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]

I know I hate that. Why do people do that to their horses. Today when she called to see how he was doing she called him Booger:( He doesn't deserve that.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Sometime while I was asleep last night I changed my mind about taking the new horse out today. My routine with new horses has always been to ride them in the arena a few times before taking them out on trails. I've never had trouble doing it that way, so I think I will stick to that. I'll ride him this afternoon here.

Jenny will be riding alot the next month or so because she and her husband are going on a horse vacation with his family. So she will be up here often and can go with me the first time I take him in a few days or so.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Sounds smart Becky. Better to not get so excited to go that you take unnecessary risks.

Have you worked Rusty again lately?

[Beaker]

I'd leave Okie's mane as is unless you want to pull it and not cut it. He should be ok :-)

[Beaker]

Ya gotta get him a new name besides Trash. ;~D
I wholeheartedly agree. He looks like a Scout to me.

[CindyDawg]

I plan to unless he get's too hot. It's "him" I thought about tieing it back but it's not real thick and he feels fine under it. He seems to enjoy me brushing it (falls asleep)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Heather and I are back now, Jenny cut off a little earlier as she has to go to work this afternoon. Heather is out riding Rocky in the arena bareback.

When I get back from taking her home I'm going to ride Tami's gelding and then Rusty. Will be the first time on Rusty since we used him when Heathers sister went trail riding. With the rain yesterday, I didn't have time to try him. I'll ride him in the arena today. He doesn't have shoes yet. Will keep me from overdueing him:) It is nice and cool here today, so it won't be a good day to test if he is going to sweat good or not. Even after 3 hours Harley just barely broke sweat.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I rode the gelding for about 1 1/2 hours out on the trails. He's a pussycat. Wasn't spooky at anything.

Kristy came and got Harley and went to the arena. I'm going to run down there in a bit to watch after I eat. Will take some pictures.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Good! Glad he's going to be an easy ride. - I just got home and was getting caught up with posts, between getting everything watered, changing clothes and figuring out what we are gonna eat!

[HairOfTheDog]

Pulling it short is just for show.... it's actually a lot of work to keep it that way.

[CindyDawg]

I'm back. Don't know how long I can stay on. I'm on Eddies computer. We went to the stables and then to eat Mexican food. I got a hamburger :')

Okie and I did good today. Lot's of camp kids though and couldn't do much trotting.

[HairOfTheDog]

Evening. I am stuffed.... but it was Chinese food, so I'll be hungry again in an hour ;~D

Glad you got to ride. There is something wrong with me that you ride a lot more than I do, and mine is out my window lookin' at me!

[CindyDawg]

Actually , I have cut down to tue, thur, Sat for riding and just a little ground work mon and fri when he gets his iron. I like horses but being out there til dark 5 days a week wasn't leaving me much time for anything else.

[HairOfTheDog]

You're doing great. I haven't ridden in a couple weeks. ;~D

But my horse is semi retired..... I think the best schedule for him is to get as much pasture exercise as possible and not ride too often. He wouldn't hold up under a strict program any more. But his is doing great with occasional light trail.

Really looking forward to getting another and being able to ride ~with~ ecurbh also. Only having one means someone is always just watching the other and waiting their turn.

[Libertina]

Hi HOTD - My mom's horse was put down two days before the party, that's why the pasture was empty. :( He had a genetic (Http) defect that made him allergic to potassium - therefore he couldn't graze. He had to be kept in a grass free pasture. They don't breed this family now because of the genetic problem. I guess his great grandfather- Impressive - sired more champion quarter horses than any other.

I hadn't heard about the problem you described with getting sand bits - but it is certainly possible under the circumstances. The post mortem revealed two large stones (4 inches diameter) blocking his intestine. We didn't let him suffer and his fast passing was a shock.

My mom just returned from Port Townsend - (she'll be trying out a new horse on Monday :)

[HairOfTheDog]

Again.... I am sorry. I am somewhat familiar with the Impressive line problems.

I saw the obvious signs of horse stuff but empty paddock when we were at your house... I didn't take the opportunity to ask. I will lose my Bay sometime in the next few to several years, and his passing will be hard to take. He's a horse that has my heart.

Good luck to your mom in finding another horse. What kind of riding does she do? - Do you ride also? You should tell your mom about this thread and get her to sign up and horse-chat with us!

[CindyDawg]

Well, I need the practice and Okie needs the consistancy. He was actually a very mellow guy tonight though. He didn't even balk at the wash rack. Eddie groaning and asking why so important to me and reminding me that if he fusses we have to make him finish. Just something I wanted to do though. A test maybe? :')

I can't wait til we can ride together. I think it will be a lot of fun. He says I have to get better mounting before we do trails though.

Such a strict coach:') I'm not allowed to think anymore. I'ts stirrups 1 , "grab what ever you are going to grab" on 2 and leg over on 3 :')

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Hi, good to have some new faces around:)

What kind of horse are you looking at Mon.?

Becky

[Libertina]

;) Thanks for the invitation. I'll see if I can get her on. Although she and my dad are already fighting over computer time LOL... (But God bless the child who has her own ;)

I'm very sorry to hear about your Bay. My mom's previous horse was the horse love of her life and she still misses him. I used to ride when I was at home as a kid. We ride English. My mom still goes to the hunts over at the Woodbrook Hunt Club.

[Libertina]

My mom will be bringing home a thoroughbred to try out on Monday. Her friend just got a new horse and it would be a shame not to have a ride for the rest of the summer.