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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!
I feel for ya! Been there, done that. But at least you got it done and won't have to worry about hay for a while. How long will that last you?
It will last about 3 months. Prairie hay lasts me a little longer because they don't like it as much as coastal so don't want to eat as much. They eat it more slowly so have hay in front of them longer between meals. They gobble up the coastal pretty quick and then stand around wanting something else to munch on. The grass isn't growing due to the drought so I have pulled them off the pasture area to save the grass that is left.
This is probably the nicest smelling and looking prairie hayt I have ever bought. Sometimes, it is too coarse and stemmy because it was cut too mature. This was cut early enough that it is still fine stemmed and sweet smelling.
I am really looking forward to 3 months of NOT slinging hay around.
I thought Amy or Lee was going to ride Grace? Did you change your mind? No problem on Shirleys horses, they are pretty well behaved. Amy will probably ride Queen since she is comfortable on her. You are right it will probably come a down pour on us. Maybe we should ride around my property!
I did that last year with 75 bales. My husband had had open heart surgery and I did not want him to try stacking so wehn he left for work I did it my self, carrying it up a flight of stairs and stacking it. BOY WAS I SORE! You are right you don't know what muscles you have until you torture them and you don't know how much you can sweat until you stack hay.
Here he is doing the neck stretching, I have a little treat in my hand. It's so funny, I massage him first, and he reaches around like this, knowing there is going to be treat back there, sometime:).


And here he is lunging, looks real enthused doesn't he:).


Becky
OOOO......that is a work out.
Becky
Well, I just figured that they would be safer on Shirley's horse. Grace is great tempered and calm, but you just never know what a green horse is gonna do, and that's fine for me, but I'd hate for one of them to get dumped because of it.
Well, I'm glad you're getting him back with the program. He's been on lay-off long enough. Just be careful with that wrist though!
I just looked at the radar loop. It doesn't look like that storm is moving at all, just sitting in the same place...Wish it was over us. It's really humid here right now, maybe something will develop.
Becky
I was:). Ever tried lunging and holding the whip with the wrong hand for the direction....He is so smart, I tried just dropping the whip, and guess what...he stopped, I could finally keep him going but he was really doggin it. He knew I couldn't speed him up:)...LOL, silly horse.
Becky
On the stretching... what do you do to make him stretch... what keeps him from just turning around on his feet to get the treat?
oooh ouch... 5 high is too high for a gal to do alone :~\
Glad you survived it, and didn't end up flat on your back in the barn because of it.
Cyn is the only one I have to have the whip for. I don't even bring it out when lunging Bay or the pony, because they get too stressed by it and won't settle down.
I figured you were gone for the day:)
Well, he just never turned. It took a few days to get him to stretch this far. At first it was like he'd lose track of the treat, so I gave it to him when he was about 1/2 way around at the first, and each time just move it back farther. I'd say if you have one that wants to turn, you are standing at their hip anyway, just reach around with the hand nearest him and put it on his off hip.
Getting them down between their front legs was more of a challenge then the ones around....he's gotten the hang of it, but it took longer, and more treats:)
I tried getting a picture of that, but I kept missing.
Becky
I just figured if you were behind, they'd naturally just turn around and face you.
You'll have to show me on mine when you're here.
The only reason I wanted him use to the whip was for competitions. On Sun checkout, you "might" need it. He didn't really at the last one I went too, but if you don't check in with one, you can't check out with it. I have to practice, because it takes some to be able to hold the whip and lunge line in both hands, and not let the line touch the ground. It's more practice for me then him. I could probably keep him going good by just twirling the end of the line if my line was long enough.
Becky
Well, I walk to his head first, then down his side. I just can't remember when I first started doing it, if he tried to turn.......
He did real good today, with stretching his legs out when I picked them up, I think they just learn the routine after a while, and learn it feels good:) He stands perfectly still while I'm massage and gets his top lip stiff and wiggleling:), like ooooooyeah, right there:)
Becky
Nah, she doesn't have all her shoes right now. It'll be Doc, his oldest gelding. He's gorgeous! Looks like The Black Stallion in the movies.
LOL!! His mama didn't raise no fools!
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