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Horses - Behavior Issues, Breaking and Training/Questions Answered by Expert April Reeves
| Subject | Date Asked |
| barn hand help | 1/17/2010 |
| Q: Im a horse girl and i always love being at the barn. I am working at my barn doing everything from ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: while you may not feel like this right now, the toughest ... | |
| Aggressive youngster | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: I have an 18 month old Quarter Horse x TB who is kept with my 21 year old Welsh X. My problem is ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: I want to start by saying that your Appendix QH is ... | |
| bad tempered boy | 1/9/2010 |
| Q: i hope you can help. i have had my little cob for about 9 months, at first he was very bossy and ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Carol from the UK! I’m glad you spend a lot of ... | |
| Anxious Horse | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: I recently loaned a 15yo TBX mare from a friend of mine. I rode her a few times down at the yard ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hi Chloe. From what I can tell, this mare has to have ... | |
| horse | 12/31/2009 |
| Q: and i have read your web page and its helped me alot. two questions first one. 1)can you wash your ... A: Answer from April Reeves: Question #1: If you are using soap every week, you are likely stripping ... | |
| nervous horse | 12/30/2009 |
| Q: i am a 21 year old woman and i have been training horses since i was 12 years old. Im no expert by ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hi Natasha. I have run across a mare like this. You may ... | |
| 3 year old thoroughbred | 12/5/2009 |
| Q: We recently bought a 3 year old horse for our daughter. I know it probably wasn't the smartest ... A: Answer from April Reeves: This is one of my favorite questions as I deal with this every day. First, ... | |
| 7 Month Old Colt... HELP | 11/22/2009 |
| Q: I've been around horses all my life but to be honest, I've never actually trained one. I've only ... A: Answer from April Reeves: Hi Laura. I first want to speak to your comment “I've never actually ... | |
| Colt pony | 11/9/2009 |
| Q: We have a colt pony that is apox. 18 months old. He ran the pasture with our 2 geldings and mare ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Your attempts to alter your colt’s behavior by changing ... | |
| training problems | 11/5/2009 |
| Q: My name is Hailey and i have a 8 yr. old reg. quarter horse and he is the most wonderful, ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hi Hailey – you have good gut instincts, as the harder ... | |
| colt kicking | 10/24/2009 |
| Q: I have a colt 17 mths, I have recently purchased who is sweet and friendly until it comes to feed ... A: Answer from April Reeves: To start off, what anyone should expect from a 17-month colt is respect ... | |
| Bad-tempered Friesian mare | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: Hera is Friesian mare that foaled again on Saturday morning 17 October 2009. She shares ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Your problem is common, and of no fault to you or Hera. ... | |
| sudden change of behaviour | 10/17/2009 |
| Q: i bought a 4yr old tbx gelding 3 months ago and am concerned by his behaviour. he was initially very ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: I’ll be honest: this is a problem for a professional ... | |
| Herd Bound and English training | 10/6/2009 |
| Q: I have a Quarab mare and one main bad habit she has, is that she is herd bound. The people we got ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: I first want to address the fence issue. No fence should ... | |
| Rearing | 9/30/2009 |
| Q: I am bringing him home tommorow and plan on riding him as he was great when i tried him out, he did ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: When you get a horse like this, unless you dig and ask ... | |
| trailering problem | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: I would really like some advice on helping my 6 year old gelding load onto a trailer again. He used ... A: Answer from April Reeves Horseman’s U.com: Hi Helen, thank you for contacting me. I will first ... | |
| Seperation Anxiety | 7/19/2009 |
| Q: I have a five year old mare that is a barrel racer. But for the past year or so, she hasn't been ... A: Sorry for not answering you earlier, but the summer means I am gone touring for many months. I ... | |
| Dressage | 6/21/2009 |
| Q: I'm interested in beginning to do some lower level dressage with my mare. I know there are terms ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Lower level dressage is called the ‘Training Levels’, ... | |
| hunter/jumper training | 6/19/2009 |
| Q: My 6 year old Oldenberg over-jumps everything then lands in a big heap with a grunt. These are 18" ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Many horses jump too high when learning. There are many ... | |
| aggressive behavior | 5/29/2009 |
| Q: we have a three year old mini, she is the larger size. Her behavior has become very aggressive. She ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Lynn, sorry for not getting back to you right ... | |
