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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.
Yeah, Super suggested that too. He only moves about a foot each time and I tried this but I need a little room to get my leg over so he still ends up with wiggle room. Maybe I shouldn't have given up. I'm only going to get on in the round pen this next week with a "header". I might try it by that fence.
Lovely pics! Who's the gorgeous bay?
23 years old, full Arabian, former endurance racer, trail horse and backyard pet. He's also the horse in the saddle club thread graphic.
Here he is with ecurbh on him here at home, best pic I've taken this year!
I am so envious of you folks. There's been so much construction in the area where our horses are that there isn't much trail riding left. Add the PA heat and humidity and bugs and it makes it miserable to ride outside most days.
Oooh - I wouldn't want to be any more crowded than I already feel! We are lucky to have places to go still. And much as the northwest is criticized for rain, I think relative to unbearable heat or freezing winters, our weather is about perfect.
I was afraid that would happen especially when you got back and said you had done the loop twice:) I know I was amazed and everyone that comes out here and rides that is not accustomed to it is a suprised at the soreness. You use alot more muscle then you would think just sitting on a horse.
Becky
We had to overdo a little, these chances are pretty rare and we have to do it while we can, until we can get a truck and trailer, and another horse, and... !
I have been riding around here for 18 years and just in the last 3 yrs or so, more and more people are moving in and fencing. I've still got alot more room to ride then alot of folks, but now I'm having to contend with chop shops and meth labs being hidden out in "my" woods:(.
People were always amazed that I would go riding by myself out here. What if you get dumped. Well, lately I've worried more about what people out there will do more then what my horse might do.
Becky
Oh, I don't blame you for doing it. Before you left and said you were going to do 8 miles, my first thought is, they're going to alot of trouble for 8 miles:). When I was riding yesterday, I thought, I'll bet they get back and will think that went soooooooo fast. I realize you were at the mercy of your friend.
I'm glad you got to make a day of it. Is Bay still doing good today? any lameness? If not, then I would say he is good to go do anything. If he can do that you've got his problem under control.
Becky
It's not ~too~ bad though, and in fact is a little less than I expected... just a bit tender in the thigh area for the most part. A small price to pay, though, for that much enjoyment!
I've been wondering, if we had the second horse, where some of the two track roads around here go and whether I would find trails through some of the woods here that we could ride to. There probably are, but we'd be riding a little ways on the road. Stuff I shouldn't be afraid to do, when I was a teenager, we'd ride right through town to visit friends. Those childhood horses of mine were pretty dang good, safer than I give them credit for with the adult fears and perspective I have now!
I think he's fine. Not trotting around like he's got too much energy today, but not lame. His back isn't ouchy when I press around, I think he came through it just fine! Only worse for wear where my cinch rubbed him. and that isn't bad at all, no skin gone, just lost some hair.
I didn't ride at all as a kid, but a friend I ride alot with, Celia, says the same thing. That she climb on horses she didn't even know who they belonged to, just loose in a field, with nothing but an old rope around their necks and rode. She wouldn't do it for nothing now. I think our age is what makes horses either "dang good safe" or not:). The older we get the less safe they become. Also the less knowledge we have. When we first got horses I didn't worry about nearly the stuff I do now, because I didn't "know" I needed to be worrying about it:)
Becky
I am glad my parents had no concept of the danger! They let me go do all that stuff. Safer than boys.... or at least, I couldn't get in too much trouble with boys if I had to hang on to my horse with one hand ;~D
You may know this and if you do, I'm sorry, but I had trouble with cinch rubs once. Someone taught me at one of my competitions that after you saddle pick up each of their front legs and lift, and pull them out front, with your hand behind thier knee. If you watch you can see lots of skin pulling out from under the cinch. I was surprised how their skin bunches up under the cinch. pulling each leg out smoothes thier skin out under and is less likely to cause cinch rubs. I've never had one since I started doing that. It's one of those things that unless someone tells you you may not think to do it.
Becky
:)
Becky
That's really cool that you enjoyed it that much. It's a great family hobby. And something you can do for years and years.
Becky
He has a very intelligent face. (Well, the face of an Arab, I know) :-)
I do pull his legs like that, and I did yesterday. My cinch is smooth leather and his skin should slide right under it without chaffing. I think some dirt got under there too, it was dusty and would stick where he was sweating. I noticed it 3/4 of the way around on that break stop at the top, and slide the cinch back to stay clear of it.
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