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]

That's what our stud fee on Rocky is too.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

:) I have trouble remember whose horses belong to who too.

Becky

[Beaker]

Thanks! I liked the horse that I was on, but unfortunately she's privately owned so I can't ride her regularly. Ah well. Whoever owns her is pretty lucky. She's a nice horse.

[deaconjim]

Thanks so much for the info. Both horses are full size, 15 and 16 years old. Both have foaled before.

I am in Georgia, and it's in the mid 70's here at the moment. We expect the first foal next week, around Thanksgiving, so it could cool off before then, but it should be fine for the horses.

We have a very good vet, and we'll give him a call Monday. In the mean time, I have a few supplies to round up. Thanks again for your help.

We'll post pictures as soon as we have them (and as soon as I figure out how to post them).

[Duchess47]

Wonderful, looking forward to the pictures. :)

[deaconjim]

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I'm going to imprint as best I can. I'll let you know how it goes.

[deaconjim]

My wife and I are reading as much as possible (mostly internet), and our farrier/trainer is nearby for advice as well.

The fact that they are pregnant isn't a surprise. The speed at which time passes, however, is often quite alarming. We've had a lot of other things going on, amd we thought we would be better prepared by this time.

[deaconjim]

Becky, great pictures of your grandson! What does the JP stand for? Just for the record, I was a JP as a kid, as well.

I see the reason for the pride! Cute kid.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Thanks:) JP stands for Jake Preston. My son picked the initals before the names:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Good morning

Becky

[tuffydoodle]

Mornin'.

I just finished watching a dressage program on RFD TV and they were showing handicapped people competing. One woman had no legs and I don't see how she stayed on that horse. Another woman had no arms so she had one set of reins in her mouth and another set hooked to each stirrup. The horses were working like upper level dressage horses. Amazing.

[tuffydoodle]

Oh no, not a baby!! I have 5 kids and whenever I see a beautiful baby, I start thinking about 6.

I wonder what my husband is doing right now...

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Wow, what an accomplishment for them:) I read a story in a magazine last month of a young girl who had no legs and one arm that competed. That is truly amazing.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

LOL:)

Becky

[tuffydoodle]

I have a finger story. I was jumping someone else's horse a few years ago and the SOB bucked me off after a jump. I jammed my ring finger on my left hand. Of course, like an idiot, I let it go. Next morning, my finger is as big as a balloon and turning black. I went straight to the doctor and had my wedding rings cut off. Still didn't see a specialist, like a should have. Months later, my finger still doesn't work right and that's when I go to the orthopedic doctor. He said he could have fixed it when it happened but too late now, go to a physical therapist. A few months of physical therapy, the finger is like new.

But I should have gone to the doctor from the git go.

[tuffydoodle]

I can't imagine the courage it takes to get on a horse with such huge disabilities, such as missing 3 out of 4 limbs.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Heard anything about SL yet? It's raining so much here, I figure you're going to get canceled again:(.

Becky

[AnAmericanMother]

There was a general in the Civil War, Gen. "Old Baldy" Ewell, who lost a leg during the war but returned to service. He had his saddler rig straps and buckles to the saddle to hold him on. Of course, like a lady in a sidesaddle, he couldn't easily bail out, and he got a serious concussion later on when his horse fell with him.

I think that the freedom and speed you obtain on top of a horse makes up for the risks involved. How much more true that must be if you are limited by the loss of your legs!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Don't you think it would be harder to adjust to not having a leg/legs if you lost them rather then not having them from birth. People born with the disabilities wouldn't know how it felt to have legs/arms to use. I'm not saying they are not at a disadvantage or taking away from thier courage at all. But I have been thinking about it since tuffy's post, actually trying to figure how in the world they do do it:). The only thing I can figure is they are compensated a tiny bit in not have legs and arms to be broke in a fall, but from my prespective that wouldn't help much:).

Becky

[tuffydoodle]

Interesting story. When I'm having any training issues with my horses, the man I turn to for help is in a wheelchair. His name is Michael Richardson and he does clinics around the country. (he's in a wheelchair because of a car accident, not a horse accident) Anyway, he gets strapped to a saddle to ride and that always makes me nervous because of the inability to bail out.