| This thread has been locked, it will not receive new replies. |
|
Locked on 01/31/2005 8:52:19 AM PST by Admin Moderator, reason:
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.
I'm amazed at the change in seasons at your place. In your summer shots of your yard and the shot of Rusty in the sunlight, it's so lush and green... and your grass just goes away in winter! Ours stops growing but remains green in color in winter... and since many of the trees are firs, they stay green too... only the few alders and maples really lose all their foliage.
I love to burn stickpiles, but dry grass fires like that, I'd be afraid they'd just keep going.
The tumbleweeds out here go up like they have been doused in gasoline. Found that out the first year here and was burning leaves and weeds in the fall.
Now, Bob burns when I'm not home. I'm scared silly of fire anyway and those are like a torch.
Well, I am curious...how much do you have to pay for rocks like that?
I'd give mine away, if someone would just come get them. I'd even load them.
Becky
Well, it was a lot... of course, we were paying also for the skill of the guy who brought them in by barge and built the wall...
More in a bit, it's sunny here and we are going riding!
My driveway circles the house, I have a natural fire break on either side of where I burned. Grass burns real fast and then it's done. I burned all that in 20-30 minutes, and only had to put it out where is was close to the truck and propane tank:) One splash of water stops it immediatly. I have a couple of buckets ready before I start. The leaves just don't burn. I guess under the top layer it stays damp. Most everyone around here burns off their places every year or so.
I have to admit, it did use to scare me when we first moved here. But you learn:)
Becky
Good for you. I'm jealous. But I am going to ride tomorrow. I hope to get two rode, but may have to settle for one, since I have to take Belle to the vet.
I saw her when I went down to see the new horse (pictures shortly). She doesn't look pregnant at all:(
Becky
Look at my pictures in #3593 and see what I did today:)
Becky
I sshe due in March or May, I can't remember?
I sshe = Is she
She's due in May. Would she be showing anything yet? Are some horses like women and just don't ever show much. I remember when she was pregnant with Dot, she didn't show much, but that was her first, and she was in tip top shape. I thought this time she'd show more, sooner.
Becky
Ahhhh the fire story. Once upon a time, Christmas eve, I was mowing down my driveway, on either side. It's a very long pavement driveway and I have a neighbor directly in front of my house and her pasture runs the length of mine, to the road. I was finished mowing and going up the driveway towards the house, about an eighth of a mile away. My son was riding with me and he suddenly screams, "Fire!" jumps off and takes off running. I look down at my tractor and fire was licking at my jeans. I got off and started running for the house, a long way when you are 40 years old and out of shape. By the time I got to the house the fire had spread into the grass and was getting into my neighbors pasture. I called 911, they were here in minutes and put the fire out. It went up so fast it was unbelievable. 5 more minutes and my neighbors house would have gone up in flames. The were incredibly nice about the whole thing, even asking the firemen to let it burn a little further and get a big sticker patch. That next summer was the greenest their pasture had ever been, at least.
I'm terrified of fire, now that I see how quickly it spreads.
It'll be a cold day in hell before I buy another John Deere riding mower. I now use a Kubota. I do have a big John Deere tractor that I've never had problems with. The little one caught on fire because of a fuel leak, we think, but it was hard to tell since by the time the fire was out, it was just a lump of charcoal.
Right now the biggest change will be in her behavior - some mares don't balloon out until late in pregnancy. She should be getting lazy and laid back by now though, sleeping in the sun if you have any.
Don't worry until after the vet check, she's probably fine. At this point, he shouldn't be able to miss a foal :) (I have one that sure looks pregnant but the vet said she was open a few months ago.)
Confirms my opinion that fire is dangerous and belongs only in hell. :) My husband won't even start one around me, I can't handle them.
I can't imagine how terrified you must have been.
I wouldn't put it to the test, but really I don't think a grass fire would catch a house on fire. They burn real fast and go out real fast.
I was at a place last yeat and the people were burning , they did let it get up next to the house, and it did melt some of their siding, but by the time they got there to put it out with water, it had already gone out on it's own.
IF you could get leaves to burn, they might burn long enough to get a house going, but I doubt even that.
There was a grass fire burning out here once, and the local volunteer fireman came by and put it out. After they left we started it again:), to finish off what had been left.
Becky
I had her vet checked last summer and she was in foal then. She looks good,filled out and healthy, shiny coat. She just isn't "showing" at all, IMO. Looks like she always does.
Becky
Is she a big mare? They will show less than a small one but if I remember, she is bred to Rocky and he's small. Don't stress yet. The one I have due the end of Feb doesn't look as big as the one due end of April but the second one is a smaller mare.
Yeah, she is a big mare, and Rocky is small.
I'm only concerned because 2 years ago she lost one. Have no clue why. The vet says she is fine.
IF she is pregnant then I'm bringing her here, because I don't know how much fescue is on the pasture she is on. If she's not pregnant I don't want her here for 3 months for no reason. More expensive to feed here.
Becky
It's hard to say - I have one mare that I put on regumate this year after going all year to find she slipped a foal after her initial vet check a year ago. This is a good time to find out though, you can supplement feed if she is, if not, no need to worry until breeding time rolls around.
I think I was born with the love, of horses. Every gift at Christmas or B'days was horse related. My Grandfather had a farm, and the neighbors kept a pony there, that I used to ride. Finally, at age 14, I got my first horse. If I would had known, that all it took was a boy knocking at the door, I would have had one sooner..lol Don't give up, you will learn. It's just a little harder,as you get older.
This was "Dan", my first horse. He was a gaited horse, which at the time, I had no idea, what that was. Like Hair said, we kids all rode bareback.
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.