Germans...ach, so geht es!
This message is from: Ingrid Ivic [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hallo Kristine, It is nice to meet another fellow german. I was born in Gross Lafferde (in the West), close to Kreis Peine...not too far from Hannover. My parents just came back from a 7 week vacation there and brought back many videos of Lafferde, and the Hartz also. How my home town has changed since I was 12! People still use their horses to farm though. I was happy to see my former neighbours there still have their Haflingers and Fjords too. You mentioned different cultures - I have noted that people here in Germany - horseowners in particular - hardly ever admit that they have difficulties with their animals. Funny thing, but generally you are right, not too much is admitted as far as difficulties go. A sign of weakness, I suppose. My older fjords longe fine, but the young one still needs to learn some. I found longing her with the older mare helps...I'm talking free-longing...off the longe line, in a small pen or area sectioned off. They have fun this way, with the older one teaching the young one. She tells her when to move off a bit quicker, and also to slow down. Now the young one watches me more for cues, before her longe partner pushes her along. I think they can get bored quickly if worked too long on the longe line. Fjords seem to crave different things to think about all the time. Makes for an interesting, but willing partner. Variety is the spice of life! Machs gut und schuss! Ingrid :o)
Harold Jacobsen
This message is from: Cynthia_Madden/OAA/UNO/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Brian, What a wonderful tribute you wrote for your grandfather. I hope you will send it to the Fjord Herald. It is raining AGAIN here in Nebraska - just in time for the weekend AGAIN! Cynthia Madden, Coordinator Office of Sponsored Programs Research University of Nebraska at Omaha E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #148
This message is from: Arthur and Carol Rivoire [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Everybody from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia. I hope my comments on stallion judging are understood. I wasn't at the Oregon Evaluation. Knew nothing about it, and had no idea which stallions were presented. Nor did I know anything about the judge or judges. Not being able to participate in these Evaluations, frankly, I had little interest. Anyway, it sounds like this was more than bad manners, or high spirits. Probably the people who feel this horse shouldn't have been given the blue, have a point. Was the judge Bob van Bon from Holland? He is generally recognized as one of the top Fjord experts in the world. So the question is why did he place this stallion so high. Someone should ask him. I enjoyed very much Brian Jacobsen's story of Grabb's transformation after he was allowed a normal horse life. I decided sometime ago that if we have another stallion after Gjest retires, I will definitely have him living out with his mares. I'm convinced it's by far the best plan for keeping mares pregnant, and keeping the stallion happy and calm. I would have done it with Gjest, but was always too chicken. We got him when he was ten years old, and like Grabb, he'd always lived alone in a stall. Never was turned out. We turned him out immediately, but didn't dare put him with mares --- more out of fear that he would be kicked, then that he would damage the mares. Our young stallion, BDF Obelisk, has been living with gelding buddies since he was weaned, and he's a very happy, calm fellow. Also, very well developed from all the playing they do. Obey isn't nippy or a problem in any way. He's super quiet and manageable. One other thing I'd like to point out regarding my comments about Gjest. I'm 57 years old, and not the bravest horse person alive. I do handle Gjest for all our hand-breeding. I do drive him all the time. We've owned him for 11 years, and I've always taken care of him. He most definitely can be a handful, but in eleven years, I've never been threatened by him. I've never been nipped or bitten. He doesn't kick anybody. I've experienced lots of macho behavior from him, but NEVER any agressive, vicsious behavior. If I had, I'm sure he wouldn't still be with us. I agree totally with Vivian and Julie about gelding bad actors, and if they're really bad enough, and gelding doesn't do it, then they should be put down. Regards, Carol
Stallion behavior or lack thereof.
