The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread THREE!

[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.

[HairOfTheDog]

I leave the chest buckled on all of ours, and I leave them fastened all the time. Those are a big hassle otherwise. They all will just stick their heads through when I hold it up. Well, except the pony. I lay hers up on her neck and pull it down over her head that way.

[CindyDawg]

The buckle too loose. I could re-stitch the strap postion but I'll mess it up for another horse whereas I can rip the threads at the seams. That's what we came up with anyway:')

[HairOfTheDog]

Why'd you buy it that size? Easiest thing would have been to buy one that fits! :~D

[CindyDawg]

The trainer told me that one snug and the next size a little loose but not enough to affect him. She said as he matures he's going to shift some and if I buy the smaller sizer and don't use it this year that it may not fit next year and I will have wasted my money. It kind of made sense to me because money was tight and I never bought infant clothes under 6 months or shoes that just fit:') I think you will think his fits ok but SL will look like she's a knights horse:')

[HairOfTheDog]

I wouldn't imagine either of them will change much in length chest to tail... but as long as you make it fit, it works!

[CindyDawg]

I've learned from the best. Eddie the king of trim and making things work:')

[Esther Ruth]

Will do. Have seen lots of different videos on this, Lyons and others. The woman we got him from was going to spend a week or so with him doing a lot of this this summer, I guess I feel like I may be like the 2nd cook spoiling the pot of soup by getting in there between now and then so have not done a great deal, just groom, lead, and spend time, earn trust.

[HairOfTheDog]

The trouble with Lyons and others in those videos is none of the horses they work with ever act up the way they do in real life.

If you want to wait till there's a real need or plenty of help on hand to get him accustomed to the blanket or other new things, that is fine. I am serious about the ass-turning though. He should never get away with that.

[Esther Ruth]

"He should never get away with that."

I know, the few times he pulls rank or has tested we do discipline immediately. He does seem to show good response to our discipline, lowered head and submission right away, returns to us and does not just wait to see if he can try it a minute later, he is remembering and heeding the discipline in the long run under our authority. We are doing good for newbies, getting lots of reminders to always be firmer since we are newbies. I know what your saying re Lyons also. Will take NOTHING for granted when it comes to 1000lbs.

[Beaker]

Good morning - 70 degrees. Gee, how can you stand it :)
That's it, I'm moving down where you are. It was 32 today, and will be a balmy 35 tomorrow. And I have to RIDE in this. Ugh.

[Duchess47]

I wish LOL - I don't have 70 degree weather, I don't think it's climbed above freezing for a week.

[Beaker]

Oh well geesh. I feel silly now :-) Who here has the 70 degree weather?

[CindyDawg]

Raising my hand:')

[Beaker]

I wish to lodge a protest... :-)

[CindyDawg]

Ducking snow balls:')

[Duchess47]

That was cowboyway - he just had to rub it in since I've been whining about my weather. Yours sounds just as bad.

[Duchess47]

You have been pretty nice about it though :) and you did get some snow.

[CindyDawg]

Yep I did and really enjoyed it. I like the cold weather but I just can't feel warm, even in heated places. Friday I was cold all day at work. We went to Shoneys for supper and my husband laughed at me because I got a hot chocalate and just cupped the cup. My family like that. We can find ways to get cool in the summer but when it's cold we huddle in blankets:')

[Duchess47]

Well your cold down there gets into the bones. It must be the humidity but I never could get warm in the winter time.

[Beaker]

Yours sounds just as bad.
Feel free to whine away. It's been pretty bad. We've had weather that's been all over the place. 30s to 50s then back again to the 30s. The days that it was in the 40s and 50s, (warm!) it had to rain. Figures.