Are figure 8 nosebands allowed in the dressage phase of eventing? I have an event coming up, and I am riding beginner novice. Do I need a new noseband, or is a figure 8 okay?

My 6 yr old TB hasn’t shedded out completely. I trace clipped him in January, and I can still see the outline of the clip on his back and side. His neck, legs, head, and bum have all shedded, just his back and side are still all furry. I can pull little clumps of hair out (which are rather thin and fuzzy, not typical winter coat material), but it doesn’t look unhealthy or anything. He is on a regular UTD deworming schedule, a well-balanced diet, and seems healthy otherwise. Last year he was shedded out by mid April… I’m just wondering if this is something to be concerned about, and perhaps someone could provide tips to get rid of the last winter fuzzies?

Thank you! (:

My pony Cowboy, a 17 yr old Arabian, used to have head tossing issues, so my trainer gave me a new bit to try (about a month or so ago). It is a loose ring straight bar mullen happy mouth and Cowboy seems to really like it and now goes super on the flat and jumping with no more head tossing issues. The only thing is, the bit is a 5″, and Cowboy normally has a 4 3/4″. I am just wondering if it is okay for him to keep being ridden in a bit that is a little bit too big? Is is worse to have a bit that is too big or too small? Will being ridden in a bit that is a little too big cause Cowboy any long term issues?

Thanks

Hi everyone,

My 6 year old TB Petey came up lame tonight. His front left fetlock is swollen (mostly on the right side of the fetlock, but partially in the back). He walked out okay, just stepping a little short, but was definitely lame at the trot. His fetlock is hot, puffy, and he flinches when I touch it. I am quite concerned because I can’t clearly identify what is causing it. He has had issues with his ergots ripping off and getting infected last year, but I don’t see any external cut or abscess that would be causing lameness. It looks kind of like a windpuff, but I haven’t heard of horses getting windpuffs on their fetlocks… I don’t think it is a tendon injury, since it is on the inside of the leg, not really near the tendon, but I’m not sure. Does anyone have an idea as to what could be causing the lameness and swelling of Petey’s fetlock? Oh, and some background of Petey; he was raced until he was 5, he is now 6 (turning 7 this month). He is ridden 5 days a week, jumping 2ft6-2ft9 once a week, with flatwork and light trail rides the rest of the time, not really what one would consider “heavy” work. He does sometimes kick himself in the field, but he wears boots to prevent that. Other than this new swelling development, he has been perfectly healthy in the last few months. For tonight, I cold hosed his fetlock for about 20 minutes and then stable wrapped his leg. I am calling my vet tomorrow, but I’m not sure if I should ask for an ultrasound or something to make sure he hasn’t injured his tendon… what do you think?

Thanks in advance. (:

-Amelia

I am entering my first event ever with my pony Cowboy in a few weeks. What kind of jumps are typically in a BN course? And what about water, ditches, banks, and combinations? And how long is a course usually? I am assuming speed should be somewhere between 250 to 300 mpm, would that get me around the course in time? I am taking Cowboy out xcountry schooling this week and I would like to know what we should work on.

-Amelia

I was wondering if disobediences, such as bucking, refusing to go forward (like if a horse is galloping and suddenly they stop and won’t move), or spooking, are penalized while riding a cross country course. I have my first event with my pony Cowboy coming up in May (we are going Beginner Novice) and I was wondering if disobediences other than refusals/run outs are penalized. Oh, and what about circling? I read in the USEA rules that a circle before the jump is penalized but it didn’t specify if circling is penalized when there are no jumps (like on a long galloping stretch).
Thank you — Amelia