Re: Fjords and Parelli
This message is from: GAIL RUSSELL [EMAIL PROTECTED] Waving the stick around her head just makes her look a little askance, but not a flicker of concern or understanding that she needs to do anything about it. Ditto for trying to get her to drop her head or lift her feet when you squeeze her hock. I have one Fjord that Parelli type stuff works with pretty well. He is spooky and sensitive - like the hotter blooded breeds. However my other two Fjords have a more mule-like personality. I can *literally* beat my five month old colt with a push broom - and he *likes it.* (I guess something really itches somewhere - sometimes I brush him with a 20 wide push broom - just for fun. :) I believe the best approach with the mule/Fjords is a combination of Parelli/Lyons/Dorrance/Hunt training - but with positive reinforcements of food - and good efforts marked by a click. That way you don't have to beat them up to get a response - food rewards being *very important* to them. Mugging does not need to be a problem if you stop all outside treats and train the mugging away. (Mugging will happen - so once you start you have to be committed to spending the time it takes to train it away.) Today I held an apple in one hand and a lead rope that I wanted touched by a horsey nose in the other. Both within reach of the horse. When he reached for the apple, I simply backed away (he was confined in a trailer, with head out the window of the slant load). When he reached to touch the lead rope, (and did touch it), he got a click and an apple. Pretty soon he didn't care at all about reaching for the apple. And yes, get the Parelli video. Then train the tasks using the clicker and Parelli's cues. The clicker list can help you figure it out. There are several people doing the Parelli levels on the list. One of the more impressive success stories was a horse trained to walk thru smoke and firecrackers for the Sheriff's Search and Rescue. Apparently the Sheriff was so impressed they asked how the horse had been trained. Gail Russell Forestville CA [EMAIL PROTECTED] Clicker List Web Site : http://clickryder.cjb.net
Re: fjordexample
This message is from: cnielsen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear Griet, I would be interested in your picture for cross stitching thanks a bunch. Randi Nielsen [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Original Message - From: griet vandenbroucke [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: fjord [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 08, 1999 11:52 AM Subject: fjordexample This message is from: griet vandenbroucke [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi List Is there anyone interested in a cros stich example with a Fjordhead on it? Please let me know and I mail it to you. Happy Fjording For Ever Griet
Re: Fjords and Parelli
This message is from: Cheryl Beillard [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello all .. I have a question for any of you out there who have introduced their fjords to the Parelli method of training .. I just came back from my first day at a level 1 clinic .. absolutely amazing to see a dozen agitated warmbloods and arabs, etc. change in just a few hours to something resembling fjords in temperment. However, when I came home - of course I decided to try out a little of what I had seen. Here's the rub (no pun intended) .. unlike the horses I watched all day who backed away from the stick and who seemed to respond almost immediately to a very light pressure anywhere, my 13 yr old mare, who can be headstrong but does not shy at machinery, cars, grouse, deer, etc -- seems totally indifferent to pressure on her nose, to move back, or anywhere else .. she just doesn't react. If anything, she comes toward me rather than moving away. Waving the stick around her head just makes her look a little askance, but not a flicker of concern or understanding that she needs to do anything about it. Ditto for trying to get her to drop her head or lift her feet when you squeeze her hock. I know I haven't even begun to start learning how to do this properly, but when she has no reaction at all, I wonder how agitated I have to become to get her to pay attention. She just stands there, patiently waiting to see what it is I want .. or else totally indifferent! I remember someone on the list recommending the 7 games video so I assume there must be lots of more responsive fjords .. and it must be me! Any comments, clues/advice ..? I'm very sorry I opted not to enroll her in the clinic as I would dearly love to see what a level 3 Parelli trainer would do with the non-reactive horse.
