Equestrian

I've heard (but never done myself) that the best thing to use to block stud hole when they are not in use is sheeps wool. It holds together better than cotton wool... make sure it has cornecresine (sp?) on it and it should hold... I used sheeps wool and cornecresine to block the hole in dawn's foot after the absess had burst out.

I'm also interested as to why Harry is finding hacking such hard going, I probably do around 12 miles a week on tarmac which I don't think is excessive and my mare has no problems at all. Tarmac is actually a very kind surface for barefoot horses, does Harry have a working barefoot trim or a pasture trim? There is a subtle difference and not many farriers know how to do a proper barefoot trim although I'm sure they'll learn as their customers demand it. Bear in mind that many many endurance horses are now barefoot and they regularly ride 100miles in a day or two!

Hmmm....never heard of that but sounds like a good idea to try...is very spongy and will probably expand better in the hole so would be less likely to fall out than cotton wool, will have more 'grip' too.

I don't even know what cornecresine is ...! Good tip, I'll try that... when I next have a pony to play with

It could be that Harry (and his joints) is simply more sensitive to the concussion of the road... he may find it a bit uncomfortable?

Hi everyone!
Sorry to hijack your thread!

I've been riding (hacking mostly, with the odd private lesson) sporadically for years but this has only been so because I live in the country and my parents have refused to take me to a riding stables because they are 'impossible to get to', and I actually can't get there by public transport. Anyway, there are some stables near my Uni so I want to go regularly, but I have a problem.

I haven't had regular lessons and skills-wise I am a beginner. All I have done so far, although it is also all that I have had the opportunity to do, is walk, trot and canter. I want to be a good rider and have no higher expectations than that.

My question is about riding classes. I want to learn as well as possible, and will be looking at beginners' classes. Do they have different levels of beginners' classes? I don't want to waste money by spending one term learning how to trot, for example, when it is something that I already know how to do. I hope this doesn't come across as arrogant because it is not meant to be, but having never been to a class I just don't know how they run.

Thank you in advance

cornecresine is the most disgusting looking stuff. Have you got a ride away or robinsons catalog? cornecresine comes in a red tub and there a loads of types of the stuff depending on the type of hoof you horse has. If you're just going to use it for stud holes then use the cornecresine for all hoof types. When you open the tub the stuff is rock solid, dark brown gunk .
Its best to use a really old paint brush if your going to use it for its proper purpose but if not, hey ho. Keep it in a warm room and it is much easier to use. As i said before, i used it last winter for dawn's absess hole, i struggled for ages trying to get the stuff onto the sheeps wool so warm the stuff up first. Also, this stuff is water proof, if you get it on your hands it is an absolute nightmare to get off


Its not harry that is the problem, his feet just get worn down, if i rode him for much longer they would split/crack and he'd be walking on his soles like dawn used to. i get the impression the farrier does a "working barefoot trim" as he always says to me "you work him a lot don't you" and he doesn't file them as much as i've seen other farriers file them

No its not been too bad where I am. There was a bit of thunder yesterday but thats about it. I got my back brace off last week so I can start doing more at the stables now. I've been giving my sisters a few lessons on Rosie so at least I can try and get her going well on her for when we sell her.

I'm also interested as to why Harry is finding hacking such hard going, I probably do around 12 miles a week on tarmac which I don't think is excessive and my mare has no problems at all. Tarmac is actually a very kind surface for barefoot horses, does Harry have a working barefoot trim or a pasture trim? There is a subtle difference and not many farriers know how to do a proper barefoot trim although I'm sure they'll learn as their customers demand it. Bear in mind that many many endurance horses are now barefoot and they regularly ride 100miles in a day or two!

Has anyone got any tips on lunging for me? Need to practice for my NVQ!

And first riding lesson in a month and a half on Sat.
Private so really going to push myself and do some scary jumps!
Soooo excited!