Re:Inflexable Fjords?? Uf Ta!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 99-01-17 05:56:12 EST, you write: << Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 11:08:59 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Cantering This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi all! I have a question for all of you. How do you help a Fjord who constantly carries his head to the left a little when trotting and cantering? When I'm driving, I am always keeping a tighter tension in the right rein to straighten him out and same with riding him at the canter. Let's hear from all you experts then I'll go try out your suggestion. Thanks. Susan from MN >> Hi List!!!Hello Susan, it looks like you need to let up on the " tighter tension " when your Fjord leans on you and pulls one way more then the other. I agree with Pam, ( Northhorse ) that you should rule out by a vet any physical reasons for this, but then its a bump and release, bump and release..release for correct or attempted correction, and bump for falling back into the leaning on you again thing. Never want to " hold " a horse in a correct ongoing stance, they will become very hard mouthed. It takes a little practice to ride with light hands, and by no means do I mean NO CONTACT, just a reward for getting it right. I do not want my horses to have to be " held " in place either when driving or at a stop or stand. I verbally and with my lines give a " whoa " STAND, and let the lines loose. If the horse moves or fusses, another gathering of lines, and verbal command. I practice this in open areas, headed for home is the hardest. In Turlock trail class, my little rider had a clean round through the whole walk/trot trail class. The last thing she had to do was head for the OUT gate, stop, and let the reins all the way loose. My mare had had it, after 6 classes that day, and fussed. And fussed. And fussed some more. And even MORE! I felt so bad for her ( Sarah ) but she kept going with her. After an eternity, Jule' gave up and STOOD for the 10 seconds. I was surprised when the judge said, " Good girl! " to Sarah, and even more surprised when she won 1st place. Reward for doing it right with soft hands, and your horses mouth ( and your arms ) will Thank-you ! Good- Luck!Might try some bending and flexing excersises before your ride, or some light lunging with long lines or a sursingle, as you can ajust either side to bend slightly more than the outside. Start slow and dont tie your horses head over, just make small short ajustments and they should become more flexable. It will take some time. More outside rein also, just dont hold.requires more inside leg though.how are YOUR muscles LOLOLOL Thanks to everyone who joined the Fjord Chat tonight, mm Jon PAV Aussie Betsy Cheryl Bernadine Chinks Lunger Michael and Betsy and Steve..had a nice time ! Lisa Pedersen, whos more than a little bummed out that my VIKINGS lost today. Jon, you were of no sympathetic help, whatsoever. Some Minnesotian.
Re: Cantering
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 1/17/99 21:09:12 Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << On the pain issue -- mmm, that bothers me. How do I go about finding out if he has pain and where??? >> I can find out from my friend, when she signs on again who she uses. She's on the west coast, but apparently this guy is GOOD, and in demand, flies in from the east coast, apparently to check out horses. I'll get the info for you, but I think any good vet (Brian?) may know how to reach a good, reliable equine chiropractor. At first it sounded a little touchy feely to me, but my friend trains a LOT of horses, and for the little bit of $$$ it costs to find/correct the problem, you save a lot of time and trouble trying to train a horse that is in pain. It's late for me. Hope I'm making sense. I'll get back to you with the info, probably tomorrow. Pamela
Re: Cantering
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Renee, Thank-you for the advice. I will work on the circles. Susan in MN
Re: snowballs in hooves
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ingrid, Major doesn't have shoes in the winter but in certain temps still gets snowballs. I usually don't worry about it but the little Arab plays trainer and round pens him every eve. in the rectangular paddock so I get a concerned that he might slip. My QH mare has shoes in the front all winter and I always have the snowpads put on. They're great because they never get ice balls with those on. We also are getting the thaw -- too much so --- the beautiful snow is melting. We're getting more now. Just built a snowman out front with my kids, then Dad took pictures. The snow was absolutely perfect snowman/snow fights snow Susan in snowy Minnesota
Re: Cantering
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Pamela, Thanks for the suggestion on the Wolf teeth, however, I just had the vet out for teeth floating and Coggins tests and he checked him for Wolf teeth and either Carol had already had them removed or he doesn't have any. Carol??? On the pain issue -- mmm, that bothers me. How do I go about finding out if he has pain and where??? Thanks from Susan in MN
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #317
