well JLS and MR.E here it is....a thread all about horse talk...lol <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

i figure i'll start.....i own a maybe three yr old, quarter horse/morgan cross. he came from kentucky through an auction. i've named him ARGENTO. he is maybe 15 hands tall and 1060 lbs. i ride western, never learned english but always figured i would someday.lol i am training him right now and he is doing really good. i usually ride him 3-4 times a week for training. he is at a barn with about 22 other horses. so i have a large field of horses to choose from for riding. we help out there(ys and i) on the weekends. i am learning everyday new things.....just finished learning how to deal with rain rot! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

so, jls, ask away.....and mr e...please join in! and anyone else who wants to talk horsey's to pass the time and keep your mind off of other things for a few minutes....lets talk!

Hi Nikko -

Horses are a passion of mine. I took riding lessons(English, don't bash me!!) when I was little and got a horse when I was 13. A beautiful Quarter Horse. She was my best friend a lot of days!! You can tell a horse a lot of things & they will always be there for you!

When I left for college I had to leave my horse behind......I got busy with life, etc. Before DS was born, a co-worker of mine got me back into horses. He had 6 and was even going to GIVE me a Thoroughbred that he rescued from the tracks. This TB and I were perfect together......Well, about that time my "mom" clock kicked in and I decided to stop the horse thing for a while. Now it's turned into 6 years of no horses.

I think the co-worker wanted a bit more from me than I knew. He was much older and he and his wife didn't do the horse thing together. Come to find out about 6 months later his wife caught him in bed with another woman. YIKES.

Looking back I see where my R with him was totally inappropriate. We met for drinks after work & had recreational time together. I was not physically attracted to him AT ALL. Plus I was deeply in love with my H. Pretty scary about that whole thing though.

So, I've gotten off track here with the horse thing!!!

I intend to start taking lessons somewhere. It would be a great thing for me.

English is a lot of fun. Especially jumping!! It gives you quite a thrill. You should try it!!

I've never seen a Quarter Horse/Morgan cross. What color is he? I love the name too!!!

Kim

Not meaning to but in. I am glad you are looking at getting into your passion, watch out though. If your H is not joining you. My WS had a trainer offer to let my WS catch ride a horse and 3 months later they are in an affair.


Be careful

I am a fellow horse lover. I lived next door to a stables during my junior high years and could be found at the stables from sun up til sun down. I took english, jumping and western lessons. I would chase for the dude horses almost all days during the summer. Those were some of the best days of my life. I always promised myself a horse when I grew up and sadly I haven't fulfilled that dream. There was an ad in the newspaper the other day, asking for volunteers for the Sheriff Possee's Search and Rescue Team. Oh, how I would love to volunteer for that if I only had a horse.
BTW, My personalized car license is Gidiup.
Thats is about as close of contact with a horse for many, many years. Lol.

Waiting - Believe me I will be careful. That incident was more than 6 years ago & I am much wiser. I would just really love to ride again. Even if it is just once a month.

KDHB - Love your license plate!! I looked into volunteering for a program that incorporated phsyical therapy on horseback for disabled and people with special needs. You might check into that in your area. You would get to be around horses, wouldn't need one and would get to help others. Of course, you wouldn't be riding but who knows? One of the kickbacks from volunteering might be a bit of free riding now & again. The program that I checked into was moving to a different stable so I am searching for others in my area....

I used to spend all my days at the stable too. About a year ago my brother bought some property with a barn, etc. He got horses for his girls. I have had the chance to ride with them some - he lives two hours away though. Now that I am in Plan B though, I can go down there more often!!!

Kim

Hey nikk,

However did I miss this earlier? I thought you would post in IVille, but this is probably better. Most horsepeops are Idiots tho, present company not excluded!

Yeah, nikko, they (horsies) are my "thing", as my one girlfriend says. She is not a horsegirl, but she knows that we all have our "thing". I just got back from picking D15 up from the boarding barn that my D rides at sometimes (my friend owns it and is the trainer). We help out there too much. Usually in exchange for lessons, my D gets paid for some work (esp since she was helping pay off her horse's knee surgery). She, D15, helped "bring in and feed", it took her and another teen and that teen's dad about 1 1/2 hours to do this - there are close to 50 horses there right now, we've lost count-.

