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!

[AnAmericanMother]

Yeah, ya gotta work through it. It's nice when they like you so much but you can't let it get out of hand (I taught my mare to "heel" just for fun - my trainer makes fun of me because I teach my horse dog commands and my dog horse commands - dog will jump a hunter course which makes everybody laugh.)

[CindyDawg]

I'm having a few 2nd thoughts. If he says yes, I have to move the horses. I can't afford both. Am I really committed to driving there twice a day? Will I start bugging my husband about moving? Probably and that wasn't the deal:')

[CindyDawg]

Well first thing is to find out if he's interested, I guess.

[MissTargets]

She already told me, she would be losing money, if she dropped more. I have been doing a lot of checking and that's about average for horses in these parts. A lot of aged trail horses, are going for a lot more.

[AnAmericanMother]

Depends on how much you want the horse.

If you show up with cash in hand, you can get him for less. But if you're uncomfortable about beating somebody into the dirt, or if you really want THIS horse, you can take her counter.

I don't like to bargain. My husband LOVES it, and he never gets emotionally involved and can walk away from any deal. So I let him do the trading.

[MissTargets]

if you really want THIS horse

You nailed it.

[AnAmericanMother]

Everybody wants a different horse, that's the beauty of the thing.

I have never liked Apps, just a hunter-jumper prejudice from somebody who rode Western for just one summer.

But I am a PUSHOVER for a tall, lean, short-backed T'bred mare with a pretty head . . . bay or black or a dark gunmetal gray . . . you could probably sell me a dozen of them.

[cjshapi]

I've got to drive to the barn once a day on weekdays (mom does am chores) and twice a day on the weekends. It puts about 60 miles a day on my truck on the weekend. Can be a pain but is worth it. Am very lucky that my best friend lets our horses live there.

[FrogInABlender]

My horses have gotten by on one feeding a day for the last 2 and a half years and are doing just fine. Now granted, they are out on good pasture 24/7 and don't REALLY need feeding at all, but I like to see them at least once a day just to make sure that everybody's ok. I just thought I'd throw that comment out there for your consideration.

[HairOfTheDog]

Congratulations, sounds like you're about to become the owner of three new horses :~)

[Duchess47]

I totally agree with you that he is too young :) Well, Janelle rides in shows and endurance, she rides English and Western and has been riding for years. She doesn't have a good seat though, for a fact - just no amount of practice is going to help her. It might be her build, I don't know. One of the reasons I'm hoping Shelley will be working with him. He will be getting worked 20-30 minutes a day now.

[Duchess47]

Looking forward to pictures of the appy when he comes home. What's his name?

[Duchess47]

Thanks. He has a great mind too, he loves people and is so calm and laid back. Enjoys having something to do.

[Duchess47]

That's the problem :) She's not an inexperienced rider. She's been riding for years, rides endurance and rides English and Western in shows. She's just a lousy rider :)

[Duchess47]

LOL. It's funny how they react, but Momma (or Daddy) takes their mind right off their job doesn't it?

[Duchess47]

Check and see. You never know what might happen. Things work out in the strangest ways.

[Duchess47]

IMO you're getting bargain basement prices on him. That's just figures this part of the country, his color and his temperment along with his age.

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh come on.... any of us can take a bad picture, I'd be making that face just from the heat there.

And she's no bigger than the men who have been breaking and riding horses for us since before polite women did such things :~)

Let's be fair here.

[HairOfTheDog]

Any more, I think I'm led and limited by fear, I think it's genetic, because I've not been really hurt in a long time. I've become my dad. Tiff has never had fear, and she's learned everything she knows on the bumpy road. Go figure :~)

[HairOfTheDog]

Is the property already fenced/shelter on it, water/power?

If they're on pasture with a large enough water supply, they can get by with one feeding/visit per day, I think my concern would be if you wanted them there and unattended by anyone all day and night. That's what I'd worry about... theft, mischief by other people, something taking out the fence, predators, injuries...

I know people do keep horses at pasture where no one is, but they assume those risks.

On the other hand, if you ~had~ to go see them every morning or every night to feed, maybe you'd ride more to make it worth the trip :~) It's easier to put off going to the barn if they are at a full care stable and they don't need you.