Re: The President's message
This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Whoa, I take exception to your remarks about the drafty type being hard to ride and hard to find saddles for. My Gunnar is the drafty type and can be ridden all day at a very comfortable trot. Draft nor fat makes a bad ride. His saddle is my dressage Passier with the wide tree used on my 17 hand Trakehner and 16+ hand Holsteiner. I think your statements are a bit broad. No antagonism meant but you are wrong. Jean Jean Walters Gayle Aberdeen, WA Author:The Colonel's Daughter $20 PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: new subscriber/owner
This message is from: John Rooker [EMAIL PROTECTED] Welcome to the Fjord List, Sher! After meeting you and finally meeting Icemann in person, I know that you two will have a great time together. Icy's half bro', Villi says Hey! :) *** REPLY SEPARATOR *** On 1/8/03 at 6:39 AM Sher Bechtold wrote: This message is from: Sher Bechtold [EMAIL PROTECTED] Good Morning, All! My name is Sher and I live in Western New York State. At the ripe pld age of 52, I've puchrased my first Fjordhorse. His name is BDF Icemann, and he is such a joy! We have been bonding since his arrival in October 2002, and Icy is starting to be more like one of my dogs than he is a horse. He follows me all over the paddock, and would rather be with me than with his paddockmates, who are not Fjords, by the way. It's fantastic to see the trust in his eyes and to have it show in his manners.
Re: The President's message
This message is from: Karen McCarthy [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yo, Paula! I was one of the saddle fit respondants I would much rather search for a saddle to fit the horse, than a horse to fit the saddle:~)) Meaning: I very much appreciate the diversity of this breed, and I would never breed for a specific type, but rather a range. Let's not be redundant and lurch down the slippery slope where so many other breeds (QH, Morgan, Arab, etc.) have fallen into specific specialised niches, more the slaves to some fashionable look than true purpose, to the (obvious) detriment of the breed. I am still waiting for my copy of the Herald, and yes, I DID respond to the (now) infamous questionnaire. Thanks for defining the difference betwween polls and census Paula. I wonder if Mike, Registrar extraordinaire, who is so quick with the NFHR data, could respond with the actual response %hmmm. Nite, Kmac Karen McCarthyGreat Basin Fjords :: Carson City, Nevadahttp://www.picturetrail.com/weegees Original Message Follows From: Paula Steinmetz ...If 79% of the people responding to the survey report that they want a horse for riding, it would behoove the breeders to LISTEN... The Fjord is to be versatile and yet some breeders are still breeding these drafty types that were popular during the 50s - that are uncomfortable to ride much less try and fit a saddle to (the recent saddle fitting discussion being the case in point). The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*.
comments from NFHR what to do
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Here is another mission for me and every NFHR member. I agree emphatically with Ursula...that we must maintain the essence and integrity of the breed according to the guidelines laid our by the Mother Country Norway not take it upon ourselves to change thingsThe primary breeding concern must be to maintain all color, types and disciplines...not what the market wants or a poll desires. ...I could not have said it any better. This is where the mission comes into play for all concerned. Letters need to be sent to EVERY NFHR Board member explaining the need to maintain the integrity of this breed. This way, everyone is kept up to speed on the desires of the NFHR members. Sending the same letter to all Board members ensures that the information is getting to ALL the people that make these decisions, would hopefully elicit empathy on this issue, and would generate responses from those Board members that would be so inclined to respond. It is good to know who supports keeping the breed intact, and who thinks it needs to change according to surveys. The numbers relating to how owners use their Fjords is basically just trivialitysort of. It is interesting to see the numbers, and use them to help with the Herald articles, marketing information, etc, but NOT to CHANGE the breed! Every type is already in existence to satisfy ANY need from ANY member. It would be a travesty to see this noble breed go the way of the Quarter Horse and Paint Horse, now that we are in the good ol' USA where people get to do their own thing. I haven't said much before, but if here in the USA, the Warmblood breeds from Europe can have inspections on horses bred here wanting to get into their studbooks, have 100-day testings for stallion approvals, etc, then the least we can do is continue to breed the Fjord true to the Norwegian ideals (they ARE Norwegian Fjord horses) and support the evaluations across N.A. with our mares, stallions, geldings, youngsters, etc. Question: which NFHR Board members are on this list? It would be great to start here, as has been done, but would be wonderful (and productive) to start getting responses from Board members here, as well. I hope everyone gets on this particular band wagon, as we all dearly love our Fjords, and hope to continue to promote our breed with its noble heritage. Carole SweetModesto, CA
