The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread TEN

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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread NINE

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]

Just got back. I rode about 1 1/2 hours. My watch quit working, or I'd have stayed a little longer, but I didn't want to worry Mack.

When I was saddling I noticed Harley's coat was really rough feeling, I think it's from salt build up from all the sweating he has been doing, so I hosed him off when I got back. You could see the water turn whitish. He is standing tied now to dry.

I sure enjoyed the ride:) From the pictures, and from the way I felt at your house I thought I had really gotten sloppy in my horsemanship. But now I think it was just the difference in the saddles. (Not complaining here, I hope you understand, just an observation). I thought it interesting that something that simple could throw your balance off so much. I think the stirrups on Tiff's saddle are set more under the rider, where as mine, they are hung more forward. Supposedly that's the way barrel saddles are, helps keep the riders butt in the seat. I noticed because I couldn't figure out why when we were trotting it seemed so difficult/awkward to post. And in the pictures of me, it looks like I'm not sitting balanced, one leg is stuck out farther then the other, and it shows in more then one picture, so it can't be it was just that picture. I've never had good balance, I have to work at it, and I guess the littlest change is going to affect what little progress I make:)...

I did come across a rattlesnake on the trail today. It was a small one, I could hear him but he had his tail up and rattling to warn me. At least that's how I've been told rattlers act. They will rattle to warn you they are there, and if you give them space they will move off. That's just what this one did. I stopped and waited a minute and he disappeared.

There is a clearing in the woods that's nice a smooth, and we practiced loping circles and leads. He did pretty good.

Anyway, I've got to go get cleaned up, I'm going to town for awhile with Jenny, to buy stock for her shop. She hopes to open Fri. I'll get some pictures of it, it came out really cool.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Rattlesnake? oh jeeze!

Different saddle, different horse, I don't doubt you felt a little less than right at home. I tell you I never noticed a thing wrong with your seat, so you must have looked just fine to anyone other than the harsh judge you are about yourself :~)

Bay's going to lose all the hair in a two inch wide strip at the back of the saddle from that rub. Some of the skin is still hanging on, but it's gonna peel, I can tell. I can also tell that the hair coming back is brown, so it's not a pressure problem, just a dang uncomfortable crusty pad. Sorry Bay, I didn't notice.

Look forward to the pics of the shop :~)

[MissTargets]

I have a question for you dog people. A little history on my male black lab. I adopted him at 1 year old, he had been a stray. They neutered him at vet's office where I "found" him. My problem is, he wants to kill every dog he sees. When I took him to the vet's office for shots last week, I could hardly control him when another dog came in. Highly embarrassing. He was not that way when I got him.

The kid's dog is a intact heeler, and they get in fights once in awhile. The heeler's fault "of course". Forget walking down the bike trail with him. If there is another dog, it's impossible to control him. This dog will walk at heel with me and never drags. Other than this "problem" he is an excellent dog. I thought I taking him to Petsmart or somewhere for training. What do you guys suggest?

[AnAmericanMother]

That ain't right. Especially a Lab, if he's really wanting to kill them and not just be boss. (Is it the girls as well as the boys? If so, REAL problem.)

PetSmart is not going to be able to help you (I am on my first dog and know more than some of the "trainers" at our local PetSmart). You need a professional trainer with a specialty in behavioral problems. Get your vet to recommend somebody. Our vet recommended our first trainer and we were very happy with her (she also works on behavioral issues but she is a great puppy trainer.)

[HairOfTheDog]

It depends on the trainer at Petsmart.

When you say 'kill' - does he really do damage? To who and under what circumstances? or does he do a lot of hackling or barking or posturing, but in actual tangles there isn't a lot of damage?

Some dogs, males in particular, just are very dominant-aggressive where other males are concerned. You may not ever get him to play well with others, but you hopefully can get him to always mind you when you say "LEAVE IT" or "DOWN". A class where you can practice that is a good start, but ~I~ would avoid trainers who believe you don't ever have to hit force with force. If there is a good, well-rounded dog trainer in your area that trains hunting, Schutzhund, or other working dog skills, I'd recommend them over anyone who uses a clicker :~)

The class won't be the end of it, because it's too controlled an environment, and there will always be loose situations where you're on a path, or at a park, where you'll need to have the off leash control you need. With a really strong personality, you may want to get, and learn how to use, a shock collar. Sometimes all it takes for them to mind is the knowledge that you can reach them at distance.