We have 3 TBs, one is mine, one is my Ds and 1 is going soon. We have 1 large pony (about 14 1/2 H) and a mini (he might go soon too). We just sold our old Belgian. After we "cleanse the herd", we hope to pick up a Qhorse that my H can ride (he probably won't tho) and that I can ride trails with. My TB (Beau, barn name "Bologna") is a great horse, pretty calm for a TB, just not that trailworthy and we need a really calm one for H and visitors! Our large pony (Chelsey, also known as Runaway Chelsey and Chelsey Marie - my lil pet name) is the best, he is about 20-21 yrs. tho and had a club foot from probable past founder when we got him. He is hard to keep sound. He foundered twice in the past 2 years also, once when we were on vacation, I was so upset when we came back. He is going good right now, my S8 is riding him some and really loving it. Chelsey does like to go and S is getting a good seat, even if he (S) doesn't listen or ride "correctly". Chelsey was probably an old dressage pony, he knows ALOT. He has done ponyclub with my daughter, he loves to jump, a little eventing (but he's getting too old) and barrels TOO. We got her, D, to ride western finally a few years ago and that pony helped her wipe up at the local show more than once. He won poles and got 2nd in barrels the first time out! He is such a joy, and I can trail on him, just hate to work him too hard and, like I said, he is hard to keep sound.

As you can see, I could go on and on, but will just add more later. That rainrot is nothing. We bought a pony a few years ago that came with it. My Beau gets "scratches" almost every year on his hind legs, sometimes prety bad. Povidone Iodine seems to knock those fungiis out the best. Plus scratches can be fungus and/or bacterial...We tried everything and some ointments work, but Povidone seems to work the most consistently, I use the solution mostly, you can leave that on. If you use the scrub, it has to be rinsed off.

I'll be back later for "HorseTalk"!

jls

I love horses too. I have all of my life. As a kid, every time I made a wish, it was for a horse. Finally, on my 12th birthday I got one, an Arab mare. From 12 to 20, I could be found at the barn. I didn't date, had no interest in anything except horses.

When I went away to college, I stopped riding, but we still kept my horse.

I always said I would have horses when I could, but it is too hard in Southern California. There are very few places to ride. I do work on a military base, and go riding there alot.

Hi Believer - You and I have a similar background with the horse thing.... Too bad you live so far away!! We could go riding together.

Kim

Kimberly - I learned how to ride Western first, and then took English (and jumping) lessons. I love both. Now I ride Western - that's all they have at the base.

Hey horsepoeple,

If anybody is near St louis, I got some that need riding!

Nikko, when everything calms down, come back and tell me what you do at the barn to help out. Do you clean stalls, give lessons...? Have you been riding long? How old is YS again? My S8 is just now getting into riding a but more!

hey b, I didn't know you liked horses, too. Of course, what's not to like? I even like the smell (mostly).

WELL NOT EXACTLY CALM BUT.....lol

i basically do everything and anything...clean, groom, saddle, feed, unsaddle...lol whatever needs to be done.lol the list is neverending! the "lessons" are just general hack type lessons. just the basics. i have been riding as long as ive been walking..lol. son started when he was 4. he is now 10. again he just does western general hack/trail riding. he is now wanting to learn more. but dang...that boy looks so good bareback....

thanks for keeping this going for me...its was nice to read!

HI EVERYONE ELSE!!!

Hi Nikko - Hope things are going better for you.

Back to horses - I sure would love to get one again. One funny thing is my younger sister who never wanted anything to do with them when we were growing up. Suddenly in the last few years she has been taking riding lessons and is now planning to buy a house on some acreage and get a horse. She lives in Washington, near a lot of riding trails.

Hey guys! I recognize a few of you! What a neat thread! can I join in?

