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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
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I'm sorry, this is rude, and I've been mad at these people since you first posted this:) 1. they canceled the ride and didn't tell you. 2 you show up and call to find out where everyone is. 3. they surely know this is your first time out. 4. The "hoop and holler, bump into each other, and ultimately leave you. Don't be so humble, and take the fall for them. They were rude. People like that is what makes it so hard for others who don't "cowboy". They came because you had showed up and then they act like that....like I said, I've thought about this several times since you went, and it's made me mad at them every time:)....
Becky
I think in SLs case anyway that circling the trash cans actually settled her down some. We do barrels and cones and it was like the one thing she was comfortable with.
First of all, I think no matter what, she was being a behavior problem, so what I say is not really blame... but rather, how might you de-escalate these situations in the future.
Ordinarily the best place to be is behind a trusted horse, obviously not real close to the TW friend because he's a kicker, but single file. This is normal on a 'trail', but in a wide open space even if you think spreading out and going parallel should be OK, it might have created some stress. Cyn will follow Bay all day long but they actually get into a little bit of a competitive head game sometimes riding side by side when we've tried. Bay resents her being there and pins his ears... Cyn seems to react to that, or something, and isn't comfortable being there either. It may be conflicting with some kind of horse pecking order to do that. We do it, when we are on a wide road, but they do get crabby about it.
I'm wondering if, when you caught up to the group again, she wouldn't stand still, she's still hyped up from the stress... were you also? Did you also need to take a deep breath and relax?
What I'm asking is, as you went on, did you have a death grip on the reins, and a death grip to your seat, just because you were scared? I wouldn't blame you a bit if you were, but it could be that the stress kept escalating and sometimes you need to forcibly relax, give her some rein, relax your heels out of her sides, and be quiet yourself. When you are afraid, sometimes it's hard, but you have to sometimes force yourself to get out of the horse's face because the tight rein and tight reaction is just making them worse. On top of all this horse dynamic, she's also in the middle of a big new place that doesn't look like anything familiar. I still think the ocean is a pretty varsity place to ride, just because the surf, traffic, dogs, people, blowing things, everything is strange and unlike 'normal' trail rides.
Just a bunch of thoughts... not particularly well organized.
Cindy - Becky's right... these people may not be the best to ride with. I don't like to ride with people who don't follow basic horse etiquette.
I just googled and found this list... some of them really apply...
1. Check your tack regularly for possible problems or weakness (especially latigos, cinches, stirrup leathers, bridles and anywhere leather meets metal).
2. Wear proper footwear (a boot with a heel) and place the ball of your foot on the stirrup. Never wear flat shoes without a heel (such as tennis shoes) when riding.
3. When approaching creeks, logs or other obstacles in your path, be prepared for your horse to jump. Many riders are caught off-guard while crossing such trail hazards. Coming to a complete stop before starting to cross, keeping a tight rein on your horse and holding onto the saddle will help you stay in the saddle, should your horse jump. A big jump is less likely to frighten you or other horses, if you are prepared and ready for it.
4. When riding in groups, never change to a faster gait without asking permission from all riders. Though you may feel safe, those around you may not be as experienced or comfortable at holding their horses back, should they decide to join in the run.
5. Don’t smoke or drink alcohol on trail rides. Save these activities for a proper location.
6. While others are opening or closing gates, keep your horse standing still and do not ride off until they have mounted again. If anyone in your group dismounts for any reason, ask if everyone is ready before riding on.
7. When riding in groups, do not allow your horse to run up hills or run up behind other horses. Surprised horses may kick or buck when others suddenly run up behind them.
8. Always greet hikers and bikers with pleasantries and represent equestrians well.
9. If a straggling rider drops out of sight, pass the news up to the ride leader to stop until the group gathers again (unless this situation has been discussed before the ride).
10. Never ride more difficult trails or a faster pace than the greenest rider or horse in the group is comfortable with. This will provide safer and happier trail rides for everyone.
I didn't know about going beside. That's good to know. Surprisingly, I was never scared. It was more high alert and being prepared. I had to make myself give her slack when she was ready to drop her head but I was in her mouth too much and I didn't talk to her as much as I usually did. So much was going on though.Those are a few areas that I had already decided I needed to work on.
Anyway, I "would" have thought riding at the ocean would be a tough thing too, especially for a first ride, but IMO, it sounds like it was more being in a large group that was the key factor in SL having problems.
