Re: retirement regrets
This message is from: "Warren Stockwell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > This message is from: "vz/bossmare" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I'd like to thank all who emailed me privately and posted on the list their > comments to my retirement dilemma. It is comforting to know that there are > like souls out there who are facing the same dilemma in one way or another. I > don't know what the answer is. In the old days there would be a younger > generation coming up who would take over the farm with the elders relegated to > the background to be part of the rural life but relieved of its > responsibilities. My "kids", ages 40 and 36 live in Colorado and Arizona and > have no real interest in horses or a farm life except as a diversion on their > vacation. The grandchildren all have their own interests that are thoroughly > modern and mostly electronic. I find that sad. There is something so > elemental and fulfilling in caring for farm animals and living a rural life > that goes way beyond anything modern entertainment can come up with. > Lois, Sorry to hear of your delema regarding the future of your farm, but we might have a solution. We have two fjords: an eight year old mare complete with a nine year old kid and an seven year old gelding, the mares full brother, who also comes with an eleven year old kid. Included in the deal would be a matched set of parents who live on a farm that is being encroched upon each year. (we may be forced to have our road paved next year!!) All are well behaved (reasonably) and enjoy farm life. All grandparents have moved on to the big rodeo in the sky, so we are taking applications. Please let us know. The parents
Re: The Law of Value - Bargain Fjords again
This message is from: "lindalee" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I have a register Fjord - brown dun - colt that will be for sale in May 2004. He was born Nov. 11, 2003 and is a cutie. If you want to train him yourself from start to finish here is your chance. I have his mother and father. Email me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] By the way, his name is "Mister Eddison". PS - The price is right. I can only have two horses...gotta sale him. - Original Message - From: "Arthur Rivoire" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Monday, December 15, 2003 1:03 PM Subject: Re: The Law of Value - Bargain Fjords again > This message is from: "Arthur Rivoire" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Hello from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - > > I was SO HAPPY to read Janne's comments regarding buying a weanling or > yearling, and I suspect most other breeders are as well. -- Janne said it, > and she is absolutely correct. . . . . . > > > From: "Janne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> > . WE all know that a well trained horse is totally > > worth its' value, just like Carol said, BUT they are becoming few and far > > between to find, and I am hoping people will start to have the will and > > patience it takes to raise a foal from the get go. The rewards are > > wonderful!! Some people cannot do this, but most can but are not willing > to > > try. Those of you who have said you cannot afford the finished off fjord, > you > > may have to look into a weanling or yearling that comes from a good > reputation > > breeder. It may be totally worth it. > ~~ > > Believe me, buying a baby (weanling or yearling) and making him your "own" > IS totally worth it! -- Everybody wants the made horse, but that made > horse has been made by someone else, and may not be the ideal horse for the > buyer! That's a > very real possibility, and absolutely natural. Horse are not achines. -- > If an owner has spent six years raising and training a horse, that horse has > a lot invested in his owner/trainer. It can very well be that he will not > be as willing to "put out" for a new owner. > > On the other hand, a high quality, well-bred baby coming from a good breeder > who has given the baby the best possible care prenatally and before weaning > is an excellent investment. > > People have the idea they want a horse to use NOW! They somehow think that > by buying a weanling, they'll have 2 1/2 years just waiting before they can > begin to use this horse. -- Nothing could be further from the truth. -- > The owner of a weanling has at least 2 1/2 years to work with this horse. > To become familiar with him, and he with you. To train him the way you want > him trained, and for what you want him to do. -- It's not wasted time! > It's invaluable time, and I would think that a lot of purchasers of mature > horses just wished they'd had that horse as a baby and been able to > influence him in the right way. > > Lots of our customers have bought Gjest weanlings and yearlings, and all of > them have been successful with these horses. We have good quality, sane > mares of quality bloodlines. -- Gjest produces good workers with wonderful > work ethics. We take the best possible care of our mares making sure the > resulting foal is born in optimum health. After birth, we handle and train > the babies with regularity. When they're ready to go, they're healthy, > conditioned, > happy, vaccinated, wormed, trimmed, and trained to lead, tie, clip, load, > pick up feet. -- Very frankly, people should be delighted to be able to > get such high qulaity, well-started youngsters. Young horses without any > problems whatsoever. They're a clean slate ready to be whatever their new > owner wants them to be. -- > > In my opinion, a buyer will end up with an excellent horse by buying a > well-bred weanling or yearling from a breeder who has done all the right > things with that baby. -- If that youngster is, indeed, well-bred, then > even an amateur owner should have no problem raising and training him. > There are many books that teach you exactly how to do this step by step. > And, of course, many wonderful videos. > > I stress "well-bred", and this is where the buyer has to be very vigilant. > Because, if this youngster doesn't come from good stock, or is, for > instance, too closely bred, the buyer could be in for problems that are not > fixable! -- If the horse comes from a quality stallion with known > off-spring and the same for the mare, then the odds are excellent for the > trainability of the baby. > > Merry Christmas, > > Carol Rivoire
