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.

[AnAmericanMother]

I've noticed that on my (TB) mare too. When she gets really hot, the veins pop out all over her skin, especially on her neck, shoulders, belly and inner thighs. Of course, she's jet black so she's a solar magnet. I try to keep her in the shade when I can, and we have water buckets in the ring for the horses to sip when they're working.

After we ride (and she's been walked out til she's no longer blowing), I just stand her in the wash stall, mix a little hot water with the cold just to take the edge off, and spray her til the veins go down. She used to be really funny about my spraying her face, now she squinches up her eyes and flattens her ears and opens her mouth to let the water run in!

[CindyDawg]

Ok, I'm back. Gonna work on these pictures.

[HairOfTheDog]

Waiting to see 'em!

ecurbh and I both slept a bit, and have now eaten dinner... You know you've had fun in a day when you are this tired. ;~D

[malakhi]

I have a question and I hate being off topic on the NES, so I figured you wouldn't mind coming here:)

Hi Becky!

I was told at the nursery it was a slow growing variety.

I don't know how knowledgeable the person at the nursery was. He may have just been reading off the label, rather than speaking from experience. A plant that is "slow growing" in one climate may be vigorous or even invasive elsewhere. Apparently eastern Oklahoma suits your redbud just fine!

I was wondering if I could/should prune it again now, and how much, and how:), or do I need to leave it alone till next year.

I'm not a traditionalist when it comes to pruning. In my experience, the timing doesn't make all that much difference. Since it is growing vigorously, I would feel free to prune vigorously. Hack away at it until you get it looking the way you want. The (unlikely) worst case scenario is that you kill the tree, which you aren't really happy with anyway, and replace it with something else. More likely, it will handle aggressive pruning just fine.

[CindyDawg]

CHICKENS AT THE ZOO! I kid you not. (JJ/Sarah and my DIL Lindsay

[CindyDawg]

Can yall open? All I see is a box

[HairOfTheDog]

It's just a box here too..... the coding isn't complete.

Should be <IMG SRC="http://address for picture">

[CindyDawg]

Ok. let me try again

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Thanks malakhi, that's about what Hair told me. See #2396.
I like it alot better now:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

We just got in from eating supper and visiting with a neighbor.

Any sore muscles yet? Sounds like the horse is doing fine:)

Becky

[CindyDawg]

[HairOfTheDog]

ecurbh is sore, Bay is doing just fine... My knees felt fatigued while we were riding, but don't ache now. I feel bad for taking some hair off on his cinch area, but it isn't swelling, so I think it feels minor to him. He's really a good guy. We only planned on doing the 8 mile loop but it just went so easy we weren't ready to quit yet. Figured a few so muscles would be worth the extra time out there. We never know when we are going to get another chance.

Here is another picture of my friend standin' by her little arab mare. Really another gem of a horse, like her QH.... Sweet and easy to be around. I loaded this pic to show a little glimpse behind that wasn't shown in the other pics... of the wider view from the top there. Then I notice... Tiff, you are loosing your bridle!

[CindyDawg]

I had it there. I took the message out. I did get a box color change this time lol. HMM

[HairOfTheDog]

That time the coding looks correct.... but I don't think you got the whole address. When you are looking at the properties on the pic... right click and "select all" then "copy". York addresses are like snapfish addresses, they are really long.

When you preview to post it, it should show up, if you can't see the pic, when you preview it, it isn't right yet.

[CindyDawg]

Cowboy (JJ)

[HairOfTheDog]

Woo hoo! You got it!

Now, where is this? at the horse camp thing?

[CindyDawg]

YES! I got it. C'mere and see. Want me to teach you how? lol

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Nice looking Arab. Looks like she has good strong legs.

Beautiful country.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

She's got a big ole fat belly, has ever since she got her. She was practically dumped when Tiff got her... the people just needed rid of her, and she was a bargain. But has just really turned out to be a nice horse.

[CindyDawg]

Yep. His one and only day. All he wanted to do was ride horses. Wasn't into games and crafts, little stinker:') He had one lesson and when I looked up and thought about where he was at he was standing beside me looking down. He wasn't scared, just aggravated with me. He had his hands on his hips and told me "Granny, you have to keep your toes up and say whoa and hold on to the mane".