*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!
Those are really cool pictures:). Still in the sack. I'm glad it is over for you:)
When I got home from JP's, as I drove up the drive, I noticed Rocky in Harleys' run, next to Belle, Harley was in Rusty's run, and the panels in between where all bent to hell, where Harley must have climbed over to get away from Rocky.
The switch for the hot wire is in the shop and sometimes accidentily get's turned off when someone turns the lights in the shop off. That's what happened. Rocky knows when the hot wire is not on, all the wire out back was down.
Luckily no one seems to even have a scratch. We got the panel down and straightened back up sort of. Everyone is where they need to be.
We are expecting 3 inches of snow tonight.
What a day.
Becky
Those are the neatest pictures. Am I repeating myself:) A minute ago I was looking at them on the TV, now I'm on Mack's computer and they show up so much better.
He really looks healthy, so filled out.
The mare looks to be doing fine too.
Becky
They both seem to be doing ok. I need to take more pics of Adge to show how much he has grown! He is huge.
I just ordered the children all a t-shirt with a photo of the foal on it! : )
I'm very happy for you:). He is beautiful.
Becky
P.S. I can't wait for May:)
I went to Office Depot on my lunch hour today. They do have USB extentions but the longest was 10ft and they only had one of those. Before I have them order enough I'm going to check a couple of other places and also measure exactly how much I need.
I guess today's the day for me to dig into my archives of good horse stories. Here's another...
Old Twist
By Tom Maupin
The majestic eye peered through the opening in the stall door. It was a gaze that reflected years of success and experience as a champion reining horse.
It also conveyed gentleness and wisdom. It belonged to an old Quarter Horse named Twist. Now past thirty years old, he had spent the last few years relegated to the rank of dependable trail companion for his owner. But inside the rough, aged exterior, the heart of a true winner still beat with the same spirit to be part of a rider's life. This spirit had not faded even as younger horses arrived at the barn and took up more and more of Twist's owner's time. Little did I know the effect that the old champion's spirit would have on my daughter.
A few years before, my daughter Stacy had had a bad experience with a runaway horse. She was just eight at the time, and a terrifying fall accompanied the disaster. Although she broke no bones, her confidence, love for horses and the desire to learn to ride were shattered. No matter how her mother and I tried, we had no success in healing the damage caused on that fateful day. But as I stood there and saw Stacy look into the eye of the old fellow in the stall, I knew this was going to be the beginning of a special relationship.
Fortunately, Stacy's accident had not diminished her love for animals in general, and this small opening was all that Twist needed to establish a special bond. Stacy was now thirteen years old, which is a critical age for all young ladies to handle. It is a time when special bonds are not easy to form, but so crucial to possess. Would Twist be able to wipe away Stacy's reluctance to get back into a saddle after five years? It was as if Twist recognized the challenge and the importance of victory. It wasn't a blue ribbon, trophy or award that was at stake, but the heart of a child, and what a special medal of victory he then would possess.
In the days and weeks that followed, my daughter began to express daily interest in coming to the barn with me and my wife. We were careful not to interfere. We did not dare disrupt the magic of the old man at work. Though she said she was there to see the barn cats, Stacy would seek out Twist. She took the initiative to spend time with him, feeding, brushing, combing and stroking him from head to hoof, all the while talking to him about her life.
Though age had taken away some of the tone of the old Quarter Horse's muscles, it had not lessened his ability to strike the stance of a champion as he stood quietly while she groomed him.
Then one day as my wife was readying one of our horses for a ride, Twist's owner noticed the old guy's eager expression and desire to be included, too.
So the owner asked Stacy if she wanted to get Twist ready and take him out for a ride. In response, Stacy looked once again into the old man's eye. I can't say that he winked at her, but it was that moment their two spirits met and completed the bond that had been forming over a couple of months.
Continuing to look deep into his eyes, Stacy didn't speak, she only nodded yes.
