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Horses - Behavior Issues, Breaking and Training/Questions Answered by Expert Christine Dickinson
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Breaking my pony | 11/28/2011 |
| Q: I'm getting a pony as a project very soon and need a little advice. He is around 2.5-3yo and his ... A: No different, but a few things to take into consideration. Do you have an adequate place to keep ... | |
| 3 year old gelding | 8/10/2011 |
| Q: As you probably already know, I'm Michelle. I've been around horses my entire life and as I got ... A: Sorry for the delay in answering the question but I have been away for a few days and things got ... | |
| break horse | 4/1/2011 |
| Q: i have a year old paint colt, and in my mind he is pretty built......i have done almost everything ... A: Firstly NO horse should be ridden until at least 4 years of age, their bones are still forming and ... | |
| Jack | 1/19/2011 |
| Q: This question is really for my husband and Jack. Since the weather is sooooo awful here, we haven't ... A: Then thats great that you have already took the steps to sort things that were niggling at ... | |
| Jack | 1/18/2011 |
| Q: This question is really for my husband and Jack. Since the weather is sooooo awful here, we haven't ... A: Its so good to hear from you, been wondering how everything was going! Sounds like Jack was being ... | |
| Retraining | 10/11/2010 |
| Q: I have just brought this horse. She is a 7 year old Mare who had been mistreated with bridle and I ... A: Firstkly congratulations on getting a horse, and thank you for getting a rescue as ... | |
| Riding on trails | 8/24/2010 |
| Q: My husband and I have been enjoying Bambi & Jack this summer and have found a really nice park with ... A: Lucky you being able to get out on your Bambi this summer.......... here its been a bit of a wash ... | |
| Herd bound | 7/26/2010 |
| Q: My husband and I have been enjoying the trails this summer with Bambi and Jack. We had a really nice ... A: It sounds like Bambi and Jack do exactly what my Crystal and her special friend Drummer do whenever ... | |
| Bambi and her new adventures! | 7/12/2010 |
| Q: Bambi is doing great and we have come a long way. We bought a 13 yr old gelding (quarter horse) for ... A: Funny isn't it............ I was only thinking of you and Bambi a few days ago and wonderinghow ... | |
| trailer loading | 6/16/2010 |
| Q: has great ground manners, ties great, you can do about anything with her, but I have a problem with ... A: Ok this is quite a common problem really............ its amazing how many horses suddenly develope ... | |
| won't leave the yard | 6/7/2010 |
| Q: I have a 10 year old 13hh pony. First we ride very little because of kids/work etc. I think I know ... A: Forstly I am a little concerned that an adult (unless you are a very ligthweight adult) is doing ... | |
| 2 year old standardbred stallion | 5/25/2010 |
| Q: The farmer bought the colts mother almost 3 years ago after being raced for 3 and she was pregnant, ... A: Firstly I am appalled ath someone has left a 2 year colt get to this stage............ not your ... | |
| Travelling in a horses box | 5/25/2010 |
| Q: my horse is 20yrs old and has travelled around the world for competitions, just recent we went to a ... A: This one is not a new one as my 24 year old mare has the same problem.......... she is fine in ... | |
| Pawing gilly | 5/12/2010 |
| Q: I have a Paso Fino filly that just turned 2. She was a orphan we rescued at 3 months old. She has ... A: I think that this is only playing, if she really wanted to attack you she would really go for you ... | |
| New Forest Mare | 5/4/2010 |
| Q: , I Have Recently Bought A Mare 2 Weeks Ago She Is A New Forest Approximate. 13.2h.h And 2 Years ... A: ..........it makes huge difference to have clearly defined area in which to work! Firstly and ... | |
| helping stallions | 5/1/2010 |
| Q: There are 4 8 year old stallions in the field next to me. 2 are wild and 2 were broken in ages and ... A: This is a tough one! Right, and please do not take what I say the wrong way. Firstly as I said ... | |
| sattle on horse | 4/28/2010 |
| Q: i have a horse he is 10 years old that i am traning he takes bit and puts blanket and saddele on him ... A: Good for you saving a horse from the slaughter house...............10 yars old is a youngster as ... | |