Trace clipping
This message is from: misha nogha [EMAIL PROTECTED] Okay guys, Ingmar is clipped. Thank you for every one's advice. We rode in the arena at top speed, he didn't get too hot and towel dried quickly. I am a happy gal. Ingmar is a happy boy. He was much more peppy with the new haircut as he didn't overheat as quickly. That is saying a lot. Ingmar is a very lively Fjord. YAHOO! The thing is--it was kind of comical. My clippers ran out of steam (portable Wahls) halfway through the job--didn't want to work with the cord--too long a cord too much resistance? I don't know. So we went with a half clip. Ha. I finished it today though so don't worry. My clipping ability is not so smooth, how do you get em looking smooth? Anne--for just trace clipping you don't need a blankie do you? I could sure put one on if you think so. He will only be clipped this once and then it can grow back. Gosh he looked right smart though. Okay, loaded one colt off to a new home. Owner and he are happy, I am happy he got a great home! I still have two foals if any one is looking. These are real typy kids, elegant, athletic and pretty. Very sweet. I have one weanling filly and one weanling gelding left. Oh, and the tape, as I was moving it around the horse, Ingmar got ahold of one end of it and started chewing on it. I did the rest by eye. It wasn't that hard. It's not perfect but I think it looks neat. Misha from Shota Fjords http://www.eoni.com/~mishamez
blanketing
This message is from: Debby Stai [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi from Debby in Texas. Although I am a first time Fjord owner, I do have four other horses, all of different breeds. I clip and blanket all of mine. My husband is active duty army, so we've had the horses with us in Texas several times, in Georgia and in Colorado. We like to ride year round and actually ride more in the winter months, even when living in Colorado, as we don't like the heat, especially here in San Antonio, TX. I really enjoy the fact that my guys have not gotten over heated from a long coat and that I don't have to spend my time walking and walking and worrying about putting them up or out while still damp. I throw a wool cooler on them while I clean tack and throw their blankets on them. My guys are turned out together and I never have problems with them tearing each others blankets up. The blankets keep them clean except for their lower legs. The drawback is that I know I have to be there to take them off during the day when it warms up as it is unhealthy for them to sweat under them. I guess blanketing or not blanketing is an individual decision, no right or wrong, just what works for you. Yikes, have to go feed! Debby
Treats are possible without starting bad manners!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have been happily lurking and reading the digest form, which fits better into my jam-packed lifestyle. The discussions about treats causing bad behavior, and the handler being mobbed, etc. disturbs me. it's not the treats, but the lack of discipline that cause bad behavior. Horses function fine (like kids) when they know what the limits are. When they are allowed to keep pushing the boundaries and the human says Oh, well, they can do it this time. . .: that's when the trouble starts. What I do (and your comfort level might dictate different rules) is I feed treats at two times only. One is first thing in the morning when I go out to say hello, I give hand-offered apples dispensed out of my pockets, and believe me they wait politely and don't push, shove or jostle. If they did that would be the end of treats for the day. When I am in the pasture with a bunch of competing horses, and the treats are all gone, I hold up my hands (like a holdup) and say in a stern voice No More! They immediately stop asking, because that's the end and they know it. The other time I feed treats is when the horses have been untacked after riding or driving and are in their individual stalls, and I give a half an apple each. So they know what to expect and what they are allowed, and when they have gotten their exact number of pieces. I learned this principal from a woman I met at a driving clinic, who was handling and harnessing a pair of homebred Shires, by herself. I asked how they were so well behaved and how she had managed to handle a breeding stallion by herself. She said she would take him out of the stall and say Now take baby steps, and that huge stallion would take little mincing steps, because he knew if he misbehaved at all, he got put back in the stall and didn't get to breed the mare that day. Discipline is good. It saves them from themselves. You don't want to let a 1200 lb. horse get the idea he/she can push you around. The result of no discipline, is a horse that cannot find a long-term home, and will end up at the slaughterhouse. So in the long run discipline is preferable to spoiling. Sorry I went on so long but I would like to see your Fjords rewarded occasionally, and you can do it without producing a behavior problem. Alex Wind Harmony Springs Farm Shawsville, VA, where it is misty and cool and the leaves are turning.
Re: fencing
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I use Electrobraid for my perimeter fencing and love it. The website is www.electrobraid.com. I did a lot of research looking for something that was cheap and safe, and I liked Electrobraid the best. I've had it up a year now, and haven't had any problems with it. I've seen my 3 year old run into it a few times while galloping along side of it, and it just stretched with her. One time, she somehow got her foot on the other side of the bottom strand, and it just gave and released her without her even breaking stride. I use a four strand, five foot tall fence (you probably don't need it as tall for Fjords). I use plain electric tape to divide my pastures, and they have broken through that several times. They respect the electric tape most of the time, but I wouldn't rely on it for perimeter fencing. Sharon D Hi Lori, I believe that you are looking for electric fencing. The white wire has stainless steel strands in it, which the power runs thur. One name for it is Poly Wire. There is a new wire out in Canada called Electrabriad which is much stronger than the Poly wire. The electrabraid is about 5/8.
cros stich
This message is from: griet vandenbroucke [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi List, About the Fjordpattern. I see I was not very clear. It is for free and I 'll email it, within a few days. I'm trying to scan it as best as I can. Some of you who asked it forgot to mention the email adress so please mail me again with your adress. ByeBye and lots of Happy Fal Fjording. griet
clicker training
This message is from: Catherine Lassesen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Howdy, Anyone in the Western USA interested in clicker training??? We will be hosting an On Target training clinic (clicker training) on June 17 18, 2000. It will be with the originators, Vinton Shawna Karrach. To watch it is $35.00... to have your horse quick started by Vinton Shawna, it will be $100.00 per horse and limited space. Email me if you want more info. We are in Southern Oregon.
