Swelling midline at the chest can be a sign of heart failure. But, swelling on one side and then midline is most likely just inflamation that has moved down (from injection site in neck, from scrapes, from other hematomia). If you push on the swelling, and it stays indented it's a hematoma, and should reabsorb. BUT your horse has a fever of 102.8 that means there is potentially internal damage. Horses do not manage fevers well. CALL YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY. I had a mare that was narcoleptic and

Growing up, My trainer used 2 2x4's screwed together to make a square pole - it's lighter than most 4x4's. The barn I'm at now has 4x4's. Square poles work just as well as round. :)

It really really really depends on the barn that the horse is going to - Here is my experience with IHSA and IDA horses: I used to manage an IHSA/IDA barn - the horses can have a tough life. Ours did lessons 5 days a week during the school year, sometimes 2 rides per day. They then did lessons and summer camps during the summer for local children. That made them fit enough to be used in the IHSA shows where they may jump 5, 10, even 15 rounds a day. Our region had each school host 3 shows per weekend

I do trot poles 3'6" - 4' apart for multiple poles. Trot pole to jump, I treat as a placement pole 6' out. Just a diff take on it.

to work on rider position: x -9'- ] -18'- ]] canter in and through to work on rider position and horse impulsion: | -9'- x -9'- | -9'- x -9'- | -9'- x -9'- | canter in and through |=pole, x=x-rail, ]=vertical, ]]=oxer

hehehe I go through them in about 2-3 months, I do Ariats too - I get the rubber booties to go over to make everything last longer. I have old injuries in both legs that make me drag my toes when I'm not paying attention, and by the end of the day I'm never paying attention. The current condition of my right boot - I keep forgetting to order more. And duct tape only stays on for 2 or 3 rides (less than a day)

Well - I used to self-lunge in the arena or round pen - but then I went out and found a working student to lunge and to lunge me! I also go ahead and work with my trainer at least once a week and she gives me fantastic lunge lessons on a regular basis.

Good thought walkinthewalk!

I think I have talked to the Co-op lady when I was selling a horse - she wanted to buy her for two girls and then lessons - but the mare wouldn't have worked for that. I left Spokane in '04 and have only been back briefly for family events. I've been working on living in every state of the union... lol Totally out of the E WA loop!!! I seriously miss Big R though - great stuff and people. Tractor supply can't come close - although Quality Supply does.

LOL I didn't help much - you had already thought of my concerns :) I'm glad you have trainers available to work with and are willing to take that step! HappyTrails