What to look for in a yard

Hi!
Due to a change in circumstances I'm having to move house - and a major complication is my 18yo tb mare!
I've had horses since I can remember but always been lucky enough to have them in our own stables at the back of house on our own land so never even thought about livery and now a bit lost as to what should be on my checklist!
As a bit of info - she's pretty much retired, needs turnout (recently realised that some yards don't offer this all year round?!) though is otherwise easy :)
Are there certain things I need to look out for? Are there advantages of a big yard (as in No of stables) vs small yard? And what would be a good price for livery with turnout with weekday help (e.g turn out and muck out in am mon - fri ) in the West Midlands?
Thanks in advance :)

What to look for in a yard

Girth shopping - help requested

My youngster is in a Wintec Wide with long billets and I have yet to find a girth to suit.

Anyone know where I can get a 38-40in (90-100cm)dressage girth, preferably shaped, with elastic both ends and black (though at the moment I'd settle for anything, any colour!).

At the moment I have a Stuebben cord girth (40in) which does the job (and the only 40in/100cm girth I could find in 5 tack shops!) but it is meant to be used which short billets, and hence has no protection under the roller buckles.

Yes, I really do need one that long... 85cm doesn't fit at all. :/

Girth shopping - help requested

Prolite front riser question

I am currently using a solution treeless saddle and it needs to be slightly lifted at the front. I've been using the dorsal pad that the company sell to do this, but have found that the horse is getting sore along the edge where the single and double thickness shims meet. I was wondering about trying a prolite front riser but need to know if the double thickness of prolite at the front is gradually graded down to the single thickness or not. Sorry if that's confusing - I couldn't think of a more simple way to describe it! Thanks in advance for any help.

Prolite front riser question

Newly-cut hay field.... how long til grazing?

Can anyone advise on the recommended amount of time to wait after a field has been cut for hay before using as grazing? I want to wait for the sugar rush to abate, but I have no idea how long this takes.

Thank you

Newly-cut hay field.... how long til grazing?

Too excited!

Ah, I'm trying to keep it secret but I'm just too excited- went to see a lovely little mare yesterday and have just arranged a vetting for Friday! Don't want to tell anyone I know incase she fails, but can't keep my excitement to myself!

I wasn't even looking, am meant to be selling my other horse first, but she just popped up on the side of the forum last week (well done horse and hound, good advertising technique ;) ) and I couldn't stop thinking about her so I caved!

My local tack shop has a big sale on this week...I won't have any tack/rugs that fit her as she is so dinky.. To risk it and buy stuff in the sale before she's passed the vetting or wait and pay full price next week?!

Sorry totally pointless I know- I just don't know how I'm going to manage waiting until Friday?! :)

Too excited!

Best hoof boots for hacking?

Recommendations needed!

I'm planning to do some gentle riding on my retired 25 yo TB mare. I've not really ridden her properly for years due to arthritis although the vet has always said riding at walk is fine. So she has been sporadically ridden. However she's not been out for a while since moving to her new home and she is lacking muscle in her back end. I've noticed over the last year or so that getting up is more difficult than it used to be for her and suspect the lack of muscle is not helping. So I thought some hacks in walk may be beneficial to her as long as she is happy to do it and copes with it, also for helping any stiffness.

But she's not shod behind and I'd like to keep it that way as although she will have shoes on the back, it's a bit more tricky at her advanced age and with arthritic hocks to hold her legs up for long periods of time. As she is not good on stony ground without shoes, some hoof boots would be just the ticket.

Anybody use these for hacking and which do you recommend? I have one Old Mac which I've used for keeping abscess poultices on so could get another of those. But I know there's lots of brands on the market these days and maybe some are better than others?

Best hoof boots for hacking?

Best surface for a corral/hard standing area?

Hello :)

I am trying to find the best surface for a corral! I want to put in hard standing area for the winter, that my youngsters can go in over night instead of a stable, to get them out of the mud and wet.

I know of people who have used road planings and limestone, but I wondered if anyone has any pros/cons of a surface they have used? It needs to drain so will be on top of a membrane, and am planning to have a round pen in the middle to work the horses in. I also would like to know how you built it to encourage drainage?

Thanks in advance!

Best surface for a corral/hard standing area?

Grazing Muzzle 24/7 and teeth damage?

I have two questions please hhoers.

First one is a couple of years ago I mentioned to a friend I had muzzled my mare for 24 hours and she said it was a bad idea as it can damage their teeth. I can see this would be true long term but for a few months a year is it ok?

Second question. I started muzzling my boy a couple of weeks ago as he was starting to look a bit curvy and I normally put his muzzle on in the morning after I have ridden and YO takes it off early evening for me. YO is going away for three weeks shortly, her horsey neighbour will be doing an evening check on the horses but I don't feel I can ask her to de-muzzle on a daily basis. Would leaving it on for 24hrs then off for 24 hrs be ok? He isn't hugely fat or at risk of lami the muzzle is more a preventative measure. There is only me and YO

Grazing Muzzle 24/7 and teeth damage?

Dressage Senior Home International

Got a phone call today calling me up to the team for South West England! :D I knew we were non-travelling reserves, but with 27 on the reserve list never dreamt that I would be called up as thought I would be right down near the bottom, not right at the top! Bouncing up and down and incredibly excited to have this opportunity.

Is anybody else going?

Dressage Senior Home International

Mopley Riding Club

Hi,

Me and my 9 year old mare are looking to do the 1'6 - 1'9 cross country coming up in September. Both of us haven't competed in showjumping or cross country so were complete beginners, and its a bit different to Dressage.

Just wondering if anyone has been before what can we expect???

Mopley Riding Club

Need help buying long riding boots!

hi guys, I really need help buying long riding boots. I want a new pair ready for the hunting season, need to be good quality none of this tacky rubbish! They need to be comfortable and long lasting. But I have a few problems I have size 5.5 to size 6 feet. But I have short calf, which are also wide:( so I need a short wide fitting leg. What brands does anyone recommend? PLEASE HELP.

Need help buying long riding boots!

Choosing a first horse for special needs child?

My 5 year old son first started riding through his special school, and has since been riding regularly through a local disability charity riding school. Although he just plods along in lead rein walk and occasional trot class, both out in the countryside and in the arena, he loves every second spent riding horses and would spend all day every day on a horse if he could.

His older sister has just started riding in the past few months (because, in typical sibling fashion, if her brother gets riding lessons, then dammit so does she!), and has really taken to it. She has done a yard safety course, an own a pony day and now has group lessons twice a week.

Looking ahead, I can see a future filled with horses, and wondered how I would even start to find a horse that could meet both my children's needs? I know to look for 'bombproof', 'first horse/pony', 'suitable for novice' etc, but obviously there is not likely to be an advert for a horse 'suitable for a tall child who is essentially non verbal and autistic with global developmental delays. Plus his sister, who wants to do pony club type activities...!'

I would not be opposed to loaning, working livery, or any option really, other than owning with DIY livery which gets a big 'nope' from me. The riding school where my son rides doesn't do horse shares, and keep all their wonderful horses for class and volunteer use only.

I'm not looking imminently, but if we did decide later on to go down the horse ownership path, I don't even know what I would be looking for and where to begin?

Anyone had any experience with this? Any advice, hints and tips would be gratefully received.

Thank you very much :)

Choosing a first horse for special needs child?

'Yard' Boots with Grip!

What do you all wear on your feet over the winter - not for riding but just yard chores....?

For those that are working with horses all day long, day in day out

What is the best boot for grip on the ground when turning horses in and out through boggy gateways??!


I have ariat mudbusters, grasmeres, conistons and woof wear long boots, all of which seem to slip around - is there just not a boot that can grip that much on slippery ground, or am I buying the wrong ones?!


Thanks!

'Yard' Boots with Grip!

What to wear on the hunting field?

Hi guys, I am not new to hunting but haven't hunted for years. What do I need to wear? Do I need a stock shirt, and stock? Please help! As much info as possible will be greatful!

What to wear on the hunting field?

neue schule turtle top

hi hoping someone has experience with this bit? i have a 17hh ex racer who is coming on well. currently in a loose ring french link but very 'mouthy'. when bit is first put in he gapes his mouth open and then chews constantly until really well worked in. he eventually settles but i get the feeling its more of an 'i cant spit this out so i best give in' than true acceptance. he has a teeny mouth and is very soft in it. have read some good reviews of this. any advice alternative reccomendations!

neue schule turtle top

How many times did it take you to pass trailer test?

Im absolutely gutted I failed my 1st test this morning! I have done 10 hors intensive training this weekend and went from never having towed to gaining 100% yesterday. I did my manoeuvres 10 times faultlessly.. This morning I went over the line which I had never done and then totally spannered my coupling up before giving up 😢 worst examples I had done!

So how many times did it take you? I'm booked in again for September!

How many times did it take you to pass trailer test?

Thinking of owning a horse in the near future?

So I'm quite a new rider but I have COMPLETELY fallen in love with riding and horses, it's just something I'm sure I will do or at least try to do for the rest of my life. So...

Last summer (I was 14, now I'm 15 so do you think I started late?) I went for my first ever riding lesson. I've wanted to ride since I was around 9 but we didn't have enough money since a lesson costs around £20 and making that a weekly thing brings up the costs a lot... Besides the point, anyway I went for my first riding lesson which was private and lasted half an hour and then I got around 5 more so last year I got around 3 hours worth of lessons. I learned to trot but not amazingly, still needed practice.
This year we went on holiday again and I got lessons at the same place (the lessons there are a lot cheaper) and I ended up getting around 7 more hours of lessons. I can now trot really well and even started galloping. I definitely need practice on the gallop but I'm not too bad.

So the riding is going well but I'm still VERY new to the names of everything and the proper, good care of a horse and all that. I'm thinking that when I'm 16/17 I could get a proper job (earning between £200-£400 a month, possibly) and my ultimate goal is to one day own my own horse.

My dad is seeing how much I'm enjoying riding and the progress I'm making and said he could pay for a lesson a month, me paying for another with my allowance and the tiny amount of money I make on doing the papers so I could go for a lesson every two weeks. Over time we could probably stretch this to a lesson a week.

