Rope halters are a popular training aid. Some people feel that a rope halter provides clearer communication with the horse compared to a leather or web halter. Rope halters can be custom made in the size, color or material you choose. Make one for yourself, or a friend in their custom colors, or make some to have as handy extras. Here's how to find instructions to measure, assemble and tie the knots for your own DIY rope halter.

Read More Handy Tips

• Horse Grooming Tips and Tricks
• Step by Step Grooming- Cleaning Your Horse's Face

Yesterday I rode out on Trillium and to get to the trails we have to cross a small creek on my parent’s property. I remember when my sister and I were kids we’d play in that creek on the hottest summer days and we’d return blue lipped and chilled from the spring fed water. For the horses it was a water source and in fact, we even drank the water (although we shouldn’t have). However, many years later, we even wonder if it is safe for the livestock to drink. Do your horses still drink from a natural water source or do you provide water another way: buckets, troughs or automatic waterers? Take the poll and in the comments let us know if your horses seem to have a preference or which you think is better or safer.

Read More About Water for Horses

• The Importance of Water for Horse Health
• Preventing Rodents and Other Small Animals From Drowning in Your Water Trough

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?