This week
Hi, my name is
Zoe and I have a horse that is a 15.3 hand TB. She is 14 ears old
and has done dressage and some jumping and is usually an angel to
ride, but today I got on her and we were practicing some dressage
and we did an easy dressage test, which she did well the first time.
Then I asked her to do it again and she was fine until I askedhr to
trot, and then she pt her ears back and nipped my leg, and was very
difficult to trot after. she is always a litle cranky on the ground,
(she's girthy and rubs her head on you and sometimes tries to nibble
you) but she is always a very good girl under tack. My friend and
I checked for lameness, problems with tack, and colic,(she seemed
sort of gassy that morning), but nothing was wrong! She had a cut
near hereye but wehad put medicine on it daily, and had ridden he
while it was there and she was fine so I don't think it was that.
Was she just having an off day or was there somehing wrong?
thanks,
Zoe
Answer:
Hi Zoe: It would seem that she was having an off day, and possibly
ovulating. Some mares can be side sensitive at this time for them.
Also did you over aid? She just may be taking exception to how much
leg you used that day. However she did say ouch ---- and not happy
to continue the work. If it happens again a nice hack might be a way
to end the ride rather than having a fight with her as is seems it
is not naughty behavior but a physical reaction.
For Jennette
Hi
My friend has
two horses - one of the horses keeps biting the other just
under his jaw. This happens all the time, everytime the bite heals,
he
does it again. My friend thinks it is only playing but wonders if
there
is anything he can do to stop this happening?
rgds
Anne
Answer:
Hi: Jennette thinks this sounds like boy play. They like to have mock
stallion fights, rearing, biting legs, mouth nipping play. The girls
play catch me. To stop it you will have to separate them. That will
be taking away his friend. Horses are social animals and need their
herd. Jennette suggests you put up with it if it not to damaging.
Your horse will tell his friend when he wants this to stop.
For Jennette
From the Mail
bag:
Hello - I have
2 questions for you, the first regarding a bit selection - We have
a 7yr old quarter horse gelding and are currently using a sweetwater
eggbutt snaffle, the previous owner was using a twisted snaffle that
looked to be somewhere between a slow and fast twist snaffle, after
riding this particular horse for a while he becomes unresponsive to
rein commands and leg commands, should we step up to a different bit
or do you suggest another option? The second question is in regards
to sheath beans in male horses - my husband is expirenced in caring
for this issue but with this horse we have been unable to coax or
relax the horse enough to allow the sheath to extend from his body.
Even when he urinates he just allows it to peak out and usualy gets
urine on his belly. Any suggestions?
Thanks for your input
Candice Greene
turtle82774@earthlink.net
Answer:
Hi: Jenntte changes back and forth on bits to get the response
needed. She is reluctant to go to the harsher bit for long.
She will use it for a short time for a tune up then go back to the
less harsh bit. The training needs to be more on the seat and leg
aids for the horse to balance to get self carriage.
As to the bean issue some geldings need a light tranquilizer administered
by a vet to relax enough to clean the sheath. He also may have a very
short penis or damage to the sheath that doesn't allow full extension
while urinating.
For Jennette
Hello,
I have a question for you? If a mare is not in heat, can you leave
her in with the stallion to bring her in heat? She seems some intrest
in him but then squeals and kicks. He smells of her and lifts his
upper lip up like a bull does when a cow is in heat. Please help.
Thank you,
Wendy
Hi: Pasture or pen breeding is done all the time. Dr. Squires of Colorado
State did an extensive study on breeding behavior in a pasture breeding
situation. (See if that study is on line)
If the mare is not in heat she will not allow the stallion to mount.
There are risks, to your mare and your stallion, there will
be a lot of kicking , squealing and running. Your stallion can get
frustrated and run her until she accepts him. She can run into the
fence or be trapped in a corner of the pen. Both can be hurt.
His behavior is called a FLEMMING and this collects the pheromones
( scents). Does he drop his penis at the same time?
We prefer that the mare stand and wink her vulva or pee, and the stallion
drop down as a strong indication that the mare is ready to breed.
A safer alternate is to pen them side by side and observe. However
some mares are too shy to come up to the stallion, and some just flirt
but are not receptive.
You can call your vet and get him/her to palpate your mare to see
where she is in her cycle and the size of a follicle then give you
good advise as to when she should be with the stallion. A heat cycle
is on average 5 to 7 days.
Good Luck
Hi,
Thanks for the advice.....Tonight she is eating right beside him and
no squealing....The stud did drop his penis down when he smelt of
her, also, she went over to the bale of hay twice and lifted her tail
and almost acted like she gave off a scent or something? Now today
every thing seems ok with them.
