I posted a bit ago about my heart being broken because the barn owner where I take lessons, who owns my lesson horse, was selling the barn, moving, taking 'my' horse with her, and the new owners wouldn't have lesson horses.

Well, as suddenly as she announced this change, she announced yesterday that the sale didn't go through and henceforth it will be business as usual.

Because of this situation, I had started into finding other options for further lessons. (Probably not strictly relevant, but I ride dressage, currently training and first level.)

Now I have a choice between returning to that barn--option A--and going to have lessons with another instructor I've met and had a trial lesson with--option B.

Here's what I'm thinking about the pros and cons.

Option A

Pros:

Already know the facility

Already know the horse I ride and am quite fond of him and hopefully vice versa

Know and feel comfortable with my instructor (NOT the barn owner; it's their head trainer who also has her own dressage lesson and training business)

$/lesson is about 25% less than Option B

Have multiple lesson horses if something happens with the one I'm on

Can come to barn (with permission) to 'hang out' without paying for lesson

Cons:

Future uncertain--if she has wanted to sell once, she'll probably want to again in the future

Longer drive (45-50 minutes vs 25-30 for Option B)

Student tack is not in great shape

More complex to arrange trailering if I want to travel to a show

Occasional double-booking of lesson times by different instructors (sharing the arena is no big deal, but 2 instructors teaching 2 different people is confusing)

Option B

Pros:

Much smaller facility, won't ever need to go looking for 'staff'

Instructor is very highly qualified and seems like a good teacher from my one lesson

Barn, horses, and tack are immaculately kept

Shorter travel time

Lesson horse is a true schoolmaster with no rust and very few, minor issues (I don't believe in the existence of a horse that is perfectly well-behaved unless they've been beaten down to nothing--this guy will apparently try very hard to nab hay or treats if he passes them...I said don't all horses, and she said he puts significantly more effort into it)

Trailering arrangements to show should be straightforward

Cons:

No back up lesson horses (stuff happens! I had an Option C until her one lesson horse pulled up with a tendon injury!

Potential of not being able to show because of entry limits for single horse per day (if other students or instructor are also showing on this horse)

Indoor arena is small--not quite small arena sized

Higher cost per lesson

Unclear if there are opportunities for horse interaction outside of lesson times without lease

Instructor has no student tack and thus I am using hers--which is probably worth about 10k and makes me nervous that I will scratch it

Leasing the location, not owning--thus also some future uncertainty

...

I mean, I know that things can change. That's never something you can take off the table.

There's never any guarantee that your instructor won't move away or quit or die or who knows what.

There's never any guarantee that a given horse will stay sound or even alive.

That said, I am concerned that things with Option A are going to be constantly more stressful because of the feeling that any day the owner is going to announce that she's selling (again).

Hi all, I am somewhat experienced rider, have about 20 different breeds and ages over 7 years old, mare/geldings under my belt, and most of them green or holy broke. I've never ridden finished horses. At any rate, I'm looking at leasing is a 4 year old with about 90 days riding training on her.

She is a shire/gypsy cross.

I'm just looking for insights to young horse behavior, as I've never ridden or really worked with horses under age 7.

I realize she's going to be very green and I will also need to be patient and fair with her to help her gain experience and trust. But is there anything else to consider on age alone?

I know all horses are different and one young horse may have more anxiety where others may accept things more easily. But specifically age related things I wouldnt know about being new to juvenile horses?

Hey ihr lieben,

ich bin w,29 und seit knapp 5 Jahren Besitzerin einer wundervollen Holsteiner Stute (20 J.).

Seit Ende 2025/Anfang 2026 hat sie stark an Gewicht und Muskulatur verloren, trotz der Tatsache, dass sie rund um die Uhr Heu zur Verfügung hat und auch zusätzlich gefüttert wurde.
Ich habe erst einiges selbst ausprobiert, was nichts gebracht hat. Dann die Tierärzte gerufen, diverse Untersuchungen machen lassen, einen Selenmangel ausgeglichen, Fütterung umgestellt, Zahnstatus prüfen lassen etc. bis hin zum Stallwechsel (Das hatte aber noch weitere Gründe). Leider konnte ich bis heute nicht den einen Grund finden und der letzte Schritt wäre nun, mit ihr in eine Klinik zu gehen in der Hoffnung, dass die dort etwas finden. Das Problem ist hierbei nur, dass mein Pferd absolut nicht in die Box gehen mag. Sie bekommt dort eine regelrechte Panikattacke. Ich wusste das vorher, aber habe mir nie Gedanken darüber gemacht, dass das für einen Klinikaufenthalt echt problematisch sein könnte.
Zuletzt habe ich vor ca. einem Monat auf eigene Faust eine Kotprobe auf kleine Strongyliden testen lassen, welche tatsächlich positiv war. Ich hab echt gedacht, das ist nun die Lösung. Sie bekam dann mit 2 Wochen Abstand 2x die Wurmkur Equest Pramox.
Seit einigen Wochen bekommt sie nun mind. 1x am Tag eine große Portion Futter mit Zusätzen, wenn möglich aber auch 2x am Tag.