I have a 19 year old grey Arabian gelding. We've owned him since he was about 10 and done everything with him -- Country English Pleasure, Barrels, Parades, Costume classes, Halter, Trails, you name it. Our favorite thing to do with his is go riding at the beach, way out in the water. He is a real trooper.

here are a few links to him if you're interested:

My Pony

My Pony Page II


slh

Interestign that so many here have horses or an interest in them. I have had a pony or horse since I was 4.

I showed in 4-h and I competed as a youth and amateur on the Quarter horse circuit in Oregon. I qualified to go to the American Quarter horse Youth World Show in 1993 but was unable to go to the huge expense.

I grew up with Welsh ponies. I have had my current quater horse since he was 2 and now he is almost 18. I have had him over half my life and longer than my WH.

My son has a pony, my mom has to quarter horses and my dad one. We are expecting a baby from my dad's mare.

All of our horses are at my parent's home. They live on 5 acre's and just built a 60 x 120 indoor arena and stalls.

Another equine lover here...

Still - Your photo's are great - just gotta love those Arabs..The refined head is breathtaking...and when that tail goes up - and they flaunting their "stuff" ..it's a luxury to see and enjoy.

My guy is 1/2 Arab he doesn't have a deep dish face but he has refinement and huge soft eyes..

I've loved horses all my life never had one until 5 years ago - and WH says that's why he cheats on me..I gave all my attn. to the horse..I believed that for awhile, then I wised up..Yes, he was jealous of the horse but that's not why he cheated..and it started way b-4 I got my horse.

Anyway - w/o my horse I never would have survived my WH A's..he gives me strength to fight this battle and survive..

I think God put horses into my life at my late age because he knew I needed something to get thru the pain. I also think us horse people stick together like glue..There isn't anything I wouldn't do for my horsey friends or their horses..We all have bond that a non-horsey person just doesn't "get"...

I ride english..and love it...

I sold my soul to God yesterday..long story short - my beloved horse was in distress - at the time I didn't know how bad he was injured..I begged, screamed, pleaded w/God not to take him from me..not now..I couldn't bear losing him..God heard me...right now I believe the injury is not longterm, so God answered my prayers. Now I have to hold up my side of the bargin and let go of the anger and hate I harbour for those who have hurt me w/no remorse.

God didn't answer my prayers to save my M- t Garth Brooks has a song that spells that out - thanking God for his unanswered prayers. Someday, I may be able to shout it from the rooftops...

Hugs..

Hi ITHurts,

Yeah, I get the jealous of horses thing. My H admitted that when I got into horses again, he was jealous. Jealous that I seemed to be happy, He was not but didn't say so. Not jealous of my time, jealous that I had something and he didn't.

I would have sold my soul too (if mine was worth that much). I have had a pony (my D15s before and now my S8s, and I ride too-he's 14.2H) that has foundered 2X...He had a clubby foot when we got him, always knew that he probably had foundered before. I have gome to extreme lengths to get this pony better. It has been worth it (to me), he is a great pony! I don't know if H thinks it has been worth it, altho I always ask him?!

SLH, I have seen your pics on other threads...you take great pics.

SLH, I have seen your pics on other threads...

:: ducking with embarassment ::

I know, I know, I post pics of my boy a lot. But gosh I love that horse! He is always game for anything and never quits. And like others have said, he's been a wonderful, gentle companion when things are rough at home and I need an escape.

Thanks for the compliments, JlSeagull and ITHURTS. Honestly, horses are really easy to capture on film -- their spirit and beauty shine through. I love to just watch him frolic and play in the pasture -- it makes my heart sing!

ITHURTS, you said your guy is half Arab -- what's the other half? There are a lot of 1/2 Arabs at the barn where we are at that look more Arab than my "pure" Arab is, LOL (he has virtually no dish and is wide as a percheron!). He is definitely the "older style" Arabian.

Now you are going to have to honor your "bargain", IH! How have you been doing with that? And is your boy okay today? What happened to him?

I'd love to see other folks horses if you have the pics!


slh

SLH,

I know how to post an url, but how do I post a pic from my desktop - or is that even possible?

im clueless too....don't know how to post pics...i have them on photobucket.com.

your arab is beautiful.....we have a mare just like him...princess.(we as in the barn, not me personally..lol)

i am so glad people are interested in this thread, and i apologize for starting it and going awol...lol. have some personal stuff with son going on...it is calming down now though...thank god.

