Shipper (Private Trip) Suggestions?
This message is from: championpon...@aol.com I'll be moving back to the Bay Area from outside of Denver in a couple weeks (just got confirmation today), and need to find someone to drive the two ponies (a Fjord and a Welsh) for me. I'm as protective as ever, so I need someone who understands that, and is fine with me stopping where they stop and being the paranoid mom. Any/all suggestions are welcome, but I'd really prefer someone who knows Fjords/ponies. Thanks for any help! - Jamie Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Opinions Needed! College Paper Topic on Fjords!!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Roughly how many fjords with white markings have you encountered (no names needed, just numbers)? - I know of many (dozens), but have only seen a few in person. Any knowledge on genetics and how this trait developed. - It's my understanding the gene for white markings, which is a simple recessive, has existed in Fjords for a very, very long time. The gene is responsible for white on the face and legs, but (again, in my understanding) there are modifiers that determine the extent of the white. As is typical, markings appear more commonly on the face than the legs, and are usually minimal in either case - small stars, short socks. Generally speaking, the lighter the base color, the more white they will have - least amount on gray duns, more on browns/whites, and more still on reds/yellows. If allowed, should there be a limit (ex: white spot on head should be no larger than 1 inch in diameter)? - In terms of basic genetics, there is little difference between a horse with a few white hairs and one with a large star and socks. So, I don't see the sense in limiting the extent of the white - the gene is either there or it's not. Likewise, carriers can produce white marked babies just as easily (not talking percentages), but little attention is paid to them. Should the marking be taken into consideration in evaluations and halter show classes on conformation? - IMO, not really. While I don't think white markings should necessarily be bred for, an otherwise awesome Fjord really should not be penalized for something purely cosmetic that can be easily bred out. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: New Fjord Horse Forum
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 8/8/2007 12:44:21 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am confused! If the Fjord Horse List is not an English language fjord horse forum, what is it?? It's an e-mail list; the other one is a message board/forum. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO (http://www.polowraps.com/) ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Special Fjord Mare Needs Home
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm posting this for a friend; contact me for more info. --- Free to good home: 16 year old registered (NFHR) mare located in the San Francisco Bay Area. She's sound and trained to ride, but needs a strong rider. She does require medication twice daily; for more information please contact me. Thanks! --- Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO (http://www.polowraps.com/) ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: White hoof but not Phil's white socks
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Is it really that reds have a higher likelihood of exhibiting markings, or is it about the extent of the markings? It's my understanding that chestnuts, in general, will have more extensive white markings than bays, and bays more than blacks. Since the gene is a simple recessive, if the horse has two copies of it, they should have some white on them, regardless of color. I'm guessing that reds, being chestnuts (underneath it all), just have more extensive markings, so it's more noticeable? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO In a message dated 3/14/2007 7:51:09 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: It is my understanding and experience that at the evaluations a white hoof would be noted on the evaluation sheet but wouldn't change a horse's conformation score. White hooves on red dun fjords is quite common and is accepted since red dun fjords have a much higher likelyhood of exhibiting white markings. ** AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: Gunnar
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I was going to mention this too. PJ's teeth are quite worn, and though he did fine (actually, too fine) on pasture, he couldn't really chew hay. I started him on soaked Timothy pellets about eight months ago and he's doing really well. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO In a message dated 3/16/2007 10:56:37 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Could it possibly be his teeth that are a problem? If his teeth are bad, or scarce, then he might not be able to chew very well and may not be digesting as well. We had an old mare in New Mexico that had this problem. She was a little pinto, and was of undetermined age, since she didn't have much in the way of teeth. When we bought her she was underweight with a dull coat. We switched from hay to Equine Senior and soaked alfalfa cubes and that horse blossomed. I don't know if this is Gunnar's problem, obviously, but it's worth mentioning, just in case. ** AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: Barefoot trimming
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Two of my guys (Fjord and Welsh) go barefoot, and always have. My third (Fjord) wears rubber shoes to help his ringbone (by softening the impact of walking). They are WONDERFUL for him, and if I needed to put shoes on anything else, ever, those would be the only ones I'd use. A bonus is that they're inexpensive, and last a long time. We replaced his last pair after six months, and they weren't even that worn. Here's the website, in case anyone is interested: _http://www.plastichorseshoes.com/_ (http://www.plastichorseshoes.com/) My previous farrier, who was a great natural/barefoot trimmer (sheâs now retired), recommended them to me. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO BRBRBR**BR AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: What color is this Fjord?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] He's a gray dun; you can find info on the Fjord colors here: _http://nfhr.com/Colors.htm_ (http://nfhr.com/Colors.htm) Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO In a message dated 2/11/2007 2:18:31 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Thank you for all the wonderful youtube links, I have since spent several hours checking out the videos. However, the following link, has a Fjord of a different color, can someone please identify his color for me? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX6pHbPF_2gmode=relatedsearch= Thanks in advance, Pam In Palmdale Owned by 3 Yellow dun Fjords (http://www.polowraps.com/) The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: Flying Frenchman his Camargue horses
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I want to buy his DVD, it is on PAL format, not real sure if it will play on my DVD player. If your DVD player isn't code free, it won't play. I got a code free player from this site: _http://codefreedvd.com/_ (http://codefreedvd.com/) , and it's been great. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: snow
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Looks can be deceiving - PJ will be 27 in February, and he has advanced ringbone. Not that you'd know it though, the way he goes! No lameness (without bute), and even the vets are shocked to hear his real age...until they look in his mouth, anyway. He's just another example of how stoic our Fjords can be. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO In a message dated 12/30/2006 9:47:06 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Jamie, that is a lovely boy and he does not look old. (http://www.polowraps.com/) The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: snow
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm so done with the snow. Between the two blizzards we've gotten about six feet... If I lived on the western slope, or it was spring, then fine, but this much snow, here, in December?? Pure craziness. Anyway, my photo contribution: _http://www.nfhr.com/ponyweb/photo1/200772.jpg_ (http://www.nfhr.com/ponyweb/photo1/200772.jpg)That's my beloved old boy in the plowed barnyard. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: A Somber Update...
