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......

Nothing more than that to say but I just think the greying process is so interesting and cool to watch, I have a different horse every year!!

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?

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!

Horse

This horse has an irritated/watery eye. It hasn’t been seen by a vet, so for now I’ve only bought sterile saline to gently rinse the eye and lubricating eye drops for dry eyes.

I’ve been asked to put them in, but I’ve never given medication to a horse before and nobody has had time to show me how

I’ve never medicated a horse before and nobody has had time to show me how, so I’d really appreciate any advice on the safest way to do it.

Every time I get near his eye, he moves his head away.

Could anyone explain the safest way to give eye drops to a horse? Is there a particular technique or position that makes it easier?

I’m also attaching a few photos. I’m not expecting a diagnosis from pictures, but if this looks like something that really shouldn’t be managed with just saline/lubricating drops, I’d appreciate knowing that too. Thank you!

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!

Hey guys, I usually don't post things like this, but I need to get other opinions, I feel like I'm overreacting?

Recently I posted about my gelding's back hooves being badly bruised after his farrier appointment that he walked out of lame in both the front and back. He's an OTTB in 24/7 turnout with recent front shoes.
Same farrier came out to fix a nail that was too close- however, when asked, he claims it couldn't have been the nail causing soreness because my horse would've been "keeled over in the field" if it were.
When asked about the bruising and soreness, he got defensive and started telling us that "thoroughbreds should never live outside", his feet were bruised from stomping all day, and that I can either "bring him inside or shoe his back feet". This all came as a surprise since he never once suggested before that the horse should have back shoes in the year we have been using him as a farrier, nor did he ever mention/notice the bruising. We also made the mistake of saying our gelding was more sensitive recently walking over different terrain and mentioned gravel (the barn's pathways are ALL gravel) and was told "just don't walk him on the gravel then". Mind you, this horse was walking totally fine on gravel when he was completely barefoot a few months prior.
The icing on the cake is the farrier has an assistant who's always irritated about something and can't stand my horse. When my horse acts up, he is smacked in the ribs with the rasp. When my horse was in too much pain in his hind to even hold his front feet out, the farrier continued to hit him and rough him up until he could get the feet done.
After witnessing the hitting and these comments, I told the BO that I would no longer be using the farrier's services. This was a back-and-forth where I had to continue to defend why I felt that the farrier was not a good fit and finally, the only thing that seemed to be able to change her mind to let me use my own farrier was when I brought up the farrier hitting my horse.

Am I crazy? Are these huge red flags? I've had pasture-kept thoroughbreds for 20 years and never heard that kind of mindset.

Pic of my poor sweet guy for tax.

Honestly if you can’t have fun what are you doing? Even with my show horses I goof off and have fun with them. Like putting a blow up unicorn suit on…

Reba,magic and crow got their feet done and ended up being rehomed to a wonderful family! Unfortunately they weren't working out best with me since my mare has made it well know she HATES ponies. For the safety of the ponies I found them a new home. I didn't have the ponies and my mare together, but she went through a fence to go at them from across the property multiple times and I did what felt right for both parties. The new owner is getting magic gelded and has extensive knowledge in foaling and horses! I'm so excited to see how they grow and possible see baby pictures!

OC River

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!?

I randomly came across a post about this horse on Facebook, by what appeared to be its seller/broker. The post said it was bay roan, and said that the parents were red roan and bay. Is it really bay roan? Commenters were saying it looked grey or very light buckskin, it kind of reminds me of dun like Fjords. But going off the parents those aren’t possible?

Anyway I’m just really curious what would give this colour, it’s gorgeous!

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?

So inexperienced not even sure what to ask. All ideas comments and warnings greatly appreciated. TIA

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.

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)