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Paula, Thanks for the suggestion of Pam to prevent snowballs. Sounds much easier than Vaseline!! I try when the temps drop again. Right now we're enjoying warm weather and we're trying to get out and enjoy it before the next cold wave. Susan in MN
Re: Hay amounts
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jean, Yes, we are getting your snow!! It hit mid 30's the last 2 days and melted a lot of snow cover so , thankfully, we are getting 4" or so this eve.!! Yea! Went out sleighing with Major 2 times in the last 3 days. It was so nice to go when my hands didn't freeze. Major was a perfect Fjord but tired easily being out of shape from not being worked the last 2 months. We took it easy and just went for 30 min. Today, a snowmobile passed in the distance but he just gave it a quick look and did nothing else. I think he was so pooped by then that he didn't really feel like doing anything about it! Lots of fun and we went out when the Vikings game started so, of course, no one was on the lake. All those snowmobilers were parked in front of the T.V.. I sure get a kick out of hearing your moose tales. I always save your messages for the kids to read. My son who is 10 dreams of going to Alaska! On of these days, we'll head up there. I'm 3 days behind on my E-mail so better go! Susan from snowy MN
Draft vs. Overweight
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hear Hear Nancy! Good post regarding the difference between drafty and just overweight. Another thing I'd like to alert people to is Fjords that "have a big wide chest". Now granted, some Fjords have a muscular chest, especially if they're worked regularly. But all too often when I hear that, it ends up being an overweight Fjord. Let me pick on another breed to give an example. A nice gentleman with Haflingers visited here to see the Fjords. At one point he said his approx. 800 pound Haflingers had wider chests than our mature 1,000-1,100 pound Fjord mares. And our mares are average framed with some tending towards drafty. Folks, that just should not be so! Upon further questioning he admitted that hunger was not a problem his horses often had to worry about. What happens is that the front legs are not anchored to the spine quite like the rear legs are to the pelvis. This means they can spread apart. The more muscular a horse gets, the wider his chest gets. Also, the fatter a horse gets, the wider his chest gets. So if you see or own a Fjord with a nice wide chest who doesn't have well developed pectoral (chest) muscles (i.e. like a body-builder), stop and evaluate whether or not that Fjord is overweight. Brian Jacobsen, DVM Norwegian Fjordhest Ranch Salisbury, North Carolina ___ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
$12.00 a bale!
This message is from: Ingrid Ivic <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Take care everyone, Lisa Pedersen ( where we pay up to 12.00 per bale for > alfalfa in the winter > Hi Lisa...yikes $12.00! Now I feel like I robbed this farmer...paid $3.00 a bale for itHmmm, want to buy some nice alfalfa? Only $10.00 a bale, such a deal.tee-heeeonly kidding, it'll be resold here, already have someone. Ingrid :o)
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #318
This message is from: Linda Wollowitz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi folks! Thought I'd finally sign on since I've been reading your messages for a few months now- just call me peeping Linda! Stella III is my mare and I keep her at Old Hickory Farm, Julie Will's wonderful place in Weedsport, NY. For those of you that know me, I came to the Fjords via years with a super Hackney roadster pony that I drove to many championships in NY, Canada, and The World Show in Ky. I also have ridden lots during the past l0 years, jumping primarily Thoroughbreds - but a broken pelvis, sprained neck and 6 grandkids made me rethink my program! Being of Norwegian heritage, and just nuts about the Fjords that were stabled next to me at some shows in Saratoga NY, I just had to "downsize" to one horse that I could ride and drive into the sunset - natch, a Fjord. So, now I have the one horse - the others are in more appropriate hands who love them dearly. So I've been with the rest, and now play with the best! Question to the NFHA folks - now that I'm on the board, what does it entail? I haven't a clue! Also - to the people who use Pam spray - Do you find that the spray can works in cold weather, or do you keep it in a warm place en route to and from the stables? All my canned sprays refuse to spray in the winter (i.e. blade spray). Thanks. Linda Wollowitz
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #318
