My 7-yr old daughter takes lessons on a Connemara/Welsh cross - 13.2 H and a striking dapple bay with a storybook face. He is wonderful - patient and just a teeny bit challenging for the youngest children (he puts his head down to snatch at grass if their attention wanders -- it's a perfect lesson in paying attention because if they ride him actively he never even tries it.) With more experienced children he shifts seemlessly into canter departs and lead changes. I just can't say enough great

I'm trying to learn more about clicker training and have checked out several of the You Tube clips. My question: Can clicker training concepts be applied with scratches and rubs as treats instead of food? The one thing I did NOT like about the clips on You Tube is the horses' habit of stopping whatever they're doing at the sound of the click in order to get a treat - it seems to make all behavior very choppy and seems to make EVERYTHING about the treat itself. I love the concept of Correct

CONGRATULATIONS!! It looks great and I love the unusual angle of the photo. Here's wishing you many more happy jumps! My 7 yr old daughter is begging to learn English riding and try crossrails . . . so I signed up for mother/daughter lessons. They begin this weekend -- GULP! This timid western trail rider learning to post? I'll leave the jumping to the younger kids, unless I find a teeny little crossrail . . . Happy jumping!

I'm thinking we may have to patent a new line of riding boots. Like all the 80s rock bands wore - 8 inch platform soles with a 12 inch heel. We could offer them in English or Western styling . . .and could then market a new line of extra roomy stirrups to accomodate them. Short riders unite! We could turn this into a great business opportunity!! . . . it seems easier to work out than the "accordian legged" horse I've been trying to genetically engineer . . .

I lost count - have 30 people answered? If not . . . I have 2 horses, 1 pony - and going to look at a pony on Tuesday (somebody STOP me!)

Hello and welcome. I just started on this forum this past winter and I swear it kept me from jumping off the roof through all the cursed ice in PA. Yes, it does get addictive (ahem. . it's past midnight here . . . ). So be careful to stay away during Finals Week. The people here are so knowledgeable and welcoming - you'll soon see. I have two horses (QH gelding and aged QH/Appy mare) and my daughter's 10 H snothead. I've kept horses forever, but am just a basic western trail rider

I had great luck with corn oil added to the grain ration on my 11 yr old gelding this winter. Helped his weight and his coat and didn't add much nervousness. You can look under this forum at "adding weight without adding nervousness" == lots of folks gave me good advice on that thread that I think might interest you. . . I've been using corn oil on my son's 20-something year old mare it doesn't seem to be doing much for her weight or her coat. I sent for the sample of Cocosoya

I can supply your child slaves too. I have quite a heap (err 'supply') of 'natural / fawn' equistrands in my hay loft. I was saving this mess (errr 'inventory') for my bid to create the World's Largest Ball O Twine . . . but I would be willing to send them your way for a small cut of the action. Since the color is 'natural / fawn', these are clearly 'eco-equistrands' . . . and we ALL KNOW what you can do with the price tag of anything 'eco' . .

Where and when did the headshaking article appear? On the first bright buggy day this spring, my gelding was tormented and shaking his head constantly as we waited for the farrier to arrive. I saw only one pesky fly near his ears, but he was very upset . . . and squinting. I applied fly wipe to his head and ears, and put a fly mask on him to provide some relief from the bright sun. The headshaking stopped, but I don't know which "cure" worked. I mentiond it to the farrier, and of course

Thanks to all for the input. We were scheduled to see him at 2:00 today, . . . and he sold at noon. Rats. Good ponies are SO hard to find . . . I'll be sure to look up the founder articles, since wer're already living with founder with our little guy.