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.

[Inge_CAV]

I think that fresh dug rock has moisture in it and would accept cement mortar better for building purposes. Whereas rock that been exposed above ground would have to be saturated with water first before it would accept mortar. Dry rock would draw the moisture out of morter and the cement mixture would become dust. Just my opinion but I think it is close to the truth. : )

[CindyDawg]

Oh yeah. Beautiful trees. Mostly oaks. we have two lots. Originally we went in with my BIL but he decided it was too far and not what he wanted so sold to us. I almost cried. He went bulldozer crazy on his. The back is whats really pretty. We have about a 100 feet slope to the water. There are lots of natural cliff walls and trails (for humans, not horses:') Ours still has a lot of underbrush. As you say , it takes time. The two neighbors on each side completely cleared. One ok with us. To me mine prettier than the other one that's always talking about our progress. It just looks natural. I don't want planted grass and a fancy yard. It's a lake lot, not a gentlemans lawn.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Sounds very pretty. Keep it natural and tell the neighbor to go fish:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Well that makes sense:) I've always wondered about why that was a problem. Thanks for the explanation.

Becky

[Inge_CAV]

I had overheard a mason say something about wetting bricks with water first before using them to build with. Hadn't thought much about it until you said that about the rocks. : )

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Getting ready to leave for church, see you all this afternoon.

Becky

[Inge_CAV]

"He went bulldozer crazy on his."

Just guessing that you mean he had the lot cleared and leveled. Did he leave any trees?

[Inge_CAV]

Have a good day!

[CindyDawg]

He knocked a bunch of big trees down . He's a great guy but a manicured lawn person too. I took the chain saw and stood on the property line and dared him to cross. He thought that was funny:')

[HairOfTheDog]

I don't know what to expect with mower man.

Good morning!

[Beaker]

Think of a lawn mower mounted on back of a farm tractor and you get the general idea.
Interesting. Learn something new every day.

[Beaker]

I used to think horses were graceful. They really aren't. They are always getting banged up.
If a horse can find a way to hurt himself he will. It's a law of the universe that's up there with gravity and the laws of motion.

[Inge_CAV]

"He knocked a bunch of big trees down"

If land is to be used as a pasture or field, it should be cleared. Otherwise, the trees should stay. I am constantly surprised to see new expensive homes being built in former fields/cropland. Not a shade tree around anywhere. You know the utility bill has to be out of sight during the summer months.

[HairOfTheDog]

This guy's is much more than a lawnmower... He said he can take brush and small trees up to 8 inches in diameter.

I think his Brush "Hawg" is on a big arm.

[Beaker]

This guy's is much more than a lawnmower... He said he can take brush and small trees up to 8 inches in diameter.
Wow that's pretty cool. Is this so you can finish clearing out the back forty?

[Inge_CAV]

It is almost a year round chore down here. If not done often, say two or three times a year, weeds and brush will take over the grazing grass.

[HairOfTheDog]

Yeah - We spent six months by hand doing part of it, and he can do it in two hours.

If he shows up :~\

[Inge_CAV]

"I think his Brush "Hawg" is on a big arm."

That is a mower powered by hydraulic pressure from a pump on the tractor. It is mounted out on the end of a hydraulic activated arm. Normally used to clear roadside brush by highway maintenance crews.

[HairOfTheDog]

Yeah! I think that's what he's bringing!

[CindyDawg]

We are looking for some land in the country. Around here it's mostly farm land that has been d0ivided up. Not a tree on the place and very expensive.