Re: President's message in the Herald
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lori, I didn't mean to disagree with your comment about Fjords in dressage except to say that the general public has a stigma about breeding a horse that moves well somehow cancels out his positive attributes. I have a feeling that people think, OK let's breed for a better movement and we are going to have to sacrifice his temperament, character or general type. I don't think this is true. I would think that good breeding should improve horses all the way around including movement. And I agree the top international dressage horses are incredible movers. But not all warmbloods at the state and national competitions are not necessarily that extravagant movers. As you know, there's more to it than that. I just bought a very successful FEI horse imported from Germany and he has been winning Prix St. George and Intermediare classes in Germany at many major competitions. But he is not an extravagant mover at all. I think whether we like it or not, Fjords will change because there is no standardized breeding program. I hope it's in the direction of being more athletic and balanced along with their great temperaments.
Re: President's message in the Herald
This message is from: Lori Albrough [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dressage doesn't require extravagant movement, but correct movement. The state of the art in sporthorse breeding has changed mightily since the WWII era. The warmbloods bred for, and winning, modern dressage competition now tend to have extravagant, floating gaits with particularly breathtaking impressive extensions. These horses are bred for and are winning in modern dressage competition (I am not commenting on whether or not I agree with this trend, this is just a fact). The European countries that specialize in producing these horses for competitive dressage also breed ponies for dressage competition (eg the German Riding Pony and Dutch Riding Pony). Of course I know that any horse with 3 good gaits and free movement can, with the hours and hours of training that it takes, do dressage and do well. And of course I know that dressage = training and it is for every horse. My point is this, and this only, as soon as we get focused totally on ANY one feature in our breeding programs - unless that feature is breed type and character - we are at risk of losing the qualities that make the Fjordhorse a Fjordhorse. In my own breeding program I breed for Fjordhorses with good gaits and free movement, because that is important to me, and I breed the type of horse that I want for myself -- but it can NEVER be more important than breed type and character. If I only wanted to breed ponies who could go out and win in FEI level dressage competitions I would be taking my friend's advice and switching to German Riding Ponies. I love the Fjordhorse because of all the qualities that go into making it a Fjordhorse. The fact that I am doing so well in open dressage competition riding a Fjordhorse who possesses breed type and character in spades, just goes to show that the person who bred him had a breeding program that works. He is exactly the type of horse I try to produce, a Fjordhorse who can do good dressage but not just a dressage pony at any cost. See what I'm getting at? Does my comment make any more sense now? And to k., whoever you are, I am assuming you were addressing your comment to me since Elaine was replying to my post - what on earth negative thing did I say about dressage? and how did you come to be the expert on whether or not I know anything about dressage? Lori
Re: President's message in Herald,
This message is from: Arthur Rivoire [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - I received my Herald the day before yesterday and, as usual, read it from cover to cover including the minutes of BOD meetings and the President's Message. Frankly, when I read The President's Message, I couldn't believe my eyes. I did think, however, that there had to be a mistake and that Fred Brandt really did not mean what he said. What he did say was that the membership survey showed most members were interested in pleasure riding and driving. -- He went on to say (if I interpreted his remarks correctly) that breeders should pattern their breeding along these lines to produce horses for pleasure riding and driving. He then said (if I have interpreted his meaning correctly) that the NFHR should steer the focus of the Registry towards horses for these interests as this is what the membership is interested in. I interpreted his statement to be saying that Fjord breeding in North America