Re: Fjord behavior....and retirement regrets
This message is from: "jgayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gail, I also have wished I could afford to set up a "Retirement Village" where we could have our horses live out their retirement years also. Jean Jean Walters Gayle Aberdeen, WA Author:The Colonel's Daughter Occupied Germany 1946-49 $20 PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
RE: The Law of Value - Bargain Fjords again
This message is from: "Casanova, Julie" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I don't usually write the list, I always get reprimanded for not following the rules, but I hope this time I have done everything right. I would like to comment on Janne's and Carols comments on buying a weanling. I was an extreme novice when I bought my Fjord colt weanling. I was scared to death I was going to ruin him by my lack of knowledge, I must admit, I had a very good friend board him at her place and she helped me immensely with his training, I took lessons from her, basically I paid her to teach me how to teach my horse to be a good horse. And books, the library is full of books on training. I myself have an extensive library of training books. Well, long story short, he is 6 years old now and is turning out to be a fabulous horse, he has matured to a fine young gelding, he has been broke to ride and drive and I am concentrating on driving, I did all the ground work with him and when I felt he was ready to be hitched to the cart, I sent him to a man I met at Blue Earth who was fabulous with him and taught him all he knows about being hitched and driving, I got back a very trained driving horse and the bond that we have between us is immeasurable by monetary standards, I love and respect this horse more than I ever thought I could and I believe the same to be true for him about me. I have learned so much by starting out with a baby, There is so much to do with them when they are young, they are like little sponges. They are so eager to learn and work and to please. I would do it all again given the chance. You think that 3 years is a long time to wait to start riding or driving them, but there is so much more to do with them before then that makes them a great horse in adulthood, the time flies by and you think what would I have done had I not had those three years to work with this horse! I look forward to 30 more years with my horse he is my life! I look forward to competing with my gelding in the future and I will be proud to say I raised him myself. I still have a lot to learn about horses, you are always learning. I was a young girl maybe 9 years old when my cousin bought her first horse, a quarter horse gelding. She took me to see him and I was hooked on horses ever since. When I purchased my weanling I was 36 years old, now I am 41 and I hope I am still going to be with him when I am 71! God Bless my beautiful Gjest! Obviously I am all for buying a weanling, I would be sure you either read all about training if you don't know or have a good trainer to give you lessons how to train your horse, I know you can sometimes cause more problems for the young horse if you are inexperienced, but it is up to the individual to know their limitations and get help when they are stuck. I was lucky, my friend helped my a lot, and she is an excellent trainer. I would recommend her highly for training youngsters. Anyway, that is my story. Julie Casanova in snow covered Minnesota - Yahoo! We love the snow. This message is from: "Arthur Rivoire" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - I was SO HAPPY to read Janne's comments regarding buying a weanling or yearling, and I suspect most other breeders are as well. -- Janne said it, and she is absolutely correct. . . . . . > From: "Janne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> . WE all know that a well trained horse is totally > worth its' value, just like Carol said, BUT they are becoming few and > far between to find, and I am hoping people will start to have the > will and patience it takes to raise a foal from the get go. The > rewards are wonderful!! Some people cannot do this, but most can but > are not willing to > try. Those of you who have said you cannot afford the finished off > fjord, you > may have to look into a weanling or yearling that comes from a good reputation > breeder. It may be totally worth it. ~~ Believe me, buying a baby (weanling or yearling) and making him your "own" IS totally worth it! -- Everybody wants the made horse, but that made horse has been made by someone else, and may not be the ideal horse for the buyer! That's a very real possibility, and absolutely natural. Horse are not machines. -- If an owner has spent six years raising and training a horse, that horse has a lot invested in his owner/trainer. It can very well be that he will not be as willing to "put out" for a new owner.
