question about driving bits
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com My new driving Fjord, Milo, has been going nicely in a mullen flexible snaffle. Now, as we start to venture off farm, it's time to graduate to a proper driving bit. After going through vast numbers of riding bits for my other two Fjords before ending up with HS bits for them, I figured I would start with one nice bit for Milo's driving career to avoid spending tons of money searching for the right one. The bit I ordered arrived and I am hesitant to use it in case I have to return it. It is a Herm Sprenger aurigan 16mm arch mouth butterfly. It has an smooth side and a bumpy side. The bumpy side concerns me...I didn't see that in the catalog. Does anyone use this type of bit mouthpiece on their Fjords? I see a lot of Liverpool bits in Fjord driving photos. Is this a preferred shank over the butterfly? Any advice would be appreciated. BTW, the latest Herald is awesome! Plenty of good reading and photos of Fjord versatility. Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
to potential Fjord owner
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Each Fjord horse has a unique personality, IMO. My Thor is a 15h, big powerful boy with a dominant attitude and a big appetite...for life and food! He will gallop for miles, jump everything with exuberance, then ask to go another 10 miles. That horse needs a 6' 5" 300 lb Viking and ten mountains and rivers to cross in a day. Ground manners to die for though. Some pet! My 14.3h Stine Gutten is the easiest fellow to get along with. So comfortable to ride and will do anything he's asked tobut doesn't like to jump or gallop cross-country. Dressage and trail horse extraordinaire.. I never let others ride him because I am selfish. My new gelding, 14h Milo, is another sweet grey boy. He is my driving pony and has an easy-to train attitude and a loving personality. All that in a flashy compact sport-model. The point I'm trying to make is that, although to a non-Fjord person all Fjords tend to look alike, they vary as individuals just like any other breed. They still take my breath away when I see them in the pasturemy eyes see the perfect equine when I look at my Fjords. However, there have been moments when I've felt like trading them in for a hamster. Bonnie Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
regionals
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Thanks everyone. I'm not blaming the official at all.they were working so hard at this show. These things do happen all the time in shows. I do know that I will keep that boy working right up till the end. My mistake was to leave the arena at a walk on a loose rein at a walk after being called out. (force of habit, I guess) Also, no standing around at the gate while the little porkchop basks in attention. Are there any dressage judges on this list who can explain exact protocol for things like this? What I have learned is that Fjords can certainly be very competitive in dressage amongst the big warmbloods. Next time I'll remember to bring flyers about the Fjordhorse breed. I get tired from answering all the questions. At the washrack, there were two women admiring the Fjord. They had never seen one before. One said "Oh, he's so adorable" The other said "NOhe's BEAUTIFUL!! "A Fjord moment. Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
(no subject)
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hi everyone and thanks for your thoughts and ideas. I'm too old to be embarassed by the early start and I wasn't worried about it, but I do remember that when we left the arena and went back to waiting for the real bell, people flocked out of nowhere to converge on the Fjord and crowded around him...sound familiar? They made much of him and Stine Gutten just eats it up...loves the attention. He probably didn't want to leave the group of adoring fans "Maybe there's a treat in one of their hands?" I think his brain was focused on getting back there to all the attention, too. Always a learning experience. And the judging was excellent and fair. I am still amazed at the numbers of people who have never seen a Fjord before. I warned my instructor (who went with me) about the inevitable questions and attention, but I don't think she was fully prepared. We even had a car follow us into a gas station to ask what kind of stripey horse was in the trailer. Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
pondering
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hello Fjord owners, I just returned from the regional dressage championships. Stine Gutten got a respectable score in tr 3 of 62.4 but I have pondered what happened all the way home, trying to get into the mind of a Fjord. And I believe Fjords are so much smarter than any other breed I have ever dealt with. We warmed up in a large arena with huge warmbloods half-passing around us. Stine Gutten was wonderful...light and forward. No whips are allowed for championship classes and we didn't need one at that point. We were called up by the ring steward to get ready. When the bell rang, she opened the arena, told me to go in, and we went down center line and halted at x. The judge rang the bell again and snapped "I didn' t ring the start bell.you aren't supposed to be in here! !" Oops! We walked out of the arena. The poor ring steward apologizedshe really thought she had heard the bell. Then "ring" and we went in the arena again and re-started the test. And my Stine Gutten didn't want to move! I used my legs till I though I would collapseI did everything. He moped around the arena with an attitude of "I quit! He cut corners and tuned me out. I was exhausted. Anyone have a good theory as to why this Fjord suddenly quit? Could he be so smart that knowing that leaving the arena means "the end" and when we went right back in he thought "No wayI halted at X twice and now I get to leave the arena and get lots of attention and treats" ? Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated. Oh, and he still got lots of love and attention afterward .I'm not upset just can't figure it out. Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Wellington