should be focused on producing horses capable of pleasure riding and pleasure diriving. -- There's certainly not a thing in this world wrong with using Fjords for these purposes, but they ARE NOT BREEDING GOALS! Going off in this direction is like setting up a breeding operation to produce camp horses. -- Not exactly a high minded aspiration. This is so bizarre that I cannot believe that Fred Brandt or other BOD members believe it or wish it. However, it was said by the president of the registry in the official breed magazine,a nd that's a shame. Ursula Jensen responded, and she said it all. I agree completely. She made several excellent points! She said (paraphrased) that the focus and direction of the Registry should be towards a stewardship of the breed according to the Mother Country of Norway. --- She said that we in North America certainly have no business going off in any other direction because it's perceived that this is what the NFHR members want. Ursula asked how many members actually returned that survey. Good question, but whether it was 20% or 80% makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. -- The fact is we have no business making decisions about what this breed should be based on some simplistic survey --- or any survey, simplistic or not. This reminds me very strongly of another case where an officer of the NFHR said to me - Well, if the membership wants it, then we'll do it that way. That time, it was the question of allowing cross-breeding. The thinking was that there were members who were stallion owners and some of them needed the extra income they'd get from breeding their registered Fjord stallion to neighborhood mares, so if enough of them wanted it, then we'd change the rule. I don't mean to start a discussion on cross-breeding as it's been done and redone many times in this forum. I simply want to point out that at one time, about 20 years ago, the NFHR was very close to allowing this practice just because a few vociferous members wanted it. --- They never got their way because there was a core group of breeders dedicated to the preservation of the Fjord breed. Ursula made an excellent point which was that decisions and rules that affect the Fjordhorse under our stewardship should be made in the best interst of the HORSE, and not the membership. --- I've also made this point time and time again, and put it this way --- What's good or easier for people is usually not good for the horse. -- I have this moto in my barn, and it's almost universally true. -- For instance, feeding twice a day is best for the owner, but not the horse --- Keeping a warm barn is nice for the owner, but not best for the horse --- Earning extra money breeding your Fjord stallion to any mare of any breed will line your pockets, but is it best for the breed? Etc., etc., etc. Again, I can't believe NFHR president, Fred Brandt, really thinks this way as I know he cares very much. This must be a mistake, and I very much hope to hear the NFHR refute it immediately. Sincerely, Carol Rivoire http://www.beaverdamfarm.com Beaver Dam Farm Fjords II R.R. 7 Pomquet, Nova Scotia B2G 2L4 Tel:(902) 386-2304 Fax:(902) 386-2149 Carole Rivoire, author of THE FJORDHORSE HANDBOOK, only book in English on the Fjord breed, available from Beaver Dam Farm, $36.95 US includes PH
Marketing 101
This message is from: Paula Steinmetz [EMAIL PROTECTED] In response to Ruthie and Ursula- Please read my response to Ursula concerning the polling results...I don't want to upset anyone, but the soft market for horses has been mentioned frequently in many posts here lately. To a large part this may be due to the general state of the economy, prospects of war, etc., etc. BUT - and this is a big one folks - soft market or not - the majority of the horse buying public are RIDERS - please re-read this last sentence. The Fjord is a fantastic riding horse (provided you can find a saddle to fit - not a joke). Their temperaments are well suited to the amateur rider...for trail riding, dressage, general using.. we know this. Our shows and breed exhibitions - the primary marketing tool for the breed whether you care to recognize this or not - this is where John and Jane Public see the best of our horses - however, continue to feature mostly driving horses in driving classes. This does not make sense from a marketing perspective! If you want to sell a product (watch TV commercials for some insights into marketing), the product is shown being used by the target market... the Fjord is a versatile horse - but our primary marketing vehicles aren't showing the breed to its best advantage to its BIGGEST market - the riders... Now, I've probably gone and ticked off a lot of folks, but this Marketing 101. I'm going to quote Carole Rivoire here - she once said the Fjord was the perfect old ladies horse - and facts are most amatuer riders are women - take into account also that the population is aging - and we have a perfect niche market for our Fjords...show these people you have a good product and you'll sell a lot of horses!