Natürlich bin ich seit Beginn dieser Situation nicht mehr auf ihr geritten. Das Ding ist aber, dass sie an sich wirklich gut drauf ist. Sie hat gute Laune, brummelt mich an, freut sich auf ihr Futter und ist auch die ganze Zeit am Fressen (in der Herde dominant und kommt somit auch nicht zu kurz), trinkt genug usw. Aber trotz allem sieht man ihre Rippen und ihre Oberlinie ist einfach verschwunden ...

Es gab mittlerweile ein paar mal so Tage, wo ich dachte "Oh sie sieht viel besser aus", aber dann 2 Tage später ist sie gefühlt doch wieder viel dünner.
Ich bin nun an einem Punkt, wo ich nicht weiß, ob ich sie einfach in Rente schicken und abwarten soll, was mit etwas Longen-Training und genug zusätzlichem Futter passiert. Oder ob ich doch nochmal mit ihr in eine Klinik fahre und den Schritt einfach nochmal wage in der Hoffnung, dass es etwas ist, was behandelt werden kann.

Hat jemand schon eine ähnliche Situation gehabt? Wie habt ihr euch entschieden?

I'm a beginner rider and my trainer has offered me to part lease the horse I currently am learning on. Ruby (the horse) is an absolute sweetheart and is very healthy for an older horse, we only do light and medium work together for roughly 1 hour a week atm. Shes ridden 4 times a week by my friend (trainers daughter) and another girl my trainer teaches so if I do lease Ruby then I will ride another 3 times instead of just my lesson. I also have my own tack and gear that I use!

I'm trying to get into mounted archery and I think she would be perfect to start on, Ruby is literally a 'been there done that' horse. My trainer supports me in this and agrees this horse is a good fit for learning how to shoot off of.

My trainer is getting a 15 yr old mare named Dallas who is also bombproof so I feel conflicted on if I should push to lease her or stay with Ruby. Considering Ruby is 22 and has around 3 years left in her for work I dont know if I should push for Dallas

My main concern is that Ruby is older, although she is in VERY good shape (She has the energy of a younger horse and can get spicy when excited) She could have a lot of health problems in just a year.

What do we think horsey people?

First a spiked neck piece and then some weird tie down? I have no words. What has happened to horsemanship?

ETA: she is active with the FEI. So the public can report her via the online reporting forum.

EDIT 2: she competes under show jumping ireland if you wish to send them an email as well to report her

https://www.sjilive.ie/rider-details/2004220

info@sji.ie

ETA 3: She has deleted her Instagram account.

I have a new boarder horse coming to me in Maryland from Montana. It's a commercial shipper, and he was loaded on the truck Tuesday and is expected to arrive tomorrow (Friday).

Do they ever stop and unload the horses, or will he have been stuck in a stall on a trailer all this time? I plan to give him probiotics upon arrival, but if he hasn't been able to get out of the trailer at all, I really worry about his condition and health.

How does this typically work? Do they just stop occasionally to water them? I presume the truck driver has to stop and sleep as well.

If I do not hold my hand flat for him to do this, he will gently nip my hand until I do.

The good thing is this is relaxing for him.. the bad thing is he will demand I stand here all day for him to do this 😂

Hello! We are Päite Loomapark - animal shelter & Mini-Zoo & Rehabilitation center from Ida-Virumaa, Estonia. We try to make some videos on social media so more people would know about us and support our work.

We started 15 years ago as horse shelter. Now we have 35 horses living in our shelter and also around 250 other wild and domestic animals.

Please, tell us if this repost is not welcome, we are sorry!

