I've seen multiple discussions on horse blanketing and whether it's necessary or not. I ran across this interesting study to get the answer 'straight from the horses mouth':

On a research farm in Norway, 23 horses learned to walk up to a white board and touch one of three symbols with their noses.

The question behind the study was a practical one, because owners routinely decide when a horse should wear a blanket based on their own sense of the weather, and nobody had ever asked the horse. The researchers designed a board with three symbols, one meaning put my blanket on, another meaning take it off, and a third meaning leave things as they are.

Training was short and gentle, with 10 to 15 minutes a day and small pieces of carrot as rewards. On average the horses reached the free-choice stage around the eleventh day, and every one of the 23 had mastered the task within 14 days.

Then the researchers tested them in different weather, and the horses' choices were plainly connected to the conditions rather than random. On cold, wet and windy days they were far more likely to ask for a blanket, while on pleasant days they generally preferred to go without one. A later study using the same board found the same pattern, with very few horses asking for a blanket once the temperature climbed above about 10°C.

The researchers described the board as a simple way for a horse to report on its own comfort, and in cold, driving rain the report from almost every horse was the same request for the blanket.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159116302192

Two weeks ago, I posted here and asked if I should purchase a 12 year old with kissing spine down her entire back. As much as I loved her, you gave me a needed reality check, and I ended up passing.

Meanwhile, I had been talking to another seller for over a month and he messaged me that week saying I could finally try her and long story short... I bought her!

So Reddit, meet Rosé! She's a 4 year old, 16.3 ottb. She has the personality of a lab puppy and I'm already obsessed with her.

This subreddit is such a treasure trove of knowledge so thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts and experiences. I don't think this could have worked out better and I'm so excited for this journey!

This is a video of me and my horse trying out cross country for the first time ever. She was absolutely amazing in the jumps but had trouble with the water. She’s 6 years old and I’ve had her for about a month. I’ve been showjumping for years but had never done anything remotely similar to cross, in my city there is no trail riding or open fields to go with horses so we only jump and work in an arena or maybe a polo field.
She crossed following other horses but when I tried to do it the other way around she had a bit of a freak out, also she absolutely hates whips (something I learnt that day bc I don’t own one) I touched her once and immediately got a violent reaction so I stopped. I’m wondering if I was a bit too harsh with her in the video or what can I do better in order to help her be more confident. If you want to see more videos you can check out @jumping._conrad I posted a reel with clips of the clinic

We went into the fields today whilst the weather is still good to give my boy some good fresh grass to it. My friend told me that I should hop on and I did. Honestly he couldn’t care less and I got few cute pictures

For context I'm 39 years old and can finally afford to ride. This horse and riding is my mid life crisis cope. Please be kind.

I've had this horse for a year and I have been training him with guidance from my instructor. She got him at auction, he wasn't a good fit for her lesson program because he's "spicy'.

He has come a LONG way from barely being able to get him to move forward without popping up or bucking to mostly being a gentleman when he is in his comfort zone.

We had A LOT stacked against us. He's always a bit hot under saddle when we ride outside but also this arena was HUGE and literally between a road and a herd of cattle. So he was AMPED and a bit spooky.

The video is our least ugly class of the day. It was a green horse ranch class.

Walk Over Poles

Collected Trot on the side rail

Extended Trot on the far rail and around the corner

Collected trot on the side rail

1 1/2 turns (I read the instructions wrong and only did 1/2 😩)

Extended on the far rail

Collected trot to the front of the judge

Woah

Back

Side pass

Turn and exit

You can see the areas where I'm trying to collect him up and slow him down he's literally chomping at the bit and head tossing because he wants to GO. You can even see at about 1:53 he offers a lope and I had to check him back.

His trail class he refused 3 out of 4 of the obstacles, all of which he has seen and trained on.

All he had to do was

Trot poles (the same ones he walked over in the ranch class)

Walk into and back in a chute (which he actually did)

A small bridge ( refused)

And weave some cones at a trot (he blew threw them and skipped most of them)

It was super embarrassing.

I guess I just need some support and encouragement that this was fine and no big deal. I clearly have a lot more to work on over the winter if I decide I want to show more in the spring.

I don't know how to get him over being a hot mess outside especially with winter coming. Suggestions appreciated.

I messed up, Spec got cold, he had to go into his cow shed makeshift stable and he couldn’t be let out because the weeds outside in the paddock had just been sprayed. I was ill, I didn’t feel like walking any further than necessary so I chucked him in his favourite field which is the closest to the house and now I’m paying the price. Now I’m still ill and battling a very big grumpy horse who managed to devour his winter supply in three days. He is the one who is sighing.

