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Thread Four: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1332664/posts |
Posted on 12/30/2004 7:01:16 PM PST 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?
This is a horse chat thread where we 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 previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.
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 previous threads, 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.
Good night ladies:)
Been fun/
Becky
It's the contents that bother me. I pulled an empty horse trailer from here to Ok, thru Dallas and Austin. No concerns. Coming back though....
night. I'm fixing to call it a night soon, too.
LOL - I know you said your horse is a paint but are you sure there's not some appaloosa there too?
I used to think that if you had the money, you could convert a large RV into a combination RV and horse trailer. It seems the biggest problem would be the height of the floor - you'd have to overcome that or you wouldn't be able to load and unload a horse. Surely someone makes something like that.
Night
Good night, I think I'll hit the bed too soon.
You would think so but I've looked and haven't seen anything. If I was going to buy an RV why not a combination so you wouldn't have to pull a trailer and could actual pull a boat or small vehicle if you wanted. Just seems more efficent to me. I would think you would need very sloped railed ramps though. Would a ceiling be high enough or the floor frame strong enough if you converted an RV though?
Night
Fibro got me again tonight I think :) so I'm up in the middle of it.
I found some links that are interesting.
http://www.gregsrv.com/horsetrailer.html
http://store.cowboycadillac.com/site/index.cfm
They might do a custom rv horse trailer
Use the metal snap locks to keep your horse from getting loose. There is a short rope sold that is called a trailer tie. It has metal fasteners on both ends and is used inside the trailer while transporting your horse. Also works outside the trailer too.
Sometimes, used horse transporters are available on ebay. Not seen any lately but that is because I have not looked. Most were used to transport race horses so the inside height should not be a problem. Some had diesel engines and others gasoline engines. One thing to be aware of is if the truck has hydraulic brakes and has been sitting a year or two. You may be in for a case of sticker shock when you see the costs of a brake rebuild job. In a few weeks I will have the brakes repaired on an old fire truck that has been sitting for three years. You will get an idea of what to expect should you decide to get one. Air brakes are much better and do not give the trouble that hydraulics do but then you run into the special driving license part called CDL. Unless it is for farm or RV use, in my state anyway, not sure about the rules in your state. Hope this helps. : )
Fibro? :')
Good morning
Becky
Engines? Brakes? HMM I was thinking more on the lines of panel, carpet, microwave ....:') Thanks for the info.
Morning
My battery is dead this morning:'(. This isn't a priority or anything but I was just wondering why they don't sell combinations. Seems like there would be a market. Maybe cost would be too high or something. I was surprised about the living quarters ones though. They weren't any higher than some new travel trailers.
Good morning everyone~
A point I've thought about, and I'd rather have a nice cushy enclosed horse trailer of course, but I don't picture us pulling in bad weather... we need to be able to go on trail rides on nice days, I don't plan any long hauls, but who knows ;~D Course I have blankets and would use them if needed too.
I was thinking of some more stuff about CTR that you might find interesting.
About Mounting, even a normal mount can be a big challenge. You get a sadistic judge who makes you do it first thing on Sat. morning:) Horses are antsy anyway, somehow they know this is just not a ride. Horses moving around all over the place, and you have to mount the horse, keep him still...yeah right:)
If you have to mount out on the trail somewhere, you need to always place the horse in the lowest area in the area your mounting in, or look for a rock or something to use as a mounting block. If there is something available, use it.
You also have to, when being judged, or at P&R's always keep hold of the reins or lead or lunge line with both hands.. So if you lunge with a whip, which is acceptable, you have to practice keeping hold of the lunge line in both hands plus work your whip.
About the whip, if you don't check in with one, you can't use one at the end. I always use one, just in case my horse seems tired at the end. I don't use it for check in, because I don't want my horse to be highly animated:) Tricks of the trade.
Also on trail you have to always have a pocket knife and a sponge. The knife is to cut the horse loose if a problem arises, make sure it is sharp, I have had a judge check that once. The sponge is for when you come to water you can sponge your horse if he's hot. A good way to do this, but needs pratice at home, is to get one of those yellow sponges for washing cars, tie a long string around the middle, wind the excess around the middle and tie to your saddle. Then when you come to water you can lower the sponge into the water with out gitting off. Hauling it back up can make a horse wide eyed:)
At the P&R stops they line you up side by side, most people hit them about the same time. Some people untack to help the horse cool, I just loosen the cinch a bit. You have to practice to get your horse to stand and rest for the allowed 10 minutes. That can be a challenge. The horses ahead of you are leaving, horses behind you coming in, so theres lots of coming and going. But the people the PR are suppose to be very quiet, keep the horses as still as possible. I stand at the side of my horse, and rub pat her neck. Belle learned to cock a back leg and almost go to sleep. Rusty was still looking around alot, at the few I took him too. The more relaxed you can get your horse, the better your PR will be. The judges may or may not be there watching how you handle your horse.
Becky
Those stirrups are a good idea I think, especially if little feet are so small that they could go all the way through a stirrup.
One of my early wrecks was made worse by a foot stuck in a stirrup. Of course, it was a pony saddle with stirrups that were too small for my feet. If feet are wedged in stirrups that are too small that is also not good.
Also safest to always wear boots with a heel that will keep the foot from going all the way through, and stay way from really soft-soled rubber shoes with heavy tread (like hiking boots) that will stick longer than they should.
I'd do that naturally, Bay is so tall I can mount from the ground, but like to at least put him in a low spot or find a log ;~D I am glad that's allowed!
RE: lunge whip.... tricky! :~D
Then when you come to water you can lower the sponge into the water with out gitting off. Hauling it back up can make a horse wide eyed:)
That's great! But yeah - that's enough to freak out and Arab horse the first time when it's all drippy ;~D
You have to practice to get your horse to stand and rest for the allowed 10 minutes. That can be a challenge.
I think that's the kind of stuff Bay would do well at. He's always willing to just stand at rest stops. We have a popular lunch spot that is a wide spot in a busy trail by a waterfall. He looks and hears riders coming, but he doesn't care too much. That is probably also something he would have been through a lot in Endurance.
It all sounds great, keep the details coming!
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