What a great question and some fascinating suggestions! I've always just accepted the fact that the water containers had to be cleaned regularly, but now I think I'm going to try adding baking soda and see what happens. As a person who regularly bakes, I have plenty to hand! I like the idea of the apple cider vinegar as well as I know it is recommended for joint mobility. As I have two water butts, I just might try one of each ......

Just a few thoughts on the boots versus wraps question. As mentioned, the boots/wraps will provide protection and not necessarily 'support'. If you are warming up properly and your horses are used to the work you are doing, their tendons should be hard enough to not need support. I do a fair bit of road work with my two horses and the only boots I use are fetlock boots as my mare tends to move a bit close behind at the trot. And I use Woof boots when jumping, again the protect rather than

Mary -- Your message is so well timed!! My trainer has decided that I will not be a fair-weather rider this winter! If it was up to me, I would only ride when the sun shone. However, here in England, if you waited for the sun to shine before riding, you would never ride!! So, to this end, I am also looking for wet weather gear. As I do a lot of riding on local country lanes, I need my gear to be hi-viz as well as waterproof. I have a great hi-viz jacket which is very warm and waterproof, but it doesn't

#2 - I have both my horses at a local DIY yard. Not the prettiest stable yard around, but all the horses are very happy, well looked after and the owners are all very caring people. Most of us just hack our horses so there is no 'pressure' to be out and about competing. We're very comfortable there although it is a dream of mine to have my horses 'at home'.

Wow, this is a big problem in the UK as well. I think we all have our ways of treating scratches (or mud fever as we call it over here) and we do so according to our individual horses. But the most important factor is to make sure our horses are in the best condition and that their immune systems are fit enough to fight the bacteria. Whatever treatment you use, make sure the area is very clean and DRY before applying any creams/potions. Also remember that the area can be very painful and don't

Greetings from the UK! We thought we were hard done by at our yard with gateways knee-deep in mud. But I honestly think we have ittgoodcompared to some of you. And let's say a prayer for all those hit by that tornado a couple of days ago. That is one weather problem the UK doesn't have to deal with. We have had THE most beautiful day today and I was almost tempted to let the horses out without rugs. But common sense prevailed and the rugs - complete with hoods - were put on. I have a chestnut

Greetings Dannyboy! I've gone through your 'possibles' and to me they are all possibles. How will you decide which will have the chance of a lifetime? I think Number 5 on your list looks a cheeky little fellow; full of fun and mischief! Very best of luck with your mission and do keep a detailed diary of events - including of course problems, solutions; fears, tears, joy; highs and lows. Looking forward to more news.

Hi TwoSoxLover - You don't mention your age, but can we assume your Dad is paying the bills? And do you have the time and expertise that this horse obviously needs. Show horses certainly need that extra 'edge' in the show ring, but there comes a time when that 'edge' can be dangerous. I would try to find a really good, qualified instructor who can take you and your horse back to basics. Give him and yourself every chance to get it right. Set a realistic time scale for improvement

Yes, we are very lucky to have good grass come the Spring. But therein lies another major problem - laminitis!! So in a way the horses trashing the fields in the winter can be a good thing. I just get so fed up with filthy, smelly horses and soaking wet rugs with no where to dry them as it is always raining. And of course I regularly fall flat on my face when the mud in the gateway sucks my boot off. They do say mud is good for the complexion!! Brings another meaning to the saying 'here's

Here in the UK we are having a very wet winter and so I know just what you are going through! Every morning I put on my waterproofs and wellies and hope that the mud doesn't suck them off my feet. I have landed face down in the mud before now and it is not a pretty site!! I have sectioned my paddock into 2 so that only one half becomes 'trashed'. It will recover come Spring and then we will be complaining about too much grass. It is a good idea to put gravel (or broken bricks) in the