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]

Good for you. Is this the horse you were having problems with or a new one? I get about 3-4 days of riding a week in. I usually ride on T/TH/Sat but my life chaotic right now and I keep having to substitute.

[CindyDawg]

Okie doing good. We have been together about 6 months now and bonding setting in. He just can't decide who he likes best. (Me or my husband). He's such a smart horse. Too smart. Like any kid he doesn't like to go home (the pasture) and trys to close the gait back when I open it.

He will ,but he doesn't like leaving the stables though. How he can figure one gate just out of the pasture but one out of the stables beyond me but he knows the difference. My husband riding too so we are looking for another horse for us and company for him.

[estrogen]

This is the original horse I bought down in KY. At that time we also bought my husband a TWH . I have since sold him because he was too much horse for my husband, who really isn't comfortable yet with horses. I'm hoping that after I get Waylon (my Rocky) down to our cabin that I can find a "Been there done that" kind of horse for hubby.

[CindyDawg]

I'm supposed to go to a ranch around here to look at a 2nd horse. I run out of time this weekend.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

TWH can be a handful, well actually any horse can be:) You did the best thing by selling him. It's better to keep buying and selling them till you find the one that works for you then to keep one your not comfortable with. Good for you:)

We actually counted up one time how many we went thru till we found ones that worked for us back when the kids were still here. It was about 25, no lie. Once we all got ones we could be comfortable with our horsemanship improved tremendously, because we had fun riding so we did it alot. Now we are all able to handle horses that before we couldn't have.

Becky

[CindyDawg]

Which one did you fall from?

[Empress]

I've got a friend that told me I probably didn't need to worm as often as I do since I have been doing it for so long. She says there's probably not a worm on my place. Is that true? I've always thought that was more why my horses look so well more then because of what I feed. I think worming is very very important. Does it hurt to worm them if they really don't need it? Actually, you probably don't need to worm as often, but not because there aren't any worms. The problem with worming often, even (and actually especially) when you rotate wormers, is that helps worms become more resistant to the drugs. The every-two-month worming protocol that we all grew up with as gospel was designed over 40 years ago specifically against a certain type of worm (large strongyles) that are actually not as big of a problem as they used to be. The best method of deworming your horses isn't a one-size-fits-all plan, but depends on what part of the country you're in, what kind of pasture/housing, etc. I suggest contacting your local vet school or ag extension agent. They'll be able to give instructions on how to take a pooled fecal sample from all of the horses on the premises and where to send it. Once you know what kind of worms you have at *your* stable and what kind of resistances they have built up, you and your vet can formulate a plan based around their life-cycle. I know that Georgia State University is doing quite a bit of research into worm drug resistance and working out new worming protocols to minimize it.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Good Morning!:)

It's Monday.

Becky

[Empress]

Wai! Monday! And I'm on equine surgery this week, life is good.

[HairOfTheDog]

We still need to put padding down before I take him to Austin but he's ready to go.

Good tip: Have the floor inspected too, unless it is very new. The floors in used trailers often need to be replaced, and for good reason. Having a rotted floor give way under the horse going down the road is a grisly sight.

Good morning :~D

[HairOfTheDog]

Another interesting comment! New thinking on worming!

Good morning!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Sounds interesting:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I have to do bookwork this morning with Mack, but this afternoon, rain or shine, snow or sleet, hot or cold:) I'm riding Rusty.

Trash didn't make it home last night. Tami had trouble with her trailer, wheel bearings. I think she left her horses at her dads or something. He is suppose to be back tonight.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Maybe have the wheel bearings looked at and serviced too ;~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

LOL.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

this afternoon, rain or shine, snow or sleet, hot or cold:) I'm riding Rusty.

Good for you! I worked hard yesterday mowing, and I am a little sore. Just got our mower back from being worked on, it wasn't starting. Runs real happy now and the blade is sharp! He commented on the blade... Said it looked like I had been mowing rocks... I told him this was no suburban yard mower, this was my tractor and brush hawg, till I can get a real one!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Busy, busy week here.

Regular stuff for Mon. and Tues. which is enough for me IMO.

Wed I'm taking a run to Pittsburg Ks to see a cousin that I spent alot of time with as a kid growing up at my grandmothers, but haven't seen in 15 years. He's home from Washington St.:)

Thurs is our trail ride to Arrowhead. Two road trips in one week.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Pretty good life to go on two trail rides in a week!

Who will you take on the Thursday trip? Trash? Or can you take Rocky yet?

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

That's what my poor mower is. I just got it last year. First riding one I've ever owned. I use to always do the pasture with a push and a weedeater. Went thru a weedeater every year. That's why the pasture is in bad shape this year, I kept hitting rocks and didn't want to ruin my new mower. My family laughed when I got it because I waxed it:) Hopefully I can make my pasture smooth enough to use it out there next year.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

He's home from Washington St.:)

What part?