Re: rye grass
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Marsha, why aren't you feeding the rye now? I just talked to my Vet > and he said it was very important to know when it was harvested as > in some areas it could grow a mold or spongiform or something? I fed the ryegrass hay when I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area. I stopped using it when the farmer went out of business---his hay field "sprouted" condominiums. :-( No one else seemed to grow ryegrass there, so I found other sources of grassy hays---local wild oat, local mixed pasture, and eventually timothy "imported" from NE California. Here in Roseburg, the local Farmer's Co-op sells "ryegrass hay pellets". I'm not sure of the source; I suspect it's a byproduct of the Willamette Valley farms that grow lawn grass seed. I do use small quantities of that, instead of grain, as a "carrier" for supplements. (And, that was what my old Fjord mare mostly ate, since her teeth could no longer handle long-stem hay.) My everyday hay is local mixed pasture hay. It varies in quality from year to year---my critters are still cleaning up every crumb of the 2000 hay that I have left (beautiful green stuff, cut at just the right time, that still smells wonderful), but they leave a little of the 2001 hay (slightly strawy, because it was cut a little late---the weather didn't co-operate). The good news is that local hay is almost always plentiful and cheap. Make sure your vet isn't confusing ryegrass hay with the grain, rye. I seem to recall hearing that rye wasn't a good horse feed, although I'm not sure why. Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 15 mi SW of Roseburg, Oregon
Re: rye grass
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Marsha, why aren't you feeding the rye now? I just talked to my Vet and he said it was very important to know when it was harvested as in some areas it could grow a mold or spongiform or something? Thanks Jean and Gail for your input. The grass is certainly good looking, green, clean and still last years. Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of "The Colonel's Daughter" Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: rye grass
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I think the protein is higher than alfalfa? [...] I wonder if this > is a content not fed to easy keepers? Lets see what others may say. Nope. Crude protein for "Italian Ryegrass Hay, Late" is 41.1 grams per pound; since 1 pound equals 454 grams, that works out to 9% protein---just about right for maintenance. The same source lists "Alfalfa Hay, Early Bloom" at 79.4 grams/lb, which would be 17.5% protein, and "Alfalfa Hay, Full Bloom" at 67.9 grams/lb, which would be 15% protein---both much too rich! I fed ryegrass to my donkey and my Fjords---all VERY easy keepers. One does have to limit rations, because they like it so much. They clean up every crumb, which I like---no weedy/stemmy junk for me to haul out the next day. Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 15 mi SW of Roseburg, Oregon
Teaching Older Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello everyone, We have had much success in training older horses, including Fjords. In our experience, there are a few things to consider when beginning such training. Regardless of the age of the horse in question, it is imperative the horse has good ground and pen manners, in my opinion, before even considering beginning more advanced training such as round pen work, ground driving, and ultimately, riding and driving. Without good ground and pen manners, more advanced training is simply a waste of time. The horse needs to learn to respect the handler and the handler's space, not be pushy when it comes to feeding time, be caught and haltered easily, needs to lead well, crosstie and tie patiently, the list can go on and on. However, each one of these steps is extremely important for more advanced work. Each horse, regardless of age, needs to be accessed carefully. Do they startle easily? Are they a bit herd or barn sour? Maybe a bit leery of gates? If so, then more fundamental ground work is needed, which equates to much time and patience on the handler's behalf. Training is not an overnight experience for a horse or handler. Nor is 30 days an adequate training expectancy, in my opinion. Training horses takes TIME, PATIENCE, REPETITION, REWARD, DEDICATION, and CONSISTENCY. For example, if a horse easily startles, one needs to work through this most important issue using a patient and consistent pace, rewarding the horse for every single positive step the horse takes in this training. This could take weeks or even months! Dedication is essential for the handler. However, until the horse has learned to overcome these fears AND learns to trust and respect the handler, further training is useless if not dangerous for both horse and handler. I believe that often, humans are in such a hurry with their horses they