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (jean gayle) > >Right on Gayle, I lunged Gunnar yesterday. But first I found a small piece of wood and drove a nail through it leaving about an inch of sharp nail on one side. When he began to resist being tied and swung toward me I held the wood in front of me and he pressed against it. Took him a few split seconds before he realized it hurt to press against this bossy woman. I do not want to use a crop to punish him and I feel this way he learns he is punishing himself. When I asked for the walk I got a quick trot out of this very experienced fellow. He never heard of "whoa" and "walk"!!! Or so he would have me believe. So i asked for more trot and we kept at it until he tired and was suddenly able to remember what "whoa" and "walk" meant. He was warmly rewarded when ever he did as requested. You are quite right about turning these beauties into pets who can overpower us. A woman thought it cute to teach her appy colt to rear up and put his little hooves on her shoulders. You guessed it, a horse at 16 hands who continued this "cute" behavior and passed from one owner to the next until I lost track of him. With Gunnar I feel he will come out of this as he shows signs of knowing what is right and wrong. We still can not get a history on who owned him when. He has been driven, jumped, some dressage (I love that one) etc. Pretty good little jumper. But none of that here. Thanks for the input. Jean Gayle Aberdeen Wa. wet and windy: > > >Moral of the story? Be careful not to kill your Fjords with kindness. Most >of us work our buns to the bone to provide the very best that we can afford >for our Fjords (wish I had someone to work this hard to provide for me) so it >is not unreasonable to expect in return, polite co-operation from our Fjords. > >Gayle Ware >Field of Dreams >Eugene, OR. > Jean Gayle --- A Subscriber at Techline
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #318
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (jean gayle) > >Right on Gayle, I lunged Gunnar yesterday. But first I found a small piece of wood and drove a nail through it leaving about an inch of sharp nail on one side. When he began to resist being tied and swung toward me I held the wood in front of me and he pressed against it. Took him a few split seconds before he realized it hurt to press against this bossy woman. I do not want to use a crop to punish him and I feel this way he learns he is punishing himself. When I asked for the walk I got a quick trot out of this very experienced fellow. He never heard of "whoa" and "walk"!!! Or so he would have me believe. So i asked for more trot and we kept at it until he tired and was suddenly able to remember what "whoa" and "walk" meant. He was warmly rewarded when ever he did as requested. You are quite right about turning these beauties into pets who can overpower us. A woman thought it cute to teach her appy colt to rear up and put his little hooves on her shoulders. You guessed it, a horse at 16 hands who continued this "cute" behavior and passed from one owner to the next until I lost track of him. With Gunnar I feel he will come out of this as he shows signs of knowing what is right and wrong. We still can not get a history on who owned him when. He has been driven, jumped, some dressage (I love that one) etc. Pretty good little jumper. But none of that here. Thanks for the input. Jean Gayle Aberdeen Wa. wet and windy: > > >Moral of the story? Be careful not to kill your Fjords with kindness. Most >of us work our buns to the bone to provide the very best that we can afford >for our Fjords (wish I had someone to work this hard to provide for me) so it >is not unreasonable to expect in return, polite co-operation from our Fjords. > >Gayle Ware >Field of Dreams >Eugene, OR. > Jean Gayle --- A Subscriber at Techline
Snowy morning here
This message is from: Evers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Mike, Sorry for the confusion, our Bjorn is Bjorn-Knutson TFG-f-807-S. Please tell us exactly what type of Veterinary Certification we need to get in order to have him in order to breed this spring. Also, if there is any other particular we need to know about or do let us know that too. Also, I had a question on our life membership. Is it OK that it's in all three of our names, or do we need to pick just one name or just two..? If it can only be in one name please put it in Amy's name. If it can be in two only, put it in Amy's and Harold's names. Thanks again, very much! Tillie
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #318
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (jean gayle) Hmm I keep getting this same message. The horses name is Gunnar out of Grabb. Jean Gayle >This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >In a message dated 99-01-17 05:56:12 EST, you write: > ><< > I noticed in one of your recent posts, you mentioned the name of your new > Fjord was Gunner? I did some training on a horse named Gunner a few years > ago. Wonder if it is the same one? That horse's registered registered name > was Rorik's Gunner. Is it one in the same? If it is, I can fill you in on a > bit of his background. > >> > Jean Gayle --- A Subscriber at Techline
Re: Packing Elk to Dressage Awards
