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.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Yeah, you just never know:)

Well, I'm signing off for the night. Hope a good nights sleep will make me feel better. And Bunko is tomorrow. Will be getting ready for that most of the day. Looks like it could rain all day tomorrow, so it'll be a good day to have something to do in the house.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Good night! Tomorrow is my last down day before that new trial job... I want to ride.

[CindyDawg]

Well, I'm off my pity pot and they aren't asses anymore:') I usually don't ride on Wed and Sun because of church. It rushes me but i had already missed one day this week though so Eddie met me over there at 5. I was so proud. I couldn't wait to show him how well Okie doing.

Well Okie wasn't "doing". A bunch of women setting around watching. I couldn't hear then but they were watching and talking and I felt very stupid and insecure. Eddie, questioning what was wrong and then (groan) yelled out and asked if they would come show me how to get him on the wash rack. No one said anything at first and then he started talking about me having trouble with him. I was so embarassed. He wouldn't hush and then one of them suggesting I take him in from the side. I tried to explain that it wasn't getting him on but him going up the middle like I told him. She kept telling me that and Eddie still talking about me and I got mad and took him to the pasture and left um all there. Eddie went back. I told him I didn't like "shows" and all I wanted to do was just ride him. I went back after church after I realized I let Okie get away with it. Eddie had him saddled for me and told me to get on. I told him no, he was going to get on the rack. He just rolled his eyes and laughed. I romped Okie all over the place. Suddenly the fight was gone and he's dropping his head and working with me. It's dark now and I walk him up and Eddie thinks I'm done but I took him off and made him do it over and over and then for Eddie. Too bad my audience wasn't there. They left and he sraightened up of course.

How long all that hay last you?

[Esther Ruth]

Haflingers:
"Originating from the South Tyrol, Haflingers were the native ponies of the Alpine farms of Austria.
Arab blood, brought back from the Continental wars with the Turks was crossed the native Tyrolean Pony - thus establishing the Haflinger Horse Breed."
(from)
http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/haflinger/

Don't have pictures yet of Cezar. Kids wanted to change his name to Curly, as in the Three Stooges, but kept his name. We've never owned a horse before but I've ridden a lot but not for a few years now.

What do most of you recommend for books and videos for training and all if you where to recommend something? Anyone special you think is best?

[HairOfTheDog]

Good rant.... Maybe you'll need two bats in your pocket! ;~D

Not sure what's up with the catty wimmin, but don't let them get to ya. You won't have to bear them forever, someday you can have your own place without other interloping boarders around.

I hope that hay will last through winter but I bet it doesn't.

[CindyDawg]

hmpt. I tossed the bat and went and got the equalizer (the long curb chain) Maybe they bothered him too. Lot's of people around.

[HairOfTheDog]

What do most of you recommend for books and videos for training and all if you where to recommend something?

What do you hope to do with the pony?

In general, I like Mary Twelveponies... We bought her 'no bad horses' book for ecurbh.

Amazon.com: Books Search Results: mary twelveponies

[CindyDawg]

I just noticed the pony:') She just wander up?

[Esther Ruth]

Thank you, I'll get Mary Twelveponie's book. We plan to just ride, hang out together, be good friends and watch the butterflies drift through the field. But who knows, maybe the kids will take an interest in showing, jumping and all. My 4 year old has a rodeo kind of guy personality, likes running around like a crazy guy yelling yippee and yahoo. Cezar seems to like my 4 year old the best so we'll see.

Last night there where 2 of these huge wicked looking flies? following Cezar around, they seemed a inch and a half long, they weren't wasps, but flies, he could not get rid of them, they kept wanting to get right on his rump, like big old helicopters, never seen flies like these, yikes!! He ran around and finally lost them. He hates flies spray, even though I just wipe it on with a soft cloth or sponge.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Oh, so you decided to take the job?

You are going to start on a Fri.?

It's raining here this morning. I'll be around all day, getting ready for bunko:)

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

I haven't really decided to take it, I have to talk to them Friday, and see if I think it will work out. It'll be a trial temp period for both of us.

Remind me what "bunko" is.... ?????

[CindyDawg]

I've been told we have some wicked flies around here (south Teaxas). I haven't seen any yet, just regular house flys. I have to keep him sprayed though or they are all over him . He didn't like the spray at first either. I use a wipe with the stuff on his face too.

[HairOfTheDog]

Bot fly maybe? See any orange looking eggs on the horse?

You know it is highly unusual and risky for someone to start out with a yearling as a first horse, or a first horse for kids especially? How did you happen to get one so young? Do you intend to start him yourself?

[HairOfTheDog]

They all hate fly spray, but they'll get used to it. My pony leaps around like I am burning her with it! I spray their bodies, and wipe it on their faces.... also use fly masks to keep flies out of their eyes.

[CindyDawg]

The stuff I use says it lasts 2 weeks. No way. It doesn't even last a day. I was talking with the owner and she told she didn't know where they tested but to spray away, twice a day if he needed it .

[HairOfTheDog]

Heh.... Yeah - I don't know who they're think they're foolin' with two weeks!

[CindyDawg]

I have to side with the pony a little though. I use Tri Tech and that stuff does burn if I get in on the skin.:')

[Beaker]

Don't worry about it. Horses will always make the biggest fool out of you. :-) I'm sure that you did nothing wrong.
Ignore talking and commenting from other people. They probably don't know what they're talking about either, and they're doing it to make themselves feel good.

[HairOfTheDog]

Hmmm - it shouldn't irritate the skin. I spray mine on myself, and spray it on my hand to rub on their faces.

[CindyDawg]

Maybe just me. I use a baby wipe because it burns my hands.