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'd like to thank everyone for their kind words, both on and off the list. It has been very hard to say goodbye to Heidi and Brecken, but I know it was the right thing. Having my other Fjords has helped me, as I'm sure it's helped others who've been in this position. I still have Torden, the relatively normal brother, and PJ, one of the founding Fjords from BOK Ranch who I first met in '92, and the one who started it all. They've really kept me going. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: (FjordList) What to do, what to do?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] With the way this list has been running for me lately, who knows when this will show up, but in any case, an update! Things have settled down (well, more like *I* have settled down); my two problem children have had a good couple of days, as if they know what I've been talking about. So, after spending a good amount of quality time with each, I'm just going to try to make it work for now. Though they do have outbursts (Heidi's, BTW, I believe to be related to her vision â she does not have an aggressive bone in her body), most of the time they're happy, friendly, and sweet - typical Fjords. Yes, they have severe physical problems, and Brecken can be a total jerk when he doesn't want to do something, but we're working on it as best we can, and I feel like I owe it to them to at least keep trying. Hopefully one of these days he'll realize it's okay to be compliant! Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: (FjordList) What to do, what to do?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Ellen, Well, I actually have two other retired ponies in addition to Heidi and Brecken - I really don't have a problem keeping ponies I can't use, it's just that these two can cause so much stress. I don't see them being suitable as pasture ornaments for anyone else, either. While they are sweet and friendly (I realize I didn't make this clear in my first e-mail, but they really are...while they're obnoxious at times, they can be so sweet too), they are expensive to maintain. I can't imagine anyone actually wanting to take them on knowing the problems. I don't think they're unhappy...which is part of what makes my decision so difficult. Believe me, if I thought they were suffering, I wouldn't hesitate to put them down. I just don't feel like it's fair to do that to a pair of animals that, while full of problems, seem happy and comfortable most of the time. I have thought about retirement homes and rescues as well, but if I'm still going to be responsible for them it really doesn't make things easier. I'd just be trading time for money. As far as rescues go...that, to me, is another give up option that I just don't feel right about. They would not be easy to place, and I'd be concerned that they wouldn't receive the care they need as it pricey. I know not all places are shady...but I'm such a worrier. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO In a message dated 10/13/2006 3:14:50 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Jamie, This is such a hard question. What's wisdom here? All I can think of are a couple of counter questions like: 1) Can it be financially done to have another sound horse to use for riding and keep the two others as pasture ornaments? 2) If not, Is their health such that they can be sold? Will they at least make a good pasture ornament for others? 3) Or is their health so bad that it's almost impossible to keep them happy? IE are they suffering mentally or physically? 4) Would you consider a retirement home/animal welfare home for them? The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
(FjordList) What to do, what to do?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] So, as some of you know, I'm the owner of a pair of âspecialâ Fjords, full siblings, five-year-old Heidi, and two-year-old Brecken. Their shared issues include severe underbites, and developmental issues; they both, IMO, look quite underdeveloped: short and lean with small feet â Brecken looks a lot more like a yearling than a two-year-old. Their individual issues are that Heidi was born completely blind in one eye, and partially blind in the other (missed in the pre-purchase...), while Breckenâs front legs twist significantly from the knee, not to mention his considerable âmake-meâ attitude (he went through a horrible kicking phase, and recently literally fractured his own skull running into the edge of his paddock door [don't even start me on that one...]). Oh, they also are both horrible chewers. In any case, I'd always felt like it was my responsibility to keep them; but lately itâs become more and more difficult for me to handle the stresses of having them. I feel like a horrible person for even considering trying finding them a new home, especially since I don't know if I'd trust anyone willing to take them on (who in their right mind would want them?! They both have very special needs, are expensive to maintain, and, for safetyâs sake, really should not be thought of as anything more than pasture ornaments), but I'm really starting to feel stuck⦠So, what would you do if you were in my position? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Fjord Color (Was: Ola Gik's white genes)
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I was never good at simplifying, but I'll try! Underneath the Dun dilution, Browns are Bay, Reds are Chestnut, Grays are Black, Whites are Buckskin (Bay + Cream), and Yellows are Palomino (Chestnut + Cream). All the basic color rules apply - Chestnut and Black are recessive to Bay. Chestnut masks Black, and Black masks a single Cream gene. Also, a book I'd recommend is Jeanette Gower's Horse Color Explained - it has a section on Fjords and is also inexpensive. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO In a message dated 8/13/2006 2:52:58 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I have been lurking while this whole color discussion has been going on. I have a big text book on horse genetics and color, but it treats dun as if it were a single color. Can somebody sort me out on which variants of dun are dominant to which others, or is it so complicated I need a whole other text book. (I think I have brown -uber dominent and red sort of figured out, it's the others that confuse me.) thanks in advance for anybody who helps or provides a reference.
Re: Ola Gik's white genes
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Only Fjords that have a copy of the cream gene can create White Duns - so that'd be Whites, Yellows, and potentially a Gray or two (as Gray dun masks a single cream gene). Short of a spontaneous mutation, you'll never get a White from two Browns, or a Brown and Red, or two Reds. Re: White and patterning genes - many are dominant, and can cause defects/death in homozygous form. Dominant White, Overo, and Roan in horses are all homozygous lethal; Roan prenatally...I don't recall about Dominant White, I'll have to look that up. Interestingly (to me anyway - LoL) there are genes in my dwarf hamsters that work the same as with horses - Platinum causes white ticking (like Roan), and is also prenatal lethal. Mottled causes white patches like Overo, and is also postnatal lethal. Ruthie - Did you get my message about the White German Shepherds? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO In a message dated 8/12/2006 1:13:34 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: So your thinking is, that only a white dun can have a white dun, or a white dun and a brown dun probably? Is there ever a white dun born to both brown duns? I think someone touched on this before, maybe you, but I just want to make sure I have it right. The reason this interests me is because I just went through this with a dog breed I'm into. I tackled the color theory but soon discovered it was very complex and had different formulas for different breeds! What applies to one breed, for creating white, doesn't necessarily apply to another breed.. and sometimes it's not a bad thing, and sometimes it is! ?!? Same with horse breeds I believe, with some of them it is a bad thing and 25% of their offspring don't make it, but with the Fjord breed it is a different kind of occurrence I am told, hence my interest. My dog breed study, re: white, is surrounding a herd breed that has white accents (bib paws) normally occurring.. ordinarily called piebald white I believe. But every once and again there will be a litter of total white pups born (sometimes half a litter--but all white bodies) born to colored parents (?!)...which occurrence is a non-standard irregularity. I began to wonder that maybe it could be a marker for inbreeding as it only occurs when there is a particular dog way back in both pedigrees ..and if either dog is again mated with a different dog, all is well (no marker match). sorry to digress, but wanted to amplify my interest. I am back to square one on the subject. If anyone knows of further information on the study I'd love to hear about it.
Re: Ola Gik's white genes
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] LoL Peg, I certainly did not mean that all Grays carry a hidden cream gene - hence saying a that potentially gray or two could produce whites. As far as Smedsmo Graen goes, I see nothing that would lead me to believe he carries a hidden cream gene - his only Ccrccr offspring were produced when he was bred to a Ccrccr mare. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO In a message dated 8/12/2006 3:53:27 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Only Fjords that have a copy of the cream gene can create White Duns - so that'd be Whites, Yellows, and potentially a Gray or two (as Gray dun masks a single cream gene). Short of a spontaneous mutation, you'll never get a White from two Browns, or a Brown and Red, or two Reds.. Actually, Grey Fjords may carry the cremello gene. the also may not, depending on their genotype. From his produce, Smedsmo Graen apparently does carry the cremello gene, and apparently Erlend does not. A caveat from Tor Nestaas is that we may not have a big enough sample from Erlend to tell for certain.
Re: Cantering and Balance
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I knew a Fjord that really could not canter; his back was fairly long and cantering was difficult and likely very uncomfortable for him. Even with consistent work on the lunge to help him learn to balance and coordinate his legs, the best canter he could get was still pretty strung-out. My gelding Torden was initially reluctant to canter under saddle, but it was due to him not understanding what I wanted. All it took was riding with a driving whip that I could really get behind him for encouragement and we were set (though, I'm sure we looked funny). Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Anyone traveling NC to CA?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] A therapeutic riding program in Northern CA is getting a Fjord from NC, and is looking for options on shipping him. Is anyone going to be traveling through those places in the near future? Please e-mail me direct if you have any info: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED])Thanks!! Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: virtual evaluations
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I personally like the idea of virtual evals, however if a foal is evaluated as a weanling, it should absolutely be evaluated again when it is older. Speaking from experience, weanlings can be perfect, and then change as they grow... I assume the opposite could also be true, but I don't have personal experience with that. In any case, I'm all for the betterment of the breed. Because of that I would have all three of mine evaluated - even [especially] the two that would score poorly. It's hard to not allow emotions into the equation, and I certainly don't want to hurt the breeder, but the fact of the matter is, knowing as much as possible - the good and the bad - about what stallions and mares produce is what's best for the breed. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Bloodlines that need preservation
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Good thought about checking the bite of foals, however six months of age is too early to tell whether the bite will be normal or not. I have two with significant underbites, both of which had normal bites as weanlings. By the time my young gelding was a year old (he'll be two in April), his bite was off by a solid 1/2 inch. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO In a message dated 1/29/2006 12:31:18 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: ** That's another subject, but it just occured to me that records could be kept on maloclusion of foals in exactly the same way that breeding stallions are required to submit a special form signed by a certified vet that the stallion does not have maloclusion. -- The same vet also certifies that the stallion does not have abnormal testical development. -- Why not require that before a foal is registered his teeth are examined by a vet and certified to be normal? -- I think most people register their foals around 6 months, and most people would have had at least one vet visit in six months, and the teeth exam could be done at that time. But, as I say . . . It's another subject. **
Re: Fjord Markings
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] What is wrong with a wide dorsal stripe? I have seen numerous Fjords with dorsal stripes that are wide... one of which was over an inch wide. As far as I know there are no set widths allowed or disallowed for dorsal stripes. LoL I truly didn't mean to start anything with my comment on the wide dorsal stripe, it's just that most purebred Fjords appear to have modifying genes that produce a thin, often incomplete dorsal stripe. Jamie SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fjord Markings
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I think those two black dots are just the gaps between his tail and his body. The white hair at the top of the tail is fairly tan so it looks like his coat in this picture, giving an impression of a strange marking there. Are we looking at the same photo? The one I was referring to was the rear shot that shows his dorsal stripe (which is **WIDE**), and two spots on either side of it, above the tail. Or...am I just not understanding??? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fjord Markings
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Does anyone know the name of the markings on the Dutch stallion Vjostar? Is it a variation of the skevjet (sp?) marking? Does anyone have photos of offspring (are there any?), or the parents? Though Duns that have stripes across their whithers and/or shoulder shadows do occur, I've never seen the markings on a Fjord... It's not just that, though, his dorsal stripe is wide and very dark...and those dots on either side above his tail...strange! It seems I've got some researching to do! Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Pedigree for non-NFHR Fjord?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm trying to find out the pedigree for an older gelding bred by Gene Bauer. Does anyone know who I ought to contact for best results? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fjords with long manes
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I personally prefer a cut mane, but if you haven't seen Guusje, check out this website: _http://www.xs4all.nl/~dirkadel/guusjesfanclub/menueng.html_ (http://www.xs4all.nl/~dirkadel/guusjesfanclub/menueng.html) He has that real fairy tale look, and he is a Red Dun so the stripe is much more subtle (his mane seems to be thinner and finer too...). Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Problem !
