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The FreeRepublic Saddle Club - (very out of date) Who's Who *pics*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

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

And we are starting out dreary, and misty:(

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

I too sortof dread a lot of talk and replay of Barbaro. I usually post the live thread for the Derby and other triple crown races... and I’m not sure if I’m going to this year. We’ll be watching though. I’m always nervous for the horses and jockeys in races like that... I enjoy them more on replay when I know everyone finished safe.

[HairOfTheDog]

We might still see a spotty shower today, but we are in a “drying trend” they say :~)

[FrogInABlender]

We started off dreary and misty here but it’s cleared up. They’re calling for spotty showers today through most of the weekend, but that just means that it could be pouring in my back yard and pretty as can be somewhere else, so I guess I’m going to try and chance a ride tomorrow if I can get somebody else to go.

[Beaker]

Good Morning!

This weekend I'm taking the son of a family friend to the barn with me. He's 10 or 11 and loves horses, and wants to ride very badly, so is working to earn money for riding lessons. I told his mom about my barn, so she agreed to let me take him, and he's been bugging her about it since. My goal is for him to like it so much that he starts riding there. He's mom is going to hate me by the end because she's not "into" horses, but I think it's important that he gets to ride since he's so enthusiastic about it. My master plan is to plant the bug and let nature take its course. :-) I feel slightly evil, but not too evil. (grin)
I know that he's serious about it, because he has told me repeatedly that he wants to foxhunt and ride cross-country.

[HairOfTheDog]

Sounds very cool :~)

[Beaker]

Just talked to Tuffy's trainer, she thinks he can make the Nationals the first week of July in Oklahoma.

Wow Duchess! Best of luck!! :-)

[Duchess47]

Oklahoma City. Where is that from your place?

[Duchess47]

Of course and the odds are against the relationship, not for it. I am surprised at the amount of personal information that some people feel comfortable about posting on the internet.

On the other hand, if they didn't post all their dirty laundry I wouldn't have the soap opera to watch :)

[Duchess47]

Nope, we’ve never been to the Nationals. She plans to show him in 2yr old Western Pleasure. No halter, can’t put halter weight on him and still have him perform well under saddle - at least the weight he’d require in the Pro classes. I’m of mixed feelings, excited that he might make it, dreading a trip that long pulling a trailer full of horses and trying a straight through drive, and horrified at the amount of money it will take. I believe retirement just went out the window.

[Duchess47]

Thanks. We’ll see what happens in the next month or so.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Ok. City is about 2 hours from me. If you get that close I would certainly come to see you and watch him compete at least once. Wouldn’t miss it:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Well, the sun is finally peeking thru, I’m off to do my lunge line work, then I’ll break for lunch, and then go ride if the weather cooperates:)

Becky

[proud_2_B_texasgal]

On the other hand, if they didn't post all their dirty laundry I wouldn't have the soap opera to watch :)

That is the paradox, huh? LOL

[BladeRider]

They’re calling for spotty showers today through most of the weekend, but that just means that it could be pouring in my back yard and pretty as can be somewhere else, so I guess I’m going to try and chance a ride tomorrow if I can get somebody else to go.

You know Murphy's law, it WILL rain on you in Bankhead! I think we are going to try to ride tomorrow, bt won't be able to get there until about 10:00 because Gary is working tonight.

[Duchess47]

Oh I would love to see you there. I will keep you updated on exactly when and where if we go.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Well, we can’t let internet friends get that close and not meet up, especially since a horse, and showing are involved:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Well, I ran to the tack shop today, to get a snaffle bit. CA recommended them to help with softening up your horse. I was looking at a twisted one, and had some questions, so I got the owner. He had some interesting things to say about bits, that has me confused.

1. That any bit, no matter if it has shanks or not, if it is broken, it is a snaffle.

2. That with even an O ring snaffle, you do get some curb action when only pulling on one rein, if the curb strap is adjusted as it should be.

After talking to him, about how my horse was doing, and what I was using now, I landed up not buying anything. Which is good. He said the bit I’m using is a very easy bit, (I’ve been worried that with the chain mouth piece it was a rather hard bit, but he said no, the chain is large enough that it’s not hard at all, and since I’m having no problems, and the horse is working so well to just leave him alone:) I thought maybe an O ring snaffle would help my horsemanship, more then doing anything with the horse.

Anyway, my horse has been worked on the line, is saddled and I’m waiting a bit to see what the weather is going to do. The sun shone for a few minutes but now it is gray and dreary again, not sure if it’s going to rain or not. I’ll wait a bit, but I’m going regardless.

Becky

[FrogInABlender]

That’s great about the boy. It’ll be nice to have somebody to share your hobby with. He sounds like he’d be perfect for it.

All of my in-law’s kids are way too hyper and loud to be around horses so I’ve just forgot about trying to introduce any of them to riding.

[FrogInABlender]

I’m ok with a little rain. It’s the lightning that I don’t want anything to do with, and there hasn’t been any of that here lately so maybe we’ll be ok.

Where are you going to park?