*New* The FreeRepublic Saddle Club - Who's Who *pics*
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Posted on 01/31/2005 8:31:31 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
*New* The FreeRepublic Saddle Club - Who's Who *pics*
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.
Previous threads:
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - thread ONE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread TWO!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread THREE!
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
Ofercryinoutloud!
Not my fault.... you posted the story! :~D
I can't help it! I'm a sucker for a good story. Even if it is a tear-jerker.
Here's another one...
A Change of Command
By Sandra Tatara
"Do you need some help?"
"No, I can do it myself," came Bill's grumbled reply.
I circled my restless young Paint and watched Sundance stand patiently as Bill fumbled with the saddle hitch.
The sorrel Quarter Horse was from excellent breeding stock, lean with good muscle tone. Only the graying hairs on his face hinted of his age, which was twenty-four. For fifteen of those years he'd belonged to me. The rider, like the horse, hid his years well. Silver hair peaked out around a black Stetson hat. The tanned face remained unlined despite years in the sun. And like the horse, the man was fit and trim. When working with the horses, his steel-blue eyes sparkled with a clarity otherwise missing those days and a smile touched his lips.
Slight arthritis had somewhat slowed the horse. Alzheimer's disease had slowed the man. With no family of his own, Bill had become a part of mine, and I worried about letting him continue to ride as I worried about when to take away the keys to his car.
Sundance and I remembered horse shows where he and Bill had competed in barrel-racing and pole-bending events. We remembered long leisurely trail rides and running flat-out across the prairie, pretending we were in the wilds of Montana instead of rural Illinois.
Sundance worked well for me, but had a special bond with Bill, a visible excitement when they rode together. Whenever Bill eased into the saddle and lightly touched the big gelding with the tips of his spurs, the horse pranced, eager to run, ready to perform. Only the gentle touch of a spur and Bill's hands on the reins told him it was time for action.
I hid the spurs a while back, and Bill didn't seem to notice. Horse and rider no longer ran the way they used to. Rides were kept to a walk and trot around the arena and out into the pasture. I kept an eye on them and worried.
I hesitated when Bill asked to ride one crisp October morning. The vacant look in his eyes had become more pronounced, and although I wanted him to be active for as long as he could be, I didn't want him hurt. I also couldn't say no.
Bill finally got the cinch tightened and climbed into the saddle. He settled himself with a big sigh. Sundance eased forward at a slow pace, and contentment softened the rider's face. Bill asked for a trot, and I watched the horse's reluctance.
"This horse is acting pretty . . . ," Bill searched for the words he wanted.
"He seems pretty sluggish today."
I nodded. "Well, he's getting older and his joints are a little stiff in the morning. Be patient with him."
Bill grunted an undecipherable response when his commands remained unanswered. After several requests, the horse gently broke into a smooth jog trot.
Sundance concentrated on the ground ahead, carefully measuring his stride. I glimpsed Bill's hand ease toward the saddle horn once for balance.
Bill cued the horse to canter - whether by conscious intent or from years of riding, I wasn't quite sure. Sundance continued in his easy trot. When asked again for a canter, the gelding looked toward me, and I hoped I had conveyed my concern to the horse.
I pulled my Paint to a stop and watched, my heart skipping a beat now and then.
Bill touched the horse with his right heel and gave a voice command at the same time. "Canter, canter." Sundance hesitated, shook his head slightly and slowed to a walk.
With a sigh, Bill reached down and patted Sundance on his neck. "Okay, boy.
We'll take it easy on you today."
I tried to swallow around the lump in my throat and smile in spite of the tears in my eyes. My heart settled its rhythm, and I felt at peace at what I'd witnessed between horse and rider. I no longer feared letting Bill ride.
Where once Bill had been in command, the control had shifted to the horse.
Sundance knew the man was different from the rider who had once urged flying lead changes through the poles, from the man who had ridden like the wind across the prairie. The horse I loved was protecting the friend we both loved.
{snif}
Now... if a teenager gets on and tries to boss him around, he'll head for the barn ;~D
That's my Indy. I can trust him with a baby but I have to warn a cowboy :)
Have you had geldings that do this? Is this also a stallion behavior, or is he just very maternal for a guy? If he lays down, they're off doing their own thing, the favor is not returned. :~\
My horses don't do that - generally they are all laying out flat in the sun if it's nice enough to sunbathe. I have the dogs and a llama though and I think they figure they will sound an alarm.
Sometimes he'll lay down with them, but he doesn't leave them when they're down. If I go sit in the pasture he'll come stand over me, which can be a little unnerving.
I just have mostly seen mares standing over foals, and wondered if he was gender-confused.
Are you sayin' our Bay is poofy?
Only if you think a protective momma horse is poofy!
And I don't think you would if you crossed one! ;~D
{snicker} I can't help it, that word just gets away with me. Where DID that come from?
Do I need to hand over the rolling pin? : D
She's gorgeous!
How couldja not fall in love with those eyes!
And the ears.... I just LOVE donkeys and mules. I don't have a good picture of my friend Bob's old mule, and I need to take some. He has such a great old face, and he is really getting long in the tooth. He's been retired for at least five years now.
He looked like a little werewolf when he was born. That shoulda told me something... 
LOL! He's not any better with the farrier, but if you want to fold him up and put him in a suitcase, he's game for that!
Great photo!
Yeah, he was my first home-born baby and I went a little crazy on the imprinting. I often wonder if I handled him TOO much. But then again, mayby if I hadn't, he'd be wilder than he is now. It's hard to say. I backed off quite a bit with Grace and Hope and they're much more respectful, but then, fillies usually are anyway.
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