try to push the training beyond what the horse's training level should be and end up with a horse that has behavioral problems as a result. Never set a deadline for training, be open to new and inventive ideas, and always reward for even baby steps in progress. Horses need consistency in their training, plus a pace that is comfortable for them to process new information. Training older horses can be done quite successfully with a bit of work, just like training a youngster. The only real difference is the older horse might have a certain mindset in what she/he believes is the daily routine. Patience can work through this well. Older horses might also have some sort of behavioral problem dating back to a past experience, this also must be worked through before advanced work can begin. I would also never suggest training two green horses together and especially not hitching two or more green horses together. Training a good, responsive, and safe team takes time and dedication. 30 days is simply not enough time, in my opinion. For example, Carol Riviore talks about ground driving Fjords for 100 miles before even thinking about hitching them!! Personally, I agree. When working with beginning ground driving, I do not believe a horse is even ready to go to the next level of ground driving work until the lessons have been firmly established over a period of at least three weeks. Of course, variation works well with Fjords, they do get bored easily, however, the lessons have to be learned well before moving on. Horses are born with the wonderful ability to survive, this is a primal instinct for them which has worked for milleniums. This is called the flight response, meaning if they get overly frightened, all of their training will shut down and their instinct for flight will commence. This is a part of the horse's genetic makeup, and we have to work with this instinct in mind when handling horses. Only consistent and patient training will teach a horse to overcome this instinct and trust their handler. Hitching two green horses together is just asking for one of them to get startled, go into flight, startle the other green horse, and a wreck is coming. The end result? Often an unhappy owner and two horses who have learned a bad lesson which must be retaught. If a horse, especially an older horse, is barn/herd/gate sour, headshy, or spooky, we have to be very careful to not think the horse is responding as a human would. They are not being stubborn, stupid, or lazy. They are afraid. The key is discovering this fear and working through it in order to enable the horse and handler to develop a strong and firm basis for a future companionship; not with force, but with time, patience, reward, dedication, and consistency. Lynda Lynda and Daniel Bailey's Norwegian Fjord Horse Farm White Cloud, MI 231-689-9902 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://hometown.aol.com/baileysfjords/
Re: rye grass
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 41 grams/lb protein is NOT 41%! More like 11% Alfalfa hay is about 25% protein( more or less?) I think. So I would guess it is a lot less protein than alfalfa. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, Sunny but cold. only +15 today! I think >the protein is higher than alfalfa? Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Congratulations!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello everyone, We wish to congratulate Bill Kelley of New York on his purchase of BNF Happithoka. She will be in her new home after weaning, and we look forward to hearing stories of upcoming adventures with Bill and Happi. Lynda and Daniel Bailey's Norwegian Fjord Horse Farm White Cloud, MI 231-689-9902 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://hometown.aol.com/baileysfjords/
Re: rye grass
This message is from: GAIL RUSSELL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >I have in the past fed ryegrass hay; my equines loved it! When I've >planted annual ryegrass (to overseed bare spots), they graze down >those areas, first. Makes em fat! They do love it. I figure it must be fairly hi carb...always assumed it might not be the MOST nutritious stuff, but they love it. Gail Russell Forestville CA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Happy Birthday
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello, Thank you to Steve for all of the wonderful years we have enjoyed on this list and hopefully, will enjoy for many more! Lynda and Daniel Bailey's Norwegian Fjord Horse Farm White Cloud, MI 231-689-9902 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://hometown.aol.com/baileysfjords/
Re: rye grass
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thank you Marsha Jo for taking the time to write all of this down. I think the protein is higher than alfalfa? Usually my big fellow is very reluctant to try anything new but he grabbed the sample out of my hand. I wonder if this is a content not fed to easy keepers? Lets see what others may say. Thanks again. Jean Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of "The Colonel's Daughter" Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: rye grass
