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.

[libertylass]

Please add me to your ping list also. What do you do for a living? Is it something to do with horses?

[CindyDawg]

You do throw the stick ums away. I reuse the spring loads . I had to take it off Cindy though. She's so hairy , it didn't hurt her. She was still trying to get to the peanut butter.

[CindyDawg]

Cody, the 2 y/o just cooing over Bay in #67:')

[CindyDawg]

Whoa! Congratulations Doc:')

[CindyDawg]

Remember way back when I posted about that cutting horse that I saw at an auction that something would pop out when he raised his rear leg and went away when he stretched down? Beaker thought I might have seen a stiffle problem.

[CindyDawg]

welcome

[Beaker]

Welcome to the thread! :-)

[Beaker]

What is a stick um?

[CindyDawg]

They are tubs of glue gunk with rat poison that is supposed to smell like food. When something sticks to them it isn't coming off.

[Beaker]

Hey all.

Sick/ailing horses today, eh?
Hair: Cyn shouldn't have much of a problem if she's only used for pleasure work, and doesn't seem to any pain. In my experinence, it has more common than not for a horse to have a stifle problem. If she starts to get stuck more often than not, then I'd start to worry.

In other news, I rode today, and had a lovely ride. Finally getting into the groove again thank goodness, where I feel comfortable with myself. I think that I shall start doing some pratice rides now. (What I really need is a horse, but that's just not fesible at the moment)
And cursed weather! It's supposed to snow on Tuesday, and that's when I'm going into NYC, so it looks like we may have to take the train in instead of drive. The tickets are so expensive. I can't find one for under 100 dollars. Train or bus.

[Beaker]

Oh how lovely! My dog once ate a bag of septic system stuff. Don't ask me how he didn't get sick. I still don't know.

[CindyDawg]

I love to ride the train. It's one of the times when I splurge on myself. I get a sleeper:') It started out a few years ago when I took my grandson to Florida with me. My husband got it for us so I could control him better. You know, lock him in:') Anyway, I got on and we were shown to 2 seats like on a plane. Immediately Joshua started bumping the seat and the old geezer in front of us started squealing. The porter rushed over and asked what the problem was. I asked if this was it, because my husband had spent a lot of money to keep from bothering "old farts". He looked at my tickets and told me we were put in the wrong area and ushered us to our room. It was all I could do to keep from looking back and sticking my tongue out. I'm spoiled now though. Even when I travel by myself, I want a sleeper.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Good morning.

Libertylass: Welcome:) we always like new people with questions. Gives us something to talk about.

ljswisc: It almost has to be some thing they are eating. I'd get rid of the oats and start with some fresh bags. then if it happens again, it would more then likely be the hay or something in their pasture. JMO, tho:)

Hair: I've never dealt with a stifle problem. Hopeing it can be resolved easily.

Empress: CONGRATULATIONS:) Are you back in the states yet?

Beaker: Nothing like riding, is there:). Hope you can get a horse soon.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Hey, is there a limit to how many names I can put on my ping list before I have to go to two posts?

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

No - I don't think there's any limit.

Good morning.... Hows the business going? It sure is keeping you busy and away from here!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I hope that folks, such as myself, who knows nothing about horses can join in and ask stupid questions. I hope to retire to the country where I can finally buy my dream....a horse.

Boy, did this bring back memories:) I've always wondered why some people are just born loving/wanting horses, even when never exposed to them except maybe on TV. When Mack (my husband) asked me to marry him I said only if he promised to buy me a horse some day:) Took nearly 10 years, I was 32 before I finally got one. And of course we were buying it more for the kids. (Right:).

There is a huge learning curve to overcome with horses. It can get discouraging at times, but I'm 50 now, and can pretty much hold my own with one. I may not be the most correct rider, but that's part of the fun, I don't think you ever stop learning and improving if you stay with it.

My riding has been cut back some as I have gone to work but work is smoothing out, so I should be able to get some in in the afternoons now when I get home on warmer days.

I have 2 geldings for riding, a stud who is rideable, and a brood mare expecting a foal in the spring. All Quarter horses.

I ride western, most of the other on this thread do English. Do you know what type of riding you want to do some day, what type of discipline, rodeo events, show events, trail, etc.

Sorry this got so long, I'm rambling.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Yeah, I know. When I get home this afternoon, I going to try to ride a bit even if it's just for an hour. I'm really needing a fix:)/

Work is going good. Sell some everyday. I think once the holidays are over, I'll have more time. I got my tree up yesterday. Next week I have to start getting things ready for when the family will be here Christmas eve,

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

My house is a mess and my life needs attention.... but I hope to work Cyn a little and see if we can identify more about how this stifle issue works. For her, it only seems to really happen when she is backing up or has to pivot turn on that foot. That seems easy enough to work around even if we don't fix it surgically... if it isn't really hurting here when it happens.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Well there is more to life then keeping a spotless house:)

I think I'd hold off on surgery to on Cyn. Since you have rode her and didn't seem to have a problem it may resolve it's self over time. I just don't know anything about stifle problems, but believe it is better not to treat something that isn't a problem:)

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

You're right.... If hers is minor, and can be treated like a quirk, we wouldn't touch it. It didn't cause a problem under saddle, and we went plenty both up and down hills on that trail ride, and hills are one of the places they report trouble on the websites I've looked at. The key is that we identify if it really only happens backing or turning awkwardly, and she can walk out of it, and that it doesn't necessarily get worse over time.

My fear is that they report that a horse who stifles up may kick or buck to free it. I'd hate for that to start to happen.