re;fjord feet/hoof quality
This message is from: "Karen McCarthy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I think that most fjord owners would agree that good feet on a fjord is not a "myth", but a reality. It is truly the exception to see bad feet. But,I do find it a bit ironic that for having such good feet,ie. shape, sole & hoofwall,etc. that they can be tenderfooted. Are they that smart to know,that,if they set off with you on a trail ride (unshod), that they had better "react" sooner than later, when later they might become more tender? My shoers have never been able to physiologically figure it out, but it is fairly predictable that they will act a little gimpy, a little sooner than you would expect... Speaking of feet and hooves: in looking over the NFHR Eval. criteria on conformation, in regards to the shape of the rear hooves, they are looking for: " Hooves full,large". Does this seem a little implausible to you? Is it only me, or have others seen a differently shaped rear hoof to be the norm? A little smaller,sometimes narrower, even triangular., but not ugly or abnormal looking. I have even noticed this on many warmbloods. If it is undesireable, does anyone know why? I'm not loosing sleep over this, but it's always been one of those "Why?" questions, filed in the back...somewhere. Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Mud problems? check this out!
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Saw the ad for this in Western Horseman, shows a six year old girl carrying a 24'x 24" folded up "weatherbuster Mudshield. Looks like a great idea! http://www.weatherbusters.com/ The picture of the fjord in the State Line catalog has been used there for a couple years...but not in every catalog or flyer. It's a nice touch! Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, +30 today, warmer tomorrow, and gaining 7 minutes of daylight a day for 13 hours 21 minutes, way ahead of all you in the "lower 48"! >Just a little encouraging tidbit. I was sitting looking through todays >mail, and got to a sales catalogue from State Line Tack. And THERE, on the >last page, in a nice photo advertising ladies riding apparell, was a Fjord. Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: shoeing Fjords
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hm! Fjord myth. "they classically have good feet" Well mine did and do. Jean Gayle Aberdeen, WA -Original Message- From: GAIL RUSSELL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tuesday, March 30, 1999 4:07 PM Subject: Re: shoeing Fjords >This message is from: GAIL RUSSELL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >My "drafty Fjord" has "drafty" platter-like feet. I got him in the fall of >1997 - right before our El Nino winter. I left him barefoot throughout that >winter, but, by spring his feet started to splay out and turn up and he was >obviously ouchy walking on the crushed rock roads around here. He almost >looked like he had foundered, and the horn was separating from the other >layers at the toe. > Jean Gayle Aberdeen Wa PS they classically seem to have good >>feet. >> >> >> >Gail Russell >Forestville CA >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >
Re: Fjord photo
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 3/30/99 19:33:20 Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << Hey, every tidbit counts when it comes to PR, so I for one was thrilled that "they" are including the Fjord in these photos. Anyone else notice it??? >> Sure have. Is it the picture where it's a lady and the little girl? And the Fjord is posed head down... eating grass ? They've had that particular shot included in their catalogs for several years now. Wish they'd update and do some action shots of Fjords. Heavens, everyone already KNOWS a fjord can eat!!! Pamela
Re: Harness cleaning
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 3/30/99 1:48:40 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Kate how wet do you get your leather when using soap? Jean Gayle Don't soak it, but work up a really good lather. I use a scrubber sponge for the really gross stuff, then a regular sponge and work in a lather. Another thing I forgot to add is that beeswax is a great conditioner. It has a German name...Lepferdgecrem or something like that. Kate
Fjord photo
This message is from: "Janne Myrdal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Just a little encouraging tidbit. I was sitting looking through todays mail, and got to a sales catalogue from State Line Tack. And THERE, on the last page, in a nice photo advertising ladies riding apparell, was a Fjord. Hey, every tidbit counts when it comes to PR, so I for one was thrilled that "they" are including the Fjord in these photos. Anyone else notice it??? Janne Myrdal ND
Re: http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/facts/1999/roadtests/fjordhorses_7.html
This message is from: "Jackie Kennedy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Yes, it was on here (Australia) last Friday evenin but I don't know when it will be on in USA or which channel its on there. Jackie Anyway, do you know if he (Don Burke) did a show on Fjords? Does anyone know which > channel this program airs?