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (jean gayle) >This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Arthur Rivoire) > > > >Good Day Everybody from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - > >Here's a really interesting story. --- > > The other day I was talking to the ad rep of a New Jersey horse newspaper, >and she said to me - "Carol, wait until you see this issue!" She said, >"One of the lead stories is about a 5 yr. old Fjord mare that went from >carrying deer and elk shot by hunters out of the wilds of 'Minnesota' (?) >to being a U.S. Dressage Federation champion." "The Fjord mare, registered Nancy and her fjords deserve the best we can say. Recognize that also these awards cover many horses in all breeds and through out the US. So it is a great honor to be best in your category and breed. Now the really hard work begins. Training level, other than Dressage suitability, is the beginning ranking. (unless they have added another lower level since I read the book) It requires obedience and spontaneous response to the aids as you go through the walk, trot and canter. The best of things is a whisper and a promise at this level. Wez, Ann Appleby's fjord, at Prix St. George has accomplished the near impossible for all breeds. Many good horses fall out as the ranking goes higher, and the demands increase. I would have to guess when I say it has taken Wez at least ten to twelve, and correct me Ann, years of constant training to reach this point. Not everyone can or will get near this far. So now we have another rising star to watch and back as she moves along through the extremely demanding art of dressage. Jean Gayle Aberdeen, Wa where it is, guess, raining and dark! Jean Gayle --- A Subscriber at Techline
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #318
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 99-01-17 05:56:12 EST, you write: << I noticed in one of your recent posts, you mentioned the name of your new Fjord was Gunner? I did some training on a horse named Gunner a few years ago. Wonder if it is the same one? That horse's registered registered name was Rorik's Gunner. Is it one in the same? If it is, I can fill you in on a bit of his background. >> The Gunner that I had in training was by Anvil's Rorik. He had the same rude behavior when he came to my place, but once he grasped the concept of where his space ended and mine began, and the fact that I did NOT serve nummies "on demand", he was a gentleman. He was a stallion at the time. I see a lot of Fjords like that and it is caused by their well-meaning owners. Fjords tend to be very orally oriented (if they were humans I know they would be thumb suckers!). Yes, they are sooo cuddly and those big brown eyes have a way of telling you that they are on the verge of starvation and they REALLY NEED something to eat, like a carrot or cookie. However, folks need to resist the temptation to feed treats by hand, otherwise you will be creating a monster with rude and sometimes painful behavior. We have a rule in my barn that - no treats fed by hand. If the owners simply cannot resist the temptation, they can open the feed door and put the nummy in the feeder or on the floor, but absolutely not to be fed by hand. I once got a very nice young Fjord gelding in for training. He was, however, so spoiled by his owner because the fellow always had treats for him in his pockets. In the beginning, it was "cute" when the horse would nuzzle his shirt looking for the goodies. It wasn't so "cute" when the horse began DEMANDING the treats and tore the guy's shirt right off of his body!! This particular case was the most radical one I've ever encountered, but did want to pass this on as a warning for everyone because in the end, this behavior, in my opinion, lead to this horse's demise!! This horse was so used to having his own way that it even carried through in his work ethic. One day his new owner came to watch me work him. At the same time, several other folks had arrived. They were all standing around the round pen to watch. This horse normally stayed focused on the work at hand and was coming along nicely, but on this day, with all of the "company" present, this horse was absolutely convinced that each and every one of them must have a treat for him in their pockets! He was determined to go check them all out. He wanted them to pet and feed him and I was just a nuisance. Seeing that this was going nowhere positive, I told everyone to go to the house and make some coffee while I reminded this horse who was in charge. It was just a matter of putting him to work and asking him to re-focus on the work at hand. As time went on, this behavior would crop up every once in a while, but he could be worked through it and his attempts became shorter in duration. I thought this would eventually dissipate altogether. I explained all of this to his new owner. They got along beautifully once the fellow learned to help the horse re-focus. It was as if this horse just had to check every once in a while to see if the rider was still in charge to see if he REALLY HAD to work today. Anyway, they spent many enjoyable hours riding the mountains in Montana. The owner developed some knee problems and eventually was not able to ride anymore so decided to sell the horse. Apparently the new owner encountered this horse's quirky behavior so she sent him to a "trainer" who decided to teach that sob a lesson!? The horse was put into a RUNNING W and promptly dumped on his face. He was injured so severely that he had to be put down!! SOOO SAD! Again, in my opinion, this horse's problems originated way back when his first owner spoiled him so badly and encouraged this horse to think that he was boss and could do whatever he wanted. Moral of the story? Be careful not to kill your Fjords with kindness. Most of us work our buns to the bone to provide the very best that we can afford for our Fjords (wish I had someone to work this hard to provide for me) so it is not unreasonable to expect in return, polite co-operation from our Fjords. Gayle Ware Field of Dreams Eugene, OR.
