Madalyn

I have a 4 year old gelding that is doing very well in a simple snaffle. I want to slowly start getting him used to a curb bit since I will need to use a curb bit by the time he is 6. I want the gentleist possible bit because he is already doing so well in a thick simple snaffle.

I am working on a fleece cooler for my horse. It has a large 2 inch strap that goes around the horse's ribs. Every time I try to sew it the strap sews fine but the fleece bunches up in front of the pressure foot. I have tried lengthening the stitch and not using the pressure foot but the stich doesn't seem to matter and my machine would not sew with the pressure foot up. I put several pins in, but would something like glue or tape hold it together better?

I have recently been in search of a young gelding that I can train to be my next show horse. I was originally in search of a registered horse so I could show at breed shows but I stumbled upon a a beautiful Belgian quarter horse. He is exactly what I wanted and more except for his breeding. Showing is not a huge deal to me but I like to show and want to do well. I know he can't be registered so I can't show breed shows. I think he would be great in hunt and probably dressage but I have only ridden him a few times so I am not 100% sure how he would do in each discipline. I am willing to change disciplines to what fits him best. I know it is a very general question but what is the highest level he could show with his breeding. I already show 4-H and open shows and am pretty happy with that but would like to do a little higher than that if possible.

We have been in search of a young gelding for a while know and I think I have found the horse that is right for me. He is a 16.2 Belgian/Quarter horse. He has the right attitude, training and everything that I want. The only problem...I was looking for a registered horse. Registration has never been a big deal to me but I would like to register him for showing purposes. He is not registered now and I know nothing about his parents (I assume they were not registered) He is years old. Can he be registered American Warmblood? Belgian Warmblood?

I have recently been looking for my second horse and have found tons of horses that fit my needs for my next horse. A few horses I have been looking at say they have "arthritic changes". I have been emailing an owner of one of the horses and she said that the horse can do anything besides doing a lot of jumping over about 4 feet. I am not planning on doing any jumping and if I do it would be very small and only every once and a while out in the pasture. I am sure just like arthritis in humans that there are different severities of it. Will the arthritis cause problems later on in the horse's life? Would some glucosamine or other joint supplement be enough to maintain healthy joints or to help with joint problems later in life? The horse has shoes on it's front feet but other than that they are not giving it anything special. The horse is only 6 years old. Please only answer if you have experience with ex-racehorses or arthritic changes. Thanks!

I have recently been looking for my second horse and have found tons of horses that fit my needs for my next horse. A few horses I have been looking at say they have "arthritic changes". I have been emailing an owner of one of the horses and she said that the horse can do anything besides doing a lot of jumping over about 4 feet. I am not planning on doing any jumping and if I do it would be very small and only every once and a while out in the pasture. I am sure just like arthritis in humans that there are different severities of it. Will the arthritis cause problems later on in the horse's life? Would some glucosamine or other joint supplement be enough to maintain healthy joints or to help with joint problems later in life? The horse has shoes on it's front feet but other than that they are not giving it anything special. The horse is only 6 years old. Please only answer if you have experience with ex-racehorses or arthritic changes. Thanks!

I will probably be going to look at a horse that is for sale tomorrow and I was just wondering if anyone had an tips on what questions to ask and what to look for. The horse is 4 years old and is not broke so I won't be riding him. Here is the ad

http://madison.craigslist.org/grd/4000744534.html

I already have a horse so I know quite a few things to look for. We won't be deciding if we are buying the horse then either, we would probably have a vet check first. Thanks in advance!

I am in 4-H and am new to showing English (but have ridden western for years)I had heard that you can show in a leather halter and lead with a chain on it like in western(but without the silver of course) yet I have seen many people show in a bridle (i can't remember if i have seen anyone show in a halter at our fair) There is nothing I can find in the fair regulations that says that showing in a halter in english showmanship is allowed or not allowed. Can I show in a halter?

I have had the hardest time finding English tall boots. My feet are a women"s 12 (or bigger depending on the style) and I need about a 17 inch calf. I do have some short boots and half chaps but the half chaps are too big and don't look to great. I am 14 and would have to pay for them myself so I am looking for ones under $200 or cheaper. Do I have to get custom or semi-custom to get my size? Do you know anywhere that has ones that might fit?

A few days ago I bought a used English breast collar. The lady I got it from said it was horse sized but when I tried it on (on the first hole) it still looks too big. I have an older Appendix quarter horse mare who is about 15.3 and everything else I have is horse sized. Has anyone found a good resource for fitting English breast collars or has a rule of thumb for fitting them. P.S. I have a leather punch so going smaller is not a big issue. Thanks in advance!