Hi Nikko!!

Long time no "see"!

I haven't seen you too much until recently...and you're starting to show up here and there.

Hope you are well...good to see you!

hey chicca----ive akways been here----i reside in idiotville....drop in and say hi!!!

how are you and how are things?

I am doing O.K....it was a busy summer. "Things" are a lot the same for me. Thinking a lot about what to do and how to do it.

I loved the pictures of your daughter with your Arabian. The close up black and white picture of both of them was so touching.
What a fun post.
I miss horseback riding. It was the one thing I was truly good at.

Hello fellow horsey people,
I, too, am an equine nut. My H, my mom, and I co-own a boarding facility. We have: 3 arabs, 1 QH, 1 arab/QH, 2 pintos, and 1 perch/QH. They range from 3 yrs to 27 years. I board, train, compete (when I have time!!) in dressage, teach lessons, and new next month: run a 4-H club.
I'm a newbie to MB, and have found it to be a wonderful website. The support is amazing and I'm so excited to see a horsey thread. Getting support from people with a common interest!
Someitmes I feel a little silly coming to this site. Thankfully, my H has not had an A (I don't think), but I recently discovered several lies that have made me very insecure about our M. I have gotten some great advice and support here.

WELCOME NEEDTOTALK!!

Hi nikk.

Welcome also NTT!

I also have had to deal with lies from my H over and over, until we had a sep. over the summer because of a few big ones (big to me). That helped for a little while, but I am beginning to believe that H is basicly a dishonest person and/or we just have different value systems!

Do you "hang" at the EN forum? I go there occassionally.

This is a great place for support. And I guess a few here like our horsies. Mine are a great escape for me, but unfortunately more work than play sometimes!

Glad? you are here. Actually sorry,,

but if you have M probs, this is a great place.

jls

Still - He's registered at 1/2 Arab and also 1/2 Pinto (Tobiano)...

His Arab side (father) goes back to Bask and the Pinto (mamma) maybe Quarter horse and some Morgan lineage. He's striking to look at, his markings are not overdone. It's funny men who aren't even horsey always comment on his beauty. He has that pretty showy Arab trot and flipping tail..

I've been biting my tongue..everytime I get a thought of how I can retailiate against WH or the MOW - I remember that I begged God to spare him/me. That I'd be good, that I'd not cause others pain or stir the pot..Let all this crap go - forgive those that have hurt me..I haven't forgiven yet - but I haven't stirred the pot either. If WH ticks me off - I will just respond kindly. If they have to hurt me and break my heart over and over it's OK..I'll just suck up and remember my promise to God. Not think an eye for eye....but rather, turn the other cheek (so they can slap that one too LOL)

He's fine - You know how stupid they can be right?? He was being turned out and going up a slight grade - he bucked and lost his footing on the front end..Fell on his head which went under him and his neck twisted horribly - he probably was putting pressure on his windpipe since he wasn't breathing or getting up. He may have knocked himself out..Thru the fast reaction of the barn owner a kid nearby who grabbed his halter and got him to his feet..He was trembling and disoriented..The barn owners horse fell last year in a similar way and broke her neck - so seeing this really shook her up..they called the vet first then me..All I heard was pasture accident all I could think of was blood - fencing can be very unforgiving..When I got there and saw him standing though still wondering what happened to him..I knew God heard me...

I don't know how to put pics up either..

HUGS

oohh SH, That is scary. I lost a horse (my dream horse) to a pasture accident a few years ago. It was horrible. We can only guess that he broke his neck, he took his last breath as I was calling the vet. I stood and screamed, the neighbors aren't close thank goodness, and called my H. I was so distraught that he didn't know who I was! This all happened very fast. I saw him playing only 10 min before I found him laying there.
I would have made that deal too, if I would have had the time...I'm glad your guy is ok!