Re: retirement regrets
This message is from: "vz/bossmare" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I'd like to thank all who emailed me privately and posted on the list their comments to my retirement dilemma. It is comforting to know that there are like souls out there who are facing the same dilemma in one way or another. I don't know what the answer is. In the old days there would be a younger generation coming up who would take over the farm with the elders relegated to the background to be part of the rural life but relieved of its responsibilities. My "kids", ages 40 and 36 live in Colorado and Arizona and have no real interest in horses or a farm life except as a diversion on their vacation. The grandchildren all have their own interests that are thoroughly modern and mostly electronic. I find that sad. There is something so elemental and fulfilling in caring for farm animals and living a rural life that goes way beyond anything modern entertainment can come up with. To keep this on the Fjord track I should mention that my dilemma is actually directly connected to the one Fjord mare. Prior to my purchase of her I had had 5 years of bad luck in nursing and ultimately euthanizing three foundered Morgan mares. When the last one was about to be put down I was ready to hang it up with horses and my husband said "don't do that, go get yourself a couple of ponies". I wasn't riding at the time, hadn't ridden in years due to horses too young, too green or too unsound. The ability and interest in riding faded and I was content with being a caretaker. I also boarded other peoples' horses so that kept me very busy. As most of you know we need no encouragement from a spouse to "go get yourself a couple of ponies". So I did. I bought the first one while my last Morgan mare was limping her last and when her time was up bought the second Fjord to keep the first company. Finally I had a horse that was safe to ride, healthy and sound. I however had aged in the meantime and found that something I thought I could take up at any time was something to seriously consider as far as risk. Breaking bones at 60+ is not a good thing and I had been diagnosed with bone loss in my hips. Meanwhile my new mare and I got to know each other and through a bit of thick and thin bonded in the process. She became a different horse once she was secure. I wish I had discovered Fjords long ago before I had invested so much time and energy in the Morgans which I have to say were a discouraging aspect of my horse life. The Fjord is also much more suited to my own temperament which tends to prefer quiet animals and people. I'm not much for the "Sarah Bernhardt" type in personalities and my Morgans were all of that type. The quiet dignity and intelligence without hysteria that my Fjord mare shows is largely responsible for the bond we formed. The Morgans all wore their emotions on the outside, easy to read but this mare was much more reserved with an inner quality I found extremely interesting to explore. I do have an option with the handicapped center to take my mare back within a year's time. As time goes on the thought of doing so gets stronger even with the idea that somewhere down the line I'd have to do something about taking her to NC. Meanwhile I'd like to ask any of you if you've had experience with keeping one horse by itself with boarded cows for company. I do not want to get into multiple horses again but also don't want to be unfair to this mare or even unfair to the riding center if she is doing her job and is happy being in a herd of five Fjords and loved by the clients. Since she does have a strong tendency to attach herself to another horse it might be advantageous to keep her by herselfor it might make her very unhappy. If anyone has had experience along these lines I'd like to know.