Thanks so much!
Wendy
Last Week
The Readers have an answer.
With regards to
the following question on your web site:
HI. I have been trying to find information of a horse called the Canadian
Rustic Pony. We raise Canadians, and thought that they were the only
horse hear up until the influx of the mustang from the south and the
importation of other breeds in the 1800's. Just recently I came across
a book that made mention of the Rustic Pony and I have been really
curious about them and if they are out there I would like to know
all I can about them. The best thing would be if I could actually
see one. If you know any information on this could you e-mail me or
do an article on them. Thank
you. Patrice Michener
My answer and information:
I have a Canadian Rustic Pony - he is one of the last three that we
know of. Rare Breeds of Canada has contacted us and they are looking
for more of this breed - we have a gelding and I believe that there
are two mares else where in Saskatchewan. Dr. Peter Neufeld of Minnedosa,
Manitoba is the person who is responsible for this breed being developed
. The registry for the Canadian Rustic Pony is in Saskatchewan - but
I have forgotten the town - I believe the person that has the two
mares is the contact person - but I have since found an address in
Manitoba for a registry.
The following I have copied from a website:
What breeds are usually crossed with Tarpans?
The most popular is to a Welsh-Arab. In fact, a new breed called the
Canadian Rustic Pony was developed by Dr. Peter Neifeld of Manitoba,
Canada using a combination of these three breeds.
Canadian Rustic Pony - grey, buckskin, or bay, frequently with dorsal
stripe
Canadian Rustic Pony Registry
c/o Glendosa Res. Centre
Box 81 MB Canada ROJ IEO
Canada
Here is one of
the contacts from the Rare Breeds of Canada:
Hi -
Good talking with
you last night, and thanks for your insight into the
breed. If you can think of anything else you can tell me about the
Rustic,
or if you can think of anyone who might still own one, please let
me know so
that we can begin rebuilding the breed!
Thanks again,
Lynda Konrad
Rare Breeds Canada
Box 35
Hythe, AB
T0H 2C0
http://www.rarebreedscanada.ca/priority-horses.htm
Hope this information helps and I hope that maybe it may save this
breed from becoming extinct.
Sincerely,
L. Kacsmar
kacsmar@sasktel.net
Question:
Hello,
my name is Sandy. I am 10 years old. I have a huge horse named Necha.
I have a problem with stopping with her. Whenever i walk and ask her
to stop she stops and whenever i trot and ask her to stop she goes
faster and faster. I have to go around the arena a few times to get
control. What Should i do? Thanks!
Answer:
Hi Sandy: Jennette
thinks you need some riding lessons from a qualified riding instructor.
It sounds like you are clenching with your leg which is asking Necha
to go faster ( like putting on the gas pedal) while you are trying
to stop her with your hands to the bit ( putting on the brake).
Necha is confused as to what you are asking.
for
Jennette
Last Week
Question:
HI,
My name is Helene
and I have a question about my 8 year old daughter. She
as now been taking class since this summer of 2004 she is good. She
jump
now and she also jump two jump. But the question is that she been
riding
the same horse at the school since this summer. To ride that horse
you need
to be a good rider but she as been doing good riding that horse. But
the
problem is that the horse as been acting up lately and is going crazy.
The
horse as always been scared from the beginning but she was able to
keep him
down. But now the horse stop when it is time to jump and if he jump
he goes
crazy after and does not stop. He since the door in the doom they
ride in
and goes crazy or see something he does not like he goes crazy. The
fact is
the my daughter love horse riding and she is good at it and people
does not
believe that she only started this summer but now since the horse
is going
crazy she is not to sure about it.
She love jumping and all.
Do you think she should try another horse that is more calm. But she
love
that horse but the horse scares her now. Is it nomal for a horse to
be
scare like that of everything. If she ride other horse will it be
the same.
What does it take to be a good rider. She is not scare but she as
been
lately because of the horse that is acting up like that.
Thank
Helene
Answer:
Hello: It sounds
like she needs a calmer riding horse. For her safety and confidence.
for Jennette
Question:
Ok, after reading
the entire article
to help us decide on using white or black coated high tensile wire
for our fence, we still do not know if the added expense of either
of these colors will aid our horses to see this fence better.
