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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!
I don't think this is abuse at all as long as it's done correctly. Like you said, make sure they're in the shade and have water and a halter and lead that can't be broken. The first thing that the trainer did to Bob when he got off the trailer was put a shipping halter on him and tied him to a big stout post in the barn yard. Then we went on a ride for an hour or so and left him there. He could see other horses and couldn't get into anything. It was good for him coz he definately had no patience. I'm sure he's getting alot of it, probably with a bitting rig on. Part of the training of a gaited horse is to put a bitting rig (surcingle and side reins) on and let them stand tied in it for gradually increasing amounts of time. It teaches them to flex at the poll and give to the bit to relieve the pressure.
I love draft horses too. The bigger the better. I saw a team of black Percherons at an exhibition that were as breathtaking as they were huge. The groom who was braiding the ribbon into their manes for the show had to stand on a wooden picnic table top to do it and she wasn't short. It was awsome. :o)
That's about like the next step in breaking one that we would do. Put them in a stall and tie their head around to the rigging on the saddle. Teaches to flex, and bend, and give to the pressure of the bit. But we'd only leave one like that for 10 minutes on each side.
Most people who know/have horses realize leaving one tied isn't abuse. I think my neighbor lady had the complaints come in when all the "city" people started moving out here to the country. I don't blame them, they just didn't know.
Becky
They really are so wonderful to look at.
When the day finally comes that I get a horse, it's gonna take a lot of common sense will power to not get a draft cross. :P
As far as leaving unattended at an event, too many get stolen. Even from the their stalls.
Some people in the East would consider it abuse. They tend to treat their horses like pets. Westerners use them.
At Competitive Trail Rides, you're only allowed to tie to trailers.
The first ones I went to I was really nervous because you have to tie them long also. The snap of the lead rope is suppose to just touch the ground. That is so the horse can lay down if it wants. It was really hard for me to get use to doing that. But in all the rides I went to, I never saw a horse get in trouble doing that. I slept in the trailer tho, so if the horse got hung up, I'd feel the fight and could get up and check.
Becky
Oh, and I imagine Zeke has been sprayed for flies today. We do try to make it as safe and comfortable as reasonably possible. When we first start tieing one, we don't tie them to a trailer, just once the get use to it. If we get one that paws we hobble them while tied. They learn not to do that.
Becky
I think the coolest one I ever saw was a draft/appaloosa cross. He was this huge sorrel with a perfect white blanket and spots. I swear he was 17 hands if he was an inch, weighed well over 1500 lbs and had a massive neck. He was gorgeous! She used him for just hacking around and jumping. I think they even did a little fox(coyote) hunting. They had a hunt club and had gotten the land owners in the area to let them install horse-friendly gates and jumps (or what ever you call them) in all the fences. It was a cool place to ride.
Ooooh! That I would like to see!
It does help to have hay bags for them, if it's not a disciplining tie up:) Gives them something to do.
My trailer does NOT have living quarters:). I set my cot up in the trailer where the horses travel. So yeah, I felt every move the horse made. If I would go on one now, with Harley, I'm not sure what I would do. He went last year on an over nighter but he stood tied to a post. No problems. I don't know why he gets more nervous when tied to a trailer. He hasn't pulled back in a long time now, but he still walks up to the trailer a bit hesitantly. I've tied him to at at the barrel races I have gone to. He's doing good, but for an overnighter that he had to be tied to the trailer, I don't know what I would do. We have an RV now that makes camping soo nice:). And that's what I take. But I don't know if I would be comforatable sleeping in the RV, if Harley was tied to the trailer. The first time I do it, I probably will just take the truck and sleep in the trailer again so I can keep a close watch on him.
Becky
True enough! She's small, how bad could it be? :~D
You know what would be great with her, or any horse that can buck like the dickens, would be the indian method of breaking them in deep water. They can't move fast or buck as hard, and no one gets hurt if you come off. :~D
Short of that, I'd like a small round pen with that plastic web fencing for walls, and deep sand.
I was watching RFD TV last night and they were breaking a Friesian. He was gorgeous, but the gal on him was all over the place. I watch shows like that out of curiosity... I don't really believe in them much. The only thing that I have seen work is Pat Pareil's (sp) balanced method of riding.
Heh, once again we all show back up at the same time:)
I've been out taking pictures of Charlie riding his horse.
Becky
Boy - I've never seen anything like a show on training horses on TV. I don't think I get that channel.
Gonna post 'em?! :~D
It's a channel on DirectTV. It's all horses, mules and agriculture. There's quite a bit of horse stuff on there which is exciting. And Becky, I saw Lance Graves on one of the programs showing a method that he uses to break horses. Boy does he have long hair! There're a lot of western oriented shows. This morning, before work, I was watching a program about equine massage.
Yeah, they're loading now.
Becky
Was he breaking them, or training them to barrels. I'd love to hear the theory behind the method:)
And yes he does have long hair. He's a bit on the strange side.
Becky
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