Re mounted posse
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Pamala; OMG!! What a nightmareno kidding you aren't sure how you will fit in with that group...UFFDA!!! Linda in MN
Re: Fjords and ground manners
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] No - not all fjords are pushy and testing their handlers all the time. If they are.I suspect the handler is inconsistent. Linda in MN
Re: The Law of Value - Bargain Fjords again
This message is from: "Arthur Rivoire" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - I was SO HAPPY to read Janne's comments regarding buying a weanling or yearling, and I suspect most other breeders are as well. -- Janne said it, and she is absolutely correct. . . . . . > From: "Janne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> . WE all know that a well trained horse is totally > worth its' value, just like Carol said, BUT they are becoming few and far > between to find, and I am hoping people will start to have the will and > patience it takes to raise a foal from the get go. The rewards are > wonderful!! Some people cannot do this, but most can but are not willing to > try. Those of you who have said you cannot afford the finished off fjord, you > may have to look into a weanling or yearling that comes from a good reputation > breeder. It may be totally worth it. ~~ Believe me, buying a baby (weanling or yearling) and making him your "own" IS totally worth it! -- Everybody wants the made horse, but that made horse has been made by someone else, and may not be the ideal horse for the buyer! That's a very real possibility, and absolutely natural. Horse are not machines. -- If an owner has spent six years raising and training a horse, that horse has a lot invested in his owner/trainer. It can very well be that he will not be as willing to "put out" for a new owner. On the other hand, a high quality, well-bred baby coming from a good breeder who has given the baby the best possible care prenatally and before weaning is an excellent investment. People have the idea they want a horse to use NOW! They somehow think that by buying a weanling, they'll have 2 1/2 years just waiting before they can begin to use this horse. -- Nothing could be further from the truth. -- The owner of a weanling has at least 2 1/2 years to work with this horse. To become familiar with him, and he with you. To train him the way you want him trained, and for what you want him to do. -- It's not wasted time! It's invaluable time, and I would think that a lot of purchasers of mature horses just wished they'd had that horse as a baby and been able to influence him in the right way. Lots of our customers have bought Gjest weanlings and yearlings, and all of them have been successful with these horses. We have good quality, sane mares of quality bloodlines. -- Gjest produces good workers with wonderful work ethics. We take the best possible care of our mares making sure the resulting foal is born in optimum health. After birth, we handle and train the babies with regularity. When they're ready to go, they're healthy, conditioned, happy, vaccinated, wormed, trimmed, and trained to lead, tie, clip, load, pick up feet. -- Very frankly, people should be delighted to be able to get such high qulaity, well-started youngsters. Young horses without any problems whatsoever. They're a clean slate ready to be whatever their new owner wants them to be. -- In my opinion, a buyer will end up with an excellent horse by buying a well-bred weanling or yearling from a breeder who has done all the right things with that baby. -- If that youngster is, indeed, well-bred, then even an amateur owner should have no problem raising and training him. There are many books that teach you exactly how to do this step by step. And, of course, many wonderful videos. I stress "well-bred", and this is where the buyer has to be very vigilant. Because, if this youngster doesn't come from good stock, or is, for instance, too closely bred, the buyer could be in for problems that are not fixable! -- If the horse comes from a quality stallion with known off-spring and the same for the mare, then the odds are excellent for the trainability of the baby. Merry Christmas, Carol Rivoire
RE: Fjord behavior....and retirement regrets
