| This thread has been locked, it will not receive new replies. |
|
Locked on 01/07/2005 11:17:02 AM PST by Admin Moderator, reason:
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.
Hey we're on the same wave length here. That is exactly what I told my daughter earlier when she called to see how it went.
I told her how when I made the kid keep him on the rail rather then just letting him trot aimlessly around whereever he wanted she went around once and quit. I told Jenny, I was going to get alot firmer about making her do things properly.
Of course that may mean locking horns with mom. I've told them all, TWO HANDS, on the reins. She tells them "if you want to hold the horn you can". My horses don't neck rein, and aren't real controlable with one hand. In the arena I just decided to let it go and not make a big deal. No more. It's right or nothing at all. It's time.
Becky
Sorry! Rusty! Rocky and Rusty! Argh, too many horses, and not enough brain cells! :-p
LOL. Mom and Heather have rode Harley too.
Becky
I'm going to that playday tonight. Got my camera all charged up.
Becky
Good.... will be looking! I hope to ride also.... but the best of intentions sometimes....
I know, I've been meaning all afternoon to get out there on the mare and haven't done it. 2 days I've lost. I'll have to make them up on Sat. and Sun.
Becky
Well, I need to make myself get up and go to the stables. My butt just not listening though. It's comfortable right where its at :')
I went to the pasture and Okie at the back of course. Funny thing . He met me about half way. I didn't even put the halter on him. He walked with me. Stopped with me. Real cool. Then I spent the usual 30 minutes getting him on the wash rack. A boarder asked if he could give it a try and I said sure, why not. He untied him, walked him off and did something when Okie started backing up. He never said a word to him and the horse walked right up!. I'm thinking Oh no you didn't just do that" so my turn. I took the boarders whip and walked him out again. He started backing up. The boarder told me I raised the whip and he thought he did something wrong . He told me never hit him unless he is being agressive, just raise it or pop it when he isn't going where I want him. So back to the drawing board. He started back. I raised it. He stopped and I lowered it and he walked right up. This boarder the one that wanted to buy him. He said he is so smart and he thinks it is a game we play. Afterwards when I put Okie up he didn't want to go in the pasture and kept wanting to be petted and tried to push the gate open when I walked off. Could he like all the attention he was getting? lol. Anyway, even though I didn't get to ride I'm glad I went. I learned some stuff. Is it ok to carry a whip like this routinely though. I want him to mind but not abuse him with threats all the time. I do this when lunging and he seems ok with it.
You don't want to use the whip on him for every little thing, no, but having it tucked in your pants (I used to tuck the bat in the back of my pants) especially when you are going to take him somewhere he might balk to follow, is not a bad idea.
There are other ways to mimic having a bat in your hand... I have been known, if I am trying to lead forward, as into a trailer or into a scary wash rack, to reach back and slap behind me with the far hand, if you don't happen to have a bat and you have trouble.
This is my SIL (red shirt) with his nephew and brother in law lead lining the kid for flags.
Blake waiting his turn for goat decorating
LOL. I thought this lady would die if she saw this picture I took:) She's helping a kid by holding the goat still.
Travis coaching his neice thru goat decorating.
The pictures I took of Blake doing goat decorating came out to dark.
Becky
Did you ride today?
Becky
Great action shot on the flags!
I am not familiar with Goat decorating, as a sport, or otherwise! What sort of decorating was done?
We tried a little fun day here once, where friends brought their horses over, none of us having ~any~ gaming experience. We set up poles to sidepass and back through, and flags, an obstacle course (hop over cavelletti and walk on scary blue tarp. Just getting the A-rab horses ~near~ the flags was an event ;~D
No. Wimped out. I have a life-changing job offer I am having to mull over, and that kindof took all my energy today. It's good money, but I am not sure I want my life changed. It would be an hour commute each way, high pressure job, difficult boss. But good money. What to do? I've been working from home for three years and though I haven't been making much lately, that also was about to change for the better.
Goat decorating.
Someone either holds the goat on a line or it is staked out on a line at one end of the arena. Kid rides the horse down to it as fast as he can, bails off the horse then ties a ribbon around the goats tail. Time stops when the ribbon is on.
The trick is holding the goat still to tie the ribbon. They were helping the younger kids. A few of the horses didn't like the goats.
Becky
That's not wimping out. Good luck with what ever you do. Sounds like a tough decision. Money's not everything, but it is definitly necessary.
Becky
Money isn't everything. Of course you have to make enough to live but you need to be happy with what you do. I don't know what kind of work you are skilled in but would they let you home base? Lot's of companies are doing that now.
Ok, I have to ask. What the heck is goat decorating???
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.