Shoes vs Barefoot
This message is from: Dave Patti Jo Walter [EMAIL PROTECTED] O.H. Silas, 6 yr old gelding, shoes on the fronts only. He has excellent hooves, perfect shape, strong, etc. He gets used a lot and is shown. I want to keep them looking good. I don't care how great a horse's hooves are if you use them on hard surfaces or alot, I think they need shoes. Also sand is like sandpaper to your horses hooves, so if you have them working in a sand arena, you might be wearing them down daily. I also have a 8 yr old drafty stallion, no shoes ever. He has been used riding and driving but not nearly as much as my gelding. Numberous young stock over the years, only shoes ever needed were if they got stone bruises. I believe the new owners shod them if they were used a lot, but never heard of one that had to have them because of bad hooves, just lots of use. Had one mare in for breeding, she had front shoes, VERY flat feet and soft, she needed them. Praying baby gets our stallions hooves, he has perfect ones like my gelding. Patti Jo Walter Francis Creek Fjords Two Rivers, WI We got 1 inch of snow and then 40 and 50 degrees. It was 52 degrees today. I'm sorry but I really am DISLIKING this winter! I want snow and more snow and more snow yet!
Re: Re: President's message in the Herald
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thank you [EMAIL PROTECTED] for your Dressage statement! Dressage means training for the well being of the horse Why do people automatically think negatively about the things they know nothing about? k. From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: 2003/01/08 Wed PM 04:35:22 CST To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: President's message in the Herald This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I wanted to comment on the part of your statement that said,...I have no interest in changing the Fjordhorse breed into a dressage pony. As a fellow dressage rider I am always mystified by this kind of comment because the only thing a good dressage horse possesses over another horse are regular, correct gaits, freedom of movement in the shoulder and HOURS and HOURS of training. Breeding horses that are good in dressage means that your are breeding a sound, athletic horse that has some degree of self carriage. How could this possibly hurt the breed? Dressage doesn't require extravagant movement, but correct movement. My German dressage instructor told me recently that during W.W.II that all the top German dressage horses were made to work in the fields so that they wouldn't be used as food or military horses. He said even after 3-4 years of pulling plows, they returned to doing their Grand Prix work and were just as good. Dressage doesn't mean the end of versatility.
Re: President's message in the Herald
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 1/8/2003 3:00:25 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Dressage doesn't mean the end of versatility. Well said and in my opinion it's just the opposite, dressage, while boring to some, is just the beginning of versatility! And your German instructor was absolutely correct in what he stated about German dressage horses in WWII Dagmar A HREF=http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/happytogetfit/remembering.html?mtbrand=AOL _USRemembering /AYBärY'4.21.91-12.18.02 '
Re: fjord rescue
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Deb, Do you expect that you will find many more fjords that need rescuing that I already have, and I am floored. I just this morning sent the statistics of what I have found to date to the NFHR. When we first got involved with the 3 Fjords in Alberta, I really thought that was a once in a live time sort of situation! Lynda C. Welch [EMAIL PROTECTED] Vice President, Norwegian Fjord Representative For donations to save a Fjord, please visit PayPal.com and enter [EMAIL PROTECTED] United Equine Foundation http://www.unitedequinefoundation.org/homepage.htm Lynda and Daniel Bailey's Norwegian Fjords Quality Fjords--Equine Transportation--Hand-braided Tack Accessories White Cloud, MI 231-689-9902 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://hometown.aol.com/baileysfjords/
Re: saddle sore