This message is from: "Gail Russell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> If I ever > had a magic wish it would be to have back the money I have spent on my > loves, horses. And dogs and cats.>> Jean I FINALLY got horses when someone said to me (at the age of 51)..."I finally just went and got horses because I knew I would never be rich enough to afford them." Segue to this weekendI drove to Southern CA (from SF Bay Area) to pick up a horse and show him off to my age-30 daughter who has "suddenly" shown an interest. She announced that she had always wanted a horse, but that I would not get one when she was young. I did not really remember that.but the truth wasI had decided for years that I could not afford them. When she was young I wanted a horse...but would not even let myself think about having one because we could not afford them. I did have animals...a milk cowbut only because it paid for its own feed and provided meat animals for family. There was no room for fun. It saddens me now to think that I spent so many years being quite that practicaland that my daughter did not get her horse! Oh wellcame home to our beautiful little fillythat I was going to selland began fantasizing about training her to be my daughter's horse for the time when she finally gives up her LA entertainment industry job and moves to a place where there is time and room for horses. As to the "getting olderhorses are too much responsibility problemI know what you mean>" I have even thought of trying to set up a "retirement living facility" that would have stables attached.where young people could come and ride and handle the horsesand pay the expensesbut the oldsters could watch the horses, smell them, and spoil them with treats. I know EXACTLY what you are talking about in the hollowness of a manicure! And also in the burden of being responsible for horses' needs. Gail > BUT TO FORFEIT your loving investment, in lieu of cold hard cash, you would not now be the same solid quality person you are today.. ! = ...animals bring out the very best in us, affording us the comfort of long time companionship and a familial sense of well being and belonging. I don't think you could find a better return than that on your money anywhere. =))) ...having been just a bit involved in pet rescue work I would state that it is a common widespread misconception to think that there is no one else on earth that will love our pets like we do... but truth be known... there are many loving people who could do well by our pets thank Goodness! (the trick is to find them, once your mind is made up.) best of luck Jean in your plans for what's best for you and yours ! Ruthie, nw mt
Re: Fjord behavior....and retirement regrets
This message is from: "jgayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thanks Ruthie, I will keep going for awhile further. Jean Jean Walters Gayle Aberdeen, WA Author:The Colonel's Daughter Occupied Germany 1946-49 $20 PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: Fjord behavior....and retirement regrets
This message is from: "ruth bushnell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> If I ever > had a magic wish it would be to have back the money I have spent on my > loves, horses. And dogs and cats.>> Jean > BUT TO FORFEIT your loving investment, in lieu of cold hard cash, you would not now be the same solid quality person you are today.. ! = ...animals bring out the very best in us, affording us the comfort of long time companionship and a familial sense of well being and belonging. I don't think you could find a better return than that on your money anywhere. =))) ...having been just a bit involved in pet rescue work I would state that it is a common widespread misconception to think that there is no one else on earth that will love our pets like we do... but truth be known... there are many loving people who could do well by our pets thank Goodness! (the trick is to find them, once your mind is made up.) best of luck Jean in your plans for what's best for you and yours ! Ruthie, nw mt
RE: Fjords & Ground Manners
This message is from: "Gail Russell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> There are horses who are just always good. Usually much older ones, and rare I think. Jean We have two QH'sfull brothers. However, they look different, in that one is bigger, longer backed and has weaker hock conformationand is VERY dominant. The other has much better conformationshorter back (horrible trot to ride as a result), better hocks, and more of a reining horse rear end(not always an improvement in long term soundnessbut I guess it makes for flashier stops. The biggest difference, though, is temperament. The dominant will ALWAYS try to take over if given a chance. He can be brought "back to order" fairly easily, but he never really gives up "plotting." (AnthropomorphizingI knowbut it is just the mental image I have of what is still going on behind those newly softened eyes after a few minutes of ground workI am sure not what is actually happening.) The other horse is certainly disobedientbut his ground manners almost never waver. I think they were probably different from birth.
