The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread

[HairOfTheDog]

Free Republic has a lot of horse people that have found each other on other threads…. And since we all like to talk horses, how about a thread where it is not off-topic, but is THE topic?

A few of us thought it would be interesting and informative to have a chat thread where we can share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. We may not ~always~ have a lot of activity, but when we do, it will be fun. I will put a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts… look for it there and wake the thread up!

I will also develop a ping list for horse threads that are of interest. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in…. There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics… land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news…. Legislation that might affect horse owners.

I am hoping this thread will be a fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.

[2Jedismom]

We got slammed! Couple of my neighbor's trees split in two! Limbs down all over the place...we had a pretty bad Big Windy! LOL

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

We had a lot of wind for about 2 minutes, that's when the sirens went off. But do you really think it warrented sirens????

Sounds like tho, tha flooding is more the problem? You having trouble here with that?

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Oh, BTW, I thought about you awhile ago. I'm telling you this so YOU don't worry so much.

When the really strong winds were blowing thru a few minues ago and the rain was coming down in sheets, guess where my horses were. Standing out in the open even tho they had a shelter to get under:).

Becky

[CindyDawg]

You around?

[2Jedismom]

We had a bit of water standing around but we're in a no flood area, I think the only one in this town! LOL

It's so sandy that is soaks in the minute it stops raining...

[CindyDawg]

That's how it is here. If we flood everyone is in trouble.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Yeah, I'm here, didn't get blowed away yet:)
Our electric keeps going on and off.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Good.

Are you having trouble with your electric. Ours just went off again for a minute or two?

But then ours comes from East Central Electric out of Okmulgee, does yours?

Becky

[CindyDawg]

That's good. I'm glad yall are all ok. If I put him on this would it be too much with hay. He has unlimited access in the pasture.

[CindyDawg]

I need to have more confidence in myself instead of feeling like a horse "mommy" I knew this horse not acting right. I only told yall the objective stuff because I didn't want to get teased about other stuff I thought I was seeing. I went by the vets. He was gone but I talked to the assistant that came out with him today. He told me the vet going to call me because Okie is anemic. He was not amused about his feed. He told me he is not a cow and can't digest like one and get the nutrients he needs. He was also concerned about the level of protein. I came on home, to wait for the vet to call me. I'm not sure how I'm going to work it out but I'm going to change his feeding (again)
Another question. I asked about salt yesterday and was told it's in their feed and blocks not put in the pasture because the horses don't use it. I need to ask him what to do about this too:'(
All cussing in FM, ok? lol

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

No. But since he does have unlimited pasture, he really doesn't need horse chow.

I talked to Charlie awhile ago, and asked him about his horses. They are kept on pasture. Now there pasture is a little better then yours in the summer. Yours would be more like what his is in the winter.

In the winter he feeds 1 to 1 1/2 cans of 9% sweet feed 2x a day, I think his is Blue Bonnet brand. His horses also get used pretty hard, he team ropes.

There is no exact science to this. You just have to play with it till you get it right for your horse.


If the vet says what your feeding is OK then go for it. If not, go with what he says.

My situation is entirely different then yours. I do not have access to unlimited pasture, and hay around here is either very expensive or very poor quality. What is right for me may not be the most economical or best for you.

But if you ever do get the horse at your own place, and are having to buy/haul hay, you might want to consider the Horse Chow. But where you are now I would try to make it work with what you have available without having to pay extra.

Becky

[CindyDawg]

It's not pasture hay. It's bales they throw out in the middle. I didn't think hay had any nutritional value. After the rains there is some green grass out there right now but at times it's a lot of dirt with patches.

[HairOfTheDog]

I know Hair said something about that Red Cell stuff. But that stuff will really hype them up, IMO. I'd ask the vet if he does recommend a supplement about it hyping a horse. Is'nt there some way you can give him what ever he needs to fix the anemia but not hype him up???

Good advice.... I mentioned that the Red Cell was ~made~ for anemic horses or horses that need a boost, like nursing mares... But it can jazz 'em up. I would also be wary of anything that has too much Biotin in it. Biotin can help with feet and coat, but it can also make them wired... and from what I gather, he's wired enough as he is (which is why it would surprise me if he is actually anemic)

I see you guys have been chatty while I was out, so you may have already covered this completely. If so... Then just "Howdy".

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Missed you today in the chit chat. I was just wondering where you had been.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

I tried on my wedding dress and it's a little tight! - I need as much exercise as I can stand for the next month.... so we were out mowing canary grass again. I wish I owned an animal that would eat it!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Goats, will eat it. But then you wouldn't get to mow it:)

I'm sure you will be fine.Exactly when in June is it?

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Saturday the 19th...

I'd get goats, but I don't have a goat-proof fence around some of it.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I didn't know that about biotin. I was thinking of starting mine on it till I get their feet toughened up. But the Venice Turpentine seems to be doing fine by itself. The only time I notice them having trouble is on gravel, and heck, I noticed that even with shoes.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

LOL...yeah goats need good fence if you want to keep them in.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Try Biotin and see. I don't think it makes every horse hot, it was just a caution to watch for. Bay does fine on it, there is a lot of Biotin in the joint supplement he gets. But a friend had a mare that acted really jumpy and nervous on it.