HorseChannel.com Message Board / HorseChannel.com Forums / General Discussion

Any Plus Sized Riders on here??

JadeSong — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:22:54 GMT

Hey all! I Just wanted to know if there are any other plus sized riders on here! Post pictures and be proud to be who you are!! I'm a plus sized rider, and it took me a long time to be comfortable in a world of stick think riders! But now Im comfortable with who I am! So would love to meet the other plus sized riders on here!

SMB Boots

QuarterHorsesForever — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:18:37 GMT

I am trying to decide what kind of boots to get. I have heard the Pro Choice is good from some people, and stinks from others.
Is their velcro really as crappy as people say? If so, is there a better kind you can get for close to the same price?

Any help would be nice!

need help

trickeydoll — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:42:13 GMT

wut can u doing about a horse thats is loseing hair under its neck?

some people tell me to use bleach watered down and bath them in it...

so can yaw help me...

What to ask when Buying a horse..

bayroanhorse27 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:12:50 GMT

[font=Comic Sans MS]I'm looking and test riding a horse today and was just wondering what are some questions I should ask the seller? I've already asked the basic questions like:
* is he UTD on vaccs.
*coggins
* farrier
* is he at all spooky.
* is he hot....
..... and so on. I am also having him vet checked. I just wanted to know what else should I ask the seller or even the vet. I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything.
Thanks guys!
[/font]

SURVEY - PLEASE COMPLETE!!!

horsiehuntersam — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:04:39 GMT

1.) In your opinion, is there a problem with overpopulation in the equine world today?

2.) Do you believe that horses, specifically Thoroughbreds, are being overbred?

3.) At what age do you believe it is responsible to be training a young horse under saddle?

4.) Would you ever purchase a horse with known soundness issues (short or long term) that have resulted from injury? If so, please provide a brief description of the circumstances you would consider this and the intended purpose of the animal.

5.) Do you personally know or work with any successful off-the-track thoroughbreds? If so, please elaborate.

THANK YOU! This is for a college research paper I am doing on the growing population of unwanted off-the-track thoroughbreds.

One year ago today

CheyAut — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:17:53 GMT

I lost my beautiful, sweet friend...

Need a farrier in Minnesota

candyappy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:55:14 GMT

Hi all,

It looks like my husbands job will be taking us to the Brainerd, Minnesota area. If anyone knows of a GOOD farrier that services that area (in a 25 mile radius or more) I would be eternally grateful !!

New Members

HC Editor — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 10:16:54 GMT

Welcome to the HorseChannel Forums. Please be sure to read the rules and guidelines first, then enjoy the site!

If you'd like to introduce yourself, post a reply here.

Thanks!

HI Moderator

maryland rider looking despratly for a lesson barn

stephaniejumps — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:15:27 GMT

hello there =]
first i want to say thanks to everyone who looks at this, even if you can't help.

anyways, my name is stephanie and i'm 17 years old. i've been riding english pleasure, equitation, and hunters since i was 4 years old. recently i left my original barn, and tried to find a barn that focused on eventing. i've been having a REALLY hard time finding a barn though. since i live in overlea/parkville, (right outside of baltimore city) i'm not really in horse country. i'm willing to travel up to 45 minutes for lessons in eventing/dressage. i can w/t/c & jump 2'9 courses and 3ft singles. i can control a horse in a out of the arena. i've schooled at fair hill once, and had a blast, i've also done b/n test a and got a 50.3% (it was my first dressage test ever!) sadly since i'm still in high school i don't have the money to own my own horse. i want lessons from a qualified instructor, with well behaved lesson horses. if anyone knows of a place close by i would LOVE to hear about it!

thanks guys!