Fjords as athletes
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Carol Rivoire, This is in response to your post yesterday concerning the general misconception that Fjords aren't capable of high level performance. I believe the reason for that line of thinking comes from the history of this breed in North America. When I was first elected to the NFHR Board of Directors about 7 years ago, my first assigned task was to produce a color brochure for Fjord horses. That is the one that we are still using, by the way. Phil Prichard was on the BOD at that time also. In discussing the text that I had proposed and submitted to the BOD for review, I remember Phil stressing that the phrase, 'a horse for the whole family' must be included, touting their calm dispositions. Because of using that terminology and the fact that Fjords are quiet when compared to many other breeds, they tended to be purchased by many first time horse owners as family 'pets', if you will. Over the past 15 years or so that I have been involved with Fjords, I have seen a definite shift, not away from that train of thinking, but more of an expansion and awareness of the talent of Fjord horses as they are getting into the hands now more than ever before, of folks who are not 'just beginners'. Ten years ago, Dusty then belonged to Chip Lamb. Chip asked me to take Dusty to the show in Blue Earth, Minn., which I did. I owned, bred, and showed Quarter Horses at the time. Coming from that background and being unfamiliar with Fjord horses and their history, I was a bit puzzled as to why Chip didn't have people beating his door down for breedings to Dusty and people standing in line for his colts. If Dusty had been a QH stallion with all that he had accomplished even back then, he would have been one of the most sought after stallions in the country. I remember talking this over with Orville Unruh while at Blue Earth. When I asked him if he knew why, he simply said, You are just ahead of your time. Again, being fairly new to the breed, I didn't fully comprehend what he was saying. As time went by and I became more involved with these horses, I understand now what he meant. At that time, very few people showed Fjords under saddle much less all of the NEW stuff I was doing with Dusty such as the reining and cutting. Mostly they were driven in harness. I had never before met such a dedicated bunch of people who were so passionately interested in publicly promoting their horses. Once again, being new to this breed, I didn't fully understand that either, but it was refreshing. I have been a Fjord owner myself for about 10 years and can truthfully say that now I UNDERSTAND! Because of the perseverance of these folks in promoting their horses, Fjords have gotten into the hands of individuals who are indeed beyond 'beginner' level. I feel that we are in the midst of history in the making, so to speak. There are a few individuals in this country who are on the leading edge. Take, for instance Anne Appleby and her incredible accomplishments in the Dressage arena with her Fjords. Who'd have thunk it 10 years ago? Dusty is another. Who'd have thunk it, 10 years ago, that there would be Fjords that could rein and cut. I am seeing more people interested in doing that now with their Fjords. There are some new folks in our area who are team penning with their Fjords, again - 10 years ago who would have thunk of using Fjords as 'cow' horses. Just look at the accomplishments of folks who are doing so well in Combined Driving now, etc. The list goes on! Anyway, I think we are seeing the results of everyone's efforts and it is coming full circle. I say thanx to each and everyone's dedication to promote this breed. Keep up the good work everyone! I am anxious to see WHAT'S NEXT?! Gayle Ware Field of Dreams Eugene, OR
Trace clipping
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Since moving to the more temperate climate here in Oregon, I have found it necessary to trace a couple of our heavier coated Fjords. We moved here in Dec. and our horses had grown their LONG JOHNS in preparation for the normal sub-zero weather in MT. Our oldest mare, Molde, grows more hair than I have ever seen. Her forelock is clear down to the end of her nose. I usually end up cutting at least 6 a year off of her tail. She is a 'rough coat'. When we arrived in Eugene from MT. it was 50 degrees - and that was above zero! Molde was prepared for 50 degrees BELOW (I have seen it reach that cold in MT). The poor dear was totally miserable and wet from sweat constantly. I was not sure what to do for her. I was afraid that she might catch cold being wet all of the time. If I blanketed her, she would sweat even more. If I clipped her, then would HAVE to keep her blanketed so she wouldn't get sick. The vet suggested doing nothing and let Mother Nature take care of her. She was inside in a stall as we didn't have fencing yet. After a short time she began to shed like you couldn't believe. Her hair came out in big matted wads like when buffalo shed. She was a sight. Some time later, one of our clients, Becky Crosbie, purchased Lars, out of Mary Thurman's white mare, Line. He is another one who grows way too much hair for this climate. It was not uncommon to see these two wet from sweat just standing in their stalls in the winter. I tried a trace clip on both of these horses. They just looked miserable all of the time. It was as though I had given them a new lease on life! The first time Becky rode Lars after his haircut, he was like a new man!! He had spring in his step and a renewed sparkle in his eye. It was SOOO obvious that these two felt much better. It makes cool out time and drying time much easier when they are worked during the winter. Have never tried the tape, Karen. Will do that next time. Gayle Ware Field of Dreams Eugene, OR
