Fenrir

I didn't realise Kai was that big! Lovely photos of her and Minski Great update Clare, Loki is looking fabulous! I think he looks fitter and happier too, I can't wait to see summer photos of him, very different from the horse you first posted photos of. Very glad that the move has gone well and that you are out of the other yard, it didn't sound very pleasant for either of you.

I couldn't agree more, so many parents seem to think this sort of behaviour is acceptable. I suspect a fair number don't think it is OK but can't be bothered to do anything about it as long as the kids are not hassling them, very sad for both the dogs and the children. I would never trust someone elses opinion of an animal without making my own assessment either.

I've seen this sort of behaviour too. As Owl suggests I think there is a lot more to pack politics than the usual alpha dog stuff that gets bandied around, dogs are far more complex than that in my experience. I have read that Newfoundlands are known for this sort of behaviour, that if one of their pack (I think it was talking about humans) is threatened they will not act aggressively but will put themselves between whoever they are protecting and the aggressor.

Domino's beautiful! Does he have a solid black tail? It looks like it from the photo's which strikes me a unusual in a piebald.

Rolo is looking great! His mane and tail look like they have had quite a bit of work on them.

Yes they are and rather short legged in proportion which Bear doesn't look to be either.

Mist: So glad things are moving forwards for you and Cueva. We need photos! Bradders: Good work with Rolo, thats great progress in three weeks, you must have put some work into it. Looking forward to the photos. Clare: Even I'm excited about the new yard! Hope there will be some photos Phoenix21: Bear does look rather lovely Jackysian: You promised us Kane photos!

Lizzy and Sunny are especially 14 Shetlands though I thought they would be twice the work of the horses, naughty little devils all the ones I've met Great photos, I hope we get to see lots more.

Great news

Can I second that one? Loki and Rolo need some guidelines for what they are aiming for. Cueva seems to be strangely missing from this thread too and Nott of course.

I agree with Border Collie all the way. Especially these days when we get to see amazing footage of animals in the wild on TV. Zoos are a legacy of a past era which I feel will die out in time. People should not be encouraged to see animals as entertainment. Is childrens education really furthered by gawping at trapped animals in a cage, however big and posh that cage is? Conservation is best served by respecting the animal kingdoms right to have some space on this planet, even if it is highly valuable development land, and letting them get on with it. The most useful breeding program in terms of the environment would be one that controlled our own species population.

Will reminds me of a very handsome horse I used to ride called Brigadeer he's very striking looking. Apple has a beautiful face Well done on making the move Clare How is Loki's stomach problem doing?

Loki Such a gorgeous bottom too. I think he is looking more muscular and a better shape. I can really see Loki doing x-country in the future. Your current YO sounds more and more dislikeable, driving any vehicle fast past a horse is not nice in my book, regardless of whether they are stabled or not I don't think you are over reacting at all, I'd be livid in your position. I do think you would enjoy owning Loki more if he was somewhere else but I guess only you know whether you can afford the extra time and money, you could always move him and keep an eye out for somewhere closer to home. He is a beautiful horse, you made a good choice

Drugs can be anything from mild hassle (which you are already experiencing) to big, big trouble for lots of reasons - the narcotic effects, the medical effects, the wider psychological effects, the people that hang around them, the people that supply them, the law, the lifestyle. Given that you don't do them yourself, is this girl worth taking all that onboard?

Surgery on your brain is pretty serious! Facial surgery isn't in the same league. It is still a very scary idea but you have to appreciate that a lot of that fear comes from the biological urge to protect your face at all costs because of the major sensory bits that reside there - eyes, nose, mouth and ears. That instinct is from one of the most primitive parts of the brain. That part of the brain cannot not understand about surgical procedures, it is just the drive of self preservation (if that makes sense). So when you think about a knife near your face that part of your brain instantly cuts in and starts shieking 'NO! NO! NO!' this reaction is not always realistic to the actual risk. It is more developed in some people than others, some people can control it or set the feeling aside more than others, I find it helps me to realise what is going on. The same thing makes people hate being on their own, frightened of heights etc Someone suggested going for the consultations as it is a last chance and that seems a good idea to me. You can back out any point.

Lovely photos MilliesMum! How come Minskis tail is so short? Is it naturally that way? Kai I've always wondered what persuades horses to stay in their fields as generally the fences are nothing they couldn't clear easily. Bradders: How old is Nemo then? He certainly looks in fine fettle.

It was the spots I wasn't sure about! I hope we are going to see more Minski pics Bopp This thread just gets better and better!

I've not seen Minski and Kai before! Kai is gorgeous I can't tell with Minski if he is unusually marked or very muddy? Nemo's also stunning and as you say not at all like Rolo, you didn't fancy another Arab then

All these photos! It's like christmas already Wanda is magnificent! and that is just such a lovely photo of her and Ivan - wow! I can well imagine that he is a handful though. Rolo is totally gorgeous and definitely looks like he is smiling in the first photo, I get the impression he has lots going on in his head but he does look good humoured. He looks to be fairly evenly marked on each side. His hooves don't look right at all but I'm sure they will improve quickly with the right care. It's going to be lovely to see him come on having seen how well Loki is looking after Clares expert care. We still have photos of Cueva, Nott, George and Bailey to look forward too and might we be seeing Nemo too? And of course a few more of Loki 'cos one is really not enough (Pendlewitch take note )

He's looking stunning! Only one picture tho', 'tis a bit mean but no doubt just a taster for tomorrow when you remember your camera and take hundreds How is his tummy problem? Have you started the new feeding regime?

Oooooooooooooooooo .... so stylish! Love that last design, a good balance between girl design and workmanlike utility, I think you have hit the nail on the head there. I don't like the lilac button though, I'd rather see another green one

I found on my course that the tutors didn't care less about the length although they would always specify one. In the end I was turning in essays four times longer than they had asked for and getting really good marks. I started off trying to get them the right length and getting remarks like "you didn't mention this area at all" when I would have but there wasn't the room. Asking other students I found they were turning in much longer essays and my marks went up when I did the same so it might be worth asking around and seeing what everyone else is doing. I wrote all mine overnight too

You don't mention Skinner much whereas I kind of see him as the main man but then I don't know what they teach these days - I did a Psychology degree just over 10 years ago. It seemed a little short on the compare and contrast part as well the description of behaviourism is long and I think you could cut down on that in favour of more discussion of the differences.

Dear Abby (columnist), I've never written to you before, but I really need your advice on what could be a crucial decision. I've suspected for some time now that my wife has been cheating on me. The usual signs... phone rings but if I answer, the caller hangs up. My wife has been going out with the girls a lot recently although when I ask their names she always says, "Just some friends from work, you don't know them." I always stay awake to look out for her taxi coming home, but she always walks down the drive. Although I can hear a car driving off, as if she has gotten out of the car round the corner. Why? Maybe she wasn't in a taxi? I once picked her mobile phone up just to see what time it was and she went berserk and screamed that I should never touch her phone again and why was I checking up on her. Anyway, I have never broached the subject with my wife. I think deep down I just didn't want to know the truth, but last night she went out again and I decided to really check on her. I decided I was going to park my 2006 Yamaha R1 motorcycle next to the garage and then hide behind it so I could get a good view of the whole street when she came home. It was at that moment, crouching behind my Yamaha R1, that I noticed that the valve covers on my engine seem to be leaking a little oil. Is this something I can fix myself or should I take it back to the dealer? Thanks, Stephen

Me too!