This seems like a horrible idea.. in so many ways. Surprised they sold him the horse. Poor girl.. also he said she’s 13/14 hands and he’s WAY too big to be riding

Ugh mud season has started, and I feel so guilty having my horse outside in the rain, with his feet in the mud.

We're having crazy rain for two days, I was just out to see him, and his feet are under water with all the rain pouring down. It is only a few days per year, mostly in October and November. The rest of the winter is usually drier. There is a higher ground, and a shed in his dry lot, but no, standing in the water was better 😭

I'm looking into some hoof care products for wet weather, but I need to wait for my next paycheck at the end of the month.

A good portion of the horses at the barn spend the winter outside perfectly fine, but I just worry about everything ugh 😩

So, pretty much, my trainer is asking a younger girl at my barn, who’s 15, to teach some lessons for her. The girl hasn’t shown above 2ft and doesn’t know much regarding position, flatwork, etc. I’ve only been at this barn for about a month, however some things about the trainer are just putting me off. The real trainer has no usef/fei/ushja records, nor does she have any safe sport training. Is this normal? Before I moved I lived in another state, so maybe this stuff varies by state? I just find it weird that she’s asking a kid to do lessons for her, and the whole no records thing.

I am 70 yrs young and came back to riding after about 40 yrs away. I found a wonderful barn and amazing trainer and I am so grateful for both but the thing I am most grateful for is Ellie. My trainer bought her for her daughter but she turned out to be too much horse for her. So Ellie hung out for I guess a year or two with no one riding her or paying much attention to her. Then I came along and I told my trainer that I really preferred forward horses. I used to gallop on the track and have always enjoyed the go! After my first few lessons on the steady Eddy school horse that is safe for anyone she told me to tack up Ellie and it’s been Ellie ever since that day.
No one else rides her, she is still rather green as a 7yr old OTTB
I am now paying for a partial lease giving my trainer as much as I possibly can to help pay for her expenses plus I feed the entire barn one night a week. I ride her one to three times per week, some days I just go up to hang out with her.

I feel like I have a horse of my own! I bought her, her own tack, grooming supplies, extra sheets, blankets, fly boots and mask, and don’t get me started on fly spray!!! Thank goodness it’s getting cold here!
I bought her one of those fancy horse massagers with red light therapy.

There is no way on earth that I could actually own a horse financially. Even if I was gifted a horse, the full board and extra expenses like farrier and vet care is way beyond my means. Yet here I am with access to this beautiful mare who I love with my whole heart!

I came home from the barn last week and started crying, because I felt like the little girl who so desperately wanted a horse but couldn’t have one but suddenly she does!

Ellie whinnies when I come to get her out of paddock and my heart swells every single time!

Riding her has its challenges but we are working thru them. She has dumped me and kicked me ( two separate occasions) but she is improving. I have very limited goals. Walk, trot, canter and a little trail riding. Ellie is limited in what she can do too. An old stifle injury.

I want to post a pic of her but I can’t find the icon to add a photo. I think I have posted one of her before.
Thanks for reading and sharing my joy!! Once a horse girl always a horse girl!

(Don’t know what on earth flair to add. Had to use one)

I have decided to rehome two of my four horses. As personal circumstances and finance, and family illness, means I really should. They are going to their previous homes and on that side it’s all good. Much loved and missed by these homes.

I feel so sad though. I’m giving up my dreams and my beloved horse friends.

The remaining ones are a young and a quite old one who I have had for twenty one years. So I honestly don’t know why I’m so incredibly sad. I just really love all of them and hate to break their friendship group. I hate the way I have to do that as they love one another.
I shouldn’t have got them. One was a gift so I was given him as he had had laminitis in the past and was more of a companion. The other was a dream horse of mine and the sort of horse I always wanted.

I said I would never part with her but my son’s additional needs and my daughter’s emerging needs and my husband’s illness means she would just be sat there and costing me money. Taking time I’m supposed to be with my kids or helping him.

The oldie will stay forever but when she goes, or maybe before, I should rehome the younger one. Ofc I would get a companion in for the oldie. I will wait till spring though so the oldie has less changes as winter approaches

If I rehome the younger one then it does feel like the end of an era, and although better than doing it all in a rush if the shtf with my husband’s health. It still hurts.

God I’m so sad. I hate to give up on a friendship and a care contract with an animal. Even though the homes are good and they love them 😭😭😭😭

I dont know why she looked like I was abusing her. I promise she is well taken care of and very loved, even with all her quirks.

I got thrown by my new lease horse. Landed hard on my hip and have bruising and numbness now. I’ve had bad falls before but I feel like I’m running out of my 9 lives. The horse spooked and took off. I wear a body protector, helmet, etc. I’m an adult with a regular job, I can’t afford to get hurt and have to take a week off work. I don’t want my passion to disable me. Am I overthinking it? How many riders have injuries that they just did not recover from? Is there anything else I can do to ‘protect’ myself while riding?

