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Thread III: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1311311/posts |
Posted on 09/18/2004 6:56:23 AM 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. 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.
On your use of pellets. How long does it take for a horse, to clean them up? Your horses are in great shape, but do you feel, they need something to do all day, if they clean it all up, in say, a half hour?
Then you will have to get a bigger trailer, which means a bigger truck, and don't forget all the new tack, to go with all those new horses...lol
That is the only draw back with pellets that I have found. They do clean them up fast, the reason I feed 3X's a day. Try to spread it out. I do have a tiny amount of pasture they wonder over to pick at. We have 5 acres divided into several runs. The only horse I have who has some boredom issues is the stud, but he had them before we got him.
I have been using them for about 12 years. There are times, especially winter and early spring when I'm trying to let the grass grow a bit, when I don't let them out in the "pasture runs". They can get bored and eat on things. Giveing them a ball or something to play with helps. But you know I've worked for several ranches that feed 2X's a day, grain and several flakes of hay, and they can go thru that stuff pretty quick too.
IMO, this one draw back is more then balanced out with the quality and less work involved with the pellets. There are ways to keep bad habits from developing, and once you get that figured out, it's not a problem. And the horse really like them. When I go on overnight trail rides, I always take some hay and hang a hay net for them to give them something to do since they are standing tied so long. I have yet to see one of mine even finish off one net full of hay, but really go after the pellets. So I don't think they are missing anything. I think that I ride so much helps also with the boredom.
Becky
I've always told people buying the horse is the cheapest part of horse ownership:)
Becky
LOL about Rocky.
:)
Becky
See post #1287
Becky
I'm a horse lover with no horses . . . HOAs tend to look unkindly on geldings in the garage. (Rats.) It's been too long since I rode - I'm hoping to work something out with my Festival next season.
Well you don't have to have horses to enjoy our thread:) Sorry about that you don't have any tho. I've been in this house now for 25 years, and about 2 years ago a HOA tried to get going and one of the things they were going to try to pass was a limit on how many horses a homeowner could have on their property. Most of the lots here are 5 acre's. Needless to say the HOA fell by the wayside:)
Becky
Oh, BTW, do you want on the morning ping?
Becky
Well, I'm going to the stables when I get off. Time to start that 250 hr log book I guess:')
I thought about putting mine in the back yard too. It sure would cut down on mowing:'). I don't think my neighbors would rat on me. My problem would be the city fence peeper:') Seriously, with your schedule stabling might not be a bad option right now. At this time there is no way I can be with my horses every day.
Since I don't have any, it's a moot issue. Someday, though . . .
????
Becky
I read somewhere here that not considered broke until at least 250 saddle hours:') SL getting a double dose.
Oh, OK:), I thought you were fixin to be a trucker:)
Becky
Yes, that is true, about giving hay. They clean that up fast too. Horses are never so happy, as when they can eat 24/7.
Hi! A nice horse person invited me over to this thread and I've been reading through the posts. Your story with the bucking horse is somewhat similar to an experience I had. I used to own this goofy racehorse mare that I had bred and got a beautiful colt out of her. I raised him, sent him to a professional, well known trainer for 90 days training, got him back and he was as good as gold. I didn't get to ride him everyday and one day when he hadn't been ridden in a while I got on him, got a ways away from the barn and he started bucking like a rodeo bronc. I stayed on for a few good bucks but got dumped. I continued to ride him for a few months but I completely lost any trust I had in him and could never get it back. I sold him to a barrel horse trainer who likes him very much. I really, really hated to sell him, he was my first baby but I just didn't have the confidence to ride him anymore. I ride for relaxation only and riding him was a loooong way from relaxing. There are lots of nice horses out there that don't buck and are a joy to ride, I have 4 of them, but they were hard to find and it took years and lots of mistakes. If I were you, I'd sell that albatross and hunt for something else. Riding a horse that feels like it's going to blow any minute is noooo fun.
Hi there.
Did you figure out my explanation of posting a picture?
I have a mare that I rode for 6 years, that I was never comfortable on. She fit my image of a "perfect" horse. But she had a problem:), to put it mildly. Anyway when I finally had enough, I gave up and got another one and now realize I should have done it alot sooner. She is a brood mare now, and we've gotten a really nice level headed filly out of her that is my daughters. She is 4 now and just starting on barrels. I bred my mare again this year, and she is in foal, had a vetted a few weeks ago.
Becky
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