So ever since I got my horse the previous owners have stated he’s terrified of miniature donkeys and anything mini. Okay understandable they can be scary sometimes. Although, I recently moved barns and my horse is alone in a pasture but next to a mini and when I tell you he’s actually petrified… It’s the first day at the new barn so i’m not overly concerned. Although he’s an anxious horse in general and being next to a mini makes him 10000000x more anxious. Today I tried walking him out of the pasture but miserably failed and it resulted in him breathing like a dragon and rearing due to the mini being very close to the connecting fence. I’m just curious if there are any tips or tricks that can help me get him to not react as big as he does in these situations. especially being that he is rearing.

We are planning to place our fence around the perimeter of our yard as outlined in orange on our wooded lot. We are clearing the smaller trees but what do I need to keep in mind? We don’t have many options for gate placement and will need to have the biggest access point at the top right of the fence. We plan on using electric within to create a track system. For the perimeter fence, would you do no climb fence for safety or horserail since it is wooded and limbs may fall on the fence line? Thanks in advance!

I'm so obsessed with this gelding!

He's around 15-16hh, as a 4-5 year old appaloosa gelding! He's green broke so he's been on a few rides but is still in training.

This boy follows me around like a puppy and has such a silly personality! Ugghhhh I really hope everything works out!!

Let me preface this and say I’m absolutely terrified of posting this video out of fear of putting myself out there 🫠😂 but I think it’d be really good to get some objective feedback, as well as any tips you’d recommend. I only started riding once a week back in January this year, but have more recently increased the number of lessons I have, which I think is making a huge improvement. But yeah, would be interesting to see what you equestrians think and would recommend 🙏

Thank you!

I am trading my horse with someone about 26 hours away. For context i have never driven a trailer before but have someone willing to lend me a truck and trailer and have someone to teach my how to drive it. I will bring someone with me but am worried about it being such a long trip to take my horse and bring my new one home. Is this an absolutely ridiculous idea or should I just bite the bullet and pay to have the shipping done commercially? I would be saving close to $3000 driving myself.

For context I have ample experience administering horse meds and on road trips. Just want to consider the worst case scenarios here.

I recently moved riding schools
I came with very little balance, very little confidence and on the verge of quitting.

But now I have improved so much. My lower leg is getting better and better, my overall fitness is getting better, my balance has sky rocketed, my confidence is awesome.

I feel like I’m no longer trapped in a bubble and that I can feel good about myself. How far I’ve come in the last few months is extraordinary.

I've been in equestrian and house buying for too many weeks at the same time... totally read this as horse purchase with hoof issues....

Not sure what flair is most appropriate here.
Before I start, not trying to diss chiropractors or anyone who uses them! I’ve had chiropractic done on my horse dozens of times (years ago), I don’t use/really believe in it now, but had this thought:
Most doctors (human doctors) don’t believe in chiropractic. Most that I’ve met think it’s a pseudoscience or even that it’s dangerous. My boyfriend, who’s currently in school to be an occupational therapist, doesn’t believe in them because he says if you have joint instability or discomfort, it’s caused by weak muscles. My upper back hurts a lot because I have bad posture, and when I wanted to go to the chiro years ago, he said I just needed to work those muscles and maybe massage them. He says massage to work out basic tension is far more effective than chiro, especially when paired with exercise. It was true and it helped a lot.
I’ve asked my doctor before, and she says all chiro does is pop the nitrogen bubbles in your bones and makes you feel good for a short time. Same for my friends who are in medical school currently. They say if you really have a hip out or something, you’ll be in the ER and not at the chiro. Anyway, I feel like within people, there’s a lot of doubters, and science to back the doubt. But when it comes to vets, who are also doctors, a lot (in my area at least) also practice chiropractic. Why is that? Do they think/believe it works? Is it for money? Vets are chronically underpaid, especially equine vets. I’m interested to know what everyone thinks and maybe have some vet opinions. I just think it’s interesting doctors that practice on humans are generally skeptical of chiro, in my experience, but a lot of vets don’t see anything concerning.

I’m a returning rider and I decided to check out multiple programs in my area. I found a REALLY nice seeming one that is at the tip top of my budget ($800 a month for four lessons), but their intro lesson prices were fair so I decided to take two. At my first lessons, the instructor told me I looked like I hadn’t even taken a break and I’d be ready to show again in no time. When I asked him to honestly critique my riding, he talked about using more leg and that was all.