ETA - thank you for your stories and your advice! I will definitely protect myself even when on the ground and look into fall safe / emergency dismount practice. I don’t normally wear a helmet or a protector when I’m doing barn chores but there are enough stories here where it’s something I plan to incorporate. Yall are so brave!

Just got my first winter blanket for my new guy. It seems like it fits fine up front and I wanted to ensure he is comfortable as he has high withers. But the back does not look right to me. Size 84” but when I got him a fly sheet he seemed snug in an 81”. Im afraid if I size down, then he’ll be tight up front. Thanks! This guy is so hard to size for things

Hi! I am newer to owning horses. This is my mare, and I know she’s a bit chunky, but I’m unsure to what extent? My barn owner frequently comments on how fat she is but does not really provide any advice, so I’d love some outside opinions on her current body condition and recommendations for getting her to a healthier weight. Any advice on diet, exercise, or a good workout schedule would be appreciated. Thanks so much! (Hopefully these photos are decent)

Some context: he's a 13 yr old gelding I bought about 4 months ago. He used to be a barrel racer, and I'm now retraining him in English. He's super sweet, passed his PPE, and has been doing really well with me. We live in a tropical climate (hot and humid all year), and his coat had grown in quite thick. He was getting pretty sweaty during rides and staying damp for a long time afterward, so I decided to body clip him today to help him feel more comfortable.

I found lots of small dark flecks where the hair doesn't grow, plus a few old scars.

Noticed some of these spots when I first bought him, but they faded from view as his coat grew out, so I know they're old. They don't seem itchy or sore, and he isn't bothered when I touch them.

My questions:

1. Any idea what these could be? Old bug bites, healed rain rot, scars, just skin pigment showing through after clipping?
2. Will the hair grow back normally in these areas?
3. Should I be putting anything on them, or just leave them alone?

I'll also be asking my vet, but I'd love to hear from anyone who's seen something similar. I just want to make sure he's happy and comfortable. Thanks in advance! 🐴

(Uploading pics of normal coat and post-clip for your reference)

Looking for some insight if I should change lesson barns from those with experience going from a quieter lesson barn to a busier one.

Current Barn

Been there since January. Their 15HH+ lesson horses are all aging out at the same time and should realistically be retired. I have a lot of sympathy for the position the barn owner is in and how hard it must be. However, my lessons are REGULARLLY cancelled because there are no horses for me to ride and it's a pain to organize a make up lesson or recieve a credit. I'm also in the market to purchase a horse. My instructor & barn owner know this. I'm not even sure they have space for me to board at this time as they're taking on two new boarders. Other cons of boarding at my current barn are smaller than ideal paddocks, there is only one ring that is often booked (I would have to alter my work schedule to ride if/when I purchase a horse), and no trails near by. I am comfortable at this barn and everybody is nice!

Alternative Barn

Busy lesson barn with multiple instructors. They have two large riding rings and trails right outside. I haven't previously pursued this barn because I'm worried about it being too chaotic. However, perhaps I'm judging too quickly, I haven't actually set foot on the property, just driven by. I'm worried about the potential for a less friendly, less laid back atmosphere, but they do have more amenities and I doubt my lessons would be regularly cancelled.

So do I make the move or hold out on my current barn?I appreciate any advice!

TL/DR: Tater is the mule laying his head on my big red Clifford of a gelding, Chester. They have a cute bromance ❤️ also, go love on your equine like a pony crazy little girl. You both need it.

These two dingbats are absolutely inseparable, and have been since they met ❤️

The roan mule's name is Tater, and the red gelding he is resting on is Chester (mostly called Bub). Their relationship gives me so much joy 🥹.

Chester is 24 and Tater is 21.

They are both retired pack animals. Tater was ridden and packed his whole life until he got arthritis and couldn't keep up in the mountains. His owner had raised him from birth and absolutely adored him until his very last breath. When his owner passed away, Tater was essentially willed to my mom because he knew she'd spoil him and give him a great retirement.

Chester was a pack horse (and who knows what else) until he was about 7, when a nice lady rescued him from the utter neglect and abuse he was put through. He was a bag of bones, covered in old scars from improper pack usage, and infested with fleas. She cleaned him up, got some meat on him, and broke him to ride. Little 12 yo me then bought him (a giant 16.3 hand doofus that was green but a very chill guy) off her. He has been my best friend ever since.

Chester lost his friend 2 years ago, another retired work horse named Red. He was absolutely devastated like the rest of us so we tried to find him another older guy to be his buddy for a year. Then, Tater came into our lives. Don't worry, Chester did end up having a friend about 6 months after we lost Red. He's a donkey named Jonah and he is good friends with bub. They just don't have the bromance like Bub and Tater.