[RebaJ]

This is the mare I was telling you about. She has lightened up to a cream color since this picture.

[CindyDawg]

Is it just with you? I had a beagle that I rescued from a pet store. He was yappy and out growing his cage. They told me if I would take him I could have him half price. He literally jumped in my arms when I opened the cage. From that day forward I was his. He was the most gentle of dogs but let another dog get near me and the fight was on.

[CindyDawg]

Can you blow it up?

[MissTargets]

Dogs in the neighborhood he does not have a problem with. What he does is a lot of barking, deep throated growls and high pitched yips. He just wants to get at them. Once on the bike trail, he was doing that to a dog and I just let them sniff and he was ok after that. I thought that would work the time before that at the vet's office, but he wanted to fight the other dog I let him sniff.

The shock collar worked really well for his taking off, shortly after I got him. Unfortunately, someone "borrowed" and it can't be found.

Thanks for your suggestions. Maybe I will contact a trainer. They have obedience classes in the area and that might be my best option.

[MissTargets]

Yes, he could be trying to protect me. My female lab was like that. It was people she was concerned about. When she was in the truck, if someone came near, she would bark and growl.

[HairOfTheDog]

Part of his reactions will be the reactions and posture of the other dog too. Other dogs will either escalate or de-escalate the situations by how they react to him. In the vets office, my solution would have been "DOWN" and stand on the snap of the leash and don't let him up. He can't do that indoors.

If he's at the park and strong on the leash and lunging at other dogs for the excitement of going to see them, that situation kindof feeds on itself too. The tight leash just increases the stress and tension. If you can, approach other dogs without him tight on yours. A pinch collar he won't lunge against with sharp corrections if he does, might get him to slow-to-fifty before the meetup, too.

[BladeRider]

CPR on a deer! That is too funny!

[BladeRider]

My problem is, he wants to kill every dog he sees.

How old is this dog? My guess is he is a teenager around 18 months to 2 years? He needs to know that this behaviour os TOTALLY unacceptable. You can try a pinch collar to control him while you are on your walks and a quick snap and LEAVE IT when he even starts that behaviour. But make sure you really praise him when he is being good. Remember YOU ARE the alpha dog, not him and you will do the attacking if there is any attacking to do, not him. Dogs are pack animals and the rules are very much like they are with horses and the herd metality.

[estrogen]

My goodness she's a little one....how old is she?

[HairOfTheDog]

You've fed loose salt/mineral supplement, right? How much did you give per day or week or whatever? We bought it today, because they've been without since the pony binge-consumed the last block and I don't want to keep buying big blocks every week.

I poured a little (couple ounces) in their feed pans tonight, and while the pony licked hers clean, the big horses sampled and didn't really care for it... disliked it so much that they didn't even finish the feed we put on top of it. Pony eventually licked their's clean too. She's crazy about salt.

Should I just put a little out every day in a common pan and they can pick at it if they want, (or they can let the pony have it) or should I mix it in their feed so they stand a better chance of getting it... or maybe develop a taste for it.

I know they need something.... they keep digging holes and licking the dirt.

[HairOfTheDog]

That question above was for all :~) Anyone have insight on salt/minerals?

[Duchess47]

Does Pony consume the mineral blocks the same way? Perhaps if you put the small blocks in holders in their stalls, Bay & Cyn would get what they need and then just feed Pony some loose on her feed.

I can't remember for sure but I think they can OD on salt and Pony sounds like she just might.

[HairOfTheDog]

Pony licked the last 40 pound block just about constantly until it was gone. Ate it in about 4 days. I think pony would OD if she had free choice. There's got to be a limit to how much they should have. The small blocks for the big horses would work in winter when they go in, but for summer, they're all out together all the time.

[Duchess47]

How about something like Vita Plus or another supplement that has minerals in it - they generally taste good enough that the horses will eat it and then Pony can't be cleaning up their's too? I think they really need the salt and minerals now, especially with the heat, but Pony sure doesn't need free choice if she's addicted to it.

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, I didn't look at that supplement, but I will next time. I think in the morning, I'll just try less, a couple tablespoons... or maybe I'll just put a little bit in their pans as they're finishing up... but not enough that the pony's getting too much if they don't eat it.