The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread NINE

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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread EIGHT

New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!

[FrogInABlender]

Well, I'm outta here. I've got a chiropractor appt this afternoon. I seem to have a sore neck after yesterday's adventures. Gee, I wonder why?! ;o)

[squarebarb]

Thanks for the advice, Hair, I just looked at an '04, 3/4 ton,Chevvy, crew-cab four-door, long bed, 6 liter engine. It has fuel injection instead of a distributor. They are asking $20,000, financing reasonable. I am really tempted.

I don't think I would ever have trouble hauling with that critter.

They said they would throw in a ball hitch, the kind that welds to the frame instead of the bumper.

First time I ever bought a vehicle myself. I am asking all around for advice including here.

Only thing is it needs new tires all around, about $80 per tire. Any advice from y'all?

[squarebarb]

Looks like a great ride! Good pictures, thanks.

[HairOfTheDog]

If they install a tow package, make sure it's a heavy duty tow package appropriate for a big trailer with the tongue weight your trailer has, and you'll need a trailer brake unit installed in it too.

To some degree it's a good sign that it doesn't already have a tow package on it. It means they haven't already towed big things with it. Look in the bed and have someone check the suspension and springs in the back. See if there's signs that they used it for heavy hauling like loads of rock. Hopefully it's a pretty suburban truck that's been lightly used.

From a practical standpoint, the long bed plus the long crew cab plus the rear bumper hitch means it'll be a little tough to back up with the trailer, and it'll make you have to turn wiiiide corners. There's a reason semi trucks have very short wheelbase, and why fifth wheeler hitches are popular for big trailers. The shorter the distance between the front wheels to the hitch (and conversely, the longer the wheelbase between the trailer tires and the hitch) the better for backing up or turning. No tight parking lots for you, but it should pull just fine if it's in good strong shape :~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Oh, man, sorry for the fall, glad you're going to be alright eventually:)

Beautiful pictures, thanks.

Becky

[squarebarb]

Thanks for the advice. You're right about it being a good sign they had no tow package on it.

And it does seem really long. I couldn't see any signs that it had been used for hauling rock or anything. Bed was not scratched up/worn.

They said it had been sitting there six months without being sold.

Eventually I would like to get a gooseneck hitch on it. Right now I have a two-horse slant open trailer, 7 foot high. The trailer brake unit is already installed.

[HairOfTheDog]

It'll pull the two horse easy :~D

But it'll be even harder to back up :~D Just keep it in mind :~D

[HairOfTheDog]

I was looking out a bit ago and darned if Bay wasn't head-bobbing lame farting around in the pasture.

Ever had a horse trot lame while snorting around the pasture? I went out and caught him and lunged him a bit, still head bobbing but attitude barely touching the ground. I don't get it. I wonder if he just twisted his ankle running out there and is still full of adrenaline. It started to rain, and I wasn't seeing anything definitive, so I quit... I'll be gone tomorrow but I'll check him again Wed, and give him some extra doses of meds tonight.

[squarebarb]

Hope Bay is all right. Could be a stone bruise?

[HairOfTheDog]

Could be... I don't think it's serious, from his attitude, he clearly was feelin' his oats, just not moving even.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Oh, I am so sorry. Is the meds you give a pain med? I don't think you should cover it up, might be something that could get worse if he feels good???

Anyway, keep us informed?

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Could you tell if it was a front or back?

Becky

[CindyDawg]

I was riding with someone behind the stables in the corn field once. A calf got loose and came running thru. My horse turned and I was suddenly riding side saddle almost upside down. I was desperately hanging on with my right leg caz I knew if I dropped off there were no stumps around and I wasn't going to be humiliated by walking back. I finally got myself back in the saddle but I paid for it. My right leg muscles hurt for a week It was worth it though:') Glad you are ok.

[CindyDawg]

Hey , it's ok. Really lol

[HairOfTheDog]

I couldn't really tell anything. He was only intermittently head bobbing, and his attitude was all buck and fart with the mares.

He probably pulled a muscle, the guy's not in good shape to be doin' that.

I was just gonna give him some extra Isoxuprine tonight, not Bute... but I won't if you don't think it's prudent.

[Duchess47]

You can go to edmunds.com or kelley blue book (don't know the address) and check the value - they will be a couple of thousand difference but it will give you an idea of whether the price is in the ball park. Sounds like it is.

[Duchess47]

Great pictures, I'm sorry you got thrown. Glad you're not seriously hurt.

[Duchess47]

I think we paid $800 for five tires for the '99 just a couple of months ago. $80 per tire sounds good but you may have to switch if you get a gooseneck in the future. Right now you don't need the 10ply or what ever they are :)

[Duchess47]

I concur with this, I wouldn't give him pain meds until you can figure out what/where it is. I realize by now, he's tucked up in bed but maybe tomorrow you can find some tenderness or swelling that will point to the problem - or maybe there won't be one tomorrow :)

[HairOfTheDog]

He's in for the night and I didn't give him anything extra. Thanks for the advice on it.

Check this out though...I was tryin' to get Tweek in the house and she took one look at Rosie's new dog Cisco (who's over here visiting) and she ran right up my face.