Although its hasn't been me doing most of the paying for the horses and upkeep I know that we have kept our horses for under $400/month. Our horses were purely pasture-kept in the summer and on hay in the winter. We did supplement them with some general horse feed during flyseason and winter to help keep the weight on. They live at our place, we have a portable electric fence for the summer and in the winter they are less than a mile away in a permanent pasture with stall access. However we don't

My first question would be, what have you changed since bringing him home? Have you changed his tack? It sounds like he is in pain or scared. Just my thoughts

We get those little bugs in my horse's ears too. When fly season starts we put vaseline in the inside of her ears. The flys can't get at the skin then. It seems to work great and it doesn't bother them at all.

[quote user="Cotoncandie"]I won't say I don't wear a helmet because it's not "cool", or not "fashionable". I won't say I don't wear one "because I never have and never got hurt". I really have no excuse for it, but I'm fully aware I'm putting myself at risk for an injury, and if an injury should happen, then so be it. I won't wear a helmet, just like I'll never wear wrist guards, knee pads, etc to ride.[/quote] Thats a good

I ride Western. Didn't do a lot of lessons or anything. Western is what my parents both rode when they were kids, thats what I always wanted to ride. I'm a tomboy and a bit of a cowgirl. I ride simply for pleasure and I love trying new things with my arab. Like some of the other posters though, the majority of my rides are bareback. I just love the feel of connecting with the horse like that. Plus it takes less prep time and slightly less cleanup :) I think my horse really likes it when I

[quote user="My Gracie"]By conditioning them, I meant letting them get used to being out in the cold in stages, maybe with a quarter sheet, for example. It would depend on the horse and how much hair growth they had. I think most horses wouldn't have a problem, unless the barn was heated. Lightly haired horses like thoroughbreds and arabs might need to have more protection. [/quote] Except for maybe my arab :) She becomes a complete yak. Thick LOOOONG hair. I live in the prairies, MB

JEALOUS!!! I have always wanted to do something like this!!! And I think my mare would absolutly LOVE it!! Looks like you had a grand time.

[quote user="true_perception"]For example, if a child falls and is not injured but does not want to get back on, should you make them?[/quote] Yes, yes, yes, yes. If anyone falls off and is not injured, if they ever want to regain their confidence they need to get back on. Now, this doesn't mean they must get on and ride at the same level that they were at before the fall. If they need to be lead or lunged at first then that should be allowed. But they need to get back on because otherwise

[quote user="cwgrlkssr"] I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR RIDING LESSONS[/quote] Don't take this wrong, but if you don't have time for lessons how are you going to have time for riding? Lessons is riding and can be a lot of fun, not to mention a lot easier to learn from than a book. I would really recommend that you take at least one or two hours a week for riding lessons and then you can supplement that with reading books or watching DVDs.

Oh I need this advice. We have tried everything with my mare, jumping up and down, strange noises, new "toys" or other items, calling, clapping you name it we've tried it. She just stands there with a "so what?" expression on her face. I guess she is so desensitized she doesn't care. It is quite frusterating when you want to take pictures or even just in general b/c she always stands around with her ears flopped to the sides. She looks kind of like a donkey!