The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread TEN

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 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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread NINE

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

[Beaker]

Wow it's snowed on the fourth? That's impressive. The worst we've ever had is a blizzard in April (On April Fool's Day no less!) This rain isn't normal though. We've been breaking records, and haven't had this much rain in May/June since sometime in the 1800s. (Though I can't remember the exact year)

[Duchess47]

I'm pretty sure there was a pole shift and we missed it :)

Everyone is having such odd weather and freakish storms.

[Beaker]

We've had some constant and bad t-storms with this weather too. It's a bugger... but it comes with the territory at this time of year.

[HairOfTheDog]

Morning everyone... gonna be hot here today, but we're going to try to get out of here for our trail ride early... at least by 10 :~)

[HairOfTheDog]

We did decide today though that this is our last year showing and come fall we are hauling to an auction to sell most of the horses. Anyway, the pictures I did take.

I just caught this re-reading this morning, I missed this line before... Are you really going to reduce the herd that much? Who will go and who will stay? Do you still intend to breed?

[Duchess47]

Good morning,

We will keep Sonny and he'll still breed to outside mares. We will keep Farah, she's given us outstanding babies and is a great mare but we won't breed her any more. That's the reason we'll keep her, no way to insure someone else wouldn't breed her if they bought her. We'll keep Prez and Indy and hold on to the two colts born this year, Red and Slick for awhile.

We'll sell Dusty Rose, Fanny, CJ, Fancy, Ghost, BamBam, Friday, and Lacey. Tracey will keep her mare, Egypt, of course, and sell Josey.

[MissTargets]

Good Afternoon.

Was up way too late last night and slept in this morning. Plus, I was tired from yard work. Granddaughter is showing today, so I will leave for the show soon.

Beaker, you must be getting all the rain we had a few days ago.

Duchess, congrats on the horses doing so well at the show! They look awesome. But, where is my favorite Friday? That is quite a herd to handle.

[HairOfTheDog]

So no more babies for awhile, sounds like.

I understand... Do you have good auctions there that bring good prices and good buyers? We don't... just a 'last chance before the cannery' kind of auction. There's an auction somewhere in Eastern WA that people take good horses to.

[Duchess47]

Good morning,

Hope to see pictures of the show later today. Have a great day there.

[Duchess47]

Forgot - Friday is here, just being pregnant :)

[Duchess47]

No, no good auctions here. Horse traders and meat packers only. We'll have to haul to Montana or Texas probably. Where ever we can find a breed auction. The prices are not good at those auctions either, but they will go to good homes or breeders rather than someone who is looking for a good deal for junior as a pet and then won't be able to take care of them. At least we hope so.

[MissTargets]

There is a high concentration of the Amish community in Geauga County. This was on the way to the fairgrounds to the show, through the little town of Middlefield. A buggy load of Amish.

Alison doing her pattern in Western Horsemanship. Andy would not keep trotting for her, when she went around the cones. It was a big class of 13 kids and she didn't place.

She showed in Western Pleasure and had an awesome ride, but didn't place there either. She win a second in English Showmanship and a third in Western Showmanship. I am just happy that she comes out of these classes in one piece, being as she is so young. Picture of her new saddle.

[HairOfTheDog]

She looks gorgeous, even if she didn't place. :~)

[MissTargets]

Thanks. She does well for her first year. Her classes are 11 and under, so there are a lot of more, "seasoned" kids in there. I am not too fond of horse shows anymore, but go just to see her.

Did you get a chance to ride today?

I can't believe, we just had another big down pour. thought it was suppose to be nice for a few days. Now, it looks like rain until Weds.

[HairOfTheDog]

Some cool shady trail pics on a hot day...

Temps are at least 20 degrees cooler in the shade, and today we chose the very best trail for shade, very little clearcut area.

My goofy husband :~)

Cool damp swampy places...

And a break time :~)

Bay did marvelously today, really felt good. He's now taken to going reeeallllly slow right out of camp, but I no longer believe him :~) He's either telling outright lies to shorten the rides, or he starts out a little stiff and limbers up as he goes. It just depends on whether he's a deceitful or honest :~D

I think, honestly, that it's the former. He sure speeds up on the turn for home :~)

[Beaker]

Great trail pics Hair! I love the first one of Cyn, she has a real "ugh" look on her face as ecurbh is goofin' around :-)

[HairOfTheDog]

You think ;~)

She was a little fractious today... spooked and startled, as much as she ever does, at a few occasions. I told ecurbh it was just to keep him awake.

[Duchess47]

She looks gorgeous and so professional :) I always figure if the show was fun it was worth it, whether its a win, lose or draw. Picking up a second and a third is pretty outstanding itself.

We went up to PA to visit friends once when we were stationed in NC. Saw some Amish country then and fell in love with the buggies. I still want one.

[Duchess47]

It looks so cool there. I'm glad I didn't see these pictures before I went out to water at 1:30. I spent an hour watering critters and hosing my baseball cap to keep cool. Another day of triple digits.

[HairOfTheDog]

I bet... It's 90 degrees in the sun today, and that's plenty hot for us :~)