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #318
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 99-01-17 05:56:12 EST, you write: << I noticed in one of your recent posts, you mentioned the name of your new Fjord was Gunner? I did some training on a horse named Gunner a few years ago. Wonder if it is the same one? That horse's registered registered name was Rorik's Gunner. Is it one in the same? If it is, I can fill you in on a bit of his background. >>
Bits & Pieces
This message is from: "Rogillio's" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello all! It's been awhile since I contributed to this, 99% of the time I'd rather enjoy reading other's comments, but Tyr and I took a day trip yesterday and I just wanted to share some of it with y'all. First I took him to the vet for his shots, and asked the vet at the end of his listening and teeth inspection and shots - "how much overweight do you think he is?". The vet said "not a bit". Huh?! This is great! I've been worrying and trying to monitor his intake since I read several months ago about keeping them at their proper weight. He did say that he needs to be worked, as he's not very fit. Tyr does pretty much the same thing I do (or would do if I did it) when moving faster than a walk - jiggles everywhere. Maybe he and I need to go on a jogging program and we can firm up together. Second, I hauled him up to Tennessee to initiate the process of getting a saddle built for him. I was so proud of him, he's been hauled only about 4 times in his life, and this one was the second longest of them. (first being when I hauled him from Michigan to Alabama). He hopped out after only a couple of minutes of inspecting the gravel as best he could from the trailer at the Amish farm, stood quietly while the saddler and I discussed different trees and what I liked/didn't like, perked his ears up and suddenly looked 2H taller when he saw the chickens, rooster and guineas around the outbuildings, tolerated the tiny puppies that came gamboling up around our feet and all in all was a WONDERFUL boy. He loaded back up in a minute, which was different from his normal hop-right-on routine here at home when we're training loading and unloading, but that's ok, he did darn good for being in a new place, I think. He moved about more in the trailer on the return trip, but we'd been on the road since 9:30 that morning, and returned home at 3 that afternoon. I'm sure he was tired of being in there. He was most happy to be home again. Barb & Doug Miller, if you're on this list, I just LOVE him to pieces. Everytime I try something new with him, he comes thru with flying colors. I'm so very proud of him, and I know his ability to handle new things is mostly born/bred in, very little is taught. Casey - from warm (60F - 15.5C) Alabama (I have a convert.exe that helps me with stuff like this!)
Re: Packing Elk to Dressage Awards
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Arthur Rivoire) Good Day Everybody from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - Here's a really interesting story. --- The other day I was talking to the ad rep of a New Jersey horse newspaper, and she said to me - "Carol, wait until you see this issue!" She said, "One of the lead stories is about a 5 yr. old Fjord mare that went from carrying deer and elk shot by hunters out of the wilds of 'Minnesota' (?) to being a U.S. Dressage Federation champion." "The Fjord mare, registered as NFH Christiana, earned the 1998 national honor in her breed category at Training Level, a prize that was given at last month's USDF convention." The paper finally arrived at our farm in Nova Scotia, and I couldn't wait to read the story, and there it was. The article said that "Tina" came from "breeder, Nancy Leonard of Minnesota." However, I think there's some confusion, and they meant - Nanch Lehnert of Montana. -- Tina is owned by Jeanne Heard of New Jersey, who plans to move her mare up to First Level this year. I think this is a wonderful story, and certainly shows the versatility, ability, and temperament of our breed. Imagine that! A horse that can pack dead animals out of the mountains being capable of winning national dressage awards. I'd say, HOORAY! for NFH Christiana and her owner. Oh gee, I used caps. I'm in trouble again. But, the hell with it! How else can you say a hearty HOORAY!!! on e-mail. If I could do BOLDFACE, I'd add that as well. Hey! I'd even underline if I could! Best Regards, Carol Rivoire Carol and Arthur Rivoire Beaver Dam Farm Fjords II R.R. 7 Pomquet Antigonish County Nova Scotia B2G 2L4 902 386 2304 http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/beaverdf