How do you write a leasing agreement?

bayroanhorse27 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:02:27 GMT

Ok, so I went and looked at a TB gelding for sale. I really liked him, but the owner doesn't really have a place to ride him so I couldn't really get a feel for him, so I asked if I could try him out for a month and just sort of free lease him. So now, I need to type up a contract that protects both parties. Anyone on here know of a website or have a copy of a contract you've used before? I'm having a hard time wording how I will be responsible for the overall care of the horse (ie feeding, any small injuries or injuries that are my fault) but not for something like colic and paying for the major surgery to fix it. Or any health problems that he may have that I don't know about.
Am I making any since? -lol- Anyways....
Please help me out if you can. I want to make sure that both of us are 'safe' from the other and that it clearly explains everything. So any help or ideas would be great! Thanks ya'll!

Breeding questions

dirtbiker13isme — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:34:38 GMT

I'm doing a speech topic on how there should be regulations on equine breeding sooo i need to know from expierenced people to awnser some questions

What are some complications that can go wrong during pregnancy?

What is an estiment of the cost of owning a mare during pregnancy (asuming the owner is taking care of expected vet visits.)

thanks and the quicker the replys the better

New horse :)

pigeon123 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:31:40 GMT

My new horse Johnny :D I just felt like putting some pictures up, hes off the track and this was his first time being turned out and he LOVED the mud as you can see haha. It took me over a half hour to brush him enough to a point where he was decent enough to ride. I didn't get any good pictures to critique yet but when I do I'll post them :)

New Project Horse

sunny06 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:52:22 GMT

Well, I haven't been getting any answers or comments anywhere else so I'll try here :)

I got a new project horse named Cricket. She is a 5 year old QH mare about 14.3-14 hands. She is totally inexperienced and was originally ridden by a little girl who knew zip about riding.

When I went to test drive her, her reins weren't even connected to the bit correctly, but the bridel itself! So this tells me she hasn't been pulled on her mouth too much. And it shows. She's ridden in a snaffle D ring and is very sensitive. But when you go to stop she hauls to a stop reluctantly and dosen't like to stand still for long. She also just hangs her head idolly when we ride. I'd like her to be balanced and more collected-ish. Another thing is she dosen't like to turn right. It's really weird but you have to really crank her head around and I REALLY don't want to inadvertantly mess up her already relatively softish mouth.

Today just to see what happens, I rode her in a straight bar snaffle and she did maybe even better. Is a straight bar more harsh or less harsh or equivalant to a reg. snaffle?

I'm very pleased to see how responsive and such a QUICK learner she is! 30 minutes in the ring and she was already responding very well to my leg cues (right, left, go, etc).

I really like her. She seems to be very docile and willing to try whatever is in front of her or what I ask her.

So the questions arise:

-I'd like to get her balanced. I've asked this question before, but didn't take everything quite so seriously because Sunny is gaited and 'collection' is really different in the gaited world. So how do you get a trotting horse balanced? Is it along the same lines?

-She is iffy turning right as mentioned. Do I just continue to turn her getting her used to flexing? Serpentines, figure 8s, etc?

And here are a few pictures of her. My riding was the pitts so I covered myself up entirely. Maybe if I can get some better pics later of us in sync I'll post them.

< Head 'set'. This is how she holds her head. I know horseless hates that word, but I can't think of another word...

< I rode her in my Aussie because it fit her better than Sunny (his back is a bit better by the way). I wasn't sure if I should be applying contact to her mouth or not so I left it neutral.

< Again.

< Unfortunately, this is the only confo shot I could get. Her stupid hoof was ticked and she wouldn't 'unitck' it. If you can't critique it, no worries, I'll get a new one tommorrow (my camera's finally working!). Is she a bit fat?

Please help :) Any comments, tips, etc are appreciated!