Can somebody tell me the costs of owning a horse (I'm aware it's a lot, around 2-3k a year or something like that but I'm willing to do what it takes) and anything that would be helpful for me to know? I've done a lot of research into this already but still not enough. Also the basic care information like even your daily routine with your horses? :) that would be helpful.

Thank you and sorry this is long, also please remember I'm new to all this! Thank you!

Thinking of owning a horse in the near future?

Riding at BHS Stage 1

Just a quick question regarding what standard your riding should be at to pass the BHS Stage 1 exam:

I would like to book a place on my local course beginning next April with the view to taking my exam as soon after completion of the course as is possible. I am confident in canter and have done some jumping; I am currently learning about strides in relation to jumping. Could anyone who has passed it give me some points on what they look for and what is examined please? I would need to pay now so want to make sure I will be able to ride to the standard that is required by next April.

Thanks :)

Riding at BHS Stage 1

Shaped girths?

Ok recommendations for shaped girths?
Fairfax/prolite are not an option due to size.

Was suggested the Harry dabbs waffle one? Anyone tried it?

Thanks!

Shaped girths?

Archie Arichibald

Does anyone have his contact number? I've used him previously but it was a long time ago and have lost his number and having no luck with google. Would like to arrange an appointment.

If you'd rather you could PM me the number. Thanks very much.

Archie Arichibald

Insurance cover

Hi, I have the option of taking on 15 acres of land and a barn. The barn has 2 openings and would cost a fortune to secure so I would have to find other means of storing equipment such as a lockable metal shed.
Does anyone know how I would go about insuring this setup? Public liability as well as any equipment I keep there.
Thanks in advance.

Insurance cover

Dressage Competition report

I'm still grinning from ear to ear.

As many may be aware we were involved in an accident shortly after our first regionals last summer. When told I needed surgery, I was advised it was likely to be July or even October this year, before I could ride again. Thankfully I didn't have to wait that long as my operation was brought forward and my physiotherapist worked a plan with me to use my riding to increase my knee strength and ability.

So yesterday was only our 4th outing and we went to Bury Farm, hadn't done my sums to realise everyone would be going for their Pre-Petplan warm up, with this in mind we weren't expecting much, we were late to go, so looked at the earlier scores and the judge was marking harsh! Ok I hadn't seen the tests but all scores were in the low 60s.

Warmed my lad up, he has a habit of not striding through underneath, so lots of transactions and I managed to get him going, in for P19 we went. Actually felt good to me. I came out pleased which is a good feeling, out all our correct canter strike offs too! (struggled the week before!) Put him back in the lorry etc and went to see my scores, arrived just in time for the sectaries to be saying my score to go on the board, well I could have fallen over, we got 69.545% and jumped into the lead by almost 3%, until they called the lady before my score out, so got a well deserved 72% - there were still 6 to go, but we kept it! So chuffed. So that's three BDs and three 2nds :) I do love my lad.

We'd decided to give a Novice a go, as he's getting a little bored and cheeky in prelims, so did Novice 38, I was pleased, but could feel the heat was getting to him, he felt tired beneath me, so I didn't over push him, but still managed a respectable 63% which I was chuffed with!

Thanks for reading and pictures are on my FB page, link below :)

Dressage Competition report

Paradise Paddock Track Livery

Hi I am looking for a PP Track livery in the West Midlands area. If anyone knows of somewhere please let me know.
Thanks in advance

Paradise Paddock Track Livery

My new horse keeps putting it's head down

Recently I've bought a new horse. We've had a few lessons and we're all ready falling out. What he does is in canter or trot he puts his head down right between his legs. He doesn't buck usually but it's impossible. I don't really want to use grass Reins or daisy Reins. It might be his bridle it's a grackle and I'm going to go back to basics and get him a flash bridle. He's had me off a few times and now he just knows he can get me off. I'm to weary to do anything else with him, he's already hurt me and truefully I'm getting sick of it. He's 16 and it's not his saddle. Any tips to keep his head up? thanks

My new horse keeps putting it's head down

Asymmetrical Pelvis causing saddle slipping...

I've owned my boy since 2008 and we knew he had an accident as a youngster where he possibly fractured his pelvis, he was left very unlevel behind which lots of physio helped with.

He has physio and saddle checks every 3 months without fail but his saddle always, always slips.

A year ago he had a nasty fall and had an inflamed ligament in his back which was injected, he was xrayed head to toe and found with the start of arthritis in his stifles which was also Injected- sound and given a year off.

Brought back into work and his hip dropping is slightly worse than before, tested again- nothing wrong, sound, happy, working properly from behind, top line looking great so suggested to just get on with it.

Now, I know him well, he is happy ATM but his saddle is slipping worse than ever, I've changed saddlers 4 times.. And bought a brand new Ideal saddle in the meantime.. Still happening.

Vet out- horse is still sound, still tracking up etc.

He said the dropping of his hip is pushing the saddle over which is what I'm feeling, however that's all well and good but how can I solve it?

I have a prof choice girth but it's driving me insane, it can't be good having to keep pulling the saddle back over all the time.

Asymmetrical Pelvis causing saddle slipping...

Prices provided by YO

Hi all.
I have been given a list of prices by the YO of the yard I am moving to in a few weeks. She has also said I can order in if I prefer as there is storage space provided but I have no idea of costs per horse. My horse has never been stabled before and any haylage costs over winter were covered by livery cost, not added on.
She charges £7 per bale of bedding and I wondered how long you would assume a bale to last or how many will I get through a week? (She will be in overnight during winter for probably around 15 hours a night).
Equally, she charges £3 per slice of small bale of haylage. I've only ever used the really large bales for a large turned out herd so how much is that roughly in KG?
I will of course check when I get there but I am trying to do some financial workings out beforehand.
Do your YO's provide these things or do you order in from elsewhere?
Thanks!

Prices provided by YO

Hi :)

From Northamptonshire, quite a new rider :)

Hi :)

Bank Farm Tonbridge

Hi! Anyone on here from bank farm in Tonbridge? I am moving there in Sept and would love to know if there are any other hho'ers there!

Bank Farm Tonbridge

Days off.....

Just wondering how many days off per week (if any) do you give your horses? I am inclined to give Frodo a day off today as he was SO good schooling on Saturday and then at his first competition yesterday, but I know this is being pretty anthropomorphic and he really wouldn't be bothered :)

I tend to school 3/4 times a week (flat work/pole work/jumping) and hack 2/3 times a week with one day off, is that average?

Days off.....

Outdoor arena surface recommendation

I am getting a 20 x 40 outdoor arena put in and am a little stuck on what surface to have. It's only going to be used by me (and my two horses) so it's not going to have particularly heavy usage. It'll be used for general riding (schooling and jumping), lunging and possibly occasional winter turnout unless that'll ruin the expensive arena!

The key things I'd like would be:
- relatively easy to maintain with a quad
- doesn't ride too deep especially in the summer when dry
- good all round surface for dressage and low level jumping
- doesn't freeze in the winter

What would you pick and why? Does anyone have any surface that is fantastic or that they would recommend?

Thank you :)

Outdoor arena surface recommendation

Removing rust from studs...?

...how can this be done please?

Removing rust from studs...?

Speedi beat in place of chaff

Is this ok or would fast fibre better? He is on good grass and adlib soaked hay. He's still not happy eating his hard feed with chaff in.

Speedi beat in place of chaff

HELP!! First time X Country

Hi,

It is mine and my 9 year old forest mare first time at cross country soon (I'm 20)

We have never jumped before in a competition just out and about jumping logs on the forest and jumps in the field.
We are starting with a 1'6 - 1'9 shorter course just to get our confidence up.

Was wondering if anyone has any tips for us? What we can expect? What we can and can't do?

HELP!! First time X Country

Hoof abscess

Hi,

My horse has an abscess which has now been going on for nearly four weeks. I initially called the vet as she was very lame. They came out and diagnosed an abscess and cut a hole in her toe. I poulticed for four days until the pus had stopped coming and then kept a dry dressing and hoof boot on for another three days. She was then sound and the vet thought she should be ok. About a week later she was very lame again so I poulticed again for four more days and got a lot more pus coming out. Again I kept her booted and with a dry dressing until she was sound.

I then noticed her heel looked bruised but she was sound. She is barefoot and I had the trimmer out last Tuesday to check and trim her feet and she said the abscess looks like it might break out at the heel too. I hoped it is was ok as she was sound but her heel burst open on Friday. I checked with the trimmer who said to leave the heel open to drain. She was very lame on Saturday and it looked like the heel was crusting over. I was worried so I called the vet. They said to start poulticing again so I did. She was a bit better yesterday and a lot of pus has come out of her heel/ foot but she is still lame. I called the vet today and they recommend an x-ray if she doesn't improve so I've booked her in for Wednesday. I'm still hoping it might just be a bad abscess and will be ok when it drains.

Sorry this is a bit long but I'm really worried now as people on the yard have started saying her pedal bone could be damaged or her hoof could be going septic. Has anyone else had an abscess which a took a long time to heal? Does anyone have any advice? Thanks

Hoof abscess

Update on youngster

After humming and harring for ever about what to do with my youngster for riding away, I eventually asked my instructor to ride him 4x a week, and I'd have a lesson on the fifth time.

He's had 2 weeks of lessons and he is doing *brilliantly* Definitely one of the best decisions I've made recently! And he is progressing so quickly.

Last week I was on holiday, so I got to watch most of his lessons and take some (pretty bad) photos. (they are so blurry as they are from my phone, and I was at the opposite end of the arena :/ )

From 04 Aug:
Walk:


Trot:




Halt:


Then from 07 Aug:
Trot:



Canter:



Bending/yielding exercises:


I had a short lesson on Saturday, my first lesson since Easter, and only my second sit on since I fell off him. He feels so amazing (and I did nothing but walk about), so light in the mouth and responsive. He is really going to improve my riding!

So far he's done w/t/c, rein back, shoulder fore, leg yielding (along the fence line and on a circle), flexions at halt and walk.