Bay resents her being there and pins his ears... Cyn seems to react to that, or something, and isn't comfortable being there either. It may be conflicting with some kind of horse pecking order to do that. We do it, when we are on a wide road, but they do get crabby about it.
Horses do seem to act better when they follow single file. BUT:), they can and should be able to ride side by side without pecking at each other. Stormy and Harley will pin their ears at each other when they are side by side, but you know, if the trail is wide enough it's so much nicer to be side by side when you're visiting:). JMO, but I don't think Bay should be allowed to do that, even tho it is just Cyn and ecurbh:) and Cyn shouldn't always have to ride at the back just to make Bay happy, (I know that right now that is not the case). Does he do it just to Cyn, or any horse that rides next to him?
This is something I've been trying to get Julia to do, is take the lead sometime. One it will really slow a horse down (he doesn't need to be slowed down, but she says he doesn't do any of the snorting when another horse is in the lead, he'd follow one off a cliff. In the lead he's very shaky according to her), but it also helps their confidence and they need confidence as much as riders do. They also need confidence in the rider on the backs ability to make decisions on when to go, how fast to go, and where to go.
Just a bunch of thoughts... not particularly well organized.:)
Becky
OK - I won't say they're bad people, but it'd be really nice if you could find a friend and a place that would really be well suited for your style and your skill level that would help get through some of these issues.
We try from far away, but we can't. We just sit and guess what might be going on... perhaps not even near hitting the target.
Yeah, it's hard to describe stuff over the internet and then there is language and expression differences to consider too. Hey , yall think it would be ok for me to at least go cut chickens with them Friday? (grin)
He's not allowed to act on it. He is forced to tolerate it when I want to ride side by side... But it's an issue that is a pretty normal predicted behavior for horses that riders need to be aware of so they can understand it. We don't as you know, have very many places where we can ride side by side on our trails. They're narrow... so when we can, we do. And we don't care if they get crabby... I'll goose him or smack him if he acts out. But these are fine tuning issues I wouldn't have someone tackle on their first trail ride, I'd have advised CD to fall in behind me instead of trying to train SL out of it right then. I'd time that battle for later is all. We're holding off on ecurbh pushing the issues with Cyn until we know he has the seat to win the fight is all. It won't go away, but it can be delayed... pick your battles and don't bite it off all at once. I don't know where Julia is in her skill or whether now is the right time for her to push it. If she pushes it and wins, she'll be better off for it. If she isn't ready, her confidence will be set back.
Oh, OK:) I just wondered if this was all part of the not wanting Bay pushed around thing:) I should have known better:) Sorry.
Yeah with Julia that's one reason I don't push. Altho I've never seen the horse act up at all, I'd sure hate for something to happen. The thing with Julia is tho, Major will go in the lead. She just won't take him there.
Becky
Oh no... Bay's not in any protected class on trail rides. He has to behave. That was more of a worry about bringing some new studly horse home and hoping Bay wouldn't end up having to fight for his position in the pasture.
Speaking of studly new horses... we're not going down there today... it's raining, and other stuff has come up here. Probably tomorrow. Bob said no rush, no hurry :~) He seems confident that the sale is a done deal whenever I get around to going down there.
I never said you shouldn't like them, or that they weren't good people...and it was nice they all came....the least they could do:).
I've said several times, I thought under the circumstances you did good.
I've never said the ride wasn't good, or that it was screwed up...or that you screwed up....
Several others here have commented on the fact that the behavior you described about these people was rude. I was trying to encourage you Cindy, my opinion on the whole thing was you did pretty good given the circumstances, that makes it a good ride. You learned somethings, you tried somethings. Good for you.
What in heavens name do I need to lighten up about????
Becky
OOOHHHH....well, if he's that confident, then the horse may well be the one for you.
Becky
Doesn't make it right, it might just mean he knows what a sucker I am :~)
LOL
Well, there's that:)
Actually, surely as good a friend as he is, he really believes it's a good one for you, and not just a sale....
Becky
The motion of a hand reaching in the bowl sets it off:). It also talks and has 3 sayings...Happy Halloween, You want some candy, (that one cracks me up:), and Trick or treat.
And ecurbh, notice in the background, the book, Watchers, you started it yet?:)
Becky
The hand GRABS you! WOW! and creepy! I've never seen anything like that! Very cool!
LOL....I thought it was cool too:)
Becky
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