The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FIVE

See our who's who page! ^

[HairOfTheDog]

*New* The FreeRepublic Saddle Club - Who's Who *pics*

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!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FOUR

New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!

[KidGlock]

Snow is leaving Michigan.

It was 55 yesterday. Last night was my first ride of the year without my winter jacket.

Supposed to break 60 degrees this week.

Yeah!

[FrogInABlender]

Man, don't it make you feel good too! I love getting out for a good trail ride. When the weather doesn't cooperate, I have withdrawals!

[Beaker]

When does the weather really start to turn nice there?
I really had to think about that question. It's certainly not horrible here right now. It's cool and overcast. Reminds me of Ireland or England might be like. Or at least that's what I've been told, because my relatives have visited there. Sharn might be able to tell you what I mean. It varies as to when it really starts to get nice, as in 60s and sunny for more than one day in a row. Or even mid 50s and sunny. It kind of happens all at once. That's our spring, and then we leap right into summer. It's not entirely unpleasant.

[FrogInABlender]

It's really pretty here today too, 70-something I think. I think it's supposed to stay that way tomorrow, then storm Thursday and Friday, then be pretty for the weekend. I sure hope so!

Here's another pic for ya. This is my racking mare, Truly, who's due to foal in 3 or 4 weeks. She already looks like she's about to pop, and she's none too happy with anything or anybody right now...

[Bojangling_countrygirl]

OK... just got off the phone with Hair, she said she should be home around 7:30 or 8.

She also said y'all can track her flight...I have no idea how that happens but here's the info she gave me.

Flying American West, flight number is #892, Departs at 2 P.M.

Hope y'all can figure what to do! Sorry I'm no help.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Wow she does look big.My mare is still not looking all that big, altho she has gotten a little bigger. But she still runs and bucks and kicks up her heels some.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Thanks for letting us know. I may have to wait till morning to welcome her home:) Might be in bed.

I rode three horses today:) IT WAS nice and warm, but very windy.

Becky

[FrogInABlender]

Wow, I'll bet you ARE tired! I usually go home and crash EVERY time I trailride. But it's a GOOD kinda tired!

[MissTargets]

No, she does not look too happy. Can hardly blame her. Now, do you sell all your foals when young? There sure seem to be a very popular breed.

It was nice, sunny and in the low 60's. Thought I would take a couple of pics of Biscuit. Let you guys see how much she has grown. Don't mind my daughter in her "barn clothes"

[Duchess47]

Boy, is she nice. How old is she now?

[Beaker]

Every time I go out on the trail, I have to crash too. I always end up with a backache for some reason. I probably lock my back up and don't realize it until it's too late.

[MissTargets]

Thanks, she will be two in June. She is the one we bought at auction last fall, when the horses were going real cheap.

We got the Arabian mare all clipped up. She is going to the trainers next week. We have had her saddled and rode around the yard a little, but she needs worked. She is five. We even got her to go in the trailer tonight. That is only the second time in her life. It took awhile, but she did it.

[MissTargets]

Well, what do you think? When the rest on this board are complaining about how hot it is this summer, can we brag how nice it is here, after suffering through our winters....lol

[FrogInABlender]

Now, do you sell all your foals when young?

Nah, I'm not that smart. My current mode of operation is to keep 'em 'til they're 2 or 3, have 'em trained, then decide. I'm basically just getting started. I want to make sure that they have a good foundation to be a great trail horse, something that I would want to buy if I didn't have a horse. Blade will be the first I've sold. A friend of mine wants him, but her husband just had open heart surgery so I'm sure they've kinda put all that on hold. I haven't even mentioned it. I'm sure they'll take him at some point, but if they don't, I've had several other people that I would trust ask me about him. In the meantime, I'm getting alot of good riding out of him, and he's getting alot of good experience out of me. Bob and Grace will be the next to go to the trainer. I'm looking forward to finding out what kind of gait they will have. Blade has settled into his pretty well this past year but he will still pace when he gets tired if you don't keep him collected.

Your Biscuit sure is a pretty girl, and BIG too! Such a pretty color. I like dark bays. Thanks for sharing! Oh, and don't worry about your daughter's barn clothes. She looks nice. I usually look like a bag lady when I'm at the barn. :o)

[FrogInABlender]

I always end up with a backache for some reason...

Me too! Mine is usually just under my right shoulder blade. I think alot of mine comes from me not being in shape and not having enough hours in the saddle built up yet. The weather's not cooperated much, but hopefully that's changing now.

[Beaker]

When the rest on this board are complaining about how hot it is this summer, can we brag how nice it is here, after suffering through our winters....lol.
Hehe. Let me tell you, after this winter the weather we're having now is gorgeous! Summers can be pretty brutal here, though, because of the humidity

[Beaker]

I usually get sore in my lower back before my upper back when I ride. When I'm on my feet all day, my upper back kills. Like today I was on my feet all day, and now everything hurts.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Even tho I rode three, I didn't ride any of them all that long. I rode Rocky 45 minutes, and Harley about an hour. They did arena work. Rusty I had planned on trial riding , but...sigh...he has ANOTHER problem now.

He has done this in the past but never enough for me to really know if something was truly off or not. Some times it feels like his left hind leg just gives out on him. Like he stepped on a rock real hard and would gimp a step or two. I don't know how many times I've gotten off and cleaned his feet looking for something. Never did. One other time he did what he did today. I had walked him for about 30 minutes, then came to a nice smooth, no rock trail that I use for trotting and loping. Well I got him trotting and he went aways, and suddenly I could tell he was on three legs, pogo sticking his back leg. I stopped him looked down and he was holding his left hind up and out. I jumped off let him stand awhile then lead him forward and he walked fine. I lead him aways, 5 minutes or so, he seemed fine.I got back on and started trotting again and after aways he went back on three legs just like before. So I lead him home. Now I have to figure out what this is.

I'm wondering if since I didn't ride much this winter and he didn't get rode much last summer really, if he just isn't in shape, ane the loping and work I've been doing in the arena, he has pulled a muscle or getting charlie horses.

Tomorrow and for about the next month, I'm just trail riding him, and then slowly build to more harder work outs.

But damn....just when he was coming along so well on barrels and the season is starting in April...and once again just like for the last two years, I've got to either rest him or slow him down at the start of the season....

I'm pretty discouraged with this horse...especially since I really really like him. Why is it always the ones you like that crap like this happens...

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I get sore under my right shoulder blade too:)

I didn't ride hardly at all this winter. Had some health issues that kept me from riding as much as I use too. Got that all resolved and am now having trouble realizeing me and the horses have lost condition to go for the 3-4 hours we use to do:). But then too, up til now I always justrode one horse. Now I've got to split between 3.

Becky

[Beaker]

Aww man Becky, that really stinks. It sounds like he has a stifle problem. It sounds like the joint is getting stuck, and he can't move it.