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Posted on 07/14/2005 3:23:55 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SIX
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
Sounds like every other day would be better then everyday.
The second day of our ride alot of the horses do start out rather stiff. The vet checks them, if they are too bad they get pulled. Usually tho they let them go at least to the first P&R stop and then see how they are.
Only one time did I have trouble on the start of the second day and that was when I used that neoprene pad and it had scalded Belle. She was really sore to start. Some lady who made pads loaned me one and said go to the first stop and see how she was. She was fine and finished in good shape.
Becky
Heh... we are really going mowing now :~D
I would have thought he would have drank being an old hand at that sort of thing.
Harley drinks pretty good on trail. Letting them graze some will help hydrate them, but I've always thought a good drink really perked them up if they seemed draggy.
I usually take some water from home in a 55 gallon drum. I give them the water there first, if they won't drink I offer them the home stuff.
I'm really hoping this humidity lets up before next week. Humidity is the worst condition to ride in, IMO.
Becky
Just a thought.....I would think the horse massage that you do would be very welcomed before and after the ride. : )
Sometimes I go over there by myself, not often anymore. Too many strange people wondering around outhere now a days.
Becky
Might be wise to take some company if you go there again... : )
LOL...I've just about come to the conclusion that at least the leg stretches of the massage routine are not good. Every time I pick up his front feet now to clean them out he wants to stretch. He's about fell down, and pulled me down stretching when I wasn't expecting him too:).
I probably will do some of that before and after, tho:)
Becky
He never drinks from streams.... But maybe he just hasn't needed it enough on our rides so far. I don't know how the lady who did endurance managed with him. I think too, that cooling is a great help to perk them up, standing in cold water awhile might even be almost as good as a drink. I really like the idea of carrying the sponge with you to lower down into the stream to wet them with.
OK - now ecurbh is also ready and we're heading out ;~D
Well, I have enough trails closer to home to get a good ride. But sometimes I get bored doing the same ones over and over. And there is a really good hill to climb over there. But really, I don't go there anymore usually without company.
Becky
Thanks for the reminder. That is something I need to make sure Harley will tolerate before I go....geez, I can't believe I almost forgot that. i was thinking about the sponge and where I'm tying it on at, but never thought about taking him to the creek and see how he will do with it hanging down in the water and abeing drug back up. Rusty loved it. I never learned the trick when i was riding Belle. I just got off and sponged her.
Becky
Oh, I'm going to have fun and enjoy it even if it kills me:)
I'm hoping to get there on Thur. or early enough on Fri. to let the horse get use to the surroundings and relax. In the past I give the horse Wed and Thru before the ride off, and then do an easy lite short ride on Fri at the ride site to loosen him up.
I'm really getting excited to go. It's been 3-4 years since I've gotten to do one. It will be fun to meet old friends again. It's really alot of fun with alot of time just to lay around camp. We are usually done every day by 1-2, The rest of the day is just a social time.
Becky
Bay would blow about it the first time, I'm sure... I've surprised him before when I've just poured some water from my water bottle on him, especially when it's still really cold :~D.
To the first question, I say yes. That's the only way my horses get ridden, once a week, sometimes once every other week, and they will hold up to 15 to 20 miles at a decent pace with no problem. The 2nd question is a little more iffy. 40 miles in one weekend is quite a bit unless the horse has a pretty good conditioning routine. Seems like I read somewhere that for that kinda riding you might need to do 3 or 4 miles a day, then a longer 10 plus miles once a week. I never had that kinda time, but with the amount of riding you do, you'll probably be better than most.
Why is it I'm never here when you ask me something important? By the way, the coyote might have been in heat. We've had them follow us and the dogs (especially Buddy).
Do you have any idea how many miles you go when you are out riding? If Harley is accustomed to doing 20-25 miles, he should be fine. It's important that he eat and drink well both days, even during the ride.
Do you ride with a heart monitor? That gives you an idea of how long his pulse and resp. take to come down. He'll probably be stiff and a little sore the second day so a massage would be welcome :) That second day will be harder on you than him though.
My DIL says any horse in good health can be pulled out of the pasture and do 20 miles IF you aren't riding for time. It's the pushing for time that stresses them.
I don't know anything about CTR's, so don't know what's allowed and what's not. If it's allowed, dismount and walk into vet checks. Let him drink whenever it's possible, and eat - especially at the vet checks.
All of our horses respond to voice commands, and that becomes important when you have to trot the horse out for the vet (don't make a very good impression if you have to pull the horse into a trot). I'll check in several times this weekend and find out the answers to anything you need if I can.
Oh - give him a couple of days off at least before the ride.
Katrina Relief: Horse People Helping Horse People
09/03/05
American Horse Council Foundation Press Release Contact: NLamoureux@horsecouncil.org September 3, 2005
Or Call: 202-296-4031
Katrina Relief: Horse People Helping Horse People Online Donation Now Accepted In light of Hurricane Katrina, The American Horse Council Foundation is currently accepting donations to assist the needs of horse owners and their horses in the states which were affected by this natural disaster, particularly Louisiana and Mississippi. The current situation in these states is dire; the people and their horses are in great need of our help. You can help other horse people by visiting www.horsecouncil.org. The proceeds of this Hurricane Relief fund will assist horse owners and their horses. The American Horse Council Foundation, under the leadership of its Board, will determine where the funds will best be utilized to help these people and animals in need. This catastrophe has captured the hearts of horse people everywhere. We feel it is our responsibility as the American Horse Council Foundation to help in any way we can. We would like to thank to equine community for the generosity we know it will be all too willing to bestow upon this extremely important cause said Jay Hickey, Foundation President. The American Horse Council Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) organization under the internal revenue code. Contributions to it are tax-deductible as charitable contributions. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation, please call the American Horse Council Foundation at 202-296-4031.
Hey, thanks Duchess.
I never thought about that coyote being in heat, but that makes sense.
I don't know that Harley and I have eaver done 20 miles.I'd say we are doing 12-15 right now and he is doing that fine. Last week I rode him everyday 4 days in a row. The last day he seemed a bit slower going up hills, but that was about the only indication he was tired.
I've checked him for any soreness and he hasn't had any that I can find.
We are not allowed to go forward down the trail leading our horses. You can get off and go back, but not forward. At the P&R's they check their pulse and respiration after 10 minute cool down. I can't do pulse but his respiration has been fine to.
On Fri. check in the vet watches the horses and scores him for a standard to go by the rest of the week. He is given a score on how animated he is at the trot. He has to reach that score or better on Sunday at check out. I've got Harley trotting very nice and steady on the lunge now. He should do fine if he maintains that at the ride:), doesn't get hyped up on check in.
Becky
Good morning
Becky
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