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.

[Lemondropkid31]

It depends on if you are having to push the horse to go fast. Heck, when I was doing dressage I was exhausted after a test. Sounds funny, but it's amazing how much energy it takes.

[Lemondropkid31]

Hey that dog looks like the dog I used to have, named Velvet!!! But she was small and not very courageous.

[CindyDawg]

Reading yalls posts, I started to smile. 6 months ago I would have stressed out thinking I was doing everything wrong. Now, I can see how something that might work for another might not be as effective for me which means that even though I still make mistakes (some painful:'), and do some things the hard way that I'm still learning but developing my own style and getting comfortable in my skin. Ex: the kicking of the belly works well for Becky. I tried it and almost fell on my butt. Cupping my hand and just turning up the heat works good for me and even the she horse responding to it. I also limit the whip because I use it in a lot of other training ways, like pointing and noise but probably go get the curb chain quicker than yall. It's effective and has no other purpose than "I've had enough":')

I may get heavy with it though with Eddie if he doesn't start sharing Okie:'). I don't like riding the she horse.

[Beaker]

I accidentally tipped my horse once when trotting him out. I turned too sharply because he was flying, and down he went. I don't know who was more surprised, me, or him! (His name was Jimmy, I don't know if I ever mentioned that before) Went as easy as you please after that.

[Beaker]

Sounds funny, but it's amazing how much energy it takes.
I have to agree with you on that one. :-)

[CindyDawg]

You put a bit in their mouth that won't pull thru

from the opposite side you are pulling on? What kind would you use?

[AnAmericanMother]

Here's the lowdown on the original Horse Whisperer, Mr. John S. Rarey:

The Original Horse Whisperer

The great man himself, and Cruiser, his most famous patient. You can see his "Rarey strap" in his left hand, used to tie up one front leg to throw the horse.

Here's the text of Rarey's book itself: The Complete Horse Tamer

[AnAmericanMother]

You put a bit in their mouth that won't pull thru from the opposite side you are pulling on? What kind would you use?

One of these:

But if the bit's pulling through, it and/or the bridle are probably a bad fit to begin with.

[wildehunt]

I'm coming in late with no research on this thread topic..

but a full cheek snaffle will apply pressue to the outside of the opposite cheek of a direct rein.....

round penning has been the answer for our "worst cases"..

[CindyDawg]

round penning

I use it a lot for control and training but also just to wear the fresh off.

[Inge_CAV]

An old Amish saying, I found at BorderStates LeatherWorks. The saying is published online in their PDF catalog, which was offline this morning. It goes like this:

Treat a horse with care and respect. It will reproduce itself and even kill itself for you. Neglect and abuse a horse and it will kill you.

I think about this saying every time I am near a horse. : )

[Inge_CAV]

"that is gorgeous! Where is that at?"

Thanks! It runs through one of my hayfields/pasture.

[CindyDawg]

It goes with spare the rod spoil the child though, don't you think ?:'). Even the strongest disciplinarians I have seen still respect and care for their horses. I had (and still work on) to toughen up but even with my way I get the job done. Sometimes it just takes more time and a lot of patience but that's me.

I saw once a horse that made me feel physically ill every time I saw him. He had a crazy look in his eye and could not accept being touched. He acted like he was in danger all the time. Even my horse shyed away from him.

[Lemondropkid31]

I would say that's probably a true saying. They will either kill you from fear or if they are a stallion they get you first before you get them. A lady in CA that I knew about had a pinto stallion and she would get off of him everytime he did something in order to discipline him. It did not take long for him to know why she unmounted and he nearly killed her. She was in the hospital for months.

[CindyDawg]

I know there are crazy horse exceptions but if she was having to constantly get off to "discipline" him could the problem have been more her?

[Inge_CAV]

"I saw once a horse that made me feel physically ill every time I saw him. He had a crazy look in his eye and could not accept being touched. He acted like he was in danger all the time. Even my horse shyed away from him."

That is exactly what I avoided when trying to buy a horse. The horse I bought was happy to see me and you could see it in it's eyes. Even though I was a complete stranger. : )

[Inge_CAV]

Thanks, I have forgotten that saying.

"They will either kill you from fear or if they are a stallion they get you first before you get them."

Horses are a lot smarter than most people give them credit for. I do not want to own a stallion at all. : )

[CindyDawg]

Yeah. Our gelding ready to get out of the pasture and comes to us. The mare starting to also. For our and their safety they have to mind but I don't want them to dread working. Even when I smack the boy, as soon as he stops and acts right I give him a pet and a good boy. So far just tone works for the girl except when I'm grooming her an then I have to tap her belly to get her to stand still sometimes.

[Inge_CAV]

Thanks, I have "Not" forgotten that saying.

Argh! : )

[Inge_CAV]

"You are concerned about this storm Cindy? I bet Inge Cav is too, in Alabama. Prayers for your safety down there in hurricane zone."

It looks like it will go East of me but more than likely some rain and wind from it will affect this area.

Already to late for two of the freshly cut hayfields. They were soaked with a couple inches of rain last night. Weather forecast was for dry weather too. : (