The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread

[HairOfTheDog]

Free Republic has a lot of horse people that have found each other on other threads…. And since we all like to talk horses, how about a thread where it is not off-topic, but is THE topic?

A few of us thought it would be interesting and informative to have a chat thread where we can 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. We may not ~always~ have a lot of activity, but when we do, it will be fun. I will put 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 will also develop a ping list for horse threads that are of interest. 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.

I am hoping this thread will be a 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.

[HairOfTheDog]

I know some of you already, but I hope you will introduce yourselves and your horses to the thread for the benefit of everyone else that we know less well. For myself, I have had horses off and on since high-school (which has been awhile) I used to show Arabs in horse shows and some in jumping. I have hopes of someday learning dressage, as I admire the discipline. Perhaps when I am running my boarding stable. I have a 22 year old Arabian horse Bay, who is a good friend and trail horse for me, and riding teacher for my fiancée ecurbh. I also have a pony for no apparent reason, since I don't have kids ;~D. She keeps the horse company. In the coming year, we will probably be looking for a horse that will be ecurbh's horse, when he knows enough to know what he wants.

Also, the Kentucky Derby is coming up, and I found one story about one of the Cinderella prospects that has a lot of appeal for those who like having an emotional favorite: Derby horse overcame gruesome start.

[HairOfTheDog]

New FR Saddle Club ping!

Welcome one and all, please jump in.... let me know if you want to be pinged to horse threads, and this one, from time to time!

ecurbh made the pretty graphic... The horse is my Bay, who I like to post pictures of... as many of you know ;~D

[ecurbh]

Hello, all! I am the aforementioned fiancée, who is just learning to ride.

[cjshapi]

Thanks for the ping. Just getting ready for show season. Between my mom and I we have 4 arabian and half arabian geldings that are shown in dressage or western pleasure. And there's sure nothing like taking a relaxing walk thru the fields or the woods to clear your mind!

[HairOfTheDog]

And that is our beloved Bay and pony in the background...

The family portrait shows us all smilin'...

We should go ridin' today so we have somethin' new to talk about... and work that pony on her bowin' trick.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Now if only we could have a Dog forum! ;-)


Oh wait, no, I take that back. Dog people are not as sensible as horse people, and I usually end up being in trouble.....

[HairOfTheDog]

Welcome.... do you have pictures of yours?

I love and always hope to learn dressage. Started to try with my Bay, but he really hated the work, and I am not really set up to be serious about it yet.

Bay is really at the end of his riding. Has done thousands of hard miles already as an endurance racer with a previous owner. He has early Navicular, and we are lucky to keep him sound enough to comfortably be a pleasure trail horse a couple more years till he retires from even that.

Maybe our next horse will like dressage.

[RosieCotton]

Heh...the one and only time I got told to f*** off was on a pitbull thread. So now...I just spectate. ;-)

[HairOfTheDog]

Most horse people have dogs too! We are a versatile bunch! And favorite breeds sometimes we defend with as much vigor as dog folk!

[Darksheare]

Wandering through..
"unguided and unmoderated"
Sounds alot like the waaaaaaay old Dimensional Doors threads from 'ancient FR history.'

Sounds like a plan.
Don't have a horse myself, nor have I ridden one in years.
*sigh*
But eventually I'll do the latter again.

Well, I'll let you go.
See you on the rebound, laters!

[HairOfTheDog]

LOL!

[the OlLine Rebel]

Gee, I wonder who authored those threads......? (as if you didn't know....)

[RosieCotton]

There are certainly some regulars...but I think the guy who said that isn't around anymore.

[Overtaxed]

Looks like your thread is off to a flying start so I'll just belay the Mister Ed pic.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Whoo Hoo:)

This is great. Mack is going to post some pictures of my boys in a few minutes.

I just got in from riding the palamino, Harley, and will be leaving in a few minutes to ride Rusty, my roan. I'm going to take the camera and take some pictures of the trails I ride.

BBL

Becky

[the OlLine Rebel]

Oh I know, my dog-stalker pal! ;-)


I mean, tho, that it's my experience horse people have more sense than dog people (assuming there are separate groups). They understand, for starters at base, that horses can kill you, whereas dog people don't get that about dogs. Thus they have more respect for horses, like people should have for lions, than the latter have for dogs. That includes, ironically, devaluing dogs' intelligence - ironic since generally they are smarter than horses!

Combined w/the Dr Spock approach to discipline, it makes a very dangerous combo. And a very Nazi-like lock-step world-view that labels and libels any1 outside their view "cruel", etc. That's why I don't like dog fora much.

[HairOfTheDog]

I'm going to take the camera and take some pictures of the trails I ride.

Super. It's a gorgeous day here.... and we are going to do the same I think.

Bay needs a bath first, he's as dusty as an old couch, and I hate to put ecurbh's new gear on a dirty horse.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I know Cindy will enjoy this, but thought you guys might too. You've always said you like to read my babbling about the horses:)

Becky

[cjshapi]

I'm really bad at posting pics. But if you feel like going to yahoo.com and looking up cjshapi in the member directory I have a photo album of the horses there.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Same here.

I think the last time I rode was a Western trail horse in '00 or so, winter.

I sure miss just riding English and jumping in the rings. Would like to do things like that, but few horse-rental places do that.