The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FOUR

See our who's who page! ^

[HairOfTheDog]

*New* The FreeRepublic Saddle Club - Who's Who *pics*

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?

This is a horse chat thread where we 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. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.

I always have 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 also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and Becky pings everyone most mornings. Let Becky (Paynoattentionmanbehindthecurtain) and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. 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.

So... like the previous threads, this is intended as 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.

Previous threads:

The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - thread ONE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread TWO!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread THREE!

New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!

[FrogInABlender]

I wonder if those are the same codes that are on my blood type papers on my horses. Is there a website or something that tells you what those codes mean?

[FrogInABlender]

LOL! No-so-Great Minds think alike! ;o)

[Duchess47]

This will tell you what the genetic codes mean.

http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/~lvmillon/coatcolor/coatclr3.html

That site is The University of California at Davis - my favorite place for most current equine information. I haven't searched it but it may have information on blood types also.

[Rose of Sharn]

Mama can't be moved in a car. She has to travel home from the hospital in an ambulance. They will be bringing her home in about an hour.

[FrogInABlender]

Thanks! That was interesting. I wanted to see what they had to say about roan. Seems it's not defined, but is considered a dominant gene, as is gray. I've always wondered if Bob(The Biter) would ever turn totally gray since his dad is gray and his mom is roan. Only time will tell I guess.

[deaconjim]

...and I'm sure James knows he's the luckiest man in the world to have found you.

As a matter of fact, luck had nothing to do with it. Blessed would be the more appropriate term, and yes, I am quite well aware of it. How could I not be? Not a day goes by that I don't realize that she's the best thing that has ever happened to me.

[deaconjim]

I'll start knocking out whichever walls you want gone. Did you want to leave the floors, or do you prefer to let them stand on dirt?

Actually, I once knew someone who lived in a house with one room that had a wall knocked out and the floor gone so the mule would have a place to stay. It seemed to work out pretty good for them.... : ' >

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

You both are to be respected and admired for doing what you have. Not many feel that much responsibilty to their parents now a days. And survive with your marriage in tact. Says alot about you:)

I'm glad for you to get a break.

Becky

[Duchess47]

If he was going to turn grey, he probably would have had grey around his eyes when he started to shed his foal coat. Having said that, some roans look almost grey as they age. I think roans change color with the seasons though and greys do not.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

LOL...our house is "L" shaped. at the end of the top of the L are the kids bedrooms. Since they have left, I've considered asking Mack to cut doors from the outside into those rooms for stalls...:)

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Bay's new Christmas Bridle, finally put together with his new bit.

Well, it was a challenge to get Bay's new bridle to fit! English stuff is made for thoroughbreds, not Arabs, and though Bay usually wears regular-horse size stuff, this bridle I had buckled all the way up to the highest hole and the nose band was too low. I had to take it apart and drill new holes which actually ended up with the buckle for the noseband above the browband. (see below) Now I think it's actually a tad too high, but I can't lower it unless I go down too low on the other side of the browband... make sense?

I'm happy with it now, but between clipping him so he could model it, and then doing major surgery on the bridle, I ended up with not enough gumption left to ride :~\

[HairOfTheDog]

Cyn was not impressed...

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

That looks really nice. I like English bridles. Clean lines.

I never rode either:( Mack was/is gone all day on a job, and I had the house to myself. It's been nice just piddling around. It also stayed rather cool all day.

But I'm ready for him to come home now...

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

It's chilly here too! never took horse blankets off, and it's nice in the sun, but definately chilly in the shade.

[AnAmericanMother]

whoo-hoo! VERY sharp looking!

(And, btw, I'm glad to get the tip re Arabs. A friend has asked me to ride a new mare she got. She rides western. I'm taking my own saddle (and a wide selection of pads) but it sounds like my bridle won't fit!)

[HairOfTheDog]

Depends... but Bay is pretty big for an Arab!

[AnAmericanMother]

I'll take it anyway.

I know exactly to the ounce how much pressure I am exerting with that bit.

I rode somebody else's horse in it Tuesday night, and it worked perfectly. She was a young, green mare, but after we had a few "attitude adjustment" moments, she went like a lamb for me. She's got a lot more jump in her than my mare - like being shot from a cannon (my mare just floats over jumps like a cloud).

[deaconjim]

Nice pics. I recognise that kind of bridle! : )
Did I ever tell you that my a very good friend of mine in England used to work in a saddlery and was taking her exams? Its very hard to get into, U basically have to know the right people to get trained etc. She started off cleaning rugs and blankets and doing heavy repair, then onto tack and finally repair work on saddles then she started making saddles from the tree onwards! It was quite fascinating.........but very dusty! Sharn

[Rose of Sharn]

well...............if you will sneak on here and take over the computer, I will steal your post! ; )

[Beaker]

That's a really nice looking bridle, and it looks good on him, but it looks like the nose band is riding a shade too high. But that's just me being fussy. I'll fuss over a bridle for a whle before I'm happy the way it sits. It could also be his face, and there's just nothing that you can do about it. :-)