| This thread has been locked, it will not receive new replies. |
|
Locked on 12/30/2004 7:09:47 PM PST by Admin Moderator, reason:
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.
I was thinking, that breeding hobbles might work too. The filly will tolerate having her legs wrapped and will pick them up. It's the pull up and out, that farriers do, that she has a problem with.
I've only seen "running w" used in old movies. Amazing what people would do to animals to get a good action shot for a movie.
A device known as a "Running W" was used during the sequence where the Indians are chasing the stagecoach. Strong, thin wires are fixed to a metal post, then the other end of the wires are attached to the legs of a horse, and the post is anchored into the ground. The horse is then ridden at full gallop, and when the wire's maximum length is reached--just when the rider is "shot"--the legs of the horse are jerked out from underneath it, causing it to tumble violently and throw the "shot" rider off. The trouble was that the rider knew when the horse was going to fall but the horse didn't, resulting in many horses having to be destroyed because of broken limbs incurred during the falls. The use of the "Running W" was eventually discontinued after many complaints from both inside and outside the film industry.
That sounds like an easier problem to fix then. I'd just work on it by degrees. Just everytime you work with her hold it and then over time get her use to having it pulled out by degress. It probably makes her feel off balance.
We had a horse that was like that. We finally started standing him next to the house where he could lean against it. After a while he could do it with the support. He was a short pony. I think the shorter the pony, especially if the farrier is tall, the harder it is for them to balance when their leg gets pulled out and up so far. Tips em over:)
Becky
How far can they tolerate their back legs lifted? Each time I go to clean Sarah Lees back feet my back hurts when I straighten up. Just a recent problem but painful. I think it's the weather.
Well, my farrier is a very big guy, and Rocky's pretty short. I've seen him pull Rock's leg up pretty high:). There've been times I thought he was pulling it too high, but Rock has learned to deal with it. I wouldn't do it all at once. Pull it higher by degrees so they learn to balance.
Becky
I don't enjoy old westerns simply for the trip wires.
Even her backs? I didn't think you could get ahold of them or pick them up at all. Hobbles might be an over-reaction if you can pick them up.
Yeah. I figured someone would chuckle about that:') I tried and she will try to pull back at a certain point. Probably where I have her comfortable. I don't want it to be painful for her but a little higher up sure would feel better for me.
Lot's of info here today. I have to go to work now. I was supposed to be there at 8 but...... Later
I don't think it would ever be "painful" they just feel off balance.
I remember one time we had a friend here who was going to farrier school when my farrier was here. The farrier let him work on my horse just for practice, and that was one thing the farrier told him was "pick that foot up, you don't need to be so bent over"
Becky
Nothing more than tiring ache when they have to hold it up a long time with a sound horse, but it is true that a good farrier knows first if there are joint stiffness or soreness issues. He spotted Cyn's stifle locking issue right away by the way she lifted it. Arthritic horses begin to have a lot more trouble holding a leg up for long periods long before you'll see it in their movement. He knows Bay is an old horse and when he's stiff, it's not just reluctance.
Oh yeah, I was talking about sound horses. A horse with a joint or arthirtis problem would be a different story.
Becky
wuz just speakin' on behalf of the creaky... ;~D
So are you gonna have a look at both these fixit problems then?
Just for starters, the rig I'm familiar with uses old soft ropes that are padded at the pastern. It's fastened to a surcingle around the horse's girth.
Of course, you use it when the horse is at a standstill in a round pen on soft bedding. "Running" doesn't refer to the horse running, but to the way the rope runs through the surcingle to give you enough leverage to raise the horse's foot. It makes more or less the shape of a "W".
Here's a commercial version, looks pretty much like what we used.
I would pull the leg straight back and rest the cannon bone across your upper leg. I don't like bending over particularly, that's how I clean my mare's hind feet. She doesn't complain.
Yeah, I'll take a look at both of them if they call. I just don't think either one will like what I'll say.
The jigging horse people:), they want pets, they've spoiled several horses already, from what CS tells me. She's tried to tell them what to do and they won't listen. I told her I would tell them the first time I told them something and I got a "yeah, but...." I would tell them it wasn't going to work and I wasn't going to continue to take money from them when they wouldn't do what I tell them. I know that sounds very arrogant of me. But the thing is these people want to "run". They don't want to do the slow work.
But the first thing I'd have to see the horse. CS says the problem is not the horse but the rider(s). So at this point I'm not sure what I'll tell them other then even if the horse is not a problem, the kid WON"T be ready to "run" barrels by this spring. She would probably be able to trot, maybe lope but not run.
Becky
Yeah, am I creaking today. Amazing how fast we get out of shape. I rode yesterday for about and hour and a half. My back, butt, and legs are sore todat.
But I am going to try to ride Rusty this afternoon. The weather is suppose to go to crap tonight for the rest of the week.
Becky
Good goal, perhaps we too will work ours.... at least on the lunge if it warms up ~shivers~
To tell the truth, ever since the girl with the POA's got those horse and I heard the rumors about the history I've suspected I'd get a call from her. She's friends with a few people that I know. And:) I've been itching to get my hands on them:).
Being small horses I wouldn't be intimadated by them, CS says the jigging horse is big, so I'd be more inclined to want to work with the POA's mostly to see if I could do anything with them, and also, I think that girl would be more inclined to do the things I'd suggest. I've wanted/looked for an unbroke one just to see what I could do.
I've never really wanted to "fix" a problem, I know my limitaions, but the POA's might not have "problems" just not broke. Big difference IMO.
Becky
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.