As an aside: I did ride yesterday and while my mare and I got eaten up by buggies, we had a great time plus she needed a slight tune-up. Did us both good!
Okay, on to the subject. Just in the last couple of days have I ran across people who tell me that they bought horses with what-I-call-severe behavioral problems and then tell me of their hospital/emergency room visits!! Oh, yeah, they did!
Remember my post a week or so back about the guy who was explaining how to keep your horse out of your space but that some people might not be 'comfortable' with pushing back?? Welp, it's true. I just met a couple of specimens who don't want to push back and as a result, were seriously hurt, like could have been paralyzed-hurt. They don't know each other, just happened that I met them.
One person has a straight Egyptian Arabian...hello?? In case you don't know no nuthin' 'bout no Aye-rab horses, these tykes are prized for their 'presence and brilliance'. That means, if you see them in a show, they are the almost looney ones running around in the Liberty classes acting nuts. They are also very inbred, which as we have seen with the late Hapsburg clan in Europe, inbreeding is not a good idea, lower lip and all. You get froot-loops doing such things!! They are good looking but to me, they look like they could break in two just any minute.
So, adding this PITA horse and an owner who doesn't want to 'impose' her values on the nutty horse, your sum is an emergency room visit. Honestly, I thought of offering my services but 1. I'm not insured for giving lessons (see other posts about how dumb I think this is and that the one taking the lesson should carry their own insurance) and 2. I doubt she would listen to me any way. Horses are to be loved and cherished (okay with that one so far) and they have 'feelings' and those feelings get hurt. Ready to hurl yet?? Took about two seconds for me to decide I don't want any part of this one.
Another was a horse that had been severely abused by being ran all over the place to the point that the horse only had a stop and 'dead run' gear. A very sweet lady somehow got the horse, I'm not real clear how but just go with the story, and in the end, (you saw this one coming, didn't you?) was severely hurt, thankfully not paralyzed. Somehow through several years and injuries, the horse finally came around and they had several years together before the horse had to be put down for some reason.
But, in these two cases and many others, I wonder WHY do people buy trouble?? I remember being silly and young and buying the first horse that came down the pike but I had (still do have) a survival instinct that tells me that a particular horse is WAY bad news for me.
In these cases, one decided to stick with her horse and the other lady decided she's not going to do horses any more. Just too much for her. But she's missing out on a lot of fun and if she really doesn't want to do horses, that's fine, but she caused herself too many problems by going with her heart instead of her head. A little heart is fine but you have to really think things through when buying.
This is one of the great quandries that I don't understand. Whatever the case, get out there and love on your horse!!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Still Too Friggin' Hot, BUT...
You can still do stuff with your horse, just to keep them in line.
Yesterday, I thought I'd try to ride. I know, what a dumb thought, but I'm having withdrawal pains, y'know?? In case the heat continues, I'm going to ride in the evenings but that's sort of scary in that no one from the ranch is around. If I should fall off or get dumped or hurt at the barn, no one would really notice for a while, maybe even too late. My hubby would know AFTER A WHILE that I didn't show up but he wouldn't send out a search party pronto. Since I have a cell phone with me, that's great, but it's usually sitting on the fence post (railroad tie end) and not easily accessible if I'm on the ground. I've thought of getting some 2-way radios and latch one onto my person. If they get crunched, that'd be okay, not okay to crunch the uber-expensive cell phone though.
So, yesterday, I fed the critter, haltered her, tied her up to the fence, ran a brush over her hide with some fly spray, tossed the saddle on. She was not a happy camper once bit. Life is rough, eh? I hung her bridle on the saddle horn and then retreated to sitting on the fence to watch the show.
It was so hot that I felt like a hammer was hitting me through my Monty Montana hat and T-shirt (yes, a T-SHIRT so don't start with me). So, I felt like my mare was feeling it just as well but she's taking full advantage of the fact that I'm not doing much with her and getting a little bit snotty. She's an Appy, what can I say? Love my dumpling!!
We looked at each other for a while, she fretted but her heart wasn't into it, I could just tell. Her frettiness lasted a whopping 5 minutes or so, a record for her, then she stood still and looked at me. Actually, I felt sorry for her. Hell, I felt sorry for ME.
I unsaddled her, threw hay and went home. My point is that even if it's a little bit of something, no matter how hot or cold the weather, you can do something with your horse to show them that you're still a force in their life. They will 'get it'. When you take on a horse, unless you have big pastures and don't really care to do anything (such as ride), I feel like you have a responsibility to keep the horse 'in training' of some sort. There are always things you can do to show your horse that it's still your ballgame and they play it your way.
I hear that the weather is supposed to cool off, clouds were rolling in yesterday late, so I'm still ahead of the game with Spotted Butt (I mean the horse, of course) in that she's been saddled plus the tying up to the fence, that put her back on my track, not hers. Hopefully, I won't lose another day of riding, if the weather stays sort of nice, because I did something yesterday.
Will let you know how it goes, weather-wise and saddled-wise! Now, go love on your horse!!
Yesterday, I thought I'd try to ride. I know, what a dumb thought, but I'm having withdrawal pains, y'know?? In case the heat continues, I'm going to ride in the evenings but that's sort of scary in that no one from the ranch is around. If I should fall off or get dumped or hurt at the barn, no one would really notice for a while, maybe even too late. My hubby would know AFTER A WHILE that I didn't show up but he wouldn't send out a search party pronto. Since I have a cell phone with me, that's great, but it's usually sitting on the fence post (railroad tie end) and not easily accessible if I'm on the ground. I've thought of getting some 2-way radios and latch one onto my person. If they get crunched, that'd be okay, not okay to crunch the uber-expensive cell phone though.
So, yesterday, I fed the critter, haltered her, tied her up to the fence, ran a brush over her hide with some fly spray, tossed the saddle on. She was not a happy camper once bit. Life is rough, eh? I hung her bridle on the saddle horn and then retreated to sitting on the fence to watch the show.
It was so hot that I felt like a hammer was hitting me through my Monty Montana hat and T-shirt (yes, a T-SHIRT so don't start with me). So, I felt like my mare was feeling it just as well but she's taking full advantage of the fact that I'm not doing much with her and getting a little bit snotty. She's an Appy, what can I say? Love my dumpling!!
We looked at each other for a while, she fretted but her heart wasn't into it, I could just tell. Her frettiness lasted a whopping 5 minutes or so, a record for her, then she stood still and looked at me. Actually, I felt sorry for her. Hell, I felt sorry for ME.
I unsaddled her, threw hay and went home. My point is that even if it's a little bit of something, no matter how hot or cold the weather, you can do something with your horse to show them that you're still a force in their life. They will 'get it'. When you take on a horse, unless you have big pastures and don't really care to do anything (such as ride), I feel like you have a responsibility to keep the horse 'in training' of some sort. There are always things you can do to show your horse that it's still your ballgame and they play it your way.
I hear that the weather is supposed to cool off, clouds were rolling in yesterday late, so I'm still ahead of the game with Spotted Butt (I mean the horse, of course) in that she's been saddled plus the tying up to the fence, that put her back on my track, not hers. Hopefully, I won't lose another day of riding, if the weather stays sort of nice, because I did something yesterday.
Will let you know how it goes, weather-wise and saddled-wise! Now, go love on your horse!!
