The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread TWO!

[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. In the last thread we had a great time and were a great help to each other working through lessons and training, horse lamenesses and illnesses, questions and challenges and always just our stories we like to tell.

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 Becky pings everyone most mornings. Let Becky (Paynoattentionmanbehindthecurtain) 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 last thread, 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.

[HairOfTheDog]

I sure hope so. She is a little unaccustomed to all the noise and trucks and occasional squeeling cars out by the road and at the store next door, but she'll get used to that just being in the pasture.

[Duchess47]

That is super. She is beautiful under saddle isn't she?

[HairOfTheDog]

She worked well in the hackamore too. I think that'll be a good choice for her. It's a real flexible one... unlike the rigid ones, was el-cheapo, but I like that feature about it.

[ecurbh]

She is beautiful under saddle isn't she?

I sure think so!

[Beaker]

Wooo! I'm so glad that she's working out for you guys! :-) She's a lovely horse.

[Beaker]

I'd definately talk to your neighbor, considering you have been accomadating to him. You're certainly not hurting anything by using the trails. He's obviously not using them.

[CindyDawg]

Actually when we were talking about how much it would cost my husband was talking about tracks to make it go further. :')

[Inge_CAV]

If you can talk to him and work things out that will be the best solution.

If not, you may have to ride somewhere else. : (

[HairOfTheDog]

Thanks beaker!

[CindyDawg]

How about that:') Yall look good together (Cyn and Hair lol)

[Inge_CAV]

Tracks ... ok I understand. That would be putting gravel only where the truck or car wheels run. Not spreading the gravel out the full width of the road.

I have done that too, with a shovel and garden rake. : )

[CindyDawg]

I didn't know what else to call it:') Whenever I'm driving on a dirt road he will tell me to "stay in the tracks"

[Inge_CAV]

He is right, except when they get too deep or muddy. : )

[N. Beaujon]

I lov this horse, HOTD. I just get such a good feeling about her! Congratulations on your first ride, she looks remarkably calm (looks like she feels right at home).

[HairOfTheDog]

Thanks! We're glad to be moving on this big plan of ours :~D

[wildehunt]

What a grand way to spend some hours..
She looks fine and fit..
Congrats and many happy miles together ...

[HairOfTheDog]

Very grand way to spend the afternoon. Thanks all who complimented her... She seems to be a very good find. As impuslive and eager as we were, we got lucky!

Now I have to venture into Seattle for the next two days

phooey. I can't ~stand~ Seattle!

[FrogInABlender]

"should I try to correct it at a walk or should I keep her head up"

Sorry I'm so late with the reply. Been really busy and it's taking a while to catch up on the thread.

I think you're instructor is right, but I think she's probably stretching her back out more than her neck. She may be traveling on the forehand a little too much and hollowing her back and it's getting stiff on her. Hard to tell without seeing her go. But, unless you're going to show, I don't see any need to be rigid about her headset. As long as her gait is smooth I wouldn't worry about it. Some gaited horse people are fanatical about headset and never letting them canter and stuff like that but I figure that if it makes them more comfortable to do it every now and then and it doesn't affect their gait, what does it hurt.

[Beaker]

Well I'm off to the barn tomorrow. There will be pictures this time, it's almost certain. Depends on if the horse spooks at the flash or not. (She probably will) and I can't figure out how to turn it (the flash) off. :-p

In other news, I'll be down the Cape Friday through Tuesday with one of my horse friends, Lane. She has two Arabs, Mariner and Teddy. Unfortunately, they're up north... :-/

[HairOfTheDog]

This thread was quiet today! and I won't be around tomorrow much either... I'll be in Seattle all day after a brief time in the morning over coffee. I'll look forward to your pics when I get home tomorrow night!