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > The local hay that I have been feeding the easy keepers has become moldy. I > went to my hay dealer and he had a shipment of Rye grass in that a farmer is > growing strictly for horses! I can not find a reference on rye grass. Do > any of you feed it and what is the calcium/phosphorus content. I have in the past fed ryegrass hay; my equines loved it! When I've planted annual ryegrass (to overseed bare spots), they graze down those areas, first. A quick skim thru some reference material shows an entry for "Italian Ryegrass Hay, Late": Digestible Energy 0.73 Mcal/lb Crude Fiber 20.9% NDF Fiber56.3% Crude Protein41.1 grams/lb Calcium 2.47 grams/lb Phosphorus1.36 grams/lb Of the types of hay in that particular table, these numbers most closely resemble the entries for "Timothy Hay, Early Bloom": (0.83, 29.6% 54.0%, 43.1, 2.04, 1.16) As with most hays, a lot will depend on growing conditions, harvest time, etc, so these numbers are merely guidelines, not gospel! Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 15 mi SW of Roseburg, Oregon
rye grass
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The local hay that I have been feeding the easy keepers has become moldy. I went to my hay dealer and he had a shipment of Rye grass in that a farmer is growing strictly for horses! I can not find a reference on rye grass. Do any of you feed it and what is the calcium/phosphorus content. Jean Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of "The Colonel's Daughter" Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: Archives Use
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Happy Birthday to the list. I certainly look forward each morning to checking to see what is going on here. Everything in life seems to spell out in our group and the lack of confrontation this past year has been awesome!!! Thanks Steve and to the members for many pleasant hours. Jean Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of "The Colonel's Daughter" Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: teaching an older horse to drive
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Mary Thurman, I am interested in Line's reaction to you when you have struck her. My warm blood mare resists my direction from the ground. I have interpreted it as "Hey I am the female boss around here" so more of a female to female thing. Has Fred tried to punish Line with a hand or crop? Sorry to learn the old girl is rapidly losing her sight, she has certainly done her best to contribute to the Fjord line.Jean Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of "The Colonel's Daughter" Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: teaching an older horse to drive
This message is from: "truman matz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > This message is from: Mary Thurman I have NO idea why she is this way - and it > doesn't matter what you use(even your hand), she > absolutely will NOT be struck! On the other hand, her > acceptance of voice commands is very handy, allowing Mary, I've had (and still have) Curly horses like that, plus a couple of dogs. I chalk it up to their superior intelligence. They don't need to be physically coerced into anything,... just simply explain it to them. Grant you, one does need to put a tad more emphasis on verbal directions every now and again, but not always. I've also found that a verbal reprimand should be appropriate,... not just a display of ones's temper on an off day. Judy
Spring has arrived in MN
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello! A very Happy Easter to everyone! Happy Birthday to the list - can't imagine a day without my "fjord friends". Steve? You are the best!! Many thanks for all you do for us. Spring has arrived in MN. 50 and windy today. I took "Lena" for a walk down our driveway to put letters in our mailbox. She was VERY interested in the dairy cattle along the road. I get the sense that Sven thinks about high-tailing it when he sees the cattle for the first time each spring - but Lena, she just marches forward, ears up, with wild curiosity in her eye. After getting close enough to realize they were animals she just wanted to stand and watch them. All the horses will take a trip or two with me to the mail box in the next few days:) Speaking of "all" the horses - just added another one to my herd today!! A leapord appaloosa with the temperment of a fjord. Bought her for my husband and oldest daughter - they love the fjords but find them too much horse to handle. "Dot.com" (or Dottie at our farm) is white with black spots from head to toe, 16 years old and a former trail riding horse at a riding ranch for 12 years. The young girl who has owned Dottie for the