Posted on 08/07/2007 7:33:14 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, usually about our horses, sometimes about our dogs, gardens and other stuff we do. :~)
I have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and MissTargets will ping everyone most mornings. Let MissTargets and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list.
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.
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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread 11
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
I’ve had no problems (so far) and I’ve bought quite a bit of stuff off ebay, but I’ve been lucky that it’s all been exactly as advertised and all that. I don’t know how it works out if you buy something and aren’t happy with it’s condition when you get it. Supposedly you have some kind of mediation process and a way to get your money back if the person isn’t inclined to give it back themselves. But I gather that it can sometimes be a long, drawn out process. And I haven’t ever SOLD anything, so I don’t exactly know how that works out either. I know there are fees that you have to pay, just to list your item on ebay, and there are other percentage-based fees that you have to pay when the item sells, so you need to take that into account when setting your minimum bid or reserve price. So I think all-in-all it’s pretty safe for most stuff.
I wonder if many people show up at events like this, who know absolutely NOTHING about organized dog events of ANY kind, and even less about tracking. :-)
MM (in TX)
Folks show up EVERY WEEK who know nothing about dogs . . . or about the particular dog event . . . sometimes who don't even HAVE dogs yet . . .
And my older dog is my Very First Dog, I was always a cat person. I was a total n00b when I showed up at Obedience, then at Agility, then at Hunting Retriever . . . . everybody was always SO friendly and welcoming and glad to have me aboard. Lots of advice and coaching for new members, mentors, dry runs, special groups meeting for new puppies, etc.
I was at an agility class one night when two ladies showed up who wanted to see if they wanted to start their two pet dogs in Agility. They watched a class, and when class was over I walked up to the nearest lady and asked, "How would you like to run my dog?" "Oh - I couldn't do that!" "Sure you could, she will work for you, she loves to work and she'll work for anybody. Don't be nervous!" My little Chocolate Lab just glanced over her shoulder and I said, "OK, Shelley, Go On!" and she never looked back again. She ran like a little clockwork dog for this lady, just as obedient and smiling as you please. So you see, even the DOGS are happy to have new members!
You know, all these organizations have to recruit new members, or they die.
You’re getting the endurance saddle? I can’t wait to see it!
Good to know. Maybe I’ll take Bob and show up at one of these events. BTW, when he enters the pasture (about 7 acres), he finds the track for ANYTHING that has been in the pasture that in his most esteemed BobOpinion does not belong in the pasture. Turtles. Possums. Coons. Deer. It’s really a cool thing to watch.
MM (in TX)
Lucky you! :^)
I unexpectedly had someone ask if I wanted to sell my horse trailer. I talked to Charlie about it and he said I should, especially if I have someone wanting it. He has always thought the trailer I have is too heavy for the truck I have. Mack even thought that, but since I didn’t haul that much it wasn’t that big of a deal.
But Charlie said when I get a horse and keep it down at their place, I can always use their trailer which is lighter weight...He and Jenny have trailers just a like and the chance that they would both be using their trailers at the same time is very remote so I’d always have one.
Anyway the girl is suppose to be here shortly to look at it again. It’s the same girl who came and rode Harley back in Nov. when he turned up lame the first time.
Becky
Well, it would seem you have plenty of trailers to choose from! So good luck!
Silly buck ran across the middle of the farm pasture while about 75 dogs were there doing hunt test training. Fortunately most of us either had our dogs on leash or on electronic collar! That deer made tracks, followed by loud barking and baying from 75 crazy mostly Labs, with a few Chessies and Flat Coats!
Good luck! Maybe she’ll take Harley and the trailer in a package deal . . . < g >
Hey, that sounds great! You’re just having buyers for stuff fall into your lap left and right. Did the crazy lady ever come and pick up the motorcycle?
LOL!! I just now got home and watched the video of Bay snorting at the boogers in the woods. He can snort with the best of ‘em can’t he! And speaking of boogers, I kept on expecting that big wad of snot he had hanging in his left nostril to come flying out on you at any moment. They always seem to be able to save up a good green slimy one for that don’t they.
