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.

[HairOfTheDog]

I think we probably all have a pretty similar image in mind of the correct frame for an English Pleasure horse.

Hunters should be collected and moving forward, not perhaps with as much collection as in dressage, but showing impulsion from the rear and light on the forehand, on the bit and horse looking forward, and for my taste, with head and neck higher than the wither. The way a horse moves when he's actually trying to cover ground.

[Beaker]

Congratulations! Let us know how your first day goes!

[Beaker]

Actually, believe it or not, that's how a lot of hunters on the flat carry themselves.

[CindyDawg]

Well if I can get my old girl out of the mud today we will do some reverse work. I want that head up!:') Right now I have to go to work. I got summoned in.

[Beaker]

I have enourmous amounts of respect for dressage riders that have been at it for a while. The ones that get on their horses and make it look effortless. Watching them ride makes me gape in absolute awe. I remember once my trainer got on my horse to literally show me how something was supposed to look, and I just wanted her to keep riding because she made it look so easy.
Maybe I'm just wierd. :-)

[Beaker]

Have a good day! :-)

[tuffydoodle]

Doesn't that just drive you nuts? Watching a professional make something look so easy and I stand there and think, "now why the heck can't I do that???"

And no, you aren't weird.

[tuffydoodle]

Fun site! Thanks!

Clipping the hair out of a horse's ears has always bothered me, too. It looks really pretty and clean but God put that hair there for a reason.

[cowboyway]

It looks really pretty and clean but God put that hair there for a reason.

If you google up 'foundation quarter horses', you'll get several sites.

I still clip the nose and bridle path, but for the ears I fold the ear in half and just run the clipper down the edge once. Leaves all the hair on the inside and neatens up the edges.

So, what are you doing today? I'm working. Took the week of Thanksgiving off and went back to SC. Came back down here last Sunday and trying get enough hours in to cover two weeks home at Christmas. Thats one of the down sides to consultant work is that only get paid for the hours that you are at work and no bennies.

[Duchess47]

Therein lies the problem. The judges. They have come very close to destroying some great breeds because people will naturally breed to win in most cases.

The quarter horse is no longer an athletic horse that excels in ranch work. Most leading quarter horse sires couldn't work cows if their life depended on it.

The appaloosa has just about had all of it's color and ability bred out of it. Not many can hit the trail for a 500 mile ride anymore.

Until people start screaming at judges decisions and the breed associations start listening, things won't get better.

Two years ago, the ApHC sent pictures of ten horses to ApHC judges (who are also AQHA) to have them rate them as they would in a halter class. The pictures ranged from no color to loud color, and that's how the judges rated them. No color first, down the line with loud color placing at the bottom. The sad thing was, the pictures were all of the same horse - just had color added or covered up digitally.

I wrote the CEO of the ApHC last year, and spoke to two directors also. At the world show, 22 of the winners had no color or characteristics. They shouldn't have even been in the show, let alone win.

[Duchess47]

That's happened with appaloosas too. The ApHC is loosing money and membership as app breeders drop out and join other registries. Many of the appaloosa breeders are sick at what the ApHC has allowed and even promoted as a representative of the appaloosa horse.

[Duchess47]

Take some pictures if you get a chance. Looking forward to hearing about it.

[Duchess47]

Have a great opening day :)

[Duchess47]

Have a good day. Saw pictures of Cindydawg and your grandson on Pajama Puppies thread yesterday. Both are adorable. :)

[Duchess47]

I haven't ridden English or jumpers in 50yrs so I have no idea anymore what they should look like or do. It seems many years ago, my horse traveled with it's head up and on the bit. I do know none of my horses now (ridden western) travel with their head that low unless they are picking their way through rocks.

[Duchess47]

[Beaker]

I posted a reply to the wrong picture. I meant to post a reply to the picture of the appy. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear that that black horse was half asleep.

[Beaker]

My biggest pet peeve is people that slap an english saddle on a western horse and try to show them like that.

[Duchess47]

or drugged :)

[tuffydoodle]

You go, girl. That is very typical in AQHA and APHA shows. Looks totally weird.