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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.
You know, I've noticed you mention several times here and on the HH how good you think horses are for kids and I agree 100%. We know a couple who had a daughter a few years younger then Jenny. That kid wanted a horse so bad she would have killed for one. For some reason that I never figured out her dad would never agree to getting her one. Her mother wanted to get one because she rode as a kid, but dad would never give in.
Anyway the girl now has 2 children out of wedlock has been in all kinds of troubles, dropped out of school etc. It would be interesting to see how her life would have been if she had had a horse. Personally, I think it would have made a big big difference. But we'll never know.
Becky
There is a little bit of risk of riding up on meth labs here too, and that is why gates are going up across roads in some of the state forests. Bad news for campers who like to drive in to the back woods, I feel for them... but crossing the forest roads on the horse trails is a lot afer than it used to be. ;~\
Too bad... well, if she can get it right in the future, she and her own kids could still really benefit from the lifestyle of having a horse.
I was worried about Reba getting cinch sores. I think a horse fat and/or out of shape is more likely to get them too bacause their skin is looser.
I use a felt cinch. I've had a lot of luck with them. I like them because they have padding behind the buckles. I had really bad luck wit neoprene tho. I would never use that stuff again either on a cinch or pad.
Becky
We just recently had a big man hunt out in these woods when some guy that the cops had caught and handcuffed escaped. He was a known carthief/drug maker. He was running around out here for about 2 wks before they caught him. With all the police searchers going on I think we're in the clear for a while now. That's kind of the way it goes. The police have to come in every few years and clean out. Then it's good for awhile.
Becky
Wow.
Exactly:). I've always thought horses acted better alone.
I've only been dumped once by myself. That was last year. I was long trotting down a stretch and 2 deer jumped up almost under our noses. Scared Rusty to death and he spun around so fast I couldn't stay on. I think if we had just been walking it wouldn't have been so hard to hang on. But we had alot of forward motion going. I landed right on my butt. Rolled over to my hands and knees and stayed there groaning while Rusty sniffed the back of my head. He was lucky I couldn't get up:)
I finally got back up and on, and came home. I was real sore for about 3 wks, especially at a lope where you bounce some. I wondered if I didn't break a hip for awhile, but it passed. Takes longer to heal at 50 then it did at 30:). I thought it was pretty good that a 50 year old woman could take a fall like that. The gods are probably going to get me for saying that:)
Becky
They do slip. That's what I used on the school horses. My felt one holds. Okie has never gotten rubbed or lost hair. I did have the change from the rope to nylon halter though. He was getting rubbed on his face by one of the knots.
I've never used a smooth leather cinch, but I think they would be very comfortable too.
I used a neoprene pad, when I had the trouble. The problem is what you said. Heat builds up under them and then they stick to the horse and it just pulls.
I had one and did a competiton in it with Belle. It scalded her so bad that she had blisters on either side of her withers. When the hair grew back it stayed white. I was going to pull her and not go out the second day, but some lady brought me a pad she designed, it had surgical fleece on the underside, but the padding inside was astro turf. She said try it to the first PR stop. When we first started I really felt like a heal, Belle seemed so stiff and sore. But after a few miles she was moving out and seemed to just get better and better, so I finished. When we got back I was really dreading pulling that pad off, I figured it would pull skin and everything off on those spots. But when I did, they actually were flat and smooth and looked better.
I bought one of those pads from her and used it for about 4 years. Now I have a wool pad and it's been real good. You just can't skimp on pads or cinches. They need to be well made out of good material.
Becky
I've been dumped only once on the trail, and it was while I was with a group of other horses and riders. We were trotting along easy as could be, until my horse lost sight of the others for a milisecond as they went around a pine tree. He bucked me clear, and I summersaulted, landed on my butt, and bounced to my feet as he tried to take off, because I didn't let go of the reins. I should have, but all I could think of as I was flying through the air was that I couldn't lose him.
That's why they call him "Show Boy" I guess. I liked the way he looked in the first picture I saw of him. My Indian roots, I guess:')
We saw a deer yesterday too.... Everyone stopped, including the doe, and just looked at each other. Seemed like for a long time, but not long enough for me to dig my camera out ;~\
I guess I was real lucky that Rusty didn't take off. I don't think I could have walked home. Not only was I hurt, it was about 98 degrees, my water was on the saddle and I was probably 1 1/2 miles from home. It hurt to get on, but it would have been worse walking. I don't think I would have made it. I take a cell phone with me now:)
Becky
I've had them stop and look at me for awhile too. I think that is soooo cool.
I've seen fox, coyote, racoons, possoums, bobcat, and ferral pigs.
I love seeing that stuff:) (well excpet for the pigs, they scare me)
Becky
Yeah, it looked like that plastic green grass they make welcome mats out of. It was real good as long as the fleece stayed good. But once the fleece wore thinner then the stiffness of the astro turf rubbed the hair off at the back of the saddle.
I've been real happy with my wool pad. I've had it now for about 2 1/2 years. So it's holding up good, and no problems with it for the horses.
Becky
Here's the cinch sore from yesterday.
The custom pads we made are different techniques on each if you want descriptions for your own situation.
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