last two years has "out grown" her:) So, you can see why I think she will fit in around here. My oldest daughter is finally becoming interested in horses (age 25) so I wanted a horse she would enjoy riding. "Dottie" does not like to canter:) I know, sounds like a fjord, huh??? I'll have a picture of "Dot.com" on the, All Things Fjord & More! website, soon!! :) Would someone comment on "hobble training"??? I would like to train my fjord foal to be hobbled. Thanks!!! In two weeks the goat babies arrive - my farm will be open for visitors as of April 15 - May 31st. Those of you in the mid-west.come visit!! Would love to show you my fjords and my farm. My little shop on the farm will be open - all our "All Things Fjord and More!" items will be featured along with my goat milk soap and other skin care items made with goat milk. I'll put the coffee on and we can have molasses cookies for a treat:) Hope to see some of you!! Call to arrange a time 1-763-498-7948 Hope you all have a nice weekend! Linda in Corcoran, MN
Re: Saddles, spanish dressage
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Anneli, You make a good point about waiting for the canter until the walk and trot are well established. We have had long discourses on these questions here on the list. Many feel the fjord has difficulty taking the canter, not all. With my experience with my first Fjord, Howdy, it was very difficult to get him into the canter and it became a bad experience for him when the trainer forced it. With my second fjord who is built to draft, it is also an unwilling but accomplishable act. He has jumped, carted etc. but on the video sent to me before I bought him I could hear a voice in the background questioning a rider who had come in from a jumping event, "did he canter?" It must be a question of balance for the horse and reluctance to attempt something that is uncomfortable. Certainly the more competence the horse gains at walk and trot, it would seem they would feel more in balance and secure as they go into the canter.Jean Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of "The Colonel's Daughter" Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: teaching an older horse to drive
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Older mares can have an attitude, true, especially if all they did was > raise youngsters..somehow they think they should be in charge, after all > they bossed their youngsters around! Probably part of why Nansy was "drivable" in her teens was because she had been used most of her life. She had been ridden, packed, taken to Expos (perfect petting-zoo material!)---i.e. she had gone, been, done, or seen just about everything. So, harness was just one more "dumb thing that humans do". > Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Line [...] seems to respond better to the voice than to the > 'physical' methods. [...] a sharp word That brings back fond memories. Early in our ownership of Nansy, my husband decided to ride her to go clear a small tree that had fallen across a trail. He tied the bow saw on behind the saddle, rode to the tree, tied her up nearby, then proceeded to reduce the tree to easily-movable pieces and toss them aside. When he had re-stowed the saw, he decided to continue on out the trail, to see what else might need work. Nansy, however, allowed as how her "union contract" said that, when we stopped for a break like that, it meant the ride was exactly half over---time to go home. They "discussed" the issue; reins and heels weren't getting him anywhere, so hubby applied "muleskinner language". Nansy gave in, and they did the ride he had in mind. When he returned, he reported that she "responds well to verbal abuse"! Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 15 mi SW of Roseburg, Oregon
Re: teaching an older horse to drive
This message is from: Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --- Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: Jean Ernest Older mares can have an attitude, true, especially > if all they did was > raise youngsters..somehow they think they should be > in charge, after all > they bossed their youngsters around! LOL Still, I > think most can be trained > even if they have done nothing but raise babies, but > you might have to > "negotiate" with them! Jean, You have 'hit the nail on the head' there! "Negotiate" is indeed the proper word - especially with the old "Norwegian born" mares. They just seem to consider some things 'beneath their dignity' - for example, all this new 'submission' training. Uff Da!! Not for ME - they seem to say. Hobble breaking can go much the same way with them. I used a roundpen and hobbles to train my young stock - successfully I might add. But it just never worked well with my old Norwegian born mare. I have also found that there are a few things that some of them will NOT tolerate. Line, for example, absolutely will not STAND to be STRUCK - not with anything. The usual