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] How can I help her get over her grouchy act when we are saddling up? Well, I would make something pleasant happen when the saddle comes out! Like a treat, carrot piece, etc, so that she associates the saddle and process of saddling with good things. This is how I have gotten my fjords to accept all sorts of things, bug spray, clippers, even shots. My Fjords are quite mannerly about treats, they know they won't get them if they are pushy. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, warming up after -38F yesterday. mNow we're sending the cold down south! Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: President's message in the Herald
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I wanted to comment on the part of your statement that said,...I have no interest in changing the Fjordhorse breed into a dressage pony. As a fellow dressage rider I am always mystified by this kind of comment because the only thing a good dressage horse possesses over another horse are regular, correct gaits, freedom of movement in the shoulder and HOURS and HOURS of training. Breeding horses that are good in dressage means that your are breeding a sound, athletic horse that has some degree of self carriage. How could this possibly hurt the breed? Dressage doesn't require extravagant movement, but correct movement. My German dressage instructor told me recently that during W.W.II that all the top German dressage horses were made to work in the fields so that they wouldn't be used as food or military horses. He said even after 3-4 years of pulling plows, they returned to doing their Grand Prix work and were just as good. Dressage doesn't mean the end of versatility.
Re: fjord rescue
This message is from: Deb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Do you expect that you will find many more fjords that need rescuing that anyone ever thought? Deb
The President's message
This message is from: Paula Steinmetz [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ursula wrote: The primary breeding concern must be to maintain all color, types and disciplines...not what the market wants or a poll desires.. First of all, let me correct a few misconceptions here about polling and research results. The poll was not random; it was a census. That is, every member was sent a questionnaire with their membership renewal - so everyone on NFHR membership list had an opportunity to respond. The census is the most reliable type of survey design since the entire population is polled. A random survey design means that the survey is administered to only a small number of respondents who are chosen (at random) and determined to be representative of the population of interest. The results of this type of survey design are then generalized (said to be true), of the entire population with certain caveats. The results of this type of survey design are less reliable and the results are usually stated to be accurate only within a certain range, i.e., plus or minus x number of percentage points. The greater this range (called the confidence level), the less accurate are the results. In our census survey, the results do not have to be generalized since every individual was surveyed; however... what would be important in this type of survey is looking at the response level. That is, of the number of surveys sent out, how many were returned... If only 15% of the surveys were returned, the results would have questionable validity... That being said...it would seem that - for those breeders who are having trouble selling their stock, it would be in their BEST INTERESTS to listen to what the market (your customers - you breeders out there!) wants. If 79% of the people responding to the survey report that they want a horse for riding, it would behoove the breeders to LISTEN... The Fjord is to be versatile and yet some breeders are still breeding these drafty types that were popular during the 50s - that are uncomfortable to ride much less try and fit a saddle to (the recent saddle fitting discussion being the case in point). Not changing the breed to fit the market, but remaining within the breed standards to breed a horse the majority of the market wants... a using Fjord - for the majority of users!
