| Subject | Date Asked |
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| OTTB with back legs crossing? | 11/18/2009 |
Q: I recently purchased an OTTB. He's been off the track about 2 mos. When we first went to see him - ...
A: The movement you've described is not normal of any horse! It could be a muscling issue, but I ...
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| 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: That's a pretty serious problem that needs to be addressed quickly. Unfortunately, it's also a ...
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| excessive sweatting on cob horse | 10/10/2009 |
Q: over his chest and under his doc and the sweat ran down all 4 legs,there was no sweat behind his ...
A: Under normal circumstances a horse should not sweat like that after 5 or 10 minutes of walking. ...
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| Weanling colt | 10/7/2009 |
Q: I just bought a weanling colt and I have a question about socialization. I know colts need to grow ...
A: It's not really advisable for any foal to grow up without at least 1 other horse to 'teach it the ...
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| Bolting on mounting | 9/28/2009 |
Q: I've had her from a foal, shes lovely, last feb for no reason i can think of she started wanting to ...
A: Your only solution is expert help. You've completely lost your nerve (and with good reason!)but ...
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| horse with attitude | 9/22/2009 |
Q: I have a 6/7 year old female arabian. I also have her mother. Her mother was broke before I got her, ...
A: Your youngster needs professional help or at the very least you need professional supervision. ...
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| showing | 9/14/2009 |
Q: I have an exmoor mare and When I first got her, i had her on a trial and used her previos tack which ...
A: Your question is very common and occurs often with less experienced owners. What has happened is ...
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| braking youngters | 9/7/2009 |
Q: my grandad recently bought a 2 year old Friesian. I was just wondering when is the best time to ...
A: Warmbloods (including Fresians) are slow to mature so leaving them until later is good advice. It's ...
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| return journey traumas | 9/12/2008 |
Q: I wonder if you might help. My horse Othello, is an absolute character, which I enjoy, however, he ...
A: I'm sorry but no horse 'requires' abuse! His behaviour is simply a lack of training. This ...
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| Attacking horse | 9/7/2008 |
Q: I bought a 6 year old arab mare, only 14.2 hands, in March of this year. She hadn't been handled ...
A: Your horse is expressing seriously dangerous behaviour and I advise you to stay away from her for ...
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| Re-training a pacer | 4/28/2008 |
Q: I have a pacer off the track, and have been working him for several months to walk and pace with leg ...
A: It depends on what you want the horse to do. I generally teach the horses not to pace at all. From ...
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| Retraining standardbred to canter. | 3/9/2008 |
Q: I have owned a standardbred for 1.5 years now. He was trained as a pacer but never raced. He was ...
A: This is a very common problem and much of the difficulty lies in the fact that many instructors just ...
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| re-schooling a horse | 1/28/2008 |
Q: i have just bought a 12yr old appoloosa mare. she has been hacked out with her owners and seems ...
A: 12yo is certainly not too old to be retrained. Just remember that she is an older horse and her ...
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| Training to hold up feet | 1/23/2008 |
Q: I have a 3.5 year old Morgan/Arabian gelding who is barefoot and untrained to pick up his feet. I ...
A: Teaching a horse to keep his feet up in a quiet manner takes a lot of patience and perserverance. ...
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| bit for a young horse | 1/13/2008 |
Q: What type of bit should I be using on a horse new to training? I have a D ring snaffle would that ...
A: Bits are very much a personal choice. A D ring would be suitable provided the horse is happy with ...
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| bits | 1/6/2008 |
Q: I Have been starting western horses for about 4 years now and have been sucsessful, but I am now at ...
A: A loose ring (O ring) snaffle is quite gentle, but I don't like them. A lot of people will use them ...
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| getting better at getting on! | 12/18/2007 |
Q: I just purchased a thoroughbred gelding that is a race track rescue. Of course, he hasn't learned to ...
A: I can't really help with your ability to get on/off. I'm not a physical trainer. But I would ...
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| Charging while lunging | 12/17/2007 |
Q: I recently purchased a 4 1/2 yr. gelding ex-race Thoroughbred, 15.3. He had less than 10 starts. I ...
