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]

My mowers are just the standard kind, mounted with a three point hitch to the back of the tractors.

[HairOfTheDog]

I would love to have one of those! I still have 4 acres of woods I've never been in!

How much would we have to pay to get a tractor and brush hog that runs? And do you have to be a mechanic to own one?

[Inge_CAV]

"Around here it's mostly farm land that has been d0ivided up."

Same thing here and I keep thinking, where is our food going to come from in the future? Import it, like oil?

[Inge_CAV]

"How much would we have to pay to get a tractor and brush hog that runs? And do you have to be a mechanic to own one?"

I bought a used tractor with an old mower a few years ago for $2300.00. The tractor is the same one I mowed my horse pastures with yesterday. You can find older tractors for about the same price in reasonably good condition. Mine drinks oil and gasoline but it still runs and does what I want it to do.

[HairOfTheDog]

That's not bad then! Someday I'll have one. Maybe not here, but by the time we have the big acreage!

[Inge_CAV]

You do not have to be a mechanic to own one but it is a good idea to have it checked out first by a good tractor mechanic. Also make sure that it is a popular brand model just in case you do need parts for it. : )

[HairOfTheDog]

I've got a buddy with a really old one... and it seems he's always got his taken apart. I am no mechanic, and I wouldn't want to have to take one in all the time. Would want one reasonably reliable with the need for maybe an annual trip in for a spring tune up.

[Inge_CAV]

Just make sure that it is parked under a shed and out of the weather when not in use. Mine has had very few problems and those were mostly minor ones at that. The oil does not have to be changed because it drinks so much. Cheaper to keep putting oil in it rather than rebuilding the engine. When it finally quits, then I will have it rebuilt. : )

[Beaker]

Well... I've gotta go to Home Depot today to rent a metal bending machine for my step-dad. I really didn't want to go anywhere today... :-)

[CindyDawg]

You can rent brushhogs. That's what we did.

[CindyDawg]

I was thinking about that today. Large farm corp. seem to be crowding the little farmers out. They can make a heck of a lot more by selling small lots. Things can't continue. Some of these houses are outrageous. I know working couples that both have 2 jobs to support their life style not to mention taxes. People can only stretch themselves so far. I don't worry about the food supply too much though. People survive. Pickings might be slim for awhile but people would be surprised what they could grow or raise in their own back yards. That's the story my grandmother used to tell regarding the depression, anyway.

[HairOfTheDog]

Good to know for ~keeping it down~ once it is cut. I think though, that this first time is a varsity job. The brush the needs cut is really small scrub trees that are pretty big.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

The funny thing the "new" people do around here is come in and clear the land of the trees that are here, then plant different ones:). I don't get that, I think it's funny:)

Yes most of the trees here are scrub oak, but even they will make pretty trees when thinned out, and the hickory trees here get big.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

This is totally off the horse topic:) but I've been watching some coverage of the storm in Flordia. Does the stupidity of people make you guys as crazy as it does me:)

They were showing some film of a car load of young people pulling someone on a board thru flooded streets. Now my heart goes out to people who are loosing their homes and businesses, who have done what they could and are dealing with the storm in sensible way. But, gosh darn it. When I see things like that, or young men walking along a walk way next to the ocean in those conditions.....I just don't want any of my tax dollars and insurance dollars to go there. And it doesn't look like just a few dumb asses, looks like there are quite a few.

Those people should loose ALL support from money that is raised from taxes, and their insurance coverage should be canceled and never allowed any again in their lives. Just damn.

Ok, I feel better:) continue on......

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Rant on!

I ranted yesterday about large yachts tied to docks and left to weather it. One just like the lifetime investment dream-boat my dad would like to have. The docks will beat those boats to pieces, and a boat is such an emotional thing. I hate to see them destroyed. I'd have to wonder how hard they tried to get them to safety. tied to a dock is the worst place they can be.

I wouldn't live where everything I work for could be destroyed by storms that can come through every year. Year after year the same fear. We just don't have events like that here, except for volcanos, and they are pretty rare events I was lucky to see in my lifetime.

But all that said, I have to confess.... I love big weather, and if I were stuck in Florida, I'd be trying to get somewhere where I could ~experience~ it. I'd prolly be one of those guys walkin' along next to the ocean. ;~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

They were also showing some marina that was the best in the area. 40 boats were tied to the dock at the onset of the storm, only 1 is left and it's out away for the dock. The others have all totally disappeared.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Those are sad to me! If I were the insurance company, I'd be asking how hard they tried to mitigate the damage... How hard did you try to get it out of the water? Or... onto a bouy? I don't know. I don't know what their options are, it's just sad to me. And I don't even want to start thinking how people with horses protected them.... Strong barns that can withstand that kind of storm would be as expensive there as anywhere.

[CindyDawg]

I have a different take on this. I figure that kids and young people aren't worried too much about damage and stuff and just trying to make lemonade out of lemons. No school and looking for stuff to do. I used to play in flooded waters and all kinds of stuff I would never let my kids do. It was the best time to go "crawdad fisin":')

That said, I believe disasters can happen anywhere, either natural or man made and people should be able to live where they want. I would prefer to see no grants and only low interest loans for all victims though. If people knew they were going to have to have insurance or pay back money for damages they might prepare better.

The government would rather hand out grants than help someone help themselves. I may have told yall this story but when I was in my early 20's we lived in a mobile home that was totaled. You could apply for a loan or a grant, depending on your credit. We were still building ours and we only qualified for a grant. I didn't want "charity" I wanted a loan. I was told to take the 5000 dollar "free" money or nothing. Our government not too smart. They would rather have a guaranteed no recovery than a so-so chance. Go figure. Ok. I'll get off my soapbox now:')

[CindyDawg]

The loading worked fine. Pictures later. We put them in slant. He finally got out of the circle but at first wanting to lean against her but eventually moved over. He got in the 2nd try. The first time he balked at the door and did his pulling back routine. Eddie went right with him and checked him with the curb chain. He walked him in circles behind the trailer and stood him there. Okie started to pull back and I popped him with the whip. I didn't have my heart into it and he just stood there. I popped him again and this time I meant business. He went right in.We took them for a ride. We unloaded and loaded him about 4 more times when we got back. He went right on in each time without the whip. We got him to slow coming out but backing another day.

[HairOfTheDog]

Good. If they are going in relatively easy or with a short pause, I think you should start just goin' on trips! No need to over-practice it. They'll get better with good trips to where they'll actually get excited to go. Bay does. He starts running circles on his tie when I bring my saddle out to the gate and he knows my friend is comin' to get us.