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!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Sounds like that horse has some issues.

Rocky is actually "pony" size. He's about 14.1. From a distance he gives the impression of being alot bigger, because he so muscular. But he is very short legged. You'd love him.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I'm sorry I thought you asked how tall Rocky was and I see now you asked about Rusty. Rusty is probably 14.3. Harley is about 15. 2-3. I've never measured them, just comparing to Rocky who I have measured. Belle is 15.2

Becky

[Beaker]

Can you find a barn that's near Fresno?

[CindyDawg]

Morning yall, Congrats to the momma with the new baby:') Coochie is going to the vet when I get paid. I'm gonna have him declawed. Every night this week he has wanted to sleep at the foot and catch my feet every time I move them. I lock him up but he still gets out. The claws are going caz If not I'm gonna hurt him, not intentionally but by automatic response. You would think as many times as I've kicked him he would have learned by now. Good thing he finally stopped biting or his saw blades would be going too.

[CindyDawg]

Here you are. I couldn't remember your screen name. Congratulations. Waiting on pics:')

[Noumenon]

Well, I spoke too soon - we now have Freya, a filly. And yes, Hanoverians can get some size. Our 4 year old gelding, Fergus is approx. 17.3 hands. Big handsome guy with a great personality. He's for sale, too. Trained for two years up to entry level dressage.

We acquired Meara, the Hanoverian mare from a woman up in BC. The deal is that we foal her out, the owner gets the foal and we get to keep the mare. Not a bad trade, since we've got some ambitious breeding plans for Meara.

Well, it's early yet and I don't think that daughter's got the pix downloaded to a family server share yet. We'll post 'em later on today.

[HairOfTheDog]

OK - Going back out to camp, first order of business was to get a fire started...

And get the horses OUT of camp ;~D

Pony didn't want to be caught... she wanted to play the ghost pony in the woods.

But she eventually was drawn back.... sneaking along the perimeter, we tried not to notice ;~D

And she was caught!

Everyone got dinner...

And we fired up the Coleman lantern...

Now we're campin' proper!

Now... truth be told, we ended up hanging out there till bed-time, and then we came back inside... It was threatening to rain, and we need to give some better thought to a camping bed :~D

But it was a good shakedown cruise for getting set up, and the horses seemed content on their highlines without trouble. :~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

More excellant pictures:) Did you let the horses off the line when you came in the house?

For camping beds, I found that those foam fold out chairs that they make for kids, are excellent camp beds. I have one that I use on a cot, but they would work on the floor of a tent just fine. Very cushy. You can fold the the foot of it completely underneath and sleep at that end and it elevates your head and shoulders very nicely.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

I know what chairs you're talking about and that would work nicely!

We let the horses loose when we came in ;~D

[HairOfTheDog]

I'd sure like to see some of the pictures you took of Cyn when you first got her, next to that one of her looking at the chairs. She has really put on some weight, it seems. She looks good.

Thanks! She has gained a little bit of substance! She's still a little narrow, but with some time and work she'll fill out some. Though I don't think she'll ever be as wide as "Bay the big ole couch" ;~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

That is incredible:) You have done a great job. I bet after you start riding her more, she will really look athletic.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

That reminds of Rusty, altho Rusty had bare spots all over him when I got him. His ribs showed bad too. Made his head look so much too big for his body. I figured he would always be big headed looking, but now his head fits, just the way Cyn does. It's so hard to tell looking at an undernurished horse how they are "going" to look fill out. I "thought" that Rusty's frame looked like it would be balanced and nicely shaped when he was in shape, but I didn't realize how his head would seem to shrink as his body grew:)

Becky

[lysie]

Great pics of a great time. Thanks.

[HairOfTheDog]

She is looking better proportioned. She still has a big head but it seems to fit her and I think her ~feet~ fit her better. She still has these big buckets for feet, but she seems a little less clunky the heavier she gets. :~D

I think she'll always have kindof lean muscling compared to a QH type or even Bay, I think the mustang in her will make her tend to be more like beef jerky than a steak.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I had forgotten that she had mustang in her. She may stay narrow, but she'll be tough one as far as stamina and endurance even with someone alot larger then ecurbh on her.

There are several very large men at the CTR I go to that ride mustangs. They look so out of balance on those little horses, but it doesn't seem to faze them. They're still going strong on Sunday.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Over all, I think we are going to be really happy with her. I like her unflappable nature, that's important in a trail horse, especially with a new rider. I don't think she's gonna panic and dump him over a flappy tarp anyway! If she ends up also having great endurance like I think she will, that will be a bonus ;~D

[HairOfTheDog]

Congratulations on your new foal! I look forward to your pictures!

[Beaker]

She looks good! In that first picture, she looks more like a greyhound than a horse!

[Duchess47]

Congratulations :)

[Duchess47]

Let's just say they are unusual - they get bored easily, they are the world's best lock picks, they hate being TOLD what to do, and if they get mad, they'll die before saying uncle :) On the other hand, they'll give you 110% when you ask, take care of you on the trail, and keep on going when other horses will lay down and die. Your relationship with an app is more like a partner than a caretaker.