evalutation and Duster update
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have been remiss in not writing the list and telling everyone how much fun it was to attend the Cincinnati evaluation as a spectator. This was my first Fjord event. It was SO MUCH FUN! I'm encouraging everyone who has not gone to one, to do so, without a horse the first time. I had the opportunity to talk, talkand talk some more because I wasn't busy getting a horse ready for something. What valuable time spent. My first impressionEVERYONE was exceedingly friendly and open to all questions. The one thing I did learn was, I should have attended an evaluation BEFORE I purchased, only because I could have made a more intelligent purchase, body type wise, conformation etc. The evaluators discussion, at the end of each group, gave me a clearer understanding of so many things. Bravo and thanks to everyone who worked so hard, and was so gracious. On to a Duster update. Last spring I asked the list for help with my crabby, distant, uncooperative 5 year gelding. I was contemplating selling him because I wasn't sure he would ever be safe. We've been home from the training barn since mid-July. I've been riding, rather than driving, in a western saddle. He has been wonderful! Sweet, pleasant, glad to see me and riding is going well. The attitude and mood has done a total 360. I'm not sure if it was the chiropractic work, or the supplements, or simply being home again, however we are making good progress. Thanks again to everyone who has been so helpful. Carol and Prairie Duster in chilly 33 degree Michigan
Re: Rescue Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 1/11/2003 7:14:40 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: would provide as much support on-list Count me in as one of the list members who had grown very tired of both discussions and have been deleting more posts than I've been reading. Thank you Steve, good decision. Carol and Duster in cold cold Michigan
Re: hurrying fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 12/30/2002 12:37:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I think you are correct when you say some trainers want to hurry with fjords and run into problems. I believe thats because trainers feel the client is looking for instant results, and feel obligated to make fast progress. My 4 year old gelding has been with a trainer since mid September. He's been everything you all have described here, pushy, opinionated, thinking he got to decide when he was done working. My trainer, who specialized in carriage driving training, worked for three months to get an acceptable whoa and stand, without being challenged. She's been thoughtful in her approach, having trained only one fjord, just previously. I have also encouraged her to take her time, to give the boy thinking timedays off etc. We openly communicate about how's she's feeling about the progress, and my expectation level. She verbalized that her sensitivity to my expense and the amount of time it was taking.. I was clear with her that I was committed to the investment in order to have a happy, road safe Fjord. Everyone is progressing, it just takes a little longer sometimes. Being realistic is key, I believe. Carol in Michigan with 4 year old Prairie Duster
Re: Winter blankets/sheets
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 12/23/2002 9:24:19 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Keeps them warmer while they're drying off, but lets the sweat evaporate out into the air. Hope this helps you some. Try tucking a layer of hay on his back, underneath the cooler. It helps the moisture wick off. Of course you have to deal with how insulted they become because hay is being used that way!!! Carol, and Duster (who's at the trainers) in very cold and windy Michigan
Fjord Horse Calendar
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] As I flipped my calendar to November it dawned me that I have either missed or not seen a posting here regarding a 2003 calendar. I don't remember who offered that last year, but are you doing it again?? My office wall wouldn't be the same without a Fjordie hanging there. Anyone know if there are plans to do something??? Carol Duster in 30 degree Michigan
Hair Analysis supplements
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List, I recently had a hair analysis test done on my four year old gelding. I board with a women who believes strongly in supplements and uses this process to try and keep the horses at acceptable levels, feeding each horse in our barn a custom blend of vitamins and minerals. We do have high levels of arsenic in our area, which is why she started testing the horses, to begin with. I felt it was a good idea to, at least have the test for benchmark levels. I won't go into detail as to the test results but the analysis did come back showing high levels of arsenic and aluminum, among many other high levels. Along with the report came a huge laundry list of supplements to feed (19 in all actually). Here's my question. Knowing these people are in the business of selling supplements how do I analyze what I really need? I was also told, when I purchased my guy, that to be careful about feeding the full recommended dosages of supplements, that a much less amount seemed to best suit this breed. Any comments or suggestions here would be helpful. Carol and Prairie Duster in Michigan
Re: In Memory....
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 10/18/2001 2:34:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: the one that I would go out to brush when my life needed a dose of the serenity that she seemed to exude. I'm sure everyone on the list can relate to this one sentiment, what a precious gift we receive when we allow ourselves to love to this magnitude. I'm very sorry for your loss. Carol Prairie Duster in Michigan
Re: Loose Teeth
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 09/05/2001 2:44:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: This is also why young horses sometimes refuse a bit, or fuss about a familiar bit, or start having bridling problems, etc. These problems usually mean it's time to have a look in their mouth first - This is the BEST tip! Thank you for the great response. Thats exactly what I had experienced that night. I had just changed my bit to one slightly larger, I'm using a 5 1/4 inch 1/2 cheek snaffle driving bit, and thought he might be objecting to the new feeling of thing. But on second thought he also resisted the bridle that night...not totally unusual but something I thought we had gotten past. Thats the best thing about this listthanks for the great information! Carol and Duster where the weather is perfect, low 70's and lots of sun!