Something wrong with my mare.

trickeydoll — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:17:09 GMT

My mare is about 6 to 9 months pregnant... which i had posted couple of days ago that she was having this problem... where she was sweating really bad... and had cold sweats... well today everything changed... she has broke out in a bad sweat and she hasn't been doing anything i have had an eye on her all day... cause shes had me worried well now she sweating really bad and she just white stuff on her where she was sweating and she was breathing really hard... we called the vet but he can't see her until tomorrow afternoon... he thought that it maybe gi pain or she got a infection or the baby is turned the wrong way and its making her hurt... we are taking her there tomorrow but i was wondering if any of yaw knew anything... cause im so so worried about her... but im not the richest persons in the world but i love my horses and i would do anything and as much as i can for them... but i hope and pray she is ok... i love her to death she is my world... so yaw please keep her in yaws prayers... thanks so much brittney

Rolex!

horsluvr217 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:08:39 GMT

I just arranged for my aunt(who's a dressage horse trainer and competer) and I to go to Rolex 2010! I'm sooo excited! We got the tickets and everything! Is anyone else on here going? I know there are some Kentucky people...Anyways, just wanted to share the good, awesome, wonderful, amazing news. Going to Rolex is like my dream! Competing in it is next, but that'll come later. I can now cross that off my bucket list!

Zenyatta

Purcocious — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:08:52 GMT

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/53280/zenyatta-is-5-2-favorite-in-the-classic

Just thought I would share, I know there are other Zenyatta fans on here. I'm suuuuper excited! Hope she whoops the colts!!

halter work -- suggestions.

graciex3 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:22:20 GMT

alright so, even though I wont be riding her, my cousins could be, and before I have anyone on her, I want to have a great horse in-hand. I'm looking for ways to train her better inhand, so she's insync with me, I guess she doesn't look like she's following at the same beat, and there's definately room for improvement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te7kp22nbeg

Thanks!,

Courtney

Pink Boots?

QuarterHorsesForever — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:46:41 GMT

OK, so I want to get a black QH that can barrel race. I like the color pink but am definitely getting a gelding. But REALLY think he would look cute in them. Am I crazy or would it look OK if a guy is wearing PINK!?
Any Help would be appreciated!

Questions

sunny06 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:57:18 GMT

Hi.

I have a few random questions. A simple yes and no is ok, but I'd prefer a good, discriptive answer:

1. Can a mullen mouthed bit hinder collection? The reason I ask that is mainly the worry that the lack of tongue relief may irritate or otherwise hinder a horse from collecting properly at the head.

2. Can you not feed a horse grain in the winter?

3. Would spurs help you or hinder you when working on a slow, rythmic canter? I know it depends on the horse, but on the generic sensitive, speedyish horse, would it do any good? We're talking just a small nub (like a Prince Wales). Sunny is lazy in the ring, but when he canters, he gets more hyper but never out of control.

4. How do you go about collection at a walk? Any exercises on the ground?

5. Would a turn out in the ring or dirt pen remove any excess energy out of a horse as opposed to a stall?

6. This is a completely random picture, but is this collected?

Is this acceptable? Or hollow?

7. Is beet pulp full of energy or not?

8. Would bareback riding improve your aids? Would it help give better, more precise cues?

9. What does a cavison do?

10. Are there any good collection exercises that can be done on the ground?

I'm sure I have more, but I'll think of them later.

Mainly, I'm wanting help on the basic basic basics of collection. I want someone to speak English. Tell me the basics. I'm not ready for anything major yet.

I realize that most of these questions are 'it depends' questions, but please do your best.

Sunny and I have run into a major tussle lately, and I've been told to start working on collection and getting complete control over his MIND. Not just BODY. That's easier said than done. I've also been told 'get a trainer', but I'd like to see if I can do anything first.

I'm not changing bits. I'm not changing tack.

I might consider a spur, but only if I *need* it. Personally, I probably don't. But I thought I'd ask anyway.

Recovery

MissingMouse — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:45:56 GMT

How do you get. Over the pain of letting your first horse go? I rescured Minnie summer 06 and dang. It was the most amazing relationship ever. She saved me from being trampled, showed me who I was supposed to be and got me addicted to horse company. I had to letm her go to Heaven last year and I'm still dead- dying inside. I haven't been able to ride since becuase my insensative parents can't keep thier word and I am just NOT coping with this yet.
Any tips on seriously letting go? What gets or has gotten any of you through situations likethis?

microchip

barrels4ever — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:42:45 GMT

Hey everyone, I have a problem and maybe all you kind horse folks out there can help.