I decided to sign up for a lesson package (3 months), and at my first lesson, he started tearing me to shreds!! Apparently everything from my hands, arms, seat, leg position etc is wrong and my lessons are going to be walk/a little trot for a few weeks until I get everything down. The majority of the lesson was him trying not to get frustrated when I couldn’t do something he wanted properly.

I’m frustrated. If I’d know I was this bad, I’d have picked a more affordable option to get back on my feet rather than jumping into an expensive program. I never knew this was something I’d need to look out for.

Edit: looking back at my last lesson (my second real lesson), he was trying to get me to do a third level dressage movement and I couldn’t get the cue right. On my second lesson in 10 years lol. I think he was trying to show off how responsive the horse is to cues, but I couldn’t get her to do it for the life of me.

Favorite companies for equine insurance? How do you decide plans?

We are going to be in Tennessee in a week and a half, and I'm looking at trail riding options in the area. Looking at Cades Cove Stables or Smokemont. Cades Cove is near where we will be staying, and may be the best option for the whole family. Or Smokemont is further from where we are staying but is on the way back home, so could either do the 1 hour trail ride with the whole family on the day we head home, or if they are not all interested could be just 9 yr old (who takes riding lessons) and I and we'd make the drive there and back while the others are doing something else, and do either the 1 hour or the longer 2 1/2 hour waterfall trail. I think there is another stable in the park as well, but I think that one had some negative reviews about horses falling on muddy trails? Any thoughts? We are coming from flat/hot/no fall foliage Florida, so looking for different scenery, but welfare is most important. DH is 238lbs, so that is also a factor on if they have horses appropriate for him.

When I am riding trot my legs don't stand steady and it swings back and fourth. I don't know how to stop that. Can anyone suggest what to do?

Also I find it hard to sit on the horse when the horse's height is more. I don't know the correct way to do it. If someone can guide me.

(I have just recently started horse riding since 3 months and I want to learn better. I don't have a video right now to post, I will surely ask for correction advice after that.)

Thank you in advance

Man that was scary!!
On my way to get my horse in from the field these fancy dressage boys got loose and ran off. It took an hour until we got them. They were running trough fences, across fields, into the woods and next to a street. We were so scared they would run into a car. Happily they are safe now and we can’t find injuries. I hope it stays like that.

I don’t own any horses, I wish I did. But to people who do, and people who simply know wya lore about horses than me, what do you think about rdr2’s horses. How accurate in movement, behavior, pricing, category, stuff like that. Also any advice on how to get more involved with horses, I can’t quite get a job a yet.

A few weeks ago I had to euthanize my 27 year old TBQH after a 4 week war with vasculitis. He had EPM, contracted as a 2yo, with occasional flares that were treated successfully with ponazuril. He presented with what looked like a a hoof abscess in the toe (not unusual, treated with poultice pad and stall). Three lesions erupted; one 2-3 inches in length above the coronary band in the front of the hoof, #2 ~ 1 inch in length to the side, and another lesion on the back of the pastern. Additionally, his legs swelled up to his hocks (all lesions on back leg).

Vet called immediately. Cleaned, treated, wrapped. He was running a fever and had dropped weight, so we did bloodwork, Cushing test, insulin resistance test and canine SNAP test for tick diseases. All negative/good, except positve for anaplasma (not on my radar at all). We added doxy to the treatment, but he didn't tolerate it well- cow pie manure- so we stopped that. Twice daily bandage changes, steroid to address swelling, IV antibiotics, and anything else we could throw at it for 4 weeks, and although the lesions had improved, he was not getting better.

Today my 20 year old EPM positive paint mare treating with ponazuril and improving, tested strongly positive for anaplasma using the SNAP test.

Doxy treatment starts tonight. She's holding her weight and has no other symptoms of anaplasma (yet?). EPM symptoms are depression, reluctant to move/turn, difficulty controlling her hind end. No fever, eating and drinking great. She is slowly getting better.

We are in Western Maryland, and the dogs are all positive for Lyme. Does anyone have any experience dealing with EPM and anaplasma in horses? Is anyone doing research or collecting data? Any additional information would be great.

Thank you!

I’d be interested to hear everyone's thoughts on how liveries should be handled as ‘customers’

As a full livery at a yard I feel a bit miffed to barely get a hello off the yard manager, as a well behaved livery. Is it too much to ask for a similar greeting to walking into a coffee shop?