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Posted on 02/24/2006 9:12:25 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
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 MissTargets will now be pinging everyone most mornings. Let MissTargets 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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SEVEN
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread EIGHT
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They may have just taped it to keep the animals out and moved before trash day or forgot about it.
We should write a book. "Underground Mystery at Hair's Place". We could each take turns writing a paragraph and just let imaginations run.
Heh...
I was a little skeptical when I went out to catch him. Even though I Buted him earlier, he's just been standing around all day, while the mares have played. But I wanted to see for sure. So I lunged him. He wasn't head bobbing lame, but he was very lethargic... Not good. I only lunged him about two minutes each direction.
On a hunch, I turned him loose in the pasture. He hasn't been allowed out there for a couple weeks... been trying to let the grass grow. I wondered what he'd do. Normally he'd run, particularly if separated from the mares.
And run he did... and quite sound and full of pep, I might add. ;~D Look at the difference in his his whole carriage...
He ran around out there till he was sweating and blowing hard, and didn't look sore anywhere. Here's a cute video you can hopefully play ~sometime~ where he's loose, but began sortof free lunging, all on his own... running around me: Bay-Self-lunging 5-3-06.wmv
So I made a few conclusions... Number one, he's got my number. He knows if he drags along on the lunge I fret and pet him and maybe won't make him work any more.
Number two... If he's excited and anxious, any pain he's in goes away. He was thrilled to run loose, and no one would say he was lame. This will work in my favor on a trail ride, because he gets excited about that.
Number three... This assessment is the part where Bay might be honest, is that lunging is not good for his heels, and any symptoms he might have are in fact worse when he's forced into a circle.
I say rule out number 3 first.
I don't know that I can rule it out completely... unless he could talk. All I can do is observe. I've been told that lunging will be hardest on his Navicular and I shouldn't do it too much. I don't, and won't, once he can start to go, but lunging is really the best way I have to watch him move other than just running him loose. The other way to look at it is if he does move well on lunge, you know he's good. Lunging will be his weak link.
What I meant was, that I would assume #3 unless you feel comfortable that it isn't a physical problem. He's getting older. Things start to ache. He's good with other stuff for you isn't he? I can't remember seeing any attitude posts. He might be playing you but if he isn't.........
I can't view the video till I go to Jenny's but, if he was lunging himself and doing just fine, why would that be different from having a lead rope attached.
I think he's bored with lunging at home.
Do you lunge him in the same spot every time you lunge. Do you have room anywhere else you could take him?
Becky
Poor Harley:), he got rode again tonight. Jenny came up with Dot and we went out for about an hour and 20 minutes. We didn't do anything but walk, but still, he'd been out for over 2 hours this morning and was really worked:) And Julia is coming around 11:00 tomorrow:). I'm doing 3 hours tomorrow no matter what:)
Becky
Oh, well, maybe not:) 80% chance of rain:(. I may put on my rain gear and go anyway, at least for awhile. We'll see.
Becky
Where do you get all your energy? :')
It probably is part boredom. He was in a little bit bigger circle loose, but that's why I think it's about 80% attitude, 20% symptom. :~D
Well, at least Harley's getting in shape :~D
I just love to ride, and am enjoying it so much now that all my problems are solved, knock on wood:)
Becky
I'm not caught up with the posts yet, however, Bob swears lunging, especially tight circles as on a lunge line is NOT good for old horses or young horses. Too much stress on the legs. Just a thought. Now back to reading until dinner is ready. :)
I don't think he was too thrilled about going out again:). He kept slamming on the brakes to graze.
Becky
I agree.
That's what it looks like to me too.
Becky
Grass is growin' with all the rain.... He just wanted to take advantage of it :~D
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