jls

Boy, that does sound scary Ithurts, I'm very glad he's ok. I can symapthize. I had to put down my first horse about 5 years ago due to severe athritis. Then a couple years later my second horse foundered, jls- I have some suggestions, and then a year later, broke his front leg above the knee where they cannot cast. He spent 3 months in his stall, wrapped from hoof to elbow. He's an arab. Can you imagine an arab in his stall for 3 months!!! Amazingly, he is still with us. He's not completely sound, but for the most part, he's happy. I had to put down my best lesson horse, and she was also the first horse I rode in lessons, last Dec due to complications from Cushings. I have five horses all 20 years and older. I know the next 5-10 years are going to be heartbreaking!

jls- My H also thinks the lies were little white ones, but they were big black ones to me. Sounds like we have alot in common.
My founder suggestions: glue strong earth magnets to his coronet band, suppliment- "Laminex", I get it from Valley Vet, shoes? sometimes they help.

My vet did recommend magnets, but a specific kind..can't remember. That pony is probably pre-Cushings, I have him on Evitex (also at vets rec., vet actually said don't test just do that) - That seems to help alot. I had shoer put shoes with filler in, pony was in a lot of pain at that point and it really helped. Think I jumped the gun on that one, should have just got shoes. Pony has always been uncomfy w/o shoes. He is barefoot now, but long, shoer wouldn't take off sole and It's fine. No "recent" founder. Does that Laminex help, even after founder part is over? And it is expensive, I saw it in VV. I think that's the one where they didn't list the ingredients either and I was a little skeptical of trying something for that amount of money.. What do you think of magnesium supps for "cushings" ? All in all, pony is doing quite well, can ride him w/o shoes right now and he runs in pasture. Working on getting weight just right. Feed him ~ 1/3 scoop oats (need to find good calcium supp) with a very little Equine Senior- supplemented w/ Evitex, MSM and BOSS-, soak his hay ( I think that really helps with bad sugars and I have too good of alfalfa esp fpr him) and some no-molasses beet pulp ( I was surprised that he gobbles that right up). Any more thoughts? What do you think NTT, I have researched it all pretty much. Tried the barefoot thing for a year, but pony was still sore, he has a club foot from before...think that it is too late for barefoot to really help. Other than a few months in winter.

See, I love this place. Horsetalk and marriage help!! Can't beat that with a stick.

jls

Just bumping this for no reason <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

thanks TT--- <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> glad we are making you smile!

Hi tt and nikko, My turn to bump...

i figured out something...wanna see???? well AW showed me...lol

argento


this is my guy!!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi all,

my husband and I met when we were riding.........it's been a part of our life throughtout the 30 years we have been together. We had race horses for many years and then we got into quarter horses and into "cutting".
Our business involves horses also..........so it's our living.
We shared this for many years and then in order for my husband to be able to get a professionally trained quarter, I sold "my" horse.............

I loved to see how enthusiatic my husband became and I encouraged him the whole time. He was never into quarters and therefore I was real prowd of "me" that when he got involved he loved just as much as I do.

Well..............to make the story short............my husband was out doing his thing and this is when the xOW came around.

It was as if "our" story happened to my husband and xOW again. They met "riding"..............only xOW had this set up and it was not out of the blue...........they met at a competition the day I couldn't go with my husband...........

well............I won't get into this because you all probably know how it ended. (an affair occured:-()

I tried my very best theroughout our years of recovery to get back into horses............it became a terrible trigger for me to participate and sadely I couldn't do it anymore.

I never ever pressured my husband but he did decide to sell all horses and instead he got us a beautiful "Mustang" on 4 wheels!!!!!!!!!

So now horses are still a part of our life when it come to business but no longer a hobby. We've found a new one!!!!

But deep down I will always be attached and boy do I understand you all.............maybe I'll be able to overcome this "trigger" someday..............but I'm not suffering without it.

take care
bb

hey blondie---i knew you'd find this thread...lol

it took me three years to overcome the triggers and pain associated with it. i know how you feel...

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm heading towards our 5th year D-d...............and I still can't see myself into horses anymore.

I was never aware of how much time horses really did involve and therefore it was hard to do spontanious things with friends and whatever else...........