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] When I first moved in we had an animal that would go into the feed room at eat the cat food (and make a mess of everything) - they got in through the cat door so I figured it was probably a skunk. Well, late one night I heard a lot of noise downstairs and went down to find a HUGE raccoon. My sudden entrance must have scared it half to death and it made a mad dash for the cat door, but the thing was so incredibly fat it took him a solid minute to squeeze back through. In any case, he's never been back. Also, as for cats being friends with wild animals, my barn cat plays with our local foxes. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fjord's--wavy hairdos
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] WELL, YOU'RE THE COLOR EXPERT Jamie ...so my theory must be a figment of my imagination. However, Reds are sometimes very light colored (their mane dorsal), but what about grays? I've known several dark colored duns that had underlying gray potential. And... if the actual different colors like red, gray, etc. are clearly visible, maybe the makings for them are also? Has anyone else noticed this? Substitute expert with nerd, and the you'll have it right! ;o) As far as black carriers go, I'm sure that some are dark, but it's probably not a reliable indicator. For example, at the NFHR website I just punched in brown duns sired by Erlend (the first gray stallion that came to mind). If the photos are remotely accurate, you'll see several shades of brown dun. In any case, the darkest brown duns I've seen do have something thing in common - they're all non-pangare, like _ORINKE H-940243_ (http://www.nfhr.com/ponyweb/ponyweb.cgi?horse=5101ParentID=4501Page=1Sort=6) . Take away a diluting gene, and you're bound to get a darker color. Jamie SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fjord's--wavy hairdos
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] It has been an observation of mine that often those darker duns are the very ones who have potential for producing grays, reds, etc. ...or am I out in left field on that idea? (I'm confident that I shall be told I am = LoL Well, considering red and black (gray) are recessive, you *shouldn't* be able to see a difference between a carrier and a non-carrier. In any case, in my barn I have three lightish brown duns who all carry red. So... Jamie SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fjord in AAA Magazine!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] They are in Skagway, and one of these Fjords came from Unraus (Anvil Acres) in the same trailer load as my mare Anvil's Adel. Jan in Fairbanks, Alaska rainy day Yep, that's it. Also, let me clarify that it was the people, not the Fjords, that weren't friendly. Maybe they were just having a bad day? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fjord in AAA Magazine!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] There's a picture of a woman driving a Fjord with tourists in a carriage in my Sept./Oct. AAA Magazine! It's in an article about Alaska. Does anyone have any idea who it may be? When my mother was on a trip to Alaska she said that she saw Fjords giving carriage rides, but when she tried to talk to the people they weren't exactly friendly. I don't recall where they were...maybe Sitka (or Ketchikan, or Skagway)? Jamie in CO
Re: Fjord (crosses?) at an auction OT - Overo Genetics UC Davis
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Noticed a pair of geldings also at Troyer's. I noticed them too, but aren't they Fjord crosses? If not, that's a TERRIBLE photo. ;p Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO PS: I DID actually [politely] e-mail the equine color genetics specialist at Davis who's responsible for the, IMO, somewhat misleading article; I never got a response. The associate that I talked to on the phone (who gave me the e-mail address) did understand my issue with part of the article (the one that said Tobianos and Solids have produced lethal white foals...um...NO), but said that more people would have to mention it before they'd really consider editing it. I personally find that quite funny, though, as most people who read that article are reading it to learn about the gene. And, of the people that read it *knowing* the genetics, how many are going to be as obnoxious as me and go through the process of contacting them about it? I'm betting not many. ;o)
Re: naming a fjord
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I know that this has come up before,but where can I get a list of good Norwegian names or words? I requested a list once,but never received it.I would appreciate any ideas. Thanks,Ellen I just ended up buying a Norwegian dictionary...that's how I got Adelsmann (nobleman). There are tons of websites that have Norwegian names, though: http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/nor.html http://www.norwayheritage.com/articles/templates/genealogy.asp?articleid=2zon eid=2 http://www.babynamebox.com/norwegian-baby-names.html http://www.babynamesworld.com/norwegian_names_1.html http://www.babynames.org.uk/norwegian-baby-names.htm http://123-baby-names.com/norwegian_baby_names_1.html There are many, many more, but that should get you started. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fjord teeth
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Does anyone know if fjord's teeth develop differently than other breeds? Specifically, Im' asking about incisor epution and shading of incisor caps? When do they lose their baby teeth? My dentist was out today so I asked him, and since he only knows a couple of Fjords besides mine (and those are adults...one of which may be a cross [he said it was well over 15 hands]), he was pretty general. Basically, in some areas my guys have been late (around 6-12 months) shedding caps, but there was something with Heidi's incisors where he said she was about 12 months early (not with the caps, but where the teeth touched). Probably doesn't help much but it's the best I could do! Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Underbite
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have a 15 month old filly who used to have a perfect bite. Within the past 6 months she has developed a fairly bad UNDERbite. My vet seemed a little stumped by this, which wasn't very encouraging. He seemed to think it would straighten itself out. Has anyone ever had this happen? Is it just an uneven growth spurt? My 14 1/2 month old colt has the same issue, so did his sister (now 4 1/2, still with the underbite). As weanlings both had perfect bites. My colt's developed over a period of about five-six months, as his bite was fine when the dentist was last out in December (he'll be out again in a couple weeks). I don't recall how long it took with the mare. I also have another full brother, the oldest of the group at 7, who has always had a perfect bite. The only problem I've had with the ponies with the underbites is higher dentist bills, as the mare has to get done every six months...I suspect the colt will need it too. Other than that, it's really not an issue (just don't breed them!)! Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Happenings at Beaver Dam Farm June SALES LIST -
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** MARLENE - red dun/or possibly yellow dun filly (Orca x Maite) -- This filly is as beautiful as her namesake, Marlene Deitrich. -- She's light, golden, and silky. We've always considered her a red dun, but recently someone suggested she may be a rare yellow dun. -- She is certainly light and golden colored. Her parents are both brown, so if it's between Red and Yellow, she's a Red. Brown x Brown can only ever give Brown, Red, and Gray...genotypes permitting of course! :o) Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: colors
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lori or anyone else, what can you get from breeding a Gray dun and a Red dun. Also will a gray to a gray ALWAYS be a gray??? Gray x Red *can* give any color except Kvit, but most likely will give Brown. Gray x Gray *can* give Gray, Red, Yellow, or Kvit, but most likely will give Gray. Red is the only color that always breeds true. Feel free to check out my breeding chart to see what's possible from different pairings: http://www.nfhr.com/Colors.htm It shows all possible outcomes, and only excludes colors that could never be from a pairing. If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Birth Announcement - White Dun Filly!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] That's funny, the only OH Wynn offspring listed in the NFHR pedigree search is a white dun also, Plain Dealings Linnea I would expect that FC Madellin WOULD have a white dun, or possibly a yellow when bred to Wynn. Is it possible that this filly is a yellow? Actually, Plain Dealings Linnea isn't a White (Red x Brown will never gives White, or Yellow for that matter). Based on the lineage she'd most likely be either be a Red or a Brown...though Red x Brown can also give Gray (as long as both parents carry Black...actually Red masks Black so it's possible for the Red to be homozygous for Black...that'd be quite a genotype!). The new White filly would, of course, be White because of the dam. No matter how nice a Red stallion is, he'll never be responsible for a White foal! LoL Anyway, if she truly has black in her tail then she's not a Yellow (didn't I read she had black in her tail...on the website maybe?). Jamie (lately only color talk has been getting me out of lurkmode) In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2005 #90
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] what does the MF mean? Myrdal Farms? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fractured vertabrae in neck (off breed)