| helping stallions | 4/19/2010 |
| Q: There are 4 8 year old stallions in the field next to me. 2 are wild and 2 were broken in ages and ... A: Firstly I congratulate for caring about them somuch and for gettting their trust. Stallions are ... | |
| Jumping | 4/18/2010 |
| Q: I have my own horse and he is greatI absolutly love him he is a very talented jumper but sometimes ... A: 8 weeks is not really all that long for you to have had him really..............he is still ... | |
| how do you break in a donkey? | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: I have two donkeys aged five and seven.I have had them for two years now and I have always wanted to ... A: and I will try my best to answer and help if possible Ok theres no use trying to make a donkey (or ... | |
| Where do I go from here? He's being a Jerk! | 3/25/2010 |
| Q: Okay, so basic info about me, I'm 18, I've ridden (english) since I was 8 but I've never shown due ... A: So happy to heat that progress is being made.......... and its sounds like you both are going to ... | |
| Bambi | 3/19/2010 |
| Q: It's been awhile and thought I would send you a quick note and update you on Bambi. I found a ... A: and all I can say is that you and Bambi did the hard work, I sort of pointed out the trail for you ... | |
| behavior problem | 3/16/2010 |
| Q: i bring her in every day for few hours to groom,feed & play when it comes to turning her out she ... A: I know the problems of overweight ponies, having had a few in the past ! it can be quite hard to ... | |
| Where do I go from here? He's being a Jerk! | 3/6/2010 |
| Q: Okay, so basic info about me, I'm 18, I've ridden (english) since I was 8 but I've never shown due ... A: Firstly the shoe situation, yes I do think he might have been in a bit of pain if his feet hadn't ... | |
| my horse molly is being a bruutt!! | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: i recently got a horse molly; 14.3, 5, grade, sorrel; from a summer camp i go to after my horse ... A: Firstly I would say is get your saddle checked to make sure its fitting properly, and then get ... | |
| Bambi bit me! | 10/13/2009 |
| Q: Well it finally happened. I have been nipped by a horse! I was putting her saddle on the other night ... A: Oh yes it has happened to me more than once! What you did was fine, you didn't smack her, ... | |
| Bambi, cantering & picking up the right lead | 10/7/2009 |
| Q: It's been awhile, but I am progressing and have another question. Bambi and I are doing great. I ... A: Funnily enough I was only thinking about you and Bambi the other day! Wondering how things were ... | |
| jake the pain a big problem | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: my little girl has a welsh mountain pony Jake 12.2 hand and 4 years old. he has good and bad day. ... A: Ok Jakes being a pain then............ well theres a few things. Firstly it sounds like Jake is ... | |
| misbehaving | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: I have got a exmoor mare who will not stop knapping, i Have only had her for 2 months but i had her ... A: No you have not done anything wrong at all! Thanks for getting in touch and I will try and help ... | |
| Getting horse to go forwards | 8/22/2009 |
| Q: I have recently "adopted" an unbroken, rescue case, draft-type horse, who lives in the paddock next ... A: First of all thank you for taking on a rescue and giving what is after all a relatively young horse ... | |
| NEW HORSE MISBEHAVING | 8/17/2009 |
| Q: I have just purchased a new horse,which I intend to use solely for pleasure riding.When I rode her ... A: You yourself have hit the nail on the head, yes you are tryong too much too soon. Think about if ... | |
| Neglected horses | 8/4/2009 |
| Q: I know it would require alot of work as the horse has most likely developed problems but is it ... A: A course in Equine Management is never going to be wasted at all, whether you want to just do it ... | |
| Bambi & a BAD day,,,, | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: Christine, Well we finally almost had a melt down. It had been awhile since I had ridden and made ... A: Ok at least your still in one piece! It might haave been a good idea to havelunged her before ... | |
