Re: Horses for Kids
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello Les and Margaret, Our thoughts are with you. Sounds like you have been a wonderful friend to your Appy throughout his life, what a beautiful story. We know this is a very hard time for you, but all will be well and you will always have your years of good memories to cherish. Lynda and Daniel Bailey's Norwegian Fjords & Shetlands White Cloud, MI 231-689-9902 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://hometown.aol.com/baileysfjords/
Horses for Kids
This message is from: "Les D" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For over twenty five years I have owned and ran a Commercial Carriage Company and for part of it a pony ride. So I have been asked if " I should get my child a horse/pony? " My answer has always been to first get your child lessons and then let the trainer advise you about the next step. Many people think that smaller ( pony ) is better but most ponies are stronger and smarter that their young rider. The rider needs the heads up ect. that the trainer will give. I once bought out a Carriage Company who's owner had went down and paid for each of them to have 30 minutes training to drive so they could start this Company. So it is not just kids that need help to understand our Fjords. On a sad note we need your prayer because our 30 year old Appy Gelding ( I was there when he was born ) is having so much trouble, is in a lot of pain and has stopped eating. So we have made the decision we have to put him down. This is so hard for me as he has been a best friend, love, kind, always there to greet you and would try to do any thing you needed him to do. It will be like putting down one of my children. God Help Me! :((( Les & Margaret H. Callahan,Ca
Re: Horses for kids
This message is from: Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --- Jean Gayle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: "Jean Gayle" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Hogfuel---hemlock---I have Hemlock trees and the > horses chew on the bark > etc. Don't you mean another tree or shrub? We also have hemlock trees/stumps/branches galore in the winter when the wind blows. All of our Fjords have "cut their teeth" chewing on hemlock in various forms and have had nary a problem. I think it is juniper which sometimes gets into the "hog fuel" and causes a problem. Is that right? Mary = Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com
Re: Horses for kids
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hogfuel---hemlock---I have Hemlock trees and the horses chew on the bark etc. Don't you mean another tree or shrub? Jean Jean Gayle Aberdeen, WA [Authoress of "The Colonel's Daughter" Occupied Germany 1946 TO 1949 ] http://www.techline.com/~jgayle Barnes & Noble Book Stores
Re: Horses for kids
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Brigid, I know I'm a week late checking messages and you have probably already heard from others but here's my 2 cents worth on Fjords with small children. How small, first of all?? Do they have any riding experience? I think it all depends on the Fjord you get, it's age, disposition, and training level. We bought a Fjord when he was 2 1/2. I definitely would not have put a small child on him at that point because he was only trained to drive and did not respect our space, especially at dinner time! Now, after almost 2 years of ground work with the lead, round penning, professional training to ride, etc., he is nearing where I would trust him with my 12-yr. old daughter who is a very accomplished rider for her age. The are a sweet breed, however, they also have strong necks and can be bullish if they are treated like a pet. Good luck in your search! Susan in Minnesota
Re Horses for kids
This message is from: Don & Jane Brackett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I do think the Fjords are too large and too strong for the younger ones and I may get shot down for that but so be it. My "Hohmer" horse is a I agree Ruthie, I love our Fjords and my kids (6 and 8) do ride them in a corral on a lead line occassionally, but they are too strong for them to handle alone. At the least, chins banged on the pommel etc when they reach for that tempting blade of grass. :) I'd love to have a Ranger for them someday. Jane, in rainy, cold Maine
Re: Horses for kids
This message is from: "Bushnell's" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 07:00 PM 10/1/99 +1200, you wrote: >This message is from: "Brigid Verry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > would like some help. .. my search for a breed of >horse/pony that is suitable for small kids >Are the Fjords too strong for small children? >Many thanks >Brigid Verry > # Hi Brigid, this is just my personal opinion but I thought I'd comment as when it comes to kids riding horses you can't be too cautious! We always start kiddies riding in a round corral, then a larger corral, etc. and I always encourage the use of helmets now (we didn't have them back when). We have a smaller pony name of Ranger we use; his ancestry is vague. He is worth his weight in gold as he's perfect for kids; we saw one granddaughter riding him with BOTH reins on the same side of the neck! and he performed per usual. I do think the Fjords are too large and too strong for the younger ones and I may get shot down for that but so be it. My "Hohmer" horse is a "luv" and I doubt that you could find a nicer Fjord anywhere (he's not for sale at any price) but I still think he's too large and too strong for a kiddie. Now I'm sure some could relate stories of OLD so-in-so who packs 5 kids at a time all day long but they're not real common. Just my opinion. Ruthie, NW MT
