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Horse talk for mature people over 40

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#1 ·
I thought I would start a new thread for people over 40
who love horses.
This thread is open to owners leasers an people who
love horses

I will start I am 48 years old and I never yet owned a horse
mainly because of finances.
I have been around horses most of my life. I have ridden
all kinds of horses first ponies then horses
I have ridden Arab, Quarter Horses, Morgans, Appendix Quarter horses.
Thoroughbreds, Appaloosas, American Saddlebreds and Paints and lots of mixed breeds too and all sizes 14hh-17hh
I have ridden both English and western
here is are pictures of me riding my friends Pinto 14hh
and my friends Half Arab

My husband knows how much I would love my own horse so in the spring we are looking in to leasing a horse
 

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#19,281 ·
Ok...what's a turtle cookie?

I'm basically cooking mystified & challenged.
Come on TJ even I know what a turtle cookie is. That's one of the ninja they did not show on the show often, because he was a little crisp and tended to cause the others to crack up. :-p

I have just hung the washing out because I thought I would take advantage of the sun. Its started to rain again and its cold. I think I should move to the States.
 
#19,287 ·
Good a.m. all:)

Hope yall are well. Much seems to be going on. Today will be a great day to cut the grass. I don't mind that too much because I have a riding lawn mower and I can remember when there were only push mowers.

I tried to send the buff orpington (little golden girls) pictures to my email. Everytime I tried, I hit a brick wall. This cell phone takes much better pictures than my other one. Any suggestions?

Stan Don't knock the gait until you have tried it. It's the same principle as trying a tucker saddle. I may get a paso fino. I like a smooth ride and being close to the ground. Perruvian pasos are nice as well.

Really enjoyed the chicken pictures. Hopefully, I can exit from my sinile state and remember the steps to move pictures.

SueC I got the joke. If canola oil is from canola seeds, then is baby oil is from......... I thought it was a good play on words. Hope u r doing well.:D

I hated to hear about Ole Man Sam. I had a white horse when I was a kid that had the same or similar problem. SueC s suggestion may be an option we didn't have back then.

I really enjoyed Freida's picture journey with her mustang. She may be the next horse whisperer.:)

Got to go back and read some more so I can address everything.:)
 
#19,290 ·
Natalie

I have heard of the liberty methods of horse training before. I recently researched a Carolyn Resnick regarding her method of horse training. For some reason I connect the two methods. Is that correct or am I confused. Sometimes I feel that using dominance in the sense humans understand it may be confusing Red because of the different way a horse deals with dominance. We often try to impose our ways and understanding when it is not correct or natural. When I used the techniques of current clinicians, Red acts more afraid or confused of me than being of submissive to the dominant herd member. I am not sure that is helping his trust in me when using these techniques. He is a good natured horse and his faults are more my ignorance than anything he has done in his development.:? What do u think? I would appreciate feedback from all directions if anyone has an opinions on this.
 
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#19,293 · (Edited)
NS What a great story! You and your girl were just meant for each other.

I read the Augustus the Mustang blog. Very interesting! after I post this, I am going to look up horse games!

I have a volunteer flower at the back of my house. It's about 7 ft tall with yellow flowers. No, not a sunflower. They sure are pretty though. Does anyone know what they are?
[/ATTACH] Sorry it came out sideways! I added some chicken fun for the heck of it!!!
The 1st thing that comes to mind is lance-leafed coreopsis..(I don't google stuff-I like to challenge the brain 1st, then see if I'm wrong haha) Love those sweet chickens too! :)
** Just remembered there's also large-leafed coreopsis - that may be it. Larger leaves in southern areas, lance leaves in the north. Hope my memory's working correctly!
 
#19,294 ·
Natalie

I have heard of the liberty methods of horse training before. I recently researched a Carolyn Resnick regarding her method of horse training. For some reason I connect the two methods. Is that correct or am I confused. Sometimes I feel that using dominance in the sense humans understand it may be confusing Red because of the different way a horse deals with dominance. We often try to impose our ways and understanding when it is not correct or natural. When I used the techniques of current clinicians, Red acts more afraid or confused of me than being of submissive to the dominant herd member. I am not sure that is helping his trust in me when using these techniques. He is a good natured horse and his faults are more my ignorance than anything he has done in his development.:? What do u think? I would appreciate feedback from all directions if anyone has an opinions on this.
The only thing I can come up with is that Red is very sensitive, and subtle cues when working with him would work best. Star and Sugar are both alphas, and I have to (sometimes) be more dominant if need be - Laney, however, is the most sensitive horse I've ever seen. Just a tiny gesture and she'll do your bidding. She was the 5th in the social ladder in her herd of 5 - Sugar, her 1/2 sister was #1. Just be subtle and see what happens :)
 
#19,295 ·
Ok...what's a turtle cookie?