I have a 20 year old quarter horse mare and we found out that she is microchiped well we want to change the registration from the old owners to us easy right?

worng, when we went to the vet that microchiped the mare we found out that they only do dogs and other small animals NOT horses so how do we go about changing the registration?

Organized Rides

BlackHoneyVelvet — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:18:29 GMT

Going on my 2nd ever organized ride this weekend...Had TONS of fun last year (my first time EVER on a horse) and can't wait to go again. Last year there was over 5,000 horses there. I watched the baby the first ride and got to go along on the Sunday afternoon ride.

Has anyone ever been to the Ward Ride in SC or been to an organized trail ride...? What are your opinions of them? Can't wait to hear all ya'll's experiences

mare has a few problems

Black Jacks Gurl13 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:59:10 GMT

Hey guys! So well my mare has a couple small problems that I need help on. Sometimes shes a little hard to get out on the road, but usually what I do is give her a pop with my crop and give her a kick and shes fine. The problem she has is when I ride her down the roads she'll try to turn around once in a while, and when I try to neck reign her she will start crazily backing up and won't stop, its weird!! And She constantly tosses her head while being ridden, I have ruled out bridle and teeth fit, so that annoys me. She is also very hard to bridle every once in awhile. Any ideas? Thanks

Pregnant Mare

trickeydoll — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:29:43 GMT

I got my mare about 1 or 2 months ago... the man i got her from didn't take care of her like he should have... which i can't stand to see a horse in need of help everyone i see i try to get... but anyways she looked so bad and plus she about 6 to 9 months pregnant or thats wut the man told us... but today i went out there cause i try to work with her everyday she broke and all... but i still like to put a saddle on her and stuff... but today was differnet for some reason... it was like she had a cold sweat her body was really cold and i mean i live in alabama and today was a pretty warm day but she was sweating around her back legs... and she kinda acted like she was pushing this is my first mare that i have that is pregnant i have always had stud, or gelding now i got another mare but she ain't even broke u can't even get ur hands on her which im trying to sale now she is suppose to be pregnant to but not sure... but anyways back to my other mare... she just hasn't acted right today for some reason i don't know if its false laber or wut shes really got me worried about her... she was jsut really cold all over... just wondering if anyone on here has had that problem with a mare or stud or gelding?

bran mash

hunterjumper3678 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:56:45 GMT

So I was thinking about getting my horse some bran mash and giving it to him once a week. Is that a good idea, or is it bad for them?

There was 3 different kinds I wanted to try one Smart Pak Equine and they were Tropical Twist, Old Timer Recipe, or the Candy cane recipe.

So like i said, good idea or no?

Critique My Horses

Lady Bug — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:11:03 GMT

I posted a topic with photos of my horses on it for people to critique, but they weren't good at all. I hope these pictures will be somewhat better. Each horse is pictured from different angles. Please remember that all angles are not perfect or 100% acurate! Thanks!

King: 2 yr. old Quarter Horse stallion

Promise: 9 yr. Kiger mustang mare

any comments on my horse?

graciex3 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:40:17 GMT

This is Gracie, my miniature mare. She's really got the most willing personality i've met as far as learning, and not a mean bone in her body.

Looking for comments/ critique. & if someone wants to make me a siggy!!:] haha.

NEED A NAME!!!

Trailridingtodressage_gabrielle — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:06:51 GMT

We love unique names,

here are the names of our other horses

Odysseus

Quartermaine

D'Artagnan

Lynwy

Seattle

Galahad

The new horse is a mare, she's black...and we don't like common names!

Please give name, meaning AND HOW TO SAY THE NAME!!! We love, fictional names, (if you couldn't tell)........ I've tried google, but it's the same names over, and over, and over!

