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]

I rode the mare today. She has a fast walk and trot but Okie trots fast too. She is more bouncy though

[Beaker]

Yup the school provides you with horses. The whole idea is to ride as many different ones as you can, because at meets, you draw from a hat. Literally. You usually have fifteen minutes to get aquainted before you go into the ring. :-)

[CindyDawg]

Free lessons and a horse. Can't get much better than that:')

[Beaker]

Did you get a new horse?? If so, I must see pictures.

[Beaker]

What does the riding team do?
The riding team competes with other schools in its particular intercollegate division. They have walk/trot, beginner, and advanced walk/trot/canter, beginner over fences, novice and open divisions within each meet. I think I mentioned it before, but you draw horses that you're going to ride. You don't bring your own. It's kinda intimidating. I like my dressage with my familiar horse. :-)

[Beaker]

Free lessons and a horse. Can't get much better than that:')
Nope. It don't. :-)

[CindyDawg]

I'm just thinking about it. See#5022. I have a week to ride her and decide.

[Beaker]

I keep telling them but they don't believe me but my goal is a drivable horse RV:')
I've seen those! They're so cool! And comfortable, for both horse and person!

[CindyDawg]

This evening there were 4 of us sitting around a picnic table just watching the horses graze. Okie, Nino, and the owner of Nino's mare free grazing. Okie and the mare walked over to get petted once.

Remember that wild mustang I mentioned? He was on the other side of the fence and when the mare would get close , Okie or Nino, once both would herd her away. They did not want her near him but had no problem with her being aroung each other. Funny.

[CindyDawg]

Pre- good morning all:') Been up since about 2 and no one to talk to :'(

[Beaker]

Good Morning! Now go back to bed this instant! :-)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Good morning.

Becky

[Beaker]

Good Morning.
Hey, I just remembered. I'm riding today. Interesting.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

The riding team sounds like an interesting activity.

I have found that the more different horses I ride the more I learn and the more confidence I have. There surely wouldn't be any crazy's at something like that. With your experience you should be fine.

Becky

[AnAmericanMother]

I used to ride for my college's team.

It is interesting to draw your horse out of a hat. I will never forget "Shalimar" an Anglo Arab mare that the boys from West Point brought to a show. I drew her name for the open hunter over fences, and everyone around me started laughing. That was a bad sign.

We both survived and pulled a fourth place, which considering that she spent the entire course trying to buck me off and run away wasn't too bad. I found out later she had already had two people off that morning. I never have felt the same about the USMA since . . . :-D . . . of course the fact that all my male relatives went OCS has nothing to do with that . . . :-D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Have fun:)

I get my grandson this morning, so if I ride it will be this evening/

Becky

[AnAmericanMother]

See my previous post. Some folks DO bring crazy horses.

She actually was a nice mare with good gaits and a lot of jump in her. She probably was unnerved by having so many different riders on her back. . . . some of the teams had less-than-competent members and they may have been bouncing on her back, yanking her mouth, etc. I sit really still and ride with light low hands so that was probably a relief to her.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Oh my, is that common, to bring a horse that has manner problems? Is that the point? I figured the horses would be good and that it was more a test of the riders to see hosemanship skills.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

How do they score something like that? What are they looking for/at?

Becky

[CindyDawg]

LOL. Too late for that. Check the club out. Can't hurt.