Monday, July 27, 2009
So Hot, So Hot...What To Do In The Meantime...
Sorry I've not posted in a little while but it's been so hot that I haven't ridden much and that's where I do my thinking for this blog!
This is a reminder to take extra good care of your horse. Put out a salt block for him to lick. I like that block because they can lick at will. I have friends who don't like them but add salt. Too much work for me but it gets the job done.
Make sure your water is plentiful and clean. Even with the fish in the tanks, make sure the water is somewhat see-through. Top those tanks off!
Since it's so hot and I'm not riding much, I wormed my dear spotted one and then watched for a while to make sure she wasn't going to have a reaction.
Check those little hoofies out and make sure all is well there. No big chips or cracks. I like to rub Hooflex in 2-3 times a week into the coronet band and on the frog because it makes me feel better. I've read lately that dressings and similar things don't really help but I disagree, I think they do to a point. Won't hurt anything anyway.
Douse your darlin' with some good fly spray. Be sure to follow the label directions but I'm seeing some big, honkin' flies that really hurt when they land and try to bite on my mare.
Keep the mane, tail and forelock looking good and don't let big tangles start. I use liberal amounts of Show Sheen several times a week to keep things orderly. You can download coupons for Show Sheen too!! I sure do!
Make sure you have some sort of shade that the horse can choose to stand in or out of. It seems to me that shade is mostly where the flies are and horses may not stand under it but make it their choice and use the fly spray.
Anyway, I heard on the radio this AM that today and tomorrow will still be HOT but then some clouds will start to roll in and some cooling off. I sure hope so. I want to RIDE! My mare is getting a little snotty and needs some straightening out!
Hopefully we'll be back on track about making tracks! :-)
This is a reminder to take extra good care of your horse. Put out a salt block for him to lick. I like that block because they can lick at will. I have friends who don't like them but add salt. Too much work for me but it gets the job done.
Make sure your water is plentiful and clean. Even with the fish in the tanks, make sure the water is somewhat see-through. Top those tanks off!
Since it's so hot and I'm not riding much, I wormed my dear spotted one and then watched for a while to make sure she wasn't going to have a reaction.
Check those little hoofies out and make sure all is well there. No big chips or cracks. I like to rub Hooflex in 2-3 times a week into the coronet band and on the frog because it makes me feel better. I've read lately that dressings and similar things don't really help but I disagree, I think they do to a point. Won't hurt anything anyway.
Douse your darlin' with some good fly spray. Be sure to follow the label directions but I'm seeing some big, honkin' flies that really hurt when they land and try to bite on my mare.
Keep the mane, tail and forelock looking good and don't let big tangles start. I use liberal amounts of Show Sheen several times a week to keep things orderly. You can download coupons for Show Sheen too!! I sure do!
Make sure you have some sort of shade that the horse can choose to stand in or out of. It seems to me that shade is mostly where the flies are and horses may not stand under it but make it their choice and use the fly spray.
Anyway, I heard on the radio this AM that today and tomorrow will still be HOT but then some clouds will start to roll in and some cooling off. I sure hope so. I want to RIDE! My mare is getting a little snotty and needs some straightening out!
Hopefully we'll be back on track about making tracks! :-)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Giving Away A WHAT??
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1281495906.html
Good Lord! Also, I hope this ad doesn't indicate the state of our educational system... Anyway, here's a good laugh!
Good Lord! Also, I hope this ad doesn't indicate the state of our educational system... Anyway, here's a good laugh!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
A Whole Page To Explain A Simple Procedure
I confess, I don't get this one.
I was reading in a PNW horse magazinelet (that's bigger than a pamphlet and smaller than a real magazine, I just made that word up!) a fellow's article about keeping your horse off you while leading or standing around.
He took the whole page to explain a simple procedure of popping your horse in the shoulder and growling at him with a short "NO!" and then the appropriate body language that tells your horse you mean business.
Don't get me wrong, I respect this guy but I'm suspecting he's playing to his readers, clients or whomever by going overboard with the explanations. I know that a lot of newspaper writers get paid by the inch and so will inflate their articles. I know, I've been a newspaper author/columnist in the distant past.
But it brought home to me how everything in this day and age has to be explained to the nth degree without any true feelings between the horse and rider. The rider/handler has to be told what to do instead of developing and relying on instincts and learning each horse is different but not so different that most training ideas will work on most horses. Then you need to learn to tweak your training to fit the horse. If you have to tweak too much, then you need another horse or find a different area of horses to be in.
But, back to my original thoughts, a whole page??? Just to get a horse to move over. He addressed the idea that 'some' people might not be 'comfortable' in pushing their horse over, I can't remember the exact wording, and I thought, then what in hell are they doing with a horse in the first place?? They would rather get stepped on, I guess, but at least they'd feel good that they didn't push their horse over.
*scratches head*
Even on a lot of my horse boards, the tone and flavors are changing. People need to feel good about doing something with their horse and make it way tooooo hard rather than, say, pop the horse in the shoulder and problem solved.
Welp, I'm going to keep doing this blog and saying what I know works but I may be seriously out of date now.
Whatever happens, just get out there and love on your horse and then go for a ride!!
I was reading in a PNW horse magazinelet (that's bigger than a pamphlet and smaller than a real magazine, I just made that word up!) a fellow's article about keeping your horse off you while leading or standing around.
He took the whole page to explain a simple procedure of popping your horse in the shoulder and growling at him with a short "NO!" and then the appropriate body language that tells your horse you mean business.
Don't get me wrong, I respect this guy but I'm suspecting he's playing to his readers, clients or whomever by going overboard with the explanations. I know that a lot of newspaper writers get paid by the inch and so will inflate their articles. I know, I've been a newspaper author/columnist in the distant past.
But it brought home to me how everything in this day and age has to be explained to the nth degree without any true feelings between the horse and rider. The rider/handler has to be told what to do instead of developing and relying on instincts and learning each horse is different but not so different that most training ideas will work on most horses. Then you need to learn to tweak your training to fit the horse. If you have to tweak too much, then you need another horse or find a different area of horses to be in.
But, back to my original thoughts, a whole page??? Just to get a horse to move over. He addressed the idea that 'some' people might not be 'comfortable' in pushing their horse over, I can't remember the exact wording, and I thought, then what in hell are they doing with a horse in the first place?? They would rather get stepped on, I guess, but at least they'd feel good that they didn't push their horse over.
*scratches head*
Even on a lot of my horse boards, the tone and flavors are changing. People need to feel good about doing something with their horse and make it way tooooo hard rather than, say, pop the horse in the shoulder and problem solved.
Welp, I'm going to keep doing this blog and saying what I know works but I may be seriously out of date now.
Whatever happens, just get out there and love on your horse and then go for a ride!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Had A Fire On The Ranch, What To Do About Your Horse?
This is a quick post because I'm hot and tired but it's very important.
We had a brush fire on the ranch just a little while ago. It didn't jump the dirt road to get to the pens where I keep my spotted butt mare but there was a LOT of smoke for a little while.
Someone had seen the smoke from across our valley and called in the Fire Suppression Team, not to mention a helicopter showed up!
We zipped over quickly after my hubby had noticed the smoke billowing up! He grabbed a pitchfork and went to work with it while I scrounged around for a shovel. About the time that he and the ranchhand got it sort of under control, the Fire guys showed up and then the heli.
