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.

[CindyDawg]

Where is everyone? :')

[HairOfTheDog]

Good question! I am working here, and wondering if I am going to ride today.

Second day now of not feeding the horses any hay, without them looking for it! - I like it when I have enough pasture to support them, it also would free up our time so we could go somewhere overnight easier, if Bay didn't still need his meds.

Been riding already today?

[AnAmericanMother]

Me, I'm at work . . . trying to get something useful done.

I probably won't ride until Wednesday. Tonight is doggy class, and tomorrow night there's a special program on C.S. Lewis at a local school that I'll probably attend . . . busy busy busy busy busy (story of my life!)

[CindyDawg]

Winding down my lunch break. I'm going to the stables today. Hoefully I'll get to ride. I was shut out yesterday. The owner wouldn't even let me put him in the pasture because I would have to walk him across the golf course ( precious patch of green grass between the barn and the fence) :'(

[HairOfTheDog]

What does that mean?

[CindyDawg]

???????? My lunch break about up? The owner of the stables won't let him on the grass because it's wet and he'll make holes???

[HairOfTheDog]

I don't understand the arrangement or the layout of the place that you couldn't ride... Oh you mean the pasture was too wet to turn him out?

[CindyDawg]

Sorry. I assumed you knew from the NES. Okie stalled. He gets turned out to the pasture to play with his friends from 10a-3pm everyday except Sun due to decreased workers I guess. Anyway he would be restless monday so I have been putting him in the pasture and back to his stall on Sundays. I was told I couldn't turn him out because the ground wet and it makes holes in the pasture and when they run they could get hurt. Sounds good except a whole lot of pasture only horses out there and I don't see another making a difference. There is about 100 feet of grassed area from the pasture to the stall. I think this is what she doesn't want messed up since people ride there. I understand but I get frustrated. Guess I'm not a good team player :')

[HairOfTheDog]

Does sound limiting and confusing!

Your boarding place sounds tyrannical, but I guess mine was too... A lot of opinionated women in horse-boarding and training!

Mine had lots of rules too! And I suppose I'll be the same when I am running mine.

I wouldn't have horses stalled round the clock either. They do get restless... and restless horses cause trouble entertaining themselves. I hope to have runs off of every stall at my place... And I wouldn't yell atcha for walkin' cross the grass, I promise. ;~D

[CindyDawg]

Thanks. A little far though:') By run do you mean he can go in and out to the pasture? That's what I eventually want. My husband and I are misplaced country people. We have been planning to move back to the country the last couple of years. We had thought about north Texas but I think we are going to stay here. A Realtor is working with us. I just want to have my own place to ride when I want to. What I pay every month would almost make the payments. The only reason I have stayed was for lessons but those keep getting canceled so I;m thinking if I ever get the 4 I have already paid for to quit and just get my books out and finish up on my own :')

[Northern Yankee]

What a blast...

I don't have a horse at the moment, but I love riding.

I learned how to ride by being thrown more than I rode while in high school. (A renegade horse to be sure...) I soon broke this horse in, or she broke me in, and that's how I cut my teeth riding horses.

Sure looks like fun group!

[HairOfTheDog]

By run I just mean they all have paddocks connected to the stalls that they can come and go and not be cooped up in a box stall.

I do think you'll like having the horses at home when you get there. I just like keeping them, even when I don't ride much, I like looking out and watching them.

[CindyDawg]

I understand now. My sister in law lives in a big house that has a pasture butting the back yard. She eats breakfast on the patio and watches them before starting her day. Don't know why she doesn't ride though. I love to watch them too and will sometimes just sit and watch for awhile but why have a horse if you aren't going to ride ? She does a lot of strange stuff though :')

[CindyDawg]

Ever heard of this? My instructor says my horse has a strong male dominance and doesn't know he's not a stallion. He hangs out around the mares (and I mean literally) Almost embarressing lol
My instructor says she's been observing him and that's why he get's hyper with me sometimes and so easy going and gentle at other times. He has a harem of about 20 and doesn't know what to do. Is this possible?

[HairOfTheDog]

Sure it is... It isn't so much that he doesn't know he isn't a stallion, it is that being a stallion is natural and he doesn't understand being a gelding!

It could be that he wasn't gelded until some of his instincts kicked in... He's just bein' a boy. My Bay likes his ladies too. Most geldings retain a few instincts even without the ~cause~.

[CindyDawg]

It's really not his fault:') These are very aggresive girls. They are pastured behind the round pen and beside the arena. They neigh to him when he's working and when we head away he wants to always look back. I can re focus him but I get tired of people walking by and saying your horse needs to pee. I used to try to explain he really didn't now I just nod.
About two months ago my instructor told me to stop him because he had to go. I tried to tell her but she wouldn't listen. Saturday she brought it up and of course I had to say "see, I told you" She just laughed.

[malakhi]

Hey CD, I just wanted to pop in and say "howdy!" :o)

[CindyDawg]

Hey Mal. I forget sometimes others can see my posts. lol My horse does amuse me though:')

[malakhi]

I didn't see your other post, I just looked you up to say hello.

Now that you mention it, though, I'll take a look! ;o)

[CindyDawg]

Where are all you horse people? :')