use of the quirt(a smart slap on the chest to remind the horse to stay in his space, for example) was instantly met with "mad mama" syndrome - ears pinned, lip buttoned, body language definitely "annoyed" - and instant 'noncooperation', sometimes even a warning 'foot stomp'. There were other ways(usually a sharp word and an arm thrown outward) to communicate with her, thank you very much! She seems to respond better to the voice than to the 'physical' methods. This "don't even tap me with that thing" attitude was a bit of a handicap in driving classes, as use of the whip as a cue was just not possible. I have NO idea why she is this way - and it doesn't matter what you use(even your hand), she absolutely will NOT be struck! On the other hand, her acceptance of voice commands is very handy, allowing me to 'drive' her anywhere(including back to her stall from the pasture) with no need for lines or harness - not even a halter. I just assume the position(behind and slightly to the left) of a person driving her and start her off. Her ears are on me for directions and I can guide her through gates and past things in the way with just my voice. BTW, most of her vision is now gone - except for distances and about three feet slightly to one side of her nose - so this 'driving' method works better than leading her. When leading her she is constantly swinging her head around trying to find you, which can lead to accidentally being trod upon(she weighs around 1350 pounds!). "Negotiating" has always worked for me with this mare. We are more 'partners' than 'leader and follower'. Mary = Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover http://greetings.yahoo.com/
Re: List Back to Normal for Birthday
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 3/28/2002 3:26:44 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > FH-L's anniversary. The first messages were > exchanged on March 29, 1998, Happy 4th Birthday to the Fjord Horse List!! May we have many more. Amy Amy Evers Dun Lookin' Fjords Redmond, OR Fjord [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Happy Birthday to the list!
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> A happy birthday to the list! This list has really been my "lifeline" to Fjord activities outside of Alaska. Being so far away from all the rest of you, the list has made me feel part of the Fjordhorse world, talking to folks across the country and the world! I really have made it a part of my life, turning on the computer the first thing in the morning and sitting down with my first cup of coffee to see what my Fjord friends have to say! I REALLY need this list as much as my morning coffee! LOL Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska with Stella, Adel, Bjarne and Bjorken > Oh, BTW tomorrow is FH-L's anniversary. The first messages were > exchanged on March 29, 1998, when the list had fewer than ten > subscribers. Some of the original members who are still with us are > Dave MacWethy, Mike May, DeeAnna Weed, and Laura Skjenna. Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: teaching an older horse to drive
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Seems to me thirty days is hardly enough time to have a safe driving horse! And did you drive them at the trainers? And how qualified was the trainer? I ask all this because I knew a guy here who "trained" horses to drivebut somehow only he could drive them! I watched him train and refused to let him touch my young gelding when he offered! (he was a friend) Older mares can have an attitude, true, especially if all they did was raise youngsters..somehow they think they should be in charge, after all they bossed their youngsters around! LOL Still, I think most can be trained even if they have done nothing but raise babies, but you might have to "negotiate" with them! >I bought two mares late last year...one 4 yr old and i 14 >yr old. They went through 30 days of drive training and >when I brought them home I had a similar experience. I >hitched them both up abd when I started them forward, they >started running and hit my husband's truck. Thank God he is >very understanding! For some reason the older one was >spooky and would not respond at all. They eventually ran >into the fence in pasture and stopped. The experience has >left me leary of getting into the cart again. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, clear and COLD, -10F thin morning! Should warm up again next week! Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Happy Birthday
This message is from: Holly Tuck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Happy Birthday List, Great job and I'm still slowly working my way through the archives. Thanks for all the info. Holly from Manitoba __ Find, Connect, Date! http://personals.yahoo.ca
Re: teaching an older horse to drive
