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!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Good morning

Becky

[KidGlock]

interesting story in the local news

---

Equestrian center needs $40,000 (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Thursday, February 17, 2005
By Matt Vande Bunte
The Grand Rapids Press
ROCKFORD -- Outdoor trails and room for more horses could come to an area recreational complex for disabled children -- if another $40,000 can be raised.

The Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding has used about a third of a neighboring 15 acres for pasture. Following the death of the landowner, the family put the parcel up for sale last year and gave Equest first option to buy it.

The center raised about $50,000 in one month last summer to secure a one-year, interest-only loan. Now, because the center cannot afford a mortgage, the rest of the money must be raised by September.


"We are really pushed every year just for our operating needs," said Jeff Ott, president of the nonprofit center founded in 1990.

"We'd much prefer to have that all taken care of."

The land would triple the center's size. Executive Director Kathy Pezzato said the extra space would allow Equest to construct outdoor riding trails and add horses to accommodate a waiting list that has reached as high as 60 people.

Each week, the center serves 120 to 150 clients, mostly children with such conditions as autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.

Much of the center's $250,000 annual operating budget comes from fund-raisers.

"We have the indoor and outdoor riding arenas, but it's still not the same as being able to go through trails," Pezzato said. "That land is critical. (Without it), the waiting list would just keep growing."

Private donations and grants from benefactors such as the United Parcel Service Foundation and Grand Rapids Community Foundation make up a large chunk of the $240,000 needed for the land and necessary improvements. Another $40,000 in contributions would trigger a matching grant from Alticor that would enable Equest to buy the land outright.

Equest owns 7 acres on Rector Road NE, north of Rockford.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-20/1108657058303030.xml

[cowboyway]

Good morning.

[HairOfTheDog]

Good morning!

kidglock, that place would be so much fun to operate, I wish I had the faith and gumption to try to do a large scale rescue or theraputic program with that kind of annual budget. You know they'll 'pass on' thinking they 'done good' in this life.

[MissTargets]

Good Morning, Check this site out;

Schneider Saddlery

This is where my daughter works.

[FrogInABlender]

Blessed would be the more appropriate term...

I think it's so great that you look at it that way. I think that people just don't stop and think often enough how truly blessed they are. :o)

[FrogInABlender]

Cool! What does she do?

[Beaker]

That's really nifty that your friend is getting/has gotten into saddlery.
Hope things are ok with your mother in law.

[MissTargets]

She works in the office, doing graphics for their catalog and web design.
I wanted Hair to see the Arabian equipment. It should interest you also, with the gaited horse stuff.
It's a big store, near the Cleveland area, and they do a large volume of catalog sales. Yes, she does get a discount..;')

[HairOfTheDog]

Thank you! Most Arab stuff won't fit Bay, he's too big. I have to buy regular halters. This bridle is particularly large, I've never had that trouble before.

[Duchess47]

Good morning everyone.

[MissTargets]

Your welcome, I thought you might enjoy looking at what they had.
You did a good job adjusting the bridle, it looks good.

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh sure.... shopping and browsing is always good!

[MissTargets]

Good Morning (afternoon here). How is the expectant Mama doing?

[Duchess47]

She's miserable :) My husband says she'll foal today, I still think we have a couple of days. He's probably right though. He said this morning she'll have a loud colored colt today :)

[FrogInABlender]

She can't have the baby today! You don't have the webcam ready yet! ;o)

[Duchess47]

Yes, I know. I called my ISP this morning and the guy that was working on it left yesterday on a family emergency. The other guy said he can have it done on Monday - I'll tell Farah to chill out for a couple of days. :)

[Beaker]

Well I got back from the barn about an hour or so ago and I had a really great ride. Did a lot of work on canter transitions, and leg yielding. Next week I'm going on a tral ride.

[FrogInABlender]

Next week I'm going on a tral ride.

Make sure you take the camera and get someone to take some pictures of YOU too!

[MissTargets]

Good you had a great ride.
We have had some bone chilling weather and a couple inches of snow.
I hope this is the end of it.