Several Secret Santa Hints
This message is from: Cynthia Madden <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For Tillie Evers: It's true that I am from the state of golden sun and I've been to your home full of laughter and fun. I have two Fjords, I'd have ten if I could. Fat and woolly and looking good! Your Secret Santa For Brigid Wasson: Were glad to say your gift is on it's way. One last hint as to who we are-- Our nearest Fjord neighbor to the south is the Pedersons. But it really makes no difference how near or far because we are all neighbors and friends because of our Fjords. SS For Karen Keith: We have never met in person although I think one day we will I have never been to your state, but I guess you've been to mine I own two fjords - and we have the same favorite fjord color Your Secret Santa = Cynthia Madden Las Cruces, NM [EMAIL PROTECTED] (messages received on Saturday or Sunday can not be responded to until Monday) New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing. http://photos.yahoo.com/
Re: Fjord behavior....and retirement regrets
This message is from: "jgayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Oh Lois you hit right where I am at this point in life. Mixed emotions. At 78 I need to travel before I can't. But who can take care of the horses so I do not worry about them. If I did not have horses would I have something to get up for in the mornings? Can I afford the trip back to Europe with the bills for old Charlie's aging problems. |The barn, arena and house got pressure washed this year and that was over $2000. Then there are the gardeners and the handy man who lifts the things I now can not. If I ever had a magic wish it would be to have back the money I have spent on my loves, horses. And dogs and cats. Social life in a retirement area would be ideal rather than a remoter area devoted to the upkeep of horse facilities. Don't find many old boys who want to be with horses instead of at nice restaurants etc. If I do think of moving what about the two dogs, one old, and the barn cat Lucy who has always tried to become a house cat. But most of all I can find a home for Gunnar easily but what about my Charley and his aging problems. I know, when Charley dies I can do all of these things or will he live into his thirties and I will be too old! And so forth and so on!!! Jean Jean Walters Gayle Aberdeen, WA Author:The Colonel's Daughter Occupied Germany 1946-49 $20 PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: Fjord behavior....and retirement regrets
This message is from: Tamara Rousso <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Lois, Thanks for sharing your story. I am only (ha! how did I get here) in my mid-forties, but did not get farm animals until a couple of years ago. After the novelty wore off my first thoughts upon rising in the mornings became "Jeez I could still be snuggled in a warm bed and get up for a leisurely cup of coffee etc". I loved the animals and once I was up and moving enjoyed them immensely. But I still hung onto someday when the kids are grown we won't need to have all of these animals. One day I was talking about the critters to the dog groomer and mentioned my desires for more freedom and how I was looking forward to that in my old age. Her reply was "Ah, I can tell you really love and enjoy the animals. I bet you'll always have some." She went onto tell me how her father in his 70's got rid of all of his critters because he was "too old" to take care of them. In less then two years he was acquiring critters because he just missed them too much. Now in the mornings I don't begrudge my chores. I just think to myself that all this moving and work will keep me young as I grow into my golden years. I think you should go for the 5 acres, Lois. Maybe try and find one with a small house and cottage you can trade rent for help around the place. I get Country Living magazine and there are always people looking to make that kind of arrangement just to get to country living. I also homeschool and many homeschoolers want a country lifestyle to raise children in. Once you get moved there and connected you may find it easier then you think. Taking care of critters in a climate without weather extremes is much easier I should imagine. Best wishes too you, Tamara in So Cal --- vz/bossmare <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: "vz/bossmare" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I've been following the posts regarding Fjord > behavior, notably the pushy > part. I thought it might be interesting to relate > here that horses can act > different ways in different places and what can be > an asset (?) can also be a > liability. > > As I've noted in previous posts my husband and I > have decided to give up the > farm life and move to a southern golf community. At > the time it seemed like a > great idea and now in the midst of ice and snow, > still doesbut more > about that later. > My immediate concern was the disposition of my two > Fjord mares. I was far > more concerned about where they would go than I was > in trying to get money for > them. Neither had done much actual work for some > time although ground manners > were always reinforced and both mares were pleasant > and cooperative. I had > formed a much more solid bond than I thought with > the mare who was the most > aloof and the one I had had a bit of trouble with > when I first got her. The > other mare was a real happy-go-lucky, love > everybody, bombproof cutie. I > thought she'd be a cinch for the handicapped program > and possibly the other > mare would work out too as she had previously been > used in a vacation riding > program. > > I called our local handicapped riding center which > had an excellent reputation > for their care of horses and my husband and I felt > that this is where we > wanted them to go. They already had three Fjords > and loved the breed.and > were familiar with some of the Fjord "quirks" (read > that as stubborn and/or > pushy) but did not find that a problem. Their > philosophy was the same as my > own which was to meet Fjord stubborness with human > stubborness to get the job > done. Or, quiet persistance as I call it. So I > felt very comfortable placing > them there and they were delighted to get them. > Both mares were on a two > month trial period to assure that they would settle > in and be suitable. I was > concerned that the older, more aloof mare who had > always "noticed'' things > more than the other one might be a question mark. > And upon her arrival she > did become quite unglued at the sight and sound of a > pair of miniature horses > and then became more unglued when parted from the > other mare which was the > same problem I'd had with her (herdbound) when she > arrived at our farm and > formed a velcro bond to the one other horse I had at > the time. > > Well, the trial period is up and much to my regret > (!) both mares passed with > flying colors. Now here's the ironic partthe > aloof mare who was more > quick to startle or resist turned out to be the one > they used for a youngster > who was prone to unexpected movements and for whom > they needed a VERY steady > horse. I had actually found that to be true for > myself when I rode her and > found out the arthritis in my hips made for a very > awkward mounting and > dismounting... and she was like a rock. Now the > little bombproof cutie was a > little different. She loved the attention, loved > the grooming, but didn't > like work. When a staff
Re: affordable fjords
This message is from: Tamara Rousso <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Hope - Very interesting idea. Can you expand on how you would envision this happening? Tamara So. Cal. --- Hope Carlson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: "Hope Carlson" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Hello all, for those of you unable to afford a > fjord, but want one, have you > thought of asking to share one with one of us owners > of Fjords? I am sure > the possibility exists. I am open to the asking, > maybe others are too. > > Maybe too full of the Christmas Spirit, but hey, it > is an idea. > > Hope > Harvard, IL = ***^^***^^***^^***^^***^^***^^***^^***^^***^^***^^*** If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things. Rene Descart
Lots of Silly Fun!
This message is from: "Pasqual, Patricia A" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I had a little idea a few weeks ago when the snow started to fall about some form of "ski jouring," so on Saturday my friend Pam that I board with and Nicki, a little girl who comes out once a week to fool around with Elph in exchange for some chores met up to try this. We fixed up the breast collar so that the saddle ties held up the traces, and then looped a lunge line through the slots of the traces -voila! a towrope. Pam mounted up, and Nicki and on got on a light plastic sled and off we went. We started out in the the riding ring, because I wasn't sure how Elph would react to this nonsense, but he was extremely tolerant, so we then went out into the pasture where there are great straightaways. Being pulled along (at a safe distance) at a trot was a riot, I felt like I was about 10 years old. I think what we did was probably a good introduction to pulling a sleigh (there is that initial resistance that the snow gives, then a little release); I was so proud of Elph, ! now I am searching for a bobsled (or will rig something up with the sleigh runners I have already) and try something else during Christmas break. In fact, I also went cross country skiing this w/e, so maybe will try the real ski-jouring thing. More snow on the way, yippeee! Tish and Elph in Minneapolis Winter with snow for once is such a treat . . .
website has a new look
This message is from: "Ursula & Brian Jensen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Merry Christmas everyoneOur son Aaren and I have been putting in long hours updating and giving our website a new look. Check it out by clicking on the URL in the signaturethis year we added a kid's and visitors pagehope you like it and let me know if you see anything that needs changingspelling, stuff like that...also, how it loads...there are many photos but we tried to keep them small. It's a huge site so you may need a bit of time. Happy Holidays to you all. Ursula & Brian Jensen Trinity Fjords Box 1032 Lumby BC, V0E 2G0 Canada 250-547-6303 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://okjunc.junction.net/~ujensen/
Re: affordable fjords
This message is from: "Hope Carlson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello all, for those of you unable to afford a fjord, but want one, have you thought of asking to share one with one of us owners of Fjords? I am sure the possibility exists. I am open to the asking, maybe others are too. Maybe too full of the Christmas Spirit, but hey, it is an idea. Hope Harvard, IL
Re: Beaverdam Farm virtual tour
This message is from: "sandra church" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Carol-thank you for your post. I'm sitting here with tears because wonderful memories of our vacation at your farm came back as I watched the video. Sarah & I had a wonderful time there and when I returned home, I ordered Loki's cart & harness because I knew that I wanted to drive him especially since he was already trained to drive. Of course, the best part of your video is the picture of Sarah riding on the beach with your German internher smile tells the whole story...we want to come back!!! Have a wonderful holiday...Sandra in Va. Take advantage of our best MSN Dial-up offer of the year six months @$9.95/month. Sign up now!
