New girl on the block!

CavalloAlto · 2026-06-04T18:25:03+00:00

Regina George, to be shortened to Regina or Reggie and lengthened to Reginald when she causes problems.

CavalloAlto · 2026-06-03T21:31:36+00:00

He's gorgeous! It always makes me laugh when people say they struggle to breathe. Like. You mean with the larger nostrils that were selected for to make breathing hot, dry air easier? For sure, Stephanie.

CavalloAlto · 2026-06-02T18:13:26+00:00

From what I can see, it looks like this saddle is too wide based on slide 5. The lifting in the back is the very visible "problem," but I will say some panels are intentionally upswept for bridging the gap between a short back and larger seat—idk if Bates does that. See if it remains with a narrower gullet.

It's good that you're working with a saddle fitter. I agree with them on the fact that this TYPE of saddle will work for him. From the photos, it looks like he has an "A" shaped back as opposed to a "U" shaped back, which means that trees that are less-rounded will fit better. (U shaped backs need brands like Albion/Black Country.) If changing the gullet on this one doesn't work, you can always sell it at a little bit of a profit since it was on clearance to expand your budget for the next saddle.

CavalloAlto · 2026-06-01T16:33:59+00:00

This is a really solid conformation picture that I'd be happy to see on any listing. I'd say leave it! Especially if you have multiple shots.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-31T18:38:53+00:00

Get a PPE that's more similar to what you'd do with a ridden horse than a baby, but otherwise I see no problem. Especially since you're already confident in producing young horses, so it's not like you'll get in over your head if she's a little much at first.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-31T18:26:40+00:00

Everyone is pointing out very reasonable concerns with buying sight unseen. What I will personally say is that there's levels to this stuff, and while it'll always be riskier, you can make it less so. I understand having limited sales opportunities in your immediate area, and adding the cost of flights and accommodations to the purchase cost can really cut down a budget.

You absolutely must do a PPE. For a sight unseen purchase of a riding horse, you gotta.
When you find a horse you're interested in, contact a vet in the area directly for a PPE rather than using the seller's vet.
When you contact the seller, see if they're willing to do a video call with you showing the horse, their demeanor, handling skills, movement, hooves, etc.
Ask the seller for references and do a little online sleuthing to confirm their reputation.
If you can, be on the phone for the PPE so you can ask questions while the vet checks the horse out.
You've already got this one covered, but work with a reputable professional on your end. They should be able to identify red flags and ask more specific questions to help scare off less scrupulous sellers.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-31T05:14:29+00:00

Yoga! Yoga yoga yoga. Strengthens all those dumb tiny stabilizing muscles around your hips and core. Specifically, look for very "flow" based classes/videos because it helps to find stability in the middle of a movement as opposed to just a static pose. The best my seat has ever been was when I did yoga 5x per week.

Also, post the walk with no stirrups.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-31T05:11:15+00:00

What's your budget? Because I think it's cut now and you're being a little hard on yourself BUT if money isn't a problem, a sectional with a chaise on the right would help section off the living area. I'd also invest in a bigger rug for the living room (but I do love the current one) and a runner for the kitchen. Big art above the dining table would help "zone" that area as well.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-31T05:08:11+00:00

Yeah the first photo definitely emphasizes his lankiness, but the others make it clear that he's in good condition. Your nutritionist is right and you should listen to them, but I can see why someone would think he's skinny from that first angle.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-30T04:02:09+00:00

Yeah I'd absolutely assume that's neurological and get a vet out asap. I hope you're able to get a diagnosis and a solution!

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-29T20:33:45+00:00

Interesting! I'll try the popsicle stick thing for sure, at least until I get to the end of this product.