Re: President's Message
This message is from: Deb [EMAIL PROTECTED] I read your post with interest Ursala. I have been concerned for awhile as I look at folks web sites and see their fjords. What I mean is this: I love the sturdy, draftier looking fjords. I also see the fjords that are more stylized you might say. They are all wonderful don't get me wrong but I would hate to have one or the other tossed to the side. I am hoping there will be plenty of both types of Fjords. It just seems I keep hearing more about showing Fjords and using Fjords for above and beyond your typical training (dressage) and hope it isn't thought that those sturdy, drafty, darling, cuddly fjords aren't considered less than worthy. Has anyone else wondered that? Deb
RE: President's message in Fjord Herald
This message is from: Cynthia Madden [EMAIL PROTECTED] results indicate that 71% were interested in Pleasure riding and 59% were interested in pleasure driving It seems to me that a 12% difference in results is not a statistically significant number for making marketing breeding decisions. You still have well over 50% interested in driving. That is statistically significant. How many people in the 71% Pleasure riding category were also in the 59% driving category? I would be and so would a good many other respondents. I agree with Ursula that this survey is not relevant to making decisions on how to promote our breed! I have not received my Herald yet so I have not read the message personally. I am just responding to Ursula's message and I highly respect her opinions. = Cynthia Madden Las Cruces, NM [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com
PMU Mares
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello everyone, I am getting a bit swamped with emails from people requesting this PMU farmer's name and location. Please understand we at the UEF are not able to give out this information. He offered the UEF the opportunity to have us either place or purchase these mares in a timely fashion as he does not wish to deal with the public due to past experiences. The PMU industry is a very controversial area and because of this, many PMU farmers work with organizations, such as the UEF, or through horse sales or production sales to help place either their mares or foals. We at the UEF will never give out personal information on any farmer or individual asking our assistance unless given specific permission to do so. I do hope all of you understand this policy! If there are any on this list from Alberta, Ontario, or even one of the western states that would like to meet the trailer to pick up an adopted mare while in route, this can certainly be done. However, our first and primary goal is to purchase these mares. We cannot do anything until this happens. Thanks, Lynda C. Welch [EMAIL PROTECTED] Vice President, Norwegian Fjord Representative For donations to save a Fjord, please visit PayPal.com and enter [EMAIL PROTECTED] United Equine Foundation http://www.unitedequinefoundation.org/homepage.htm Lynda and Daniel Bailey's Norwegian Fjords Quality Fjords--Equine Transportation--Hand-braided Tack Accessories White Cloud, MI 231-689-9902 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://hometown.aol.com/baileysfjords/
Re: new subscriber/owner
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello, I have a question concerning the PMU mares. Why couldn't individuals contact this farmer and buy a mare or mares from him outright, since time is of the essence? t Actually, most of these PMU farmers do not want the general public to know their location if it concerns the selling of PMU mares or foals. There has been so much public outcry, especially in the states, that the few times this has happened with him personally, it was a nightmare. So, when many of these farmers sell PMU stock, they either contact people who can buy a group, or take them to horse sales, or they have what is called production sales. This is just the way it is done. Trust me, I would much prefer having the people contact him, myself, but he will not allow that. Lynda
Life on the Ground
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Forwarded Message -- This is from Jord. Hi folks. Jord here. Long time no see. Hasn't been much to write about lately so, I haven't - written, that is. Anyway, just wanted you to know the gang I took a vote decided some of us would like to greet the New Year somewhere else. To put it bluntly, we want to be sold. Why? Because, that's why. We like it here but there is a whole world out there waiting for us to explore. Now I know how all you folks deplore using numbers so I'll use names. There's me, Jord, Baar, my little brother( who doesn't have a number yet), Trygve, Ivory. We keep our roots in Canada, so you have to look there for the paperwork. Oh yeah, some of the details. Baar is the baby. Thinks he is a real stud because he hasn't had the CHANGE like I have. It really wasn't bad, you know. He gets in the trailer fine, yesterday the human trimmed his feet but forgot to tie him up. Well, Baar just stood there took it like a man. The human trimmed my feet too. Didn't tie me up either. Ha, I left after the first foot was done. BAD mistake!. The human let me know too - spanked my butt pointed to the platform. So I looked at him said Oh you want me up there. OK. So I went back up on the platform. It's logs you know, kind of hollow sounding. The noise scared me at first, kind of like going over a bridge. But that was a long time ago. it doesn't scare me now. So, I stood there got the rest of my feet trimmed. I didn't make him tie me. I knew what the human wanted the first time but hey I'm a kid, have to try, you know. Anyway, I go in the trailer alone too. Don't bother tieing me, I'd rather be loose. All ! of us prefer it. I do fine in hobbles on picket. I'll go around in a round pen for you, if you want. So will my brother. Ivory has been hooked a few times. She will go around the pen for you too. Loads, good with feet, yada,yada,yada. Trygve will do pretty much what you ask him to do. He's good with kids too. Both human 4 footed. Anyway, we would like to go somewhere else for the Holidays beyond. Write if you're interested. Don't be shy. We are all pretty wooly right now. Don't be shy. Bye Jord U U U U Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com
saddle sore
This message is from: Ellen Davidson [EMAIL PROTECTED] I had a saddle that I don't believe fit my fjord too well.We did not use it often or for long rides.We were searching for the right fit,right price,right use saddle.We have found it and I believe it is a good fit.Now the problem.I think that the old saddle bothered her enough that she dreaded going riding.Now when sehe sees the saddle,she gets looks of saddle attitude while getting ready.Once riding,she seems to act like everything feels great.How can I help her get over her grouchy act when we are saddling up or will time heal her mental wounds? I truly don't see any signs of back pain or injury.I think it's a mental thing right now. Thanks,Ellen in Va.
