If the ranch part is really a main part of your storyline, it will really make the most believable story if you can at least go visit a few. (Otherwise, FH has a good idea to minimize the detail to avoid errors.) Besides--- you might decide you don't want to be a city girl quite so much anymore! Visiting even a small property with horses will give you a sense of the everyday care of horses. The research will really pay off. You can also go to online tack stores to get catalogs that show various

Like a carrot stick popsicle!! : ) It isn't that you should never give them molassas-- it can come in handy when you have to give them a medication (such as antibiotic pills) that they just won't take otherwise (I crush the pills, mix it with applesauce and a little bit of molassas, then use a large no-needle syringe to put it into the mouth). Molassas is used in some feeds, as well-- but it is a sugar and in most cases, you don't want to add a lot of sugar into the horse's diet.

Is this a new horse to you? I would advise against straight molassas...not that good for them-- I stick with commercial horse treats or natural foods (carrots, apples) over sugar & candy. My horse hadn't had apples or treats before; she had to learn to eat them. She just wasn't so sure what to do with them.

You will probably get a lot of different opinions on the pad thickness question-- my own experience: I used to use a 1" thick, 100% wool pad and thought that was "the best thing" for my horse. Then I realized we had a bad saddle fit (which had nothing to do with the pad). I got a new saddle after working w/ a professional saddle fitter/chiropractor/massage therapist (who does not sell saddles or pads himself), he told me that her new saddle fits her well-- and that I need to stick

I know you said you had her vet-checked, but it really sounds like it could be a physical issue. Perhaps get a second opinion and/or work with a well-recommended massage therapist/chiropractor? Horses love to move it seems as though she is not really cantering much at liberty, either. Adding weight to the horse will accentuate any balance or soreness issues.

Hoping to answer all the questions-- I use a snaffle bridle; it is very common to use the mecate w/ a snaffle bridle where I am from; yes, they were looped & had the long end as the lead. My loop is probably closer to 7 1/2 ' - 8'; in lieu of tucking in my belt loop, I have it tied to a thin piece of breakable leather tie to the horn. So, other than that I could have/ should have thought to grab the long line, it sounds like it is the risk of looped reins--though mine actually could be

During a recent trail ride, my horse tripped and went down (we were only at a walk--we were both fine)-- I was able to step off of her as she went down and get out of her way. She quickly recovered and promtly cantered back to the barn (which was not far away). I was horrified, however, to see that the loop of the mecate reins had come over her head and with every canter stride, I was afraid she would catch it and summersault-- or hurt her mouth at the very least. Neither happened and she stayed

My horse had a small wire cut prior to me getting her. It had a fungal infecton that looked similar. It was scabby and would bleed if the scabs came off. The treatment my vet used made it worse (shaving, picking, Maleseb antifungal shampoo). It was also very painful for her. I contacted Dr. Witherspoon at Healing Tree products and he had me use the TeaClenz shampoo dilution once a day (pour on and let it air dry), when the leg was totally dry, I applied the TZon cream. Within 24 hours,the granulated

I agree w/ Solaris-- if you go the barefoot route, use boots on any rocky terrain. As far as the transition time goes, that definitely depends on the horse. Also, because of the way we generally keep our horses (they don't live like wild horses/eat what wild horses eat) do know that sometimes the transition is not a permanant thing they can go for a while on hard terrain w/o boots & then some season need them again. Their hooves can change, too, as they are subjected to changes in feed, weather

Thank you for the feedback & encouragement! I am very excited. Of course, I hope to do well, but mostly, I just want to have a fun, positive experience that I can learn from.