Yes, she came and got it. She seemed to have toned down some then, thank goodness:)
These people are going to come back Sat. and get the trailer. I guess I need to get it cleaned out...have no clue where I’m going to put all my stuff. It will make saddling more difficult, having to drag everything in and out of the house every time now.
Becky
Great news.
Good morning. - Maybe you can get some kind of rolley saddle cart? I bet they make such a thing!
I didn’t see that big wad of snot till I watched the video. I didn’t know how close I really was to getting slimed ;~) He was polite though, he turned his head to snort ;~)
Well, since I’m riding so much...:)
Good morning:). It’s very cold here, and rainy, so we have ice. Nothing like before tho. Just enough to be irritating. The farrier is suppose to come tomorrow. Not sure if the weather will cause him to cancel..hope so:). But the horses really need it bad.
I’m trying to figure out what to do with my day.
Becky
LOL...I love it when horses snort like that!
Becky
Because My Daughter Grew Up With Horses.....
Written By Tracy Meisenbach
Because my daughter grew up with horses she has compassion. She knows that we must take special care of the very young and the very old. We must make sure those without voices to speak of their pain are still cared for.
Because my daughter grew up with horses she learned responsibility for others than herself. She learned that regardless of the weather you must still care for those you have the stewardship of. There are no "days off" just because you don't feel like being a horse owner that day. She learned that for every hour of fun you have there are days of hard slogging work you must do first.
Because my daughter grew up with horses she learned not to be afraid of getting dirty and that appearances don't matter to most of the breathing things in the world we live in. Horses do not care about designer clothes, jewelry, pretty hairdos or anything else we put on our bodies to try to impress others. What a horse cares about are your abilities to work within his natural world, he doesn't care if you're wearing $80.00 jeans while you do it.
Because my daughter grew up with horses she learned about sex and how it can both enrich and complicate lives. She learned that it only takes one time to produce a baby, and the only way to ensure babies aren't produced is not to breed. She learned how babies are planned, made, born and, sadly, sometimes die before reaching their potential. She learned how sleepless nights and trying to outsmart a crafty old broodmare could result in getting to see, as non- horse owning people rarely do, the birth of a true mira cle.
Because my daughter grew up with horses she understands the value of money. Every dollar can be translated into bales of hay, bags of feed or farrier visits. Purchasing non-necessities during lean times can mean the difference between feed and good care, or neglect. She has learned to judge the level of her care against the care she sees provided by others and to make sure her standards never lower, and only increase as her knowledge grows.
Because my daughter grew up with horses she has learned to learn on her own. She has had teachers that cannot speak, nor write, nor communicate beyond body language and reactions. She has had to learn to "read" her surroundings for both safe and unsafe objects, to look for hazards where others might only see a pretty meadow. She has learned to judge people as she judges horses. She looks beyond appearances and trappings to see what is within.
Because my daughter grew up with horses she has learned sportsmanship to a high degree. Everyone that competes fairly is a winner. Trophies and ribbons may prove someone a winner, but they do not prove someone is a horseman. She has also learned that some people will do anything to win, regardless of who it hurts. She knows that those who will cheat in the show ring will also cheat in every other aspect of their life and are not to be trusted.
Because my daughter grew up with horses she has self-esteem and an engaging personality. She can talk to anyone she meets with confidence, because she has to express herself to her horse with more than words. She knows the satisfaction of controlling and teaching a 1000 pound animal that will yield willingly to her gentle touch and ignore the more forceful and inept handling of those stronger than she is. She holds herself with poise and professionalism in the company of those far older than herself.
Because my daughter grew up with horses she has learned to plan ahead. She knows that choices made today can effect what happens five years down the road. She knows that you cannot care for and protect you investments without savings to fall back on. She knows the value of land and buildings. And that caring for your vehicle can mean the difference between easy travel or being stranded on the side of the road with a four horse trailer on a hot day.
When I look at what she has learned and what it will help her become, I can honestly say that I haven't "wasted" a penny on providing her with horses. I only wish that all children had the same opportunities to learn these lessons from horses before setting out on the road to adulthood.
To me, it just doesn't get said any better than that!
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