| Cantering | 6/24/2009 |
| Q: Bambi and I are doing great and the new barn I moved her to last December was the right thing to do. ... A: Strange I was just thinking about how you and Bambi were getting on just the other day! Ok the ... | |
| unpedictable pony | 6/23/2009 |
| Q: 5 months ago i bought a beautiful 9 year old chestnit gelding for my 8 year old, and was told he ... A: Ok your not too far away from me. if you like then please phone me on 01254 814423 I live at ... | |
| gelding becoming increasingly aggressive | 6/21/2009 |
| Q: We have 2 geldings, 14 and 24 and a mare 12. We also have a mustang yearling. The 14 year old ... A: which poses someinteresting theories as to Chief's increasing aggresive behaviour. Firstly I would ... | |
| unpedictable pony | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: 5 months ago i bought a beautiful 9 year old chestnit gelding for my 8 year old, and was told he ... A: Will try my best to help. OK firstly sorry to hear that you got hurt, and yes it could have been ... | |
| cost | 6/17/2009 |
| Q: On average how much does it cost for just food and hay for horses per week? A: It depends entirely on what you are feeding and how often,I normally budget between £70 to £80 per ... | |
| nervous horse | 6/11/2009 |
| Q: I'm riding a horse and don't know her history. When asked to canter, she throws up her head and ... A: Sorry for not answering before but the original email never got to me! Ok first things first, ... | |
| new pony | 6/2/2009 |
| Q: just bought a 7 year old gelding but is very poor on standing when other horses are near by. he just ... A: Firstly you have only had him for 6 days, of course he feels unsettled and everything is new and ... | |
| help | 5/11/2009 |
| Q: please help iv been getting ponies off the meat man for years and iv never had one like this little ... A: Good for you am so pleased that you are rescuing the ponies, wish more folks would do something for ... | |
| crops | 4/17/2009 |
| Q: I am getting ready to take my 5year old mare (who has never been anywhere) to a very small local ... A: Firstly well done for goping to a show with a young mare.............. nice to see people out and ... | |
| English/Jumping | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: I need some advice with english riding and training. I have a 6 year old pintaloosa gelding that I ... A: Firstly good for you for trying the English style of riding............but its a heck of a lot ... | |
| Fear of electric fence | 3/23/2009 |
| Q: We have recently brought a bueatiful 5yr old ride and drive gypsy cob (gelding) for my daughter to ... A: So glad to hear he was ok at your friends yard, it does make a big difference when they feel safe ... | |
| Fear of electric fence | 3/21/2009 |
| Q: We have recently brought a bueatiful 5yr old ride and drive gypsy cob (gelding) for my daughter to ... A: This is a tricky one and no mistake! Firstly I have to say that personally I loathe elctric ... | |
| horse does buckaroo when eating dinner | 2/20/2009 |
| Q: why would a horse do a buckaroo impression whilst eating? is he just food obsessed and a sign of ... A: Not something I have ever come across either to be perfectly honest! Can only assume that he is ... | |
| Cantering | 2/9/2009 |
| Q: Now that Bambi & I are progressing (forget the fact that she was great on Saturday and then HORRID ... A: Glad to hear of the progress, and yes forget the bad days! Right does she throw her head all the ... | |
| Bambi | 2/3/2009 |
| Q: Just a quick note to update you on Bambi & our progress. Moving her to the new stable was the best ... A: So glad to hear of you and Bambi progress! Sounds like you have both travelled a long way ... | |
| agressive pony | 2/2/2009 |
| Q: if i go to stroke him he puts back his ears and looks like he wants to bite , is this just because ... A: I will try my best to help. Well you got one part right, he doesn't know you yet, he has come to a ... | |
| My horse | 1/24/2009 |
| Q: I have a horse that is extreamly scared of people. You can't get anywhere near him. When I go catch ... A: Right firstly stop trying to catch him! Chasing him and trying to catch him for four hours a day ... | |