So far we are NOT suffering......we're actually having a great time doing other things!!!

bb

hey----i cant let this get to page 3....lol

went for a wonderfull ride today! sun shinning, great weather.....and a horse who really wanted to co-operate! doesn't get any better!!! lol

argento did really good today....didnt want to hold his trot, but tried. he is learning.lol

i have to ask....im not sure if i should shoe him for winter or not? we do 45 min. rides about 3-4 times a week. nothing major....just walk and trot....keep getting conflicting advice....if you think i should....tell me why...if not, then why also....

nikko,

if you ride that much then it would be a good idea to get your horse shoed to prevent that the hoof gets worn down. (sorry for my bad english). But this also depends on the ground conditions.

If it snows where you live then it's even better to have your horse shoed then you can use a product that prevents snow to clot under the hoof.
We have a product here that is called: Huflederkitt ZR
http://www.schlurgi.ch/huflederkitt.html (just take a look and you might get the idea)
It's a product that you heat up shortly and then you mold it under the hoof. You have to do this everytime you ride and it's reusuable. It's great because the snow doesn't build up under the hoof.

There are also special horseshoe nails that are like spikes and that will give your horse a better grip in the winter time.

The more you ride, the more you have to think about shoeing your horse to prevent the hoof from getting worn down.
Because once the hoof is worn down, the more problems you and your horse will have.

bb

thanks blondie---that is what my farrier said and i was leaning with his advice. both suggestions! my horses front feet grow so fast wearing them down sounds like a good idea though! lol(just kidding) it sometimes gets sooo confusing with everyone having an opinion!

wanna laugh...as far as i know this is my guys first real winter....his coat is like a teddy bear right now....and i noticed yesterday he was growing really long hair on his legs!!! lol he looks so cute!

:-)

The hoof-growth usually slows down during the winter time.............
If his front hoofs grow fast, you have to make sure that they are shortened correctly to prevent an incorrect growth.

So trust your farrier ...............

bb

Hi BB, Hi nikko,

Have to disagree with this one, BB. Nikko, you should leave shoes off for a time when you are riding the least. And I have heard that barefoot is better tread, don't know if that is true, tho. My shoer recommends no shoes whenever possible. Is it rocky where you ride? Can you use boots for awhile, for only when you are riding? Expensive, but worth it.

And BTW, the horses feet grow MORE, when you ride more. That is because circulation is increased. They may wear more also, depending on the footing of where you ride. Some horses are tender when barefoot, some are only tender on gravel, or not at all. The more your horse's feet hurt, when you take off the shoes, the more he needs them off. No matter what ANYONE says, shoes do decrease circulation and cause contracted heels over a period of time! That is why you should always let your horse go bare, whenever possible.

I have a TB, who came off the track years ago. Was always shod (prob all the way round), and came to me with shoes just pulled and VERY sore. After a few weeks, he was fine. I left him barefoot for almost the full three years that he was first here. (I didn't ride him much, had another TB and then when that one died I stopped riding for a year.) This TB has the BEST feet right now, shoers cannot believe it, he has testbook perfect feet. A little tender on gravel, I only put shoes on when we are showing alot or eventing.

Not every horse is good barefoot, I have another TB that is prone to abscesses when bare. He has shoes on right now, only way he will stay sound ....He's for sale..Anyone??

nikko, I suggest that you take the time to research this on the web and draw your own conclusions. I can send you some links later, I researched ALOT when our pony foundered. I learned an awful lot about horse's feet. But nobody, NOBODY, should be telling you to keep your horse shod year round!!!! We have alot of horses at our barn that have foot probs from bad shoeing and/or never having shoes off. Our shoer is working with these right now, and w/o saying they had a previous bad shoer, he will say that they were OVERshod.

Look up things and ask questions, esp of shoer. I'm telling you nikk, you will get a lot of conflicting info, but take the time to sort it out. And look at the barefoot web pages. This is a big trendy thing right now. Can't say that I agree 100% with it, but they are right on about hoof mechanisms and comparison with wild horse feet. I don't think that they consider genetics, tho. We have been breeding domestic horses for so long, in regards to everything OTHER than their feet.