But, while I'm concerned with saving the ranch (and all the hay!), my main concern was my mare! I've already lost one pregnant mare about 5 years ago in a trailer fire and so I had some flashbacks big-time. But other than the smoke being bad for a while, she wasn't in that much danger...however....(you knew that was coming, right?)...
I carried my halter around with me 'just' in case I had to grab her quickly and get her out. The thing that struck me was horses have to be able to be caught and lead away without panic. They may even need to be loaded into a trailer and hauled off. No 'discussing' here, just get their ass on the trailer and send them on their way!
Will they lead through smoke? Does the horse trust you to not get them hurt, even if they panic?? Would they stay tied if that's all you could do, get them out, down the road and tied up to keep them safe from running amok and maybe out onto a highway? If you have to put them in an unfamiliar pen, would they 'know' enough and sensible enough to stay safe and not do something stupid like try to jump the fence and hurt themselves??
Now, I have PLENTY of room to get my mare out and get her to safety relatively easy as my pens back up to about 1000 acres of pasture plus all the hay fields. She could get away but I could still find her if I had to turn her loose, but what if you're boarding at a small place with lots of traffic and other people?? Do you have your plan in place??
It is FIRE SEASON, people! Get your plans in place and fix what you notice to be wrong.
Now, take care and go ride your horse!!
We had a brush fire on the ranch just a little while ago. It didn't jump the dirt road to get to the pens where I keep my spotted butt mare but there was a LOT of smoke for a little while.
Someone had seen the smoke from across our valley and called in the Fire Suppression Team, not to mention a helicopter showed up!
We zipped over quickly after my hubby had noticed the smoke billowing up! He grabbed a pitchfork and went to work with it while I scrounged around for a shovel. About the time that he and the ranchhand got it sort of under control, the Fire guys showed up and then the heli.
But, while I'm concerned with saving the ranch (and all the hay!), my main concern was my mare! I've already lost one pregnant mare about 5 years ago in a trailer fire and so I had some flashbacks big-time. But other than the smoke being bad for a while, she wasn't in that much danger...however....(you knew that was coming, right?)...
I carried my halter around with me 'just' in case I had to grab her quickly and get her out. The thing that struck me was horses have to be able to be caught and lead away without panic. They may even need to be loaded into a trailer and hauled off. No 'discussing' here, just get their ass on the trailer and send them on their way!
Will they lead through smoke? Does the horse trust you to not get them hurt, even if they panic?? Would they stay tied if that's all you could do, get them out, down the road and tied up to keep them safe from running amok and maybe out onto a highway? If you have to put them in an unfamiliar pen, would they 'know' enough and sensible enough to stay safe and not do something stupid like try to jump the fence and hurt themselves??
Now, I have PLENTY of room to get my mare out and get her to safety relatively easy as my pens back up to about 1000 acres of pasture plus all the hay fields. She could get away but I could still find her if I had to turn her loose, but what if you're boarding at a small place with lots of traffic and other people?? Do you have your plan in place??
It is FIRE SEASON, people! Get your plans in place and fix what you notice to be wrong.
Now, take care and go ride your horse!!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Opened A Can Of Whoop-Ass On My Mare Today
This is a tale of how to knock some sense into your horse's head. Now, I don't go about telling folks to beat your horses, although at times....wellllll.....ok, back to the subject!
My semi-adorable Appy mare has a history of being abused and becoming very defensive. But, she's also an Appy and smarter than than the average bear! She KNOWS how to intimidate to get her way, just cuz she wantsta....
That doesn't work with me one bit. At first, I was a little intimidated by her because, well, hell, I'm a middle aged lady who has plenty of bloody-body memories and now, I just don't want to go through the pain!!
I had noticed the last few days that she was a little 'off' from normal. See, this is WHY I say to sit out and watch your hoss so you can KNOW when your baby/brat/idiot horse is not acting right.
So, today I had her tied up to groom her and normally, she's like, Right On!, with it. Today, she turned her butt to me when I put my hand on her hip to move her considerable butt over and backed her ears into serious mode. Let me tell you, I grabbed her lead rope, jerked it off the fence (she ties with only looping it over the rail, it wasn't tied hard and tight) and she got a mega-spanking with some salty words thrown in!!
We went right and left and she had move her butt all over the place, she had to back up, moved her front end, all the move-stuff BUT with lots of my telling her what a rotten horse she was. Actually, it was worse but I'm not repeating it, not even on here...
Okay, now here's the critical part. Once I 'read' her body language that she 'got it' not to turn her butt towards mommy in a threatening way...or any way for that matter, I backed off and walked off, leading her. That's critical to learn to read a horse. She KNEW she did really, really wrong and was 'sorry' she did so but if I had kept on with her, she would have been pushed past her point of no return and start to turn on me. She's 1100 lbs or so and I'm nowhere near that much (not telling either) so it would really be an uneven fight. She could have trounced me and I'd have been in the emergency room or at the undertaker's right now.
But, even though I was royally pissed at her, I had control of myself to still read her and to stop when the stopping was good. Afterward, I tied her right back up and walked around her with fly spray and such and she never moved a peg.
Then I left her tied and sat on the fence for a bit. Now, the problem with having a really smart App is that she knows how to work a knot, she untied herself and where did she go??? She came right over to me with her head down. I petted her poll (between her ears) and then she brought her head up and I loved on her. It was over.
The whole thing lasted less than 25 or so seconds. That's the trick. When a horse does something really BAD, you have to jump on them like a hen on a junebug, not this 'asking' them or trying to work it out. Jump on them and get it over! That's how horses do it in the wild.
You don't need to beat them into submission. If you do, you need to find another horse... Just when they do something bad, get onto them and then, it's forgotten.
I know that my adorable mare will be lots better tonite and for a while...till she tests me again!!
Now, go ride!!
My semi-adorable Appy mare has a history of being abused and becoming very defensive. But, she's also an Appy and smarter than than the average bear! She KNOWS how to intimidate to get her way, just cuz she wantsta....
That doesn't work with me one bit. At first, I was a little intimidated by her because, well, hell, I'm a middle aged lady who has plenty of bloody-body memories and now, I just don't want to go through the pain!!
I had noticed the last few days that she was a little 'off' from normal. See, this is WHY I say to sit out and watch your hoss so you can KNOW when your baby/brat/idiot horse is not acting right.
So, today I had her tied up to groom her and normally, she's like, Right On!, with it. Today, she turned her butt to me when I put my hand on her hip to move her considerable butt over and backed her ears into serious mode. Let me tell you, I grabbed her lead rope, jerked it off the fence (she ties with only looping it over the rail, it wasn't tied hard and tight) and she got a mega-spanking with some salty words thrown in!!
We went right and left and she had move her butt all over the place, she had to back up, moved her front end, all the move-stuff BUT with lots of my telling her what a rotten horse she was. Actually, it was worse but I'm not repeating it, not even on here...
Okay, now here's the critical part. Once I 'read' her body language that she 'got it' not to turn her butt towards mommy in a threatening way...or any way for that matter, I backed off and walked off, leading her. That's critical to learn to read a horse. She KNEW she did really, really wrong and was 'sorry' she did so but if I had kept on with her, she would have been pushed past her point of no return and start to turn on me. She's 1100 lbs or so and I'm nowhere near that much (not telling either) so it would really be an uneven fight. She could have trounced me and I'd have been in the emergency room or at the undertaker's right now.