A: This is a tricky one with many, many variables. First up, it sounds like you've made a wonderful ...
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| weird behaviour | 11/19/2007 |
Q: Ok my standardbred mare has been acting weird lately when I clean out her paddock. She's never done ...
A: There are many possibilities here and it depends entirely on her history. I can't say for certain. ...
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| indoor riding arena | 11/18/2007 |
Q: How essential is an indoor riding arena for a professional horse trainer?
A: An indoor is a luxury but not essential. Although some climates would make it difficult, or ...
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| breaking 2 year old filly | 10/27/2007 |
Q: Three months ago I brought a part arab filly for my daughter, after her old pony had to be put down. ...
A: I can understand you not wanting to put your daughter up on the mare! I had similar problems when I ...
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| young horses | 10/26/2007 |
Q: I have just bought a young 2 and a half year old filly and i was wondering what age should i start ...
A: A horse continues to grow until they about 7 years old, but it is most vulnerable from birth to 3yo. ...
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| 4 yr. old standardbred | 10/6/2007 |
Q: It just got a 4 yr old standardbred from a nice gentleman who said he wasn't making any money for ...
A: It sounds like you are making a good start. As you have a trainer working him, it would be best not ...
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| how to train people shy horses. | 10/2/2007 |
Q: My friend rescued 2 horses and one of them is very people shy.From what I know about the horse's ...
A: My heart goes out to your poor little horse, it sounds like he’s had a tough life so far. It’s very ...
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| training a 20 year old horse in English | 9/23/2007 |
Q: I have a 20 year old horse who is trained in western style riding. My niece wants him to be trained ...
A: I agree with you. Your horse is too old to change styles now. A horse's musculature changes ...
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| can u plz help me | 9/23/2007 |
Q: thankyou
A: I hate to say this but it sounds like you've been sold a dud! Unfortunately it happens all the time ...
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| Re-training a horse | 9/16/2007 |
Q: i'm 16 and recently have become a shareboarder of a 19 yr old quarterhorse. I have riding ...
A: Without seeing you both in action it's very hard for me to suggest ways of fixing this problem. I ...
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| Green Horse and Green Rider | 9/13/2007 |
Q: I am 46 years young . We relocated to Oregon and have gotten our girls into horses and 4H. I traded ...
A: If you're prepared to take lots of lessons, have the patience of a saint and the heart of a lion ...
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| Dressage Training for Horses | 9/11/2007 |
Q: I have a 3-year-old filly (holsteiner). Is she old enough to start training for Dressage? If so, ...
A: Your horse is still very young and should not be worked too hard. That said there's no reason why ...
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| Older Ropping Horse & Curb Chain for Bit | 9/7/2007 |
Q: Just wanted to follow up and let you know my first ride went pretty good. I used a mild snaffle but ...
A: I'm glad things went well for you (sort of!). I really don't like curb bits. They should only be ...
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| filly pastured alone | 9/6/2007 |
Q: I am considering leasing a 6 month old palomino quarter horse filly, and if all goes well, buying ...
A: There's a few issues here so we'll take them one at a time. * "the owner has her pastured in a ...
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| herd bites | 9/4/2007 |
Q: My 25 yr. gelding has been in a new herd for 8 mos. and a couple times a week I am still noticing ...
A: What you have described is normal herd behaviour. You really have two options either: leave him ...
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| My horse bubba! | 9/2/2007 |
Q: I am now bringing him through little obstacle courses and using tarps,umbrellas,balls,tide ...
A: This is a terrific start! Just make sure he's always in his comfort zone. If he starts showing ...
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| Older horses (Senior age) | 8/29/2007 |
Q: I just bought an older (roping) horse. He is in good shape for 20. I'm a novice rider and bought him ...
A: I don't mean physical problems, but issues relating to riding ie: hard to stop, turn, putting tongue ...
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| Older horses (Senior age) | 8/29/2007 |
Q: I just bought an older (roping) horse. He is in good shape for 20. I'm a novice rider and bought him ...
A: You should definitely change your bit. To use a curb chain as a bit is an extremely cruel practice. ...
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| Lunging a one-eye horse | 8/25/2007 |
Q: My name is Jennifer and I've owned a thorough bred named Zac for 12 years. We have pretty much done ...