And read some shoeing forums and scientific type articles about hoof mechanism. Then meld all the info together and it will make sense that "barefoot is better", just not always do-able and not for EVERY horse.

jls

Oh, and I never have had shoes on back. Even when TB was leased and doing a lot of eventing, up past training level schooling.

My guy is barefoot and I love it that way...being 1/2 Arab he has a very strong feet and fairly large. During the summer when I ride more he does wear his toe area down - I just ask my farrier to keep an eye on his wear. So far in 5 years we haven't had to get shod..

For all you horsey MB - if you want to read more on training, vet, etc. check out Ultimatedressage.com
it's a great site that has tons of info and places you can post questions..

Hi StillHurts,

Can you comment on my post above about my cushings-type pony and his chronic laminitis (he is a lot better right now)!

And hey nikko,

I try to subscribe to one horsey magazine a year. I like "Practical Horseman" a lot (esp. for the riding articles), but "The Horse" has a lot of good health and info on caretaking/maintenaince articles. I am pretty sure that I have a couple of old issues with articles about hooves and shoeing! Also ask a vet, or look at vet forums.

i am more into the natural aspects of horses. farrier hasnt been pushing to shoe him...we were watching the "wear" on his feet since june. i trust this farrier so i am leaning towards listening to him. he will decide what he thinks on this next visit.....explained all the why's and such....and i do agree....we'll see. thanks for all the links and info....lots to still learn!

Me too nikk, about natural aspects, when possible that has got to be the way to go. So I am not sure that I understand, Argento hasn't had shoes on, but you are thinking about it for winter? I thought he already had shoes...

jlseagull



What are you disagreeing with????

Just curious what was wrong with what I said. We have been professionally involved with this stuff successfully for over 29 years.................and I'm always open to learn something new.

bb

Sorry BB,

Just disagreeing with "the more you ride,the more you have to think about getting horse shod". But I see now that you added that it also depends on footing (ie.rocky..don't recall exactly how you put it). I really thought that you were advocating shoeing no matter what, but think that I misread. I also thought that nikk had shoes on horse already... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> perhaps I need to "listen" better.

What kind of racing are you involved with? I worked with a TB trainer at the track for a few years. Really cheap track tho. ( I also know that around here racing TBs are kept in shoes pretty much all the time, I hate that).

I do though disagree that nikk should listen to her shoer w/o checking it out for herself. I have had some really bad farriers, and didn't know any better until I really had to know (horse foundered). And I am not a totally "green" owner. It's that the farrier sounds like he/she is making sense..if one really doesn't understand the mechanism. Of course, it is very complicated and farriers should understand it better than I do. I trust my farrier now, just not implicitly (sp?). I almost always ask questions, do my own research on things and then ask questions again. Same with anything that I do.

the shoes are more for the terrain. they have 150 acres at this barn and one he// of a hill to get up to the barn. we have had a few horses go flying down this hill when it gets icy and snowy. the shoes with the cleats for traction is the ones he is thinking about.

when he first came in he had shoes on his front feet only---they came off immediately...he has been barefoot since june. his feet get pretty chipped up from the hill and rocks.

talked to the farrier yesterday...he is comming out tomorrow. after he trimms him up his feet are good for about 7 weeks. then they start getting chipped up and needing some attention. the riding we do is in the ring and that is all grass. 2-3 times a week and only for about 45 min to an hour each session. the only real bad terrain is that dang hill. he goes up and down it at least 2 times a day and if we are riding at least 4 times. i just want to do what is right for him....and i do trust this farrier....he has been gentle and soft with argento....the first time he came out he explained everything he was doing and why..step by step to son and i. took his time and hasnt pushed shoeing him at all. mentioned it if needed.

i guess like any parent i am worried about doing the right thing....lol

well....he is still barefoot.....farrier never showed!!! froze my a$$ off for nothing!!

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
didn't he even call?????This seems to be a big problem with many farriers................

If his feet are badely chipped maybe you can try to file them yourself, just to avoid further damage. Make sure if you do this to have a "good" file and just file the uneven parts of the hoof to make it appear clean and even.