But, even though I was royally pissed at her, I had control of myself to still read her and to stop when the stopping was good. Afterward, I tied her right back up and walked around her with fly spray and such and she never moved a peg.
Then I left her tied and sat on the fence for a bit. Now, the problem with having a really smart App is that she knows how to work a knot, she untied herself and where did she go??? She came right over to me with her head down. I petted her poll (between her ears) and then she brought her head up and I loved on her. It was over.
The whole thing lasted less than 25 or so seconds. That's the trick. When a horse does something really BAD, you have to jump on them like a hen on a junebug, not this 'asking' them or trying to work it out. Jump on them and get it over! That's how horses do it in the wild.
You don't need to beat them into submission. If you do, you need to find another horse... Just when they do something bad, get onto them and then, it's forgotten.
I know that my adorable mare will be lots better tonite and for a while...till she tests me again!!
Now, go ride!!
Doesn't Matter What Bit
I got to thinking about an email I received from someone who asked about her bit she uses on her horse. She mentioned that 'others' thought she should use something else but her horse was going fine. (My disclaimer, I haven't looked at the emails in a couple of days so just remembering off the top of my head. I'm still going to change the email server-thingy, just haven't done it...life gets in the way, y'know??).
Unless you are showing a horse in a class/show/etc. that SPECIFIES a certain bit(s) or disqualifies certain bits, as long as your horse is going well and comfortably, any sort of bit your horse likes is fine to use. It may look strange to others but it's your horse's comfort and willingness that you need to keep happy.
I have a problem with those bitless bridles and don't like them but if a horse is going well in it, then why not use it?? If you want precision in your horse's movements, the bitless bridle isn't going to cut it, a spade or full bridle will. But if you are plunking down the trail with only a rawhide loop around his lower jaw AND you have control, then use it!!
There was a famous trainer, now deceased, Jimmy Williams who was known for outlandish get-ups on his horses...but his horses won! In a class like Open Jumpers, my understanding (and what I can remember of the rulebook...) you can use ANYthing on horsies head as long as you get over the fence in one piece and don't knock a rail down. Mr. Williams was a trainer of a horse who couldn't STAND to have a headstall on but could jump the moon. I can't remember the riders name but she was very good...Suzy Somethingorother, I think. Mr. Williams ascertained that the horse (can't remember his name either!) could use the rawhide indian 'bridle' and that's how the horse was shown by Suzy S......! In that case, you could use any sort of thing on the horse's head.
In other classes, you need either a bosal or ring snaffle or for aged, older horses, you have to use a shank in western shows. But going down the trail, whatever floats your horse's boat! Never mind what others say as long as it fits properly and is in good/great condition with no pain for the horse.
Now, go ride!!
Unless you are showing a horse in a class/show/etc. that SPECIFIES a certain bit(s) or disqualifies certain bits, as long as your horse is going well and comfortably, any sort of bit your horse likes is fine to use. It may look strange to others but it's your horse's comfort and willingness that you need to keep happy.
I have a problem with those bitless bridles and don't like them but if a horse is going well in it, then why not use it?? If you want precision in your horse's movements, the bitless bridle isn't going to cut it, a spade or full bridle will. But if you are plunking down the trail with only a rawhide loop around his lower jaw AND you have control, then use it!!
There was a famous trainer, now deceased, Jimmy Williams who was known for outlandish get-ups on his horses...but his horses won! In a class like Open Jumpers, my understanding (and what I can remember of the rulebook...) you can use ANYthing on horsies head as long as you get over the fence in one piece and don't knock a rail down. Mr. Williams was a trainer of a horse who couldn't STAND to have a headstall on but could jump the moon. I can't remember the riders name but she was very good...Suzy Somethingorother, I think. Mr. Williams ascertained that the horse (can't remember his name either!) could use the rawhide indian 'bridle' and that's how the horse was shown by Suzy S......! In that case, you could use any sort of thing on the horse's head.
In other classes, you need either a bosal or ring snaffle or for aged, older horses, you have to use a shank in western shows. But going down the trail, whatever floats your horse's boat! Never mind what others say as long as it fits properly and is in good/great condition with no pain for the horse.
Now, go ride!!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
My View On Bits
Use the least amount of bit you can. That about sums it up for me.
Ok, so what DO you use that is the least amount?? It does make a difference if you are a newbie to horses or if you've been forking the old horse for years and 'really' riding (not passengering).
If you are a newbie to horses and their training, just say you're trying your hand at starting a colt. I like the vacquero ways of starting a colt in a bosal then progressing to the ring snaffle and on to the gentle curb.
A newbie is going to need a little stiffer, thicker bosal than say an experienced rider who can feel his horse better and work the reins. Just to give the newbie a little more 'omph' to tell the horse to pay attention. If an old hand gets up there, they can and will use a thinner, more pliable bosal. Generally, as you go along, you can go thinner and lighter with the bosals if you like, even to the point of leaving one on under a bitted headstall. Just as a horse should progress along with his training, the newbie rider should be able to progress with more horses to using a lighter, more flexible bosal.
As an aside, ALWAYS buy the better quality bosal that has a rawhide core and is slightly bendable, never buy the steel cord core. The bosal must be able to bend around the nose to work correctly, not just working on the nose.
About ring snaffles, I AM a ring snaffle girl! If it's a ring snaffle, I probably have it. Everything from uber fancy-schmancy to plain ol' $4.00 job.
I love slip ring snaffles. I think that the rein sets up a vibration that tells the horse something is getting ready to happen, collects himself and away you go. A set ring, like an eggbutt or D ring doesn't have this 'feature'. To me, the newbie rider MAY need to go with a set ring as they are a bit stiffer and may draw the horse up a little quicker, but you don't have the 'feel' that is so important to true riding. I do have offset snaffles and an eggbutt or two but I MUCH prefer the slip ring.
There is a website that tells to look what kind of mouth your horse has and what kind of bit is suitable for that sort of mouth. Like a low palate or thick lips or a deep mouth, etc. I'm in Firefox right now and I have it saved in IE (of course). I'll try to remember to post the link so you can read about the different mouths. My mare doesn't like ANY sort of pressure on her tongue (due to abuse, I'm sure of it) and likes a straighter mouthed snaffle and a medium port curb. I'm kind of ahead of myself but you'll see what I'm talking about in a sec.
About curb bits. I like a sweet iron mouth with copper inlay or a copper mouth. I tend to buy mostly Reinsman bits as they suit me just fine but I do have other brands. You do want the horse to slobber as this shows a wet mouth and a wet mouth can feel things better than say, a dry mouth and using an aluminum mouthed bit, there are a few still out there.
I like a medium shank, like 5-6 inches that I don't have to use a whole lot of rein but not so much shank that I've overbitted the horse. The longer the shank, the lighter your hands HAVE to be. A short shanked curb, you can kind of get away with more pulling than if you had a longer shanked bit. If you pulled too hard with a longer shank bit, you'll likely pull the horse over on you. That's why shorter curbs tend to be colt or started horse type bits.