Loose Teeth
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi List, Last night I found two loose teeth in my 3 year old gelding. It looked to be a baby teeth, being replaced by a permanent ones. I always thought they lost those baby ones by age 2? Is this possible at 3?? or should I be concerned? Carol and Duster in perfect Michigan
Re: new Fjord owner
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 08/28/2001 3:25:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Go, Jean, go! People are making sissies out of their horses, when nature can much better equip them to take care of themselves than we ever could. Ditto!!! We let our horses decided if they want in or out90% of the time they choose out. Mother Nature whispers in their ear and clues them in to what they need, hair coat wise, to get through the winter well. I say leave 'um be and they'll be healthier. Carol Duster in Michigan
3 year old
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi List, I seem to be the consummate lurker, however I thought it was time to fill you all in on the progress I'm making with my 3 year old gelding Prairie Duster (out of Michelle Noonans Gracie, purchased from Bailey's in Michigan). If you remember I asked the list for help last year with the terrible twos, and received all kinds of great tips and suggestions from you guys, which really helped. I began working again, after a long snowy, cold, Michigan winter sometime late March. By May it was like someone flipped a switch in the boys head!! The terrible two's seemed to disappearI mean night and day. Ground driving has become like a ballet...balanced, graceful and responsive. He trots a figure eight on the long lines like he invented the method. I'm finding I get one escalation as I try new things, like tying milk jugs filled with stones on the harness, however, after the initial reaction he's calm, calm, calm. I've driven with mock poles, dragging a tire, and graduated to skidding logs. He ground drives through obstacles and over cavaleties without flinching. This week he was introduced to the cartas in Duster meet the cart!!! He followed me around the paddock while I pulled itwhats wrong with this picture??? LOLI wanted him to see it and hear it, have a chance to walk around it a check it out for himselfnext step, when I return from vacation is to hook him! Without all the tips and encouragement from all of you on the list I don't think I could have accomplished this myself. I have learned so much from all of you, you guys have no idea how valuable an asset you are! I'll keep you all posted after I get him hitched. Carol and Prairie Duster in Michigan
Re: Help
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 07/02/2001 11:21:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: that beet pulp is a good way to put weight on in case of founder, and you can add the Cocosoya to the beet pulp. Hi list, We have consistently fed beet pulp and added Cocosoya for the horses that needed it and had great success. Beet pulp not only is a great way to get weight on, it helps keep the ol' digestive system going properly. For our oldsters, with ground down teeth, have mixed the beet pulp very wet, which allows them to suck it down. Good Luck. Carol Prairie Duster in Michigan
Re: electric fence help
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 02/11/2001 11:36:17 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: We raised the bottom wire after the big snow in December so the fence wouldn't loose it's zapand raised the top wire in the process to increase the height of the fence. The little rotter does attempt to crawl under the bottom wire!! Jonthanks for that grounding tip but we have already run that ground wire under the top wire. Did that we put the new fencer in in December right from the get goand he respected - until this week. Spend the entire morning rewiring, grounding and testing. I have good power in the wires. When I took a close look at the fence line, on both sides of the fence, it appeared as though alot of playing or picking between Duster and the older Arab gelding next door might be the reason the fence gets knocked enough to loose power. After the rewire job put the two boys together to see if the company for Duster might keep him out of mischief. I know he's bored to deathcombine my bad case of bronchitis with the bitter cold, snowy, icy weather and he was pretty much left standing for the month of January. At this point it's almost impossible to venture out of the barn to do anything however, would simple attention help to alleviate the boys boredom??? i.e. grooming etc.?? or do they really require more work to keep them happy and out of trouble! Thanks for the tips Carol Duster, who's on probation with his friend Brains babysitting
Re: Fw: age data base-- revision # 3
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 01/25/2001 8:14:58 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Add my age to the revision and my vote for developing a data base: Carol Eberhardt 54, mom of Prairie Duster in cold, crisp Michigan
2 year old behavior
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from Carol at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi List, As a new member of the list I've been following all the threads with interest. I'm training a 2 year old gelding, Duster, that I've had since the end of May, to drive. He is my first Fjord. Things are going well for a youngster, I believe, but what I'm encountering is when he's good, he's very good..when he's bad he's horrid kind of behavior. Because of the bad behavior it's hard for me to tell when it's appropriate to go on to the next training step. I always felt that if they did something right for two weeks move on. Right now we are working on the long lines at a good strong, walk, trot, plus some cantering. He reverses quite well at the walk trot and does figure 8's. I was going to move to working around obstacles over the weekend and he simply refused to walk forward past one area of the training area! Arrrkkk I think, back to square one??? I worked 'til I got one success and stoppedand now I'm thinking now what?? The folks on the Fjord chat on Sunday night suggested he was bored, and to do shorter schooling sessionshints would be appreciated and is this typical 2 year old Fjord behavior? Carol in Michigan, where it's been wet, humid and buggybut wonderfully sunny and cool today.
Re: Cushings Disease in Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from Carol in Michigan [EMAIL PROTECTED] I had a 1/2 Arab gelding that had cushings. Symptoms were very long hair coat and water retention, primarily in his belly. The water retention usually showed up in the winter, it looked like someone slipped a table into his belly.another symptom is excessive thirst and urination. My old guy survived for a long time. I kept him going with daily doses of Thyroid and well as a fairly sophisticated blend of minerals, which I gave after having a hair analysis done. Kidney failure got him last fall, thus my purchase of my first Fjord, but he drove until a month before he went down. Carol in hot, humid BUGGY Michigan
Re: New to the list
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi everyone, I'm new to list and hope I'm posting properlyif not will someone please feel free to mail me and clue me in to the proper way. I am a long time horse owner.and first time Fjord owner as of the end of May. I lost a 1/2 Arab gelding last fallhe was replaced by a 2 year old now geldingregistered name Prairie Duster. I'm training him from the ground now to drive and will train to ride next year. I board with a friend who has 5 Arabs and live in Michigan. I joined the list to get training tips concerning this breed and would love to know if there are any shows in Midwest area of the US. I look forward to learning through you all and hope at one point I can actually contribute some useful information. Remi
