Re: brag for a friend
This message is from: Lori Albrough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Kristin Lee and Jaeger competed in a WSCA Open show here in Minnesota and won the High Point English Horse trophy against all Quarter Horses and Arabians. Hooray! Congratulations to Kristin and Jaeger!!! (Bluebird Lane Jaeger, that is :-) Kristin bought Jaeger as a 2 and half year old and has trained him and brought him along beautifully. I saw him in Winona (he was 4 then) and I told Kristin that Jaeger was welcome to come back home anytime :-) He just looks so soft and lovely to ride. I'd love to see him now, I bet he has changed tons, the Felix line tends to mature slowly. Jaeger is sired by Felix and out of our great old Dutch-bred mare Cindy (by Ostar), now retired from breeding. I have a 3 year old full brother to Jaeger here that I have been saving for myself :-) Best of luck to Kristin and Jaeger at the Championships! Lori -- Lori Albrough Bluebird Lane Fjords R.R.#3 Moorefield Ont Canada N0G 2K0 phone: 519-638-5598 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.bluebirdlane.com The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: Canter, Form and function
This message is from: Starfire Farm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Norsk Wood Works wrote: I think most all fjords can canter but some have a much easier time of it due to conformation issues. A horse that has a good length of neck with good proportions through the body and good muscling and is quite forward will probably be more willing to canter more easily. If you have that laid back horse with shorter legs, heavy front end, shorter neck, it may not be quite as willing to canter, but then again maybe it will. It depends on their mind set too. This is all very true. Over the years I have had the opportunity to start a number of different Fjords with varying conformation and athletic ability. They can all canter, but some prefer to trot (even some of those who's conformation would appear to allow them to canter easily). Some, like Thordal, actually prefer to canter! For the things that I like to do with a horse, I prefer a horse that can not only canter easily, but that also demonstrates, at liberty, that it can easily flex at the poll, no matter how heavy or short the neck. It is true that a horse with a shorter neck might find it more difficult to flex at the poll, yet I have worked with Fjord horses that have shorter necks with thick(er) throatlatches that easily flex at the poll, as well as Fjord horses with longer necks and thinner throatlatches that don't care to flex at the poll at all. Each type of horse offers different challenges to the trainer who wants to teach the horse to canter with a rider on its back. No matter what system is used, one of the most crucial things for a horse to have, while the horse is learning to canter under saddle, is a rider that won't inhibit the horse's initial attempts to canter. If a rider lacks the balance and strength to "go with the horse" as it makes it's attempts, the horse becomes unbalanced and can be discouraged from trying to go into the canter. Some will simply keep trotting, some will stop and some will buck. A knowledgeable and experienced rider is preferable, but if the rider can stay balanced with the horse no matter what, then a young rider (or an inexperienced rider) with a knowledgeble person on the ground, can accomplish helping the horse understand what is being asked of it. I have always chuckled a little when Fjord people, or people who believe that Fjords can't canter, see our quadrille. We have had Fjords and riders of every shape, size and riding ability join in and perform with us. They have all, at one time or another, been able to canter. Some are more balanced than others, but a great example of varying levels of athleticism was in included in our Winona quadrille, yet all cantered! And, we all had a blast! So, keep on working on your canters, however you do it, and it will come. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: On-trail fan clubs
This message is from: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> When I take my grey fjord, Tonka, out I get an interesting reaction. First, out here in CA where I live, hardly anyone knows what a fjord is. People ask me if that pony is one of those Iceland ponies. Then if they happen to know what a fjord is they say, "What is your fjord crossed with?" I tell them that he is not a cross but a purebred fjord. Then they say, "But fjords are brown." So then I have to tell them that some of them are grey, etc. Bonnie in CA 99* and very low visibility due to all the fires around the state - Original Message - From: "jen frame" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 5:38 PM Subject: Re: On-trail fan clubs This message is from: "jen frame" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Marsha Jo--what a great description of other people's Fjord reactions! And I love that your horse frisks hikers looking for apples and carrots! That is so apt, and so hysterical and so Fjord-esque! I know what you mean about non-Fjord friends seeming a little mystified when my Fjord gets all the attention and their gorgeous What Ever horses gets ignored! I have actually become embarassed by it the reason why this is so ironic for me is because when I went for my first ride with the "gaited ladies" I chose to take my Fjord instead of my TWH. My husband was actually nervous for me, He feared that tthe ladies would think I was on some fat ugly trotting pony, and be ostracized for it. He begged me to reconsider and take my TWH instead. But took my Fjord, and she was a huge hit! Now my hubby doesn't get nervous when I take my Fjord because he has seen people go ga-ga over her. I think he thought that her feelings would be hurt if they had a negative response. But Splendora is very confident and wouldn't care either way! Jen The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: cantering fjords