This message is from: Marge Littleboy [EMAIL PROTECTED] In getting caught up on the fjord list, I have been reading the notes about this stallion. I would like to make a comment, along the lines of Kathy's note. With our two mares I have a much better relationship with Brith than I do with Asta. Brith can read me like a book, and we get along great. Asta on the other hand can and has tried to walk all over me, but respects Bill completely. Where we board, Vic gets along with Asta terrifically, not a problem in the world, and Brith becomes the dominant mare to him. Our animals all evaluate us, as we do them. We get in the pecking order and it may not always be where we feel we belong. It sounds like the stallion needs to (re)learn who is the Alpha in that particular relationship, not just under saddle, but on the ground as well. Over the years I have seen many incidents where a horse will relate better to a man than a woman and others that get along better with a woman more than a man. I am sure many of you have had the same experience. Just as we need to respect them, they need to respect us, but at times you come up against a tough one, it is not worth getting hurt or someone else getting hurt. I wish this gal well on her endeavor with this stallion, and hope she is able to open that line of communication she needs with her boy. Marge Littleboy
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #148
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (James Rollins) I think it was very confusing to people, especially new fjord owners, to see a blue ribbon go to a horse who had behaved so badly. I do think it was a credit to the judges that they both expresed the fact that had there been a place on the eval to mark manners then the offending stallion would have received none. I also was at this eval and witnesed the stallion, entering alone, try to viciously bite and knock down the trainer. He, at that time, was definately in danger of hurting someone, either the handler or the two judges trying to help the handler get control. Previous to entering the ring he was behaving fine and was under control. He was asked by the judges to exit and return at a later time so that the eval could continue. We all felt very bad for the handler who was doing her best, was very upset and indeed embarassed by the whole scene. She did bring the horse back to the stall area, and did return at the end of the conformation portion to finish and did much better. People clapped when she exited for her being composed enough to try again. This handler went on to present this stallion under saddle very well with no problems. I really feel that this is a case of the handler/horse partnership not being a good 0ne. I would love to see him handled in hand by someone who had his number! These are good people in question , and I believe good animals who are loved. I do believe that manners are important and should have some part in the eval proces, I just think we need to look at the whole picture. I think there is merit in the nuture vs. heredity talk. Kathy
RE: Foundered Fjord
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] We cleaned the sole with betadine and Epson salts, making a paste and with dressing material packed the area, securing with duct tape. Try Sugardine! Sugar and betadine ointment mixed into a paste make a wonderful healing packing material. I saved an article in the Farriers Journal several years ago about Sugardine which I'll copy for the list when I find it again! This stuff works on all sorts of abcesses and wounds, etc. The sugar nourishes the tissue while it draws out inflamation and deters bacteria. Jean in dreary, rainy (again) Fairbanks, Alaska ** Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Foundered Fjord
This message is from: Marge Littleboy [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi everyone, I am sorry that I have not written sooner. I had a viral infection that affected my thyroid and pretty much had me out of commission from July 4th thru the beginning of this week - when I finally returned to work. Update on Asta: She had had a reset of the heartbar shoes the beginning of July, and was very sore the day after - when she had initially been fine. Bill and I got her through that, but noticed that she had bruising on the sole of both front feet at the toe. She was due for another reset on July 21st, but we held off, as she was just getting over being sore from the previous time. On July 24th I had my farrier out to reset Brith, and to also bring him up to speed on Asta. I had scheduled the vet to be at the barn to show Bernie the x-rays. Well, Asta could barely walk. It seems the sole had completely sloughed away where the bruising had been and the tissue between the coffin bone and sole was exposed, soft, and oozing. Our vet called a (?) Dr. Turner in Michigan, who had the first two sets of films - we had mailed them for another opinion - and he suggested we put her on 12 degree wedge pads. We cleaned the sole with betadine and Epson salts, making a paste and with dressing material packed the area, securing with duct tape. We then applied the wedges and secured with more duct tape. She had immediate relief. The decision we are working on now is whether or not we want to have the deep flexor tendon cut (tenotomy), which will release any pull on the coffin bone by the tendon. This past week Asta twice lost the wedges, and we have not been able to find the second one, so she has the dressing on the toe, no wedge and is comfortable. The toe seems to be granulating in, and she doesn't seem to mind the changes. We hope to continue to see improvement, and not have her go thru surgery. She is on 1.5 grams of bute each day. We have gotten around 250 pounds off of her, which I think has helped a lot. She was alone for the week of the Walnut Hill Driving Competition, and was running when we brought Brith home. Bill did very well with Brith - a 4th in reinsmanship, 5th in progressive obstacles, and a 6th out of 19 on the cross country. I placed on the presentation drive - they only pin 1st in each category and I got it for the village cart I had designed. I had a picnic basket, with wine, cheese, crackers and apples to present to the judge - she did not take any though. It was a nice presentation as the food was on a Walnut Hill pewter plate. We had the only Fjord at Walnut Hill this year, so Brith got lots of attention - which she absolutely loved. Well back to work for me. Thanks for the continued interest in Asta and we will keep you posted. Marge Littleboy -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, August 16, 1998 4:31 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject:Foundered Fjord This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Does anyone know what happened with Asta? She was in trouble early this summer with foundering problems. I hope everything is OK.