re: horses for kids
This message is from: "Bushnell's" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi! thinking about my earlier posting today.. why didn't I just say.. of course it depends on the individual horse and the individual child. the Fjord horse/pony is THE BEST of all breeds but I'm always concerned that our glowing promotion of that fact could mislead someone inexperienced into being injured. Ruthie, NW MT
Re: Horses for kids
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I wonder if the mares may be more responsible with children? altho I had a parade type anglo/arab whose eyes would get milky and head would dangle if a child was in the saddle. He was so patient with them. Jean Jean Gayle Aberdeen, WA [Authoress of "The Colonel's Daughter" Occupied Germany 1946 TO 1949 ] http://www.techline.com/~jgayle Barnes & Noble Book Stores
Re: Horses for kids
This message is from: "Carl and Sarah Nagel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >This message is from: mary marquis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Hi, I'm a current horse owner but do not know much >about the fjord horses and would like to know more. >Could you tell me where to find more info? >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Mary, Yes! the NFHR is a great site to start with and it includes links to many others: http://www.nfhr.com/ Happy Fjording! Sarah Nagel >= > >__ >Do You Yahoo!? >Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com >
Re: Horses for kids
This message is from: "Carl and Sarah Nagel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >In a message dated 10/1/99 7:29:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time, >[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > IMHO these guys are great with kids, but somehow got the >reputation for being infallable. They are a horse, and at times have the >same reactions as a horse. They do seem to need a rider that they can >trust...in that situation they are more confident and really develope that >"can do" fjord attitude. > >Kate > Kate -- this is a great point. They are still horses, yes. And any 1,000 pound animal is very capable of hurting any of us, especially our kids. It is important with any horse, Fjords included, that children be taught all safety and handling rules applicable to horses and large animals. And that they be properly supervised, wear helmets and be taught to respect the horse and what it is potentially capable of. To clarify, I also keep ours on a lunge line in an open area, or I lead the horse. My daughter (7) was able to ride our older mare in an enclosed area under our supervision and they did just fine. But as an example, I and my daughter have both been stepped on, accidently, when we weren't paying attention and it hurts!!! Overall, I still believe the Fjord temperment is a steadier one, and they are much less likely to spook or react badly in any given situation. I have ridden a Fjord mare that spooks at EVERYTHING ... but she is the exception. Sarah Nagel in Northern Idaho
Re: Horses for kids
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 10/1/99 7:29:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Are the Fjords too strong for small children? I use mine as a school horse and he can get quite strong at times. He forces them to be a thinking rider. If they try to be a passenger on him he will drag them back to the barn. My 5 yr old son can ride him in the indoor, but in the outdoor (unfenced) I keep him on a lunge line. He is very good with them, though not totally bombproof. He lost a kid yesterday spooking at a boogyman. IMHO these guys are great with kids, but somehow got the reputation for being infallable. They are a horse, and at times have the same reactions as a horse. They do seem to need a rider that they can trust...in that situation they are more confident and really develope that "can do" fjord attitude. Kate
Re: Horses for kids