Can someone advise on the safety of colored or non colores high tensile?
thanks
minix family
Answer:
Hi: Jennette has
her farm fences in white coated tensile. She has found it much better
than uncoated as if or when they get in the fence there is
far less damage to the horse. The uncoated can do much more damage(
some times permentent) to legs. Her selection was not so much on the
vision issue as on potential damage to the horses. That is after trying,
wood, cable, and uncoated tensile fencing systems. Jennette feels
it is worth the extra cost. The major problem is they don't respect
it as much as other fencing systems and there is a lot of extra tightening
needed. In high traffic areas she has also used electric fence braid
to keep them off the fences. As all horses know the grass is always
greener on the other side of the fence.
for Jennette
Last Week
Question:
“Whenever
my pony and I go hacking, she won’t stop eating. Grass, shrubs,
hedges, trees, you name it, she eats it. I just can’t get her
head up. We spend more time eating than we do hacking. Help!”
MANY THANKS! NATALIE,
U.K
Answer:
Hi Natalie: Jennette's niece had the same problem with her pony: so
Jennette made an anti grazing device. With 2 pieces of binder twine
she tied one piece to the bit, threaded it up thru the loop of the
browband. She repeated this again on the other side. She joined the
2 over the head piece( Poll) with a sliding adjustable type knot.
Then she tied each piece to the d rings on either side of the front
of the saddle. The pony then pulls on the saddle when it reaches down
to graze.
Of course she checked it that it was not too short to interfere with
proper riding position of the pony, but the twine was short enough
the pony could not get in grazing position. Get someone older with
horse experience to help you the first time you try this so it will
not hurt the pony and when the pony tries to graze--- as it will ---
it doesn't throw a "fit" that gets you into trouble. There
are professional designs made of leather generally for driving horses
that you may want to look for.
As you get stronger and more stable in the saddle you will be able
to correct your pony from grazing with your hands and seat and will
no longer need this device.
For Jennette
Question:
I have a horse
with a light positive for EPM. Can you tell me who to contact to get
the Marquis from UC Davis for just over $400.00? The Vet wants me
to start it.
Thank You,
John
Answer:
Hello: Try UC
Davis for suppliers
webmaster CR
PS: Dear readers: We have been getting a number of the above type
of requests. On our permission horse health reprints we do not know
who supplies the products. Our mandate is to educate and we suggest
you ask your vet or the institution as to the suppliers of the products
.
However if you
know sources send us the information so we can attach it to the articles.
Question:
Hi my sister just
bought her first horse and he is a six month old stud and we are wondering
what the proper age is to have him gelded.
Answer:
Hi: Jennette gelds her colts in April of thier yearling year before
the insect season. However many geld thier colts on weaning. Consult
your vet for the best answer in your location.
For Jennette
Last week
Question:
I've been reading
all the information on EPM, as the vet just gave this as one of the
possible diagnoses on what is wrong with my horse. Several months
ago, we noticed what we thought was a slight limp on his right fore
foot. His wonderful running walk gait was no longer the same. It continued
until my husband took him to the vet. He examined "Joker"
and when he ran his hand down his back, Joker just gave with the motion.
HIs back appeared to be really sore. The vet told us that I needed
to change saddles. We turned him out to pasture, took shoes off and
left him for about 6 weeks; reshod him and tried again. He was still
sore and at one point could hardly walk. That was on a trip in which
we trailered him to Colorado. After reading all the symptoms of this
EPM disease, we recognize several other signs; weakness, sweating
a lot more just standing around, the "lameness" has moved
to his rear right leg. The vet has taken blood for a West Nile test
and is waiting for results. If it comes back negative, we are thinking
about having him to go ahead and treat him for the EPM disease. I
am asking, should we do this or do we need to have him tested with
a spinal tap to be positive?
Do a lot of horses die from this disease? Can a horse survive and
still be a good trail horse. I know a lot of answers depend on how
early this is caught and detected. It has been at least 7 months since
we first started seeing these signs; it just hit all of a sudden but
there were other things factored in that we were dealing with at the
time. Something like this never entered our minds.
I'd appreciate your response on what you think we should do. Also,
what is the best medical treatment?
Thanks,
Peggy Hixson
Answer:
Hi Peggy: Jennette strongly believes on a good diagonsis before any
treatment. Your vet will be the best source to answer all your questions
and to find out what is wrong with your horse. Horses have recovered
and become useful after thier EMP has been treated.
Question:
Hello Janette,
My horse Drags his feet and trips constantly.Is there anything i can
do to make him stop doing this?He is only 6 years old and in perfect
health.Is this just because he is being lazy? Please email back concerning
this.
