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Posted on 02/24/2006 9:12:25 AM PST 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 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!
Sounds like you've got her well on her way to being a very well mannered horse. Your farrier will sure appreciate it down the road. I haven't seen the movie, but I like "Mina" as a name. It sounds very feminine.
Oh Becky... another day another challenge! New stuff is fun, but I'm sorry you've had such a trial with saddle fit. Just when you think you've gotten good answers.
This first picture of me is so goofy, I don't really want to post it:), but it's so goofy you got to see it:). I was giving instructions on how to take pictures, I didn't expect her to take one at this time:).
The rest are just trail pictures.
This is the low fence the guy living behind me put up.Julia's horse always kind of jumps it rather then just step over. I was trying to catch it but this is the best I got.
Becky
Well, I knew this was a possibility. Just knowing something for sure is helpful. It's not knowing that drives me crazy. I just wish I knew for sure if his back problem with the English saddle really is because of his feet, and not because of the saddle. If I knew for sure, I'd just use it. But he definitly gets sore in it. He dosen't get sore in the Western, if just rubs a sore....go figure:\
Becky
St Croix Forge makes this one. It's higher in the center crease where the nails go and is beveled toward the outside edge all the way around. It lets the hoof pivot easier in any direction. Cutting horse people use them alot.
The dry spot sure looks like a pressure point to me, that's what we're supposed to look for. Is the front of that dry spot the front of the saddle? Or is it under your thigh and the saddle skirting comes forward of that? It ~looks~ like it's about the front of the saddle.
As for the funny picture, I don't know what's funnier the "you push the button right...[click]" look on your face or your "Ask me if I care" t-shirt. :~D
That guy went to a lot of trouble to give you a place you could step over... like he welded that deal together just for you. That's cool.
Great pictues Becky! I'm glad you posted the goofy one. It makes me not feel so goofy about the one with me in the raincoat and rain hat.
It sure does look like you've gotta quit riding that western saddle on Harley coz it sure don't fit. I don't know what to tell you about the Wintec.
How would one broach the topic with my farrier? Is this stuff he'd normally have on hand? Or would I ask him to order it, or what? Again, I feel like I'm delving into stuff where I only know enough to be dangerous, and I feel like he'd think I'm second guessing him. I don't have a specific lameness symptom to report, so why am I telling him I want a different shoe? What do I know? You know what I mean?
The dry spot is under the front of the saddle. Yeah, I'd say there's little doubt that that is a pressure point. I guess I'll stop at the saddle shop tomorrow and talk to Stanley. Charlie told me he may have a used one that is a Full size that he would let me try for awhile. That would be great.
I can't believe you could read my shirt!!!!
Yes the guy did weld that spot just for me:). He was very nice about it, came and told me it was for me. He's the guy that put up that sign I told you about warning the 4 wheelers.
Becky
It seems to fit your mood today with the farrier forum and all :~D
Would be nice to be able to borrow a wider one. The only other thing that ~might~ also work is a pad with a little less bulk in front. It's nice to have all that pad under you, but if the saddle's close to being too narrow, a pad that thick will make it worse.
I'm going to have to chime in here:)
1. your not for sure he is even navicular.
2. he's not/never did gimp last year.
3. you've said yourself to me that riding is going to wear out joints, etc. There is nothing you can do about it short of not riding.
4. I really really, think about changing anything at this point. And IMO, I'd even try getting him off the isoproxine (sp). If he doesn't need it what are you going to use when he does???
5. I'd only bute him to when you are for sure he is going to need it. Horses are going to be tired after working, but tired is no reason to bute.
6. If I was this concerned, I'd start first by getting ex-rays so you know for sure what you are dealing with, rather then treating for something he may not even have.
JMO. Hope I'm not speaking out of turn. We all want to do our best by our horses, but I still believe if it's not broke don't fix it.
Becky
Hey, now there's an idea. Maybe I'll ride next time with just a navajo.
