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The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread

Posted on 04/26/2004 12:06:41 PM PDT by 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.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: giddyup; horse; imbackindsaddleagain; justhorsinaround; ladygodiva; saddleclub; yeehaw
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To: CindyDawg
You found a horse club?

I've heard they work for cars, but darned if I can figure out how you'd get the thing on Okie.

:o)

401 posted on 05/06/2004 1:34:32 PM PDT by malakhi
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
The second picture is of the pile of rocks that have surfaced over the years in our arena that I have piled up with the bobcat.

Can Mack post a picture of you driving the bobcat? :o)

402 posted on 05/06/2004 1:39:43 PM PDT by malakhi
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To: malakhi
I don't think we have a picture of that:). I can actually drive it better then Mack now:)

Becky
403 posted on 05/06/2004 1:42:10 PM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Proud member of the Lunatic Fringe, we love Spam, Uzi's and Jesus)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
Well, practice makes perfect, I guess.

That's quite a pile of rocks. Do they use fieldstone for construction or landscaping in your area?

404 posted on 05/06/2004 1:43:24 PM PDT by malakhi
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To: malakhi
You know I was going to ping you to those pictures to see the one of Harley. Remember when I got him I told you he would look different in a few months. What ya think?:)

Becky
405 posted on 05/06/2004 1:43:32 PM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Proud member of the Lunatic Fringe, we love Spam, Uzi's and Jesus)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
He looks like he's in better shape.
406 posted on 05/06/2004 1:46:07 PM PDT by malakhi
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To: malakhi
Yes and no. I don't know why, or really if its even true. But supposedly the contractors looking for stone that they are going to use want to dig it out of the ground themselves. They won't take rock that has been dug up and laying around for awhile.?

We have used all we can around here...LOL...people get real creative, and then finally just start piling them up. I swear rocks are out there every winter doing "it" :) then giving birth every spring. My arena now sets about 6 inches lower then the rest of the property. I don't dig them up anymore. I just try to keep dragging dirt back up over the ones that show up.

Becky
407 posted on 05/06/2004 1:49:04 PM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Proud member of the Lunatic Fringe, we love Spam, Uzi's and Jesus)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain; CindyDawg
That is a pretty picture of Rusty there in dappled sunshine!

I have been out mowing.... I think the pasture looks so nice I could golf on it.

That is interesting what has happened with the palamino... I think he's pretty, but the dark points make him look buckskin rather than Palamino don't they? Is it merely summer/winter coat difference you think? - or better groceries now than he was getting before?

I have a question about your advice to Cindy with her horse, it sounds so regimented, I know you didn't just pull it out of thin air, it sounds like a prescription you believe in.

I agree with you on the work, work and more work, and also that if he tends to be bossy, she needs to be very firm with him. But I am not sure what he gains from standing tied all day saddled. Explain that one for me.... it seems to me it would lead to worse behavior just from the boredom of standing there all day without food/water... and I am not sure I would leave them tied unattended all day just from a safety standpoint. It isn't a method I have heard of, and I've had tough horses, my mustang and my stallion. Explain it to me if you will, and your success with this, because my knee-jerk reaction is to differ.

408 posted on 05/06/2004 1:51:43 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog (I am HairOfTheDog and I approved this message.)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
I was also going to comment on your pile of rocks... gonna build a rockery or something?

I have rocks that surface here... but mostly just small rounded glacial till kind. Nothing ~that~ large! - Thankfully, cuz I don't have a cat to push rocks around with!

Well..... back to mowing - back in a couple hours.
409 posted on 05/06/2004 1:55:51 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog (I am HairOfTheDog and I approved this message.)
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To: HairOfTheDog; CindyDawg
LOL...I've been waiting for a knee jerk reaction to that. Happens all the time.

It does several things.

First it teaches patience. When I first got that horse and tied him up he paced and pawed, and pawed and paced, and ripped the fender clean off my saddle, cost me $100. He had NO dicipline, he thought he should be in control and was not happy being controlled. After just about 3 days of standing tied, saddled, he learned pacing, pawing, and chewing did no good and it was easier to stand quiet.

