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Posted on 06/19/2006 8:46:45 AM PDT 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
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!
He's not winded...I don't think his muscles are "giving out"... I'm beginning to think he just doesn't like uphill work....
I have one hill in particular that is pretty tough. About the middle of it it gets real steep and stays that way for 20-25 feet, (I'm not good at judging distance). The hill goes on up after that, but with less incline. He tries to stop in the middle of where it's steep. Just stops...I hate that, I'm always afraid he won't be able to get going again:).
Becky
He might be tired, or he might be trying to get in your head :~)
Are you making him walk it? You could just let him stop and rest this week, see if he gets stronger as he goes, or... try it at a faster pace. He's stronger if you let him trot, or even canter it, he gets much better use of his rear end that way, whereas at the walk, they are really having to pull themselves up with the front end.
They came with their own bottles, but the bottles are such a tight fit it makes it difficult to get them in and out especially when you're on the saddle. So I used the gatorade bottle, it is skinner but just as tall, so it fit great. I have one on each side.
Becky
Oh - I see the post about at CTRs... Well, I can see following the rules there then.
Those are good, I like them because if they bounce, they're bouncing on the heavy skirting instead of on the horse.
I have always been told that they can pull better up a hill at a rack or a trot or gallop than they can at a walk. When I say gallop I don't mean all out speed Man from Snowy River type thing. We have some pretty steep and rocky hills for them to climb here and going fast would definitely be dangerous. We always let them take it at their own pace. I think #1 Blade is a little on the lazy side and #2 if we rode every wekend instead of every 2nd or 3rd weekend he would be in better shape. I know he can do it when he wants to. If he thinks Jake is leaving him behind he has no problem. If he is leading you might as well sit back and enjoy cause it will take a while!
Sounds like quite the ride! It's always great to see or hear about older horses acting like green fools now and again. :-) Sounds like she wanted to get in on the fun. Now here's the question, how is she feeling today?
Well, I'm thinking it must have to do with the heat, because he's never stopped like this before on these same hills.
That one hill, would be dangerous to do anything but walk on. I do let him trot or lope a bit going up some of the others. I agree, that it is easier for them.
Becky
That's what I like about them too:)
Becky
Yea for Miss Gracie (and you) :')
A little spooky around here a few minutes ago. Simeone has taken gas and who knows what else out of our backyard, twice, recently. I was sitting at my desk and the alarm went off. I went outside and my back door was open. One of the neighbor kids stood outside while I went back in and checked things, carrying a knife. All clear. Maybe it was the wind, even thogh it's mild today.
That is scary! I think I would make sure all my doors and windows are locked that is for sure!
I thought they were. They are now though.
That's really scary, Cindy. Is your back door a sliding door or one that can potentially be blown open? Did the neighbor kid see anyone?
It's a french door. Probably just the wind. If anyone was back there they jumped the fence.
Cindy was laying in the yard sunning. I need to get another dog.
Do you ever ride with spurs? Will they let you use them at a CTR? I always wear them, but very seldom have to use them. When I do use them, it's just usually just a light touch to let him know they're there, and that's usually enough to make him keep up a good pace when heading up hill. They seem to have a pretty good psycological effect. Just a thought.
I always ride with spurs. And it doesn't take much of a tap to get him going. Today I started tapping him before we got to the spot, and he never came to a complete stop. I think If I do this awhile, he'll stop stopping all together. I really think it's just laziness where the going is toughest. I'd probably do the same thing if I could get by with it:)
Becky
Just ordinary blunt Prince of Wales spurs.
She wasn't backed until she was 14, so she's not your average Equine Senior Citizen. Since I've known her, she's had a foot abscess and a little trouble with her hocks, soft horn on her white foot, otherwise nothing. And the hock trouble went away with proper conditioning (it's asking a lot to carry me around!)
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