I am new here on Barnmice, and thought I'd introduce myself with a blog post.



My love of horses started when I was very young (probably from the day I was born really) as it tends to run in my family. I never had the chance to have my own horse until I was ten, when my mom bought me my first pony, Teaspoon. Teaspoon was a standardbred/hackney , (what a cross huh?) and was only ever used for driving, but she was sweet enough to let me hop on bareback and ride her all over the…

I went to the stable late yesterday, and checked her back leg (as I told I would do in the previous blog).

Still not good enough, but no limping and no heat.

Figured out I would just leave it and check more today.



Well, got to the stable today. My horse totally LOVES to roll around in dirt, so this is about what I get every day now:

*LOL* She's so cute, but a total mess every day...



Well, back to leg:…

Well finally I have been getting some steady riding in with my new gelding. The ring isn't dry enough to ride in yet so most of our sessions have been out on the roads and trails, but still, a lot is being accomplished.

I am very pleased with the way he is coming along. He is so sensiable and easy going even though he is just coming up four. We do most of our road work at a walk or slow pace and he is constantly looking around at eveything and taking it all in, but rarely spooking or…

I guess it's time for yet another blog from our part of the world.

First of all I would like you to meet my friend from the stable Kine R.

Her horse lives next to mine, but they aren't really very good friends, you know mares! ;)







Linda is being Linda and has started breaking out at night and knocking over the feed bins so she's eaten 20 kg of oats in 3 nights. (this for a horse that usually gets 1/2 kg a day) Thankfully she didn't get sick, just very…

Living with O.C.E.A.N. Syndrome by Scooter Grubb



Just recently, after years of research, I have finally been able to give a name to what my wife and I have been living with for years. It's an affliction, for sure, which when undiagnosed and misunderstood can devastate and literally tear a family apart.



Very little is known about O.C.E.A.N. Syndrome. But it is my hope this article will generate interest from researchers involved in the equine and…

My Ultimate Grid



This is an exercise that I do with all my horses and riders to help them improve their techniques and most importantly the way they work together.



I call it the ultimate grid because the first part of it is designed to help the horse develop a good basic shape and technique over a fence and to use the shoulders, whereas the second part of it is about getting the horse to come back onto his hocks and go up. It’s simple but tests the horse in all…

Yesterday, I went to the stable early (so early, that the horses weren't outside yet).

Hannah and I had plans on a sunny day in the woods with our wonderful horses. Instead I found my horse with a huge and swollen leg.



I am not sure what caused it, but I think it may come from several things.

-We started with new food last Tuesday

-She got her shoes off last Tuesday

-She was inside the whole night, and it might come from too little movement

-She might have…

We roared up Nicky’s driveway with my precious cargo in tow, with my main ambition to just get Bella off grass completely. If I get her off grass, I thought all would be fine!



Bella and Angel were placed in a small paddock with very little grass. I purchased some Founderguard and put that in her feed once a day as instructed.



The Vet came out a few days later and said, “We need to x-ray her and see what is going on in her feet again.” I had noticed on both of Bella’s…

I would love to hear anyone's advice on a mare who pulls back. She is a new horse, whom I was assured absolutely, did not pull back. She was tied up, pulled back and broke her lead rope when I went to brush her near her poll. Also a few times loading and when something scared her. This is very dangerous and I don't like it. Is there any solutions?
Thanks

I was taken away on holiday by my Dad back last November.

We went on a cruise to the Caribbean and I decided I wanted to try to fulfill my dream of swimming with a horse in the sea.

I did just that on St Lucia! I rode a very sweet mare called Isak. She was responsive and, I believe a TBx, I could be wrong!

Isak after the first part of our ride.



The weather was over cast and a very warm 28c! We hacked across the…

I have been riding on and off ever since my Dad introduced me to horses when I was a child. That fateful day when at three years old I looked up at a stable door and a big chestnut nose came down at me and sniffed me!

I was instantly bitten by the bug!



I have ridden all sorts and most of the time, sad to say there has been long gaps between the times I rode or spent time with horses.



I had always wanted a horse and my dream came true in the form of a loan horse…

As you probably understood, this is my first blog in English.

I write Norwegian horse blog in my "website" (go and have a look, it's all in Norwegian, so have fun!), but if you don't know Norw(egian), you might not have much of a interest of it.



Well, anyway. Here it comes.



Since my horse got her shoes of last Tuesday, her toes look kind of strange. I am currently treating her with some moist products which will kill the bacterial stuff that live in her hoof.…

Found out the problem with no weight loss - I apparently have 8 gallstones, four of which are the sizes of plums. Once this gets straightened out I hope to be back on track as I have lots of catching up to do.

Bought myself an old quarter horse mare - she is 20 and a dear old soul that only wants to live life at a slower pace. She was a team penner so I do understand. She is as sound as a dollar and bomb proof - a term I use very lightly but that she is! Mind you, she was quite…

Grand National fever again last Monday. This time the €250,000 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in Co Meath, not far from the famous Dreaper stable which once housed the greatest steeplechaser of all time, Arkle. It was won by the English trained, but Irish bred, Niche Market, brilliantly ridden by 19 year old Harry Skelton. There is a showjumping connection here as Harry is the son of British veteran Nick Skelton, who in recent years came back from serious injury and retirement to be one…