It also teaches him WHO has control. You know in dog training classes they talk about being the "Alpha", (I think the term sounds stupid, personally), but tying a horse and leaving it makes you the alpha. He is at your mercy. When you come "rescue" him and YOU give him feed and water, well then your his best buddy.

I've told Cindy to tie him in his stall where he will be safe. Tie them short so they can't get there heads down and a leg over the rope. Tie them with a rope you KNOW will not break. If they break free you have a worse problem then when you started.

If I was going to tie one up for more then five hours or so, I would probably give them a drink sometime thru the day. I think that stems from the problems I have with Rusty. But I know alot of people around here, good trainers, who leave horses ALL day in the sun with no water.

It really does change an attitude. It is a good safe, simple way to get a horse's attention.

Okie stood tied to the tree you see Harley tied too in post #33 lots of times. I can look out a window of my house and see it, so I check on them occasionally to make sure they are OK.

It's a good way to cure a barn sour horse. When you get back from a ride, tie them up and leave them for several hours. They won't be so anxious to get back to the barn if all they are going to do is stand saddled.

It's just a good all around discipline tool, that anyone can do.

One thing, if when you tie the horse up, IF it should throw a fit, set back on the rope, fall down, flop around on the ground, DO NOT untie it. If you can't stand to watch walk away. The only time you would untie is if it got hung up in the rope somehow. But that won't happen if you tie short enough. Other then that leave them alone. If you untie them, they'll throw the fit everytime.

I have worked for several trainers who all tie horses saddled for awhile. Remember this morning, I said Rusty was saddled and I was having coffee. Not all the time but sometimes, it's good to saddle one up and leave them for awhile before you ride. It makes a big big difference, ESPECIALLY in a very young one.

Does this help:)? make sense?

Becky
410 posted on 05/06/2004 2:19:11 PM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Proud member of the Lunatic Fringe, we love Spam, Uzi's and Jesus)
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To: HairOfTheDog
No...LOL, not going to build a rockery. I've done everything I can creatively around here with rocks. Now I just pile them up. Mack keeps wanting me to spread them out some or has even talked about hauling them off. But I don't want him too. That is a testimony to the amount of work I have done around here:). I want to see how high I can get it.

Becky
411 posted on 05/06/2004 2:23:07 PM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Proud member of the Lunatic Fringe, we love Spam, Uzi's and Jesus)
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To: HairOfTheDog
Oh, want to add something to the tieing up thing.

If you have a horse that is doing good, standing tied, riding, everything, DON'T tie them up and leave them for long periods. It's a discipline tool that you use when having a problem. Most problems with horses is making them understand WHO is in control. They need to learn that when they have a halter, saddle, on THEY are not in control but the person or thing (tree), on the other end of the bridle, rope. A tree cannot be hurt, a tree will not move. Kind of like the hot stove theory. When you touch a hot stove it burns you, every time, it does not apologize. So you learn NOT to touch it. If you don't touch it it won't burn you. A horse learns it is controlled when halter and saddled when tied to an immovable object.

But like I said don't discipline a horse that doesn't need it. Save the tool for when you do.

Becky
412 posted on 05/06/2004 2:49:40 PM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Proud member of the Lunatic Fringe, we love Spam, Uzi's and Jesus)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
I have worked for several trainers who all tie horses saddled for awhile.

I have too.... Definition is what is 'awhile' I guess. I think an hour is a long time. Just can't see myself leaving them five to eight hours or more unattended. I have never had anyone where I thought that was near necessary. Of course they stand tied on highline that long camping.

I do agree that some is good.

I don't know exactly what the problem is here.. I thought when Cindy described him getting all excited over mares and acting studlike, it was when he was turned out with them and he'd 'hang out' so to speak, but I'll look upthread.

413 posted on 05/06/2004 3:52:24 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog (I am HairOfTheDog and I approved this message.)
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To: HairOfTheDog; CindyDawg
I'm not riding this afternoon. My son and DIL asked if I would babysit so they could ride:)

"Awhile" would depend on the problem. I took Cindy's post as that he was doing that stuff when she was riding or leading him. I asked her in a private mail but she is on a field trip with the folks at her nursing home, so I haven't heard back.

