Have you noticed the Fitness Singles ad on the right side of this page? If you haven't seen it, refresh the page and perhaps the bright red ad for 'equestrian singles' with the horse and 'rider' will appear. Can you tell what the woman is doing wrong? And what do you think that horse is saying? Look at its muzzle, eyes and ears? Do you think its happy with its modeling assignment or ready to buck for a better contract?   What do you think? Leave your comments below.

One sign of spring, besides the robins and swelling buds, is new foals. Most of us have high hopes when we breed a mare.  The ideal outcome of a foaling is a healthy mare and foal. Usually, things go as intended, with a proud mama  caring for a strong healthy babe, while equally happy owners look on.  But sadly, that's not always the case. Any breeder will tell you that the whole process is not without risk. It's heartbreaking when a mare loses a foal, or when the trauma of birth takes the mare. Occasionally, a mare will reject its foal, and despite all efforts, refuse to let it nurse.

The website Cyberfoal, attempts to match orphaned foals to foster mares and has links to colostrum banks (the antibody rich pre-milk that protects a foal's immunity system). Fill out a form to offer a foster mare, colostrum or find a nurse mare for your orphaned foal. The helpful hints section will tell you how to collect and freeze colostrum. Many users of the site have contributed information and tips they've learned through experience.

"Earlier this year, state Rep. Jim Viebrock, R-Republic, introduced a bill designed to circumvent federal rules that prevent horse slaughter for human consumption and would enable horse processing facilities to open in Missouri. Viebrock says the legislation would jump-start the ailing equine industry, which pro-slaughter advocates say has been hurt by the recent closure of the country's three horse slaughterhouses."

"Since the closure, American kill buyers have instead sent horses to Mexico and Canada, where European-owned processing facilities fulfill steady demand from European and Japanese markets, and where horse meat retails for $10 a pound or more. Viebrock hopes his bill will restart the industry on American soil, specifically in Missouri, where horse slaughtering has not taken place in decades."

Here's a question a reader sent me. Which leg do you use when turning? I learned that you turned your horse around your inside leg. But others train their horses to turn as they apply pressure to the outside leg. And there's arguments for and against each method.

Which leg do you use when you turn your horse. Or do you do something different altogether? Why do you use that particular method? What works and what doesn't? What would you suggest to someone just learning to ride, or wanting to train their horse? Leave your comments below.