The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SIX

See our "who's who" page! ^

[HairOfTheDog]

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

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!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FOUR
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FIVE

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]

Well, I'm off to a good start. I watched the recording I have of the Martha Josey clinic, then went out and worked on all the differnt exercises she shows. EX. one was making your horse go in straight lines around the arena. Make a box, instead of ovaling the ends. Then when they are doing that well make a nice circle in each corner.

Then another was circling and slowly making your circlings tighter, then easeing back out.

Another is circles, coming in close to the fence stopping by the fence and doing rollbacks towards the fence, then circling off in the other directions, in correct leads.

I could do all of these pretty good.

There were also some exercises with barrels, but I don't really have enough barrels to do most of those.

I spread the pattern out as far as I could in my arena, made one loping run, then went back and worked on our weak areas slowly.

He did very well today. It's funny how doing all those exercises first helps relax me and the horse. I just get lazy about them, because it involves alot of getting on and off, and moving barrels around. Kind of a pain, but it does help, I need to keep that in mind:)

Now on to laundry, housework, and maybe some mowing.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Sounds like you've already had a whole day! And here I am still on my first coffee ;~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Oh, and all those exercises are done at the lope in the correct lead.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Well, I've been thinking about all this all weekend and was anxious to do it:) I also knew it was going to get hot and humid pretty fast, so I wanted to get it done early.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Was this instead of going to the arena in town, or are you still going to do that?

[MissTargets]

Not boring at all, if you have an interest in the rider and are there for support.

[HairOfTheDog]

Don't strain yourself, we were satisfied at "take a shower" ;~D

[HairOfTheDog]

Certainly!

That is sure some saddle she's got there.... look at all that silver! Do you have pictures of it?

And she has her free arm down where we had it when I was showing... Are other riders holding the free hand up by the rein hand in your area?

[tuffydoodle]

http://www.dixiephc.com/html_files/picture.html

Here is a picture of where the new hand position seems to be. They look like Barbie dolls arms and at the show yesterday, every single person had the exact same arm. They looked like a bunch of stepford riders. The arm at the side looks much more natural and the rider in your pic doesn't look like she's trying to outshine the horse.

[HairOfTheDog]

That link sent us to what looks like a trail class... not what you intended I don't think ;~D


You know... I don't really mind the flash... I showed in Arab circles, and at AA shows, sequins and flash and shine and impeccable matching tack were and always will be part of horse showing.

If I have a taste difference, it's that western pleasure (and AQHA hunters, for that matter) have become so super exaggeratedly slow. And that's not new, it's been years getting here. They have everything that might move strapped down, manes don't move, tails get deadened to the point they had to make a rule about it... jogging and loping is as motionless as it can be, with daisy cutter action preferred. I just think it's far from the ideal cow-horse that western pleasure was intended to display. You now have to look to barrel racers and reiners to see that.

Of course, it'll always be taste. I like to see collection, but with impulsion and action and movement.

[MissTargets]

She is in a Western Pleasure class. In Horsemanship the free arm is held up. Just the current style. When I showed, we put our free hand on our leg. Almost tucked into the crotch area..lol All it takes is someone to win doing something, and the next week the others will be doing it. I will take some pics of the saddle.

NO matter how much silver or how fancy your outfit is, if the horse does not perform, you are not going to win. Now, if all things equal in performance with two horses, the appointments could make a different. After all, you are showing and want to look nice. Some of the outfits are gaudy, but heck we used to wear fringe. :0

[HairOfTheDog]

I only showed a little western, but I think when we did it we held the outer seam of our jeans. And yes, there was lots of fringe, and super long chaps that made everyone look long legged and heels down.

[tuffydoodle]

I just wanted to show the hand position, those were the only pics I could find.

I could watch barrel racing all day, it's exciting.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

No, I'm not going to make it to the arena. It has standing water. It rained here alot, and Bixby, especially where the arena is is a flood zone.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh - well, running in water would tend to slow you down a little wouldn't it. ;~D

[CindyDawg]

Really? I was born redheaded but blond now:'). I used to wish my freckles would all go together for a dark tan.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

No doubt it would:) It also makes it a bit slippery. I don't ever have standing water here, but it was a bit slippery today. One reason I did push to hard. We had a pretty good slip one day last week going around the 2nd barrel, he is breaking down to a trot now there, and I think it's he's worried about a slip.

Always something....:)

I did get him to lope it all around our last time....that's why it was our last time:)

Becky

[CindyDawg]

We are setting the 5th wheel up this weekend. I need my space. I know I was a real PITA for Eddie but I do not like staying at my inlaws house. Even if it's my mom or dad, an hour and I'm ready to go. I'm not much into "family reunions"

[HairOfTheDog]

You're ready for the clinic... You have to leave the pro ~something~ left to teach you!

Do you roll out Wed morning?