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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.
Have fun:')
You know you can save a bunch on vet bills by taking the horse to the vet rather then having him come to her. Since she loads so easy it shouldn't be hard. A pregnacy test is not expensive and takes only seconds. Just insist to the vet that that is all you want done. You won't look bad at all since you don't know this horses history. If she is putting on weight that fast, it could mean she is nearing the end. Does the owner of your stables think she could be pregnant?
Becky
Nice pictures:)
Becky
Have you had a vet out to check if Sara Lee is pregnant?
I agree with Hair that it's highly unlikely. How long have you had her? It's good to check just to be careful. And if anyone gives you a hard time or makes snide comments about going to the vet about it, ignore it. You don't know the mare's histroy, so it's ligit. And it's better to be safe than sorry :-)
Good Morning.
Becky
Cindy, you should take a picture of SL, from standing directly in front of her, for us. We had a neighbor once that had bought a mare. They went on vacation and I was feeding for them. I remember the mare coming towards me, and I thought "boy she is shaped funny". I had a friend come and take a look at her. Long story short she had a foal a month later. The owners were very surprised when they got home and I told them thier horse was in foal. You can't alway tell if it's just fat or foal, but pregnant mares really stick out on either side looking down them from their heads.
Becky
We're rather excited this morning (doesn't take much:). The resturant that we always eat Sun. breakfast at with some friends has finally reopened this week after being closed for remodel for several months. No more McDonalds:)
Becky
Anything happening with your mares yet?
Becky
I'm late to the fair, but I wouldn't worry too much about her stifle. She looks as though she doesn't have a whole lot of muscle in back, and she's probably getting a lot more exercise than she's used to. She'll be stiff here and there until she gets properly developed to carry a rider.
Had the same problem with my mare - she was 14 and had never been ridden! She was very ouchy at first, even though we brought her along slow. She literally had no muscle - her topline was just not there, especially along her neck, withers, and hindquarters. Now she looks very pretty and is sound as a dollar.
I have a question that I have always wondered about. I do think Cyn can become more in shape being out on more pasture, being able to move more then she was. But...and this is what I wonder about. Can a horse keep it's self in shape enough on it's own on pasture for riding long distances, barrels, any event for that matter.
I've been told by so many people that their horses keep themselves in shape, ride maybe once every few months. ARe those horses "in shape"?
Becky
Belly pic today:')
Nothing but enlargement! They're both so wide they wobble, and one would think that one good sneeze should do the trick, but nothing so far.
Gracie moved around a pasture, usually with a foal at heel, for 10 or 12 years. She was the most out of shape horse on the planet when we got her.
Also, a horse has to rebalance itself to carry a rider, although a hunter saddle is pretty much over the center of gravity, having that extra weight up high is a strain on an unconditioned horse. It becomes much more important to have the quarters collected under and the withers and neck lifted with a little "spring" in order to carry a rider gracefully.
I guess those riders are just kidding themselves because they can't take the time or don't want to take the time to get their horses into shape. The horses will be puffing and breaking a heavy sweat after a couple of miles. On the other hand, a couple of weekends ago I hunted my mare all morning, regular brisk canters interspersed with long trots and occasional halts . . . very few jumps this time but she did hop a couple. She barely broke a sweat under the saddle pad.
Good morning ladies!
I think pasured horses that play are in better shape than if they are stalled or in small paddocks, but not using the same muscling they would use to carry a rider, nor building any endurance. They run, but it's in short bursts, and they quit when they get a little tired.
I do think if they aren't getting any other work, getting them runnin' a bit in the pasture is better than nothing, but I wouldn't call it work. ;~D
Thanks.... we're watching so that we can at least pinpoint when she locks up. If it really only seems to happen when she backs and pivots in a particular way, we can just ~not~ do that!
She can turn around moving forward, but turning on her haunches seems to be the issue.
Take some pictures when you go riding! Them's the rules!
Have fun. I was planning on riding today too. Gonna take a nap 1st. I just got back from church with my two little grandsons and I'm worn out:')
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