Dullness means that the horse does not respond in her usual manner, such as greeting you with a whinny, or banging the stable door for feed. Dullness is often accompanied by a change in body language. She may start, for example, holding her head low and her ears may fail to twitch and not respond to surrounding sounds. Does she pace more than she usually does or exhibit a hard time settling down? A horse that is restless and doesn't relax in her stable in the usual way should be monitored closely. If the horse starts to throw herself to the ground, or lies downs and rises repeatedly, or kicks at her own belly, you should call the vet. These can all be signs of colic and should not be dismissed. Horses are grazers, which means they eat little but eat very often. Research indicates that not eating even for 6 hours may predispose a horse to stomach ulcers, which highlights just how important regular eating patterns are to their well-being. If you notice your horse refusing food or water, or that her regular feed schedule is off, contact your vet.  Watch your horse eat and check to see whether she is dropping a lot of feed while she eats. A horse's diet is high in fibre and necessitates a lot of chewing and grinding prior to swallowing. The large molar teeth towards the back of a horse's mouth are the equine equivalent of mill-stones. If your horse has a toothache, or the teeth have worn down unevenly and there is a sharp cusp digging into the cheek or tongue, then the horse will drop food out of her mouth. Sometimes this food is partially chewed and rolled up into balls, which then drop out of the mouth. This is known as quidding. Extremely messy eating and quidding are symptoms of dental discomfort and should be taken as signs to call the vet.  The same goes for a horse that chews but can't swallow. These horses often appear hungry, chew their food, but then lower their heads, at which point the food usually falls out of their mouths. This can be caused by discomfort at the back of the throat, such as an ulcer or thorn between the teeth, the lodging of food in the esophagus (also known as choking), or infections like botulism.

Summary: Consider whether your horse has exhibited dullness. Determine whether your horse exhibits signs of restlessness. Assess whether your horse is eating as usual.


Wearing shoes that match your skin tone can help create the illusion of longer legs. If you want to elongate your legs, opt for a pair of flats, sandals, or heels in your own skin tone. Pair them with shorts, a dress, or a skirt to create the appearance of long legs. You can elongate your look and flatter your petite figure by matching the color of your shoes and pants. Try pairing navy slip-on sneakers with a pair of cropped navy pants. You can also try wearing black oxfords with a black suit. Ankle boots are a perfect accessory for nearly any outfit. You can pair them with skirts and dresses as well as trousers and jeans. Avoid wearing tall boots, as these can make you look even shorter. Stick to one or two statement accessories to complement your shoes and outfit. This will ensure you don’t overwhelm your figure. Try a statement necklace, a handbag that pops, or a pair of killer sunglasses. Or go for understated jewelry, like a simple necklace and coordinating ring.

Summary: Go for nude shoes. Wear shoes that are the same color as your pants. Wear ankle boots. Don’t overwhelm your look with accessories.


If you say, "I thought I heard something" every time you are caught, your parents will begin to realize you are up to something. Change your tactics because obviously they aren't working. Know what you have to work with. If you're obsessed with biology, tell your parents your teacher got you on this kick about earthworms and their nighttime habits. And if you're not obsessed with biology, put in the work (mentioning it in daily conversation) a few days beforehand to make your story believable. Adjust your technique based on what actions they take. What days are they the most tired? What days do they get up a bit earlier? And what arouses their suspicion the least? If you have siblings, you may want to take into account their schedules, too. It's a lot to juggle, true, but the investment will pay off in the long-run. If you're out all night and you have school the next day or you simply have to act as if you weren't out all night, you'll be incredibly tired. So slam that coffee or energy drink and burn the 7 AM oil.  Caffeine should be part of your post-sneak out alibi, depending on your situation for the next day. You don't want your own tiredness leading to your exposure. All that work for nothing! Some parents wait until morning and make you do a bunch of things when you're really tired from sneaking out. You got yours, now it's time for them to get theirs. Deal with it...it's better than being grounded!

Summary: Use different alibis sparingly. Get your parents' patterns down pat. Expect exhaustion.


A breakfast that is rich in carbs is ideal. This will give you a vital energy boost and prevent you from going hungry later in the day. A donut is a carb, but you can do better than that. Avoid a lot of sugar and high fat proteins. Cereal, milk, and a banana would be a good option. You don’t want to show up to the tournament with a growling stomach and realize you don’t have anything to eat. Pack something like a sandwich and fruit for lunch. For a snack, things like nuts, bananas, granola bars, and dried fruit are ideal. Keep snacking up until right before the tournament, but don’t get too full. All of this food and drink will keep you energized during the tournament, and will help you play the best you can. Make sure to bring a refillable water bottle. Nap for about two hours before you leave for the tournament, and make sure to set an alarm. You definitely don’t want to wake up and realize the tournament has already passed. A nap time of about 20 minutes would be ideal, though you can adjust the time to your liking. A short nap will give you an extra energy and performance while you play. Accidents and traffic are impossible to control, but it would be a good idea to do everything you can to prevent showing up late. Map the location of the tournament before you leave. It wouldn’t hurt to plan a few alternative routes as well. Leave for the tournament with so much time to spare that not even a fallen tree, traffic accident, or stop for gas could make you late. Being nervous will only hinder your performance, even if it is normal and expected. Take a moment to step aside and sit back. Reflect on all of the hard work that led you to this moment. Close your eyes and meditate. When your thoughts have steadied, get up and get prepared to win this game. Your mind might be racing before the game—thinking of past and future games. Resist the temptation to dwell on anything except the present moment. Don’t think about what this tournament means for your future in the sport. Just think about how you can be the best you can be. It’s okay if your mind drifts. Recognize you’re doing it and refocus. You shouldn’t overdo it, but it is important that your body is prepared for what its about to endure. Run a few laps. Stretch your muscles out. Do whatever you have to do for your particular sport. Then all that’s left to do is have fun.
Summary: Have a big, healthy breakfast on the day of the tournament. Pack a healthy lunch and snack. Take a short nap. Arrive on time at the venue. Relax. Don’t get distracted. Warm up your body.