Thanks for your help

dusty indoor arena

locuscreek calypso — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:40:30 GMT

The indoor arena footing at my barn is super dusty. But no one else there rides, so replacing the footing isnt an option, and I get no help in watering it, plus that doesnt really seem to make a difference. I have heard there is an oil that you can put on it to help with dust. Has anyone heard of this?

BSU assignment

Trailridingtodressage_gabrielle — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:31:45 GMT

I have one question for trainers/tack shop workers,

What training bit would you recommend using on a young horse

thanks so much!!!

Bowing

horsluvr217 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:43:38 GMT

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?comments&v=104600059552853#/video/video.php?v=104600059552853

This is a video of me making my horse, Gilly, bow(obviously). I know some people think bowing is horribly bad for horses, but nothing I've read about bowing seems to say that. They all seem to say that it's beneficial to them and a good stretching exercise. Looking at this video, did I teach her to do anything dangerous? Did I teach her right? She would let me know if I was hurting her by doing this. I think it's cute and a good trust exercise, but what do you guys think about it?

Horrible Instructors - Tear Breaker!!

BuckWeath — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:30:56 GMT

* i went to Mexico once again, and i was invited to go to this riding school with my cousin. she is new to the whole riding thing and she started riding at this place. There are not many places were you can learn how to ride English here in this part of Mexico, so this was the closest thing she could find

* we get there, get jack out ( cousins qh*) and as we started to brush him this boy comes and put the saddle on him " excuse me, but we whant to brush jack before the lesson" and he rolls his eyes, despite the fact i whas being nice about it " he doesn’t need to be brushed."the horse had manure stains ok. "but we went to brush him" he takes the saddle off and passes the brush a couple of times and put the saddle on "there" and continues to tack him up.. im like speechless, as i soon realized this was going to be interesting in a bad way.

* I've been riding since i can remember, been competing, been to clinics, i've read pretty much anything with the word horses on it, books, magazines. been with countless numbers of different good trainers. and trust me, i might not be the best rider, but im not stupid and can differ from good riding etc.

* I get to ride "gringo" a pally QH gelding who happens to be wearing a poloh pelham with a plain snaffle bit. as far as i know, you dont use those two together. i get on, they make my stirrups long, and they asks us to do pushups. on top of the horses.. and then on my first lesson they ask me to stand up on the horses back. how pointless is that?

*they start doing a shake thingy in the reins, making the bit wiggle in the horses mouth, the horse flexes behind the vertical. and he is like " now you do it" and im like " no... its pointless... and that’s called hyperflexion." and he just goes quiet. xD im like being an evil nerdy b*tch by now... they clearly had no clue, the oldest of them 3 guys whas 17 yrs old. he was a third lever dressage "expert" and a complete show off of his bad riding skills.

*we started at the walk, the horses were too close together so i decide to make a small circle to make some space.. "what did you do that circle without me telling you to?!" and i calmly answer " because the horses were to close together, and needed space..." and he is like " you could of walked slower" and i get a bit more irritated " well... do you want me to continue doing the exercise or do you want me to stop??" i mean horses were like walking fine, and he kept on going "make them walk slower, you are going to fast”.... how fast can horses walk ??? o.O ours were dying out there.

*now two pint position... or standing trot position.. at the walk.... xD it gets better and better... im like doing a proper two point and he is like " stop sitting on the saddle, stand up, more straight" and I’m like " im doing a proper two point, im not sitting, and i stand up straight, you go off balance" he doenst reply back.

Here's what a proper two point position is to them. and yes this horse is being ridden with a western bridle, because as i said. they don’t know a thing. but they act like they do... and also i noticed her horse was more thinner from last time i saw it, its not bad, but lets just say, its not that good either. So we can all clearly tell this is bad, but i dont need any rude remarks about her riding :) ok. look it on the bright side, she is atleast wearing a helmet.