A: You're very right in your assertion that it will take time and patience. When a horse is disabled ...
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| Trainig issue | 8/22/2007 |
Q: I adopted an ex racehorse last october. My mom and i have been working with him but still, ...
A: Retraining an ex racehorse is a very complex matter and should not be attempted by novices. I ...
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| Shy Horse | 8/19/2007 |
Q: I just purchased a 7 year old QH and he is very afraid of people. He was the same way for the prior ...
A: You have a very long road ahead of you. First I wouldn't ride this horse until he has lost his ...
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| young horse suddenly stall shy @ show | 8/14/2007 |
Q: Please help.Have just turned 5 wellbred Arab mare trained by my daughter. Loves to show/beautiful ...
A: Your horse is displaying definite signs of stress. The first hint is the sudden loss of weight. ...
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| European Horseman | 8/1/2007 |
Q: I have been reading Jack Brainard's book "If I Were To Train a Horse". This is a great book I have ...
A: I haven't heard of all of these men but - Boucher, Olivero & Seunig are VERY old trainers (most ...
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| Re: Training an 8 year old | 7/24/2007 |
Q: My aunt has an 8 year old registered quarterhorse mare. During the training that she was receiving ...
A: An 8yo is still a very young horse!!! Go ahead and get her trained (by someone you trust and has a ...
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| mare gone mad | 7/19/2007 |
Q: I own an 18/19yo standardbred mare. I got her about 5 years ago and she had been retired from pacing ...
A: First thing - your mare is too old to jump and I think dressage after such a long spell as a brood ...
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| What is the difference between Donkeys and Horses | 7/18/2007 |
Q: Alot of my buddies have went out and bought Donkeys for the trails. They told me that they are much ...
A: The choice between donkey and horse is a purely personal decision. It depends on what you want to ...
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| Unbroken 2 year Appaloosa | 7/18/2007 |
Q: for my birthday (today!),my husband has bought me a 2 year old appaloosa from a breeder just up the ...
A: Congratulations on such a lovely present, it's wonderful that you want to do the right thing by her. ...
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| how can i build my horses trust? | 7/18/2007 |
Q: Ive had my horse asia for 2 years in september and i love here to death. but lately she has been ...
A: The first thing you need to ask is why has she suddenly started bucking? That is your real problem. ...
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| rebreaking carriage horse | 7/12/2007 |
Q: Recently purchased (3 mos ago) 2 ~ 13 year old haflingers they are both broke to carriage (Amish ...
A: One thing to keep in mind is that your horses are 13. While this isn't old, they have been working ...
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| Stubborn Walker | 7/7/2007 |
Q: I have an 11 year old TWH who was gelded at 6 and i got him when he was 8. He is wonderful when i ...
A: I've found that horses are rarely stubborn - there is always an underlying problem somewhere. It ...
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| my horse | 7/5/2007 |
Q: i have a 8 year old pony named maverick he has had 3 owners in the past and the second owned abussed ...
A: First thing is to STOP jumping him. He has obviously had some pretty bad experiences and by putting ...
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| is my mare in foal | 6/30/2007 |
Q: please can you help as my head is spinning with different suggestions from different friends.i ...
A: It sounds like the pony was just reacting to the extra weight of you vs children. This often ...
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| Getting a horse to enjoy work..with boundaries | 6/30/2007 |
Q: I was wondering how you can encourage an unwilling horse (not due to health problems) to like work ...
A: Are you sure there isn't a health problem? Have you had a vet take a look at him? I think you need ...
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| Mr. Fearless | 6/22/2007 |
Q: Hi =] I have a 17 year old, rodeo retired quarter horse (FireBond Skeeter). He does anything and ...
A: Congratulations on having such a genuine and kind horse. I personally would say thank you to the ...
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| Horse outlines | 6/12/2007 |
Q: Okay, Im confused. what exactly are all the different outlines a horse can get? And how are they ...
A: This is way too big a topic to discuss in this small space. Suffice to say that there are many ...
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| Gelding Behavior Around Mares | 6/8/2007 |
Q: We purchased a 4 yr old horse from an auction. He was gelded, but we do not know when/age. He ...