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hello all, This past weekend I braved dressage at Wellington with my Fjord. I parked my little Brenderup in between the huge rigs, put the smallest horse in the whole show in his stall and waited for the first comment. "Oh, he's so cute, but how can a Norwegian Fjord be ok in this heat?" (it was absolutely sweltering) Then a voice with a European accent "Oh, do not worry about him! Dey are tough little buggers!" We got our qualifying scores, Stine Gutten was a brave Viking, and I wouldn't trade my Fjords for all the big brown horses in the world. A nice lady who was helping at the gate fell in love with my Fjord and is interested in one for her son. He rides dressage quite well although he is a special needs rider and they just lost their beloved QH. She mentioned having 20-plus acres (maybe not so good for Fjords?) If anyone has a suitable Fjord for sale, please E-mail me and I will forward the info or give you her e-mail address. Fjords are amazing. My only complaint is that they are so versatile, I sometimes can't decide which discipline to participate in. Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
saddles and Western dressage
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Laurie, Why not demo a Barefoot treeless? I have a Barefoot Missoula saddle that I dabble in Western dressage with. It certainly solves the bridging problem and the changeable pommels come in a really wide width. The Barefoot Arizona looks nice, too, and they are not too expensive. Isn't the new Western dressage exciting? We are all equal now...haha..don't need a QH or paint to get good scores in western dressage! I'm a bit confused about the rules, though. Bonnie Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
hunter paces
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Is there anything these Fjords can't do? I just came back from the Palm Beach Hounds 15 mi. hunter pace in Stuart. My teammate was on a TB named Moose. Guess who was out in front sailing over every jump? Not the 17h Thoroughbred! Put a child or an inexperienced rider on this Fjord, though, and he gets all mushy and sweet. We Fjord owners are the lucky ones in the horse world! Sorry...just had to puff up about my Fjord, but I'm sure you all understand. Anybody else do the hunter paces with a Fjord? If you do, you'll agreethey are way too much fun! Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: the Jenny Craig paddock
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Robin.I would give the small-mesh hay nets about 1 hour with that very determined mare. I just threw out several Dover nets that had been expertly made into large hole haynets in a couple of days. Does anyone have the perfect solution? We want: 1. lowered head hay feeding, preferably on ground/floor 2. no sifting into the sand because Fjords will pick through the dirt for every microscrap 3. made from indestructible material but safe for stalls and paddocks 4. easy to fill Is the hockey-net material any stronger than the small mesh hay nets? Any other ideas? I have started to feed the nibblenets on the floor/ground now because of what was mentioned about the teeth. It does make sensesomething I had never considered until now. Bonnie (owner of The Fjord Bros, Inc.experts in demolition and landscaping) Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Nibblenets
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com About the Nibblenetsmy two Fjords have not managed to destroy them which I consider quite amazing. They have mastered the 1.5" openings a bit too well and I just got the new 1.25" openings for their nighttime hay. I figure it's cheaper than vet bills. I think my two could pull hay through a screen.The Dover haynets are great, too and I think I saw them on sale. My neighbor bought the larger-openings Nibblenets and complained that her QH refused to eat hay from it because the openings were too small. "What???" Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
EMS
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Ditto what Gail wrote...the EC Horsekeeping Yahoo list is so informative. I have been able to turn my big, drafty Fjord's health completely around by following their advice for IR horses. Testing hay is so difficult here in Fl, so I feed a straight Timothy. I also have had great results with Target IR mixed with some plain (no sugar) beet pulpanyone else use that? The commercial feeds (and I hope I do not offend anyone) seem to be tailored more to palatability with TB racehorses used as taste-testers.. And with Dr. Kellon's research. I cannot understand why iron is still added to most commercial feeds and supplements. I have a remarkable equine dentist (former vet) who has the sense not to sedate my FjordsI now worry about side effects. When I asked about having my horses tested for IR he said "Why? They are Fjords! They are made like that and should be treated like IR horses anyway Testing is great but diet and exercise is the treatment for IR anyway." Made sense! I would have my hay tested in a heartbeat but in Fl we cannot store hay and it comes from different sources. Sometimes I have come across a leafy Tifton 44 from Georgia that my Fjords would turn their noses at and pick at like they were being tortured yes, Fjords! From research I realize now that the sugar content was very low and I would love to get more. Horses, like humans, crave sugar, fat and salt.sometimes to their detriment. Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
