* Baling twine can be one of the most handy and verstile tools in your stable;
* Where ever you tend to tie up your horses, place a length of baling twine and tie your horse to this. This way if, for some reason, your horse breaks free, all it is breaking is the twine and not your horse's head collar or your fence, etc.
* To help stop you losing your hoofpick in the straw or other places, tie a brightly coloured piece of twine to the end, then you can find it more easily and you also have something to hang it from.
* Need to cut the twine on a bale of hay and you can't find your scissors or knife because you haven't added that piece of coloured twine to them yet! No problem, just grab a piece of twine and thread the piece under the the twine on the bale and with one end of the twine in each hand, move the twine in a seesawing motion while pulling up against the twine on the bale. Don't pull up too hard, you don't want to go flying backwards when the twine breaks.
* Baling twine can also be used as a sweat scraper, Take a length of twine and double it over for a bit of thickness and then, holding each end, drag the twine over the horse in the same direction as the horses coat.
* If your horse tends to keep knocking their water bucket over, place it inside an old car tyre.
* Need feed scoops, cut old soft drink bottles in half, cutting them on the diagonal.
* If the strap on the front of your horse's rug tends to rub, cut the end off of an old sock and slip it over the strap.
*To make a cheap poll guard for travelling, take a rectangular piece of foam and cut a slit in both ends of the foam, on the short ends. Then simply slip the headpiece of your halter through the slits.
* Check the bars of your horse's mouth for sores or any thing else that may be causing the bit to cause pain in your horse's mouth.
* Consider the type of bit you are using. For example, generally the thicker the bit the softer it is, the thinner the bit the harsher it is.
* Take a serious look at your hands, are you applying undue pressure on your horse's mouth.
* Horse's tend to have a low palate and some horse's have a more than normal, low palate. If this is the case your horse will need a certain type of bit. If you are unsure about your horse's palate, you can have the dentist check it out.
* If you are a less experienced horseperson, you should always consult with qualified horsepeople, such as your dentist, vet and/or trainer, etc. Before introducing such things as new bits, etc. These people are an invaluable source of information and will make life a lot happier and safer for both you and your horse.
It falls about my body like cool, soft caresses. It invigorates every inch of my body, clearing my mind and relaxing all my muscles. It is as soft and gentle as any baby's breath. The soft, gentle caress on my lips, the warm trickle down my sides and the rythmic beating of each drop. All life has a sense of hope.
Will it never end? On and on it goes. This ceaseless beating drives me on. So persistant, it pounds upon my head. Leaving bruises upon my skin, upon my heart. Yet through these curtains of sparkling silver, there is always a glimmer of sunlight. A hint of blue, a promise of warmth. Life still strives on with hope in it's heart.
The black skies dim my sight. The howling winds deafen my ears. The pounding of water and ice tear at my skin, leaving my soul bare to the elements of life. Harder and harder it beats me down. And as I lie here cold, worn and tired, listening to the last beats of life. I smile. For I know that hope shall be reborn.