This message is from: mary marquis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --- Carl and Sarah Nagel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: "Carl and Sarah Nagel" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >This message is from: "Brigid Verry" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > >Hi Everyone, > >I have just joined the mailing list and would like > some help. I > like what I have read about the breed in my search > for a breed of > >horse/pony that is suitable for small kids to gain > their confidence and > >then go on to have a lovely riding pony to do > things on. > >Are the Fjords too strong for small children? > > I > Dear Brigid, > > Our family very much depends on our Fjords for > teaching our kids about > horses. This was one of the reasons we selected > Fjords as a breed. We had > a 25 year old mare with perfect manners and who was > able to stand patiently > and move carefully and gently around the kids (5 and > 7). At the same time, > you must always approach teaching the kids the basic > safety and handling > rules that pertain to all horses. We now have a 16 > year old mare who is > patient and kind and actually loves all the > attention bestowed on her by my > youngsters, but I notice that she moves more quickly > and yet seems very > aware of the kids and is careful with them. Our > yearling is much more > energetic, and yet he also will slow down and put > his head down to be near > the kids ... the Fjords seem to really "like" > children as a rule. > > Also, with their mostly steadier and unflappable > (all tho not all of them) > personalities, I feel they are particularly suited > to being around kids. > My daughter had the opportunity to school on a Fjord > owned by the Anderson > family -- Budd, an 8 year old gelding who is over 15 > hands and big as a > tank. He was gentle, aware and very careful of my 7 > year old. There is no > cuter site than the site of a small child leading a > big old boy like that > around. He would actually lower his head and > shorten his stride so as not > to step on her, he was so good. Well, maybe the > site of her cleaning out > one of his big feet...that was pretty darn cute > also. Well, maybe the site > of her cantering bareback on him on the lunge line > with Laree teaching her > ... ah, Fjords and kids! > > All in all, Fjords are great family horses, offering > something for each of > us. Even tho, they have great strength, they are > easily trained and very > willing to do what we need them to do. > > IMO, they are also SMARTER than "other" horses!!! > This makes them special > as well. I'll stop now ... cuz I could go on and on > and on ... > > Sarah Nagel in Northern Idaho loving her fuzzie > Fjords > > Hi, I'm a current horse owner but do not know much about the fjord horses and would like to know more. Could you tell me where to find more info? [EMAIL PROTECTED] = __ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com
Re: Horses for kids
This message is from: "Carl and Sarah Nagel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >This message is from: "Brigid Verry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Hi Everyone, >I have just joined the mailing list and would like some help. I like what I have read about the breed in my search for a breed of >horse/pony that is suitable for small kids to gain their confidence and >then go on to have a lovely riding pony to do things on. >Are the Fjords too strong for small children? I Dear Brigid, Our family very much depends on our Fjords for teaching our kids about horses. This was one of the reasons we selected Fjords as a breed. We had a 25 year old mare with perfect manners and who was able to stand patiently and move carefully and gently around the kids (5 and 7). At the same time, you must always approach teaching the kids the basic safety and handling rules that pertain to all horses. We now have a 16 year old mare who is patient and kind and actually loves all the attention bestowed on her by my youngsters, but I notice that she moves more quickly and yet seems very aware of the kids and is careful with them. Our yearling is much more energetic, and yet he also will slow down and put his head down to be near the kids ... the Fjords seem to really "like" children as a rule. Also, with their mostly steadier and unflappable (all tho not all of them) personalities, I feel they are particularly suited to being around kids. My daughter had the opportunity to school on a Fjord owned by the Anderson family -- Budd, an 8 year old gelding who is over 15 hands and big as a tank. He was gentle, aware and very careful of my 7 year old. There is no cuter site than the site of a small child leading a big old boy like that around. He would actually lower his head and shorten his stride so as not to step on her, he was so good. Well, maybe the site of her cleaning out one of his big feet...that was pretty darn cute also. Well, maybe the site of her cantering bareback on him on the lunge line with Laree teaching her ... ah, Fjords and kids! All in all, Fjords are great family horses, offering something for each of us. Even tho, they have great strength, they are easily trained and very willing to do what we need them to do. IMO, they are also SMARTER than "other" horses!!! This makes them special as well. I'll stop now ... cuz I could go on and on and on ... Sarah Nagel in Northern Idaho loving her fuzzie Fjords
Horses for kids
This message is from: "Brigid Verry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Everyone, I have just joined the mailing list and would like some help. I live in New Zealand, where there are 4 Fjord horses, 2 mare & 2 fillies. But I like what I have read about the breed in my search for a breed of horse/pony that is suitable for small kids to gain their confidence and then go on to have a lovely riding pony to do things on. Are the Fjords too strong for small children? Many thanks Brigid Verry
