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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.
So this was a worker from the stable that helped? I was picturing a worker from Circle K helping!
Loose colt running up had no business being there... If he'd have come up I'd have shooed him away rather than smack the mare for defending her space ;~D
Oh, and that post that you highlighted was not meant for you. Hair had told me she was still waiting on the mower guy, and I was saying it's hard waiting when your looking forward to getting something done:)
Becky
Why not put her in the front and close the divider? It's crowded looking getting him in there with her there is all, especially if she won't get out of the way. You might have had an easier time.
It's 2:32 here :~\
I don't know anything about Web TV - sorry. :~\
Getting them out was trouble too. We had them up front but since straight I couldn't close the middle divider. We untied her and she backed out ok. I can't get her to turn and go out yet. Anyway Okies turn. I have him tied but the door open but he's up close. He suddenly started trying to sit back and pulled the rope back about 2 feet. His back feet were just a couple of feet from the edge. Scared the hell out of me. I'm yelling at Eddie to close the door. He finally got it closed and I got him settled down. I undid the rope and they opened it . He would not back so I turned him and he walked slowly to the edge and then leaped out. I see what you mean about watching their feet. I guess I was too loud caz the worker came back. He told me next time put the curb chain on him and then untie the regular lead rope so he won't try to sit back.
Ok ok. I thought you guys were upset because I posted and left :')
I also want to make sure you aren't putting them both in the back of the trailer with the front empty. You need a horse in the front to center the weight in the trailer between the tires and the ball. If all the weight is to the back and behind where the tires are you'll run the risk of lifting the trailer right off the ball. Picture sitting at one end of a picnic bench.
There are lots of babies. They are turned out. I had been shooing them but this one snuck up behind us.
She's too long standing straight to close. This was my first day loading her. Every time I turned her she would go right back straight. We had then as close to the front of the trailer as we could get them.
Never tie with a curb chain. I understand it is nice sometimes to have a guy who will do the hard discipline but that one isn't a good tip.
My recommendation would be to load and tie the first horse, close the divider, and load and tie the second horse. If you have a divider, I'd use it. No reason at all not to. Then step out. Have hubby manning the door.
Unloading, open the door and slip in, have your hubby hold the door behind you. Untie and turn and walk out. Then open the divider, untie the second horse, and turn and walk her out.
I wish I could be there to help, because the creation of stress for both you and the horses from trial and error learning is unfortunate.
Can I make a few suggestions:)
With the trailer you have you should put one horse in the front, either tie them short or not at all, close the divider, then put the other horse in the back. Tie short or not at all. As easy as the mare loads and unloads I would put her at the back.
By short I mean they should only have about 2ft of rope.
The horse at the back should always be untied by reaching in from the outside, before you open the door.
IMO, horses should always back out of a trailer, they will do it if you make them. I have seen several horses get stuck in trailers trying to turn around. And altho they got unstuck it makes the trailer a scary place then it already is for them. I've heard of them getting stuck and not getting unstuck.
After you back the back horse out, then you open the divider with your hand on the horses butt, walk up the side of the horse talking calmly, whooooaaaaa. Untie and back them out.
It helps if you get trailer tie straps, they have clips that are very easy to unhook fast. Your not up there jacking around trying to untie.
JMO :)
Becky
No , we didn't tie with a curb chain. Never. Done that once. Set me back months. He had the curb chain on to get him in and then clipped the regular lead rope to tie him up. He was telling me to put the curb chain back on him when he's untied before opening the door so he'll stand still.
She can turn around in there. Tie her on the left side just like you had Okie in that pic and then cue her to 'move over' until you can encourage her to move with the door itself. She can turn around backwards or slanted or whatever.
Where is this curb chain at on him? in his mouth? under his chin?
Becky
Oh, I guess I should tell you, Okie backed out here just fine. That was the easiest part.
Becky
Under his chin. I need to work with these guys seperately I think. They both have problems. No argument that Okie needs to go in first. Then he can twist and turn all he likes. The mare, sigh. Awfully long. It doesn't look like she has enough room to walk in but perceptions can be off.
The back compartment is probably larger than the front one right? Still, I am sure she'd fit in the front.
I'm not trying to be a know it all, but that horse will fit in that trailer. I've had one just like it, we put 3 in it all the time. 2 in the front and 1 in the back. The back one will turn slanty when you shut the door. It sounds like the mare knows whats she's doing, that's why she will do better in the back.
Becky
The one we had the front was longer. From the pictures it looks like the one we had. I could be wrong.
Becky
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