Thank- you
Michelle
Answer:
Hi Michelle:
Have you had a farrier check him out? Does he have shoes? Have you
had your vet test for navicular? Do you balance him when you ride?
more information would be helpful.
for Jennette
Question:
hi jennette,im
kaylee and i have a ten year old mare and i have had her for a couple
of months and for the first three months she was the best horse in
the world i could trust her with anything and i a month after those
three months i was runnig in a pasture that we have never ridden in
before and then she bucks hard and have ridden her a couple of times
since then and some of those times i could feel her wanting to buck
and iam scared to get back on her again.i will have to get rid of
her if i dont ride her again and i love her so much that i would hate
to get ride of her.
thanks
kaylee
Answer:
Hi Kaylee: Maybe you should ask for some riding lessons. That might
help with your balance and help you get over your fear. Also maybe
you shouldn't be running in a new field, maybe a walk and trot will
help you keep control. Also maybe you should get a more experienced
rider to "tune her up"once in a while so she will not get
in the habit of bucking and unseating you.
For Jennette
Question:
I have heard many
pros and cons of feeding beat pulp. Could you please
tell me if it has any value,and if so how much should I feed
thank-you
Angela Miles
Answer:
Hi Angela:
Beet Pulp is a useful food source. Jennette feeds it to horses that
are hard keepers and overreact to increased grain ( grain heads ---
like too much sugar for some childern ). She substitutes or suppliments
the grain feeding. The amount depends on the horse. The bag will tell
you more as to your horses size and needs. The problem with beet pulp
is soaking it long enough that you do not create a choke. Much harder
to feed in the winter in cold climates.
For Jennette
Question:
Any help would
be appreciated. We have a 26 stall barn. We keep out horses (quarter
horses) under lights for about 16 hours a day. As a result, their
hair does not grow. We use two 150 watt light bulbs per stall. Would
like to use 42 Watt florescent bulbs that put out the same amount
of lumina (sp) 2800. Do you have any knowledge that this would or
would not work. Thanks for your help...best regards...Joe Schneider
Answer:
Hi Joe: Jennette
says the research reads -- if you can read a newspaper in the stall
it is enough light to trigger the pineal gland to estrus.( studies
have been done to get mares to cycle earlier in the year for earlier
foals) Although there are no studies she knows of using the same technique
working for the photoreceptive response to shed/ or not coat up ----
it seems to be the same response seems to happen from horsemans experience.
For Jennette.
Question:
Hello! We own
a Bred Polish Arabian Stallion, he is about 16 or 17, and the past
2 or so years, he has been losing his tail. We have asked the local
vet whats wrong, but he has no clue! He has never heard of this happening!
It is growing back very slowley now. I was woundering if he was lacking
something? I was thinking maybe Iron? What do you think?
Thanks alot for your help!
Neoma Patterson
P.S. Please write back as soon as possible!Thank you very much!
Answer:
Hi Neoma: Jennette suggests before you look at nutrition check out
the management. She has heard of Arabian owners who keep their horses
tail wrapped--- to keep it clean, and get maximum growth, are wrapping
the tail on the bone and losing the whole tail.(Circulation issues?
possibility from his past?) Or letting the horse with a tail up into
a turn out/or in the stall with items that can catch the tail ( nails,
rough lumber, bushes et.) When the horse uses its tail for insects
gets the tail caught on these every day objects and tear out clumps
of the tail. Other issues it could be are :self mutilation,( bored
stallions can do very bizarre things to themselves) pinworms, biting
insects on the tail head, or a dirty sheath.
Jennette doesn't
think this is nutritional as hair loss due to nutritional issue is
not specific to one part of the body.
For Jennette.
Question:
I have a wonderful
horse that i just love to ride. He is gentle when cantering and stops
fine but once i jump and he is in a canter and when he lands he just
wont stop. In oder to stop him i have to canter aound the arena 1
once to get control of him. What can i do to make him stop faster
when he starts cantering after the jump? Thanks so much
Answer:
Hi: Jennette suggests
that you get someone to look at your riding and jumping position.
You may be clamping your leg on your horse as you go over the fence
and not letting up when you land. Sort of like the gas pedal is stuck
down. Your horse may just be responding to your overly strong aid.
Suggestion 2 is you have taught your horse to bolt after the fence.
Too strong a pace to the fence, and always going over the fence. Practice
different line approaches, stopping your horse before the fence so
your horse listens to your aids, not thinking " I see a fence
I go over, and keep running".
Some lessons with a very knowledgeable pro in your area may pin point
the problem so you can start to solve the problem.
For Jennette
REMEMBER TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS DIRECTLY TO JENNETTE COOTE FROM
THE LEARNING CENTER (Horse IQ )AT WWW.COMPLETERIDER.COM !
We love getting your questions but the volume has gotten to the point
not all questions can have an individual answer. We try to pick letters
that answers a condition we have had a lot of letters on.
Jennette thinks
if you have a training problem you should consult with a professional
in your area. Most problem solving requires seeing or riding the horse
to find a solution.
Questions?
More letters
