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.

[Beaker]

The proper seat is just very upright on your seat bones rather than your butt, long comfortable leg position with weight and shock absorption in the stirrups.
Your ankles end up absorbing a lot of the shock, and it's ok to let your heels bounce in the trot. You're upper body is farther back as are your legs, versus hunter jumper. Your whole body should be relaxed but upright and not slouching. It took me forever to learn how to unlock my back, and I still have a lot of trouble relaxing my arms. (I'm not correcting, just adding my two cents) :-)

[Rose of Sharn]

Just looked again, and she hasnt obliged yet! She has been really slow in eating today, hasnt finished her feed or her hay. She also wasnt too keen on me looking underneath her!

[CindyDawg]

Is this her first? I can't rember which one you said.

[Rose of Sharn]

Pad you mentioned looks really good. Like that honeycomb stuff, probably works well. I am by no means experienced enough to ride bare back, but i hope that one day I can.
Do you ride like that often?

[Beaker]

Well, I just got back from a fairly decent ride considering I haven't ridden in three weeks. We're supposed to get a lot of snow, so I'm glad that I could ride when I could. My father has been coming to the barn with me, and he absolutely loves the horses. :-) He like to get gates for me, which is a big plus when the entire heard goes stampeding up when you want to get one horse. He's funny, today he came running over from another paddock just to get the gate as I was coming out of the back 40, but he ended up accidentally dismantling the enire locking system instead. My trainer just kind of sat there on her horse shaking her head.
So he asked me rather sheepishly in the barn today if there was any chance that he could start riding too. He just wants to trail ride, which is fine, but he seems to really enjoy the animals. And he gets a kick out of the goat. Who, by the way, totally beat me up today. I got a headbutt in the thigh and in the ribs. He got possessive over the brushes I was using

[Rose of Sharn]

No, we know that she has had at least one before

[CindyDawg]

Hey, you have a riding partner!! :')

[Rose of Sharn]

Looks like you get a kick out of the goat too! LOL

[CindyDawg]

I keep losing posts:'( I was telling you that I was wondering if it might take her longer if it's her first. I have been woking on organization too. I do well at home but the house falling apart. Today we all got to church on time and came home and fixed chicken and mashed potatoes instead of stopping at Burger King:') We are going to be heading out in a bit to check on the horses. Not riding today. We are going to land shop too.

[Rose of Sharn]

OOohh land shopping....let me know how you get on! Good luck!

[Rose of Sharn]

Well I am going to grab a coffee and sandwich and head out to the horses (and sunshine ; )) for a while. Will keep you posted. If it does happen today?evening, please pray that everything goes well.
Sharn

[tuffydoodle]

You're fixing to have a baby.

[tuffydoodle]

Good information, I'll remember that.

[tuffydoodle]

I almost always use a bareback pad, I haven't had a saddle on Tuffy in so long I can't even remember when it was.

Riding bareback is the best way to learn balance but if you aren't used to it, make sure you have a very gentle horse that you trust.

I've been riding bareback almost exclusively since I was 10 years old and I'm now 43. Yes, I do have good balance but that doesn't make me a great rider. I rode with a dressage rider a few days ago and technically, she was the better rider.

[Beaker]

lol :-D

[Beaker]

My trainer told me that good riders are those who can correct their mistakes quickly. :-)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

My book says 2-4 days from waxing to foaling.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

That's what I would have said if I hadn't looked it up. I'd be prepared from NOW -4 days:) Some times they wax, but knock it off, then re-wax, soo.....

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

That was how my mare was acting the day her foal was born. Bet it will be tonight:)

Becky

[Rose of Sharn]

Thanks, my gut feeling says tonight, the only one who knows I guess is Sugar! (my only cleaned yesterday, dirty, dusty, white horse!)LOL