I saw him improve so much in just the last week I can't believe it (and yes, I'm gushing... sorry!) really can't wait to see how he continues to improve over the next few weeks :D

Update on youngster

Homemade fly spray recipes

Share them with me!

Fed up of spending a fortune on fly sprays which don't last very long....Off shopping later so can load up on ingredients!

Any tried and tested formulas would be greatly appreciated :D

Homemade fly spray recipes

Bedding

Hiya
I'm looking for bedding ready for winter and have been looking at bulk buying to try save some money. It has to be absorbent as my mare has liver problems and is very messy, but my to boys are very clean. I've been looking at Liverpool woods pellets has anyone ever used them or recommend and other bedding
Thanks

Bedding

A trip over to the dark side of BD and an update!

So my last update saw an eventing report from LD2 that didnt quite go to plan! In a moment of madness? or weakness? who knows i was bullied to cross the dark side and enter a BD!

The week after LD2 and the run up to our *hopefully* fleeting visit to the dark side didnt exactly go to plan either i somehow managed to come unattached from said horse and land in a heap in the arena..... from this i can conclude 1) horses really do see ghosts and 2) my arena at least has a soft landing.... 17.2 is a bit of a way to fall! Im not entirely sure what happened other than he spooked at nothing! and shot out from underneath me when landing from a fence, thankfully my sister had literally just put the camera down so theres no photographic evidence of my dismount! I remounted and we succesfully negotiated the showjumps as a pair :)

Onto our BD dilemma, I am by no means a dressage rider and i will in fact go as far as to say i *used* to hate it! I just hate it a little less nowadays, it probably has something to do with the fact i find it a little dull (if jumps are in the way then usually something entertaining happens!) anywho my sister is the dressage rider in our family - up to medium on her previous horse so this does come with some perks..... a long arena at home with all the letters in place to practise my failings and a BD book of all the tests to apprently fail to learn correctly! The dilemma of registering and entering for BD began, i believe they are a little behind the times.... well compared to BE anyway. After a lot of confusion and some help from a friend we were finally registered for associate membership (which is free - so god knows why it took the effort it did!) and then came the even bigger dilemma of entering with the venue.... dear god this took some patience!

Same horse and rider into 2 classes, both novice classes.... easy right?? mmmmm apprently not! I filled the forms in correctly so when times came out and i only had a time for the first novice i was a little annoyed, simple human error thou i had just been forgotten, quite a few phone calls later asssured it would all be sorted and to check the revised times later that day. Well i did and low and behold i was riding my boy in the first novice twice and apprently riding someone elses horse in the second novice..... very nice of them to let me but id rather ride my own! Lots more phone calls later and we finally had out times for both novices!

I'll skip the schooling session that didnt end well when my friend who was helping me go through my tests was deposited into a hedge by her steed all because the laminated test sheet made a noise :/ i felt a little bad but it was sort of funny as she managed to pull the bridle clean off in the process!

Onto sat we picked up our lorry buddy (friend who i give lifts too!) and headed over to the dark side! First test (N23) went ok, i say ok as he went lovely a little lack luster in the medium trots (needs more from behind!) but his canter work was nice. Numpty rider however forgot a movement so threw some marks away heyho came out with a score of 62.3% and 3rd.... cant complain with that for our first affiliated result :D

Onto N38 we arent fully established in counter canter yet so what will be will be, well superstar pony did yet again a lovely test all where it should be this time and we scored 65% to come 4th!! :D

Very proud of the bear we arent dressage minded, he would rather jump and quite frankly so would i, i put up with the dressage so we can event! but he had earned himself 5 shiny BD points for his record and although the scores arent world beating i think they are pretty good for a first attempt at BD especially as we havent ridden a novice test since march! Obviously room for improvement.... but thats whats winter is for! :D
A few pics of us in action!









So our trip to the dark side was a successful one and theres even a possibility we may return when the event season is over, there's whisperings of the winter membership but we wont let bear hear those just yet! My friend who shared a lift had a successful day too, it was nice to be out competing in a more chilled environment, but the mayhem of eventing beckons us next as we head to aston le walls on sat for another bash at 90! Not before of course an obligatory day off work tomorrow to hoon around the beach!! :D So exicted to play in the sea with bear!

To end the weekend we went out for a jolly yesterday and stumbled across some stubble fields.... well it would be rude not to have a play and we even managed to sneak in some skinny practise in head of aston on sat! :D


Thanks for reading my ramblings, im tempted to start a blog so i dont always have to bore you lot!! Plus its nice to record how things go i think! A work in progress still thou :D

A trip over to the dark side of BD and an update!

introducing new kitten

A few weeks ago I found myself with a new kitten. The plan was to get him his jaggs etc and then find a good home for him as we already have a yard cat. However, the little tyke is very cute, OH named him and he's a ginger tom which I've always wanted :) so we've decided to see how they get on and to keep him if they're ok.

He's been living in the tack room/hay shed and away from the existing cat as he came with ear mites. We've got on top of those and he's just had his second jag and both cats are now on Advocate so hopefully ear mites will not be a problem. They've had 4 weeks of seeing each other fairly remotely. Big cat (and he is big) has the run of the property and sleeps in the utility room. We'd like to bring kitten into utility room as well (it's heated in the winter)-how best to go about it?

Existing cat was from a rescue, picked up as a stray at a farm and not neutered until he was 4. He's extremely laid back and a complete dude but I know this might not translate to other cats.

introducing new kitten

Struggling to get horse to go forward... any tips please

Hi horsey peeps!

Could anyone give me some advice on finding 'forward' please?

I've been a bit (very) spoilt with my old horse who i knew inside out, and he knew me the same, plus he was a total powerhouse so forward wasn't something we ever had an issue with. A year ago i had to make the extremely hard decision to give him to a very good friend of mine while i was pregnant and we all decided that he should stay there because he has such an amazing life with her.

Anyway, i am now lucky enough to borrow a friend's horse when i can sneak out for some horsey 'me time' and although he is a super horse i really struggle to get him to work forward consistently. His owner mainly hacks him but he used to do a lot of jumping and dressage with her daughter so he is well schooled, just a bit out of practice. When i try to ask him to go forward he tends to become 'pingy', throws his head up or turns his body into me, if that makes sense? We do get some really good work in parts, and i know i'm out of practice, am not able to ride him regularly and can be a bit naggy with my hands but any tips would be much appreciated.

Struggling to get horse to go forward... any tips please

Rice Beaufort Treble Restoration

I've been using this forum a lot, lurking to get answers, during the restoration I have undertaken on an old Rice Beaufort Treble trailer.

We got the trailer cheap, and it was in a bad shape. It is being converted to a catering van.... so the floor had to be ripped up to start with as horse urine and food doesn't go well.

In doing this I have found the chassis to be quite rotten in places, not too worried, a bit of cut and weld that will be all fine. Next thing I thought to strip it all back I'll remove the side panels. Again done without any major issues. Just find it strange how the roof does not fix to the base with more than 1 small bolt on each piece of angle iron.

Now the questions I have, and will continue to add to this list are:

1. Side panels - they have ally rot across the bottom. I don't expect to find any new parts around, but I am considering replacing with galvo roofing panels. They are 1m wide, so would require an overlap, is there any reason NOT to do this? Seems like a 0.7mm sheet would do the job nicely.

2. From the serial number, can anyone find the age / spec of the trailer?

3. The front coupling is a screw fit, I have spoken with Warwickshire Trailers who say they can sell a sleeve to convert to a ball connection. Has anyone done this, and can they provide pictures of it?

4. The axles / brakes look worse for wear, they're Avonride axles so I hope parts are still available. Where is best to buy?

5. I was hoping to replace the floor with 2 sheets of marine ply, I presume this would work as there is no need to worry about unstable horses, or is it better to have a floorboard style base layer, then ply on top?

Rice Beaufort Treble Restoration

old knee injury

hey everyone,

has anybody else had a knee injury from riding? 6 years ago, i fell off my horse and twisted my leg backwards, damaging the ligaments/tendons. [hamstring injury]. the hospital said that the injury wasn't debilitating but it was. about 2/3 years later, i fell off another horse (well, it was a hasty dismount as the horse got down to roll with me, and i wasn't quick enough... again twisting my knee.) again, the hospital didn't think there was a big issue and simply gave me co-codamol and told me not to ride horses as this was the problem!

i've found that horse riding and bike riding help me with my knee, but its simple movements that cause the most pain... turning around on the spot, pausing too long while waiting to cross a road, getting out of bed awkwardly. for the past 2 years or so, if my leg seized up it was simply a case of popping it back into place.

however, yesterday i was leaving the yard, and my mum called me to come back as we had forgotten something. as i turned around on the spot my kneecap snapped out of place. since then, i've been in a lot of pain and just taking co-codamol. everytime i get in contact with the doctors about it, they say that the injury isn't bad and simply recommend physio. they refuse to investigate it further.

any advice, or similar stories?

old knee injury

Horse/Pony to Share in Guildford, Surrey

Hello,
I am looking to start sharing a horse/pony in Guildford,Surrey. I have recently moved up from Eversley to Guildford and looking to start having a 'horsey' life down here too. I am a competent, quiet rider (walk, trot, canter, jump). I have been riding at a riding centre in Eversley for around 10 years, I am about to do my Stage 1 so looking to get more time in the saddle for that, but also just for my own enjoyment!

My last share pony was fantastic, had loads of fun but unfortunately ended due to uni commitments. I am now in full time work in Guildford so I am at a stage were I can commit some time every week to a lovely horse/pony.

Ideally I would like a schoolmaster who I can have a bit of fun on, but of jumping and dressage, and maybe a few competitions.

Please PM me if you have any questions :)

Horse/Pony to Share in Guildford, Surrey

Are these ok?

To wear for showing both a white legged and black legged ponies?

Are these ok?

Up with the Lark

Considering breeding from my mare and so far very taken with Up With The Lark. Does anyone have experience of his progeny? I'm an amateur eventer and would be breeding to keep, so looking for something as easy to produce as possible, although will get help as required. My mare is 15.2 Welsh x TB, absolute amateur's dream, very confident and easy, double clear after double clear at grassroots, incredibly sound and well put together (bred to show). If I pick her apart, she's a tiny bit long and her canter is her weakness. I would like to breed something a little scopier with a little more quality and 2 inches taller!