saddles
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hello All, I just thought I should share this. I'm sure many of you have found the perfect dressage saddle for your Fjords, but for anyone suffering from MITS (maybe it's the saddle syndrome) this might be something to look into. After many years of frustration with saddle fit and practically giving up dressage (which I love) because I couldn't find a properly fitted saddle.the search has finally come to an end. I do have an Amerigo DJ jump saddle that fits my boys perfectly, but their dressage models were never "just right" although the Alto came close for one of my boys. I called Robin Moore from World Equestrian Brands (she had fitted my boys for the DJ Jump) out of curiosityand it proved to be a worthwhile call. They had one dressage saddle built on the DJ Jump tree and wow!!! It fits so perfectlyonly need a thin pad. Yes, the new Amerigo saddles are expensive, but I have seen the DJ jump on Ebay for much less than retail. For the first time, my little Fjord can lengthen without shoulder interference and the panels are short enough so there is no loin rubbing. I would probably be able to fit many other types of saddles, but I have long legs and need a 17 1/2 " seat, hence making the panels longer on a short-backed horse. Robin explained why the DJ tree fits them so welland it all made sense. And yes, I've tried every treeless saddle on the market ...they are wonderful! I still trail ride in treeless. However, a treed saddle that fits absolutely perfectly nothing can compare. Love my DJ Dressage! So, any tall dressage riders on short-backed Fords? Am I the only one who has gone through years of saddle-fit Hades? Regards: Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Fjords in England
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hello Mel, Former working student and BHSAI here...converted to Fjords and never looked back. Where in England are you? Regards, Bonnie in Florida Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Wellington Florida Carriage Show September 18th
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hello: I am going to this to watch a couple of friends drive their minis. I am wondering and hoping...will their be any Fjords competing? Regards: Bonnie Dobson in Florida Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
shade trees and acorns
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hi There is a farm near me with shade shelters in each field...not a single tree. I used to think "how ugly".now I think "how sensible". Kelly has a very good question...IS there anything that can be planted that is safe and yet inedible to Fjords? My Fjords are landscaping and remodeling experts. I had thought about "rent-a-pig" for the fall. Do the pigs do a lot of damage by rooting or do they just stuff themselves with acorns? Pigs, turkeys, or deer.not much to choose from. Anything else eat acorns? I am trying to convince my husband that if we bought more Fjords, we could have big, safe drylots in no time! Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2010 #131
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com These Fjords are quite the foragersthat's too funny about the "African" trees. Whenever I see a green field with horses just standing under a tree, and not eating, I stare in amazementso unlike Fjords who are always plugged into the ground, a tree, or anything edible. I have beautiful shady oak trees in my pastures and every fall I want to cut them all down. My horses love acorns...not good! Apart from hogs, is there an easy way to clean up acorns? Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
scratches and musings
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hello and thanks to all for the suggestionsThor's pasterns do look a bit better this morning. I guess the consensus is.we do what we have to do for our Fjords according to their individual needs and the climates we live in. I'm off to stock up on M_T_G and Omega Horseshine :-) I, too, have clipped around the coronet band so the trimmer wouldn't leave a long toethought I was the only one who did that! Robin...ditto on the thick skin. My vet always remarks on how free of skin problems my Fjords are compared to other breeds here in Fl...I guess a slight case of scratches is mild compared to other problems, especially what Heather just went through. On the subject of EPM, I was so very sad to read about Heather's Henry...it could happen to any one of our horses. I was shocked when a good friend just recently lost her gorgeous Grand Prix warmblood to EPM. This was in the fanciest beach-side stable imaginable...you wouldn't think a 'possum would be anywhere near that barn! My neighbor (who is in her 80's and rides her Andalusian every day) is a fanatic about trapping and releasing opossums, feral cats and especially armadillosfear of EPM! I always thought she went a bit overboardnot anymore. In case anyone wonders why I clipped my horses so early..I am trying to get them fit for this winter's show season. The humidity here is brutal! I read that horses and humans are the only two mammals who sweat through their skin as a cooling mechanismdoes anyone have knowledge to back that up? Regards, Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
scratches