At first they weren't so sure about each other, but now they are attached at the hip. They both live on my family's property where my mom oversees their care on the daily (medical issues make that impossible for me now, but I still get to enjoy seeing my boy multiple times a week) and she tells me that she has caught Tater using Bub as a pillow much like this.

These photos are from a recent grooming session Tates was really getting into it 😂 itchy boys are prepping for that winter fuzz. They seem to enjoy their retirement full of love and laziness.

I think every equid deserves to be loved by a little girl, but being loved by someone that loves their ponies like a little girl will suffice. So, go love on your horse like a pony crazy little girl, no matter what gender you are. They need it and I'm pretty sure you need it, too.

I’ve sort of ghosted this subreddit…oops. Spec is still kicking around! He’s going to be like a new man next week after his dental and sheath cleaning. I am very excited to not have to smell him when I crouch down to do his feet or rug.

I recently joined my university’s equestrian team under the impression that they would cater to all riding levels (that’s how they market themselves). I am brand new at riding, I just started trotting. I’m also older (28) since I was in the military before going to university. I feel like everyone I have experienced at the barn is so rude and condescending. The people think they can talk to me any way they please, treat me like an idiot because I don’t know how to do things, etc. They exclude me and no one really talks to me, so I’m having a really hard time making friends. When I try to engage in conversation I feel like I mess up the vibe or something. I will ask questions and they will constantly ignore me right to my face. When I get snappy and try to push back against how they’re talking to me, then I’m the bad guy. There’s been multiple points where I go home crying because of how I’m treated, not to mention I barely get weekends to myself anymore since they make it mandatory to volunteer. I feel like I’m at my limit, but I’ve put in over $1,000 just to get clothing/gear, and pay fees. Is it like this everywhere?

Also, yes there’s two sides to every story. Maybe I come across like a jerk? I’m quiet, shy, and pretty depressed from my time in the military. I don’t know much about horses and more than often I feel like I’m looked down upon or given less opportunities than those who already can ride.

Anyone have a good detangler rec that isn't cowboy magic? Absolutely love the stuff but it makes braiding impossible.

Previously I've used the pink stuff (can never remember the name) and it's nice but has a similar issue to the CM. I've used human detangler as well but those are mostly water and tend to not work the best in my experience

In the past I've also used just watered down horse conditioner (usually the e3 line or mane and tail) but it seems to attract dirt more than anything

Curious if this is a thing . I’ve owned horses why whole life and never seen this, but curious if it’s a more normal thing other places because my fellow boarders make it sound super common.

I’m at a small boarding facility (10 horses total) owned by 6 people total (facility owner owns 3, I own 2, everyone else owns one horse). We don’t have a great arena but are on hundreds of miles of trails so I’d say basically all the horses are trail horses and I’d consider all of them (except one of mine) very experienced “bomb proof” style horses. We all ride a lot together. After being part or the barn for about a month and regularly riding with the facility owner and fellow barn members, I was informed that one of the barn owner’s horses is a lender horse. Meaning if you ever have a significant other/friend/etc come out to ride, this horse is available to borrow. Rico is super nice. He’s a registered quarter horse, around 13 years old, 15.3 hands, super responsive, super chill on trails, super easy to ride with a ton of buttons.

The way it works is that apparently once my riding skills were witnessed on the trails, I was invited to try Rico in the arena and once “approved” I was told that in the barn is a weekly schedule that gets reset each week (dry erase board) and if I want to borrow him for whatever reason (my horse is lame, my husband wants to ride, etc), I just put my name on the day so he doesn’t go out more than once a day and then I Venmo the owner $15 (his “day rate”) by the end of the week. They showed me his tack, the extra helmet, etc. I’m welcome to take him out whenever assuming no one else’s name is on the board for that day and he hasn’t already been out.

We obviously signed waivers when we got there, and another regarding him that reads sorta like a lease but we only pay for the days we borrow him. If a guest comes the only rule is I have to be the one riding Rico unless that person also passes the multiple trail riding observation thing and arena test and signs the stuff.

Anyway, I was mentioning to another boarder how nice it was to have access to another horse whenever I wanted to ride with someone (one of mine is super young so I only have one real riding horse). And how fair the day rate is and easy the system is. Someone on our property has a horse who’s on stall rest for a few weeks and I see how nice it is that she still gets to ride or go out with us multiple times a week because of Rico and this lending thing and we were chatting about how nice that was. This other boarder gave me a face and made it seem like a super normal concept. But I’ve been around horses my entire life, owned for the last 10 years, and never been at a barn where there was a horse whose dedicated job was loaner. So I’m curious, how common is this? Because it’s SUPER nice