AOL subscriber
This message is from: Steve McIlree [EMAIL PROTECTED] Once again I have the problem of someone who wants to subscribe to the list from an AOL account who has filters blocking the receipt of any mail. When I faced this situation before folks on the list knew the person trying to subscribe and got her to open her filters. With luck, maybe someone will recognize this address. The person trying to subscribe is [EMAIL PROTECTED]. If anyone recognizes this address please tell them to turn off their filters and re-subscribe to the list. -- Steve McIlree Cynthia Madden -- Pferd, Keyah, Skipper, Tank -- Omaha, Nebraska, USA Then we began to ride. My soul smoothed itself out, a long-cramped scroll freshening and fluttering in the wind. --Robert Browning(1812-1889)
Re: Harold Jacobsen
This message is from: Mike May [EMAIL PROTECTED] At 11:03 PM 8/20/98 -0400, you wrote: This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (BRIAN C JACOBSEN) Thanks to everyone for the expressions of sympathy regarding my grandfather Harold. As a tribute to my grandfather, I'd like to tell you a liitle about him and the Fjord Horses that he loved so much. Brian that was just great. Would you please consider sending it or perhaps an expanded version of it to Sally Webber for the Herald. I think more people in the organization should have the opportunity to read this. If you would like to email it to her, her email address is in the front of every Herald. Or you can contact me for it. Mike == Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry Mike May, Registrar Webster, NY, USA (Suburb of Rochester) Voice 716-872-4114 FAX 716-787-0497 http://www.nfhr.com mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Stallion Temperament
This message is from: Mike May [EMAIL PROTECTED] At 10:41 PM 8/20/98 -0400, you wrote: This message is from: Niki May [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just a note about the American Evaluations for those who do not know- all conformation tests are judged individually with only one horse in the ring at a time, so the stallion problem is not related to other horses in the arena with him. The stallions (or mares, geldings) are not brought together until the end of the class when judging is basically over just for another quick look and to award the placings. Thanks Niki. This is also true for the performance tests. The Evaluation is NOT a horse show. Each horse is looked at and evaluated individually. == Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry Mike May, Registrar Webster, NY, USA (Suburb of Rochester) Voice 716-872-4114 FAX 716-787-0497 http://www.nfhr.com mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re:Stallions/Evaluations
This message is from: Mike May [EMAIL PROTECTED] At 03:07 PM 8/20/98 -0300, you wrote: This message is from: Arthur and Carol Rivoire [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Everybody, This message is from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia. Ursula's comments about evaluating a stallion's temperament at the Evaluations, and her suggestion that we launch a discussion on the subject is important. This is a real good place to air ideas. A couple of things she mentioned particularly struck me. She felt that the bad acting stallion shouldn't have gotten a blue ribbon. I guess that depends what the blue ribbon signifies. If it signifies that he's a typey, well made animal that meets or exceeds the standards, then he should have the blue, and apparently that was the mandate the judges were judging under, so what else can they do. -- It certainly would be very hard (impossible, I'd say) to judge temperament in a ring situation. I mean, how many stallion owners can simulate that kind of situation where the stallion is presented in an enclosure with five, ten, or more other breeding stallions. Isn't it natural for a virile stallion to act up? The Evaluation process is not done like a conformation class in a horse show. The stallion (or mare) is in the ring with only his handler and the 2 evaluators. The great ones I've seen in Norway and Holland very often do. I would think that if we want to judge temperament, we would require the stallion to perform in some capacity - jumping, dressage, driving, pulling, whatever he does. That situation is much easier for the owner to control as they can take their stallion to shows and at least get them used to being around, and performing with other horses, so the Evaluation ring wouldn't be all that strange, although the stallions would still have to contend with the other stallions. The conformation test is only one part of the whole evaluation process. The Performance tests DO all have a section on temperament or behavior. I just looked to make sure and each one of them - English Riding, Western riding, driving draft both intoductory and advanced levels have at least one and most of them more than one section on temperament or behavior. It's a very difficult call for the judges. -- I really don't think that a judgement on a stallion's temperament made on the basis of his performance in a ring full of other stallions has much validity. How can you judge such a thing? Don't we want Stallion Presence in the Fjordhorse? If we don't then we're sure a long way from the European standards.Requiring a specific performance test would go much further towards showing the true character of the stallion. What does everybody else think? Regards from Carol at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia Well as you now know they are alone in the ring and not with other stallions. This isn't to say that there isn't at least a mare or 2 around possibly in heat though. On a further note for information purposes the stallion and handler were excused from the ring by the evaluators when he was acting up so badly. The owner was told that they would allow him back in for another try after all of the other stallions were done. He did come back in and was better but still not real well behaved. For this stallions credit though, he was ridden in the intoductory English riding performance test also. He was quite well behaved under saddle. I just looked it up and he also got a blue ribbon for his performance test. In fact in the Behavior During Mounting section he got a 8.5 out of a possible 10 points. Also please note that it has been suggested that a Behavior/Temperament section be put in the conformation test. It looks like if say a 10 point section were added it would work fine.as it is now one section has to be doubled to make the score add up to 100. If this were changed then each section would be worth 10 points and there would be 10 sections to it. Mike == Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry Mike May, Registrar Webster, NY, USA (Suburb of Rochester) Voice 716-872-4114 FAX 716-787-0497 http://www.nfhr.com mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