This message is from: "Deb Williams" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sorry list this mare is coming to Pa. Got the stall ready already. Peg and Julie both know of my love affaire with Erlend since I first saw him. We are looking forward to our very first Fjord house guests!!! Sorry my barn is now full but we have 2 more foals on the way. LIFE is glorious!!! especially in shades of dun!!! Debi Williams Williams Hill Fjords Waterford, Pa Home of Tolgar,Tanja, Belle,Hilda, Beckett, Rosie and Daniel ( Soon Sejna!!) and a sweet 22 year old Appie who holds my heart forever. > This message is from: "Lisa Schieler" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I bought two mares late last year...one 4 yr old and i 14 >. I am selling her to > Deb Williams if she agrees> Our Tanja is a very experienced broodmare, ( prefered job is as pasture ornament!!) She is the best but has her moments too. Hates to wait for Anything. But I have had so many draft people play with her at our county fair, I should start charging for her time. I think we played 3 hours one day, that night she WON games for the draft vs riding barn. her times were as good as the middle of the riding horses. And she does not canter unless there are firecrackers involved!! Slow and patient repetition works for her patience developement. When it really counts she'll be there for you. We once were doing a local parade and she was her antsy get the show on teh road self. we were waiting to the rider ahead of us to present and i saw this toddler wander out infront of her huge feet and wrap themselves around her front leg. She just froze and waited. the father didn't notice but i couldn't even breathe. The child turned for a second then came back with both arms firmly around both front legs!!! God was certainly there. I don't think the judges even noticed the incident. But she earned her home that day. She's due next. debi
Happy Birthday FH-L
This message is from: "ruth bushnell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> "Exuberant Salutations" Steve, on the most successful Fjord Horse List ongoing production. I must have been on since near the beginning too, as I was thinking it had even been longer ago than 1998, I could have sworn it started in the big snow of 1996/97! Good thing I didn't wager on it =))) The List has been of tremendous value to me (us) and I cherish it highly... THANKS very much Steve, and to all Listers who contribute... I'll have a second cup, please. =))) Ruthie, NW MT
8 Friends for Free to Scotland Sweepstakes
This message is from: "Denise Delgado" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> sign up for this one, i did. http://www.golfserv.com/sweepstakes/default.asp [demime 0.98e removed an attachment of type application/octet-stream which had a name of 8 Friends for Free to Scotland Sweepstakes.url]
Re: Happy Birthday
This message is from: "Carol J. Makosky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi, A very happy birthday to the list. I agree that this is one of my best sources of information for my Fjord. I must add that it would be more interesting if the members could include, in their signature, a general area of what state or country they live in. Many thanks to you, Steve, for putting up with us all and establishing this list. We are having a major melt down of snow at last and hopefully spring will be here soon. Last week we saw 12 eagles on our pond at once. They were enjoying the fish scraps that my husband put out on the ice for them. He does put them way across from us so the little dogs do not become eagle dinners. A very Happy Easter to all. -- "Built FJORD tough" Carol M. On Golden Pond Northern Wisconsin
Re: teaching an older horse to drive
This message is from: "Foxfire Farm" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Lois, A few years ago, my next door neighbor had a big Leopard App gelding who was about 12 when she decided she wanted to learn to drive. This was a kind, quiet horse who had been trail, road ridden, and shown some in low level hunter classes. Working with a trainer, and no driving equipment, she started introducing him to driving with ground driving, using just long lines and a riding saddle. Slowly, they added things like saplings to imitate shafts, but they were slipped through the stirrups and initially not attached. One of us would walk behind him holding the shafts up off the ground, eventually a crosspiece was added to the back ends of the 'shafts' and they were left to drag behind him. She spent a winter of 'tubing' in the snow behind him, playing, having fun, still using a riding saddle and girth with things attached. They may have added a breastplate, I think too, to take pressure off of saddle and girth. All of this was approached slowly, carefully, patiently giving the horse plenty of time to react if he was going to. He never did, always kept the attitude "okay, now what?" After she was able to obtain harness and meadowbrook, there was no stopping them. We had a ball for about 5 years doing shows and CDE's together. (I