Q. I had to leave my old barn about a year ago, and I just recently went back. We had to leave ’cause I was leasing a horse, and they wouldn’t let the lease train or school me there. We left the barn not in the nicest way, but not in the worst, either, and…
Q. I am from England, and next year I am planning to do a 2-year course in stud work. After that, I am going to do a higher course for another 2 years. I have never owned a very young horse before, but I love horses and I want to work with them. Stud work…
Q. Do you know any exercises that riders can do to stay in shape while they are not riding? A. Unfortunately, riding uses a very different set of muscles than most other activities, and it’s not easy to find unmounted exercises specifically designed to work those particular muscles. There have been, however, some very useful…
Q. I am looking into becoming a horse exerciser, and I would like to know if anyone can help me get information on it. I do have experience with horses, and I have been around horses all my life. I know how to ride, and I know how to deal with them! My neighbor lady…
Q. I am interested in buying a 5-year-old, 16hh, dapple grey Irish Draft mare. She is green broke and the horse of my dreams. Recently, we found that she has a heart murmur increasing the chances of her colicing. The owners are asking $6,000, and I think that she isn’t worth that with her heart…
Q. I’m thinking of buying a horse. The horse is a Paint, large QH-type build, 15.2-15.3 hh. He is 10 years old, just getting back into jumping, and has been somewhat of a “pet”; the owner’s niece has been riding him lightly. He was shown when he was young. The current owner has had him…
Q. When one purchases a pleasure horse, what guidelines should one use to determine size and breed? A. There are a number of factors to keep in mind when choosing an equine partner, and I consider the most important to be neither of the two mentioned in your question. In a pleasure mount, the first…
Q. What are the general differences in temperament between a filly (mare) and a gelding? Should the gender of the animal be a determining factor in purchasing a horse? A. I have always been one to evaluate horses as individuals rather than making sweeping generalizations about groups, but since you asked, I will make a…
Q. I have an eleven year old (just) daughter who is horse crazy and who is constantly begging for a horse of her own. We do have the facilities (country, small barn, fenced pasture) that make it difficult to say no. She is a good student, has grown up with animals (cats, dogs, bantams), and…
Q. I am having a hard time finding a form to lease a horse. It is a full lease (board and feed, not vet and smithing). These forms are nowhere to be found. Could you please help me? A. First, please know that you must have any lease contract reviewed by a local lawyer before…