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] When I bought my Welsh mare I was told that the lump in her crest just above the withers was a cyst, until I moved here. I happened to ask my equine dentist (DVM - but now he does only dentistry) about it and he told me that it was the top part of one of her vertebrae. The piece actually pops in and out of where it should be if it were still connected. In this case, there are two possible reasons for what happened: a. She ran under something too low and snapped it off. b. Someone hit her (unfortunately, given her past, this is more likely). It's an old injury, it was healed when her previous owner bought her, which is when I first met her. It hasn't affected her at all, she's never shown any signs of pain and even competed on the A circuit in Small Pony Hunters before I bought her. Another case was a TB I knew who, in his younger years, flipped over backwards in the crossties when someone scared him (I think he was cribbing and they ran at him with a whip [not smart with a former racehorse with a well known phobia of whips]). I don't know which vertebrae were broken, but I do know that at the time everyone thought it was *very* serious. I believe he got about six months off before starting back working. I met him years later and wouldn't have ever guessed he'd broken his neck, he was actually quite a good dressage horse and was jumped regularly, granted the fences were rarely above 2' high. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: whats-in-a-name
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] LoL Well, I rarely call my ponies even their official barn names. The oddest though is probably Torden's nickname of Spiel (shortened from Blakkenspiel [think glockenspiel]). :o) Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Saddle Scam by way of EBAY
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I've actually had excellent luck with eBay responding when I forward fake e-mails to them (I'm not even a member of eBay, so whenever I get anything from them it's always fake). If you forward the scam e-mail(s) to [EMAIL PROTECTED] they should take action...I've always had responses within minutes. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: white markings
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am completely illeterate when it comes to DNA's as far as coloring goes, much like breeding this color to this color will get you this color, I know its been discussed, just over my head, didn't do well in science. I have a coming 2yr. old filly, white star smack dab in the middle of her forehead, bigger than a quarter, more like a silver dollar, very cute, but the very second I saw it, and I was there to catch her on delivery, I thought hmmm, I think thats a no no. So, should she never be bred then?? Her mom has no white, her dad doesn't either. She's a looker and she's a mover but theres that white star. What I also don't understand, if you breed a brown fjord to a white fjord, who has these white markings, why wouldn't the foal carry these white markings in her/his DNA, and even if she/he were a brown fjord, wouldn't she/he then carry that, thus sometime down the line, a brown fjord with white markings show up. Sound confusing? totally! I dont' get it. LoL Well, if I followed your question, the answer is yes. If you breed a Fjord with a star to a Fjord that doesn't have one (and doesn't even carry the gene), any resulting foal from that pairing will be a carrier and can pass the gene on. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: WHITE STARS
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ceacy had two different mares come in to be breed to Konggard and both of them , from different owners, had blazes and white stockings! The owners had no idea that the white markingsespecially these...were not desireable at all in the fjord horse. They were not told this by the breeder who sold these mares to them. Do you know how wide the blazes were, and/or how high the stockings were? Were the top of the stockings flat or did they have a point? Did the blaze go down onto the lower lips/chin? I ask because oftentimes blazes and high white stockings are due to the Sabino gene, which is not the same gene that causes the white stars seen in Fjords (that gene is recessive, while Sabino is dominant). Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: yearling trouble
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Well, I have not had to deal with kicking with my own horses, but I have worked with several who had definite problems. All of those boiled down to a lack of respect. One especially bad QH mare was actually okay about food, but was extremely nasty when it came to grooming, with everyone but me. If she aimed a kick or tried to bite I'd first use a vocal warning (not even a word, just an I'm warning you growl). If she ignored the warning and continued I'd bite her by doing a skin twitch on her neck. Let me tell ya, her nastiness ended REAL fast! After a couple of times she stopped completely and would even fall asleep while I groomed her - with normal tools, no less (her owner had purchased all of those super soft brushes and curries - LoL)! Similarly, I've never worked with a girthy horse who was girthy when the saddle is being taken off, even though you have to tighten the girth to unbuckle it. Curious... Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: stallion prevalence
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Though my passion with genetics is fixed mostly on color (duh), I've always found it fascinating that so many breeders value stallions so much more than mares. This is, of course, hardly limited to the Fjord breed (actually, I find Fjord breeders to be better about this than most), or to horses in general. So often I see horses for sale and the listing will have the sire and mare named, then their sires (like: by Stallion A, by Stallion B, out of Mare A, by Stallion C). I just don't get it! Similarly, I never quite understood why distant bloodlines are considered so incredibly important. Beyond knowing that the animal comes from quality lines, what other value does it actually have? What happens to the value if only only one or two of the horses in the pedigree are known to be high quality...while the rest are nobodies? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Lack of Large Animal Vets??
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Here the problem is not so much quantity, but quality. I went through several vets with my horses before I settled in with a clinic down in Golden, about 30-45 minutes away, though some of the vets do live up here, one just down the road. I had the same problem with small animal vets - there are a few clinics within about 20 minutes, but I didn't like any of them. I finally found one I liked about 30 minutes away. Same problem with farriers - I'm on my FIFTH in less than four years. The first one did a decent job, but was *extremely* flaky. The next gave my (then only two) ponies pigeon toes. The next two couldn't even begin to fix what the prior had done (one even claimed my guys were supposed to have pigeon toes!), and one also wouldn't clean up the frog. I'm pretty happy with the job my current farrier does, but he's outrageously expensive - $50.00 for a trim! That's more than I ever paid in CA (about $40.00, max). I've never seen another farrier here charge over $30.00, but I have little choice when they do harm to my ponies. The only area where I feel totally covered is with my equine dentist, who happens to live in town. He's outstanding. He used to be a vet, then switched over...I've heard he was a great vet too. BTW, he loves my Fjords! He says they don't come any easier to work on. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: shedding
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] You blanket at +20?!! WHY? Don't they get too hot? I never blanket my fjords, even at -50F. It would be counter productive. It would flatten their fluffy coats and REDUCE the insulation. Of course they are not clipped and have heavy coats, suitable for those temps. AND I don't stall them in a barn, either, they have a run-in and are free to come and go and run around and get exercise. My four are all together and do stand together when they are not moving around or playing. I blanket if it's below about 15° and it's not sunny. Because we don't often have those temps during the day, and it's almost always sunny, the blankets get used maybe 5-10 times each season. When it's below about 10° though, with any weather, the ponies are in the heated (to about 45°) barn, and are VERY happy about it. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: The Mule and the Mountain Lion
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I witnessed my 12 hh Welsh mare chase a dog out of the pasture, with ears pinned and teeth bared. I don't know what she would have done if she'd caught the dog. She may be small, but she's TOUGH. Torden is twice her size and even he knows not to mess with her... Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Christmas Fjords for Sale
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Mark, It'll probably be no surprise for most people to see me pop in when it comes to genetics. As far as black (gray) genes and red genes, a brown mare carrying only red (Ee) bred to a brown stallion carrying only black (Aa) will only give brown duns (that could be EEAA, EEAa, EeAA, or EeAa - but *all* brown dun). So, if both of your brown mares have produced gray duns when bred to a brown stallion then all 3 must carry black. If Elli's dam was red then she also carries red (in addition to black - EeAa), but the red gene doesn't play any part producing a gray dun foal. Jamie, Genetics Nerd In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO PS: Depending on what book(s) you read the letters for the colors may be different, I first learned them as a for black and e for red, so that's what I use.