| my yearling mare | 1/19/2009 |
| Q: my horse has been down for about 10 hours she is eating and drinking water and passing poop with ... A: Right this one is tricky What I want you to do now is to go and check all her lags, from the hoof ... | |
| my yearling mare | 1/19/2009 |
| Q: my horse has been down for about 10 hours she is eating and drinking water and passing poop with ... A: I think I would be getting the vet out again , she could have strained or pulled something, or she ... | |
| Youngster Problems | 12/12/2008 |
| Q: I have a 16mth Welsh Section A Gelding, A few months ago he was great no bad manners or anything ... A: No its not you at all, its him! At the moment he is the equal of a terrible toddler! Think ... | |
| Bambi's first ride | 12/10/2008 |
| Q: I was at the barn last night and the two owners were there riding their mares, so I decided to ride ... A: Its nothing to worry about at all. Bambi isn't being naughty its normal behaviour. They were ... | |
| Bambi's move! | 12/8/2008 |
| Q: Just thought I would send you a quick note to tell you how Bambi's move went Saturday. She was such ... A: So glad it all went well! Sounds like she has made friends quickly as well. Horses do need ... | |
| Moving to another stable | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: I am getting ready to move Bambi to another stable this weekend and wondered if you had any tips ... A: She should be fine. She already has a friend there so thats something good. :et her have a good ... | |
| Moving to another stable | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: I am getting ready to move Bambi to another stable this weekend and wondered if you had any tips ... A: Right everything slowly and calmly, although some horses travel well some don't A hay net should ... | |
| Bambi THE BRAT! | 11/26/2008 |
| Q: So we have been plugging along, and I haven't ridden much lately just due to a busy schedule and the ... A: Now I have finished giggling at your post I can compose myself and tell you........... No you ... | |
| Sensitive horse | 11/12/2008 |
| Q: i just recently bought a horse and on my first ride with her i gave her a little kick and she ... A: It could be she has been abused at some point in the past or it could be that she is merely a ... | |
| Arena & Bami | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: I was riding Bambi in the arena yesterday (which is not her favorite. She likes outside on a trail) ... A: Ok your not doing anything wrong at all. Imagine if you were trying to study something really hard ... | |
| Body language | 10/31/2008 |
| Q: I forgot to ask you this last time. Bambi sometimes does this weird head-thing when we are doing ... A: My horse does this with me as well, adn as yet I still have to work out the meaning! But I was oce ... | |
| Bambi - Again,,,, | 10/31/2008 |
| Q: It's me,,,AGAIN. :) Things have been plugging along and we had a great couple of weeks. Today she ... A: Well you did the right tihing by ending on a good note, if she is in heat then its best to end the ... | |
| jumping | 10/29/2008 |
| Q: I would like to teach my 11yr old paint quarter horse to start jumping. I would like to know if you ... A: No its not too late for him to learn to jump. However it will take a while before you can jump him ... | |
| A nice canter | 10/27/2008 |
| Q: You have helped me so much in the past, I was hoping you could help me again. :) My mare has ... A: Right I know its frustrating when they know what you want but they don;t want to do it! Ask her ... | |
| A nice canter | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: You have helped me so much in the past, I was hoping you could help me again. :) My mare has ... A: Sorry its taken so long for me to respond, but I've been away for a friends wedding anniversary ... | |
| Trainer | 10/13/2008 |
| Q: More questions! I hurt my back a month ago (not from riding) and I was told by the doctor to stay ... A: NO! You are most certainly NOT crazy! In fact I aplaud your stance on this. NOTHING is achieved ... | |
| won't take bit | 10/13/2008 |
| Q: i just bought a horse. I rode him before i bought him he was good he is 6 i brought him home and let ... A: Firstly how do you know he hasn't got a ttoth problem? He might have........... phone the vet or ... | |