The saddle guy said there was a strong possibility he'd need a wider one, he just wanted me to try this one once more, and the vet said with out a doubt he'd need a full size. When I told her I didn't have one and Stanley said to try mine once more you could tell she didn't believe it would work.
Becky
You're probably right... I'm probably in the 'over-analyzing and worrying too much mode'.
I don't mind continuing the Isoxuprine. I haven't read that there's long term harm from him having it. There is long term potential harm to his stomach from too much bute, so I'd be more concerned if I was needing that to keep him comfortable in the paddock. He doesn't need it. I've given it only some of the time before a long ride because I hate getting out there and then finding out he's just a little 'off'. I haven't ever gone out there and found him lame, it's just the difference between whether I feel like I'm having to slow him down or prod him on. From my discussions with the vet he seemed to find no real risk from getting it once or even twice a week. Say Saturday morning before a ride, Sunday if I thought he needed a boost if I was riding again. Maybe I'm wrong to think of Bute like aspirin?
Thanks:). I liked your goofy picture:)
Becky
If you don't want to change farriers, you might ask your farrier if he's familiar with Natural Balance principles and if he's not would he be willing to learn. But I've just gotta believe that with Mission Farrier School being within a 2hr drive of you that there would be some farriers in your area that already know it too.
Well, the thing is... I think I've got the best farrier in town. - At least, I know my friend Bob has tried them all and he likes Mark. He's given me great service, I've never had a horse go lame with him (I acquired Bay with whatever wear and tear he came with) I've never even had a horse lose a shoe between appointments. And Mark's not taking new customers, from his refusal to even call Tiff back. I don't think I want to burn that bridge. :~D
Besides the opinions of some internet farriers and my own tendency to over-worry, I should have no complaints. The first response to my thread over there was "This is a nice shoeing job for a sound horse, but this horse is not sound by your description." Well, he is a sound horse, my description is of my worries, not really anything concrete.
I got back from "Road to the Horse" in Murfeesboro, Tn, last night.
I really enjoyed the program. They had 4 clinicians (sp?)
Martin Black, Van Hargis, Stacy Westfall,and Craig Cameron.
They had 4 round pens set up and the clinicians picked numbers from a hat to get their roundpen. Inside the pen were 2 colts, and they had their pick of which one they would use for the competition.
They had a total of 3.5 hrs. to complete the challenge of getting the horse ready for an obstacle course.
Craig Cameron never even get a saddle on his horse. The horse just kept bucking and bucking.
Martin Black had his horse saddled and walking over a wooden bridge within 1.5 hours. He then said "What am I going to do for the next 2 hrs."? Rather smug if you ask me.
Van Hargis didn't get too far with his horse either.
The most spectacular was Stacy Westfall. She was very calm and took her time and completed the obstacle course with no trouble. She actually bought the horse she chose and named him Popcorn. Cornelius Farms supplied the horses and this was her takoff on that name. She was amazing.
Prior to the actual contest she rode her horse, saddleless and bridleless all around the arena, cantering and circling etc. She is a championship reiner. She was the first woman enrolled in the Road to the Horse and obviously the first female winner.
Clinton Anderson was there giving a clinic on how to start a colt, but at 7 A.M. I couldn't get interested enough to get out of bed.
As an added bonus, Saturday night the old Ryman had a show with Alan Jackson and Vince Gill and we got tickets....
Great weekend !!!!
That sounds like such a cool contest! I'd love to go see such a thing!
LOL! Craig Cameron's place probably about 60-70 miles from me!! He has a show on RFD TV, 2 of them, actually. Too funny, I hope they got that on tape and he shows it on his program.
It's not that warm all winter, unfortunately. It can get very cold here, well below freezing, we just don't get much snow or ice. We're lucky to get freezing precip once a season. The temps vary widely in winter, not so much in summer.
The horses and dogs do get hot when the weather gets this warm. I've even body clipped George this time of year then put a blanket on him if it gets too chilly. His hair is like thick shag carpet. I could stuff a king size mattress with it when I'm finished clipping him.
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