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hello: I just learned something that was probably too obvious, but never dawned on me before today. I body-clipped my two boys a couple of days ago..still very hot and humid here in Florida. I must have been daydreaming and zipped up Thor's leg with the clippers...ok, one leg clean of hair and so the other three had to be fully clipped. He looked beautiful! They were out in the rain this morning and when I brought them in, I noticed Thor's pasterns had a bit of crudmild scratches for he first time in his life. When the farrier showed up to trim them this afternoon, he explained how the rain runs off the feathers behind the fetlockpreventing water from reaching the heels and sensitive skin behind the pasterns. In my days as a working student in England, we always left the hair on the legs for protectionmakes too much sense! I will never clip legs ever again! Thank you, Clint, as I spent the morning wondering what I did to cause my beloved horse's problem. I did use Desitin and I'm thankful that Fjord hair grows back so quickly! Isn't nature perfect? Has anyone ever dealt with scratches on a clipped or hairy-fetlocked Fjord? Any ideas for prevention until the hair grows back? Kind regards: Bonnie in Florida Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
judges
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com I agree, Marymost judges are open-minded about breeds. I showed my Fjord last year in a conformation class against 20-plus paints and quarter horseson a dare and for a laugh. We placed 2nd and I'm sure we would have been first if there wasn't potential for a riot amongst the QH breeders! The judge later came up to me and thanked me profusely for bringing my two Fjords. I wish all judges were so open-minded. Bonnie Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
bits
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hi I guess I'm out of lurkdom after all these years...it's just too hot (and I'm a bit older) to work outdoors this summer. After amassing a huge collection of bits over the years, some quite expensive, my 5 1/2 inch bit size Fjord decided he likes this bit best of all. It is a Korsteel flexi-bit mullen mouth flavoured 3-ring Dutch gag.blue. I think they are being discontinued and can be found for a ridiculously inexpensive price...I paid about 25. for this. The similar happy mouth bits are too thick and unyielding. I use this bit for trail riding now and my Stine Gutten is happy and so relaxed. I only wish they made a 6" for my Thor. Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
judges
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hello Anne When I first moved to Florida, my big Fjord Thor and I competed in a "non-thoroughbred" hunter division. There were three of us...the other two looked like TBs to me! The other two refused fences, wrong leads, etcwe had beautiful clear rounds! We came in third...I just smiled because my Fjord won over the crowd and gave people one of their first glimpses of Fjord versatility. When I politely asked the judge "why?" she replied "He just isn't the hunter type that we are looking for". Never bothered with hunter classes again! Bonnie in Fl Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
blanketing in Fl
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Robin: I thought I was finally getting Florida Fjord-keeping figured out, but admit I have slept fitfully for the past two 48 deg. nights..."Should I blanket them or not?"My two Fjords are kept body-clipped. After last week's extreme heat, I left mine without blankets for the past two nights, but tend to feed extra hay to compensate, which I don't like to do, either. My big, brave Thor looked grouchy and cold this morningI think I'll blanket from now on whenever it goes below 50 (maybe 55). We get a damp cold from the ocean here in Fl. I also worry about overheating when blanketing..the dilemna of blanketing. I really like the Hug light turnout blankets and sheets for fit and durabilitymy husband says the horses have better clothes than he does! Bonnie Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
UF Gainesville
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hi Kathleen: Ditto on what Robin said about UF Gainesville. Last summer I took Thor for an ultrasound (with the possibility of an MRI). He was not lame but had a swelling on his fetlock and I wanted to know what was going on...turned out to be ok. The staff was wonderful, the barn/hospital air-conditioned and spotless and Thor was just loving the attention. He stayed overnight and when all was done and explained, the bill turned out to be quite reasonable. I left with peace of mind and a happy horse. It took about 4 hours from Sebastian but I would not hesitate to make the drive again if needed. Best of all I drove through a part of Florida with real hills! Kind regards: Bonnie Sebastian, Fl **Looking for love this summer? Find it now on AOL Personals. (http://personals.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntuslove0003) Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
round pen
This message is from: bbd...@aol.com Hello: Bonnie Dobson here in Floridaowned by two amazing fjordhorses, Thor and Stine Gutten. Katemy round pen is now the official "diet pen" and it is a Fjord lifesaver here in Florida where the green grass grows year round. I consider it to be one of the best investments I've ever made! Thor is fine with a grazing muzzle but Stine Gutten has never been able to deal with it. They now accept their schedulemornings out to graze, afternoons in the round pen and nights in the stable. Easy keepers are not exactly easy to keep! Kind regards to all: Bonnie **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221621490x1201450102/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26 hmpgID%3D62%26bcd%3DAprilfooter421NO62) Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