Moments later, I stood there as they rode off together, Stacy winning renewed confidence and desire, and Twist winning his medal of a child's heart. I had not seen his head held higher or his walk more regal than in that first minute.
As this first ride turned into many more, Twist took very good care of his young friend and slowly replaced her fear with confidence. I nearly cried the day I looked across the field and caught sight of Stacy and Twist cantering back to the barn. Her long hair was pulled back and flowing in the breeze in a way that seemed to mimic the appearance of the old man's tail.
He had won. He had beaten fear, removing years of bad memories and replacing them with moments of happiness that are etched forever not only in my daughter's heart but mine as well. I know I always will be grateful for what Twist did for my family. I will forever remember the time I looked deep into the eyes of this champion and saw the love of a child looking back at me.
Boy, I'm glad no one was hurt. Ain't horses fun sometimes! Usually this kind of thing happens just as you're getting ready to go to church or something like that.
I know. This time I didn't really feel like wrestling panels around. One of them is really bent up. I should have taken a picture, but I was so aggravated, I just fixed it without even coming in the house first.
All the horses are now locked in their runs. No more, for awhie anyway, going out in the pasture. Nothing out there to eat anyway. If they can't behave....well they're grounded:)
I just cant believe Harley didn't get some kind of cut from the looks of the panel. He was lucky.
Becky
Oh good grief! Things are much more tranquil at your place when there are no mares around huh! And she isn't even in season yet!
What a great story for old horses.
OK - How much time have we got to work out these details? - a month?
I do think Rocky remembers his mares:), but he'd do this even if she wasn't here, if he can get thru the hot wire. He is pretty aggressive when not being held. He rather surprised me. He was in Harley's pen and went to push the panels back into an upright postion, and he charged at me. He was on the other side of the panels from me. I didn't expect him to do that, it might tho, have been that Harley and Rusty had followed me and were standing behind me. I went and got a rope and thumped him the next time he tried it. He's such a baby. He then ran back around the barn and got in his run:)
Becky
How much are those panels a piece? about how much would a smallish round pen be? - Thinking workout room for the pony where she couldn't get up too much steam if I got on ;~D
Is it cheaper than building one out of wood that would be permanent, is what I wonder.
It is a very good thing that Harley didn't get bit up or kicked if he was panicked enough to climb the panel. I bet it was a scene that would have been a nail-biter to witness.
The 16 footers are about $70 a piece. They come in 10, 12,and 14 ft.
This is just something I've been told, and we use this philosphy when climbing on one for the first time, or rather my kids did. To keep a horse from getting up to much steam, put them in a square pen. My kids both got on thier horses for the first time in 12X12 square pens. Horses can get going pretty good in a circle, even if its' small. Corners is what will slow them down.
Becky
I'm loading pictures of the "straightened" panel he went over. You're right it would have been a nail biter. Luckily panels bend fairly easily rather then not giving. If that had been the case I bet he'd have broke a leg. Why he wasn't cut, I don't know. One of the rails is broke and the end looks pretty jagged.
Becky
Heh... That's probably pretty good advice!
I think really I am too big for her, but she trusts me more than anyone else. So many times I've been laying over her, leaning on her, and wishing I had the courage to just slide on. I sortof figure, if I'm bareback, I can slide off any time too. It's harder to bail off in a saddle and I think you fall harder. She's only four feet tall, how bad could it be? ;~D
img src="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/p1e39ff91bb3ba8a39f58db8525262c95/f542ff01.jpg">
It was so bowed that it took both Mack and me jumping up and down on it to get it flattened back out enough to get it up. I thought we should have run over it with the bobcat. Mack almost launched me off a few times:)
Becky
Harley's handy work for the day:
It was so bowed that it took both Mack and me jumping up and down on it to get it flattened back out enough to get it up. I thought we should have run over it with the bobcat. Mack almost launched me off a few times:)
Becky
Fixed picture.... good grief.
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