| correcting broken 4 beat canter | 5/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a showjumper who is a good willing jumper, very obedient. The problem is that he has an ... A: I have watched your videos over and over again. This is one of the most interesting horses I have ... | |
| horses | 5/21/2009 |
| Q: I have a filly named Kahlua and i need to be her trainer but i don't know what to do with her what ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: A green horse and a green rider is not a good ... | |
| Balking Horse | 5/19/2009 |
| Q: I have recently acquired a Paint Gelding, he is a wonderful horse, very loving on the ground. ... A: Horse backs up #2 (from 1)I have recently acquired a Paint Gelding, he is a wonderful horse, very ... | |
| tongue problem in horse | 5/11/2009 |
| Q: I have a gentle 16hh gelding who is lovely to do in all ways except when you are riding him and you ... A: Answer from April Reeves: I have run into this about 25 years ago and it was caused from the horse’s ... | |
| stopping undersaddle | 5/5/2009 |
| Q: so I finally was able to save enough money to buy my first horse, after 12 years of riding i got 4 ... A: Although I don’t know exactly what you are doing or not doing during his ‘episodes’, there were ... | |
| problem with my pony | 4/21/2009 |
| Q: I have a 14-2hh dressage pony mainly tb, quite fine he is 14yrs old. We have had him since last ... A: I just spend the day speaking with many people/vets/professionals who have lost horses or had ... | |
| Western Lope?? | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering if you had any tips for me concerning my horse. I have a very typey and sensible 7 ... A: When horses speed up at the canter it’s usually a sign they are moving flat without enough spring ... | |
| Buddy Sour Horse | 4/2/2009 |
| Q: I asked you a question about a buddy sour horse not too long ago, you'll probably remember his name, ... A: No, it's good to clarify horse training problems. You are one of the few people who seek knowledge ... | |
| My horse does not like to ride alone | 3/31/2009 |
| Q: I recently bought an 8 year old paint mare. She had been a rescue horse, not abused, but underfed. ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hi Lisa. There is a fix for your problem but it will be ... | |
| Underweight senior | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: I have a 20-year old paso fino gelding who looked like a 3-year old, great muscle-tone, he had the ... A: Take one cup of beet pulp and one cup of water, let soak and use that for one feeding. Once the beet ... | |
| Buddy Sour Horse | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: I asked you a question about a buddy sour horse not too long ago, you'll probably remember his name, ... A: Good to hear from you. I'm glad things are going well. Isn't it amazing when you work at something ... | |
| Underweight senior | 3/29/2009 |
| Q: I have a 20-year old paso fino gelding who looked like a 3-year old, great muscle-tone, he had the ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Your gelding was the herd leader of his herd of 2 (he ... | |
| trail riding young horses | 3/15/2009 |
| Q: I love to take my 5 year old out on the trail, but what I've noticed is that she can't walk a ... A: Sorry for the late response but I just returned home from a long clinic. I'm usually fairly quick to ... | |
| Colic prevention | 3/12/2009 |
| Q: I just purchased an 11 yr old 16.1 hh TB brood mare who is very skinny and lost her foal to Placenta ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Putting weight on your mare is going to be a slow ... | |
| Colt's ears are always pinned back | 3/11/2009 |
| Q: I have a colt that is 9 months old. We got her in October of last year and have been working with ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: When a horse of any size or age lets you in to their ... | |
| Mare with quirky unpredictable ground behavior | 3/11/2009 |
| Q: I am hoping that you could please give me some advice regarding my 15 year old appaloosa mare that I ... A: I'm glad you're willing to work on ground manners, because that is where your mare needs the work. ... | |
| Miniature Horses | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: are you familiar with the miniature horse breed?? I have one and I need to get some questions ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Samantha Because Mini’s are small horses, they ... | |
| Miniature Horses | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: are you familiar with the miniature horse breed?? I have one and I need to get some questions ... A: I have had limited experience with them, mostly in driving and breeding. I am familiar in their ... | |
| Mare refuses new colt | 3/8/2009 |
| Q: Mare had a colt 2 days ago and is sour toward her. With coaxing she has let her baby nurse a time ... A: I have run into this problem on occasion. I have never had to separate a mare and foal because of ... | |
| fence destruction | 2/1/2009 |
| Q: I have a 4 year old Belgian/quarter horse cross that insists on going through the fence. We have ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Janice, Your horse does not see the fence as a ... | |
