That's so sweet of you! As a little girl, I was just in love with horses and I think that something like maybe a pony coupon book would be welcome ... let me explain... So, you have pretty young girls.... you could give them a coupon like, you may lead *horse's name* around the barn and turn him out and sit with him for 45 minutes. I realize you and your working students would have to oversee this time, but can you imagine how cool that would be - it would be like having your own horse for

I don't know what just happened... anyway... The horse was imported less than a year ago? How long? I can see why the vet would treat for ulcers. The sleep thing sounds maybe neurologic (or it could be simple sleep deprivation). It is tough to diagnose neurologic problems. The way to really diagnose ulcers is a scope. Other than that, one is just treating prophylactically and hoping to see improvement and then assuming that was the problem. Given the magnitude of the problem and the two issues

Hi everyone! I haven't been posting much lately, mainly lurking, but I have some questions. How do you diagnose moon blindness? What is it exactly? What causes it? Generally, will you just post whatever you know on the subject? Thanks! I'm going to do a google search right now too...

um... no. I have never heard of such a thing.... do you think it maybe has something to do with liability insurance? I suppose I could see something like that, but wouldn't the person leasing the horse pay that? weird!

I agree with Larissa. My horse moved from Ca to Co. When she got here, she was fine. There was no one but me around, so I know no one scared her or hurt her. She rode nicely for me at first. She developed ulcers. It took me about 7 months to figure it out. At first, she would huff and puff when I saddled her. Then when I tried to get on, she would kick and bite. I mistakenly assumed she didn't respect me and we did ground work with the saddle on. Poor girl! She was actually in horrible pain!

Um... just a thought here... him being so reluctant to move, and even standing facing down hill actually sound a bit like laminitis. At the very least, it sounds like he is in major pain. If it was my horse, I would have the vet out for some xrays and some serious talk about how to keep him out of pain, and to hopefully rule out laminitis. Good luck. I know how hard it is when we know our friends are in pain and we are powerless to help in the near term.

I just love evolutionary biology. I also agree with Solaris that we should do our best not to anthropomorphize. I also have ethical problems with animal research, but that is entirely a different matter. Here's what I think; it is in a herd animal's best interest to develop the kind of emotions or responses that humans have developed (after all, we're societal too). Also, what makes us so special that we could possibly be the only animals on the planet to experience the gamut of emotions

O my, I am so sorry! Yes, I feel your pain, but that doesn't make it any easier for you. I will be thinking about you and Su. Spend time with her and love her and spoil her and when you are ready, say good bye. Memorize her smell and how her nickers sound. Those thoughts will comfort you.

Hi, I have been going through a very rough time this summer. My husband decided he doesn't love me anymore. I have been beside myself for months now. I haven't been able to ride, but I do go and hang out. I especially love pony kisses and hearing her nickers. She's pretty green and a bit aggressive, but when I'm down, she knows it, and comes and puts her head against my chest and patiently allows me to kiss her nose (usually I have to chase her around to get kisses). I would probably

why do I get emails when I post to a discussion? I don't want to know everytime anyone posts, and I know I posted, so I don't need an email about it....