| This thread has been locked, it will not receive new replies. |
|
Locked on 01/07/2005 11:17:02 AM PST by Admin Moderator, reason:
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.
I think the tree looks great! - Not over-pruned at all!
I love trail riding, we have some good national parks around here with some trails.
I was all set to go to a three-day-event clinic Wednesday through Friday, with a competition down at Callaway Gardens on Sat and Sun, when I turned up Monday with an abscess in a rather embarassing place - never had such a thing before, my doctor has no idea how I got it, but boy did it hurt when I sat in a saddle! Even after he drained it and irrigated it (ouch!) and filled me full of antibiotics, I sure didn't feel much like riding. I rode for an hour Wednesday and that was about all I could stand, so five straight days of riding for five hours plus sounded like a really bad idea . . . so I backed out. Which was just as well because (1) I was going to have to borrow a shock vest for the cross country phase, and (2) we had eight horses going and only room on the trailer for seven!
So I cleaned all my tack, polished my boots, repaired the garden cart and shoveled about an acre of dirt and gravel that needed to be moved . . . . but didn't sit down much. :-D
That looks great. What pretty country. Is it a state park or something? Who keeps the trails so nice and open? Soooo, how do you like trail riding? Was there much difference from riding Bay?
Becky
I'm sorry you've been feeling bad. That sounds awful. Hope you get well soon.
Becky
It's state forest, so it is working timber, as opposed to park land. The trails are built in part by the state, but much of the upkeep like cutting fallen logs and cutting back brush and even repairing bridges is done by the local backcountry horsemen chapter. I want to join that.... I have been on trail maintenance crews, if you are doing trail maintenance you can ride in the winter and early spring when the trails are closed ;~D
And your tree looks very nice. If you think you cut too much off, it's probably about right. It will put it back on very quickly - much more quickly because the pruning stimulates growth.
Thanks:)
Oh, I forgot to ask, I take it Bay's feet held up fine??? Must if you did 15 miles. That is sure pretty country. I wish our trees around here got bigger like those. Scrub oak and hickories don;t really get that big around.
Becky
Actually.... AAM.... I went through what you are talking about (I think) last year.... condolences!
Oh thanks. It does look a bit shorn to me:), kind of like some guy with long hair getting a flat top. I really thought you could only prune in the spring.
Becky
Oh, BTW, whats a shock vest?
Becky
Bay held up great! no trouble with his feet, still walking out so the others had to trot to keep up! ;~D - he got rubbed a little in the cinch.... seems his skin is just thin any more, this happened on the last major ride too.
I absolutely loved it, and can't wait to go again!
Was there much difference from riding Bay?
Not a whole lot that I could tell, maybe just that she was a bit calmer. She is a really easy horse, and I had no problems controlling her... felt right at home in the saddle.
I was looking at your pictures again, and noticed you all started out with jackets on. I rode for 2 hours and would have loved to keep going but it was just to doggone hot. Reba was dripping from head to toe, and it was only 11:20.
Don't get me wrong, I do not like cold weather, but the humidity this summer has just been awful. I usually do pretty good up to about 95, but when the humidity gets as bad as it has been 85 can be brutal.
I can't even sit out in the shade and I can feel sweat running down my back in just a matter of minutes. I'm a firm believer that horses handle the cold better then the hot.
Becky
Well you both looked great. I really liked the picture of you two in the creek. That would make a pretty picture to frame and hang:)
Becky
It's a lot milder here.... today it started out in the fifties, and right now it is 67 and muggier than I like! Today was partly cloudy, and now there is even a hint of a rain shower trying to happen.
You can see a lot of those ferns in those pics too, like the one you asked about on one of my home trail pics once... Lots of tall trees and ferns here. ;~D
I think you are right.... working hard in heat is hard on anyone. I do think there is something to the Desert breeding of the Arab, they do cool better, all Bay's veins pop out when he is working hard at all, which I rarely see as much on QH's. When it is hot, Bay will still stand in the sun, but he's sluggy.... not frisky like when it is cool out.
ecurbh is passed out asleep on the couch..... the ride wore him out!
Horse is still on his feet, munching on some hay....
JC
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.