| my horse is a nightmare over trotting poles! | 1/31/2009 |
| Q: and we had to go over raised metal poles and he just wouldnt go over them he was a complete ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Nia, Your mare just hasn’t had enough work doing ... | |
| trailering problems | 1/29/2009 |
| Q: He is an x-racehorse and hates to load on a trailer. We've tried everything people told us to try. ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Jenny, Your problem is serious and difficult to ... | |
| QH mare over sensitive to touch. | 1/24/2009 |
| Q: We've had our 7 year old QH mare for 5 years. I love her, but she is stubborn, grouchy, and very ... A: There are several things here that are playing out to make your mare like this. Also, to fix the ... | |
| 3 year old filly ....Unsound | 1/5/2009 |
| Q: Last year I purchases a 2 year old quarter horse filly. She is a complete doll but when I was ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Maya, First, I am so glad you called not one, ... | |
| Horseman's stick | 1/4/2009 |
| Q: I recently recieved an answer about a barn sour horse and you advised me to use a rope halter and ... A: How is it going with your horse? I get my equipment from Adiva Murphy. I just email her at: ... | |
| Stumbling | 12/31/2008 |
| Q: I have a horse I have been riding since July. She was out of shape when I started riding her and I ... A: I'm so glad you have a vet coming. Let me know what the results are. I see no problem with your ... | |
| Stumbling | 12/31/2008 |
| Q: I have a horse I have been riding since July. She was out of shape when I started riding her and I ... A: Answer from April Reeves: Hello Merry, Many things come to mind for this problem. Firstly, any ... | |
| English Horse | 12/28/2008 |
| Q: I need your help on this english horse I have. He is a six year old paint/standerbred gelding. The ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Marianne, My first thought was that you had a ... | |
| Horse Problem | 12/15/2008 |
| Q: I have this dun 11 year old quarter horse gelding who won't enter an arena. My sister barrel races ... A: After considering your question, I would like to view that video you have. It may tell me a better ... | |
| horses | 12/14/2008 |
| Q: i was thinking about getting a horse but the person in the next field has got a donkey so i was ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Yes, it’s very likely your horse will create some bond ... | |
| First 90 days | 12/11/2008 |
| Q: April, I have a 2yo AQHA show prospect in training in the US (I'M in Canada), what should my ... A: From April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Great question, as I have seen some pretty sad horses return ... | |
| collecting | 12/9/2008 |
| Q: I cannot get my 4-year old to collect. I bought her a year ago, and she had no idea how to give or ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Erin, There are no quick ways to achieve ... | |
| stable problems | 12/8/2008 |
| Q: First of all thank you for reading this and sorry for upcoming spelling mistakes and other faults, ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: This is a common problem with an easy solution. Many ... | |
| Buddy Sour | 12/7/2008 |
| Q: I have a seventeen year old gelding called Spike, he is pastured 24/7, eats only roughage and oats, ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Mattie, You are correct; Spike does like his ... | |
| Behaviour/Ground Work | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: I recently purchased a 7 yr old mare, thoroughbred. She was on the track for about a yr. and then ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Kelly, It’s typical that the mare is testing ... | |
| my horse gets spooked easy | 11/29/2008 |
| Q: today I indroduced my horse to objects that he was frightend of, but ever since he is scared of ... A: Response from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Kayla, I am not sure how you introduced the ... | |
| horse | 11/26/2008 |
| Q: My granddaughter shows in 4-h and she has a 6yr old mare we just bought her. Her trot is a little ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman's U.com: Yes I can and it’s a fairly easy exercise. It’s also a ... | |
| teaching a pacer to trot | 11/25/2008 |
| Q: I have a 18 year old standardbred who race most of his life. I have him feeling comfortable enough ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Christine, Unfortunately your older boy will be a ... | |
| spending time | 11/21/2008 |
| Q: My horse is coming home from being trained. I would like some tips or info from you about when he ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: How exciting for you! I’m glad to see someone sending ... | |
| Nervous Horse | 11/19/2008 |
| Q: I have been training my friends Appaloosa gelding, but I am having a very hard time getting anywhere ... A: Answer from April Reeves: Hello Jessica, It took me a while to contemplate the answer to this, as ... | |
| Young Mares behavior | 11/19/2008 |
| Q: I have a 18 month old percheron/thoroughbred cross and she is in a paddock (rather large) most of ... A: From April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Janice, Your filly sounds quite normal to me. All ... | |
