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]

Well, I don't think anyone else has read any of it yet. If someone else does, and we discuss it, we'll give you a ping:)

Becky

[Beaker]

Wow! Don't mess with Cindy!

[Beaker]

And I mean I really get scared.
I do too. I remember when I went on my first trail ride with my trainer I was a bit leary, because I didn't know how Banjo would react, and when someone else went with us I was really scared because now I definately didn't want to get stuck bringing up the rear. And wouldn't you know that I did? And very very lucky for me, my horse didn't seem to care one way or another what the heck happened. I really appreciate horses like that. Every single horse that I've ever ridden on the trail pitches a fit whenever the think that there's the vaguest chance that they just might be left behind. LOL.

[CindyDawg]

I don't know how to link it but I just got home and the local news was showing triplet calves,that were just born on a ranch. AWWW So cute:')

[CindyDawg]

Strictly defense. I'm harmless:') How are your hands? Your Granddad doing ok?

[Beaker]

My hands are healing... The cuts are driving me up the wall, but don't hurt nearly as much as they did.
My granddad is doing much much better. He had his permenant pacemaker put in today, and is feeling loads better which is wonderful. I talked to him today, and he's coming home tomorrow. The whole procedure was very simple. They didn't even put him out for it. But, I'm pretty sure that my weekend is going to involve helping my grandmother take care of him. :-)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Good morning.

Becky

[tuffydoodle]

Thought I would stick my 2 cents worth in here. I think getting your confidence back depends on the horse. I bought this incredible paint a few years ago, when he was just a 3 year old, and he's been a Godsend. He completely restored my confidence. He's sweet, gentle, willing and level headed. I never saddle him, only ride bareback. We walk, trot and canter and work on backing, lateral movements, etc. I've also started teaching him tricks, he kisses me, smiles, plays cutting horse with me as the cow and a few other small tricks. In other words, I love this horse more than what would be considered normal. I wish my husband was this sweet.

[CindyDawg]

I wish my husband was this sweet.

LOL. I think mine is too old to teach new tricks but I still try:')

[CindyDawg]

Mornin:')

[tuffydoodle]

husband or horse?

[CindyDawg]

Husband:') That's good about your horse.

[tuffydoodle]

LOL My husband is too old to teach tricks to, also.

I'm going to figure out how to post pictures so I can show Ol' Paint off. By the way, his name is Tuffy.

[CindyDawg]

How long have you been riding? Actually my husband doing great. I'm very proud of him:') Waiting for Tuffy's pictures.

[tuffydoodle]

All my life but that hasn't helped me keep my confidence on iffy horses.

Lynn Palm is on RFD TV right now and she's riding one beautiful horse.

[HairOfTheDog]

Good morning! Today is the day to get our life ~in~ the house back in order... we've been doing good work out in the barn the last week, and letting the house go. ;~D

My dad is coming down tomorrow to help with barn building, to help move electrical that is in the way, and frame and cut the new doorways.

[N. Beaujon]

I need some advice here and dont know where else to turn. I have two horses that are the love of my life. I am going though a divorce and it is putting a terrible financial strain on me, obviously, to own both horses. I fear I might lose both but I havent reached that point yet.

In a fit of panic I put one up for sale and have two very interested buyers (these are the ones that I have accepted as being really fine potential homes for my beloved horse having sifted through the inquiries.)

The problem is I am sinking deeper into depression the closer the time comes to "show" him. I just dont know what to do. I can afford to hang on to him for a few more months and, if the real estate deal a friend and I have been working on ever "closes" I could probably afford to keep him. But this deal isnt closing and I am so emotionally unprepared to part with this horse. (He is also so bonded with his sister I can bear to separate them, it kills me to think of it.)

I dont know what to do. If I sell now I am not destitute and have options, can pick and chose the best home and the best price. As the months go on, winter sets in, as does my negotiating power as well as my options. I may then just have to "dump" him if I run out of time/options/choices.I also really like the two potential buyers as well and dont want to deny my horse the best home possible if the worst should come.

What would you do? Does anyone have any advice? The depression that I have sunk in at the thought of separating from this horse is just paralyzing any rational thought process. They say, "when in doubt, wait it out" but the downside is, of course a rushed sale or no sale at all.

I am really sorry to dump this personal problem, here, on this board but I dont know where else to turn to sort it all out. Friends, fellow stable mates and so on have not really helped to shed any light or clarity on this predicament.

Can anyone here wrap their horse -loving heads around this problem and help me out? Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sorry if this is too personal or off topic to post on this board but I figure nothing is to personal for those of us who love our horses and I can tell by the level of love and respect that exists on this board for our beloved steeds, someone, somewhere might say something that makes some sense.

And yes, I have done everything I think I can do to try to lease him. People instead want to buy him.

Much thanks in advance for any advice.

Anne

[HairOfTheDog]

And yes, I have done everything I think I can do to try to lease him. People instead want to buy him.

Rats... that is what I was going to suggest. Heartbreaking problem, I feel for you. I can at least sympathize when I even try to consider selling mine.

If you could get through the next months to where you weren't driven by panic and the house deal works out, would it still be ideal for you to have them both? Or would it be better if you only had one?

What if you advertised to lease both to the same home for a year or so, where you could then have the space to deal with the rest of life, and be able to prepare for their return at the end of all this mess when things are calmer? I don't know. I wish there was some middle ground where you could pasture board them for not much, or maybe half-lease them with visiting rights to someone who could help with their upkeep in the next year...

[tuffydoodle]

Pasture boarding was what I was going to suggest. Stick 'em out on pasture until you are on your feet and sure of what you want to do. I wouldn't do anything now, it doesn't sound like you are in the right frame of mind to make a permanent decision. By the way, I'm so sorry you are having to go through this.

[CindyDawg]

I'm sorry to hear that you are going thru bad times. Could you not put both of your horses to pasture? I could not afford to stall two and could pasture them both for about the same amount of money. Many around my stable also "help out" for reduced boarding. Maybe you could temp. work something out at your stable. The only other thing I could suggest is that if you are religious then consider turning this over to the Lord and just take it one day at a time.