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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.
Becky
That doesn't look bad. He has such a kind eye:)
Becky
What a pretty boy! I'll have to dig up some old pictures of my horse and share them with everyone. It's scanning them in that's the pain.
He looks like deer in the woods himself in that pic ;~D
He couldn't be flashier if he has lights on him ;~D You wouldn't be ignored in the ring if you did show him...
We love looking at horse pictures:)
Becky
I don't think it is bad, it isn't weepy, not sensitive to the touch, it looks gooey there because I put gooey saulve on it.
I feel terrible when stuff has chaffed on them and we still aren't home yet so we have to try to fix it and keep going. I was able to slide the cinch backwards off of it.
Yes we do! :~D
I know what you mean. I felt like a traitor taking Belle out that time, because we were back in camp. But the lady that designed those pads said it would be better to take her. I still wonder, even tho it came out OK in the end, how responsible I was to do that. I don't think I would do it again now. I felt like an animal abuser and worried the whole ride.
Becky
You can tell, I think when they aren't having a good time. Bay never faltered like he was ouchy yesterday, we were walkin' out full speed and they were trotting to keep up. You can tell, sometimes in hindsight, when something was wrong, and you said she picked up and did real well.
Yeah she did, but I was mad at myself for letting that lady pressure me into going. Yeah, it all came out good. But hindsight tells me it was really to iffy of an outcome to go. Looking at it now, she was "selling" her pad:) Can't blame her, only myself because I really hate not finishing a ride when I start.
Becky
We all have a resistance to quitting when we really want to go! I know!
In a little while, we are going over to my friend Tiff's house, the one in the trail ride yesterday. She has a new foal... Horse was given to her only two years old and pregnant. Apparently these folks had a whole bunch of babies running together that were no longer babies ;~\. They had neglected to do anything about it, and have had hard times, so they needed to get rid of a bunch of pregnant horses at the last minute. She took one, and a friend of hers two others. So far, so good, but they were really too young to be mommas.
You have fun, I need to get ready for church.
Funny how many people think "oh they'll be OK together, they're too young to do anything:)" Yeah, riiight. That sort of things seems to happen often. Just too bad for the poor momma's. But they can come thru and get over and make up for lost growth if they're taken good care of afterwards.
Becky
She may keep them both, she'd like to start one from scratch, and this mare will be ready to start when she weans this foal.
I'll take the camera. Tiff really didn't have room for a momma and baby, luckily they were summer babies because her two horses had to be kicked out of their stalls to open it up for foaling.
She doesn't know a lot about foaling, hasn't even had a vet out yet (and I am such a worrier I can't imagine ~not~ calling the vet out) - but at least the momma had shots and wormer before birthing, and she does have her on a good mare and foal supplement. She said she was feeding her a lot and the mare is still ribby... I'll take a look and advise best I can ;~D
I watched Belle close when she was in foal. My friend Celia's mares always would get to looking pretty ribby especially when the baby was nursing at about 2-3 months. She said there was no way to keep a mare from looking like that because the baby took so much from her.
The problem is that while they are pregnant the last month they are so full of baby they can't eat much, then lactating does take alot out. Here's another plus for the complete pellets I use. They don't take up as much space as hay and/or pasture so the mare can eat all she requires. Belle never had ribs showing and I didn't really start increasing her feed till about the last two weeks so that she stayed filled out even while lactating. I also added 1 1/2 pounds a day of calf manna to her feed to make her milk real nutritious. Celia was amazed at how well she looked throught out the process, and has changed her thinking about it:)
Becky
I'll definately talk to her about complete feeds. I think she'd be interested in trying that. She kindof flies by the seat of her pants in life, but she does try to do right. I loaned her a favorite old book of mine when she got into horses a couple years ago, and she still relies on that for information. I've never asked for it back because it seems to be the only research she does about things beforehand ;~D
Yesterday she wanted to know about weaning, and since the foal is now bonding with her other two mares in a herd group, I suggested taking the momma off the place (even here if she needs a place to take her) when it's time, like 6 months. I think she has been petting the foal a lot, but not really training. I am a big fan of imprinting and early halter training rather than later, so I'm going to suggest she halter and start working with the baby now.... Already a few weeks old, and I can help with how to start with that.
On the subject of foaling, I recommend "Blessed are the Broodmares" for a book. Another good refrence that I always have is the "Complete Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook" or something along those lines.
My first horse book was The Idiot's guide to horses.:') I still refer back to it at times. Some good basic stuff there. My favorite part is the don't give your horse Marijuana, tobacco, or St. John's wort. For the author to have to address this means that someone has tried before, right? :')
I think my book is like the complete veterinary guide, has a little bit about everything... goes into conformation and injuries, fencing, feeding, stable design, all kinds of stuff, nothing too in depth, but a little on everything. I don't remember the title, and it English in perspective, but a great all around book for anyone on the basics.
Gotta go now, I'll take pics of the new babe and post them tonight when we get back.
Hey, does anyone here know anything about mules?
Aren't they always sterile? Would a male mule still need to be gelded? Would you break one the same as a horse? Would you feed one the same as a horse?
Becky
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