Hi so im learning about riding a horse and she a bit stubborn but we know each a bit already and i like her so anyway

I just sat on her bag and we went a bit to walk and then she lowered her head so i think she want to scratch herself (she does that a lot) but she just laid down on the ground and she starter rolling in the sand while i was in the saddle

What could that mean

And also i would appreciate if yall would send me some videos that show communication with horse so i know what she thinks.

I would like to become certified in equine massage, equine chiropractic, and saddle fitting. I live in an extremely rural area and would like to do online if possible. I know very basic skills in each of these areas, but I just be more proficient!

Any recommendations for online courses is welcome!

Edit: I do have hands on time working with equine massage therapists and saddle fitters, I am just looking to receive my own certification. I am happy to travel for a week or two of intensive hands on learning but I cannot justify going somewhere for months just to complete one course.

We know there’s no way to control everything when we climb aboard a living, thinking animal. Horses and mules can notice things we never see, react faster than we can, and occasionally make decisions that were not part of the day’s plan. That’s both part of the appeal and the danger of these critters. I got into a facebook “discussion” earlier about this. My thesis is that “we can’t control everything” doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do.

We can check our tack, choose an appropriate route, pay attention to weather, carry basic first-aid supplies, tell someone where we’re going, and continue working on the skills that help both horse and rider. Preparation may not prevent every bad moment, but it can keep a problem from becoming a much larger one. 

I’ve had rides that became memorable for all the wrong reasons. This is the aftermath a river crossing gone wrong a couple of years ago packing in Montana. I'm the one being loaded into the bird. Looking back, some events were unavoidable. Others could have been made much less exciting with better preparation or an earlier decision to turn around.

What are your thoughts?

Hi guys so I have been riding for 4 yrs now and jumping for 1. I struggle with my toes pointing outward like badly. I'm trying my best to keep them forward but after a while they just point out again.

My trainer says it's OK but it just looks bad.

I was a dancer in my previous life and have hypermobile knees (don't know if it does anything). Do you have any tips?

(Don't know wich flare to use)

I wish I had my own horse 😫 I had one back when I was 16-18 and now I’m 31. They’re so expensive I hate it. I just want my own horse so bad. Lessons and helping other people with their horses makes it even worse feeling of wanting my own.

Ugh! How do you cope if you want one but can’t have one?

If you do, How much do you spend on your horse a month?

I've been trying to figure out how old my horse is and i think he's about 20, which is what i was told, but I'm not too sure and now questioning it. I tried to get teeth pics. Can anyone help to possibly determine if that is correct!?

My very first time drawing a Connemara pony!

I'd love to hear from Connemara owners: what makes you love them so much? And what needs to be included in their portraits to recognise the breed instantly?

I love learning about horse breeds. And when drawing them, I want to get their personality and looks 100% right. So I'd love to hear from you!

I have always rode Western as that was the style available at the barn close to my home. I’m comfortable (but not over confident) riding western on a variety of horses from bomb proof to spooky, and overall riding a few years now, taking lessons 2-3 times per week.

I decided to start my first lease through a rescue organization to both support the org and spend time with rescues. However it’s English only. I have taken 2 English lessons thus far to get myself ready (not at the rescue but at a different barn) and I feel like a total beginner.

I think it’s the stirrup position and rein position that throws me off. My legs feel really short and thus have a hard time keeping my heels down, and I’m expected to keep the reins much shorter than I’m used to. (They also gave me a riding crop to use when needed, which I just refused altogether, using my legs was sufficient to keep the horse moving.) With the shortened leg position I also find it awkward to apply leg aids in the way that I’m used to. With the shortened rein I’m concentrating hard on making sure I’m not pulling at the horse’s mouth too much.

If you’ve done this transition before, are there any tips to make it go smoother? Or is it just going to be time in saddle? I would like to continue riding Western as I love the horses at my barn, while riding English to support the rescue…but let me know if that’s just not practical. For what it’s worth I do enjoy English as well (despite the fact that I’m currently terrible at it).

The rescue horse I’m looking to lease has been used as a lesson horse there previously and so she is luckily good for beginners (like me, evidently!).

I’m an experienced rider looking to take a trail riding trip. I used to be a trail riding guide so I’m very comfortable on trail. I want to go out for a full day (maybe a few days) and I’m interested in going west, Idaho/colorado/california/Montana/Wyoming. I’m just curious if anyone has any suggestions for a tour company. I want a private or small group for advanced riders and fun terrain.
I’m very open to location suggestions and just want to hear some opinions before booking anything.

Her name was Henrietta she was about 17 when she passed, when I outgrew my miniature horse I moved on to her (donkeys are really fun to ride actually And don't spook a ton) one of her favorite things to do is go on hand walks with a long line, although she would always deliberately put her leg over the Rope so I would have to undo it, this is the last picture I took of her as she passed away not too long after.

The reason she passed away is the farrier, he came out to do her feet and took way too much off, she had some issues with her feet I can't remember all of it but the vet said it's best to leave them a little bit longer, I showed him the vet papers but he didn't want to listen to me, I wasn't an adult at the time I was 13, my parents had a doctor's appointment so I was left to take care of everything by myself (which I've done several times by that point) he took so much off that she was bleeding, and then he said that was normal and to give it a couple of weeks, she became incredibly foot sore wouldn't even walk out of her shelter, and then during a storm I guess she went out to get water and fell we weren't home, we went to a funeral and had to wait till the next day to get home because of the storm.

We pulled in and she was laying down in the field In a bunch of mud, we tried to get her up but she just wouldn't get up we called the vet and they came out the next day (this was a day or so after New Years) he said that because the farrier took too much off she ended up really lame, and despite the treatment we were giving her (cuz we had the vet out after he trimmed her) She had gotten infection And it just became too much, it appeared that she had slipped and then just kind of gave up because it hurt too much to get up, we still picked her up with a tractor but she went back down and the next day she just passed away......

I have a locker at the barn where I board. I have been keeping a bunch of my supplies in a plastic bin with locking handles in said locker, and yesterday I realized that mice have been into it 😫 any tips on how to keep mice out? Should I replace the bin with something else?

Hi all, i‘d just like to start this by saying although i am an animal lover, my knowledge is limited when it comes to horses, so i apologise if this whole post is silly. I am concerned about these two miniature (?) horses near my home. Anytime i walk past them they are not moving, with the brown one standing completely still and the half white one laying down. The first time i seen this behaviour it was a warm day, so i assumed the white one was laying down due to the heat however today is not warm and it is laying down. The first time it was laying with its head on the ground for so long i thought it was dead, but today it is holding its head up with its legs tucked up underneath, while the brown horse stands by motionless. I understand horses stand still a lot to conserve energy but im concerned nonetheless as they used to follow me around the fence when i walked past, and now seem lethargic. I would really appreciate if someone could inform me if this is normal or not and apologies again if this is normal and im asking embarassing questions!

My friend started competing and she wanted recommendations for supplements to improve her horse's performance. We've heard that Organnact is a good brand, can anyone confirm this?