A: There are many possibilities, but the most likely scenarios are: 1. He was gelded correctly but ...
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| ex racer | 6/5/2007 |
Q: I have a 11 year old standardbred who hates to canter. He is an ex racer. A trotter, not a pacer. He ...
A: First of all congratulations on bypassing the stereotypes and taking on a retired Standardbred, ...
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| new standy need help | 6/5/2007 |
Q: i have an adorable standy that has a beautiful nature and i am absoulutely in love with. but i ...
A: First of all congratulations on bypassing the stereotypes and taking on a retired Standardbred, ...
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| Young horse problems | 6/3/2007 |
Q: I have a 4 year old Paint gelding(lives in a stall) that I bought just a year ago. He has been going ...
A: The solution to both problems is working with more horses! Try and find someone with an old ...
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| My horse hates to be alone | 6/3/2007 |
Q: I have 2 horses and sometimes i have to only take 1 to a horse show or to the vet or something. ...
A: It's always tough when one horse is left alone and particularly hard when they react as your boy ...
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| My Standardbred | 5/30/2007 |
Q: I just bought my first standardbred about a month ago, he is six yrs. old. He is very quiet and ...
A: What an interesting problem!!! I have heard of horses doing this on the odd occasion, especially in ...
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| Handling Youngsters | 5/28/2007 |
Q: I have recently bought 2 x 3 year old welsh ponies. They are literally straight from the Welsh ...
A: You're not mad at all! I've worked with the wild brumbies out here in Australia and they make ...
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| underweight horse | 5/24/2007 |
Q: I am 17 and i just got a new horse, her name is Missy and shes a stock/tb. She is 5 years old, ...
A: In order to help with feed I'll need some more info such as what you will use her for, how many ...
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| mare&foal training | 5/21/2007 |
Q: My foal is 4 weeks old. He is a big stud colt! I tryed to ride my mare in the pasture and being that ...
A: I sympathise with your situation, but it’s to be expected. If you breed a mare you have to accept ...
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| First buck/fall | 5/21/2007 |
Q: I have ben recently riding a horse that I have trotted only a couple of times. Yesterday I ...
A: First of all it's hard without seeing what happened, but it doesn't sound like your horse bucked. ...
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| Behaviour Issues | 5/20/2007 |
Q: I have recently purchased a green broken 2 1/2 year old Welsh Cob directly from his breeder. He was ...
A: My heart goes out to your poor little Welshi, it sounds like he’s had a tough little life so far. ...
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| Breaking in an older horse | 5/17/2007 |
Q: I have a year old TB that is being broken in for me to ride. We have a good bond but I was just ...
A: Your TB is a good age to break in - he's physically and mentally mature and ready for anything that ...
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| standardbreds | 5/17/2007 |
Q: I have a 16 year old Standardbred who raced for almost 10 years and you guessed it will not canter. ...
A: Yes, I've been laughed at more than once for 'wasting my time' with Standardbreds. I love them, ...
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| 9 year old bucking | 5/16/2007 |
Q: I have a 9 year old gelding that my daughters grandparents bought her without letting me come and ...
A: I'm sorry I couldn't have been more help. Spending a lot of time with him can only help the ...
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| standardbreds | 5/15/2007 |
Q: I have a 16 year old Standardbred who raced for almost 10 years and you guessed it will not canter. ...
A: First of all congratulations on bypassing the stereotypes and taking on a retired Standardbred, ...
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| 9 year old bucking | 5/14/2007 |
Q: I have a 9 year old gelding that my daughters grandparents bought her without letting me come and ...
A: I sympathise with you, good intentions can go very very bad! It sounds like you need professional ...
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| Walking horse...Erggg.... | 5/9/2007 |
Q: Im working with a 2 1/2 year old mare who has personallity plus, shell tie, i can practically crawl ...
A: First things first. Your mare is too young to be doing any serious riding work. It would be ok to ...
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| picking up feet | 8/28/2006 |
Q: She has been out to paster for several years. I have had her for several months now and she has put ...
A: Sounds like your mare has trust issues with men. How is she around your husband normally? Will she ...
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