Up with the Lark

Bitting advice

Hi all

I normally ride my horse in a slim, sweet iron snaffle with a copper lozenge for most activities including hacking, showjumping, schooling and dressage. I also have a running martingale for everything but dressage and schooling, although quite frankly this is mostly for my peace of mind (I use the neckstrap part for a bit of extra security when out and about). We switched him from a very chunky stainless steel three ring dutch gag that he came in and he's been working really well since then.

I'm looking at going on a hunt ride in a couple of week's time. I've been told that our local hunt rides are very polite and although there will be cantering, there won't be any jumping. However, knowing him I know he will find it exceedingly exciting and when he is 'up for it', it can be harder to stop him or get him to listen to me.

I've been thinking about introducing a new bit to give me a bit more control for exciting outings. I'm loathe to go back to the gag as the one time I did that (first XC training together), he was very put out and kept trying to come behind the bit or lower his head (unusual for him). I've been thinking about a kimblewick or a Pelham.

As I understand it, a kimblewick would enable me to use a single set of reins, but I won't be able to avoid the poll pressure. If I were to use a Pelham, I would probably try to use two sets of reins, leaving the curb rein knotted on his neck as a bit of an 'emergency brake'. Does that sound sensible? I'm also a bit confused by all the different mouthpieces. There is a Pelham with the same sweet iron/copper lozenge combination as his current snaffle. Would it make sense to use that on the grounds that if I didn't need to use the curb rein, it would be very similar to his current setup? Finally, presumably with two sets of reins I wouldn't be using the running martingale (too many straps?!) so would a breastplate be a good idea? (Bit more 'fixed' than a neckstrap!)

Apologies for the long post, I'm new to all this and would appreciate some H&H wisdom!

Bitting advice

Struggling to get horse to go forward... any tips please

Hi horsey peeps!

Could anyone give me some advice on finding 'forward' please?

I've been a bit (very) spoilt with my old horse who i knew inside out, and he knew me the same, plus he was a total powerhouse so forward wasn't something we ever had an issue with. A year ago i had to make the extremely hard decision to give him to a very good friend of mine while i was pregnant and we all decided that he should stay there because he has such an amazing life with her.

Anyway, i am now lucky enough to borrow a friend's horse when i can sneak out for some horsey 'me time' and although he is a super horse i really struggle to get him to work forward consistently. His owner mainly hacks him but he used to do a lot of jumping and dressage with her daughter so he is well schooled, just a bit out of practice. When i try to ask him to go forward he tends to become 'pingy', throws his head up or turns his body into me, if that makes sense? We do get some really good work in parts, and i know i'm out of practice, am not able to ride him regularly and can be a bit naggy with my hands but any tips would be much appreciated.

Struggling to get horse to go forward... any tips please

Tredstep Donatello dress boot.. ok for jumping?

I'm after a new pair of long boots, something that I can use for dressage and jumping.. bit of an all round boot really. (I have my Konigs for pure dressage). I was looking at the Tredstep Donatello dress boot but am wondering if it drops enough for jumping? They also do the Donatello field boot and the Da Vinci, but I'm confused about the differences. Can anyone recommend which of the Tredstep would be a good all round boots.

TIA.

Tredstep Donatello dress boot.. ok for jumping?

Box rest

Hi all,
My horse came home from RVC last week & we have 8 weeks box rest in front of us 😕 I've had horses all my life and never been through box rest.
OMG I'm finding it so very hard as I hate horses to be in, my horse normally lives out in the summer.
Even when we go back end of September we only have a 50% chance of the treatment working, which means we could be looking at operation & more box rest.
The only good thing is my boy doesn't really care about being in 24/7 ( it's me that does)
Pointless point really.

Box rest

What thickness rubber matting for van ramp?

I was looking at 10mm for the floor of the van but wasn't sure about the ramp, what thickness have you used for your ramps and where did you source it?

What thickness rubber matting for van ramp?

Anyone else a bit obsessed with lessons?

I sometimes wonder if I spend too much on lessons. I just love them! I always feel that my horse and I learn something and have something to work on for next time. (Plus, I definitely work better and harder with someone shouting instructions at me!)

I'm lucky enough to be able to take my horse along to join in with a group lesson every week and then tend to have a private lesson once a week too.

I justify this with the fact that I don't have livery to pay as I have my horses at home.

How often do others have lessons?

Anyone else a bit obsessed with lessons?

What to wear?

Recently I qualified for the pony club novice eventing championships and I know this sounds silly but I have no idea weather to wear a pony clubstock or pony club tie. Any guidance would be much appreciated!

What to wear?

horse manure

I live in Malvern and would be very interested in well rotted horse manure for my garden and allotment. We could collect - we have bags - but also would pay for delivery because we want large quantities. We don't really want it mixed with woodchip unless so well rotted you can't tell.
Does anyone know anyone we should contact please?

horse manure

Tell Me about horseboxes 3.5t vs 7.5t

I am looking into replacing the current trailer & 4x4 with a horse box, i passed after 1997, 2010 to be exact and therefore would have to do a test for over 3.5t, how much would i be looking at approx for this. Any other bits and bobs that i should know? What boxes are best apart from the obvious on a budget, second hand and new etc? Would be to carry for the moment a 17hh & a 13.2hh.

Thank you in advance.

Tell Me about horseboxes 3.5t vs 7.5t

Advice for first show???

I have never done a show before as my yard doesn't really do any and i dont have my own horse. I am doing my first show in afew days and im not nervous but just wondering if you have any tips. Btw i am doing two inhand classes and one ridden. Its just people from my yard so not scary but most have already competed before. Im not a bad loser and am taking it as a bit of fun but its always a bonus if i do well. Thanks in advance :)

Advice for first show???

Missing Horses On Loan

Hi all, does anyone know if Missing Horses on Loan is still going? or if there is anything similar?

The facebook page I have has been inactive for a year or so...

Thanks :)

Missing Horses On Loan

Tips for first show??

I have never done a show before as my yard doesn't really do any and i dont have my own horse. I am doing my first show in afew days and im not nervous but just wondering if you have any tips. Btw i am doing two inhand classes and one ridden. Its just people from my yard so not scary but most have already competed before. Im not a bad loser and am taking it as a bit of fun but its always a bonus if i do well. Thanks in advance :)

Tips for first show??

Crick lands this week... Who is ready

Who is ready !!😀 lorry all packed horse all clipped and trimmed up has anyone got there wristbands ect

Crick lands this week... Who is ready

An attempt at affiliated - A DP update!

In the spirit of warts-and-all I really should have posted about our BE debut last weekend, but having updated my blog (my grandfather reads it and knew I was going out so would have worried had I not done that, bless him!) I couldn't quite face posting our failure on here too ;)

Let's just say DP was a Horror. A glue-factory worthy Horror. Having been in a very nice position after a 31.0 dressage she then did this...repeatedly.



Needless to say we were eliminated in our first BE by fence 3 of the show jumping *sigh* (Disclaimer: she has had every sort of pysio/saddler/vet/dentist etc and both my instructor, the BE(80)T instructor and numerous onlookers said exactly the same thing. She just didn't want to play on the day) I left Little Downham in somewhat of a funk and have to say a massive thank you to S for sorting out the horse and putting up with my sulking all the way back to the yard ;)

Luckily I am a 'get-back-on-the-horse' kinda gal and decided a jumping lesson the next day was the way forward. Before we started I had a very frank conversation with my instructor as to whether or not I was wasting my time trying to persuade my dressage-bred dumblood that eventing was fun. Thankfully he agreed with me that we still had options and that I didn't need to start buying matchy-matchy and bling just yet ;) An hour and a few destroyed jumps later DP had earned herself a reprieve from Pedigree and a Plan had been established. A few weeks of fun on The Dark Side plus some more SJ lessons and XC schooling and then another punt at BE at the end of the month. (It's probably horrific plan but you don't know until you try! :D )

Fast forward to this weekend and DP and I lost out virginity to The Dark Side in an attempt to complete P19 and N23. I say attempt as, for those of you without an encyclopedic knowledge of BD test, both of those are long arena test. That means four letters in addition to the eight I already struggle to remember. Good plan, Stan! :D

D warmed up nicely for P19 but the monsters lurking behind the white boards at F and the navigators joy ride a C led to a fairly underwhelming test. Luckily, because it's BD not BE, we got a second chance! A quick snack break of chocolate biscuits (Pringles and samosas are for ODEs only ;) ) and it was time to try again, this time with N23. I would say that I learn from my mistakes but changes of rein across the diagonal all look the same on paper ;) Luckily the judge penalised me in my movement score rather than as an error of course and D performed admirably despite her incompetent navigator. I came out of the arena finally feeling like D was back on side and that we had completed the test as a team, pats and polos all round :D









Scores came out and we had gained a very respectable 65% for P19 and 63% for N23. More pats and polos! Video of N23 can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGcHVsJsgT0

Hopefully we'll be attempting some more stressage before we return to eventing, but if not we have lots of other fun things planned to keep us amused.

Hope you all had a good weekend, over and out!
V and DP x

An attempt at affiliated - A DP update!

Jacket recommendations

Any recommendations for a nice navy jacket for dressage, we are tweed people so not sure where to look for a navy jacket. Wanting something flattering for a curvy size 12, maybe something quite structured!

Jacket recommendations

Back protector rubbing saddle

I went to get a new back protector last week.I choose a racesafe and the sales assistant checked the fit. Went to camp this weekend and wore it in 3 lessons. My saddle now has a mark where the backprotector has caught it.
Does this mean it's too long? Where do I stand for taking it back? It's lovely and comfortable but I don't want my saddle getting wrecked.

Back protector rubbing saddle

Jester update and new horse query..

