the horse business, how many years of college do I need?

You don't need any college for that. You do need to know how to handle horses, and also how to handle money in the sense that you need to be able to make and stick to a budget, figure out insurance needs, perform long range planning on expenses, etc. You also need to be reliable and to put the care and safety of the horses in your barn at a high priority. None of this needs a college degree!

Separate from the general items mentioned above, there's the physical aspect of your farm. Probably the hardest task is fulfilling the commitment for the horse's care. That's because it means you're assessing the health of every horse each and every day. You need to be able to notice if the horse is gaining or losing weight, or is listless or otherwise out of character with a potential illness or other problem. You also need to keep their stalls clean and assure they're turned out regularly, fed and watered adequately and regularly, and check on them several times a day to assure they're ok and getting along with their paddock mates.

So, it comes down much more to knowing horses and the characteristics of their personalities so you can identify problems early enough to resolve problems or get them any care should they need it. People would be entrusting their horses to you and you need to make sure that trust is warranted. A different equine business would have its own specific requirements and you need to be able to fulfill them.

January 19, 2010 – What does it mean when a horse turns his rump to you?

It means that he's telling you he wants you to go away by literally interposing the biggest part of his anatomy between him and you. It also puts him in a good position to kick you if he needs to.

So, this is not an innocent gesture on his part. You might want to spend some time thinking about why he doesn't want you around at that moment. Do you always work him when you see him? Try making your interactions pleasant ones for him, and you may see an attitude re-adjustment. But also be aware that it might not be related to you. Through their previous experiences, some horses have learned that humans are just not to be trusted, regardless of how nice you've been to him.

Regardless, you need to exercise caution. Talk to him as you enter the stall and watch his ears. If they flatten, don't approach — get help. You DO NOT want to get kicked, and his ears are a good barometer of his current disposition.

January 15, 2010 – My horse has suffered from tie-up. Is it ok for me to massage him only a day later?

"Tying up", as it is called, is the result of a combination of factors, including nutritional imbalance and over-exertion. It used to be called "Monday Morning Disease" among work horses that did not have their grain cut back over the weekend of relaxation, and after the work on Monday, would stiffen up.

Treatment for tying up can consist of hand walking to help a horse loosen up when just a little stiffness has occurred to administration of Bute and other drugs for more severe cases. I'm not a vet, so you need to contact one to examine your horse and prescribe the best course of action for him. Given that massage helps improve circulation, I don't think it would hurt. But again, these questions are best directed to your veterinarian and especially as he/she prescribes for your particular horse and his particular severity of the disease.

January 14, 2010 – Do you know of any horse riding games that I could teach my horse that involve jumping?

When I was a kid, we used to play tag on horseback. It frequently involved jumps. The horses would get into it too, and after a time knew about the concept of being "it" and being the one running away from "it". Of course, I was much younger then and didn't use saddles, so falling off wasn't as big a deal as it might be now. Just be careful, whatever you decide to do!

January 13, 2010 – I have 6 free range chickens and they love to stay in the barn with my horse. Can the chicken manure in my horses stall hurt my horse if he eats around it? I do clean it daily. Also, I have found a few stray red maple leaves in my hay. Can they still be harmful to my horse once baled and dried? I was told it wasn't, but just want to make sure. Thanks for your help!!

I don't know enough about chicken manure to say if it is dangerous or not. I think you should definitely ask your vet on that one.

The sites I looked at regarded red maple leaves as toxic for horses. Who told you that they weren't dangerous, the hay dealer? I've been informed instead that fresh, wilted, and dried red maple leaves are indeed very toxic for horses. Don't take a chance and feed that hay, and keep an eye on your horses for signs of problems from any they may have already eaten.

The poison causes hemolysis: the breakdown of red blood cells in the horse's body — this can be VERY dangerous. While you're asking the vet about the chicken manure, you can verify the red maple issue as well.

Good luck!

January 12, 2010 – What is crab stepping?

Sideways, as in the direction a crab goes to move.

It's awe inspiring to watch a horse that is really dedicated to moving forward fast, try to accommodate the direction to stay in one place...

January 11, 2010 – Is it important to brush my horse to get the manure off of her?

Yes, regular brushing helps keep the horse's skin and coat healthy. Manure, particularly, has bacteria and other organisms that are not good for skin, so it's important to brush it away. Also, horses really like brushing and doing so will help you spot health concerns early rather than later when the problem has grown too large to deal with quickly. So brush away, but not so aggressively that you irritate your horse's skin.

January 8, 2010 – What do I need to legally take horses out of state for showing?

All states are different as to which types of shots they require for transport into the state. Most states will require a negative Coggins' test, and a thirty day health certificate from a veterinarian. Some states, such as Rhode Island, also require a rabies vaccine. Check with your vet and tell her where you're going to show, and she'll likely know what you need to have done for the certificate. Make the appointment early, because when spring comes, vets get busy.

January 7, 2010 – How can I stop my horse's manure from smelling in the pasture?

I don't think you can. It's manure! You have to remove it to achieve olfactory harmony.

January 6, 2010 – What causes a horse to be territorial?

"Territorial" is not quite the word I would use. Horses live in a social structure that requires they sort out who is dominant over whom, for survival reasons. That is, the boss tells the other horses when it's ok to get a drink, ok to go to graze, and so forth. This chain of the dominant horse bossing the less dominant horses goes on all the time. The pecking order literally keeps horses alive — survival is a strong motivator for all living things.

So, horses will sort this out among themselves regardless of how we feel about it or what we try to do, short of separating them.

January 5, 2010 – Why does my horse always want to gallop?

Because it's fun! Also, if he's an ex-race horse, he's been taught that when he's being ridden, the gallop is the default pace. You're going to have to work with him on other paces when you ride, such as trotting. A good way to work on other paces is to do ring work and circles, followed by trail work on hills, with trotting. Only use a canter as a reward, and only for a short time.

January 4, 2010 – Can a blanket help a horse that gets lame in winter?

Unless you know why the horse becomes lame, you won't be able to find out what will help. In other words, I don't think the blanket has much to do with it. I do know that older horses get arthritis much as older people do, and these horses do seem to feel the cold a bit more by becoming stiff and reluctant to move in colder weather; but that is not something that a blanket will affect. To solve this problem, you need to have your veterinarian examine your horse.