was privileged to go along as friend, groom, navigator.) The horse, Prints, became a successful, fun, and very pleasant driving horse.This experience was what got me interested in driving in the first place. He was "retired" last year to be used as a therapeautic driving horse, again making a succesful career change. The therapeutic clients adored him, and he was being used regularly for riding and driving. Unfortunately a freak pasture accident prematurely ended his life. No expert here, just had fun learning with my friend. Some horses are definitely not suited to driving, can't stand being chased by noisey things? I have heard of at least one fjord who was declared not suitable for driving, but if the horse is kind, tolerant, and you can do it, it is probably worth trying some intial steps at least to see what she does. Be sure to have a helper or two, to hold the horse, while you add things. Work in a confined, fenced area. It can be done safely, if it's done quietly and slowly, patiently and the horse co-operates. Good luck and keep us posted! Yes, # of horses expands acording to stall availability... have come to believe that is a rule written in stone somewhere. "Thou shalt always have one more horse than you have stalls." Happy Birthday List! Thank you Steve for your ongoing endeavors and updates. Betsy & Jer Patryjak Foxfire Farm [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://foxfirefjords.homestead.com/
Happy Birthday
This message is from: Richard Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> A very happy birthday to you Steve and all the other members. As one of your dedicated lurkers I benefit almost daily and my two boys are the happier for it. Best wishes Richard
Re: List Back to Normal for Birthday
This message is from: "Mike May, Registrar NFHR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 05:18 PM 3/28/2002 -0600, you wrote: Oh, BTW tomorrow is FH-L's anniversary. The first messages were exchanged on March 29, 1998, when the list had fewer than ten subscribers. Some of the original members who are still with us are Dave MacWethy, Mike May, DeeAnna Weed, and Laura Skjenna. As of last Sunday's report, we have 485 subscribers with 148 folks receiving the individual message format and 337 getting the daily digest version. I for one look forward to many more years of community around the virtual kitchen table. Please feel free to take a piece of virtual Birthday cake to go with your virtual coffee. Thanks for the cake Steve, have some ice cream to go with it too everyone! I just looked at the old messages that I have kept here & see that my fist message on the list was on 3/30/98. I have read each & everyone of them since then too. Thanks again Steve for setting this up in the first place. It is still the best list I am on. These things often don't stay as friendly as this one has. Fjord people are as great as our Fjords are for sure. Happy Birthday FH-L!!! Mike === Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry Mike May, Executive Director & Registrar Voice 585-872-4114 FAX 585-787-0497 http://www.nfhr.com mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Expando barns....
This message is from: "Knutsen Fjord Farm" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Wow, Robyn! Amy, I wish we could come. Maybe next year. It sounds great. Peg Knutsen - Ellensburg, WA http://www.eburg.com/~kffjord/
Saddles, spanish dressage
This message is from: "Anneli Sundkvist" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thanks Jean for the info on American Flex saddle company! You really helped me out there, since I was all confused about the Baroque model, that only seemed to exist in Germany. After reading Jean's post, I e-mailed American Flex in Germany about price and size of the Spanish Dressage model. Today I got a mail from their seller in SWEDEN, who did NOT answer my questions but asked me to check their webpage (which I've already done - they don't have "my" model) and to contact them. So, now Anneli is a bit...sour! If I'm stupid enough to buy a saddle in Germany instead of in Sweden - I think should be my decision, or is it only me? I think what I would have wanted was an ANSWER to my questions from Germany with an adress to their Swedish partners, in case I didn't know them. From experience I know that there are $$$ to earn if you buy a saddle directly from Germany. Of course you need to have the saddle fitted out, but I want to choose the saddle-fitter myself. I have now sent a message to the Swedes, so after the weekend I will se if they care to answer my price-and-size-questions. Since the Germans forwarded my first message, I would have expected an answer to that instead of "check-out-our-webpage"! The saddle-soap opera seems "to be continued...";o) Btw...I guess I've asked this before, and it might have been discussed too. I have not been as active on the list as I want to during the past months...BUT is there anyone else who