*now we start trotting, the foody horse they gave me , witch btw he is the most experienced and most well trained horse on the whole area, he is like a grand prix horse :O!!! oh my.. it couldn’t even do a proper flexion, it was as hollow as a girafe and it wouldn’t trot xD!assoon as i managed a proper working trot i whas yelled " you are trotting too fast.. trot slower, you are doing it all wrong".... by now im like tired, we'vedone every single dumb exercise on the same hand, we haven’t changed sides or anything... its like... dumb..so im like, i rather have my trainner yell at me. so im like " you know what, this horse fails, its useless, and im like bored so here, you ride it. " :) his face turned red.

* now i left my poor cousin take the rest of the lesson, common faults, he would ask her to do something, and then he would not pay anymore attention to her. he would either start texting, talking with someone else etc.

*another of his fellow 16yr old instructor came, and he is like " she chickened out" to this i snapped "no ... i got bored " and smiled.

* he was asking my cousin to do flying lead changes on a horse who didn’t know what a lead change was, it would counter gallop to the right. they forced her to use spurs, not any soft spurs... like severe spurs. ok spurs on an unbalanced rider is not a good idea. but she is a smart girl and took them off " you put your spurs on!" and she like refused to do so xD. I’m like " she doesn’t need spurs" >.> well at least not those spurs. the horse actually bolted without any spurs on... xD and eventually settled.

* so he asked for lead changes, and I’m like " why don’t you do them " and he is like " i don’t know how" ....i wanted to cry so bad by now.

*i ended up giving my cousin the riding lesson, and of course i had tree angry idiots talking bad about me behind my back. Criticizing me for being a "bad rider" and a "chicken" and a "quitter" . oh well..

* Me and my cousin hate them, and I’m sure they hate us, because we don’t really listen to them much. They are stuck up, and think they know everything just because they took a 2 month dressage riding camp... how sad is that. They use rollkur, and are teaching kids to do so. I’m not bashing rollkur, its just that it takes a good rider to do this. And they clearly are not.

Sorry for bad spelling.. have you guys ever had to deal with this sort of know it all people? Also sorry for bad spelling or grammar mistakes, my cousin is planning on moving her horse out of there and might board at a better place, but believe me, anything is better than there. It’s sad that there is no good riding stables there for her to go.

portable(?) foldable(?) mounting tool for the trail

Genie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:24:45 GMT

Ok..My stunning palomino is 17.2!!!

It is out of the question, for me to mount this fella without a block.

In addition, when I trail ride, and must remount. Forget It!

There are lightweightt - portable- foldable devices out there to put in a saddle bag...

Anyone know of such devices?

Genie

P.S. Even lowering the stirrup to it's lowest does not work.

Bareback Riding Exercises

JrHorseGurl — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:11:01 GMT

So since August, I've only ridden Sierra bareback. I wanted to majorly improve my seat and balance, since when getting her to where she is now, that kinda fell to the wayside.

I was actually surprised at how little I've fallen off. We do in-hand cantering and trotting and stuff fairly easily. Yesterday we took a five mile walk on the back country roads. I've come to realize what a security blanket riding with a saddle if for me, but now I'm getting just as comfy without one (actually I like it better and I really think Sierra does too-- she chills out more).

While I'm riding bareback, are there any particular things I should be thinking about or exercises that could further improve my balance? Thanks!

Can Someone PLease explain what on earth is this ???!!

BuckWeath — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:25:10 GMT

This is a movement i've seen many of the silly "dancing horses" in mexico perform, and now i've been finding some silly dvd's and riding horses to the "alta escuela" -mexican haute ecole- teaching this new trick or exercise.. if it can atleast be called that. many people call it balancing.. have any of you guys seen this before ?? what is the purpose of it ? is it good or right.

bash it

critique

idc im just curious

and is it me or does this seem rather pointless..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptgO3RSmfto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piSAAKCscEs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm1JRQM2d90

Why wait to teach a full grown horse to dance.. lets start teaching foals to do so aswell.. you know like they say.. time = money

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0hIqVx54Yo&feature=related

this foal whas born october 6 2007 ... the video whas posted July 04, 2008

do the math... less than a year maybeh :D go mexicans wujuu!

ribbon display case?

paint_lover — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:27:08 GMT

I'm looking for a display case/rack thing for my ribbons from horse shows, but i can't find anything... does anyone know of one, and have a link to the website? Thanks!

