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.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Those are great pictures. I love long forelocks like that. Rocky's is that way, and Jenny's husband always teases her that he'd do even better on barrels if he could see where he was going:)

You really did good with that one:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I would even claim to have to do HOUSEWORK to keep from riding:)

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

I am SO glad she worked out, because we were so impulsive! First horse he actually rode, (we didnt ride the first one) on the first day of looking. I don't think anyone recommends being that impulsive! But she gave all the right signals.

One more pic.... still a lot of sticks to clean up, but the grass is coming up real good where we seeded in the back forty after the brush hawg went through. :~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

You both look like you're doing great. (sound like a broken record, don't I:), but it's the truth.

So, how long till you think you can get a truck and trailer:)?

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Oh and about impulsive, I never even rode Harley before I bought him. Looked at him for about 5 minutes and said I'd take him. Best horse I've ever bought. Go figure.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

I really hope by spring. In the mean-time, I hope to beg Tiffney or Bob into taking us very soon before the weather really does turn and the trails are mud.

[CindyDawg]

Good job:') I used to be like a cat with a ball of twine when lunging.

[HairOfTheDog]

He gets a little tangled up in it ;~D

[Beaker]

Housework? Wow. :-) I had lots of colds and stomach aches.

[Beaker]

How's the hackamore working out?

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

She just told me to suck it up and get over it, or give it up

I hate people with an attitude like that. It doesn't help.

And you know what? I'm not entirely comfortable with the new mare

And you know what:), I still get real nervous riding with other people. Celia the friend that I ride with has NO compassion for others who have fear. When I ride with her, I catch myself making all kinds of excuses not to lope. HOrses most generally always seem to get hyped when their in a group and you do more then walk. I really have to work at making myself go with her. I catch myself, now, always trying to stay in the lead, because horses don't want to go so fast when they are in the lead. I have to make myself let her go first and deal with my horses attempts to get in a horse race. And I mean I really get scared.

A few weeks ago when I went to that barrel race, I just did not enjoy being in the arena when everyone was in there warming up, and I know Rusty tried to buck because he could sense me getting tense. I sweaar that is the reason I came up with an excuse the next week not to go. I didn't really enjoy it, but I'm going to work hard at doing it this winter. I wonder every day "why do I keep doing this, when trail riding is so much fun". It's because I know when I get past the learning curve it WILL be fun.

Becky

[CindyDawg]

Thanks guys. You will never know how much I appreciate the knowing it's not just me and the encouragement. I'm just kind of mad at me today. My lesson cancelled because it's raining and she didn't get rode yesterday. Tue I was so pleased with myself and grinning ear to ear. Most important though was that I had fun. Yesterday good to. Today, ...yes Beaker, I was hoping it would rain and that upset me. I make myself fly. I don't like flying. I don't like making myself ride because I like horses.

Becky, the arena not usuable right now. That would be ideal. I had a choice of the round pen or the grounds. I figured if I was going to fall I would rather it be on the grass than up against the fence. Just something else I have to overcome. The trainer has confidence in the horse and me. I wish I did. Kind of like your friend, it seems more than she sold me the horse but she wants me riding again. She still feels this is a good horse for me. She's even checked to make sure the horse didn't have a hx. She rode her first, walked me, then stayed close and gradually started backing up but still talking me thru stuff. I would just go ride everyday by myself with Eddie but I promised her right now that I wouldn't. Right now, what ever she says go. I can get cocky again later:')

[MissTargets]

It really didn't matter to me, one way or another. There is always a lot of drooling over trucks, trailers, and beautiful horses.

Congrats with the new horse. They are making a good team.

[CindyDawg]

Now Bay following you too:')

[HairOfTheDog]

I feel pretty pepped up by their pep-talk myself!

[CindyDawg]

:') Talk to yall later. Got to go to Aikido. We are working with knives. I'm really good at it too:')

[HairOfTheDog]

I never fear Bay acting up.... he gets strong, but not 'bossy', and he can jump suddenly if he gets spooked, but I have every confidence that he isn't going to toss me.

SInce he fell with me last year on trail, my fear of him is of him falling, not misbehaving. I know as he ages he will not get stronger as fast as he gets weaker, and I don't ~really~ know if he fell with me because of his Navicular or if he just tripped the way anyone can who isn't paying attention... but I am nervous with him if he seems even the least bit 'down', less so when it is clear that he is alert and feeling good. He's did so well lately that I am almost over it, but it still whispers to me.

[HairOfTheDog]

He's did so well lately

I hope my grammar teacher never sees that.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I think those whispers are for our own good, but WE need to keep them from becoming yells:)

Becky

[N. Beaujon]

Heather is always bringing me her horse illustrated magazines to read. I got Nov. today. We use to get all these magazines too, but canceled after a few years. Mostly they all say the same thing over and over. But this issue REALLY has some good articles in it. One one softening a horses mouth, one on artifical aides (and it doesn't bash them!! totally:), and another one I really like, "Personality Pitfalls and Windfalls, learn how your temperament affects your horse" Just thought you might be interested.

Ack! My friend just sent me a gift sub. to "HI" and it will take them a month to get it to me! He just sent me that e-mail last night. I am so PO'd to miss this issue. Typical. I can't find it down here.

Keep me pinged for the debate? That way I can catch the gist of the contents (hopefully.)

Thanks,
Anne