So we have received a deposit for Jester and he is being collected tomorrow. I guess I'm both happy and sad at the same time but the lady having him seems lively and will stay in touch.
So I'm out of plaster and am having lessons etc and we have decided my confidence issues are mainly related to Jester rather than all horses but also that I feel safer and more balanced on chunkier horses.
So with my instructors blessing lol I'm going to view a 15.3hh Ardennes gelding on Thursday. He hasn't done much schooling but has hacked out alone and in company and is safe as houses. He is a sensible price and comes with all tack. We think he fits the bill in all ways except that he is still young which my instructor doesn't feel is a big issue.
So my question is would it be realistic to do some jumping with him in the future?? I'm not expecting to jump huge but would like to have a play at some 2ft 6 courses maybe? And some smaller cross country? Are there any showing classes for European heavy breeds as I'd love to give it a go??

Jester update and new horse query..

What to take trekking/long hacking hol?

So a friend and I are going on a weekend hacking hol. Bed and brek, packed lunch and a Map with instructions. Another friend is lending saddle bags (or panniers as I keep calling them)

Question is what to take on 16 mile rides in unknown area;
Phone
Pen knife
Hoof pick
Lunch
Water
Map
1st aid
......
Anything else? :)

What to take trekking/long hacking hol?

Close Contact Fur Numnahs??

In need of a close contact/forward cut numnah (saddle shaped) for my Devacoux saddle. I have been looking everywhere but can't seem to find a brown, fur rimmed one for hunting apart from the Le Mieux which is £80 - much too expensive! Does anyone know any good brands, shops etc where I could find one?

Close Contact Fur Numnahs??

Recommendations please: denim breeches

Hello!

I am on a hunt for full seat denim breeches which won't break the bank, and which would suit someone with narrow hips and a comparatively not-so-narrow waist :D Six months on, my baby belly is still hanging around like a bad smell....

Any recommendations gratefully received!

Thanks in advance :)

Recommendations please: denim breeches

Engine oil for a Laylend DAF 45.130

As title really, google seems to be throwing up 15W40 but this is different to what the previous owners were using, however they didn't seem 100% and there's no vehicle handbook to check in!
TIA
V

Engine oil for a Laylend DAF 45.130

COPD/RAO and change of hay?

New hay is lovely, not dusty in any way.

Ally was diagnosed with RAO last winter, her first winter with us. A course of Ventipulmin and soaked hay at night sorted it out, and since then she has been on a scoop of Winergy Ventilate a day, and happily eating unsoaked hay.

We had a new lot of hay in from our usual supplier, and today she is breathing very heavily. Obviously hay will now be soaked again, and I have doubled the Ventilate.

However, I can't work out why this hay has set her off. Is it possible she is allergic to something in the hay, or something used in it's making?

I will be ringing the vet first thing tomorrow, but thought I'd ask if anyone here has any experience/ideas?

COPD/RAO and change of hay?

Shocked at treatment of pony at local show today...

Saw the most awful thing today at a local show, lovely show and committee- shame about this certain family who attend :( There was a young-ish girl on a pony, honest type that jumps round clear and seems to always do well- but has been getting more and more nervous and sharp every time I've seen it (won't take a genius to work out why!)

I was standing with my friend on our horses, when we heard this shouting and saw the pony reluctant to go from it's friend, it wasn't being naughty, just moving away slowly and trying to get back- as a lot of horses do ! my youngster did it earlier , reassured him and he walked on fine. So their response was "hit it over the head with the whip" Which she already had done, so pony went backwards and got really upset... she then kept yanking it and pulling back while whipping, then the pony reared up and flipped over- girl came off and stormed off to the car.

Delightful father of the child then grabbed the pony and really lamped it in the nose, full force punch, and he was a strong built bloke.

We told the committee and they had words, said it wasn't the first time either . Clearly had little effect as my friend overheard the bloke say "we'll take it back to our yard and teach it a lesson" (pony is apparently stabled at a different yard to their own)

sigh :( just a bit upset about the whole thing ! worst bit is, they are also dealers..

Shocked at treatment of pony at local show today...

Dealing with a horse that plants and won't go forward

So my lovely new mare really is lovely, but I did uncover a bit of history about her from the owner before her last one (which I really wish I had never found out quite frankly!) and saw some of the mentioned behaviour for the first time a bit today/yesterday.

The lady I bought her off had her six months and is a professional rider. It probably all sounds a little sinister but the girl she bought her off (who had her for 6 years from the age of one) had quite a few issues behaviourly which included rearing occasionally when she really didn't want to do something (usually spooking one end of the school or something similar and silly) and generally planting herself when she felt the need. I do not believe she has displayed this behaviour in last home, but like I say, they were professionals. I have been told she was fine with them so wouldn't surprise me if she was testing them. I completely trust the people I bought her from. I am no professional rider, but I like this mare and am determined to learn to ride her. To be fair to her she hasn't been an ounce out of line in the last two weeks until yesterday.

I took her for an hours hack and then asked her to walk down to the school. She planted. When I asked her to move forward she hopped slightly in the air. Now knowing what I know, I bottled it a bit and didn't want to push the issue an escalate it. To be fair, I wish I'd never asked her to go down to the school as it was poor judgment on my part given it was hot, she was bothered with flies and she had been foot perfect on our first proper hack alone- should have left it at that. So I got off, she still planted. Literally would not move forward where I wanted her to go- only back to her stable. Got a lunge line and every time she stepped back I put her on a small circle in trot. Didn't work. Eventually managed to get her to move by moving her from side to side, walked down to the school- hopped on for a few minutes and went back. All fine.

Today on a fun ride, first outing she was surprisingly excellent. She exceeded all expectations, not getting fizzy in the slightest even when 15 horses galloped straight past her with kids screaming and shouting on board. Rather impressive for a spooky/sharp mare and I was really chuffed with how genuine she was about it all.

However she did stop and plant a few times, once at something she was spooking at (we got a lead from our friend and her horse) and another time when I asked her to leave the horse she was with whilst they took the route for the line of jumps. This mare quite literally goes dead to the leg and whip when this happens. I didn't push it on this occasion but just followed our friend instead. However I'm obviously aware that this behaviour needs dealing with. My intention for the end of today was just to survive and have a nice time to be honest!

Her owner before last says there is zero point smacking her, kicking her etc she is completely dead to it and it will cause her to go up.

So what to do with this behaviour if I can't send her forward, bearing in mind I am reluctant to risk her going up because quite frankly it'll scare the living day lights out of me.

I'm making her sound like a horror- she's really not- I could not have been more pleased with how she reacted to all the tests in the book today with horses galloping off in front/along side etc and she kept herself together at all times. I am really chuffed with her in general. If I hadn't know that she has gone up in the past Id probably be feeling a lot more confident about the situation- but hey ho I know what I know!

Any thoughts? We have a lesson on weds so will obviously be discussing with my instructor but I'm sure some of you have dealt with similar before and may have some good ideas.

Dealing with a horse that plants and won't go forward

Livery yards north bristol

Have posted in the SW board but not sure how many people go in there, so thought I'd try all of you in here.

Am looking for a livery yard in North bristol (i.e. Winterbourne to Chipping Sodbury area), good hacking and a school, and part/assisted DIY.

Am keeping an eye out on the Facebook groups but don't want to post anything on there as my current YO will see and will make life very difficult!

New(ish) to bristol and don't have any horsey friends so can't use word of mouth etc to find yards anymore - hoping someone on here may have some pointers.

Livery yards north bristol

feeding cut grass

Hi. My horse is stables at the moment because the field has become too mucky and wet. I'm wondering if it would be safe to cut some grass (maybe a lunchbox full) with scissors and feed it to her as a treat?

feeding cut grass

2 Year Old Gets Bored

My 2 year old does this weird thing with her mouth. I thought at first maybe something was uncomfortable in her jaw or with her teeth. I've had her teeth taken care of but nothing bad enough to really cause discomfort. I'm going to have the chiro check her over since she had a habit of rearing instead of giving to pressure.
Anyhow, I've paid more attention to what she's doing. She's not so much trying to "pop" her jaw but playing with her tongue. Rolling it around in her mouth and trying to swallow it. I don't care if she does it on her own time or if we're having a training break but it's kinda embarrassing in a halter class when she stretches her head straight out and starts working her jaw and trying to swallow her tongue.
I'm sure once I bit her up, she would probably enjoy a bit with copper rollers but we're working strictly in a halter right now.
I've been around horses before that suck their tongue but this is a new one for me. I could just work her continuously during our sessions but I like to give her breaks to let her think and to not get burnt out. But if she's bored, she's probably not thinking either.

2 Year Old Gets Bored

Eventing Gatcombe CIC 3* withdrawals

I was looking at the results list and saw a lot of very good horses in competitive positions being withdrawn before the XC today, do we know why?

Eventing Gatcombe CIC 3* withdrawals

My ex-racing pony goes to do dressage......

I went to do an unaffiliated Intro A walk and trot test today on Frodo, who has spent 2 years as a racing pony and who I have owned since the beginning of May. Since then he has had 4 weeks off with a swollen knee (wrenched it in the field) so our progress has been curtailed slightly!

