Posted on 08/07/2007 7:33:14 AM PDT 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, usually about our horses, sometimes about our dogs, gardens and other stuff we do. :~)
I have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and MissTargets will ping everyone most mornings. Let MissTargets and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list.
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.
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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread NINE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread TEN
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread 11
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
We are gearing up for puppies. I am thrilled.
Best of luck to Thunder. I'm sure he'll do fine -- if you're anything like me, you're a world class worrier. I am so nervous before an agility run that it's comical even to me . . . ditto the hunting retriever although at least that's more of the dog's job and less for me to mess up, so I don't worry quite so much!
One of my great regrets is that I spayed Shelley at 7 months when I thought I had "just a pet" . . . then one thing led to another and she's a complete star in obedience, agility, and hunting retriever, plus having such a beautiful temperament. Just not a conformation dog, although she's very athletic and well put together, just too small and too skinny for the show ring.
So Ruby the Egregious has not yet been spayed, we will see how she does in the various performance sports before we decide whether to breed her. She's no conformation dog either -- unless the conformation you want is a dachshund on stilts, with a big old Lab head.
LOL We can start our own club when worrying. Yep, Thundy’s first show. What’s nice about him is he is conformationaly correct; sweet, and one of the most beautiful Shilohs I have ever seen. He is silver sabled and the very last of his line. Even if he doesn’t win; he will be noticed and that’s not because he is mine. He is a real stopper. I wish I could really show his colors.
That is one of the hardest decisions to make about fixing a dog like Shelley or mine. Some said Rosey is a pet because of some speckles on her nose. I tried her in the show ring and she has consistently won and turns out she has excellent hips. She is also a real thinker and wants to please you all of the time. People kept telling me if I don’t breed them atleast once I would be sorry. So okay; but even though I love the shows; it’s really hard to think abour raising pups. That ain’t a picnic. It’s like the hips tests alone are a fortune.
Jeez; don’t get into the breeding business; because you aren’t going to make any money.
Mastiffs..what kind of disposition do they have? How are they around children?
Belle and Blue went pheasant hunting today. Belle took two before she decided she wasn't real sure she liked the guns going off. Blue had a ball, all five of his.
Belle
Blue - I think this is a Field and Stream quality photo (Janelle took it)
They are sweet old guys. Barbie in the pic along side her brother Angus belongs to the breeder’s daughter who is I believe young and has been raised all of her life around mastiffs. Courtney, breeder, is in the pic and her website is Thousand Oaks Mastiffs. A great breeder of fine dogs. If you are interested you might email her and she can tell you exactly about the breed. They do grow really fast. Angus is two weeks younger than my girl Shilohs. At about 9 months; they were in the 85-90 range(now 114 and 105 range) and I believe he had already reach 168 lbs. Everytime I have seen him; he has been a real sweetie.
OMG, they are beautiful and what a pic. Those labs are something else. Definately Field and Stream quality.
Thanks for sharing. Congratulations for doing so well and Wow. Gunshots and she was good. That’s a biggie in Therapy Dog test.
Sorry, those are a few of Keeley and Rosey’s litter.
You need to send that RIGHT NOW to Hunting Retriever News. I will bet you six Lucky Dog bumpers that they put it on the cover. They are always looking for cover photos.
Start with poppers or primers, very far off, and give her high quality treats. Alternate with tossing her a nice dead bird. Gradually come nearer to her. Watch her ears. She should settle down. Many pups don't like loud noises - Shelley as a pup would cringe when a big truck or loud car went by, and Ruby is doing the same. Lots of reassurance, high-value treats, and duck or pheasant rewards are the key.
Thank you.
Announcement everyone:
I was just notified that Angus, the mastiff, will be going to Westminster next month. She told me I am being given one opportunity to say “I told you so”. I am beside myself I am so happy.
Becky... thinking of you and hope you check in soon!
Everyone... great dog pictures!
Our major event yesterday was the appearance of this chicken...
Evidently the sign out in front of the store not only says lost dogs and lost wild cats welcome here, but lost chickens as well!
Well, much as I like the idea of having a chicken... I don't think she would have survived our dogs... Gidget is WAY too interested in such things, and it would have been a major project to keep her safe. So I took her down to Rutledge Farm, the corn maze people, who have a lot of farm birds hanging around, and asked them if they would take a refugee chicken. :~)
She seemed to settle right in there... I hope she found her way to the coop last night with the others.... I worry about her... I swear, I can bond with anything.
Great pics of everyone’s dogs there!
Duchess, is that ICE that poor dog is trying to climb up on in that last pic with the pheasant?! DANG, that’s dedication if it is!
Good job on rescuing the wayward chicken. But for a minute there I thought you were 2J. ;o)
Did the chicken give you any trouble catching it or is it really that tame? I know 2j’s hens were worse than lap dogs. I really hated it when they got killed.
It was really easy to catch... I think it was someone’s pet chicken, but no idea whose, or how it ended up at our place, across two busy roads.
You ol softie. Welcome to the group of softies. LOL She looks like she is doing well and wonderful pics; btw.
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