'Bout those pesky mouthpieces. I'm for simpler the better. A medium and high port bit is about all I need. I don't hold with catherdrals to set a head. If you have to use that, go back and do more training. It's a short cut. I'm not too hot on low ports either, or straight bits as where does the tongue go?? It just gets mooshed down into the lower jaw. A medium port has a place and a high port really gives tongue relief. I've heard/read where people think the high port will hit the palate and create a rub spot. Not in my experience has it but then again, you have to have educated hands on the other end of the reins.
More 'bout' the stupid mouthpieces out there now. I've seen in my tack catalogs some of the downright dumbest bits, supposedly to 'correct' a horse. If you need such bits to correct your horse, YOU are doing something wrong. If he's spoiled and dives to the inside of turns, you need to do more training, not look to a shortcut with a bit. If he won't stop correctly, other than he's built wrong to stop right, you need to go back to basics and teach 'whoa' all over again.
A bit is not the problem solver, it's a communication device from your brain to the horse's mouth/brain. Reins are an extension of your arms clear down to the rein ring, hence to his mouth. IF you need some of these friggin' correction bits, you're aren't doing it right and not a horseman. Get the books down and start studying!!
I'll be more than HAPPY to debate bits with anyone on this subject. It's a pet peeve of mine.
Now, get out there and love on your Sugars today!! ;-)
Ok, so what DO you use that is the least amount?? It does make a difference if you are a newbie to horses or if you've been forking the old horse for years and 'really' riding (not passengering).
If you are a newbie to horses and their training, just say you're trying your hand at starting a colt. I like the vacquero ways of starting a colt in a bosal then progressing to the ring snaffle and on to the gentle curb.
A newbie is going to need a little stiffer, thicker bosal than say an experienced rider who can feel his horse better and work the reins. Just to give the newbie a little more 'omph' to tell the horse to pay attention. If an old hand gets up there, they can and will use a thinner, more pliable bosal. Generally, as you go along, you can go thinner and lighter with the bosals if you like, even to the point of leaving one on under a bitted headstall. Just as a horse should progress along with his training, the newbie rider should be able to progress with more horses to using a lighter, more flexible bosal.
As an aside, ALWAYS buy the better quality bosal that has a rawhide core and is slightly bendable, never buy the steel cord core. The bosal must be able to bend around the nose to work correctly, not just working on the nose.
About ring snaffles, I AM a ring snaffle girl! If it's a ring snaffle, I probably have it. Everything from uber fancy-schmancy to plain ol' $4.00 job.
I love slip ring snaffles. I think that the rein sets up a vibration that tells the horse something is getting ready to happen, collects himself and away you go. A set ring, like an eggbutt or D ring doesn't have this 'feature'. To me, the newbie rider MAY need to go with a set ring as they are a bit stiffer and may draw the horse up a little quicker, but you don't have the 'feel' that is so important to true riding. I do have offset snaffles and an eggbutt or two but I MUCH prefer the slip ring.
There is a website that tells to look what kind of mouth your horse has and what kind of bit is suitable for that sort of mouth. Like a low palate or thick lips or a deep mouth, etc. I'm in Firefox right now and I have it saved in IE (of course). I'll try to remember to post the link so you can read about the different mouths. My mare doesn't like ANY sort of pressure on her tongue (due to abuse, I'm sure of it) and likes a straighter mouthed snaffle and a medium port curb. I'm kind of ahead of myself but you'll see what I'm talking about in a sec.
About curb bits. I like a sweet iron mouth with copper inlay or a copper mouth. I tend to buy mostly Reinsman bits as they suit me just fine but I do have other brands. You do want the horse to slobber as this shows a wet mouth and a wet mouth can feel things better than say, a dry mouth and using an aluminum mouthed bit, there are a few still out there.
I like a medium shank, like 5-6 inches that I don't have to use a whole lot of rein but not so much shank that I've overbitted the horse. The longer the shank, the lighter your hands HAVE to be. A short shanked curb, you can kind of get away with more pulling than if you had a longer shanked bit. If you pulled too hard with a longer shank bit, you'll likely pull the horse over on you. That's why shorter curbs tend to be colt or started horse type bits.
'Bout those pesky mouthpieces. I'm for simpler the better. A medium and high port bit is about all I need. I don't hold with catherdrals to set a head. If you have to use that, go back and do more training. It's a short cut. I'm not too hot on low ports either, or straight bits as where does the tongue go?? It just gets mooshed down into the lower jaw. A medium port has a place and a high port really gives tongue relief. I've heard/read where people think the high port will hit the palate and create a rub spot. Not in my experience has it but then again, you have to have educated hands on the other end of the reins.
More 'bout' the stupid mouthpieces out there now. I've seen in my tack catalogs some of the downright dumbest bits, supposedly to 'correct' a horse. If you need such bits to correct your horse, YOU are doing something wrong. If he's spoiled and dives to the inside of turns, you need to do more training, not look to a shortcut with a bit. If he won't stop correctly, other than he's built wrong to stop right, you need to go back to basics and teach 'whoa' all over again.
A bit is not the problem solver, it's a communication device from your brain to the horse's mouth/brain. Reins are an extension of your arms clear down to the rein ring, hence to his mouth. IF you need some of these friggin' correction bits, you're aren't doing it right and not a horseman. Get the books down and start studying!!
I'll be more than HAPPY to debate bits with anyone on this subject. It's a pet peeve of mine.
Now, get out there and love on your Sugars today!! ;-)
I've About Had It With The Email...How Many Times Have You Heard THAT??
I have been back-and-forthing with some readers and now can only get to the main page in Yahoo and it won't go any farther. So, that was the last straw and when I get back from horse-time, I'm changing the email to hotmail, as that one always loads for me.
I'm sorry if I missed someone and please try sending again. I don't know if it's my dial-up or what but it's happening in my other yahoo account too. Grrrrr!!! Hotmail, here I come!!
Promised that I would write about bits and I will, just had some family stuff going on.
*Everyone should know that it is not bugging me to ask questions. I'm happy to give my take on whatever you ask. I do give my opinions based on my experience and knowledge and while it's not always the most popular, just my thoughts.*
I'm sorry if I missed someone and please try sending again. I don't know if it's my dial-up or what but it's happening in my other yahoo account too. Grrrrr!!! Hotmail, here I come!!
Promised that I would write about bits and I will, just had some family stuff going on.
*Everyone should know that it is not bugging me to ask questions. I'm happy to give my take on whatever you ask. I do give my opinions based on my experience and knowledge and while it's not always the most popular, just my thoughts.*
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Which Bit To Use??
Someone asked me about bits and which one would be the best one. I don't have a lot of time right now (the saddle IS calling) but I'll get it together better in my head whilst riding (my best thinking times) and post about what I think are the way to go with bits.
Now, get out there and RIDE... ;-)
Now, get out there and RIDE... ;-)
Imprinting A Foal...I'm Not A Fan
Of course, I'll tell you why!! :-) I even bought a book that 'splains it very well, tried it on a few foals and watched some folks that swore by it. All in all, I didn't like how the foal turned out.
To me, God put the mare and foal together to let them figure out how to do things. I'm to be on the sidelines with help, if needed, but overall, staying the hell outta the way for the time being. Mommy horse needs to bond with her foal and the foal needs to sort his legs out to get up and moving about. Now, to my mind, why do I have to get right in there and start rubbing??