This message is from: "Nature Friends Outdoor" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For thoses that are getting discouraged here is my story : when I got Abby (drafty, short legs hmmm pot belly...) I figured that she would never canter. I think that she did not know how !! Little by little we made short little canters and I asked for them when she was naturally ready, I mean at times when she had real forward energy so that it came naturally. I always asked for it on a trail NOT in the arena. Cantering on a circle (even taking the turns in a large arena) it a whole different story and needs a horse to be coordinated and suple enough not to throw himself on the ground. Abby would have been terrified to be asked to canter in an arena at first because she knew that she would risk falling down in the corners. Long story short : you should see Abby now : almost a racing horse ! She LOVES cantering and picks up the canter with only a light vocal click. From a slow, laid back horse she transformed into a very forward horse that loves moving and is an absolute joy to ride. So don't get discouraged and just build the muscles and skills of your horses slowly and I bet all of them will enjoy cantering because moving is what makes horses happy. Good luck Yasmine Djabri The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2008 #132
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] i love all the fjord reaction comments. i get that a lot at the barn where oz is boarded. the owner still nuzzles him after 4 years, and every time a new student comes in for lessons, my instructor has to show them oz. and almost every single person says the same thing..what is he? he's cte. funny, a friend from work who also boards there got a new horse two weeks ago, i went with him to wisconsin to pick him up. norman is a 17-3hh percheron/tb cross, which he is going to ride for dressage. he has size 5 shoes. his former owner, when she saw how tangled his mane was this spring, cut it all off. right now it's in "fjord length" and still standing up. this horse has the same attitude as oz, quite in your pocket...i suggested he's just a fjord with a black coat. as for cantering, my instructor often pushes me a bit to canter, but even though oz can do it, it's a lot of work to get him going, at least for me, and i am not always confident enough to do it for long. i guess i feel that at my age, and after my knee replacement a couple of years ago, and back problems from the QH that bucked me off before that, i am happy just to be able to trot. we don't need speed at my age. we have, however, determined he is getting pretty bored with just rail work (since he's not a dressage prospect), so we are going to spend more time just playing over obstacles, which really seemed to engage his mind at our last lesson, even if i couldn't always engage mine along with him. on a side note, i have decided not to attend blue earth this year. i have been doing way too much since my move, including a trip to what was billed as the World Fuel Economy Championships last weekend in Elkhart, IN, with my hybrid group. it's kind of like the slow car version of NASCAR, using two different kinds of hybrid cars. my best effort, in an Insight, which is the tiny little honda 2 seater, was 220MPG! the organizer was ecstatic, and i was pretty happy myself. anyhow, i really need some down time, and with gas prices as they are, i am not really up for the trip. i haven't ridden enough, and to put poor oz in a stall in the heat for 3 days to do maybe 2-3 classes just doesn't sound like fun this year. so..you guys won't have me to laugh at in the barrel race, but i will try again next year :) laurie and oz, who is glad we finally have hay again ** Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut000507) The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: Form function and canter
This message is from: Linda Lottie User <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I have enjoyed the discussion on cantering. My three fjords Sven is a trotter, hates to canter, and, isn't very good at it.Amen! 13.3trained to drive. We ride him a little bit. Sweetest guy ever and never quitsTemperment A+ Lena is as sweet as pie and will canter but it is not her favorite - yet, with determined work/training we have gotten her into great shape and she does well. I still remember the year my daughter rode her in the MN Horse Expo.Lena had been in training for two months and was fit as a fiddle. She moved with ease and her body floated. She and my daughter were a beautiful sight. To keep Lena in that condition requires diligent training and watching her weight like a hawk. Before we purchased her (at age 6 and in foal) she had been a brood mare since age 3. Her early training was both driving and under saddle. Her work ethic is amazing and her temperment is A+ ! I often use her for lessons. Hasse - Lena's son/Sire Woods Sven II - LOVES to canter. At 6 years of age he has had yearly spring training since age 3...usually 30-60 days. This year he found his legs and his canter. He is also the most "forward" with good leg movementnot rushy, but, has a huge walk and likes to move out with a purpose. He also likes to work and likes having a job. This past two weeks my daughter has ridden him almost every night and they are so pretty together. He is a bit longer legged and so is sheso, they have a nice presence. She loves him he loves her. His lope departures are amazing! After this visit SHE claims Hasse and I have Lena all to myself.perfect!!! Hasse's temperment is just like his mother.A+ Hasse's trainer the past two years rides and teaches working cow..he loves Hasse and is wowed by his athletic ability. First fjord for him. So, based on my three, it's clear that Hasse has the canter gene hands down:) He is also a bit of a rascal in the herd - haha - and a prankster with Anne and me. Furthermore WE raised him..maybe that is the answer!!! - hahaha! Our first foal... Happy trails..Linda Baker Lottie in WI Those of you who know Anne.she is in her last year of vet school, doing two week rotations. She is working at the Grantsburg vet clinic now, off to northern MN in July and off to Hawaii in January to work with injured sea turtles. Graduates May 2009. She is tracking small animal emphasis but this rotation has taken her to many cow farms - new to her - and she loves it. So, who knows all I know is.PROUD MAMA!!! :) On 6/23/08 9:33 PM, "Norsk Wood Works" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: "Norsk Wood Works" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > This message is from Phill Odden from Northwestern Wisconsin where it has > rained every day for several days but TODAY we put up 550 bales of pretty nice > dry grass hay. Other than lots of sore muscles, it feels mighty good. > > I have to agree with Lori in that the canter takes a great deal of training > that an inexperienced or even an experienced eleven year old shouldn't be > expected to do. Those fjords that have a nice canter, if canter is what you > want, have lots of added value. And someone did the work to make it happen. > Phil > > The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: > http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
