| 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.
Help me on this if you don't mind though. I'm listening to the trainers about this but I respectfully see things different with my trainer when she says put her in the round pen before riding and let her run and get the bucking out of her system. I can see the value of taking the edge off and wearing her down a little. I done that plenty of times. My concern is though that if she is saddled or not when we are in the round pen lunging we are working and I need to check her any time her rear end goes up. It's no big deal because I plan to compromise and do both by running the crap out of her and then saddling her and not letting her buck. What do you think? Am I looking at this wrong and not letting her be just a horse by trying to teach her this isn't allowed when we are working? It's not a routine problem. It's actually good that we ave narrowed it down to days when it's "crispy" and she's been stalled and not rode for awhile and feeling good.
SL usually just acts like an old lady and moseies around. She was running and jumping and Okie, ah Okie.. he was spectacular. Airborn and spinning and chasing everything. He even jumped on and kicked the hay bale. I love watching him.
It's ok. Forget about it. I'm not going to try it. Too many people have valid concerns. If I ever get the chance I would like to see how it works though.
Here's what I would do:
I would lunge her saddled in the round pen, make sure to warm her up real good, and if she bucks certainly check her. You don't have to make a big production out of punishing her... just a few sharp jerks on the line (I use a harsh sounding "ACHT!" too) and keep her going until she is settled and obedient, going both directions at all three gaits. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.
Put her in the round pen free for 10 minutes or so. Once she gets her kicks out, then go in with her and put her to work. Most horses when they are feeling good, need a chance to kick up their heels. Then they'll listen to you just fine. The only thing you need to watch for is if she is saddled before you turn her in, make sure you are watching so you can yell at her if she decides to lay down.
Laying a horse down is NOT a cure for a bucking problem. The horse I did it to was sulling up, wouldn't move, was stiff and unresponsive to EVERYTHING, spurs, whips, kissing, kicks....
I do not agree with your trainer. The more you let a horse buck, the better they get at it.
I do not agree with free lunging. You know that:) The point to lunging, IMO, is NOT to make a horse tired, but to teach it who is in charge. With a lunge line you control the speed. You have contol the second they even act like they are going to buck, you stop them, then immediatly start them again. You don't scream at them, you don't beat them, you just stop them IMMEDIATLY, then start agian, till they do it without bucking. You do not let them walk or lope unless you tell them too. Trotting is the best speed to make a horse lunge in, IMO. It's the hardest gait for a horse to do. The minute they break trot to a canter or walk you stop them, then start again.
As soon as they will trott several circles on your command both directions, you stop lunging (that is the reward for doing good), and then you ride while it is fresh in their minds that you have control.
ALWAYS use voice commands while lunging. Walk, trot, lope, WHOA.
Any thing else:)
Becky
AWWWW. He was beautiful.
Oh my - he is gorgeous. What a beautiful animal. I'm so glad you got a scanner - we can look forward to more pictures.
By the way, there is a wonderful red leopard nicknamed Lady who left me at 28yr old keeping him company now. She always liked a good looking man around :)
No ma'am:') That's about the way I felt too that once the saddle on it was time to settle down.
Even if you lunge without the saddle, IMO:), you should not free lunge.
Remember the more they buck the better they get at it.
Becky
If people knew how gorgeous some geldings were going to grow up to be, sometimes I wonder if they would still cut them:') I would love to have some little Okies:')
Yeah. I'm going to go to the hardware store and get some plain ole braided rope though. My lunge line not to efficient for me. Too long and too lite IMO.
He was marvelous! Thanks for posting the pictures of him.
Thanks guys. No one lost me on the trail, thats for sure..lol
I use a big soft cotton line. I don't like the web lunge lines either.
They call my paint "Show boy" Ive only had about 10 legit offers for him this year but he's not for sale. He's my husbands pride and joy and as you can tell I'm kind of proud of him too:')
Went out and did some rubbing and patting... Here's a self portrait - holding the camera out - of me and my husband's horse Cyn. I look a little like the deer in the headlights.
Then they followed us for a walk around the pasture.
Not to say I'm not proud of Sarah Lee though. No one has offered to buy her but several have came up and told me they can't believe she's the same scrawny looking horse that was brought in. Remember the one that came with her that was named Oreo? He's filled out too and full of himself but the little girl that owns him seems to handle him well. They do look good now. Amazing what groceries will do, huh?
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.