I once watched a lady put a mule foal to sleep while she was rubbing the upper gums in his mouth. Okay, looks impressive but why do you need to do this??
To me, foals end up too much a 'pocket pony', which I don't like. I like horses, mules, hinnys and zebras to keep their distance from me as I am the Queen of their world and they need to look up to me for their daily sustenance. I had one foal who would rub back on me and then one day when I wasn't looking, the foal reared up at me like I was another teeny-bopper that wanted to play horsie.
My favorite version of foal training is to leave mare and foal alone for the first three days or so to get to know one another. Let the mama horse do her thing. By the way, I'm not even in favor of foaling in a stall, put them in a safely fenced pasture and stand back! I'm there to dunk the stump in iodine and make sure that the gooey birth sack (that is just THE grossest thing!!) and placenta are out of the mare and then I'm outta there for the time being.
I realize some, only SOME, horses are so valuable that they must be monitored but for the general horse population, there isn't a need. It's a human thing to try to control what happens, that's basically it. For a laugh, just think of trying to control Mother Nature...oh, yeah...
To me, the foals that are left to Nature's way come out of it with a 'respect' that an imprinted bratty foal doesn't have. Imprinted foals are left with this idea that they are on a level playing field with me and we're equal. Oh, hell no! They seem to be pushier and swishier tailed than the foal who is left alone.
The non-imprinted foal gets to bond with his dam and she shows him a thing or two on her own. On or about the third day, I may hang a foal halter on the foal just to show him that I AM around but don't leave it. I've seen people hang a halter on a newborn and a lead to drag! Don't do this! Older horses will learn and if they get into trouble, they may pull something but a newborn is more likely to kill themselves.
I don't try teaching all sorts of things at once, like leading and picking up hoofs. Even if I wait till the foal is closer to a month old, I have never had big problems teaching them to do these things. They may be a little stand-offish but they aren't hanging on you like an imprinted foal. I want my horses to be naturally a bit standoffish and to ALWAYS keep an eyeball on me. If he's a little goosier than an imprinted foal, great, so be it. This standoffishness (is that a word?) will translate to later in life when you have a 2 or 3 year old ready to be started and is watching you, gauging you and will be infinitely easier to deal with because he sees you/me as Queen of the Universe again.
An imprinted foal is more likely to think THEY are the Queens/Kings of the joint. So, I guess if you've made it this far in my post, I'm against imprinting a foal.
Now, go hug your horse!! :-)
To me, God put the mare and foal together to let them figure out how to do things. I'm to be on the sidelines with help, if needed, but overall, staying the hell outta the way for the time being. Mommy horse needs to bond with her foal and the foal needs to sort his legs out to get up and moving about. Now, to my mind, why do I have to get right in there and start rubbing??
I once watched a lady put a mule foal to sleep while she was rubbing the upper gums in his mouth. Okay, looks impressive but why do you need to do this??
To me, foals end up too much a 'pocket pony', which I don't like. I like horses, mules, hinnys and zebras to keep their distance from me as I am the Queen of their world and they need to look up to me for their daily sustenance. I had one foal who would rub back on me and then one day when I wasn't looking, the foal reared up at me like I was another teeny-bopper that wanted to play horsie.
My favorite version of foal training is to leave mare and foal alone for the first three days or so to get to know one another. Let the mama horse do her thing. By the way, I'm not even in favor of foaling in a stall, put them in a safely fenced pasture and stand back! I'm there to dunk the stump in iodine and make sure that the gooey birth sack (that is just THE grossest thing!!) and placenta are out of the mare and then I'm outta there for the time being.
I realize some, only SOME, horses are so valuable that they must be monitored but for the general horse population, there isn't a need. It's a human thing to try to control what happens, that's basically it. For a laugh, just think of trying to control Mother Nature...oh, yeah...
To me, the foals that are left to Nature's way come out of it with a 'respect' that an imprinted bratty foal doesn't have. Imprinted foals are left with this idea that they are on a level playing field with me and we're equal. Oh, hell no! They seem to be pushier and swishier tailed than the foal who is left alone.
The non-imprinted foal gets to bond with his dam and she shows him a thing or two on her own. On or about the third day, I may hang a foal halter on the foal just to show him that I AM around but don't leave it. I've seen people hang a halter on a newborn and a lead to drag! Don't do this! Older horses will learn and if they get into trouble, they may pull something but a newborn is more likely to kill themselves.
I don't try teaching all sorts of things at once, like leading and picking up hoofs. Even if I wait till the foal is closer to a month old, I have never had big problems teaching them to do these things. They may be a little stand-offish but they aren't hanging on you like an imprinted foal. I want my horses to be naturally a bit standoffish and to ALWAYS keep an eyeball on me. If he's a little goosier than an imprinted foal, great, so be it. This standoffishness (is that a word?) will translate to later in life when you have a 2 or 3 year old ready to be started and is watching you, gauging you and will be infinitely easier to deal with because he sees you/me as Queen of the Universe again.
An imprinted foal is more likely to think THEY are the Queens/Kings of the joint. So, I guess if you've made it this far in my post, I'm against imprinting a foal.
Now, go hug your horse!! :-)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Flummoxed. People Who've Been Around Horses All Their Lives, But....
Don't know a bloomin' thing about horses. Isn't that the strangest thing you've just about ever heard??
Lately, I've ran across several folks who tell me they rode as a kid and have had horses most of their lives but, as I can attest as I've seen it in the flesh, don't know how to properly saddle a horse or put a bridle together.
When I went to resaddle the mare, I was amazed at the lousy quality of the blanket. Holy cow, I'd have used that blankie for my cowdog when she was having puppies! It was horrible and dirty. The bridle was a hodge-podge with a totally inappropriate bit for a green horse.
But then, when I try to say something, I get defensiveness. Hey, they asked me and I told them. Being non-direct is not in my vocabulary. Plain and straight foreward is my style, as you well know if you've been reading this blog any time at all.
Or the case of a young Arab who needs to meet the vet for an attitude adjustment but the people think he's the bomb and want to breed him....Have they not noticed that there is a glut of ooky horses out there that can't find a home, not to mention some nicer ones too that can't?? Guess not.
These questions are one for the ages and I guess will go on till the end of time. But I'll keep trying to show people the correct way. 'Bout all I can do. *sigh*
Lately, I've ran across several folks who tell me they rode as a kid and have had horses most of their lives but, as I can attest as I've seen it in the flesh, don't know how to properly saddle a horse or put a bridle together.
When I went to resaddle the mare, I was amazed at the lousy quality of the blanket. Holy cow, I'd have used that blankie for my cowdog when she was having puppies! It was horrible and dirty. The bridle was a hodge-podge with a totally inappropriate bit for a green horse.
But then, when I try to say something, I get defensiveness. Hey, they asked me and I told them. Being non-direct is not in my vocabulary. Plain and straight foreward is my style, as you well know if you've been reading this blog any time at all.
Or the case of a young Arab who needs to meet the vet for an attitude adjustment but the people think he's the bomb and want to breed him....Have they not noticed that there is a glut of ooky horses out there that can't find a home, not to mention some nicer ones too that can't?? Guess not.
