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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!
Thanks! I am just getting caught up on posts. Was in Ohio all weekend visiting my brother in the hospital. He is finally (after 4 weeks) out of ICU. Long stressful weekend.
Those twins are just the cutest thing :~D
You can see their size difference in these, though they're otherwise remarkably similar. Are they particularly bonded to each other, as twins might be?
It'll look terrific on your new halter bridle. :~D
Good morning :~D
Do they always stick pretty close together? They are soooo cute!
The twins are just adorable and the pictures of them are very nicely taken! Thanks!
They look wonderful, strong and healthy, (and beautiful) of course.
Becky, I'm glad you did as well as you did at the ride. It's a shame about Harley's soreness but it's good that you found an equine chiropractor to treat him there at the race, and even better that he lives close by and can come adjust him again when needed.
I rode on Sunday and can relate to the rocks, heat and ticks because my ride was pretty much the same. We rode a trail in the Wilderness part of the Forest that we'd affectionately named The Kamikaze Trail because it's always been very challenging, but it's worth it because it's so beautiful. We were a little concerned that there may be downed trees because of some of the recent storms but decided to try it anyways and see.
It started off well, they had cut the downed trees off of it and everything was fine, although a bit overgrown. But you pretty much had to keep one hand up in front of your face all the time to keep the limbs from hitting you. It was especially overgrown when we got to the place where the trail went up the side of a big hill and through a rock shelter and out the other side. It was almost like riding in a green tunnel while the horses were going over big rocks and logs. I had to more or less lay on Bob's neck and tuck my feet up on his rump and just hang on because every time I raised my head I got hit in the face with a limb. After that, the trail was fine again for a ways but then it's like they quit cutting the downed trees and there were some BIG ones. We had come so far and really didn't want to go back the way we came so we just sucked it up and went on. Thankfully I had thought to bring my pocket saw and we ended up using it quite a bit on some of the smaller stuff but some of it we just had to get around the best way we could, whether it meant going up the side of the hill or not.
We made it to the other trail without incident, but there were some close shaves in a place or two. The whole ride took about 5 and a half hours and that included rest breaks and tree cutting. It was really hot and humid so we didn't push the horses much out of a walk for very long at a time. They seemed to be handling the heat well and we let them stop to drink at every stream we crossed. I wished I had the video camera with me on some the hairier sections, but then I'd probably be dead so I guess it's a good thing I didn't. I don't think we'll be riding this trail again until they get it cleared. If they ever do. :-(
I did take one picture. The Big Leaf Magnolia trees were blooming and the blooms are just HUGE. I posted a picture of the leaves last year, but I'll repost it again for reference...
What a gorgeous flower. Looks like something I'd expect to see in the jungle of Hawaii or something. Sounds like a jungle ride you were on!
The rest of the weekend I spent on tamer pursuits, like replanting my flower beds. The pansies I'd planted in the fall were gorgeous all through the winter but the heat was beginning to really get to them, so I tore them out and replaced them with more heat tolerant stuff. I also decided to build a stone retaining wall around the side bed. It's on a slight incline so it kinda needed something on the downhill side. My husband and I hauled a couple of jeep loads of big sandstone rocks out of the hollow behind his parent's house and my back is killing me today. You think I'd know better than that by now. That biggest rock in the center there probably weighs 200#. It's probably 16" high. Here's a picture of the finished product...
You can see the fern you sent me in the lower right hand corner of this picture...
Here's a better picture of it. It's looking pretty good...
The fern does look pretty good! And the rockery and flower bed is gorgeous. People ~pay~ for rocks like that, up here :~D
Heck I can understand WHY! If I had to sell them right now, they'd be pretty darned expensive! It's hard work hauling those babies out. I got way too hot a time or two and had to go in the house and lay on the floor to cool off. I didn't have a dry thread on me all day long. This ol' gal ain't used to working in the heat!
I understand, I wilt in heat myself, but you done good, it's a beautiful flower bed. I like your hanging plant trees, too. They're very pretty, and add quite a bit to the flower bed.
Beautiful flower beds!! You did great with the rocks.
Your fern is looking better then mine. I think this heat is getting to it. I've been watering it about every 3rd day, the ends of the leaves are turning brown tho, and it hasn't done much growing since my last picture.
Becky
They are precious. Mom looks like she has her "hooves" full. The boy is starting to catch up a little with his sister isn't he?
I'm right the opposite. I can't tolerate the cold.
Very pretty.
Dang! Now that's a leaf:')
I'm glad your brother is doing better.
Yeah, those shepherd's hook things are pretty handy for hanging baskets. There's a blacksmith or two around here who makes them and sells them at the local arts festivals. He makes some other cool stuff too, like garden hose keepers, plant stands, fireplace tools and pot racks to hang in the kitchen. I've got the coolest little humming bird garden ornament that he made. I'll have to take a picture of it some time.
I've always wanted one of those ceiling racks to hang pans from
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