The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread 11

[HairOfTheDog]

The FreeRepublic Saddle Club - (very out of date) Who's Who *pics*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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread TEN

New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!

[Beaker]

What do you mean by showed her butt? Tried to kick, or tried to buck? If so, how serious was she about it. Have you checked her tack? Does her back hurt? How are her teeth?

[HairOfTheDog]

What do you mean "showed her butt?" You talk about being at the mounting block, then you talk about lunging the buck out of her... did she buck when you got on? I don't understand the scene yet.

[CindyDawg]

She wouldn't stand still at the mounting block. Usually I get off and circle her or back her up but I was reading yalls posts last night and didn't (grin). Besides the clock was ticking. The trainer held the lead rope. I felt like I was going for a pony ride. I cued her to move. She wanted to move faster than I wanted and started jumping and throwing her head down. I was told to go lunge her. She had a bucking good time til I went and got the lunge rope. My trainer didn't like what she was seeing. Said she was "hot". I have good days and then days like this that keep me on guard during the good times. Just don't know if she's worth it but unless I find her a good home she isn't going anywhere. I just don't know if I want to keep her for my riding horse though.

[CindyDawg]

The tack was ok. I do worry about my weight and her back but I'm told it's fine for her size. I wish I could find something wrong that I could fix and be done with it but she just has her days. I know some will scoff at this but I can see it in her eyes. There was a "hardness" and she was kind of watching everything even before we started.

[Beaker]

Hmmm interesting. Horses have "those days" though, I've ridden plenty like that, but of course not all of them are like that. Have you considered lunging her before each time that you get on? It helps them get the piss and vinegar out.

[CindyDawg]

Even when I was cleaning her hooves. Yesterday, all I had to say was foot up and she complied. Today I had to grab hair and lean her off balance.

[Duchess47]

:) Did you read my post here about horses that don't stand still (or don't whoa)?

[CindyDawg]

Well yeah. That's where I messed up. Because she gets so moody I usually lunge first. Today I didn't though. My lesson was at nine and I go there about 8:15 and had to get her out before the feed got to her and feed her and get her ready. Kind of pay now or pay later though I guess because that's what I ended up doing. Another woman was behind me though and I lost my spot. Josh was waiting to take Okie on a trail ride when I got finished so I had to call it a day.

[CindyDawg]

Maybe. I remember reading something about not making them do something else, which I do. Usually I thumb her, back her way up or do short circle til she stands perfectly still. It's kind of like spanking your kids in public though, during a lesson. Did she know she could get away with it today?

[CindyDawg]

Yah I did read it. SL likes to whoa though. Stand is another thing. I can't kick that horse though. I usually just take my hand and slap her really hard on the belly.

[BladeRider]

Mine are couch dogs too, just take up more room.

My setters take up a good bit of room on the couch too. This particular day they were all out side chasing birds.

[BladeRider]

I have good days and then days like this that keep me on guard during the good times

I had a mare like that, very hormonal and unpredictable. I would decide to sell her then we would ride and she would be WONDERFUL. The next time she would be way to "hot" for me. Bunny hopping in the front, afraid that something was going to get her at everyturn. When she was good, she was real good. When she was bad, she was scary. I sold her and got a gelding.

[AnAmericanMother]

A dule of doves (I believe that's the correct term) decided to set up housekeeping in the holly bushes in our back yard. BIG mistake.

The dogs didn't get any of them, but they ran them off the property with much barking and harassment and shouting of, "Hey, Mom! Get the shotgun!"

At the training day in January, Shelley managed to run down a flyaway partridge all by herself - she ran it probably a half mile downhill, flushing it over and over again, until it didn't take off fast enough to elude her. You've never seen such a proud little dog as she came prancing back with her prize.

[CindyDawg]

I like her though. It would be much easier to sell her if I didn't. I'm tired of it though. I still think maybe some Prosac in her feed....

[BladeRider]

The dogs didn't get any of them, but they ran them off the property with much barking and harassment and shouting of, "Hey, Mom! Get the shotgun!"

A very familiar site! Althought the thousands of Starlings that roost in the big tree don't seem to be very intimiated by the dogs.

[CindyDawg]

We had some ducks move in. We would try not to feed them but if an animal is hungry....Anyway, the other day we noticed the neighbor across the street was feeding them and in awe of a yard full of birds. My husband and I were high fiving. Now they can poop all over his place.

[CindyDawg]

If I do decide to get another horse it won't be until after I have my own place where SL doesn't cost me much maintenance but where would I look to find an easier ride?

[AnAmericanMother]

Firing a tennis ball out of a length of PVC pipe does, however, disturb the starlings (the dogs think it's hilarious and laugh like mad.)

I absolutely loathe and despise starlings -- just poop machines x 10ⁿ.

[AnAmericanMother]

Ducks are stinky.

When I first introduced Shelley to ducks, she looked at me like, "You want me to put THAT in my mouth?"

[Beaker]

How does she behave once you lunge her? Sounds like she has a chronic case of PMS. :-)