Becky
414 posted on 05/06/2004 3:57:18 PM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Proud member of the Lunatic Fringe, we love Spam, Uzi's and Jesus)
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To: HairOfTheDog; CindyDawg
I know that what I told Cindy sounded regimental and harsh. But keep in mind the circumstances. A young horse and a beginner rider. If she lets the horse get by with ANYTHING, you know horses enough to know they will take advantage, even a calm laid back horse will test it's limits. A beginner rider cannot let a horse get by with the little stuff, it will snowball on them to the point that the little stuff turns to big stuff and they will not be able to get it under control because of their lack of experience. As Barney Fife would say, "nip it in the bud". It is easier to keep a good horse good, then to fix problems.

The best way to keep one good is ride ride ride. A young horse messed with only once a week for an hour or so can start getting unruly. They need to be controled. As I told her, halter and riding time is their work time. I'm not saying to make it unpleasant, but it is still work time, pasture time is their relax time.

Becky
415 posted on 05/06/2004 4:06:56 PM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Proud member of the Lunatic Fringe, we love Spam, Uzi's and Jesus)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain; CindyDawg
OK - I see that he gives her trouble working when the mares are next door. Hmmm. Well, I think I'd just boot him back into attention. I think Cindy meant the story to show that he tried to look back but she managed him and got his attention back. Without knowing more, sounded like end of problem. :~D

Becky, in the mission of trying to lighten things up a little on the thread, maybe you did come on a little strong, but we won't tie ya to a tree ;~D (joke)

I believe you strongly feel the horse needs quick and rather extreme measures. I didn't have the sense of urgency you had... But I will credit that you know the horse and Cindy and have a good foundation to advise as you did. When I read Cindy's post it didn't strike me as something out of control, but I agree with you on not letting things snowball.

I certainly think these little things come up with any horse, and even experienced riders can learn new tricks. I'll always consider what you said if I have future problems I think your tips will solve. I think it is fun for Cindy to come here and tell us this stuff as a new rider seeing things for the first time, and we both probably tend to have strong opinions given freely! It may turn out that Cindy tells us both to put a sock in it eventually! But all in good fun.

At any rate, Cindy and Becky, I hope I don't exasperate both of ya, by being between you, I think all this shows is there are as many opinions as there are horsewomen.
416 posted on 05/06/2004 4:22:21 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog (I am HairOfTheDog and I approved this message.)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
I know that what I told Cindy sounded regimental and harsh. But keep in mind the circumstances. A young horse and a beginner rider. If she lets the horse get by with ANYTHING, you know horses enough to know they will take advantage, even a calm laid back horse will test it's limits. A beginner rider cannot let a horse get by with the little stuff, it will snowball on them to the point that the little stuff turns to big stuff and they will not be able to get it under control because of their lack of experience. As Barney Fife would say, "nip it in the bud". It is easier to keep a good horse good, then to fix problems.

That is true of many things

417 posted on 05/06/2004 5:20:02 PM PDT by RnMomof7
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To: All
Emboldened by yesterday's success at mowing the little bit of back pasture with the push mower.... today I mowed the main pasture, ALL 3.5 acres of it! (ecurbh helped ;~D) I figure I walked several miles back and forth, you think? ;~D

It's the tall weeds the horses don't eat that bug me. It's a little a* retentive, I know, I have a thing for nice even lawns...

She wouldn't look as content laying among weeds would she?


418 posted on 05/06/2004 5:28:46 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog (I am HairOfTheDog and I approved this message.)
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To: HairOfTheDog
I just don't want to see her get hurt.

I don't want her to get where she won't ride him because she is afraid of him. She said the other day she had trouble going to ride. I want to make sure it has nothing to do with being afraid of him

But in trying to lighten up, it is her horse and she can do as she wants, and I won't tie her to a tree:) I'm sorry if I made people uncomfortable. Dealing with 1000 lb animals should not be looked at as a game...I don't want her to get hurt. I won't say anymore.

Becky
419 posted on 05/06/2004 5:44:49 PM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Proud member of the Lunatic Fringe, we love Spam, Uzi's and Jesus)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
If you don't say any more, who's gonna talk to me on the thread?
420 posted on 05/06/2004 5:47:36 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog (I am HairOfTheDog and I approved this message.)
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