I recently got a Wintec close contact saddle and I am using a borrowed all-purpose pad now. I am looking to get a pad of my own and was wondering if I get a square-type (non-shaped) pad does it matter if I get an all purpose or a close contact pad. They don't look to much different but the close contact tend to be more expensive. Also I have wanted a shaped pad but I can't seem to find any shaped close contact pads that are not just white. Does anyone know where to get one like this? If it helps her is a link to the saddle I have.

http://di1-3.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/bc/c7/a1...

Here is the link to the saddle pad I am considering getting (The blue one)

http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/3020/RC...

Thanks!

I have been riding for about 4 years know and have recently started riding English ( I used to ride western) and have noticed that at the trot and during bending exercises I hear what sounds like her legs hitting together. I have had others look at it and they said they couldn't tell if she was or not. I have found some polo wraps I LOVE and I am going to get them. They are sold in pairs and I was wondering if I need hind ones too? My horse is 18 years old, would a horse boot be better because it has added support too? I don't do any jumping just English pleasure and trail. Here is the link to them if it helps any

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=%E2%80%A6

Thanks!

I have been riding for about 4 years know and have recently started riding English ( I used to ride western) and have noticed that at the trot and during bending exercises I hear what sounds like her legs hitting together. I have had others look at it and they said they couldn't tell if she was or not. I have found some polo wraps I LOVE and I am going to get them. They are sold in pairs and I was wondering if I need hind ones too? My horse is 18 years old, would a horse boot be better because it has added support too? I don't do any jumping just English pleasure and trail. Here is the link to them if it helps any

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1015018150...

Thanks!

I have an 18 year old quarter horse mare that I was a western horse for many years ( I don't know what she did before) and recently I have started her English. Because of it being more high impact, I have noticed her joints snapping more than usual. Would horse boots help. I am a little worried because of her older age. No, I am not going to go back to western any time soon for many reasons, please don't tell me to switch back. I am on a small budget as I am only 13 years old, would these be a good idea to get for her?

http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/2100/SB...

Thanks!

Hi, I have been riding for over 4 years and about 6 months ago started riding English. I really like it and am planing on showing in English classes this spring and summer. I am only 13 but have HUGE feet (Women's 13 or Men's 10)and a small budget (and I have to pay for them myself). I was wondering if rubber boots would be OK for small local shows and 4-H shows/fairs. I found these nice Men's ones that they carry in my size. Here they are:

http://www.amazon.com/Cadet-FLEX-Mens-Rubber-Boot/...

Are these OK? Would paddock boots and half chaps be better? If so what are some cheep ones that look like tall boots? Thanks in advance!

I am looking for another horse. I want a horse capable of doing English Pleasure, a little jumping, and maybe some western. I have ridden western for about 4 years and started English about 6 months ago. I have an older quarter horse mare now and am looking for a horse able to work daily and for longer periods of time. I am looking for a horse I can grow with as a rider and compete in 4-h and local shows. I found this horse

http://janesville.craigslist.org/grd/3471875926.ht...

What do you think of him? Is $900 too much or a good deal? I am 5 foot 8 inches tall and big boned, is he big enough for me? Any opinions are very helpful. Thanks in advance.

My horse has been a little ring sour lately and I want to mix it up. I would like to work on patterns and exercises (similar to low level dressage patterns) but she is boarded at a stable with a very small square arena and I can't find good patterns for tiny arenas. I am NOT looking for advice on ring sour horses. I am looking for small arena patterns. Thank you.

I am seriously looking at a Wintec 250 all purpose saddle. I was wondering if I should get Wintec girth, stirrup "webbers", bridle, etc. or should just get black leather? I have heard that the "webbers" are not good, what is your opinion?

I have found two saddles I have been really interested in. I am 13 so my budget is very limited. Here is the first one I found

http://www.bigdweb.com/PROMO-250-ALL-PURPOSE-ENGLI...

And here is the other one

http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/English...

Has anyone ever had a Wintec or EquiRoyal saddle and what did you like / not like about it?

Or have you had a similar saddle? Thanks for your opinions

P.S. I am a beginner to English but have been riding western for several years.

I have had a lot of people say a saddle set is not a good idea but I don't have another option (for various reasons) This is one of the best saddle sets I have found I was just wondering if anyone had another saddle SET they would recommend