The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SEVEN

See our "who's who" page! ^

[HairOfTheDog]

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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FIVE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SIX

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

[Duchess47]

We finally gave up on chickens running loose in the barnyard - I lose them to coyotes or owls. They have a run that's about 20X30 feet and their house. I'm not a good farmer in that I grieve over every loss, no matter the cause.

I thought I had it covered with my bantams who stayed in my yard and nested in the shrubs next to my dogs run. I knew the coyotes wouldn't come that close to the dogs and the house and I lost them to owls.

[Rose of Sharn]

I'm not confident in a lot of things to do with our horses, and I worry that that my "fear" is picked up by them which could deepen trouble further. However, when Smokey cut his leg, and Deaconjim was at work, i put a halter on him, led him to the hitching post, cleaned his wound, and put all the right gunk on him, and made a fuss of him before leading him back to his pasture.
It was a first for me and has helped me gain confidence. I had to push myself to do it though, but I couldn't bear to see it with flies on. : ( I still won't saddle up alone, Deaconjim has to be here. Maybe one day I will gain enough confidence to achieve more. : )

[Rose of Sharn]

Here she's looking at the squirrels...
Shouldn't that read " Here she's looking at.... . breakfast!"

[CindyDawg]

Oh I didn't get near that far:'). I didn't even go get her. I just know she is long bodied and you know how they will go for you but they move over as far as they can away from the boggie? That was what I was concerned about. No matter which way we went she was going to have to turn sharp and it was going to be a close fit. I didn't want her butt to touch the wire. Oh well, we'll try it tomorrow. If she butt bumps it, she won't do it again and it won't be the first time a horse has kicked that cart.

[Rose of Sharn]

We havent had a problem with coyotes, but I did lose quite a few to a neighboring dog one time. : ( It tears at my hear too. We have only lost a couple to owls or red tail hawks. Our dog Sally, the Australian shepherd, chases off the birds of prey! LOL I guess it might be an "if I can't eat them, you're not going to" thing! : D

[Rose of Sharn]

We havent had a problem with coyotes, but I did lose quite a few to a neighboring dog one time. : ( It tears at my heart too. We have only lost a couple to owls or red tail hawks. Our dog Sally, the Australian shepherd, chases off the birds of prey! LOL I guess it might be an "if I can't eat them, you're not going to" thing! : D

[RebaJ]

Yeah, I threw a sock at him for eating the cabinet and staying where I could not reach him. He was shredding it. When I did that he cursed me with a nasty word and flew off when he noticed I was going for a broom.

[Rose of Sharn]

LOL! Who taught him that word? : D

[CindyDawg]

It cost me 45 dollars to fill up today. If I ride the bus will you pick me up?

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, that's the other thing... I have coyotes around but right now they stay out of the compound... I really don't want to attract them in. Which is why I have also turned down goats.

[CindyDawg]

Actually, I think it was two words:')

[HairOfTheDog]

She usually can't even come close to the squirrels and they know it... they only run up the tree about 10 feet and turn around and laugh at her ;~D

[Duchess47]

You'll gain confidence with each milestone, meanwhile it's much better to err on the side of caution if the situation will allow. Most horses would never knowingly hurt you but they don't know their strength and when frightened don't reason, just flee.

You have the courage to do what's necessary at the time and that is more than many people can do.

[Duchess47]

Now don't laugh okay. Explain to her tomorrow that it is important that she do exactly as you ask and picture her doing just that as you take her out of the gate. It will work, I promise.

And, if she won't listen this time and hits the wire, she will listen next time :)

[Duchess47]

It seems my chickens are on everyone's menu except mine :) and I just hate it. I'd probably fence the top of their run if my husband would let me - as it is, it's six foot wire.

[CindyDawg]

I will explain it to her. lol (oops, sorry)

[Duchess47]

Good idea. If you decide to get things that are on the coyotes list of good things to eat, get a llama first. They are really good at protecting everything from dogs and coyotes. Unfortunately, my llama is in the back and the coyotes just changed directions in and now slip in through the front.

[Rose of Sharn]

I think all animals know when you are 'helping' them if they are injured and in pain. They have a lot more inteligence than most give them credit for. Smokey stood as still as I have ever seen him , led for me like a lanb and talked to me happily when I had finished.
I also believe this is why Sugar and I have a close relationship. She has been the biggest boost to my confidence. When we got her she was starving. You could put a hand inbetween each rib. Deaconjim didn't want to get her, I couldn't leave her.....: ( The vet could not believe the improvement just a month later.
I fed her, talked to her and let her know she was loved. She talks to me every day dosnt matter where I am on our property and always comes to me. : )

[Duchess47]

Believe me, she's smart, she'll listen. I'm ignoring the laughing :)

[RebaJ]

I'd like to know that myself. Lol when I caught up with him it was a new tune of pretty pretty pretty pretty bird. I think he even batted his eyes at me.