These questions are one for the ages and I guess will go on till the end of time. But I'll keep trying to show people the correct way. 'Bout all I can do. *sigh*
Listening Wasn't On My Mare's To-Do List Today
If you ride enough, you'll soon figger out that not every ride is the same as the last ride or even something to gauge future rides by.
I sort of crunched my neck and for a few days, I couldn't ride. So's, today I figgered, since it was gawjus out, now's the time to fork the beastie. Oh, boy, whatta ride I had!
She found more dragons and tasmanian devils to spook at! Her cute little fox-like ears were all over the place, except on me. We had a ride a few days ago where she was 'off' (to put it nicely) and I think she thought she could exploit that and get me to turn around, head to the barn and get put up just THAT much faster.
Well...she was soooo wrong! I rode through it because I felt confident enough to go on. I'm still facing down Bloody Body Syndrome just about every time I ride so I felt like a million bucks when I got back to the barn. Showed her littled spotted ass! That I did!! *hand pump*
The point is, even though she wasn't in the mood to pay much attention to me, we rode through it instead of baling and going back to the barn (like I did the other day). I MADE her listen to me as we went over hill and dale. I only stopped going in any direction when a wheel line was in the way (muddy, which I never ride in) or the grass/alfalfa was so thick I couldn't see where she was putting her delicate little footies. Then I'd turn back.
I'll guarantee you by tomorrow, she will have thought about all this today and will be a better ride manana (a spanish word meaning 'tomorrow' but I don't have the little squiggly thing above the first 'n').
So, instead of doing some sort of voo-doo training scenario that costs bundles of money from a BNTT (big name TV trainer), we got out there and covered some ground and fixed the problem.
Now, THAT'S the way to ride! Yeehaw!! :-)
I sort of crunched my neck and for a few days, I couldn't ride. So's, today I figgered, since it was gawjus out, now's the time to fork the beastie. Oh, boy, whatta ride I had!
She found more dragons and tasmanian devils to spook at! Her cute little fox-like ears were all over the place, except on me. We had a ride a few days ago where she was 'off' (to put it nicely) and I think she thought she could exploit that and get me to turn around, head to the barn and get put up just THAT much faster.
Well...she was soooo wrong! I rode through it because I felt confident enough to go on. I'm still facing down Bloody Body Syndrome just about every time I ride so I felt like a million bucks when I got back to the barn. Showed her littled spotted ass! That I did!! *hand pump*
The point is, even though she wasn't in the mood to pay much attention to me, we rode through it instead of baling and going back to the barn (like I did the other day). I MADE her listen to me as we went over hill and dale. I only stopped going in any direction when a wheel line was in the way (muddy, which I never ride in) or the grass/alfalfa was so thick I couldn't see where she was putting her delicate little footies. Then I'd turn back.
I'll guarantee you by tomorrow, she will have thought about all this today and will be a better ride manana (a spanish word meaning 'tomorrow' but I don't have the little squiggly thing above the first 'n').
So, instead of doing some sort of voo-doo training scenario that costs bundles of money from a BNTT (big name TV trainer), we got out there and covered some ground and fixed the problem.
Now, THAT'S the way to ride! Yeehaw!! :-)
Monday, July 6, 2009
My Sweet Horse Who Used To Be An Absolute Nut, A True Rescue Tale
She wasn't sold to me as a rescue and little did I know how much rescuing this poor baby would need!
One of the worst attitudes I've ever seen in a horse. But I had seen her bloodlines on her registration papers and she did have a kind eye. I've never had a bad Appaloosa and it never crossed my mind how wacky she could be. I had that horse-trader gut feeling that she was a good horse, never mind I only rode her once before buying her. Just looking at her, I got the gut feeling of 'yup, she's a good'un!'
Then, I got her home...Egads is the nicest I could say.
I've bought and sold absolutely hundreds of horses and thought I knew what I was getting into. But after a couple of months of my mare, I seriously thought I'd lost my eye for buying a good horse, no matter what that good horse was hiding under.
In good faith, I couldn't sell her to anyone knowing that she was a whack job in the head. So, I kept her and we battled it out.
I'm so glad I still own her. She'll be mine till the end of days. Underneath all the "Natural Horsemanship" crap that she was put through, there was/is an absolutely fabulous mare who would almost lie down and die for me. She is the best ride I've had in many a year. I can take her down the trail to any sort of terrain and she trusts me enough to go anywhere I point her noggin. I trust her to tell me that something isn't right and we can't go thataway. Like over an old bridge.
She's not spooky and thoroughly enjoys seeing the sights as much as I do. Even running wheel lines that water the fields don't phase my baby-darling.
Now, don't get me wrong, she has her days but by and large, she's a lambchop. I was sitting on the fence thinking that some day she's going to be so lame from all the injuries she suffered before I bought her, that I have to make sure she is comfortable for the rest of her life. I feed MSM to try to help her get along but the day will come when I have to think what's best for her and let her go. I don't know how I will do it, don't even want to think of it but must plan for it.
The point of this post is, there are horses that by sheer training ignorance (like my mare) they are unintentionally abused and then get viscious and hostile and people just unload them, even though they made the problem. Thankfully I got hold of her, then couldn't sell her in good conscience and we worked through her problems and brought her around to see that I'm the good gal and to trust me.
It takes time and lots of work and heap big plenty of patience and oodles of experience to bring them back from the brink. I'm so proud of her and unless I'm offered a million dollars, she'll never be for sale! Just think how many horses have been ruined and never got the chance to show who they really are. Just think of it!! Way too many.
But in her case, she had the chance, has good blood and someone, sometime in her past did do a really decent job in training her. I just had to dig down and bring it out, so well she had hidden it.
So, if you are having trouble with your horse that you KNOW is good down deep inside, please keep trying and showing the horse how much you need them to be good to you AND to themselves, they will come out of it.
It's soooo worth it!! Now, go ride! :-)
One of the worst attitudes I've ever seen in a horse. But I had seen her bloodlines on her registration papers and she did have a kind eye. I've never had a bad Appaloosa and it never crossed my mind how wacky she could be. I had that horse-trader gut feeling that she was a good horse, never mind I only rode her once before buying her. Just looking at her, I got the gut feeling of 'yup, she's a good'un!'
Then, I got her home...Egads is the nicest I could say.
I've bought and sold absolutely hundreds of horses and thought I knew what I was getting into. But after a couple of months of my mare, I seriously thought I'd lost my eye for buying a good horse, no matter what that good horse was hiding under.
In good faith, I couldn't sell her to anyone knowing that she was a whack job in the head. So, I kept her and we battled it out.
I'm so glad I still own her. She'll be mine till the end of days. Underneath all the "Natural Horsemanship" crap that she was put through, there was/is an absolutely fabulous mare who would almost lie down and die for me. She is the best ride I've had in many a year. I can take her down the trail to any sort of terrain and she trusts me enough to go anywhere I point her noggin. I trust her to tell me that something isn't right and we can't go thataway. Like over an old bridge.
She's not spooky and thoroughly enjoys seeing the sights as much as I do. Even running wheel lines that water the fields don't phase my baby-darling.
Now, don't get me wrong, she has her days but by and large, she's a lambchop. I was sitting on the fence thinking that some day she's going to be so lame from all the injuries she suffered before I bought her, that I have to make sure she is comfortable for the rest of her life. I feed MSM to try to help her get along but the day will come when I have to think what's best for her and let her go. I don't know how I will do it, don't even want to think of it but must plan for it.
