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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.
"Heh... two people came off their horses, and they weren't us. I guess that counts as going well!"
That's the spirit! : )
For a ride that went as badly as it did, it went very well indeed, simply because no horse or rider got hurt. ;~D
I thank Cyn for carrying ecurbh safely enough for him to stay on! It was not a nice safe quiet ride that I normally prefer. ecurbh is a heck of a good natural rider with good balance. I couldn't help him today. It's amazing what you'll do when there is a whole group to follow. Places I never would have gone alone. We just weren't on trails... we were hacking through the woods. And the roads we did find had obstacles like tank traps in them that we'd have to ride around or through.... some of them full of water. I would have felt better had I known at the start that it would end safely for everyone, and I was really worried to be working Bay that hard. He isn't in that kind of condition.
One gate we had to ride around had a rotting dead pig carcass (the huge kind, like fair-sow size) laying there right next to where we needed to go. The horses came through that pretty well too!
The first one we didn't see. A few folks had raced ahead a ways, and were running back (it was a pretty rambuctious group), when one horse evidently slipped, and the rider came off.
The other was right at the end. We were on gravel road again when another horse balked at something, and ended up rearing ala "Hi Ho Silver". Luckily the rider held on long enough to land on the soft grass next to the road, rather than the sharp rocks.
Other than minor scrapes and bruises, no one was hurt, thank goodness.
I have no idea how I stayed on Cyn when she leaped across that first water-filled ditch. I was not expecting that. And after that experience, I was a little tense as we got to some of the hairier spots, not being ~really~ sure how she would react. I am currently uninsured, and didn't want to end up needing medical attention.
LOL love the 'between-the-ears" shot!
looked like a good ride! :-)
About insurance, I hear you. That's one of my biggest concerns. Our company doesn't offer and we are looking for a private plan we can afford. So much more to think about than when I was riding as a kid.
Absolutely! More fun in retrospect. A very different experience from my first trail ride, which was a nice relaxing experience on groomed trails.
P.S. No, it's not Bush's fault, and no, I don't want coverage courtesy of Messieurs Kerry and Edwards, thank you very much.
You got that right:')
Congrats on your first time out with Cyn! Who came off?
Good morning
Becky
Good morning.
Sounds like a whup and ride type ride:)
I've been on some rides like those. That's why I'm very selective on who I ride with:) I perfer the more tame rides. But it's good experience and it was a good test to see how your horse would handle the more chaotic type.
Do you think your horse has just never crossed water? That is something I always try to make sure one way or the other so I know what to expect when I get a new one. I've only had real trouble with one in the past getting them in. I finally just got off and led him in. The biggest problem I have around here is the footing is rocky or steep at the crossings, not an ideal place to work with one.
Becky
You may have told us, but I've forgotten:) Have we seen pictures of your horses? What kind of riding do you do?
Becky
Welcome to this thread. I don't remember you posting here before:)
Becky
Do you want on our morning ping list?
Becky
We found a sandy, level, shallow water crossing (too wide to try to jump). Rigged the horse up with side reins so he couldn't rear, put on rubber boots and just led him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth through the water until he was THOROUGHLY bored. Let him stop to drink, splash (but NOT lie down!) Then we put a rider on his back and continued to lead him back and forth. Finally stepped away and walked beside him through the crossing without leading - after that he was fine and never balked at water again.
For the occasional balk (my current mare is definitely not a "mudder") I use a loose rein and keep turning her head back towards the water with an intermittent opening rein, so she has to keep facing the water. Now that she knows I mean business and we've done two seasons of hunting, she will take a good look at the water but keep on moving. Which is fine with me - she can look all she wants so long as she crosses it.
morning
We have an 14 year old Arabian (gray) and an 18 month old 99% Arabian/Pintabian mix. He's the Premarin foal.
It's wonderful seeing my childhood dreams through my daughter's eyes.
You may have opened a can of worms...asking me about pictures. LOL
That's pretty much what I had to do with this one horse. Once I got him in he never had trouble again.
Just recently, with Trash, was the first time I had a horse I could not get past a booger. It was a piece of truck fender laying in the middle of the trail. I did what you describe, kept him facing it, most of the time. But when I would get him to a certain distance he was spinning away and trying to take off. I was by myself pretty far from home. I got off and tried to lead him up to it and he about drug me down the trail. First time in a long time I had to give up due to being by myself. I went back the next day with someone with me and got him by it.
What would do you do in that circumstance. I felt bad giving up, but was just too far from home to risk a fall.
Becky
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