As with most ex-racers, speed is Frodo's favourite thing - he jumps beautifully but at 100 miles an hour, he found a hack in the woods with 2 friends THE most exciting thing ever and trotted/cantered sideways (literally sideways) for almost the whole hour we were out.... you get the idea :) Today's aim was to actually get him into the indoor arena, if we managed any attempt at a test that would be a bonus :D

Well he was a complete and total superstar, I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of my little horse :) He loaded immediately, traveled politely and well, and was patient when I tacked up. Our 'warm up' was walking for 40 mins around the overflow car park (a grass field) so he didn't upset any other horses, then we went straight into the indoor arena to do our test. He walked straight in without batting an eyelid, ignored the music playing, was absolutely fine with the white boards and the flowers at each marker, and was just brilliant. I will admit that we didn't show (if any!) much walk :p he found it all very exciting, but he was lovely in trot and although tense he didn't rush as much as I'd expected and was quite controllable. We were emphatically last (54.13%.....) but he got 6s for his trot which I was very happy with for his first test, and I am delighted with him :) :)

A massive thanks to Wkiwi for all her advice, you have been so patient answering all my questions, thank you :)

A little pic of my gorgeous boy, who patiently waited for 2 hours tied to the lorry whilst his stable companion competed

My ex-racing pony goes to do dressage......

advice

Hiya everyone :)
sorry for the long post but I'm looking for some advice as i'm seriously stuck with what to do, my daughters pony is out on loan and I thought he was doing ok and happy I visit him regularly and keep in touch but lately they've been forgetting to reply to my messages or they dodge around my questions about how's the little girl getting on riding and things. We went to visit them as I was concerned with how they were acting and I hadn't managed to get over since feb. I was shocked when I saw him he was so fat he had a big crest, fat pads on his shoulders, bum and back legs and a gully down his spine. They don't seem to be taking his weight seriously and with him being a native I'm surprised he hasn't got laminitis. The girl that rides him hasn't been riding him for more then about 5 mins in walk a week and after watching them lunge him he struggled to trot and he just didn't have the same sparkle that he use to and it really upset me. I know the little girl really loves him and I don't want to upset anyone but i'm seriously concerned for my pony's health, now do I bring the pony home so I can get the weight off myself and get him fit then considered getting a sharer for him from home or do I write them a letter saying if he doesn't lose a certain amount of weight that i'll ended the contract. I really don't know what to do but I can't stop thinking about how lifeless my pony looked he use to have such a sparkle to him.

advice

Fly rug protection levels

*EDITED* - Got my answer now! Thanks :)

Fly rug protection levels

Regaining confidence

Sorry in advance if this has been done to death but here goes...

I recently returned to riding and have spent the last few years on preloved trying to find a horse to ride. Earlier this year I was broncoed off a horse seconds after getting on and this has really damaged my confidence. The horse continued bucking and broncing up and down the school.

I now have weekly lessons with a great instructor (who was there at the fall) but my problem is any time I ride a new horse intense up massively, forget everything I've learnt and panic.

How can I get over this and regain long term confidence on different horses? Is it achievable? I've tried preloved again but am reluctant to just get on and have a go like I did before and I can't really afford another lesson. Any ideas would be great.

Regaining confidence

Tell me about your experience with gastric ulcers?

can you tell me what your horse behaviour changes were when they developed gastric ulcers? how you identified them etc?

After numerous issues with my boy, someone has questioned whether it might be ulcers that are upsetting him!

I'd kind of ruled it out because he's out 24/7, with plenty of grazing and doesn't struggle with his weight!

but a friend said that her horse never struggled weight wise either!

Hes not been on any hard feed since the winter and has recently become unhappy with having his girth done up, so I have a new saddle fitter coming on Thursday! he also getting very annoyed when I put my leg on and push him forward! it started with canter and is now with trot too!

I've not ridden since Monday as I thought it was a saddle issue! just been walking in hand or a bit on the lunge. yesterday we had ear pinning every time he started to trot! today I gave him some fast fibre before hand and he was like a different horse, no ear pinning at all!

Tell me about your experience with gastric ulcers?

Show me your Irish Draughts please...

Please include breeding...

Show me your Irish Draughts please...

Hi Viz shopping finds :)

Im always on the look out for hi viz gear as have to hack on roads where I am, and found this at badminton this year - lovely and bright in schooling whip length for a change!




Anyone else found anything good this summer?

Hi Viz shopping finds :)

transporting saddles

Due to a change in circumstances I now have my horse grazing only until he comes home in the winter.

The draw back to this is having no tack room so I need to take my saddle, bridle hat etc back and forth all the time

Can anyone recommend a product like the Stubbs saddlemate to keep stuff safe and all together in the boot -

TIA

transporting saddles

Pony Europeans

Congratulations to everyone involved in the GB teams at Malmo, Sweden.GB has scured Team Gold in dressage, eventing and showjumping with an individual gold for Phoebe Peters in the dressage. Freestyle dressage comp is still going. Isn't is fab to see our youngest team riders doing so well? We have some very talented pony riders!

Pony Europeans

Showjumping Living the dream with a super cob

Had an amazing week with Daisy my little cob. On Wednesday we had our regular lesson with David Harland who has worked wonders on my riding in the last 2.5 years. I bought Daisy last December after the love of my life dream horse died within 24 hours from EGS. Daisy was bought unseen and shrunk a hand on the boat over from Ireland.

David pointed out she has a fat body and short legs on Wednesday. I think she took exception to this as she's been super amazing since that lesson:

http://youtu.be/fGN8_-tsP_g

David jumped her as well for the first time as he felt I have a double phobia. Once he jumped her he said it's her who has the phobia but I'm not helping things. The main thing I had to do was hold my reins the wrong way round to stop me (panic induced!) interfering. This seemed to work really well.

Thursday night we went to a little SJ show and were 2nd in the 70 and won the 80. First win.

http://www.strathmorephotography.com...6d79#h524a747f

http://www.strathmorephotography.com...6d79#h524a73d0

http://www.strathmorephotography.com...6d79#h524a77b8

Friday we went to a clear round warm up for BS club show, over a BS track and were 2nd in a class of big proper horses over the 80. We got there late after some non horsey problems and I had been aiming at the 70 and 80. So I walked the 90 and thought eep no I'm not jumping that.



Saturday we went to the BS club show. I didn't know this but as she is a pony, at a club show she jumps with the ponies even though I'm not a junior. It wasn't busy so I did the 70 and we were 2nd, did the 80 and I hadn't learned the course well enough (changed every time which is a bit much for my brain!) and stuffed up and we were 3rd.





She felt amazing and she really loves jumping so again I walked the 90 and this time decided to go for it.





And we won! I've never jumped a track that big even in lessons so was so chuffed with her.

http://youtu.be/0xKmmQWqTKM

Super groom who can walk her off, do up / take off rugs, poo pick the school, adjust jumps, fetch water and did all the videoing at comps for me age 6!



Fairly unimpressed with her haul yesterday:



Daisy has a glycogen storage disorder (PSSM) which at best causes muscle cramps, at worst tying up/death (!). Jumping seems to help her get rid of the glycogen and feel better. In case anyone is wondering about me jumping her 4 days in a row, she's not a normal horse and I try to do the stuff she likes and keeps her well. She needs exercised hard every day to achieve this.

Showjumping Living the dream with a super cob

How much weight can my pony carry?

He's a 14.1hh Cob and is around 20 years old. Just want to know what would be a suitable weight for him to carry at his age now.

How much weight can my pony carry?

Stolen- Ifor Williams trailer bristol

###### STOLEN ########

Blue HB 511 Ifor Williams trailer from lower knole farm, lower almonds bury between 10pm and 9am on the evening of 8th August. Please keep an eye out and share. Thanks x

Stolen- Ifor Williams trailer bristol

GWF Nutrition Joint Aid

Does anyone feed it?

GWF Nutrition Joint Aid

Young horse championships live online

I should have posted earlier in the week, but if anyone wants to watch whats left today its live on clip my horse for dressage and jumping http://ift.tt/1TgMq4a

Young horse championships live online

Course enrolment

Today, I have just enroled on a Journalism course.

I was very anxious about it, but I have been feeling worthless and the previous courses i've done, haven't been as exciting as this Journalist course.

It is all online, as a distance learner course and by Christmas, I'll hopefully have a Diploma. The College help Students to find work or placement too.

Exciting times ahead.:D

Course enrolment

Constant need to burp....

Anyone else's indigestion mostly present like this?

You feel like there's a pressing on your chest most of the time...
You're uncomfortable off and on all day....
Sometimes it burns....
Sometimes you swear you're going to vomit, but never do...
You drink ginger ale like it's going out of style to keep forcing yourself to burp...
Just when you think you are clearly about to have a heart attack, you belch and then sweet relief comes, sometimes for an hour, sometimes for a minute, but if it weren't for that brief moment of feeling great, you'd probably go completely insane?

Yes, sometimes my stomach hurts, or I get a little constipated, but 98% of my issues are concentrated around my chest and a constant need to burp.

Anyone else?

Constant need to burp....

Struggling to concentrate

I didn't really know where to put this, but especially lately I have noticed that I really struggle to concentrate.

Likewise reading in my head is so difficult, like the words aren't going in - if that makes sense?

I think I've noticed it more, because I'm learning some programming. So I really need to read and concentrate, but none of it is going in. Likewise I am reading a book, but reading, over and over the lines to actually GET what is going on =/

Feel like I'm going bloody insane

Struggling to concentrate

Feel like I'm going crazy

New to this but really need some help :( I am 21 and just recently moved house a few months ago this was when my panic attacks started again. I have been on 30mg citalopram for a few years now but the doctor upped them to 40mg after I moved house etc. It was horrible I was just so angry and mad all the time still feeling really depressed and anxious and felt like I wasn't really here. So he dropped them back down to 30mg a month ago and I literally feel like I need to be signed into a mental hospital I feel so depressed I'm crying all the time I am so anxious. But the worse part is the feeling that I'm not really here it feels like I have a million people in my head looking and trying to focus on everything that's going on. I'm just on the outside looking in. I am so afraid that I am going insane and that I'm going to be sent to a mental hospital or something. I just feel like I'm never going to be 'normal' again.

Feel like I'm going crazy

feeling flat and left out

Hi guys..i had a good few weeks a little while ago.but last few days im feeling dull again.esp as my daughter who lives with her mum,seems to be doing stuff every day....days out etc sleepovers...today my daughter is going to the sea side and my parents are going on holiday for a week with my sister and her husband..the sun is out and is warm today,but cant be bothered to go out on my own as there is not realy anything for me to do.just feel fedup and left out and depressed..

feeling flat and left out

Burnt food

Last week I had a toasted teacake in a coffee shop. When it came It was burned but because I felt pressure not to waste it I ate one half of it. Could this be bad for me?

Also, is eating burned food bad for you in general? and how much would you have to eat for it to effect you?

Burnt food

Introduction 😃

Hi everyone,

I found this forum by (happy) accident. I suffer from GAD but most prominently health anxiety. I am not on Amy medication anymore but recently due to stress I have become anxious about my health again and convinced every little thing is life threatening. I'm also anxious that even being in a place that can help I will end up taking on other people's anxieties an worry about things I have never thought of before! Lol

Nice to meet you.