The point of this post is, there are horses that by sheer training ignorance (like my mare) they are unintentionally abused and then get viscious and hostile and people just unload them, even though they made the problem. Thankfully I got hold of her, then couldn't sell her in good conscience and we worked through her problems and brought her around to see that I'm the good gal and to trust me.
It takes time and lots of work and heap big plenty of patience and oodles of experience to bring them back from the brink. I'm so proud of her and unless I'm offered a million dollars, she'll never be for sale! Just think how many horses have been ruined and never got the chance to show who they really are. Just think of it!! Way too many.
But in her case, she had the chance, has good blood and someone, sometime in her past did do a really decent job in training her. I just had to dig down and bring it out, so well she had hidden it.
So, if you are having trouble with your horse that you KNOW is good down deep inside, please keep trying and showing the horse how much you need them to be good to you AND to themselves, they will come out of it.
It's soooo worth it!! Now, go ride! :-)
Friday, July 3, 2009
Wet Saddle Blankets Make Better Horses, Riders
*First off, it's bloomin' hot here so I'm in the house trying to cool off!*
Boy, if nothing else, the title will get some people going. I've met so many people in the last few years who really think/believe that it's only training sessions that will 'fix' a horse.
Not so, and I'll tell you why.
When you get out on the trail or even the arena, your horse is working off energy (hopefully you aren't intimidated enough to keep him from working off energy). He goes forward, using his engine (his buns) to propel him and you. After a while, you should see a little bit of sweat in the triangle of his neck (the part of his neck in front of his shoulder where it dips inward a little bit, sort of looks triangular) and then he's close to starting to listen to you.
Even if you aren't a good rider and do things 'wrong', the longer you stay in the saddle, even going down the road, eventually you ARE going to HAVE to straighten up your back and get your legs into the correct position. If you go up and down hills, you'll figger out ON YOUR OWN that going downhill is better if you sit back but not so hard as to feel like you're pushing his middle down. If you go uphill, you'll soon realize (your horse may even tell you forcefully) that sitting forward and grabbing a bit of mane is the way to go, not just sit there like a lump on a log in the saddle.
It's better if you do have an instructor to show you the way but if you don't, if you have any sense of horsesense, then you should be able to follow and figger it out that some things don't work. Books that show the correct way are better than nothing and you can figger out the correct way.
So, by extension, if you start doing better in the saddle, your horse is happier too. If he's not and would rather be back at the barn, he'll get over it, you're the pilot. But if he's barn sour and insists forcefully on turning back to the barn, you'll have to become a rider (not a passenger) and show him the error of his ways. If he's a jigger, you'll have to figger out how to sit in the saddle and use your center of gravity and a little bit of rein (soft hands) to show him that walk is what you want. It won't come easy but you'll learn it can be done without an expensive trainer.
Even a horse that wants to pitch and have a hissy fit can be ridden and shown that he can have all the fits in the world, might as well get down to work and to knock off the shenanigans.
My old fashioned ways aren't popular right now but miles and wet saddle blankets are the way to go for fixing most major problems. Now, you might ask, are there any horse problems that CAN'T be fixed by doing so? Yep, there are in my book. Rearing is one that I do not deal with. A horse that rears to evade is gone from my barn on the next hot horse trailer out of my property. I'm talking about the real rear that Roy Rogers used to do only the horse means it to scare you...which it does me. I'm not real fond of runaway horses either. I now have plenty of fields that if a horse wants to runaway, he's going to run till he can't stand BUT I'm not strong enough, nor brave enough anymore to deal with this. He'd be gone too. (As an aside, I once had a mare who would take off without notice and she ran for a good mile before slowing, when she started to slow, I made her go and go and go till she couldn't go anymore. She never ran away again however, I was 35 years younger and had lots of cotton fields to do so.)
So for the basic horse and rider combos, just getting out and riding the trails over anything you can find, is the way to really learn to ride and be a part of the horse...and the horse is part of you. You have to come together in situations like this. No two ways around it.
Now, get out and ride!!
Boy, if nothing else, the title will get some people going. I've met so many people in the last few years who really think/believe that it's only training sessions that will 'fix' a horse.
Not so, and I'll tell you why.
When you get out on the trail or even the arena, your horse is working off energy (hopefully you aren't intimidated enough to keep him from working off energy). He goes forward, using his engine (his buns) to propel him and you. After a while, you should see a little bit of sweat in the triangle of his neck (the part of his neck in front of his shoulder where it dips inward a little bit, sort of looks triangular) and then he's close to starting to listen to you.
Even if you aren't a good rider and do things 'wrong', the longer you stay in the saddle, even going down the road, eventually you ARE going to HAVE to straighten up your back and get your legs into the correct position. If you go up and down hills, you'll figger out ON YOUR OWN that going downhill is better if you sit back but not so hard as to feel like you're pushing his middle down. If you go uphill, you'll soon realize (your horse may even tell you forcefully) that sitting forward and grabbing a bit of mane is the way to go, not just sit there like a lump on a log in the saddle.
It's better if you do have an instructor to show you the way but if you don't, if you have any sense of horsesense, then you should be able to follow and figger it out that some things don't work. Books that show the correct way are better than nothing and you can figger out the correct way.
So, by extension, if you start doing better in the saddle, your horse is happier too. If he's not and would rather be back at the barn, he'll get over it, you're the pilot. But if he's barn sour and insists forcefully on turning back to the barn, you'll have to become a rider (not a passenger) and show him the error of his ways. If he's a jigger, you'll have to figger out how to sit in the saddle and use your center of gravity and a little bit of rein (soft hands) to show him that walk is what you want. It won't come easy but you'll learn it can be done without an expensive trainer.
Even a horse that wants to pitch and have a hissy fit can be ridden and shown that he can have all the fits in the world, might as well get down to work and to knock off the shenanigans.
My old fashioned ways aren't popular right now but miles and wet saddle blankets are the way to go for fixing most major problems. Now, you might ask, are there any horse problems that CAN'T be fixed by doing so? Yep, there are in my book. Rearing is one that I do not deal with. A horse that rears to evade is gone from my barn on the next hot horse trailer out of my property. I'm talking about the real rear that Roy Rogers used to do only the horse means it to scare you...which it does me. I'm not real fond of runaway horses either. I now have plenty of fields that if a horse wants to runaway, he's going to run till he can't stand BUT I'm not strong enough, nor brave enough anymore to deal with this. He'd be gone too. (As an aside, I once had a mare who would take off without notice and she ran for a good mile before slowing, when she started to slow, I made her go and go and go till she couldn't go anymore. She never ran away again however, I was 35 years younger and had lots of cotton fields to do so.)
So for the basic horse and rider combos, just getting out and riding the trails over anything you can find, is the way to really learn to ride and be a part of the horse...and the horse is part of you. You have to come together in situations like this. No two ways around it.
Now, get out and ride!!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Promise, I Will Post Something Soon
I've been riding my socks off (my mare's sorta stockings on her back legs are now almost down to socks!) and have plenty to say but life gets in the way.
Please look for posts later today, as again, I have a lot to post about!! :-)
Please look for posts later today, as again, I have a lot to post about!! :-)
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