The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread EIGHT

See our "who's who" page! ^

[HairOfTheDog]

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 MissTargets will now be pinging everyone most mornings. Let MissTargets 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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SEVEN

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]

I switched last summer from western to english on my horses because my western saddle didn't fit him. What are the major differences you have found in the way you sit? It hasn't been what I would say is hard to make the switch, but I'm not accomplishing it as easy as you are:).

Becky

[apackof2]

Oh my gosh I may not be the right person to ask as I just started riding lessons a couple months ago!

Today was my first lesson using the English ever!

It seems very comfortable (natural) to me although I wasn't uncomfortable in the Western saddle
You do use your legs more( especially inner thigh) When we trotted I would rise up off the saddle in a kind of thrusting rolling my hips forward motion with heels down and hands down, hold the rein's. Its getting into a rhythm with the horse, it seemed like.

Because I was rising up there was less bouncing in the saddle than Western. and I found I was able to maintain a good posture too. I liked it, it was fun

I don't know if this helped at all.
As I said, I am a novice but I plan on doing more English so I will able to be more helpful in the future.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

No, that's fine. I posted in the western saddle. You just about have to when you long trot. I just wondered if you had trouble keeping your legs in postion, I've had to work on keeping mine more under me then out in front.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

We had a short in the wire that takes electric to the barn, and Mack fixed it today. Harley was really interested in the proceedings.

Becky

[Duchess47]

Hey, not a problem - I love challenges :) A seven acre triangle huh?

[HairOfTheDog]

Heh - those are very cute pics of Harley...

Now - funny woulda been Harley scratching his butt on the ladder and toppling it over :~D

[Duchess47]

Great pictures - if he could only talk :)

[apackof2]

How adorable!

Harley is very smart isn't he?

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I thought one time he was going to nibble Macks butt:). That would have been fun:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Thanks:)

I think he's smart, but I might be a bit prejudice:)

[apackof2]

Well usually when an animal displays a genuine curiosity it's a sign of intelligence

Plus he looks like a real sweetie too!

I WANT ONE

[Beaker]

I especially like the last one. He seems to be saying "Hey man, whatcha doin' up there?"

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

He is a very good boy.

I hope you get one soon:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

That's what I thought. One time the wire moved alot and he spun and jumped away, then came creeping back up there...It was funny.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

From an America's funniest home videos perspective ;~D

[CindyDawg]

Well I had a relaxing afternoon. I taught two of the barn dogs to sit. Had a picnic, Fed and lunged the horses , figured out how to walk two at the same time and got them briddled and fixing to saddle Okie and then momma came home. She didn't like Okie tied up at the arena, and his bit was too long, and I was going to have a wreck riding in this kind of weather. Well... we are having a skirt alert but.... She told me it was my horses and I could do what I wanted but she didn't want me riding today.
Funny thing is that I don't tie Okie. I just wrap the rope over the pole. He thinks he tied though and stands still and I wasn't finished. and if people would leave our stuff alone it would fit. When I saw the barrel blow down across the riding area and the barn door raising up I conceded she might have a point about the wind though, but neither were ancy . Hair is this the storm headed your way or is another coming down? Anyway long story. Short report. I didn't ride. today.

[CindyDawg]

Yep. Just farm land. A dead resaca behind it and a road on the front and a dirt county road on the side. No trees. Nothing can be done with it until August because it's leased for farming. No grass. No trees. I see potential though and I like the location. Eddie is going to look at it tomorrow but he thinks it is too expensive. Land around here high though.

[CindyDawg]

:')

[AnAmericanMother]

Hey, Hair, y'all keep your heads down, o.k.?

On another thread they're saying "hurricane force winds".

Bring in the lawn chairs!

(and on account of Cyn acting so spooky, check your barn rafters for snakes and other critters. They may have fled indoors with the lowering pressure . . . )

[HairOfTheDog]

I think it's gonna be worse north of us than it is expected to be here, but yeah - we're battened down and hoping for the best.

Cyn had to be haltered to get her in her stall, she's acting really weird.