Re: President's message in the Herald
This message is from: Lori Albrough [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ursula Brian Jensen wrote: We just received our Herald in the mail tonight and I am motivated and greatly concerned about what Pres. Fred Brandt had to say in response to the 2002 NFHR Membeship Questionaire... Well spotted Ursula, and an issue well raised. I received my Herald but didn't read that part of it, I was too busy poring over the pictures of Fjordhorses (what is wrong with me? :) I totally agree with what you said. The goals of Norway are: The Fjordhorse must be true to type. It's conformation must be functional and it's use versatile. It must have a good temperament and be hardy and sound. Preserve the original colours of the breed. Keep the Fjordhorse purebred. Avoid markings which are not typical for the breed. I myself love riding dressage and love doing so with my Fjords. However I have no interest in changing the Fjordhorse breed into a dressage pony. I am glad there are others out there doing a variety of activities with their Fjordhorses. The Fjord breed type and character should always be foremost. I like the fact that my horse who wins in open dressage competitions was also the log-pull winner at Woodstock. That is what the Fjord is all about. I think that I also did not complete the mentioned questionnaire. I never seem to have time for them and I find that I often can't provide the yes/no answers they want. Much confusion can come from putting too much credence on questionnaire results. Recently a questionnaire was posted to the Fjord list, one of the posted results of which were that Fjord owners seldom ride/drive (I think the average was once a week). My reaction was: those people who ride every day, were probably outside doing it, not inside responding to a questionnaire. I will be interested in hearing the President's response to this issue. Lori Lori Albrough Bluebird Lane Fjords Moorefield, Ontario http://www.bluebirdlane.com
Re: President's message in the Herald
This message is from: ruth bushnell [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: Ursula Brian Jensen [EMAIL PROTECTED] We just received our Herald in the mail tonight and I am motivated and greatly concerned about what Pres. Fred Brandt had to say in response to the 2002 NFHR Membeship Questionaire... Ursula = I hadn't read that yet Ursula, but I felt very agreeable with what you stated. Polls can definitely be misleading and certainly shouldn't be trusted as a basis for any turn in fundamental policy. I never filled out the questionnaire and I know many others who resist these kinds of determinations, so clearly the numbers would be misleading. Why don't you send your letter to the NFHR Board of Directors immediately? Ruthie, nw mt
Re: Shoes vs barefoot
This message is from: ruth bushnell [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I'd like to hear nutshell opinions, if that's possible ;), of those who shoe their Fjords and why, and those of folks who barefoot theirs and why. Lori, I'm afraid this may be a little more than a nutshell=)) The Fjord horse has such wonderfully tough hoof material that for the most part they do very well without shoes, with a few exceptions like hard use, or our reason... most of ours are unshod, but in the fall we do shoe two or three of them with Barium studded shoes for traction purposes. Anyone who thinks this isn't necessary has never lived in mountainous Montana in the icey wintertime ! The shoes make a tremendous difference and are well worth the additional cost. (I don't know of anyone that shoes their horses unnecessarily because of a shoeing mindset, it's too expensive!) The hoof itself, where the nails are placed, has no feeling (like a fingernail end) and installation is of course a pain- free process. (providing the farrier is somewhat skilled) I believe the horse probably even appreciates the extra traction for their surefootedness and safety. Don't we all like better traction this time of