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.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

LOL,,,,yeah:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I've run out of gas mowing, and just don't want to run to town to get more, but I really need too....

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Sun's out after good rain yesterday. I can probably mow more after it dries out a little. All my acres of mowing, and I haven't done the actual yard yet ;~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Back from town. Having lunch then will mow somemore. We've gone a week now with no rain. But it's nice out today, breeze puffy clouds. I'll probably spot mow the pasture just where the weeds are growing the most. If were in for a dry spell don't want to mow it too short.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Still waiting for things to dry out.... it's pretty wet. Gonna go riding this afternoon too, so they say!

I was up till 2 out with a friend, so I feel a little like being lazy this morning.

[CindyDawg]

I'm back. Day 1 Got rained out:'). We are flooding here. Tied him up though. The road getting really muddy but I may go back this evening if it ever stops raining. I was going to lunge him on the "golf course" sent no one around and ride in the rain (it's warm) but too much lightening popping my my comfort.

[CindyDawg]

lol I didn't see your "so they say" before I posted.

[CindyDawg]

What do you know? My boy has manners:') Another hour of being tied up and he would have been drooling :')

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

he would have been drooling

?????

Becky

[CindyDawg]

Just a joke. You know how dogs so happy they slobber all over you ?:')

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

So, IOW's, it turned out not to be such a bad thing to do?

Becky

[CindyDawg]

Oh it was a very good thing. He went to his stall trying to walk ahead of me, eat grass, and balking. He came out a very mellow guy. We couldn't go outside so I walked him in the barn a lot. No problems at all. Head down, stopping right with me. Didn't even resist going by that crazy stallions stall.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I won't say I told you so:)

I guarantee if you could have lunged him, you would have seen him be perfect immediately, and you would have only had to lunge him for a few minutes then you could have started riding.

I hope your not just saying that either just to keep me happy, I really want to know how it worked. I've always thought tieing up helped an attitude a bunch.

Becky

[CindyDawg]

No it's the truth. We had another bad storm come in right after I tied him up so I stayed around to keep an eye on him. I just ignored him and did some other stuff. I took the rope loop and tie end and hung it on the out side. For about 30 minutes he bobed his head up and down and kept working the rope with his teeth. I told him to quit a few times caz if he could chew your saddle up he could cut my lead rope. No sitting back and just minimal pawing. I took him out about an hour and a half later when he was just standing still with his head down.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Well good for you. I've been wondering about you all day. Do that a few days in a row, and he will be better all around.

Becky

[CindyDawg]

Remember my post about I want to start going to some trail rides? I'm also going to be taking him to the lake (about 8 hrs one way)I'm looking at one of my books and they recommend traveling equipment:tail guard,travel boots,hock boots, poll guard, leather halter,knee boots,rugs... Is this stuff that I should gradually start buying? I esp like the poll guard since he skinned his head up on the way down here.

[HairOfTheDog]

Glad you had a good day with him Cindy!

I did go riding and I am glad! Even though it was threatening to rain the whole time (in fact it did rain on us!)

Took him out in our 'back forty' where everything is looking so lush right now, and ecurbh came along so we could get some pictures. (Wish y'all would do that more often!)

Went out and did some flat work too... (Me and our shadow there ;~D)

Bigger ground covering trot he did for endurance.

And always... bringing along our shadow ;~D

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh there is a lot of stuff you will start 'picking up', some you ~need~ and some you ~might~ ;~D. Splurge at swap meets, go easy at the tack shop!

I like to trailer Bay with shipping boots especially if he will be with other horses that can knick him if ~they~ start clambering in the trailer. He isn't so much at risk of scuffing himself if he is alone as he is at risk of having another horse scrape him with a foot if the divider is open on the bottom. That has happened to me, and the travel boots are cheaper than the vet. Bay also has a poll guard (his helmet) because he is so tall for a lot of trailers.

As for working boots like splint boots and things you will see in the stores and might wonder about, my answer would be ~only~ use working boots on trail if he needs them because he is scuffing himself or otherwise proves to need them. On trail, working leg boots get mud and gravel in them that acts like sandpaper, and I have seen them chaffe the hair right off their legs after a day in water and dirt.

[CindyDawg]

Hi, sitting here reading about troting. That looks like so much fun. Your pony reminds me of how that horse always went with "sea biscuit" in the the movie:') I'm taking more pictures. When it's full I'll post some. (I loaned my digital to my son when he went to Japan) It's still pouring here. We are under a flash flood warning and a lot of the roads are flooded. Took me awhile to get home today so I guess this afternoon a wash.
I left Okie in his stall. The pasture horses were standing in it but they have no shelter (I know, they are horses:')I'm planning to turn him out in June just have to work out some details first.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

FWIW, my opinion is that stuff is more for the owners peace of mind then the horses safety. I have never used any of that stuff. If they skin themselves up in the trailer they will learn not to do that the next time:). I think it is mainly for show horses. In the high class show ring, they want an absolutly unblemished horse.

Something to think about using all that stuff especially given where your at. It's only going to make the horse hotter with all the stuff on. Horses get hot enough in the trailers without adding to it.
I would save my money, but that's JMO.

Becky