Re: Stall plaque
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I ordered some stall plates for my barn from Dover (www.doversaddlery.com). I ordered the simplest one and made my own plaque for them - 3 x 9 x 1/2 wood, with rounded corners painted a high gloss forest green. It was very easy and they turned out great! Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: fun with Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I also use Jolly Balls, as well as traffic cones (little ones in the stalls, big ones outside). My Fjords love them. Torden also liked those Eggbutt Horseballs, but few lasted more than a day with him...he popped them *so* easily. I gave up on them a few years ago, it felt like such a waste of money. He does manage to deflate the Jolly Balls to the point where they won't refill on their own (I guess by standing on them) but I can get them back into semi-normal shape using my draft horse hoof pick (and if anyone knows where I can get another one *please* let me know - I LOVE that thing...and not just for re-inflating Jolly Balls!). Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Anemia in Fjordhorses?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] A while back I went through some anemia with Heidi, where her count was in the low 20's (mid to upper 30's are the norm here because of the elevation), and when I had Torden tested he also tested low, upper 20's to very low 30's. The big difference with my case, though, was that my guys never ever looked or acted the least bit anemic. Heidi of course has had her problems, but none that could be tied to anemia. Torden has always been healthy (knock on wood). I did start using Red Cell and now, about 1 1/2 years later, I had all three Fjords tested. Torden came back at 36.3, Heidi is 33.8, and Brecken is 32.7 (he's only been here a week, we expect his count to go up as he adjusts). In talking to Margaret (the breeder) I found out that one of her vets had a theory about the seemingly low counts in otherwise perfectly fine horses, which was that because they are *so* calm they store cells in their spleen(?) and so test lower. In the case of horses actually showing signs of being anemic, though, I don't know. Even when Heidi tested at 24 she looked and acted absolutely fine. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Skjevet
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] If anyone didn't get the photo the first time around, I do have an image of a Fjord (a real one) with the skjevet markings. If anyone would like it just e-mail me offlist and let me know! Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Skjevet
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] It's not a purebred, let alone a skjevet. It's a Tobiano, the sire (now apparently gelded) is a Fjord x Paint: http://www.shortcreekfjords.com/kenzielouie0604.jpg. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Takhi horse - dumb question?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I finally got a chance to look at the site. I think the dark brown duns are stunning. One of the old (1800s I think) Fjord stallion pics I saw on another site looks like the Fjord used to have a dark brown (almost bay?) dun also. Is that true or just the way the picture looks? And if it was true at one time what happened to that color? I thought there were non-dun Fjords, historically. I can't remember where I read it, maybe in one of my horse color books... It's not as if we haven't lost markings - remember the skjevet? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Norwegian Polo Wraps
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Nice polo wraps, I would love to order some will the model come with, How much for shipping LoL Sorry, Heidi's here to stay! I actually do sell wraps, though (if you'd like to see others just go to the main site, polowraps.com). The ones I made for my guys are the first I've done with embroidered graphics, but I think they turned out pretty well. It was strange, though, when I went to the embroiderer she had two Fjords to choose from, but no Norwegian flag - how weird is that?? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fjords in IBHA / Fjords in Colorado
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Don't forget about me just because I'm in the mountains! Jamie the Fjords Torden, Heidi, and soon, their baby brother Brecken (yay!) In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Another Fjord color question
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Can anyone tell me the literal translation of the Norwegian word Ulsblak? The translations of all of the other Fjord colors are pretty straight forward, but this one has me stumped. I know that blak essentially means dun, but uls is not the word that I learned for white when I took Norwegian in college a hundred years ago. I can't find uls in any Norwegian-English dictionary either. Well, I believe that ull means wool, I think I remember reading somewhere that that was where it came from. Maybe? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Modellen
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Conclusion: Smedsmo Graen does not carry the yellow factor, but carries the red factor. Gwedellin may or may not carry the red factor, but can contribute a creme gene to her offspring. And a mating between Gra and Ulsblak can produce brown dun, ulsblak (white dun), red dun, yellow dun, gra or kvit. That last bit of info from Tor Nestaas' chart on colors. Did I get that right, Jamie? :^) LoL Looks right to me! I would also suspect Smedsmo Graen is not carrying a hidden creme gene (though it would only be proven by more breedings) but is carrying red. Gwendellin *may* carry red, even black, but it's probably not likely. If she was carrying red and black, though, then their offspring could include Brown, White, Grey, Red, and Yellow Dun. If she's only carrying red, then Brown, White, Red, and Yellow. If only black, then Brown, White, and Grey. If she doesn't carry either they will only produce Brown and White foals. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Red Dun Genetics (Was: Mare for Sale)
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Basically, the way it works from how it was explained to me is that if a red dun is born, then both parents carry the red dun recessive gene, regardless of their color. Furthermore, even if only one parent carries the gene, the offspring will also carry the gene. However, for a red dun to occur, both parents must have this gene and even in such an instance, the possibility of a red dun is approximately 25%. If one parent carries the recessive red gene then the foal will have a 50/50 chance of also carrying it. Even if both parents carry the gene you still only have a 50% chance of getting a foal that carries it, (the other 50% is split evenly between a foal that does not carry it at all, and a foal that is red). For a foal to certainly carry the gene one parent *must* be red. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2004 #153
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I thought bestamor was grandma in Norwegian! Patty My grandmother has always has had us call her Besdemar (she didn't know how to spell it - LoL). According to my dictionary it's supposed to be spelled bestemor. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Corn Oil Residue
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] A couple of things I found out about feeding oil. First, corn oil seems to be stickier than other oils. I switched to Uckele's Cocosoya oil and liked it much better when I found out it rinsed easily out of the feed buckets whereas corn oil left a residue I had to get out with an abrasive pad. Horses liked it better, it was absorbed into the feed better and according to reports is a better oil than the processed supermarket oils meant for our consumption. Secondly, if oil is fed in a hot mash of beet pulp it becomes completely absorbed into the mash. I found corn oil poured on top of dry feed, pellets or grain, to be rather a bit of a mess both on the horse and off. The only problem I've had when feeding corn oil is the mess on the feed room counter from the drips. Other than that, no problems. I dump Heidi's feed onto her hay, then top the feed with the corn oil. She's never gotten messy from it...maybe she's just a clean eater? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fjords Ground Manners
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Regarding Fjords and grass... The two therapy ponies that introduced me to the Fjord world were both notoriously hard to lead, and would dive for grass. I NEVER had a problem with them, because the first time they tried it with me I made it clear it was not acceptable. I could get either of them to stand on the end of the lead (about eight feet from me) in a field with knee-high grass and they never even tried to drop their heads; they knew that I wouldn't allow it. My own two Fjords would also never try anything like that. It's just a matter of teaching them what's acceptable and what's not - a few quick jerks on the lead (WITHOUT a chain, mind you) is all it took to teach the old boys. Fjords are smart...sometimes too smart...and if they think they can get away with something, they'll often try. You just have to be smarter than they are, anticipate their next move, and make them glad they did what you asked by rewarding them. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: 1400 to 1500 lb fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] If your fjords weigh this much you should be drwan quartered. Well, I can't say I agree with the drawing and quartering a Fjord owner, but I must say, when I measured my 13.3/14.0 hh five-year-old gelding, he was right around 900 lbs - according to a standard weight tape. The vets rate him a 6 or 7 on the body condition scale. His sister, who will be three next month, is about 13.1ish, with a leaner build (but still around a 6 on the body condition scale) was around 700-750 lbs the last time I measured her. She has gained some since then, but probably not a lot. Neither of them are very drafty, though. I wouldn't be surprised if a really drafty Fjord weighted substantially more. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: shivering at the thought
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Only time I see Fjords shiver is when I threaten them with loss of their noon feeding here ! If they are standing next to your barn door, could it be that they want the FOOD you give them when they go in LOLOLOL..Lisa BTW, we live pretty close, and around the same elevation, hope to have you visit my poopless stalls some time! LoL Well, it's true that around 5:00 PM they are at the door wanting dinner, but anytime before that, they want in because of the weather. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: NO POOPY STALLS HERE
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I've never seen a Fjord shiver..? (I would wonder if it were sick if it did!) We allow ours to be either in or out in the winter, at their choosing, and they usually always choose being outside. The Norwegian Fjord horse is one of the few most hardy and winterworthy breeds there are! I wonder if it is possibly a disservice to them by overly coddling them from climactic changes? My guys don't shiver unless they're wet, Torden did it in CA when it was around 40°, but raining. Here when they get snowed on it melts (they really do have GREAT winter coats...much fuzzier than any other horses around that are out 24/7...they just aren't enough apparently), and then they shiver. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: NO POOPY STALLS HERE
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Well, my four fjords live together OUTSIDE even in -40 F with a run-in shed. LoL, okay it is now confirmed that I baby my Fjordies. If it's below 15° F no matter what the weather, my guys are in the barn (yes, it's heated, but only to about 45° F). Obviously I never blanket in the barn, but I will bundle them up when they go outside and it's cold and cloudy, or if it's snowing. Basically, I never want to see them shivering. They do tell you, though, when they want to come in. If they're standing next the barn door, they want in. It's not like I'm *forcing* them to be wimpy! Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO PS: Of course I hate to bring them into a warm barn, then turn around and lock them into small stalls...hence the addition that we'll be starting soon, four new 12' x 16' stalls. The largest stalls (2) I have right now are barely 12' x 12'...the smallest stall, which my 12 hh Welsh mare is in, is only about 9' x 10'. Downright puny, IMO, even for a little pony!