Need some expert advice?

HC Editor — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:29:07 GMT

Horse Illustrated needs your equestrian questions. Do you have a training issue? Has your horse picked up some strange behavioral quirks? Need some nutritional expertise? Email your questions to HC-Editor@bowtieinc.com. We'll be picking some of your questions for horse industry experts to answer in upcoming issues of Horse Illustrated.

Go dancing pony

BuckWeath — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:34:27 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L73ZP1dADcA&feature=related

interesting video i found...

End of year Results

rmgirl123 — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:45:24 GMT

Post your accomplishments in any of the topics in description!
Here are some of mine for 2009!
UMH World Grand Champion Amateur Classic Pleasure
RMH International Grand Champion Amateur Show Pleasure
KMSHA High Point Amateur Classic Pleasure GC
KMSHA High Point Ladies Classic Pleasure GC
Undefeated in Amateur Grand Championships with Unreal this year!
Here was one of two articles written after one of my wins!
Myranda Elliott wins big in the Bluegrass

Times Staff Report

Text Box: WINCHESTER - It was a cool September night as announcer David Owens called all fourteen participants into the championship class at newly constructed Kentucky Equine Center in Winchester, Kentucky.

This class would be for all the marbles, the best of the best, a week of qualifying would provide the best amateur riders on the best amateur horses. They all gathered to compete for the title of Amateur Classic Pleasure World Grand Championship, yet only one would ride away with the prestigious title.

The organist Shannon Perkins would bring the audience to a peak as the announcer asked for the final Show Pleasure Gait and all 14 entries asked their horses to for all they had to offer.

UnReal and Myranda Elliott have been gracing the show ring together since 2007 as she rode the little Chestnut Rocky Mountain Stallion to the 2007 International Show Pleasure Grand Championship. They just seen to click someone said, ‘she loves to ride him and it shows’, he responds to her every command as if he knows that this is for all the marbles. UnReal had set the standard all week, winning with unanimous decisions from the judges in both his qualifying classes. Would tonight be different?

Myranda has been one of the more consistent amateur riders out of Prince Albert Stables located here in Prestonsburg. She has been riding and showing these Rocky Mountain Horses for over 12 years. The horse UnReal is the product of Luther Smiths breeding program in Decoy, Kentucky.

Luther and his dad the late J B Smith and his brothers have been breeding these horses for over 30 years. Some of the great Rocky Mountain Horses have come from this Knott County community and UnReal continues the tradition.

The most popular and sometimes the preferred color of these horses is the chocolate color. UnReal however was born Chestnut. This would have had some prospective buyers to pass up this young colt. Not Wendell and Sue Wells, Wendell says, ‘This is the only colt that Sue and I ever completely agreed on and the purchase was made’. His bloodlines are filled with great sires and dams and all are native to Eastern Kentucky. You could say born and bred in Eastern Kentucky.

The excitement was at a fever pitch as the class was called and they lined up for the final time this year. The steam was rising from these beautiful horses as the riders awaited the results. UnReal would not let down his rider or his ancestors as David called Myranda and UnReal to the Championship circle.

The crowd gave this team an enthuestic approval. As UnReal and Myranda were taking the Victory pass as only the Champions do, it was rewarding to know that the little Chestnut horse with the big heart had turned in a championship performance.

Conformation Faults

dirtbiker13isme — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:43:01 GMT

I'm doing a project for school and i was wondering if anyone could give me a list of conformation faults and how it will effect the horse or websites containing that information

example: Toed in, narrow base (or other names for the fault)-fallowed by what it means, the horse may have a tendency to trip its self ect

thanks in advance, i already do have some knowlage but i am looking for as much information as i can get.