| A TRAINING SYSTEM | 11/16/2008 |
| Q: I have a couple of questions: 1) What is Parnelli training? 2) Where can I read more about Parnelli? ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Barbara, First, I have to say good for you! ... | |
| rearing horse | 11/11/2008 |
| Q: i moved my two year old mare a month a go she was really behaved for the first three weeks but now ... A: From April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Bobbie, By a pressure halter, are you referring to a ... | |
| Horse training | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: I recently brough a 7 year old gelding home and the only problem I'm having is that he doesn't want ... A: This question has a happy ending and easy answer. I never fool around with a kicking horse, but ... | |
| Morgan Gelding pays no attention to me | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: I have a 6 year old Morgan gelding that I got last January. I ride him english and I jump him. Ok, ... A: Morgans are one of my favorite breeds, and the first one I ever owned when I was little. They can do ... | |
| trailer unloading | 11/9/2008 |
| Q: How do I keep my horse from backing out too quickly from the trailer? I can make him back step by ... A: Answer from April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Tracey, Ouch. You have 2 very big problems that ... | |
| pregnant mares | 11/8/2008 |
| Q: i need to no how to keep a healthy mare and foal and keep my mare in good condition while she in ... A: From April Reeves, Horseman’s U.com: Hello Stevie, Let’s start with bedding. I prefer to use straw ... | |
| energetic horse! | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: i have a small appaloosa that was trained as a hunter. she has done nocive hunter pony/horse ... A: Answer from April Reeves: This is quite typical of the Appaloosa breed. They often have a wonderful ... | |
| Appaloosa | 10/24/2008 |
| Q: Iam thinking of buying an Appaloosa i would like to do some jumping and xcountry,is this breed good ... A: From April Reeves, Horseman's U.com: Hello Debbie, The Appaloosa can be a fairly good jumping ... | |
| Horse gets nervous when left alone | 10/23/2008 |
| Q: I have a 7 year old trakehner mare that gets very anxious whenever another horse leaves the stable, ... A: You have a long road ahead of you, and one that will be time consuming. However, being a 7 year old ... | |
| my quarter horse mare | 10/21/2008 |
| Q: I have a 3 to 4 year old quarter horse mare, she knows all of her ground work and last winter she ... A: From April Reeves, Horseman's U.com: What a pretty mare. ‘Sandy’ looks kind and inquisitive. I think ... | |
| horse taking bit | 10/11/2008 |
| Q: All she has ever known is a hackamore and i tried to use a combo hackamore with snaffle but she puts ... A: From April Reeves, Horseman's U.com: Hello Albert! This is a problem you don't want to turn into a ... | |
| haflinger | 10/9/2008 |
| Q: I recently purchased a 2 1/2 year old haflinger which is broke to ride and pull a cart. A friend ... A: From April Reeves, Horseman's U.com: Hello Darlene, Yes, your Haflinger is way too young to ride. ... | |
| Spoiled horse | 10/6/2008 |
| Q: I have a 13 year old Arab gelding, which my daughter raised from a baby. (We owned and bred the ... A: Response from April Reeves, Horseman's U.com Hello Patti, Assuming your Arab had good manners from ... | |
| horse that won't take a bit | 10/5/2008 |
| Q: We just bought a 6 year old gelding that is really gentle but won't take a bit. we tried a split and ... A: Response from April Reeves, Horseman's U.com Hello Tina, The first thing I do when examining a ... | |
| refuses q6v3rforward | 9/22/2008 |
| Q: My mare whom I’ve had about 3 yrs, she is 8, was abused, was flipped over because of being backed ... A: I'm just working on a mare that does exactly the same thing. I'll explain how I'm working with her. ... | |
Horses - Behavior Issues, Breaking and Training
Answers by Expert:
April Reeves
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Horseman's U.com. Level 3 English/Western/Jumping Instructor. Ask me questions regarding training, colt starting, handling, care and feeding, plus the disciplines of Western (reining, flat, show), English (Hunter/jumper, flat, dressage, show) breeds, recreation (trail, ring work) ground work and Natural Horsemanship (handling, manners, trailering) and problem horses. Visit my site: Horseman's U.com - you'll find lots of training videos and useful information. Watch for my clinic dates for 2009 - I may be in your area!
Experience
April Reeves is a Level 3 English/Western/Jumping Instructor and has been in the Horse Industry since 1963. She has shown almost every breed and discipline along the West Coast of North America. Watch for April's 2009 Clinic Schedule - she may be in your area in 2009.
Organizations
Certified Horseman's Association, Horse Council
Education/Credentials
EQUINE: studied under Rick and Jennifer Maynard (H/J), Patricia Deptford (Dressage), Kevin Pole, Morgan Libbert (reining). Hundreds of clinics, including Al Dunning and George Morris.
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