I don't have arthritis in my hands but do like using larger-than-normal reins. They're really easy to make. Just find some line at a marine supply store (or order on line if you're landlocked), buy clips and the clamps that bind the line together, and voila, you've got thick-as-you-want reins. For a while I was coordinating mine to the color of my saddle pads, which amused me no end 'til I realized how much money I was spending just for a laugh.

I was out in the pasture on my leased gelding one day, enjoying the sun and warmth, when all of a sudden oof I was on my back, wind knocked out of me, horse calmly cropping grass a few feet away. The bright, white towel I'd just seen moments ago and hoped wouldn't upset Remi apparently had done just that. My very first fall. How ignominious. Then this year I was on my horse Lucy up in the woods on a little trail at the barn where we board. She'd been acting kind of squirrely outside all

I realize you've given up on this horse, but in the future, I wouldn't worry about any horse that is N/N. If you really want assurances re the HYPP negative aspect, ask the owner to show you the test results, if they're available. If you find a horse that you really love and are still leery, you could always have it tested for HYPP on your own. I thinks it's about $50 and U.C. Davis (and probably other places) can do the test for you. Maybe this horse has been for sale for a long

OK, so I'm 55 going on 12 and figured riding in a show would be a fun thing to do, so Lucy and I will do walk-only and walk-jog classes in a schooling show in a couple of weeks. Schooling shows are as far as I'm willing to go. There's too much bling and BS for me in "regular" shows. Fortunately my trainer is very supportive and promises to "be there" for us at least for our first class, if not all of them. (Am not sure how many clients she'll have at this show

You got ribbons??? I want ribbons!!!!

Thanks for your replies, very helpful!

My horse isn't a gaited horse, but I'm looking for a new saddle and am wondering, what's the difference between a saddle made for a gaited horse v. a non-gaited horse? Am wondering in particular re Western or Endurance saddles. Would a gaited-horse saddle work on a non-gaited horse?? Thanks for any info! Mary

I've seen geldings cleaning themselves by rubbing on low shrubbery, I'd guess that's what the Mustangs do in the wild. Mary

Can non-gaited horses use gaited-horse saddles? What makes the gaited saddles different than the non-gaited? Thanks, Mary

Hi all, I recently had rotator cuff surgery which is going to keep me from doing ground work and riding for at least 3 months. Lucy always needs to be lunged before she is ridden, so even once I can ride again my trainer is going to have to lunge her and tack her up. I'm trying to figure out how to spend my 3-some months off my horse. I can still go see her at the barn and groom her, but currently that's about it. Tack cleaning comes to mind. Trainer is doing groundwork and lunging/riding