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.

[Duchess47]

Does look like that doesn't it? George is tuffydoodle's pony, I just posted the picture for her. I can't bring up the picture of your horse, I just get a red X. I would love to see him though. Reining horses sure can stop can't they :)

[Duchess47]

I think it works on the same principle as carrying a cup of coffee. If you look at it, it spills. If you don't, it doesn't. Never made sense to me but it sure is the truth.

[CindyDawg]

I noticed yesterday than when I bathed both horses the gelding stayed wet but when I would wet the mare down and go to scrub with soap her coat would be dried out and I kept having to re-wet her.

[CindyDawg]

It worked instantly:') I'm thinking maybe it's something to do with balancing and shifting that I don't notice but the horse may feel. Who knows?

[Duchess47]

I'm sure you are right. Horses can feel just about every move you make, so even though you don't realize it, you are telegraphing everything to them.

[tuffydoodle]

That is a picture from last winter but George always looks like that, he's cushings. I body clip him in summer. It's like shearing a sheep, his coat is so thick.

Off to church!!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I think that must be it.

Have you ever heard of Pat Parrelli. He's kind of like John Lyons. But I have heard if you go to one of his clinics. He makes you get on your horse with no bridle, he puts a hat on the ground in the center of the arena, and tells the rider that no matter what body position they have to get in, to keep their eyes on the hat. Eventually the horse will go there and stop. He says it's because of the shifting weight of the rider.

I tried it once on that Arab I use to have. I couldn't ever get him to walk, with no control he just loped, and he could lope for hours.

Becky

[Duchess47]

This will probably convince you all I'm nuts.

When my dad taught me to ride (a couple of years ago here :) ) he used to tell me to think the horse through it - it being whatever I was trying to do at the time.

It really does work for me. Like for opening a gate from horseback, I mentally walk through the steps it takes to do it. I think that as I do that, I give the correct cues for one thing, and for another, I think horses (and dogs and cats) can see that mental picture you are forming.

[CindyDawg]

I have heard of him and even read some of his articles. I'm trying to remember if he was the one I saw on TV mounting wild mustangs.

How did you stop your horse from loping without a briddle? The mane? I think to try this, I could lay the reins down but mine would be briddled:')

[CindyDawg]

Nah, I don't. We all do what works for us. I don't lean this way but I think all animals are extremely good at reading us.

[N. Beaujon]

Beaujon Didn't mean any harm. Your post asking for advice sounded like you were stuck between buying a house or keeping a horse. And, IMHO, I don't see anything wrong with choosing a smaller home to keep horses. In a few years, I plan to do just that. note to self.....quit the advice business

Cowboy, it's OK, I'm sure you didnt mean any harm and I'm sure you also had the best of intentions. Being both a horse person and a Freeper I cannot attribute any bad intent to that post because you couldnt love horses, God, Coutry and the free republic and be a total sh*t. ;)

I think you just read the info wrong. We've all done that. At any rate I appreciate your at least trying to advise what you knew best and if what you understood the situation to be was what it was we'll needless to say, "cowboy up" would have been an appropriate kick in the butt. If only the problem were so bottom line.

Best regards, Anne

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

He and John Lyons are advertised in alot of magazines. I don't care for the stuff they teach in their clinics. It's not wrong really, but IMO, unrealistic for the average horse person. They make everything look sooooooooo easy...and it's not. There is a hugh learning curve, that they totally ignore. I think they give the average person a lot of unrealistic goals. And when the average person can't do what they have said can be done, then people think they are failures and give up. JMO:) Like I said the stuff they say and do is not wrong, just not as easy as they make it look.

Becky

[N. Beaujon]

Dear "Mom",

All good advice. Right now he is under pasture board and he's 3 years 8 months. He's not yet started on any discipline except basic pleasure, some trails. He's built for a lot of disiplines but I was asked about hunter jumper and didnt think that would be his thing.

Dressage,Sports Horse, English or Western Pleasure, he's very athletic, strong and has more of the attributes of a QH than a full blooded Arabian (unlike his sister who is a whole difference story.) He's a Polish Arab so he's strong, calmer and, well, you'll see, hopefully Hair of the Dog will post his pics.

On this I think you are correct: "My personal advice, though, would be to NOT make an important decision like this when you're under the gun. If you can find a good deal on pasture-board, that's the way I would go. If the horse is as good as you say, there will always be a buyer if you ultimately have to sell".

It is of course a risk but I feel there is a reason to keep him. I also believe he'd make a fine lesson borse in a few months and who knows, in the end, that could mean income.

Thank you again,all of you for your concern and great advice.

PS I was with him today.Everybody remarks that he's a great horse. best compliment at the barn I have him at now, "Well, I hate Arabs but if I were to ride any Arab he would be it." And they aint exactly into giving compliments down here in cowboy country. ;)

Anne

PS He's ridden under English saddle because I ride english but he was broke under Western. I went back however and retrained him using cruelty free methods, tons of ground work, etc and since then he's had on English saddle but he'd function equally well under both, UNLIKE his sister who is English Miss Priss all the way. ;)

[Duchess47]

Note to self - if you save things as untitled document, of course you can't find them later :)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

OK, since I'm thinking of it again, what kind of English saddle do you have. I know it is a Win-tec (sp), but what is the rest of it....forward seat.....

I remember I liked the looks of yours because it had a nice deep seat:).

I got my arena all worked up today. It still needs some work, but I've got to let all the weeds that were there rot a bit before they will work in good. But it is alot better.

Becky

[MissTargets]

The pictures I posted earlier in the thread of the one-eyed pony, and the mini are gone. Replaced by red X's, because I took them out of Photobucket. The ones posted on #1246, #1417, and #1423 are still there. You might try right clicked on the red box, and a drop down box comes up and asks to show picture. This does not work all the time either. Very nice collage thou.

[Duchess47]

Thanks, just found them. Two are bmp so that will be new for me. Okay, composite 3rd edition coming soon :)

[HairOfTheDog]

What kind of saddle is that? Has anyone bought fenders for their stirrups and are they worth it?

I don't know what you mean by Fenders.... but I saw Becky also asked what kind of saddle downthread so, it's a Wintec All purpose, there are a couple different models, some with the smooth seat and some with the suede-like seat. I think the smooth lasts longer. You can spend a lot on saddles, but I am real happy with this one. Very light, has held up well, and just sponges off. Adjustible gullet in the front so you can choose the right width for your horse's wither. Really softly padded.

State Line Tack - Wintec 500 All-Purpose Saddle <<<< They have it advertised at around $394. I think that is about what I paid. Stirrups and leathers and cinch sold seperately.... prolly another $60. I have seen a very similar model for around $300 - not sure what's missing. Maybe the adjustable gullet.

[Duchess47]

Next time I have a cold rainy day I'll have to redo this and crop some pictures so there are better close ups. It was a fun thing to do today though, weather way to nasty to go out.

[HairOfTheDog]

I do love to watch cuttin' horses work, my, what a great big tank your horse is! Gorgeous!