Re: shoeing Fjords
This message is from: GAIL RUSSELL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> My "drafty Fjord" has "drafty" platter-like feet. I got him in the fall of 1997 - right before our El Nino winter. I left him barefoot throughout that winter, but, by spring his feet started to splay out and turn up and he was obviously ouchy walking on the crushed rock roads around here. He almost looked like he had foundered, and the horn was separating from the other layers at the toe. The farrier had to roll the toes on his shoes to get them back in shape. He now says I should always shoe his front feet as the problem is likely to recur. My vet says the same thing about my Percheron/TB cross gelding - that "draft horse feet" tend to splay out and break down due to their heavy weight and shape. So I will always shoe his front feet. As for the back feet, - I think it may depend how dry the hoof is by the time you start your riding. I did a few backfoot-barefoot trail rides last spring when Gunthar's feet were still moist from all the rain. He was ouchy AND wore off his hooves much faster than they was growing. For extensive trail riding - unless in sand only - I've resigned myself to keeping him shod on all four. A On the rare occasion that I went trail riding he was >quite ouchy without shoes. I would have shod all four if we were trail >riders. Jean Gayle Aberdeen Wa PS they classically seem to have good >feet. > > > Gail Russell Forestville CA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: shoeing Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Jean- Thanks for the input. Yes, I am eager! In addition to walking many dogs per day (professional pet sitter) I also ride a bicycle (just around town, not really in "bike shape" yet : ) and take Shaolin Kenpo and Jujitsu, not to mention horse riding. I can't wait to have my own demanding equines to ride every day. The arena is good for practice or training, but something happens to my brain after going around in monotonous circles! It must be very rewarding if you're working towards a dressage goal or something like that, but I need to go SOMEWHERE, explore. On that subject, how many of you trail ride? Any advice as far as equipment, safety. etc.? Brigid
Re: shoeing Fjords
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Brigid, eager person. When I had my Howdie we mostly rode in the indoor arena and the fields. On the rare occasion that I went trail riding he was quite ouchy without shoes. I would have shod all four if we were trail riders. Jean Gayle Aberdeen Wa PS they classically seem to have good feet. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tuesday, March 30, 1999 2:01 PM Subject: shoeing Fjords >This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Hi All- > >How do you shoe your Fjords? Do their feet have any special needs/problems? >
Re: shoeing Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Marsha- Thanks for the very helpful info! I will be boarding in Woodside, CA, probably not too far from you! So the trails may be similar. I will get a farrier referral from the stable, and go with his/her advice. Brigid
Re: shoeing Fjords
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > When I become a Fjord owner, we will be mostly trail riding with > some arena riding during training or very rainy days. The horses will > likely be ridden 1-2 hours/day. What kind of shoes would be used in > this situation? Is "barefoot" possible with this breed? >Brigid It's going to depend on a lot of factors, like climate and soils, both where you are, and where the horses came from. When we were Fjord-shopping in Montana and Wyoming, we saw a lot of barefoot Fjords, although the ones we bought were each shod at the time. When I got each of mine home (coastal mountains of California), I tried letting them go barefoot the first year. It sort of worked in the winter (ground soft from rain), but they got really, seriously ouchy when the (heavy clay) ground dried up for the summer. Then, they started wearing off hoof faster than it could grow---we have to ride on gravelled roads, the first mile in/out of our place, to get to trails. I gave up and had each of them shod; one of them even needs pads in the summer, to protect his sole from the rocky trails. I have heard that it can take up to a year for previously-shod hooves to "toughen up" enough to go barefoot, and you'll have a fairly sore horse, perhaps to the point of being unridable, in the meantime. OTOH, if you buy Fjords that are currently unshod, and working under the same conditions as you'll be using them, shoes are probably optional. As for the kind of shoes, let a local farrier put on what works in your area. My guys need custom-fit shoes (as opposed to "keg" shoes, "off the shelf"), and I like the ones with a groove around thru the nail holes---gives a little extra traction. IMHO, shoeing is one of those things where it does NOT pay to try to economize! Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 30 mi SSE of San Francisco, Calif. ---
shoeing Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi All- How do you shoe your Fjords? Do their feet have any special needs/problems? When I become a Fjord owner, we will be mostly trail riding with some arena riding during training or very rainy days. The horses will likely be ridden 1-2 hours/day. What kind of shoes would be used in this situation? Is "barefoot" possible with this breed? Brigid
new Fjord fan
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Ruthie- Thanks for the welcome! Wow, 10 Fjords, and all those big dogs : ) We currently have a Golden Retriever, but have cared for all kinds as professional pet sitters. What does a Fila Mastiff look like? It is kind of funny how, as a new horse person, I translate everything into dog terms. I am so excited about going to look at a pair of 7 yr. geldings this weekend. If it works out, these boys will be my first horses. Any "first horse" advice out there? Brigid
Re Fords metabolism
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I do not know if I have already mentioned this. When I first had a fjord his "easy keeper" qualities had me worried as my large warmbloods required a lot of food and he gained too much eating along side them. I thought I was very clever to come with the idea of giving him a thyroid booster to increase his metabolism and hence not have to separate horses several times a day. The vet did not quiver and gave me some medicine. The first day went fine but the second day I had a fjord coming off the walls. He was jumpy and doing everything in fast motion, and not his usual loving self. On the the third day I quit as it was obvious he was not going to adjust, but it took Howdie almost two weeks to come down off his high. As my warmblood filly matured she also became an easy keeper so at least they could eat together. So yes as Cynthia said, "Fjords do not have the metabolism of the thoroughbred."
Re: Harness cleaning
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Kate how wet do you get your leather when using soap? Jean Gayle -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Monday, March 29, 1999 9:58 PM Subject: Re: Harness cleaning >This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >in 3 >steps > >1) Clean with Castille soap or Ivory (any soap except deoderent soaps) >2) Condition (Lexol is a good one) >3) Close the pores...glycerin is ok for this, also adds some shine > >It's time consuming but when it comes to expensive leather it's worth the >time. >Kate >
Re: Try Harness Honey again.....