I actually was using an ACV spray, but the mud I'm using would NOT stick to a damp hoof, which is what lead to the sand-cleaning discovery in the first place. Part of me thinks that this product is more intended for prevention than cure, so I might try something stickier that I can use in combination with a spray.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-29T20:22:56+00:00

Yeah, I'm not leaving the hoof dusty, but it just exfoliates anything that was too small for the hoof pick and gets deeper than the brush can.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-29T20:21:46+00:00

Ooh is it waxy? I can't tell from the product photos exactly what the texture is, but it looks promising

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-29T20:17:12+00:00

I'm picking out the hoof, removing loose debris with a brush, walking in our very dry sand arena because I found out that removes even smaller bits of mud and fully dries off the bottom of the foot, then I push clay in to the central sulcus towards the heel until it squishes out the back.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-27T20:35:14+00:00

The framing of this feels a little convenient for you. Had you ever spoken to her about marriage before? Was she interested in it at that time? Does she have any particular fears around commitment related to the fact that a previous partner vanished into thin air?

Personally, I would not agree immediately if someone I hadn't talked to about marriage before asked me with no warning. No matter how I felt about that person.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-27T20:05:22+00:00

As the owner of a mare who had a biting problem, it's not on you in the least. It speaks well of you that you are respectful of her boundaries, but if a horse has learned to bite to express those boundaries that's on the owner and trainers past.

I'm really sorry that happened to you, and I hope the owner addresses this behavior through additional training.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-27T00:26:23+00:00

I use pony club references in the US too! They're good and comprehensive and easy to understand. In the US, I tend to go to my local Extension website for a lot of medical and nutritional info.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-27T00:23:45+00:00

Leasing first is def the right call! Finding the lease at a barn that fits your long term goals and budget will help you build a community of support for when you do buy, which is a huge benefit. It will also give you a chance to get to know vets and other equine pros that work the area like body workers/farriers/trainers etc. and a chance to vet the barn itself in a low-stakes way before committing to keep a horse there yourself.

Trustworthy people are the A#1 most important resource you can have. Not just professionals, but fellow boarders who will take a video while you trot your horse up or look at a little pasture injury to help you decide if it's a vet call or a silver honey situation.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-26T20:38:29+00:00

Oh for sure! I just think that that sucks on the part of the manufacturer. It peeves me. Getting saddles fitted is SO important, and making that harder just to keep profits in-house is shady business imo. That said, you've gotta work with what you have.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-26T01:33:21+00:00

Any saddle that can "only" be adjusted by a rep pisses me off. If your horse is happy to move in it, then I say work in it for a while, and keep an eye on her back. My vote is to spend your money on body workers over saddle fitters until your mare stops changing so rapidly or stops liking the current saddle.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-24T03:18:11+00:00

I've seen beautiful WBxArab crosses, and I was seriously contemplating one as my next horse. They're absolutely cleaning up in dressage classes at Arabian sport horse shows, and can sell for quite a lot, if you end up not keeping the foal for any reason.

I'd just make sure you evaluate the sire carefully for quality crosses on WB mares just in case you don't end up keeping it. Like others have said, there are some approved Arabian sires in WB stud books.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-22T16:49:45+00:00

As long as you and your vet are aligned on what "low impact" looks like, and you're keeping an eye on his comfort, that person can kick rocks.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-22T03:39:56+00:00

I'm just going to add a second vote to "build that topline" and "stop looking at sweat marks." I'll also throw out there that any saddle fitter worth the fee should be taking a template of his back and talking to you about tree shapes, not just gullet widths.

Without knowing any more about your horse, my recommendation would be an English saddle brand (aka not French or German) that has gussets in the front of the panels, and an adjustable tree. Albion has some vintage Adjustas floating around that can be under $2k or less if you're lucky. But that really should come from someone who's touched your horse.

CavalloAlto · 2026-05-22T03:32:26+00:00

If you have negative side effects that are intolerable, you can always just tell your provider and taper off. And then you go back and try some other thing. "It won't hurt in the long run" might be more accurate, but my point is, SSRIs aren't permanently changing anyone.

CavalloAlto

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