Re: Friends made
This message is from: "Beth & Sandy - Starfire Farm" <starfiref...@usa.net> Yes, good friends too! But the Rose Parade sans Fjords? Not the same...Lol. Beth -- Original Message -- Received: 04:47 PM MST, 12/24/2015 From: Gail Russell <g...@zeliga.com> To: Michele Noonan <fjordl...@hotmail.com>, "fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com" <fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com> Subject: Friends made This message is from: Gail Russell <g...@zeliga.com> As a result of the list. Karen Mccarthy, Beth Beymer, Sandy North, Jean Ernest, Brigid Wasson. In fact Karen and I are, as we speak, working out a plan to go to the Rose Parade to march with a giant statue of Bernie Sanders. And I just got back from visiting Karen ' s place in Madras Oregon. And I still have a warm insulated coverall from Robin Churchill that she gave to me when she moved to Florida. I still have three Fjords. One 27, then 20 and 14. And a bunch of frozen semen that I need to pass on, if anyone is interested. Not riding much anymore. It has been a wonderful ride. Gail Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone Original message From: Michele Noonan <fjordl...@hotmail.com> Date: 12/23/2015 11:25 PM (GMT-08:00) To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: fjordhorse-digest V2015 #99 Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Goodbye FjordHorse List
This message is from: "Beth & Sandy - Starfire Farm" <starfiref...@usa.net> Farewell to the List. Thank you Steve, it was a great ride! Beth -- Original Message -- Received: 08:26 AM MST, 12/21/2015 From: Steve McIlree <st...@carriagehorse.com> To: FH-L <fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com> Subject: Goodbye FjordHorse List This message is from: Steve McIlree <st...@carriagehorse.com> All good things must come to an end. Some of us have been here since March 29, 1998 and a few have arrived only recently. However I have come to the conclusion that the traffic on the list has dwindled to the point that it no longer makes any sense for me to continue to fund it. So when the current year's server subscription runs out, the FjordHorse List will be no more. Technology flows forward, and although I find the current offerings of social media to be somewhat of a black hole for people's time, I am in the minority like the Luddites of the 19th century. For that reason, I must say goodbye to all of you who I have come to know online, because I will continue to refuse to become enmeshed in either Facebook or Twitter. It's been great getting to meet all you folks, but it's now time to draw the curtain on The List. -- Steve It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.-- Aristotle 384-322 BC Sent with MailTrack <https://mailtrack.io/install?source=signature=en=sm cil...@gmail.com=22> Sent with MailTrack <https://mailtrack.io/install?source=signature=en=sm cil...@gmail.com=22> Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: FW: Flight instinct Saves Fjords and People
This message is from: Beth Sandy @ Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hi Brian, I was out of the country when I read this...I'm glad to hear that you are all okay. Sounded like a horrific event. Hope the horses are still okay too. Love how the town has come out to help you all out as well. Take care, Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: FW: driving at the Kentucky Derby
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Have a wonderful and safe time Lindy and all. Hoping for great weather for you. Beth -- Original Message -- Received: 05:50 AM MDT, 04/27/2015 From: lindy hild bah...@comcast.net To: fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com Subject: FW: driving at the Kentucky Derby This message is from: lindy hild It's finally time!! Tomorrow and Wednesday, April 28 and 28, several drivers ( and riders) with their Norwegian Fjord Horses will converge on the Kentucky State Fairgrounds. We have been invited to appear in the Pegasus Parade, THE official parade for the Kentucky Derby. There will be 4 ridden Fjords, and 7 driven Fjords with various vehicles: Curt Pierce and Marsha Korose are bringing Ulend and Solvar with an Antique Victoria carriage, Bob Long is bringing a Turnout vehicle and pair, Ardeth Obenauf is bringing a single with a marathon vehicle, Jennifer Harber is driving a single and I am taking Dagney and my Bird's Eye maple roadster. We are honored and thrilled to both be representing the Driving community as well as our beloved, delightful and unique Norwegian Fjords. It's a wonderful opportunity to show off the different sorts of horse-drawn vehicles still in use to the general public. We won't be running for the roses, but we'll be wearing them! Eagerly anticipating a wonderful time ( and no rain) Lindy and Dagney in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia ( but heading west!) Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Fjord Digest--white markings