Fjord behavior....and retirement regrets
This message is from: "vz/bossmare" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I've been following the posts regarding Fjord behavior, notably the pushy part. I thought it might be interesting to relate here that horses can act different ways in different places and what can be an asset (?) can also be a liability. As I've noted in previous posts my husband and I have decided to give up the farm life and move to a southern golf community. At the time it seemed like a great idea and now in the midst of ice and snow, still doesbut more about that later. My immediate concern was the disposition of my two Fjord mares. I was far more concerned about where they would go than I was in trying to get money for them. Neither had done much actual work for some time although ground manners were always reinforced and both mares were pleasant and cooperative. I had formed a much more solid bond than I thought with the mare who was the most aloof and the one I had had a bit of trouble with when I first got her. The other mare was a real happy-go-lucky, love everybody, bombproof cutie. I thought she'd be a cinch for the handicapped program and possibly the other mare would work out too as she had previously been used in a vacation riding program. I called our local handicapped riding center which had an excellent reputation for their care of horses and my husband and I felt that this is where we wanted them to go. They already had three Fjords and loved the breed.and were familiar with some of the Fjord "quirks" (read that as stubborn and/or pushy) but did not find that a problem. Their philosophy was the same as my own which was to meet Fjord stubborness with human stubborness to get the job done. Or, quiet persistance as I call it. So I felt very comfortable placing them there and they were delighted to get them. Both mares were on a two month trial period to assure that they would settle in and be suitable. I was concerned that the older, more aloof mare who had always "noticed'' things more than the other one might be a question mark. And upon her arrival she did become quite unglued at the sight and sound of a pair of miniature horses and then became more unglued when parted from the other mare which was the same problem I'd had with her (herdbound) when she arrived at our farm and formed a velcro bond to the one other horse I had at the time. Well, the trial period is up and much to my regret (!) both mares passed with flying colors. Now here's the ironic partthe aloof mare who was more quick to startle or resist turned out to be the one they used for a youngster who was prone to unexpected movements and for whom they needed a VERY steady horse. I had actually found that to be true for myself when I rode her and found out the arthritis in my hips made for a very awkward mounting and dismounting... and she was like a rock. Now the little bombproof cutie was a little different. She loved the attention, loved the grooming, but didn't like work. When a staff member rode her she would plant her feet. I had found her to be absolutely adorable and not especially bratty or pushy. Her trick was to plant her feet and not move and I interpreted it to mean that behind those lovely eyes lived a more opinionated mare than perceived. I had told the staff at the center not to be fooled by her and a light tap with a dressage whip when she balked was all that was needed. Now the sad part. I thought I was ready to let go after 30 years with horses and 20 years with our own farm. We will be 64 years old and the work and expense of maintaining the farm was getting to be a burden. We were never able to find reliable help so did most of the work ourselves. Suddenly I have no stalls to clean, water tanks to de-ice, vet bills, farrier bills or hay bills. I started to take care of myself suddenly noticing 40 years of sun damage on my face (I should have carried a parasol I guess). How did I get so old so fast? I colored my hair, bought a new wardrobe, bought some jewelry and got a set of Callaway golf clubs from my husband for Christmas. But I could cry. We still have a couple of Holstein heifers we are boarding for a neighbor that my husband cares for but today for the first time in two months I was in the barn emptying a bag of feed, filling their hay racks and seeing that they had a clean straw bed in their shed. They are very tame and run up to the fence for apples but they are not my Fjord mares. My few minutes in the barn were so much more real to me than all the personal improvements and embellishments I had indulged in since the mares left. More than once when dirty and tired with broken fingernails and brittle hair and nary a vacation away for years in a row, or $60 shoes every 6 weeks much less a pedicure (which my horses got) I thought of people who led lives free of livestock responsibilities. When I felt guilty spending $$ on cosmetics it suddenly occurred to me that my bill with KV or Valley Vet