Speaking of turtles, another snapping turtle wandered onto work property from the canal today. The residents around wanted to pick it up & "take it somewhere". I said, no, it'll bite, hard. I called Animal Control. Didn't look palatable for a cookie recipe.

A resident today gave me 2 small cans of pumpkin today, as a "tip" for resetting her breakers. Sweet, tiny, ancient little woman; said "They're still in date, but won't be in time for pies this fall, you take them & make something good". Ok...uuumm...you cooks out there, will that make a cookie of some kind? Or something...I'm basically cooking mystified & challenged.
Kudos, Tj!! Just dare anyone to 'take it somewhere'! Geesh, where would they put it? It's already in it's perfect habitat with the canal right there, for Pete's sake! It's not like it's a 12' alligator or something...Two thumbs up for quick thinking! :)
 
#19,296 · (Edited)
Gosh, so sorry guys as to the 'turtle cookie' confusion- I wasn't trying to be clever or cheeky, I just assumed you'd know about them! When I'm in town to grocery shop, I always think ahead and like to keep things on hand that can be made up quick as a treat for farrier/hay farmer/someone who needs a 'lift', etc.... In the dairy aisle one can buy ready made cookie dough to be popped in the oven in a pinch when need be - turtle cookies consist of toll house morsels, caramel, and pecans. There's no such thing around here as, "I'll just pop to the store up the road and pick something up" haha The creed is, as Koolio knows, "Stock the pantry, Stock the wood, Stock the hay" also, "Stock the goodies for the farrier/farmer/DH" :)

Eole : Thank you for your compliment on Star - (the story is probably more monumental to me as all horse owners out there have that bond that's so hard to describe properly)... I think many others have had horses for waaaay longer than I, but the love is still the same :) Star is 23, to answer your question! She's had such an interesting life, and I thrilled to find out so many neat things about her by making that call :)

Corgi : Had you ever heard of the wild ponies on Chincoteague Island there in VA? They swim a channel every year... the story in Country Magazine was fascinating... I'd never heard of them!
 
#19,297 ·
Natalie

I have heard of the liberty methods of horse training before. I recently researched a Carolyn Resnick regarding her method of horse training. For some reason I connect the two methods. Is that correct or am I confused. Sometimes I feel that using dominance in the sense humans understand it may be confusing Red because of the different way a horse deals with dominance. We often try to impose our ways and understanding when it is not correct or natural. When I used the techniques of current clinicians, Red acts more afraid or confused of me than being of submissive to the dominant herd member. I am not sure that is helping his trust in me when using these techniques. He is a good natured horse and his faults are more my ignorance than anything he has done in his development.:? What do u think? I would appreciate feedback from all directions if anyone has an opinions on this.
Yes, I personally don't take to all that dominance stuff either with horses or dogs, I think it's misguided (like you say, human and horse dominance differ, and actually, dog research shows that domestic dog dominance hierarchies are NOT like those of wolves, dogs given a choice follow the FRIENDLIEST leader whether human or dog, not the alpha), and I think we get far better results just with warm, gentle, persistent training (such as Frieda also uses with her mustang, although she uses more food rewards than I do, but it's working fine for them and the horse is NOT mugging her as some insist will happen, it's very gentle to her as well). Anyone who says bonding with your horse is unimportant, or that horses don't respond to praise or voice, or that they aren't allowed to approach you unless you invite them, I totally disagree with. I'm going to plug for Tom Roberts again, who re-trained many problem horses with a brain to identify and solve underlying problems, and gentle persistence - if you can get hold even of his "Horse Control-the Young Horse" it's pretty much the most useful and CONCISE training manual I've ever seen, and there are lots of photos and case studies in this really readable text.

Our family has retrained many animals who went through conventional trainers with all their cookie-cutter, show'em who's boss methods, and we've not had any trouble getting gentle, friendly, happy, cooperative animals every time, from so-called incorrigible animals, including a horse who had been banned from the track.
 
#19,298 ·
I have camped at Assateague Island and Chincoteague Island.
Maryland & Virginia these wild ponies can be obnoxious.
They will run through camp sites open coolers etc...
I have not been there in years though.
They swim through the salt water like nobodies business.
Fire Department in Chincoteague holds an auction for these ponies.
Have seen people pay a lot for a rotten pony.
I think the FD keeps the proceeds.
15 years since I was there, I hope the area has not been developed.
It was kind of like a Mayberry in the older part of town.
 
#19,299 ·
The layout in Country Magazine is really positive about them, actually, and it appears there's been a tremendous (and healthy) management program, unlike the BLM... Apparantly, each year they swim across the channel and there are many, many trained people helping them to herd across (although they can obviously do it themselves, but aids in organization) then, it seems, the young of appropriate age are auctioned. The island, they say, can sustain a healthy herd of 100, so after foraging and resting, that herd swims back to the island. Even a photo of them back on the native land. This is the first time I've heard of them, and just can't believe it! 100's of ppl gather and sit quietly for hrs waiting for it to occur. I'd be one ticked off Naturalist if I detected any foul play with this, but it's the real deal of humans just helping them along gently this time :)
 
#19,300 · (Edited)
Since we are telling stories...

