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!

[Duchess47]

Glad you made it home safely. Alison looks like she was having a ball.

[CindyDawg]

I know. It's an interesting topic.

[Duchess47]

Oh my, the poor guy. Bet it does hurt and sting like crazy also with the sweat from the heat. Have you tried a grazing muzzle rather than a cribbing collar on him? We have a couple that we use, particularly if we put Indy up in the barn. He's developed a habit of windsucking on the pipe corrals.

[FrogInABlender]

...some sport where you are given a map and negotiate with a compass...

It's called "Orienteering". We did a little bit of it when I was in ROTC in college. I found out I can't find my way out of a paper bag with a compass!

[FrogInABlender]

Oooo, that looks like he busted it open on something. That's gotta hurt! It'll probably be easier to get somebody to twitch him while you doctor it. Safer too.

[CindyDawg]

Yeah that was it. I'm too lazy to go back to the bathroom and look it up:')

[CindyDawg]

Poor guy.

[FrogInABlender]

...Have you tried a grazing muzzle rather than a cribbing collar on him?...?

That sounds like a good idea. They make some that are more like a wire basket that would probably work pretty well. I think that kind is actually called a cribbing muzzle. You don't care that he can graze through it, he just can't bite things through it.

[MissTargets]

It finally dried out enough to get out in the woods. Alison was such a good trooper about it all. It is not easy riding where there is not a trail. I started to get the itch to go riding again a few months ago. Then I looked at that Appaloosa gelding and got the urge. So, I decided to take Jody out and see how she would do. She has not had much riding since she was broke last year. Just a couple of trail rides. She doesn't do bad, just needs some urging in places. With a more experience horse with her, she would have done better.

So now, I have to make a decision, if I will just continue to ride her, or maybe buy that gelding. She has dropped her price and is anxious to sell. Her and her husband are building a new home and she has 4 others that she is supporting. I really liked that horse, but I think he would be just like Jody, needing the experience.

[HairOfTheDog]

You're right, the experience is the same level... If you're comfortable on one that is greenbroke, you might as well stick with the one you have, unless you just have to have them spots :~)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

We tried the muzzles way back when we first got him. The trouble with that thing was (and we may have got the wrong size) was it was so big on his muzzle that it hung pretty loose. We were afraid he'd hang that on something. Plus it looked pretty irratating. He's wore this type of collar now for probably 8-10 years with no problem... I'm probably going to have to put him in a hot wire pen till this heals.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Do they make insulators for the metal panels, to put wire on them? Never seen it but I'd see why people would want to.

[Duchess47]

The biggest difference is he's an appy gelding and she's an Arab mare. Geldings usually take most things more in stride - not so hormonal, and Appys are a little more curious/adventurous/willing to check it out than Arabs.

I'm really not trying to sound bigoted - it's just that many appaloosas are pretty willing to hit the road just because they get bored. And their curiousity comes into play more often than their flight response.

[Duchess47]

If she will take $2500 for him, that's what she came down to (?) - that's a pretty good price for my part of the country.

[squarebarb]

It is so hot and it has been so hot for so long I think I am about to shrivel up to a mummy. Day after day over 100. Not getting anything done.

Arrggghhh.

[squarebarb]

Ooooh Beck that's a nasty one.

What about spraying him with a gentle nozzle spray to clean it? Then Furazone spray?

[CindyDawg]

It took me all day to mow. I have blisters on both palms. Looks like we might get some rain tomorrow.

[RebaJ]

I was being nice by leaving this forum and not say anything else to you but apparently you need to know more about the horse situation in order to sleep better tonight.

The place that is offering the horse is doing this for the parishioners ONLY. This is a western church that does alot with the people. Western outings, trail rides, hay rides, cowboy days, chuck wagon cook offs, planned visits to organized rodeo events, cowboy training events, roping lessons and much more.

Any member and I repeat that.."MEMBER" is welcome to visit and see the horse, ask questions, review the background and training information, and spend time with the animal to see if they are compatible. Since the people who would purchase the tickets are knowledgeable and responsible horse people within the church and are all are given the opportunity to check out and care for the horse, I don't see how you can view this as a bad thing for the horse or the person who wants it.

As for the price of the ticket I don't see how that is an issue. They could have sold it outright to one member, but they made it interesting and fun by giving all members who are seriously interested in this animal the opportunity to own it and care for it.

With that said, I hope everyone here has a nice evening and enjoy the wonderful replies that are thrown my way. As for me, I left this forum earlier as I don't have the patience for crap. I only came back to speak up for the one person I sent the original message to. Sorry for the trouble, I honestly thought I sent that message to you in private.

[HairOfTheDog]

Reba, this is a forum, to discuss, debate, agree or disagree on. I think in general raffles of live animals are still a bad idea. It's OK if you disagree, I'll still sleep tonight and so should you.

[CindyDawg]

Ah... does this mean I have to become a member if I win? :')