tries to do "spanish", "baroque" or classical dressage with their fjords? I've been intrested for about 3 years and a year and a half ago I went to my first clinic with horse. Now, I start to feel we've really become better. It's fun and everything is built upon the individual horse and rider, which is very good if you don't have a warmblood. Here they are the standard for all ordinary training. I belive that many fjords do better if you do things in a different order, i.e. do more work at trot and walk before you start to canter. I've cantered very little during the winter, training shoulder in and quarter in at walk and trot. Now, I can feel that Cider's canter has developed without us training it! That's fun! Well, I have to continue working... Happy easter (Glad Påsk) everybody! Anneli ** Anneli Sundkvist Dept. of Archaeology & Ancient History St Eriks Torg 5 753 10 Uppsala +46-18-4712082
Re: teaching an older horse to drive
This message is from: "Lisa Schieler" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I bought two mares late last year...one 4 yr old and i 14 yr old. They went through 30 days of drive training and when I brought them home I had a similar experience. I hitched them both up abd when I started them forward, they started running and hit my husband's truck. Thank God he is very understanding! For some reason the older one was spooky and would not respond at all. They eventually ran into the fence in pasture and stopped. The experience has left me leary of getting into the cart again. Since then, the two mares are not getting along. I am selling her to Deb Williams if she agrees. I do not think that older mares are very trainable. She was only a broodmare for all these years and never used for any type of work. I am thinking of trying to ride her and see what she will do. If it does not work out, I will probably just breed her again a couple of times and train the babies for myself. Senja, the younger one, I am hoping will be a good worker with Deb. I wish that I had more room to keep her but I only have 3 acres to keep horses on (my boys need the other 2 for baseball, football, paintball, the 4-wheeler, etc.). At least she will have more room to run! Lisa Schieler Tremont, IL On Thu, 28 Mar 2002 12:47:00 -0500 "Bossmare" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: "Bossmare" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I don't have much experience with driving but had all my > young homebreds in > harness training at age 2 even if their future career was > to be under saddle. > In fact i sent them to a Standardbred racetrack for the > harness training and > also to expose them to the sights and sounds. I > considered it foundation > training even if I never hitched the horse myself. > > As far as we know the mare, Anya, I purchased from > Carol Rivoire had not > been trained to drive. If anyone out there knows > differently I'd love to hear > it. > > My question is whether it is possible, advisable, safe, > etc. to try to train > an older horse to drive. Anya is 11 y.o., basically very > pleasant and safe > but has a streak of pony obstinacy once in a while. > She's easily persuaded to > take the right road but she's far from being a robotic > horse. She's sweet, > smart, and also quite athletic and one gets the > impression that she grants you > her favors instead of that she feels she "has to" do so. > > I've only known of one older horse started with a cart > and it ended in > disaster. It was a middle-aged grade gelding owned by a > very experienced > horsewoman who did 100 mile endurance rides with this > horse. Her husband was > a trainer who started all young horses with driving. She > decided to train her > older horse and things went o.k. for a while until he > bolted through a wooden > fence, cart attached, broke everything into splinters and > broke his owner's > leg. The concensus (from her husband) was that it was > tricky to try the > driving training late in a horse's life. > > I'd like to hear any experiences, positive and negative, > from those of you who > have trained, or attempted to train, older horses to > drive. > > Lois in NJ where it's a lovely spring day and the weeds > are popping up early.
Archives Use
This message is from: Steve McIlree <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I just received the usage report from the eScribe who keeps the FH-L archives, and it appears that the recent problems with receiving the list through E-mail has pushed the archive usage way up. We jumped from number 173 last month to number 70 this month. The only archives with animal-related subject matter ranked ahead of the FjordHorse List were Holisticat, PetBunny, and Bird Board. Way to go Fjords! Let's trample the Kitties in April!! -- Steve McIlree -- Pferd & Skipper -- Omaha, NE/Las Cruces, NM, USA The hooves of the horses!--Oh! bewitching and sweet; Is the music earth steals from the iron-shod feet. -- Will H Ogilvie