year? (be it tires or shoes) Barefoot is not without potential shortcomings as well, particularly for the do-it-yourselfer In the spring edition of the 2001 Fjord Herald magazine, Dr.Brian Jacobson had an excellent article on What's New in Healthcare for your Horse, in which he shares some of the very latest findings on hoof care; NOT to severely trim the frog (the shock absorber) or NOT to severely pare the hoof plate with a knife... and how that dirt packed in the sole is NOT the bad thing that it has long been considered. (even helps absorb force) and thus NOT to clean the sole of the foot out repeatedly with a pick. (it NOW seems that less may be more). Sometimes I've wondered if people don't just naturally transfer their own particular pedicure fetishes onto their poor horse...(picking and paring) when 'natural' is usually always better. Ruthie, NW MT
new subscriber/owner
This message is from: Sher Bechtold [EMAIL PROTECTED] Good Morning, All! My name is Sher and I live in Western New York State. At the ripe pld age of 52, I've puchrased my first Fjordhorse. His name is BDF Icemann, and he is such a joy! We have been bonding since his arrival in October 2002, and Icy is starting to be more like one of my dogs than he is a horse. He follows me all over the paddock, and would rather be with me than with his paddockmates, who are not Fjords, by the way. It's fantastic to see the trust in his eyes and to have it show in his manners. I have a question concerning the PMU mares. Why couldn't individuals contact this farmer and buy a mare or mares from him outright, since time is of the essence? He would probably appreciate all the interest, and might delay his shipping them to slaughter if he had enough people who wanted one or more of them, but who had to scrape the money together for the purchase. This is just a question, not a flame or anything. I never write to these forums because some people are so sensitive, and I always choose my words carefully. But this thread caught my interest, and for the sake of the mares, thought individuals could contact this guy personally. Hope no one at UEF is offended or insulted.
RE:PMU Mare Adoption Fees
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello everyone, We are still working at trying to lower the adoption fees. We would now be looking at $2136 each to bring them to Michigan, which includes all border paperwork and fees. We have not yet found anyone able to temporarily house these girls in Alberta to eliminate the transportation from Canada to Michigan, but are working on it. So, if anyone would like to adopt one of these girls please email either myself or Dan Hanson at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for an application. We are also taking donations as our first priority will be to get them into the custody of the UEF. As stated before, there are 5 PMU Fjord mares available. 2-3 are bred, 3 trained to ride, all are calm and pleasant to handle, their ages range from 12-20, they are large, and all have paperwork which should make them registrable with the CFHA. They have been used in the PMU line. As of tonight, they are still available for the UEF to take possession of. For all who have donated, thank you!! We are still sending out applications for the three Fjords we rescued from the Ontario slaughter facility. If you have requested an application and have not yet received one or would like one, please email either myself or Dan Hanson. As of right now, we have the reputed purebred filly and the colt/gelding still available for adoption. Lynda C. Welch [EMAIL PROTECTED] Vice President, Norwegian Fjord Representative For donations to save a Fjord, please visit PayPal.com and enter [EMAIL PROTECTED] United Equine Foundation http://www.unitedequinefoundation.org/homepage.htm Lynda and Daniel Bailey's Norwegian Fjords Quality Fjords--Equine Transportation--Hand-braided Tack Accessories White Cloud, MI 231-689-9902 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://hometown.aol.com/baileysfjords/
