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Thread III: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1311311/posts |
Posted on 04/26/2004 12:06:41 PM PDT by 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.
IF, and that's a big IF:), I have to go back to a farrier, I would probably go back to the one that shoed for me for 7 years, if he would do it, and I think he would. He talked to Mack once after I switched and knew why I did. I think he agreed he hadn't been very dependable at the end. Of course he blamed it on his wife, not giving him messages:), but he knew I had just cause to switch.
Anyway, I'm going to try the boots first.
Becky
Oh, and BTW, Rusty and Rocky did pretty good barefoot Sat. night. They were slow on gravel but did fine on regular rock. Harly gimped everywhere.
Becky
Well, I'm going to have lunch, then go pick up that mare:) I'm still feeling enthusiastic about doing this. Well take some pictures of her when I get back. Just remember she has been running on pasture for about 3 yrs now with no grooming, she may look rough. I haven't even seen her up close for a long time. The kids feed her for me. So she has kind of been out of sight out of mind for me.
Becky
They'll harden in time perhaps... Bay was super-ouchy walking around in my gravel driveway when the farrier was making his new pads.. But then, his whole sole has been padded for months now. The pony has four white feet, and she doesn't ouch on the driveway or anywhere, she's always barefoot.
I asked my farrier: "If I started working the pony hard, you think her feet would hold up barefoot or would I have to shoe her?" He said "I dunno.... they might do fine, my pony is ridden alot on trail and he's never shod." He then went on to say that many ponies just have more naturally harder feet, having had fewer of their natural tendencies 'refined' out of them as many horse breeds have. He wasn't sure my fancy Hackney pony fit in that category.
If you went with the boots for Harley... would that just be when you work him?
Good - look forward to the pics... :~D
Yeah, I will actually put the boots on all of them when I ride. If two of them go out then they would just be used on the front. Alot of people around here just shoe the front. But when I am by myself I'll put all four on. During arena work they will go barefoot. Even Harley. Maybe eventually he'll toughen up.
Becky
They stayed down till we walked away ~smiles~
Somebody at the barn has a pic of me sitting in Gracie's stall with her head in my lap. She had just gotten new shoes and was lying flat out on her side feeling sorry for herself, so I went in and sat on her hay. Without moving her body, she snaked up her head and plopped it right in my lap for some sympathy. (Boy, is a horse's head ever heavy when they don't want to move!)
Seriously, they have to trust you before they will stay in such a vulnerable position.
Bay's a good guy. My pony would not have stayed down like that with me hovering over her... but I have had both of them stay down in their stalls before with me standing outside.
I have an interesting story that this comment brought to mind. We knew a guy that live on a highway. His very expensive champion roping horse got out somehow. He got hit by a truck. The passenger window post hit the horse right behind his jaw line. Decapitated the horse, and sent the head about 50 yards down the highway. When the police got there to clean up the mess one police man went down to move the head, and couldn't lift it it was so heavy. Took 2 guys to lift it into the back of a truck. Just FYI:).
I'm back from getting the mare. Will post pictures shortly. Rocky got very excited, and she may be in season now. Lot's of whinning back and forth right now.
Becky
lovely story Becky ;~D
Sorry, just seemed like such a perfect time to tell it:)
I forgot to tell it was night and the driver of the truck never saw it. Can you imagine his shock!
Becky
Heh...
Yeah. No I can't imagine!
I used to do accident investigation. Did some cows, but never a horse (thank heavens - talk about emotionally involved!)
ecurbh thought it sounded like the Godfather scene too ;~D
LOL....that is the response we get everytime we tell it.
Actually it was a pretty sad deal. It was a very nice horse. But the fact that it took two men to lift it always amazed me. I would not have thought that.
Ok, change the subject....Those are neat pictures Hair. Later when Mack lets me have the computer I'll post the pictures of my mare.
Every one is settling down nicely. Too hot to carry on to much. Tonight when it's cooler I'll lead her over by him to see if she's in yet.
Becky
My pony used to come into obvious heat and get ~really~ irritated at Bay for doing nothing but nuzzlin' on her. There would be days of squealing. This year I haven't noticed obvious cycles with her.
Do you think she might actually stop having heat cycles if there is no hope after three years? - Or you think she is still coming in to heat, but has just given up the brazen displays for Bay?
I have no clue. The six years Belle lived here I never knew when she was in season. In fact the first time we bred her we gave her some kind of shot that brings mares into season. If she is not is season soon on her own, I'll go get one.
Becky
Hm.
Well, I am going to go mow... the rain has brought growth!
Be back inside later, when my gas or my energy run out!
And here's the future groom to be, hard to tell, but he was all sweated up here.
becky
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