Re: Anyone know LSI Halston?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I also questioned his color when he came in for registration. I had them send in additional pictures of him in fact so I could see the stripe in the mane. It isn't red it is yellow. It is barely noticeable but it is there. So I registered him as a yellow. But if his pedigree is true, there is no way for him to be genetically yellow, Nina either. Halston does have a grey parent that could hide the Cream gene, but both the grey's parents were brown (so no Cream gene there). The same is true with BJ's Nina. With two brown dun parents, there is no way for her to be a yellow. Jamie (an equine color genetics nerd) In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Anyone know LSI Halston?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I was just playing around on the NFHR website the other day and saw that he is the only Yellow stallion listed, but he doesn't look yellow (to me he looks red). Actually, if his pedigree is true, it's impossible for him to be a yellow. Anyone know about him? BJ's Nina could also not be a yellow (if the pedigree is true)... Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: bits
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just curious what type of English style bits are being used by Fjord owners for training - showing - trail-riding??? In our experience, different occasions seem to call for different bits...Just wondering what has been successful (or not) for all of you...thanks for the input! I started both of my Fjords in jointed rubber D's, then moved on to jointed copper and steel roller D's. I find they are both nice and light in the bridle with that bit, and they like to play with the rollers. And, so far there hasn't been an occasion where it hasn't been plenty of bit. For already heavy Fjords, or those that tend to pull when they get excited, I've found that a simple Uxeter Kimberwicke (or probably any leverage bit - I've heard good things about the butterfly bits) can work to soften them. I personally prefer the jointed to non. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Differences between Fjords and Haflingers
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I think it is a Boy/girl thing! My big gelding Bjorken, has always been very neat..When I fed him in the stall and he spent sveral hours there, he would always poop in exactly the same spot, only peed in the stall if I left him in there too long. Stella, His mom, OTOH is very messy, peeing in the stall, pooping anywhere, stirring it up. Adel also pees and poops in the run-in shelter, making ice in the winter and a mess I am cleaning up now it has melted! So I think the geldings and stallions are usually pretty neat.. whereas the mares tend to be messy! LoL I find the opposite to be true here, my Welsh mare is beyond careful about where she goes, and not to walk through it. The back corner of her stall is the bathroom area. In the summer when she has 24 hour access to her paddock she always goes outside. My gelding, on the other hand, seems to go anywhere and everywhere, except where you want him to. Even when he can go in the paddock, he still goes in the stall *and* walks through it. Other than that he's absolutely perfect. ;o) My filly used to be careful like my mare, she would only go on the front part of her stall and typically didn't walk through it. Now though it seems as though she's annoyed that because of the weather she couldn't go outside for a couple weeks (try explaining to a 2 year old that they can't go out because there's five feet of snow on the ground, and a drift outside their paddock door that is as high as the roof). She now goes all over the place, then paws through it and makes a horrible mess. On a side note, anyone with advice on how to get her to stop pawing (actually it's more like digging...the floor of her stall is about 1 foot below where it was a couple of months ago). She has daytime paddock access, but because she's blind in one eye and has questionable vision out of the other I cannot turn her out in the pasture (she's run through the fence more than once). I've given her toys, and she's always had 24/7 hay, but still she digs. When food doesn't work to distract a Fjord, I don't know what to do! - Jamie in Colorado PS: We will be putting rubber mats down in her stall as soon as it dries out a bit more, but I'd really like her to stop pawing period, not just temporarily end the stall floor destruction.
Re: white Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] There is a lethal white factor but it has nothing to do with cremellos, perlinos and smoky creams. It can be carried with the overo paint colour pattern (a horse with the overo gene may or may not be paint coloured). A foal that gets a copy of the lethal white overo gene from both parents is born white with an incomplete digestive tract, and always dies. Norwegian Fjords do not carry this gene. I think the White gene she's talking about is the homozygous lethal white - where a horse with one White gene is truly solid white (not a paint). It doesn't have anything to do with the lethal aspect of some of the paint genes, and has nothing to do with the White Dun Fjord (that is caused by the creme gene, not by the white gene). Hope this helps! Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Fjord type ?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] A friend who has a foundered fjord (1999) just called to say she was thinking of having his thyroid checked as he is shedding etc. I told her I had heard a fjord's thyroid is lower than most other horses. I had had my first fjord's thyroid checked and as it was low the Vet gave me thyroid for him and after two doses he was hyper. It took him three weeks to get back to normal. Is this a problem in anyone's fjords or is it lower or what? When I had Torden and Heidi tested they both came back in the normal range. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: crossbreeding and attitudes
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I realize we've been asked to curb this debate, but being the person that I am I can't let questions go unanswered (and everyone seems to be behaving themselves so what can it hurt?). Rather than respond to the entire post I'm going to attempt (please note, I said *attempt* LoL) a closing argument. My first point is that I don't worry about Fjord crosses being allowed into the registry, or worry that the individual purebred animals would be affected. My feelings are based in an entirely different area. I am focused on the Fjord breed as a whole, and follow the rules set by those who gave us this wonderful breed. The Fjord has remained pure for thousands of years. Now, before you start thinking I *still* don't understand your point, let me just say that at the current time if a horse is part Fjord, it's ALL Fjord - with a few, mostly PMU, exceptions. The whole idea of crossbreds not affecting our purebreds is irrelevant, and is not really the point that I have been trying to argue against. I also have no hard feelings towards owners of crossbreds (in fact I applaud those who have been able to adopt PMU crosses). The bottom line is that I, and others devoted to the breed, simply don't want Fjord crosses to be bred. Period. End of story. Now, as for the attitude label I may have, well, that's fine by me. I welcome people into the breed with open arms and try to help them learn all they can. However, if they clearly don't respect the Fjord they have no business getting involved, and I'm not afraid to make that clear. If they 'get it', they'll get along fine. Fortunately or unfortunately, however you'd like to look at it, that's part of what comes with the breed - people that feel passionately about them. Personally, I was even more drawn to the breed when I saw how protective Fjord People are when it comes to their horses. I for one could absolutely relate! Jamie (who hopes she hasn't angered the List Gods...too much anyways!) In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: crossbreeding and attitudes
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I think what Janet is trying to say is that someone who wants to find out what the taste of a mixture of chocolate and strawberry ice-cream tastes like; shouldn't be banned from owning chocolate ice-cream, shouldn't be banned from joining a chocolate ice-cream list server, and shouldn't be condemned when they talk about mixing these two flavors let alone actually doing it. Those are my thoughts for today, thanks for reading the whole thing and attempting to understand. And ... I do like chocolate ice-cream. I understand your point, however these are horses, not flavors of ice cream. If someone tried to market ice cream that was a mix of chocolate and strawberry (I'm not saying that that is what Janet is going to do!) and nobody liked it, those buyers wouldn't get bad ideas about the chocolate or the strawberry on their own because they know the flavors. If somebody that didn't know the breed met a Fjord cross, who's to say their idea of REAL Fjords wouldn't be based on that cross, however Fjordlike (or non-Fjordlike) they may be? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: crossbreeding and attitudes
