I've noticed several threads on the forum talking about ticks. Ticks are something I haven't had to deal with--yet. One forum member from Alberta, Canada has discovered they've moved into her area. Ticks can cause problems in horses, such as painful lesions, Lyme disease and even anemia if they aren't checked. Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, About.com Vet Medicine describes how to remove a tick safely from your pet's or your own skin.

I am terrible at math, so if I get the answer to these sort of questions correct it is because I guessed right. Deb Russel, About Guide to Mathematics challenges us with The Horse Problem. In this particular mathematical problem a man sells a horse for a certain price, sells it, buys it back and sells it again. The question is: did he make money, break even, or lose money? I won't tell you the answer, just try it for yourself. However, I could argue that the final answer may be wrong. What the problem doesn't mention is that the horse, during the time the man owned it, need its hooves trimmed, its teeth floated, all of its shots, it got colic twice requiring veterinarian treatment, its saddle needed re-stuffing and no bit in the barn fit it. The second time the man sold it, his truck broke down, forcing him to pay a horse transport company to deliver the horse, since he had agreed to deliver it in the sales contract. Now, did the man make money, break even, or lose money?

The hot weather is just starting here. I've been enjoying riding as much as I can, and had a particularly nice ride last Monday morning before the heat and bugs made things too uncomfortable. We saw deer, wild turkey, a horse eating squirrel and the trees were a choir loft for a multitude of birds. After a hard winter and long, cold spring it's hard to imagine staying indoors, and I've had a hard time buckling down to work. For many of you though, the novelty of hot weather has worn off while some folks on the forum are talking about continuing rain and cold.

Either way, when you're stuck indoors, an online horse sim game may be a perfect diversion to hold you over until better weather. I've put together a list of the most popular online horse games for you to explore. Whether you want to build your own online ranch, or spend a few minutes playing a speed game, there is lots to choose from. When my daughter was younger, her favorite horse sim game was Horseland. She also played Ludus Equinus, and like many gamers was disappointed when that particular site shut down. I've tried many of the Shockwave and Flash horse games--and if online gamers needed a helmet, I'd need a double thick one. I'm that bad.

Read More About

• About Horses Quizzes
• About Horse Racing Trivia Quiz

Bad habits? I have a few. Besides bad posture and a tendency to lean forward I tend to ride with my hands too flat. I have to remind myself 'thumbs up!'. Sometimes I chant: sit up, thumbs up, sit up thumbs up. Helps to keep the rhythm while doing a posting trot too. So what do you think is the most common problem riders have? I've listed 10 on the poll, but you might think of others. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Poll:What is the Most Common Rider Problem?

• Flat Hands
• Slouched Shoulders
• Leaning Forward
• Heels Up
• Heels Rammed Down
• Stiff/Heavy Hands
• Looking Down and Not Forward
• Tilting Body on Turns and Circles
• Chair Seat Position
• Rider's Back Hollowed
• View Results

Does your horse have its papers? Not a passport--although some horses have those too. Unfortunately the papers have been lost for my mare Trillium. I could probably track them down if I took the time. But it hasn't been high priority for me, although it would be nice to have them. We know the name on her papers would be FSB Trillium. With or without papers she's still worth zillions to me. (That price is firm. One zillion dollars or no sale. Sorry.) But papers do carry important information if you are showing or breeding. Here's an explanation of papers.

More Horse Glossary Words

• Definition of Grazed
• Definition of Clipping

Lynda Tellington Jones is the creator of Tteam and Ttouch. Her method is a complete holistic approach to horse training. Using specific touches and exercises designed to provoke certain responses or release reactions, Tteam attempts to make horses willing, thinking partners. Tellington Jones has had a long and varied career with horses. She was raised on horseback with her siblings and her sister is still very involved with the development of Tteam and Ttouch. Several years ago, I had the privilege of riding with another of her sisters on her Icelandic Horses. Tteam and Ttouch methods mesh nicely with other training methods, and can be very effective. Whether you are inclined to use more traditional or Natural Horsemanship methods, Tellington's methods are another handy tool to have in your horse handling tool box. These methods are also useful for dealing with almost any other creature furred or feathered.

Read More About horse Trainers

• Frank Bell
• Chris Irwin

It wasn't that long ago that EPM wasn't a concern in my area. The main host of the disease, the opposom, did not live here. Blame it on global warming, urbanization or containers and transport trucks accidentally bringing these marsupials north, but we now need to be as aware of this disease as our neighbors to the south. Four years ago, when I first saw an opossum cross a road in front of me I wasn't sure what I was looking at, but now farmers are finding them living in their haylofts, and I've seen several hit on roadsides. I've also heard of people raising orphaned litters of opposums, which as a horse owner, I have mixed feelings about. Whether or not I like them, apparently they've come to stay. If you share your countryside with opossums you need to be aware of the possibility of EPM, a potentially deadly neurological disease. EPMhorse.org is one site that contains up-to-date information about the cause, symptoms and treatment of Equine Protazoal Myeloencephalitis.

Read More About Horse Diseases

• West Nile Virus
• Swamp Fever or EIA

What is equitation? It probably means a lot of things to a lot of different people. Everyone's goals are different, and for some it may simply mean staying comfortable - both horse and rider. For others it may mean impressing the judge in the show ring or being able to make their horse perform at an optimum level in whatever discipline they choose - whether it be over jumps, long distance or in the dressage ring. And some riders may give it little thought at all. What is equitation? Here is the simple explanation.

Read More Horse Glossary Words

• Definition of Equine
• Definition of Easy Keeper

Saddle fitting can be difficult, but it's worth taking the time to make sure you've found the best fitting saddle for you and your horse. How much do you know about saddle fitting? Take the Saddle Fit Quiz quiz and test your knowledge. Did you know you can get horse quizzes delivered to your email inbox? Sign up now for the Test Your Horse Savvy quiz series.

More Horse Quizzes

• Horse Quiz - Are You Really Ready for a Horse ?
• What Comes Next Horse Quiz

Clinton Anderson was born and raised in Australia and became a U.S. citizen in 1997. His mentors were some of the best on both continents. With the reputation to 'train the un-trainable' Anderson won the Road to the Horse Colt Starting Challenge. Clinton breaks down his special brand of horse training, known as 'Downunder Horsemanship', so that any owner can handle their horse safely. His books and DVDs reinforce the message of his training: “With the right tools and instruction YOU can turn your horse into the willing partner you've always wanted!” Read more about Anderson's background, accomplishments and methods.

Read More About Horse Trainers

• Chris Irwin
• Frank Bell