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!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

That is incredible. He still has a bit of flare, but it looks so much better.

I went out and looked at Harley's shoes. I can't find the size number on them, but he is either an 0 or 1. I can't remember.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

It looks like the aluminum shoes are thicker at the back. Almost wedged. Is that just the way the picture makes it look?? I noticed that yesterday when you posted Blades pictures.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

It is an all purpose. :~D

If she wants, she can lengthen her stirrups beyond what would be typical for jumping and maybe take out the knee rolls (they're just velcroed in), and end up with something that is not unlike a dressage seat.

Mine/Becky's:

Saddles are all over the board in how deep the seat is, how much padding there is, and such, but these are deep seat saddles similar enough in style to compare.

Real dressage saddle:

Real forward seat jumping saddle:

[HairOfTheDog]

oops - meant to ping you to the above. :~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Hey thanks for this post. I don't see much difference except in the shape of the fenders, altho that probably changes the way the stirrups hang.?

Becky

[BladeRider]

Jeez Louise that's a big shoe! But I guess he needed it for those big ol' flat pancake feet, even with all that toe flare cut off. When his feet start to get in better shape his shoe size will go down.

I think a 4 is the largest they make. Last time I had Queen shod she wore a 1. I have them all over the size range.

[HairOfTheDog]

The fenders are the only real difference, because for jumping you'd have a rather bent leg, and for dressage, a rather straight leg that's right under you. But if you notice, the stirrup attach point is in about the same place on yours and on the dressage, so it will work just fine.

Hunt seat:

[HairOfTheDog]

The lower picture should say Dressage:

[Duchess47]

What beautiful babies. Twins, so cool, I'm glad they are both doing well. Mare looks like a good momma.

[HairOfTheDog]

There you are... what's the status of your expectant mares?

[HairOfTheDog]

Ugh - I did want to comment and pass on condolences for your mud. Just think soon you'll have dust and wish for some moisture. That's how it is here...

Fabulous picture of the storm!

3. CUMULONIMBUS MAMMA
Subsiding air may cause these pouch like bulges to form on the underside of a Cumulonimbus cloud. They are generally associated with severe wind squalls, hail, heavy precipitation, tornadoes and thunderstorms.

[Beaker]

The long panels in the dressage saddle allow your leg to hang longer, which is what you want in dressage. The seat is a little different in that you do sit deaper and more on the center of the horse's back. It's like it nestles you there.
I find that I like riding with a longer leg much more than I did before, but that could also be because my seat has improved.

[Duchess47]

Good morning, One overdue since Saturday, one due today through Friday. Both have dropped, bagged up, one is waxed up, both are miserable.

The kids are here and will watch them until Bob and I get back from the doctor's office. I've been getting up every hour at night since last Tuesday so this is getting old :)

One of our vets did say about a month ago that all the mares around here are going over this year for some reason.

Aren't those twins beautiful - that would have scared me to no end, I'd have been screaming for vets.

[FrogInABlender]

It looks like the aluminum shoes are thicker at the back. Almost wedged. Is that just the way the picture makes it look??..

They are thicker than the steel shoe but I guess they have to be because aluminum is so much softer and will wear so much quicker. I think they are the same thickness (from top to bottom) all the way around, but BladeRider could tell you for sure. He did put a wedge under one side of one of Blade's back feet because his hoof wasn't balanced, but I don't think I posted that one. I don't think Jake has any wedges at all.

[HairOfTheDog]

I've been getting up every hour at night since last Tuesday so this is getting old :)

I bet :~D We look forward to your updates ~whenever~ they come :~D

[FrogInABlender]

...I've been getting up every hour at night since last Tuesday so this is getting old :)...

Boy, that's dedication! I guess I just go to bed and hope for the best. So far I've been lucky. Knock on Wood!

[HairOfTheDog]

I'd be sleeping in the barn with Duchess. You natural types are a marvel to me :~D I'd be out there with my vet on the phone. :~D

I do hope we breed one someday, so you all can see just what a nervous Hair I can be :~D

[BladeRider]

They are thicker than the steel shoe but I guess they have to be because aluminum is so much softer and will wear so much quicker. I think they are the same thickness (from top to bottom) all the way around, but BladeRider could tell you for sure. He did put a wedge under one side of one of Blade's back feet because his hoof wasn't balanced, but I don't think I posted that one. I don't think Jake has any wedges at all.

From what I was told, the aluminum shoe is made to wear at the toe so that the horses foot will naturally wear back into the normal balance. He told me that after about 2 shoeings in the aluminum shoe I can put steel shoes on. He showed me a worn aluminum shoe and it was amazing how it wore down at the toe. I believe they are thicker at the heel and are meant more for correction whereas the steel is meant more for maintenance. That is what I understood.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

OK, that makes sense. Thanks:)

Becky

[FrogInABlender]

...so you all can see just what a nervous Hair I can be :~D

Yeah, you'll be a basket case and your vet will be giving YOU Quiet Pony Powder. ;o)

I did go out to the barn more during the night back when we lived at the other place and had the mares right there at the house. Not every hour, but at least once during the night. It'd be a little harder to do that now with them being at the in-law's. Some day soon I hope to remedy that situation.