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net It seems that some discussion of the NFHR Breed Standard might be helpful. Here is the language regarding Coat Color and Marking: Traditionally, the most common and desirable markings found on Fjords are:1. Primitive markings:⢠Small brown marks over the eyes and on the checks and thighs.⢠Dark horizontal stripes on the legs, especially the forelegs.⢠Can have one or more dark stripes over withers, very seldom seen.2. Dark ear outlines and tips.3. Darker mid-section in the forelock, mane and tail.4. A full-length, darker dorsal stripe.5. Some âfeatheringâ on the legs, but not profuse.6. Dark hoof color; may range to amber in red and yellow dun horses. Some striping may occur.7. All of the accepted Fjord horse colors and their variations must be kept. Avoid markings thatare not typical for the breed. A small star is acceptable With respect to 1/2 of a hoof being white, as an evaluator, I would not consider 1/2 a white hoof as striping and would say it is something to avoid in the phenotype. With respect to not breeding a horse displaying 1/2 a white hoof being unnecessary restriction re: the genetic health of the breed, one must take a look at whether or not the genetics of that particular horse are available elsewhere and where the white is coming from. In the case of Beth M's mare the mother of the horse is Bragda. Though it is not reflected in the pedigree site, several of her offspring and offspring's offspring have white stars. White stars are okay, but a white hoof comes very close to having white socks, which we definitely do not want in the breed. Looking at the number of offspring that have come from the mother and father lines, Bragda has 11 offspring listed, 4 of which I know have produced breeding offspring. The father, Felix, shows 40 offspring on the NFHR Pedigree site. Since he was originally exported to Canada, there are perhaps many, many more on the Canadian site that are not registered in both registries. There are also a number of Felix offspring in Norway still producing offspring, so the genetics are available to the breed. Therefore, in my opinion, should I desire to breed a horse with the correct phenotype, retaining those particular bloodlines according to the NFHR breed standard, I would choose horses of those bloodlines that did not display undesirable characteristics. It doesn't mean that they won't crop up, but could reduce the risk. Because the genetics are available in both of these lines, I don't think that trying to reduce the incidence of white markings is limiting genetic diversity. However, I do agree with Ruthie that when the most popular or the most advertised bloodlines are where the majority of the horses being bred, we run the risk of propagating unhealthy genetics for our breed in the future. That is one of the reasons that I am keeping several stallions intact, keeping a variety of lineage available...though at a substantial cost to us in upkeep and physical work! BethStarfire Farm This message is from: Main Email divingduoandcor...@comcast.net I have a very nice mare that I was told never to breed because she has half a white hind foot. I wonder about excluding a mare for this, particularly due to concerns discussed here about less foals and a shrinking gene pool. I am not interested in breeding and bought her for riding (she is awesome!) but always wondered if this type of restriction was unnecessarily limiting. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Re: Fjord Digest--white markings
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Yes, I agree with Lori about not throwing out the baby with the bath water. Perhaps the Canadian registry policy was decided before the advent of DNA testing. More and more is being ldiscovered about color genetics and the origin of white markings. Perhaps this could be revisited. When we discussed the issue of white stars with the Norwegians they did acknowledge that if a stallion of such exceptional quality came along bearing a white star he would probably be given a breeding license. But the horse would have to be very special! They did stick to their policy of no white hooves a few years ago, giving a mare and a stallion very low scores for breed type when each had one white hoof (both were red dun). Therefore neither were licensed for breeding. Beth -- Original Message -- Received: 12:12 PM MST, 01/25/2015 From: Lori Albrough l...@bluebirdlane.com To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: Fjord Digest--white markings This message is from: Lori Albrough From the get go in Canada, the CFHA states No White Markings. The NFHR simply says a small white marking is acceptable. Brian Jensen We learned in Norway that a small white star has been part of the breed since records have been kept. The famous stallion Rosendalsborken had a sire of whom it is recorded he had a white star. Blazes, stripes, white stockings and socks, however, are not typical of the breed. A white coronet, or a white or partly white foot, lie in the grey area in between. A horse should be marked down in type for this, but not as much as for larger markings, in my opinion. I would be wary of throwing the baby out with the bath water. My riding friends would tell you that horses are here to be used. It seems that the CFHA rule is overly restrictive as it would have prevented Rosendalsborken from being born. Lori -- Lori Albrough Bluebird Lane Fjords R.R.#3 Moorefield Ont Canada N0G 2K0 phone: 519-638-5598 email: l...@bluebirdlane.com http://www.bluebirdlane.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: need help with a foundering mare