Just a tip: if you want the hoofs to have more moisture so that they don't chip that easily, water the hoofs and then oil them or use a hoof moisturing product. This will keep the moisture inside of the hoof. (not the other way around or else you will block out the moisture)
To avoid irritation on the bottom of the hoof (frog) we use hoof teer. It hardens the bottom part of the hoof, mostly if the horse is touchy without shoes.

I could go on and on..................nuff now! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

bb

hey bb,

What is hoof teer? I have used a brand name hoof hardener (soles..), Durasole, I think, from jeffers or stateline?! I have also heard of venice (of) turpentine for hardening soles/hooves.. My farrier recommends a mixture of pure gum spirit turpentine (real stuff), boiled linseed oil and pine tar.... sshh, don't tell everyone tho, the whole barn uses this and one lil college girl bottled and sold it at a few fairs. I have also used hoof moisterizers or soaked feet first. A nice long bath and standing in mud while taking bath works. Then I apply the hoof "stuff". I pretty much always have a rasp around, but I do the goat's hooves too.

nikko, I HATE when peple do that. I hope that he called by now with a very good reason. Good farriers are very hard to find around here, and I have been stood up too! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I have done emergency repair on hooves but don't trust myself to get right balance and take right amount of sole, frog or bars off...

I LOVE horseytalk...Nobody ever commented on my older cushingoid pony tho, and the diet I have him on?...

sorryy---clueless about cushings.lol
no i havent heard from him....i am not pleased. i think i am just gonna have him trimmed again and find a new farrier. i have someone who could do just a shaping. i do use the hoof ointment...its the rocks on the hill that get him! he climbs up them like he is a gazelle...or he thinks he is! his feet only chip after about 8 weeks from being trimmed. up until then he is fine. they get long and he chips 'em up!

thanks all for the info....so blondie...i never asked.....but what is it exactly you all do in the horsey world. if your not comfy saying...thats fine. i'm just nosey! LOL i for some odd reason always thought farrier...not sure why?lol

hoof teer is the black, gunky, stinkin stuff. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Sorry but I don't know the english word. It's also important that when you put any ointment on the horses hooves to leave out the upper part where the hair starts to grow. So you don't oil that part, only the hoof downwards...........

take care
bb

ok----i am trying to get some info. on our property i will have two horses....and we are trying to decide between either beef cattle or pigs. they will be raised to go to market...not pets! lol however i am kinda new to some of this...have been around cows so i have a base of info for that....but im leaning towards the pigs....dont have to give them my pasture area!!!(i dont share well..LOLOL)

anyone with experience or suggestions

They all smell really bad. I'll stick to motorcycles. They don't eat, bite, or crap. Most of all they don't have a mind of there own to turn on you. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

ya know...funniest thing i ever saw was apro-motocross guy....the ones who do the stunts and stuff....get on our pony party horse...gentle as a lamb...scream like a girl to get him off after only 15 min. guy told me i was nuts and was sticking to his cycle!!! (really, the horse didnt do anything...he was just scared!)

and by the way---if taken care of properly---there really isnt much of a smell. the few barns who do not do general daily care give us all a bad name!! lol

ok- unless you have "cutting" horses, I would lean towards cows...........
We used to have mini Zebus. I don't know the English name for this kind of cow, I just know that they are from India and they have big "bumps or lumps" on the back of their neck.

They were easy to care for and they ate the grass that the horses didn't so this was also good for the pasture.

How about "Pigs and cows"?????? *giggle*

bb

What's happened with your farrier????

finding a new farrier now...he never even called me back to explain. jerk!

thanks for the info---i think i know the cows you are reffering to. i just hate sharing pasture!!lollolol

more later---i need coffee....

ok...got my coffee...lol

in order to keep farm status on the land we have to make 500 dollars either agriculturally or with livestock. i am trying to figure ou the best way to go without taking away from the horses. either two cows or a couple pigs should do it. i just know with the cows their is fencing issues, i would have to give them about an acre for grazing and living, and a bigger shelter. with the pigs i dont need to give up nearly as much land, they dont need to graze and their shelter requirements are way less. as far as the care...both are pretty much the same.lol hubby is leaning towards farming christmas trees....he is such a city boy! lol