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Just looked up the correct URL for Harness Honey: http://www.carouselfarm.com/ this should work! got it off the page itself! (Lisa, you left off the // after the http: :) Jean in Sunny Fairbanks, zero this morning but up to +25-30 degrees today. Anxious for spring! > Hi List !Try this address for the folks that make Harness >Honey.sorry for the last one, it isnt working for me either.Lisa > < [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska [EMAIL PROTECTED]
feeding fjords in the spring
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Juliane Deubner) Hi everybody and thanks for all your responses. I may print out some of this and show it to the people where I board. They are a very nice couple, but like 99% of the horse people around here, not knowledgeable on how to feed our type of horse. But they seem to be willing to do whatever we suggest. During the winter our horses where/are on some grass hay and a mixture of complete feed/sweet feed and a mineral mix. They are looking great and trim this spring and are being fed twice a day in a paddock apart from the other horses. Once the grass comes in it would be quite a job to catch them each day after a couple hours or so of grazing to put them back into a paddock. The pasture is about 20 or so acres big with hills and bluffs - that could turn into quite a workout to catch 3 'hungry' fjords. May be we will fence off a smaller area with our electric fencer.Thanks everybody for your suggestions!!! Greetings from Saskatoon - some days it almost feels like spring up here Juliane
Re[2]: Another REAL VIRUS ALERT!!
This message is from: Steve McIlree <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Brian-- Tuesday, March 30, 1999, you wrote: > A news report said that the Melissa virus may be contained in a letter > with the subject "An Important Message From" and the name > of someone who has you in their e-mail address book. For instance, if > you receive a letter with the subject "An Important Message From Brian", > you'd probably be better off to not even open/read it. The virus has mutated since yesterday. The subject line can now be just about anything. The important point to remember is to not open any attachment on a questionable email message. Reading the email message itself will do no harm, it's the attachment that gets you. As of today, the attachment can be either a Word or an Excel document. Update your anti-virus software as soon as possible! If you're not running anti-virus software buy some today! -- Steve McIlree & Cynthia Madden -- Pferd, Keyah, Skipper, Tank -- Omaha, Nebraska, USA If I be once on horse-back, I alight very unwillingly; for it is the seat I like best. --Michel Eyquem de Montaigne(1533-1592)
Spring feeding for Fjords
This message is from: Cynthia_Madden/OAA/UNO/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Julianne, I can sympathize with your problem. We too board our horses and getting their specific needs taken care of can be trying. Our present solution is two horses in north Omaha and t wo horses in south Omaha. Tank and Keyah (my Morgan) are north in the Jenny Craig program. I am paying more but feeling safer as they are now on controlled feeding. The stable owner is quite knowledgeable and also willing to listen (this is why she is worth the extra bucks I am now paying). Tank and Keyah are on pasture right now but Arlene has agreed to put them on dry lot as soon as the grass comes in (Keyah had a laminitis episode last Fall) and do limited turn out. I do like the muzzle idea Gayle(?) mentioned and may check it out as an occassional alternative. Tank has lost his bloated look but not as much weight as I would like. (He barely fits between the shafts of his new cart, but we will hit the roads and take care of that!). Keyah looks marvelous, the best he has looked in years and really belies his coming 20th birthday. He has recovered wonderfully from his laminitis (thanks to Steve White's help and our farrier, Craig). Where they were turned out on pasture for only a couple of hours a day, I found Tank did quite well at maintaining a good weight with little or no additional feeding. It is difficult to persuade people to feed less as Fjords are so good at looking hungry but they certainly have a different metabolism from TB's! We have moved our horses many times, frequently over the feeding situation at various boarding barns. To find someone who will listen to you and take care of your horses as you would wish is most difficult and somehow it seems that after a while, the barn owner becomes less careful of your horses or your wishes and so you must move on again. One day, we will have our own place but not in the near future. Right now, I feel very lucky to have found such a good place to keep my horses and hope it will continue. Good luck, Julianne! Cynthia Madden Omaha, Nebraska USA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Another REAL VIRUS ALERT!!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] A news report said that the Melissa virus may be contained in a letter with the subject "An Important Message From" and the name of someone who has you in their e-mail address book. For instance, if you receive a letter with the subject "An Important Message From Brian", you'd probably be better off to not even open/read it. Brian Jacobsen
Harness Cleaning
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks, everyone, for the information on harness cleaning! Appreciate the help! Linda in MN - sun is coming up and temps in the 60's today :)
Harness Honey
This message is from: "Dave McWethy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Harness Honey is great stuff. I haven't used anything else on leather since 1993. It's made by a couple in West Virginia who have a farm and raise Percherons. Nice folks If you have russet harness, be careful. You might want to test it on a small area, as you will find it darkens the leather. In addition to treating the leather, you will find the Harness Honey will make it water resistant also.