Misfit

Introduction 😃

breathing, chest pressure

Hi All,
just wondering if any of you have ever woken up with a pressure on your chest. The best way I can describe it is that i have woken up as if i have forgotten to breathe, so with a start. Once I am awake, it feels like there is a pressure on my chest, I get palpitations and then I have to settle myself and control my breathing. I was recently told I have high cholesterol and need to lose weight and do exercise to bring it down so my irrational mind kicks in and tells me that one of my arteries is blocked and I am going to have a heart attack etc etc. In my calmer moments, I think that it is a night time panic attack but then to try and relax before going to sleep is difficult as I am afraid in case it happens again - a vicious circle.

Has this happened to anyone before? Thanks

breathing, chest pressure

hangover from hell and anxiety

I went out last night. and when I got back just after 1am. I was ill. being sick,shaking,crying,dizzy. ect..... I didn,t go to bed till 4am. I had me a bit of dry bread to see if it would help. not realy it didn,t. woke up getting on for 9am. and got bad hangover and I got my anxietys because im scared if I collapse or something. I had me a coffee and dry bread when I got up. and now drinking pop more water than pop. my heads bad,swaying,queesy ect... anybody know what may help

hangover from hell and anxiety

Mole mega paranoid!! Please respond

I have a mole that's very raised but it was checked out by a dermatologist a year ago. It's just in front of my arm pit . My paranoia is that it looks darker than I remember . It's not red or sore and hasn't changed in size . But is darkening a really bad sign ? Please respond

Mole mega paranoid!! Please respond

CSP/trichotillomania

Hi all

Just wanted to know if there is anyone here who picks their skin/pulls hair out? This is a fairly 'new' thing for me, but I feel really isolated as I am so ashamed of it! Especially the hair thing. I am going to the hairdressers next week and I am dreading it!

I have steroid ointment for my scalp to help with the inflammation and encourage new hair growth, the thing is though is grows back so thick and wiry and sticks up like a tuft lol!

I pick constantly at my right arm. I will scratch away at tiny bumps until they are open sores. It looks horrible and I am going to end up with scars. My fingers are a mess too. I have picked at the cuticles on my fingers (and TOES!!!) so much I have had about 7 or 8 infections this year.

I am getting married next year and I desperately want to overcome this habit.

Does anyone have any good tips/strategies to deal with this?

xxx

CSP/trichotillomania

Recovery: My Health Anxiety Journey

Hi all

I have been posting here on and off since December last year. My health anxiety has been very up and down. I felt a lot better around May time and decided to taper off my 100mg Sertraline. Big mistake. Had a relapse in June/July and back on it now and up to 150mg :doh:

Anyway, I thought it might be useful for other No More Panic members to know about the GOOD things that have happened to me during my long and on-going journey to recover from health anxiety:

My doctor was great and referred me for cognitive behaviour therapy. I have had 12 sessions so far, and I am due to start high intensity CBT soon. It has been a HUGE turning point for me, especially learning how to 'rationalise' my thoughts/fears.

Sertraline has helped me a lot. I didn't like the idea of being on it at first (because I was on Fluoxetine from age 15 - 25) and I didn't want to take antidepressants again as I had been off them for such a long time (I am 31 now). I am so glad I listened to the doctor though, because the Sertraline has honestly helped me get my life back on track and I finally feel I can function normally now.

I can now attend doctors appointments on my own (I used to have to have someone with me) and I don't have panic attacks before (although I do tap/shake!)

Humour has helped. Something my CBT therapist told me once is that if you laugh about something it sort of makes it 'smaller'. Although at the time I have a 'freak out' over a mole/lump - I don't feel like laughing!

I have found exercise has helped me a great deal. When my HA was at its worse, I was afraid to exercise because I thought I would die or sustain a terrible injury! I genuinely believed I was 'too ill' to exercise. I was so wrong. Feeling my body get stronger has boosted my confidence so much. I tell myself how could I possibly be ill if my body is able to run/swim so far? It really helps with all the adrenaline/worry too - nothing feels better than feeling all relaxed after a big swim!

I hope this helps people. Last year I was at rock bottom, and I seriously didn't think I was ever going to get through it. I still believe, deep down, that I have some sort of horrible disease like cancer that will kill me - but the fear is getting smaller and smaller. I feel like I can get on with my life now, but I do still have freak outs - they just aren't as bad as they used to be.

I am hoping once I have had the high intensity CBT I will be well on my way to getting over all this. I am going to keep taking my medication, talking to people and exercising! We can all get through this. It is fear, and fear can be overcome.

xxx

Recovery: My Health Anxiety Journey

Sorry for the constant posts.

So I just needed to post as I feel by writing it out, it helps a bit.

I still feel so anxious today is Day 10 of Fluoxetine and I've woken up in a complete panic, I've utterly convinced I'm either got Kidney Cancer or Leukemia.

My husband had a go at me yesterday because he said I've been quiet and distant. I tried to explain that I was going through a bad patch of HA and didn't talk to him about it as I knew he got frustrated with me. His response was to shout at me to "sort it out" and "there's nothing wrong with you for god's sake" I tried to say I couldn't help it and he just shouted more saying "yes you can".

So most of yesterday I spent crying. I'm barely eating/sleeping, no appetite, feel sick, just really don't know what to do anymore, I hate this just feel so alone.

Sorry for the constant posts.

Scared of feeling this way.

I just don't know what to say anymore. I have had soooo many different symptoms I just can't take this anymore. I don't even know whats wrong with me, and its scaring me. I have no appetite anymore. I feel nauseous, I feel scared. I feel worried. I keep getting random pains off and on my head. I just can't take this. I just feel so nauseous, and worried. I just feel so scared. I just miss having an appetite, and I miss not worrying. I was just at the doctor like 10 days ago, and also a month ago. I Just am so scared , I feel like I need to go again. Ugh this sucks. I feel hot and cold, and I feel so anxious. I was just sleeping, and I woke up panicking. And I feel nauseous. I barely ate anything yesterday. I am a total mess. I just feel like complete crap. I hate this :((( I've diagnosed myself with like 3 or 4 different things. Its so frustrating, everyday its something new. I just can't figure out why I can't be normal anymore ??

Scared of feeling this way.

Panicked about breast cancer

More specifically breast cancer. My Mother had it so it's always been a fear of mine, now it's heading into obsession territory. It all started a week ago when I thought I felt something in my breast. Queue panic and obsessively checking my breasts several times a day. I feel things and I don't know if they're normal or not!

I don't want to rush to the doctor as I'm trying really hard not to fall back into that. I just don't know what to do :(

Panicked about breast cancer

Really bad panic attacks today; please help!

So I had one earlier that was like a wave of hot water was suddenly poured over me. It was awful. Took an anti-anxiety and eventually felt better. But then the anxiety started building again and I got a weird minty taste in my mouth and feeling very nauseous (been dizzy and nauseous all day; think it's my vertigo). Had another terrible attack and still not better. I just don't want to have to go to a and e again. I'm not long out from my second stint in a private mental hospital for my panic; I can't go backwards again this soon! :weep:

Does anyone else get weird tastes/smells when their anxiety gets very intense? I always worry it means I'm gonna have a seizure or something.

Really bad panic attacks today; please help!

Is this a fordyce spot? or......

This could have always been there without me knowing but one month ago I pressed my tongue against my inner lip and found a single raised spot which has a yellow/fleshy coloured appearence. There is no pain and no itching and it doesn't 'feel' like an ulcer or look like the other ulcers I've been getting recently. I noticed a spot near it but it isn't as raised as the spot I'm talking about. My rational thoughts are telling me that I'm being paranoid AGAIN and I'm once again resisting the urge to google. Does this sound like a fordyce spot or is it just another one of those things that I can just leave? I do have two other ulcers in my mouth currently as I'm writing this and they look a bit different to the spot because my ulcers always look like they have a small black area in the middle and are slightly more raised. Can I just leave it and relax? I really can't be asked o go back to the docs as I've already been so many times recently about so many different things and I already know that virtually no teenagers get mouth ca.... At my age.

---------- Post added at 01:39 ---------- Previous post was at 01:38 ----------

fordyce spots can be single or only in a group of two right?

---------- Post added at 01:41 ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 ----------

Btw sorry for such frequent posting, I am just addicted to reassurence :(

Is this a fordyce spot? or......

Mouth concerns

Hi everyone. I'm not really panicking about this yet anyway. I have a really bad sore throat. I think it might be strep. My whole throat is red but today I felt like there was something stuck to my tongue. When I felt back here I felt a lump. It's on the roof of my mouth towards the back on the right side. It definately just popped up. I feel like it must be related to the sore throat. Anyone ever have this? Should I be worried?

Mouth concerns

Please help - bladder problems

I am in agony as have constant need to pee. I thought I had uti but have had it just over a week now and symptoms won't go.
I think my wee is a bit cloudy (not sure) and once I go to the loo, I don't seem to be able to relive the urge. Although sometimes when I go, nothing happens. There's no blood as far as I can see. It does hurt when I go but not burning sensation, just pain.

I bought some sachets for cystitis from chemist but they don't seem to be helping. I don't recall having uti before so not sure if symptoms consistent with that.

I have noticed lately that when I excercise, my bladder feels uncomfortable.

I am on verge of diagnosing bladder cancer. Please someone tell me I just have uti and stop me panicking

Please help - bladder problems

Alone... Sucks

I'm so tired of being alone =/

Really need to get a girlfriend and more friends... Literally bored out of my mind and lonely here. Surely there is more to life than this...

Alone... Sucks

Hi all...

Hello!

Worried about an anxiety problem? I've had it, almost guaranteed. For the past 12 years (since I was 10), I've had quite bad anxiety: chest pains, palpitations, stomach aches, panic attacks, depersonalisation, dizziness, shaking, muscle twitches, muscle aches, I've had the lot.

