Q: I am hoping you can help me. I have a 3 1/2 year old appaloosa gelding. I have had him since he was 6 mths old. I admit that I am a green rider and that this is the first horse I have ever owned. I know, green rider and green horse is a bad combo, but that isn’t the problem I am having. Har, my gelding is a very gentle, calm, eager to please horse when I work with him. I have recently gotten him back from the trainer who had him for 2 months and I have been riding him daily. The trainer couldn’t believe how pleasant he is and how gentle his is with her on his back. When I ride him and work with him he is not spooky, skiddish or jumpy and he wasn’t with the trainer either. As soon as anyone else gets too close he panics. I do not believe in raising my hand to hit or punch any animal and I have been told that I have spoiled him by not kicking him if he moves when he should not even shift his weight. Yet this is a horse who will let me stand on a step or anything to get on and let me lay down on his back or do anything. (more…)
Q: Does it take longer for a filly to be born or stud or is there a difference?
David.
A: The “general†rule of thumb is colts take longer.
Russ
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Q: I have a 3 yr old mare. real scared and spooky mostly with my husband. She has been trained on the lunge line and does everything real good. I think someone (a man) has abused her. I can get in her pen clean her out she’s great. My husband tries to do the same she is jumping around trying to watch him while getting away. We put her out to pasture every day. At supper time when I go up to feed her she’s watching for me. I can holler her name and she calls back and comes on the run. (more…)
Q: I have a huge problem and would very much appreciate your opinion. I purchased a 10 year old quarter horse about six weeks ago. I rode her before purchasing her and she seemed completely sound and vice free. She has been used for lessons for children for several years and that was to be her main purpose here at home for my girls. (more…)
My horse has rain rot. I have been picking it off bit by bit whenever we go to the stables, but it is going very slowly. I don’t know if it will go away if I keep picking, or if it is just a waste of time. Do you know of any tips or ointments that might help. It is way too cold here for and iodine bath. Thanks a gazillion!!! (more…)
 Dear Russ,
My husband one month ago bought me a beautiful 2 yr old QH gelding, Major!! He was started under the saddle for 2 1/2 months, had a few trail rides with water, and trailer experience. When I first rode him it was in the owners round pen and he did well, especially with pressures and stopped on a dime. He has gentle eyes and a gentle disposition, but I know he’s still a two year old. We moved him to his new home with 4 other horses. He has bonded well with them and our family. He’s slowly learning good barn manners, too. I try to ride him every other day or so or at least spend time with him esp. before winter hits. I don’t have access to a round pen, but have been riding him on trails or in the cow pastures. After 10 days, he began to give me a little rear, a slight head sway, and tried to buck. I have been riding him with a martingale and would turn him in tight circles when this occurs. He was trained professionally for this little while, and I don’t want to let him loose this. Is this 2yr old frolic and testing!? His ears don’t seem to be pinned way back in anger, just seeming to say I want my own way! Please let me know how I need to proceed with him?? I had the privilege of reading your article on lounging as well and it was great! When he begins he does well and stops great. Sometimes my problem is getting him started as he backs away so I am not able to get behind his shoulder to move him forward. Do you have any suggestions, because I would like to lunge him more?? Thanks you greatly…!!! Sincerely, Gina (more…)
 Questions & Answers with Russ Hall, September
Dear Russ, Help! Help! How do I get rid of ringworm in horses? Mark Mark There are a number of powders on the market that are available from Vets and feed companies. The critical issue is to stop the spread of ringworm. Do not use brushes, blankets or anything else that comes in contact with infected horses on any other horses. You will need to wash and disinfect all those articles once you have this under control. (more…)
Good question! Horses must sleep an average of 2 hours a day in order to ensure survival, and the rest of the time they graze continuously. When asleep, they are vulnerable to attack, therefore they sleep very little. That being said, this is with a horse in the wild. Horses in captivity tend to sleep in cat naps. I have watched videos taped taken in our barn from the middle of the night and horses will nap for 30 minutes – then eat. It’s called survival! (more…)
I have a 6 year-old appendix quarter horse mare that is 16.1 hands and about 1200 pounds. Katie was purchased as a 3-year old in foal, and wasn’t worked for about a year after she foaled. When we purchased her, we had no problem loading her into a trailer. About a year ago, we had found someone to basically retrain her and could not get her to load into the trailer. The trainer advised us to put her in a pasture by herself and put her feed and water in the trailer so she would have to go in to eat and drink. This worked and she would go into the trailer without any problems. We hooked up the truck and could get her in the trailer, but could not get the door closed without her bolting out backwards. If you tried to tie her she would freak. I have read many articles and books on this subject and have determined her problem is she will not stand tied quietly and tends to throw her head when caught or tied. Because she throws her head and she is so tall, she bumps her head no the trailer. I am thinking of starting with the basics again of standing tied and learning to lower her head on queue. Am I on the right track.
Debbie: (more…)
The horse I’ve just bought is absolutely wild. I can’t even touch here unless I’ve got some sweet feed, and then she will only let me pet her nose and jaw for a few seconds. What steps do I need to take with her so that I can touch her? (more…)