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Before I get into my response, let me just say that by nature I love a good debate, so don't take this the wrong way and get really upset. I just think this is a topic that needs further discussion in order to help those that do not seem to understand where we anti-crossers are coming from. Now, onto the content: I'm not sure if I should laugh, or cry. I -do- understand and applaud that Fjord breeders are passionate about preserving the purity of their breed. And as a newcomer to the breed, attracted to the Fjord because of the consistancy and attributes the breed can offer me as a farm work horse (and that many other drafty type breeds have ruined), I too desire to see the integrety of the Fjord breed guarded rigorously, intend to do the same, and am very pleased to see so much discussion and support to this end. However, on this matter of crossbreeding, (specifically -outcrossing-), what I can see very clearly, is that at least the vocal majority on this list, have very little understanding of the history of horse breeding, the role of purebreeding and crossbreeding, and therefore have a genuine fear of those things that are not well understood. Well, first off, preserving the purity of the breed means not crossing it. If it means something different to you please enlighten me. After all, any foal resulting from a Fjord bred to a non-Fjord is *part* Fjord, and therefore is NOT PURE. Do you expect people to just ignore those horses' existence because their Fjord parent hasn't been changed? Secondly, if anyone doesn't understand the history of horse breeding as it's relevant to Fjords, it's you. The breed is over four thousand years old. Sorry for being blunt, but who are you to come waltzing in saying it's okay to cross them? As I've said before, Fjords are what they are for a reason. If you want a horse with different qualities, go buy something else. No one is twisting your arm and forcing you to get one. I am going to give up on trying to explain why the mere use of a stallion to make an outcross does not polute the purebreed. Well, I've studied genetics for years so you don't need to convince me that a *stallion* won't be polluted, but you'll never convince me that the breed and the breed's image won't be. I -do- appreciate the concerns some have about potential confusion of purebreds vs crossbreds, although I do ponder why this does not seem to be an issue in any other breed. I doubt that the Fjord community is the only one that has these feelings, it's possible that many other breeders just gave up. I am puzzled too that the most logical rationale to ban crossbreeding, that is to keep numbers of fjord-like horses in check to protect the value of the purebreds, so that Fjord breeders can recieve respectable prices for their product (and continue to be able to afford to carry out their breeding program), is not top on the list, as it should be. Wow. If you think the most logical reason for not crossing the Fjord is based in money we've got much bigger problems... So Jamie, I am not fit to be a Fjord owner because I have rather extensive experience and education with purebreeding and crossbreeding in several species, and therefore have trouble understanding why Fjord breeders are uniquely irrational and fearful that outcrossing will somehow ruin the breed? I don't think anyone that would call a Fjord owner irrational for doing all they can to preserve their ancient breed should have any involvement with it. And back to the original reason why I got involved in this discussion, it is this attitude, exactly the attitude shown here, that is what -really- bothered me. So I am less worthy as a Fjord owner, because my background and experience gives me a different point of view on this subject? I'm all for different points of view. I just strongly disagree with yours. Fjord owners, like their horses, tend to be strong minded and determined (maybe that's why some Fjord owners, certainly me, are labeled as having an attitude). When we see something potentially harmful happening, we do what we can to stop it. Jamie (is my Taurus nature showing yet? - LoL) In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: (no subject)
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] However, I must say, that I love my little guy and have been a little turned off by what seems to be the attitudes of a great many people in the Fjord horse world. I can certainly understand why some people may decide to look elsewhere when making a purchase. In my opinion people that do not understand why some of us feel so strongly about our breed (and not messing with it genetically or otherwise) are exactly the kind of people that should not get a Fjord. I look at it like a personal responsibility (as should all Fjord owners) to educate people about the breed, to say that the Fjord is over four thousand years old, and that they have been selectively bred for over two thousand, etc. Fjords are what they are for a reason, and they've been that way for thousands of years. If a Fjord is not right for them that's absolutely fine. Just don't mess with success! Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO PS: Though I'm wholeheartedly against crossbreeding, I find nothing wrong with rescuing Fjord crosses and getting them to nice homes. In fact I'm all for it, as long as those crosses are not bred (and we've already gone over the reasons why not so I won't be repetitious and list them again).
Re: Fjord Type
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] My big Fjord gelding in 15-2 altho of a lighter body type..He probably wouldn't be considered typey altho he has good conformation, but he sure suits me as I am also 5'9 and a bit heavier than I want to be! I raised him from birth, and feel fortunate that my mare Stella had just the perfect foal for ME! She also has one other male offspring at least 15hh. There seem to be quite a few tall Fjord lovers! I am 5'11 and love the fact that Fjords are strong enough and have the barrel to accommodate tall, long legged riders! Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Fjord Type
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I don't understand what the issue is. I thought the whole idea of the Fjord was a horse that could do *everything*. Fjords are not about excelling in one arena, they're about true versatility. It's frightening to me that anyone associated with the breed would consider promoting them as a driving horse or riding horse alone. If you're going to promote anything, promote the versatility (and BREED FOR IT). A Fjord that cannot be just as easily ridden as driven is not a good example of the breed, IMO. A HREF=www.polowraps.com /A Jamie (and her well-rounded Fjords) In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: How NOT to promote Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Linda One remark should not a decision make I have people who tell me to this day they think Fjords are grotesque, worthless etc. I was told that when I knew nothing about them. Why should that change me decision as to what I needed? If the person is an expert I might pay more attention but would still do my homework and get what I wanted. Some people are just too easily swayed. Jean When I purchased Torden I was shocked at how many people tried to convince me that Fjords were bad. Of course I'd known and loved the breed for years before I bought my first...and those that spoke negatively had never even met one! At the time I was working at a hunter/jumper barn, taming ponies for their naive owners. The owner of one of the worst behaved ponies I had the misfortune to work with told me flat out that Fjords were ugly, they couldn't canter, etc. I attempted to educate her, saying that not only could Torden canter but he had perfect flying lead changes, and just because they don't look like TBs does not make them universally ugly (to each his own). It was like talking to a brick wall. Now it doesn't matter though, because she's still being bucked, spooked, and reared off of her perfectly conformed hunter - while I have a horse I can ride. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Saddle for Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I use a basic Pessoa CC saddle with a regular tree on Torden and it fits him beautifully, and it's *so* comfortable! Of course each Fjord is different, as nicely as the Pessoa fits Torden, it didn't fit either of the other Fjords I tested it on. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Crossbreeding Fjords?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] And no offense to those folks who have crossbreds, but I haven't seen any cross that is an improvement on either parent. Just kind of a muddying of the waters. Crossbreeding, IMO, should be done to create a final product for a specific use. For instance, cross a TB with a draftie to make a heavy hunter. Jamie, where are you in Colorado? I'm in Parker. We're way up in Conifer. There are very few Fjords up here, as far as I know there are just my two and a few in Evergreen (owned by the same person). It's kind of fun to have an exotic breed like the Fjord. When everyone else has QHs, my Fjords are quite a sight (and then of course there's my 12 hh Welsh). We have neighbors with Arabians that thought they were the odd ones... Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Crossbreeding Fjords?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I hope you will excuse what may be a naive question on my part, but I'm puzzled by all the posts against crossbreeding Fjords. Lots of people crossbreed various breeds; I myself have never owned a purebred horse. What is wrong with breeding a Fjord to another breed? (I am not trying to incite anything here; I'm genuinely curious.) I've been pretty quite lately but this is one topic that I have pretty strong feelings about. I personally hate the idea of crossbreeding Fjords for one basic, but broad idea. The breed is thousands of years old. Obviously in that amount of time they've gotten it the way they want it. I, of course, love the breed as it is, and wouldn't change a thing. There's nothing that needs to be improved on, and using it to improve other breeds shouldn't be necessary at this point. If you don't want the Fjord the way that it is, find another breed. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Lunging
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I classical dressage we have found that the general conception of lunging, to most people not in the know, is to mindlessly set the horse to running around them, brain off, in a circle on 'a giant leash.' Not so! Proper lunging, taught by someone who does know the original purpose, teaches the horse to walk, trot and halt before you ever get on. It teaches collection, proper balance and basic obedience. That is so true. At my previous stable (a Hunter/Jumper show barn with lots of ponies) I was the Pony Tamer/Lunging Queen, and worked with, usually, half a dozen ponies on a daily basis. I always got strange looks from the Dressage riders when I would be long-lining a super-fancy small pony on the bit, having her go through her entire routine on the ground. She was at her best for her young riders right after I would work with her, making for great experiences overall. Another one I trained was very green and all she knew about lunging was, like you said, running around at the end of the line like a maniac. It took a long time but now she's an incredible lunger. She's the one I'm most proud of, as she knows a dozen voice commands and she's heavenly when free lunged. However I got so close to her that I had to buy her... With the Fjords it's been a little bit different, at least with Torden, as he hates to be lunged in a bridle. He pulls and pulls until the session is over. However, in a halter or cavesson he's a dream. He ground drives beautifully in a bridle, but for some reason the circle just doesn't work for him. Go figure. One of the older Fjord geldings I worked with loved to be lunged and knew the basic voice commands pretty easily. He would pull a little bit, but not much. Usually though he was pulling me towards the jumps in the arena - his passion was jumping on the lunge line. The other older Fjord gelding was different from both the other two, as his conformation didn't allow him to canter and he would just fall apart every time I tried to lunge him. Unfortunately I couldn't work with him as often as he needed it, but I'm sure with consistent work he would have improved his balance. - Jamie