It's the last two that have brought me back here, and it's such a common one, just reading through some recent threads. About 5 weeks ago I started with muscle twitches (brought on by a sudden period of intense stress), which haven't gone away, though they're probably better. Over the last two or so weeks, muscle aches have come on, perhaps as a result of the twitching. Of course, Dr Google is on hand to tell me I have a MND, which has kept me awake. A few days ago at work, I had an intense and hour-long panic attack that had me down a health centre and on an ECG (it's fine, of course, aside from tachycardia). The doctor was very good to me, and felt all my muscles, and told me they were ridiculously tense. I need to get over them, but of course it's hard to ignore the MND/ALS problem (I refuse to have it tested... I know I'm bloody fine).

Which is why I'm here. I need to stop going on MND forums and look at the most likely suspect, that has had me momentarily crippled my whole life: anxiety. And I hope my experiences over the last decade can help other people, like you guys helped me when I first joined this forum a decade ago (under another guise).

Cheers!

Hi all...

question of concern?

19, I quit smoking a month and a half ago after 2 years, I have excersize induced asthma and stopped taking birth control pills about 1 month ago, I have hypothyroidism, I've been having anxiety and panic attacks for the past 3 years and lately I've been having shooting pain under my left breast and pain directly under my collarbone and some bubbling or popping in the bottoms of my ribs. I've gone to the ER twice over this and I've had three DDimer tests and two EKGs that've come back negative and a abdominal ultrasound that also came back negative. a long with the dull achy pain I've been having what started out as a dry cough but now it feels like there's something there when I breathe sometimes and I try to cough it up but can't.

question of concern?

Vibrating (twitching) sensation around sternum

I don't know if it's because I'm overly aware of my heartbeat and my body sometimes but this past two nights when I've been trying to fall asleep I've felt what can only be described as twitches or pulses around my sternum area. Has anyone had this before?

Vibrating (twitching) sensation around sternum

self examination of breasts ?

A few months back i was doing the regular check and the thin skin that covers the breast has a spot no swelling and i felt it with my finger and thumb and can feel a hard tiny rice shaped lump .

Is this normal under the thin layer of skin ?

self examination of breasts ?

Globus/Allergic reaction phobia

So this is so hard to explain.. I have a sticky, lump like feeling in throat... It seems to have developed lately along with a massive allergic reaction phobia (fearing that my throat might close) ... I don't know whether because of my phobia I have developed globus sensation or what but I swallow constantly and sometimes get panicy that my throat is closing especially when I think inhave eaten something new! Can I just say that I am not knowingly allergic to anything.. Anything I've ever eaten, tablets, etc nothing .. But I'm obsessed.. I have had OCD in the past and suffer on a day to day with GAD but this is driving me crazy, especially when I think its getting bigger! ... Anyone else experience this???? Sorry for going on..

Globus/Allergic reaction phobia

Moles

I try so hard not to let them bother me as i have the skin tone where i have probally 200 freckle kinda moles all over my body as quite fair skinned, But earlier was looking at my back which rarely look at and was quite shocked to how many moles i have there lol maybe 100 just on the back lol, some big some small , I had to stop looking as every single mole looked dodgy to me, but nothing sinister but does make you worry i hate it, had to stop looking before i get obsessed which is the worse thing that can happen as sends off the anxiety lol,

Moles

Cardiac Event Monitor

Sorry I am posting this in 2 locations....I didn't know where would be best.

I was put on a cardiac event monitor for palpitations and episodes of tachycardia (which I have had for years, they are just re-checking). I've only ever worn a holtor monitor, not an event monitor.

Anyway, the monitor automatically records if it senses anything unusual, and over the past 5 days, I had 19 events, with me only pressing it about 5 or 6 times. The rest of the events were recorded by the monitor, always during the night...

However, last night alone I had NINE events, and I didn't press any. Here's the thing...I believe my heart rate at night is getting too LOW. At times I wake up almost gasping for air, but my pulse is super low. Why would it be doing this? Is it dangerous??

I am just concerned because my doctor will not be able to read these events until Monday morning.... Any advice would be appreciated!!

Cardiac Event Monitor

Travelling around the world with health anxiety

So today is day 7 of my travels abroad, it's been a tough week and I've only just got round to updating my blog for the first time since I got here - check it out at...

http://ift.tt/1Mhfee5

All I want is to prove to myself and to others that you can achieve what you want in life even WITH crippling GAD, panic and health anxiety, whether that be to travel the world, settle down with a family or have a high flying career. I'm also trying to convince myself that this is true!!

Would appreciate any kind of remarks/feedback x

Travelling around the world with health anxiety

New Girl Here

Well after spending a few weeks creeping in the shadows on here, I decided to join and put myself out there! :shades:


I have been sick since October 2014. Initially it was a rapid heart rate. It *absolutely* was not anxiety, I assured everyone, because I did not feel anxious. Out of the blue, BAM, sweating, heart palps, tremors and shaking. I KNEW it had to be a heart attack, thyroid condition, adrenal cancer... if my Google skills were any better, I could add to that list of what I thought was wrong! :shrug:


So I got a cardiac workup, CT scans, xrays, blood work, and nearly every test imaginable. Turns out, my physical body is healthy. My doctors all said it is *just* anxiety, and I needed psychiatric help. But they didn't give me this news in the compassionate, cool way, like, "Hey, you're struggling through some weird things right now, but you will be fine if you work a little bit to help yourself heal." The news was delivered more like, "Quit crying and get on medication, ya nutcase." *Cue the bully in my mind to start telling myself how pathetic I am*


Fast forward a couple months, and I've accepted the facts. After reading the "Symptoms" article on here, I realized I have a serious anxiety problem that has taken away my job, my home, and my happiness.


I'm 31, and I spend most of my days at my parents' house, fearfully waiting for the next attack. I am afraid to be away from home, I am afraid to drive, and I am afraid to fall asleep. .Actually I'm afraid of almost everything, but that's the short list!


I tried medication years ago, many kinds of medications, and I had very negative reactions. I currently go to therapy every other week and I do acupuncture sessions. My diet is a no sugar, low carb, high protein diet, which has improved my anxiety somewhat.


Ultimately, I am struggling. I feel like I have lost my life to my anxiety, and it feels very lonely. I am so embarrassed by my behavior that it is hard to verbalize my feelings to anyone I know. I hope I can find more people on here like me, and hopefully offer some encouragement to someone else while trying to help myself.


Thanks for sticking it out through my blathering. :emot-wanttohug:

New Girl Here

palpitation/neck pulsing/head rush with 5htp*big concern*

I do not know, if 5HTP had caused these symptoms(palpitations, right side of neck pulsing with "blood flow feeling", with slow heart rate, head rush, dizzy feeling, adrenaline feeling, trouble falling asleep.


I have had palpitations issues since last fall; the cardio doc I saw ran an echo and stress but they came back okay. I did have a sinus arrthy in April 2015 at my PCP office when I had an ekg done. The EKG I had at an ER in November 2014 showed "right axis deviation". The blood work was fine, except for an elevated CK(Creatine Kinese) but the ER doc had said everything else didn't show heart damage or signs I have a stroke/heart attack. But she did ask if I had been working out hard recently and drinking caffeine , which I did. I worked out on the bench press and weights at my college's rec center a bit with my friend and had been drinking caffeine a bit.


Last night, I had a bad "episode" with fast heart rate, head rush, dizzy feeling. I was somewhat scared that I having a stroke or heart attack, but it had somewhat leveled off by 1am.

It doesn't happen every second, because there are "brief pauses", so I guess it could be anxiety.


I had been taking 5htp since late June(100mg-150mg day), I had bumped it up to 200mg and noticed some odd symptoms since Monday.

I'm unsure if these are anxiety symptoms--or some signs of heart attack or stroke.

I know something similiar happen when in January 2015 when I last used 5HTP.

I'm unsure if it's serotonin syndrome with anxiety. I know it's not severe serotoin syndrome, because you need to take an SSRI plus 5htp to make it life threatening.

I know, that I'm not having a stroke as I type this post because 1. I wouldn't be able to type this post

But I feel this chronic "palpitation, neck pulsing/pressure on my neck, shoulder blade tingling/spasm". I do not know, if this anxiety or something I need to go to the ER ASAP.

I'm not on any Rxs or do "recreational drugs". I lasted smoke marijuana(June 13) and briefly drank with my friend and his female friend on July 18.

I do try to work out 2x a week. I'm not overweight.

So I'm unsure if I have heart problems or clot or what. I just want some feedback from other people here.

palpitation/neck pulsing/head rush with 5htp*big concern*

Clomipramine Withdrawal

Hi, I'm new to this site and wondered if anyone could give me information/advice about withdrawal from Clomipramine.
I have been taking this for around 10 years (fluctuating from 30mg to 50mg daily so not a high dose) for bad anxiety. I wanted to change due to issues with weight. After discussion with GP I was advised to drop 10mg a week and go back when on 10mg daily. I did this then spoke to a different GP who said I could either start Sertraline 50mg right away or try without anything. I initially said I couldn't go without but then decided to try to be drug free and for the first 7 days without them I felt really good, the odd side effect but nothing much. I felt less sluggish and less numb than I had in years and had only very mild anxiety.
After this first few days though I started getting a lot more side effects and also acute back/neck and shoulder pain and have been off work with this. I went back to see my GP (the first one I saw) who said I shouldn't have totally stopped meds and to start the Sertraline. I am now 14 days off the clomipramine, still in pain and still getting side effects. I now don't want to start Sertraline incase they start a whole new set of symptoms.

I really was wanting to know if anyone else have had these symptoms coming off these tablets..... Dizziness, feeling hot then later feeling cold and chittering (can't warm up), Irritable and bouts of anger, I often get a sensation that my whole body (or brain) beats for a few fast beats, last night I woke up through the night with a rapid heartbeat (approx 150bpm and this lasted for 5 mins or so then went down to about 100 which is more my normal (I did not feel anxious about any this). The pain in my neck and back I am thinking could be due to the tablets having being masking an underlying problem as they can be prescribed for nerve pain, I work all day at a computer so there is a chance that there has been a problem with neck/spine building up without me realising.

I would also like to mention that I have been on this medication a few times over the years and found them to be a lifesaver, they always made me feel 100% worse when I first started them but they work wonders after a few weeks. This time is the longest I've ever used them.

I would appreciate any feedback from other members :)

Clomipramine Withdrawal