Here is Sam's story...
I first purchased Sam in 1994, about 3 days before I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. We bought him for my husband and at the time he was a big, unruly 4 year old who may have been proud cut. With perseverance and patience, we finally got Sam to where he would be respect his rider and listen to us. DH didn't ride much, so I began riding him and started doing some light jumping and dressage on him. He quickly became part of the family.
About 3 years later we purchased our first home on an acreage and moved Sam there. Shortly after, we got a second horse and learned how jealous Sam could be. He would play this silly "I don't want to be caught game", or at least until I caught the other horse and took her out. Once Sam realized he might be left home, he pretty much caught himself.
Life on the acreage was wonderful and Sam proved himself to be an awesome horse. He saved me more then once when riding near an alfalfa field and I had a major asthma attack. He knew I was in trouble and when I let go of the reins, he ever so carefully took me directly home, right to the front door. A few years later, DH got transferred to Saskatchewan and we were on the move again. I sold the other horse, but took Sam along.
In Saskatchewan, I found a lovely boarding stable for Sam that had indoor board. After about 4 times of getting out of his stall, the BO agreed he would be much happier outside. The winter we were there was brutal cold with giant snowdrifts. One day the snow drifted over the stock gate in SAMs pen, so he just walked over it and walked out (all 1400 lbs of him). He never went far, luckily.
After a year in Saskatchewan we moved back to Alberta. I couldn't take Sam immediately, so my BIL agreed to take him in at the farm. He stayed there for almost a year. Friends of ours agreed to keep him at their place if their daughter could ride him for pony club. They had wanted to purchase him for years. I agreed and in exchange my DD rode a pony they had. Sam was too big. So, arrangements made, DH borrowed a trailer and drove out to Saskatchewan to get him. I was so excited to see him. When he arrived, he was skin and bones. My heart broke:cry:. He had been left out in the prairie pasture for a year to fend for himself. He was not accustomed to prairie grasses or the lack of moisture and didn't know how to properly forage. I thought he was being fed and cared for in my BIL's yard. Apparently not.
We brought him back to health and he proved to be an excellent pony club mount for our friends daughter. We discovered he LOVED to jump cross country! After a year or our friends begging me to sell him, I reluctantly agreed. I knew he had a good home and I had no time to ride myself and he was far to big for DD. So, with a heavy heart I sold him. A few years later, I begin riding again. My daughter got her mare Sally, and I found Koolio. We heard through the grapevine that our friends had sold Sam again to a young pony club girl in the south end of the province. Once again...:cry:
Fast forward to 2010. We finally found another acreage, literally within 1 km of where we used to live. We set it up for horses and moved Sally and Koolio home in October. It was another rough year at work teaching in a junior high (like this one) and one evening I was casually searching Kijiji (our version of Craigslist) for horses. I just happened that night to search the entire province instead of our local area, not really looking for anything in particular and who do I see come up on the front page. I didn't have to read the ad, because I knew from the picture it was Sam. I found him!!! It took DH and I all of 30 seconds to decide that we would buy Sam back at any cost and bring him home. So I responded to the ad. No answer for 4 very long days. The family that had him were on vacation. When I finally reached them, the first thing I asked is how was my old friend. The woman said he was sad and lonely as they didn't have other horses and because he is so big and strong, she and her daughter were afraid of him. :cry: I think she was overjoyed to learn I had previously owned him and wanted him back as she told me if she couldn't find a buyer the the would go to auction. (A 21 year old unruly, big horse doesn't have a great chance of survival at an auction). Needless to say, I drove half way across the province to meet the family and bring my dear old friend home.
People always ask if he remembered me. When w met the family, he was being a total jerk. He barely got in the trailer for them and was hesitant to get in mine, baby he was also scared and as inexperienced people do, they got very physical with him to get him in. Once we got home and unloaded, I let m just chill in the pasture for a bit. At around 11pm, I went out in my pyjamas out check on him. When I did, he lowered his head, pressed the front of his face into my chest, closed his eyes and sighed. It is as if he said "I am home and I'm glad to see you again".
Sam is now 24 and has been home for 3 years. It took me about a year to get him to accept the bridle over his left ear without a fuss. Someone has twisted his ear to get him to lower his head. He has a few more scars and some arthritis from a few years of hard living. Here, he is treated like royalty. He loves trail riding and is the perfect gentleman about everything, including getting in the trailer. I let him decide how fast or how far he wants to go. Every evening, he gives my his signature "hug" with his face pressed against my chest, eyes closed, for a few moments.
I regret some of the choices I made regarding Sam, but I cannot turn tack the clock. I can and will however, care for him myself in the very best way I can until his last breath, and hope to enjoy many more years with my dear old friend...
 
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