Re: DNA
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Seems to me if you want to guarantee a grey dun foal, cross a BB with an rr (chestnut), and since B is dominant over r, you'd get a grey baby whose genotype would be Br. Yes? Well I'm new to horse genetics, but have studied the genetics of smaller animals for many years. If you crossed a BBRR with an bbrr you should get a BbRr, which would equate to a gray dun if the gray gene is dominant. However, what would a BBrr/Bbrr be in terms of color? A gray masking red? Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Wolf teeth
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Had a yearling with the biggest wolf tooth our vet had ever seen. Had another, teeth taken on first visit here by the vet, two good sized ones and my old gelding at 12 or 13 all of a sudden had a wolf tooth erupt, never seen before on the 6 monthly dental checks that I insist on. Oldest wolf tooth they had seen! So my vets are always careful to check my guys, they also seem to think it is a little more common than other breeds. That was the same with Torden - his wolf teeth were the biggest my equine dentist had ever seen (and he's seen a LOT of them!), at least three times the average size. It's got to be the breed. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Health Question
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Before you get too exited about the blood tests, make sure that they are performed with an instrument and laboratory using methods, instruments and reference ranges that are specifically designed or adjusted for animals and not humans. AND htat there is an adequate reference range established for horses and in particular Fjords. My specialty is Laboratory medicine including hematology and I have owned and managed veterinary testing labs. The albumin test most frequently used clinically uses a dye called bromcresyl purple for albumin. It works for humans but underestimates animal albumins except for cows. The lab should be using bromcresyl green which works better. Same for determining anemia. There is a tremendous variation among the different mammals on size , shape and hemoglobin concentration of their red cells. While most human hematology analyzers work well with humans and dogs, without major modifications results for cats and horses are questionable and camelids are undoable. Goats and sheep do not register either. Most of these groups, with the exception of dogs appear anemic if human criteria are used. Thats why you need to use a lab that has established refgerence ranges for different animals and even different breeds. The veterinary clinic I use has it's own lab and they process all of the bloodwork. Heidi has been tested there three times, and by another place (IDEXX), twice. She's tested low each time except for once, by IDEXX. I personally believe it was a fluke when she tested normal (low-normal, but in the safe range), as two weeks later she tested back where she normally is. The problem is the vets here don't do many Fjords, I believe I'm only their second client that has them. So, if they are trying to judge them on other breeds when the Fjords are unique maybe my two are fine as far as that goes, but it still doesn't help explain what is going on with Heidi. Also, as we are high up in the mountains (at 8,400', to be exact), the vets like to see the horses with higher levels, and with my two being anemic (on their scale) I can't help but be concerned...even if Torden hasn't shown any signs whatsoever that anything is wrong. He's just typical four-year-old. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Health Question
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I forgot to add - someone on this list may have access to the reference ranges for hematology and chemistry values specific to the Fjord horse. Our reference ranges were established using mainly quarter horse and TB. I do know that they are different for Arabians and I would guess that the draft breeds will be even more different. Just from observations of other mammals I would guess that the hemoglobin/hematocrit may differ significantly from the hotter breeds. ( should be lower) while the MCV and MCHC should be similar. If this horse evolved at high altitudes the MCV in theory will be lower. If these values are not available, I would be willing to coordinate a project to help get them determined and published. Ditto chemistry values. I have one Fjord and it takes at least one hundred samples to establish a reliable start to a data base. The samples would also have to represent various age groups and stallions/geldings and mares as well as different geographic regions ( particularly altitude when looking at hematology values). I can provide sample containers and mailing containers and probably shipping to get samples here. It would be best to involve and include your own veterniarians and and their instruments in such a study and do an even more extensive comparison-that way we could see also how much variation there was in the methods being used. Also ultimately it is the veterinarian who uses the clinical data to make a diagnosis and it is done in conjunction with signs and symptoms and history. Laboratory data should NEVER be used as the sole diagnositc criterion. ( I will get off my soap box - I teach my own students, Pharmacists and Physician assistants and the concept that is the hardest to convey is that a lab test is only used to assist in a diagnosis - it does not make it ). Any intererst? I of course would be very interested in participating, being at 8,400' mine are probably some of the highest Fjords in the country. As for Heidi and Torden's most recent test results, I don't have copies of the data but the vet did leave this info on my machine: Heidi HCT - 28.3% Albumin - 2.13 Torden HCT - 31.5% Albumin - 2.3 Up here in the mountains the vets like to see the horses at 36 - 38% (the usual range is 32 - 52%?), and the range they're using for the albumin is 2.6 - 3.8. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: Health Question
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 'THE PRIDE PROJECT: How to Speak CBC in One Easy Lesson http://www.shady-acres.com/susan/cbc.shtml Other articles by Susan Garlinghouse: http://www.shady-acres.com/susan/index.shtml As far as reference ranges for Fjord horses, I have records of baseline blood analysis done on my fjords some years ago which I can dig up for you. My vet thought they had low hematocrits. Thank you for those links, and I would love it if you could find those records! Hopefully they will shed some light on what is going on with my two. Well, at least help to explain the test results. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: skjevet info
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I suggested she ask the list to get a broader understanding. I know someone earlier was talking about a black stripe across the shoulders. Personally I have never seen or heard of a white stripe across the shoulder before?? I have a picture of a Fjord with that marking, if anyone would like me to e-mail it to them I'd be glad to (I'd send it to the list but I don't know what the policy is on attachements). A HREF=www.polowraps.com /A Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Health Question
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm new to the list and am hoping that with all of the Fjord owners on the list, some of you may be able to shed some light on what is happening with my 20 1/2 month old filly Heidi. Based on what we now know, was born with some birth defects in her eyes, but, while serious in their own right, those are now the minor issue. The real problems started when she was about 10 - 12 months old, when she basically stopped growing. The vet didn't think it was a big deal until about five months ago, when Heidi still hadn't grown any (even her feet didn't grow), and was starting to get thin. Then we started doing monthly blood tests which revealed she was anemic, and that the albumin level was low, but certainly not to the degree that would cause such obvious symptoms. After a couple months of no change, we started her on MaxPlus, on twice the normal dosage for her weight. Gradually we increased the dosage and she's now been on six times the dosage for her weight (three ounces daily; she's 500 pounds) for a month, and last Friday's blood test showed no chance whatsoever. So, I had my four year old gelding Torden (her full brother) tested to see what we thought would be normal results. When we got his results back, he is also low in albumin and is also anemic. But, he shows *none* of the other signs. He's a 14 hh, and we thought, perfectly healthy, happy gelding. He certainly isn't lethargic, and has the typical baby attitude. I'm going to get him retested, to see if maybe his results were messed up somehow, but if not, what am I facing here? Has anyone else had their Fjords test this way, when they seemed fine otherwise? Also, in regards to Heidi, if this is just where she's supposed to be, what could be going on in her to cause the sudden stop in growth and the lethargy? She started out as a largish foal, now she's just 12.3 hh, where she was almost a year ago. As for diet, she free feeds on grass hay, and gets a 1/2 flake of alfalfa at breakfast and dinner. She also gets a daily feed of about 4 qts. of Equine Jr., Source Focus WT (500 lb. dose), Biotin Plus (1,000 lb. dose), Strongid C2X (500 lb. dose), and MaxPlus (3,000 lb. dose). She also gets twice yearly paste wormings. So, if anyone has any ideas please let me know. The vets have no idea - they've never seen anything like it before. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO BTW: I am also planning on testing my Welsh, to see if their results give us a clue as to what might be going on... If they test low I don't know what to think!