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Founder can be a very serious, life threatening problem! If your horse is severely lame as you describe, especially if she is showing lameness in all four feet, I would call the vet immediately to determine the extent of the damage and to address the symptoms asap. Beth -- Original Message -- Received: 01:17 PM MDT, 09/28/2014 From: Janet ja...@tamaracksheep.com To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: need help with a foundering mare This message is from: Janet ja...@tamaracksheep.com help, it appears one of my mares is foundering. I switched from pasture to hay 2 weeks ago, and found her severely lame this morning. All four seem to hurt but especially one front and one rear. I have her soaking in cold water and gave her 3 grams of bute. Is a vet call worth while? or are they just going to confirm founder and administer bute? Janet Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
RE: Fjord in Dressage Today
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello All, This message is from: Mary Ofjord ma...@boreal.org -I believe Anne Appleby's horse Wez was shown at Grand Prix level and possibly Starfire Farm's stallion BDF Obelisk. (Beth can you help me here?) (Anne?) Anne Appleby did show Wez at Grand Prix. In fact, she earned all of her USDF medals, Bronze, Silver and Gold, on Wez (who is enjoying his retirement!). I believe Anne is now showing one of her mares at 4th level. Thanks for thinking positive Mary, but I have not shown Obie to GP yet. We have successfully shown through Third Level Test 3, with decent scores, but though he can piaffe and now perform an admirable passage, and do piaffe/passage transitions, we are still working on the tempi changes. If we can get those by next year (right...I can dream, right?) you should see Obie at the FEI levels. Maybe (or not) It's not because he is not able...he most certainly is! I just don't have the drive to show that gets me to sit at the computer and fill out all of those forms to enter the shows. Besides, I am always getting side-tracked by doing things like driving a 4 in Hand in the Rose Parade... ;-) But, I do not agree with Ms. von Dietze's statement. One should never make a blanket statement about any breed. I do agree that it is more difficult with horses that are not built for dressage...or shall we say, for competitive dressage... as dressage horses are being bred for specifically today. However, a blanket statement saying that Fjords can't bend at the poll simply isn't true. I have Fjords here, even those with thick, heavy necks and throatlatches, that can flex at the poll better than many thoroughbreds and even warmbloods I have ridden! Conversely, I have some Fjords that have lovely, light throatlatches and long necks but they just don't care to bend at the poll. In fact, you can watch them running around in the pasture and pick out the ones that like to flex at the poll and the ones that like to keep their noses sticking out. The results can be surprising. Having said that, there are a few factors to take into consideration. One is that a Fjord generally has a much stronger neck than the lighter breeds. Once a Fjord learns to use it's neck strength to push the bit, you have quite a chore to convince him not to do so. Breeds with lighter, less strong necks, can be muscled into giving in. It is easier to hold them in position without fatiguing the rider (which is still much of the dressage riding/training that one sees). One cannot muscle a Fjord into submission...they are too smart! Tact, which should be used in all horsemanship, is much more successful with Fjords. Riding a horse to the release is, to me, what is ideal. Another factor is that the more talented riders, riders that have independent seats and don't balance on the reins, if they have competitive goals are just not going to be riding a Fjord to get the higher scores at the higher levels. Face it, a Fjord just isn't going to get the good scores in the gaits that the specially bred dressage horses are going to get, no matter how good that Fjord's gaits are. And, Fjords have to have a lot of stamina and a great work ethic to complete a GP test. I have worked with and trained quite a number of Fjords now and some bloodlines and/or individuals don't have the energy and drive to continually train at the FEI level. Which isn't a bad thing...not everyone wants a Fjord with that kind of drive! Some are better suited to working all day pulling a plow, or carry someone or pack something over a mountain. Long, slow, distance work. A Grand Prix test requires a high level of continuous energy, with extra bursts of contained and sustained energy throughout the test. Not all horses are up to that...in any breed! Even if they have that drive, if one wants to reach the goal of competing at GP on a Fjord, it will take a lot of work to keep that horse fit enough to complete the test well. Anne