| My mare Bambi Blaze | 10/8/2008 |
| Q: Things have been moving along, but I received a call from the barn manager this morning telling me ... A: Theres the problem, you are just going to have to tell the barn staff to take their time and do it ... | |
| My mare Bambi Blaze | 10/6/2008 |
| Q: Things have been moving along, but I received a call from the barn manager this morning telling me ... A: So glad to hear that things have been moving along, but theres bound to be 'teething troubles' along ... | |
| My 7 yr old Mare | 9/30/2008 |
| Q: I have recently purchased my first horse. She is a 7 yr old registered QH. I originally kept her at ... A: Firstly congratulations on your new horse she sounds alovely little lady. You have really ... | |
| Loading a new horse | 9/29/2008 |
| Q: I bought a new horse a week ago. She's 10 years old, and rides very well. Took her out on the trail ... A: Loading is a frequent problem, I have a horse of my own who is a devil to load and travel and she ... | |
| Jasper 4 year old Cob | 9/8/2008 |
| Q: recently bought Jasper,he`s a lovely Piebald 14hh Cob.Took him out for our first hack yesterday and ... A: Firstly how long has Jasper been unshod for? Has he always been like this or have his shoes been ... | |
| horse pulling on reins | 7/27/2008 |
| Q: im not sure if i shoulf ask this here, i do have my own pony but he is young and i wanted to have ... A: Its always difficult oming back to riding after a break and I applaud you decision to have a few ... | |
| What is wrong with my horse | 7/23/2008 |
| Q: Everytime i ride my horse he tries to run off with me out of the riding school gate how do i get him ... A: Sorry but until you give me more information regarding this matter I cannot answer this question, ... | |
| BREAKING A 4 YR OLD | 7/12/2008 |
| Q: I HAVE BEEN BREAKING HORSES FOR 3 YEARS AND I HAVE RAN ACROSS A MARE THAT IS GIVING ME MORE TROUBLE ... A: Firstly I have to ask why if the owner is scared of her is she having you do the breaking of her, ... | |
| Training a yearling | 5/26/2008 |
| Q: She is quite calm and extremely friendly, very noisy and into everything. I plan on using her for ... A: Firstly you seem to be doing all the right things, you have got her used to being touched, and to ... | |
| biting mare | 5/21/2008 |
| Q: today whem my foal was nursing on my mare I was standing on the outside of the stall watching as I ... A: Just a thought really has your vet checked the mares hormone levels out lately Only asking because ... | |
| biting mare | 5/21/2008 |
| Q: today whem my foal was nursing on my mare I was standing on the outside of the stall watching as I ... A: Firstly I have to ask how old is the foal and he/she due to be weaned away from mum yet? This ... | |
| Laying Down | 5/11/2008 |
| Q: My horse is 30 and she has a bad front knee. It has been hurting her and I wanted to teach her to ... A: I will try to answer it as best as I can. You say the horse is now 30 years old, firstly let me ... | |
| retraining exracehorse | 5/1/2008 |
| Q: I have an eight year old OTTB. I have been trying to train him with the assistance of an ... A: This is not going to be a fast fix at all. It will require patience and understanding. To a ... | |
| horse acting out | 4/27/2008 |
| Q: I have a 8 y/o quarter horse gelding who has been professionally trained for 90 days plus. He has ... A: Firstly yousay Diego has been trained for 90 days plus............if you think about it 90 days is ... | |
| uncatchable yearling filly | 3/28/2008 |
| Q: I purchased a Q.H. filly about a month ago. She was born in August. She was never handled before and ... A: this is not going to be easy and you are going to need vast amounts of patience here. First of all ... | |
Horses - Behavior Issues, Breaking and Training
Answers by Expert:
Christine Dickinson
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
can answer questions on training and showing, ring craft, english style riding, and dress for the sho ring
Experience
been riding since I was 2 years old, qualified as an instructor more years ago than I care to remember and has owned ponies and horses all my life, shown and won extensively
Education/Credentials
educated to PhD level
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