told me that she had a girl take Wez out for gallops during the week just to help keep him fit enough to complete the GP tests during the show season. I do worry that, as Obie gets older (he is 18 this year, can you believe it?) he won't be able to maintain the stamina to complete a GP test. So, that's my opinion in a nutshell. Unfortunately for those of us with ordinary horses in dressage competition, Dressage horses are getting better and better and the scores reflect that. Therefore, sad to say that I think it is going to get harder and harder for a Fjord ...or ordinary horses...to get competitive scores at the FEI levels as the judges see more and more horses in the ring that are specifically bred for the sport. As for other ponies, I find that the specialized dressage ponies that are being bred is also unfortunate for the ordinary horse. But that is the market. The Fjord breed has always changed with the market. That is why it is important that we, in our Evaluation system
RE: Rose Parade - horse shoes and other details
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net But seriously, did anyone have to have their arm twisted to participate? No? (I didn't think so ;-) Not this time...but in the future someone had better twist...hard, really hard! ;-) Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: A couple of questions
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hi Gayle, This message is from: Gayle ware fofdfjo...@clearwire.net I have a couple of questions. In the photo of 5 abreast in the Rose parade, are those all 5 of the Fjord colors? No, left to right they are brown dun (Teressa's Zoobie), red dun (our OH Adrianna), yellow dun (LTW farm's OH Yenna) grey dun (Victoria Arling's LTW Van Gogh) and brown dun (Kristin Miller's Saundra). The white four in hand was the fifth color in the group. did everyone do their own body clipping? How long before the parade was it done? I can speak for our horses. It was truly a team effort. My helper, Christi Kipple, started the clipping the first week of December, giving them a trace clip. Then, as time and weather permitted, we both tackled them. I think I finished them off the week before Christmas day, which was when we left for CA. I had done the faces and had blended most of the legs on the Four, and left patches on the hips for the cancer ribbon. Once we were there, Marg Clumpner and Angela Toponga (bless their hearts!) took over with the horses that needed finishing. Blending the faces and the feathers on the legs takes a LOT of time! Victoria Arling did her own horse and Samantha and Savanna Poirier clipped Jeanne's horse, but cut off all of the hair with no blending. Kristin Miller's horse also had no feathers. Blending isn't that difficult with #10 blades on Oster clippers, turned backwards. Just takes time and patience. I was hoping to cut hearts into my four white's manes, but ran out of time Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Rose Bowl Parade
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net This message is from: Bonnie Morris morrisshado...@aol.com This question is for all the parade participants. Would you do it again? I consider it a once in a lifetime event. Having said that, if circumstances were right, I would consider doing it again but with only ONE horse! LOL. Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Rose Parade photos
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello Caroline, Point your driving trainer to the videos on YouTube. All she has to do is search Rose Parade Fjords and the videos will come up. All of these horses were well prepared, had confident riders and drivers and quite a bit of experience being exposed to different events and venues. There are some fjords here I would never have considered for this event, but only a few. As for testing trainers, etc. Fjords are incredibly intelligent and, though outwardly stoic, are very sensitive to their handlers' intentions. That, combined with their very strong sense of self-preservation, makes it challenging for some trainers who are used to working with other breeds to understand them. Beth This message is from: Caroline Warren caroline.war...@att.net I would love to buy some photos of the fjords in the parade to show my driving trainer, as she is incredulous that fjords could be that calm and well-behaved. My mare is OK but she's had others that, let's say, pushed her buttons. Everyone looked lovely and I'm very impressed. Caroline Warren Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Rose Bowl Parade
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net This question is for all the parade participants. Would you do it again? BTW, we will have been home for a week tomorrow and I am still exhausted! Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
RE: Rose Parade drugs?
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Honestly, I would have preferred the marching bands... Teressa, you wicked person you for putting that tune back into my head! AGGG! ;-) Beth -- Original Message -- Received: 05:25 PM MST, 01/09/2014 From: Karen McCarthy weeg...@hotmail.com To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: RE: Rose Parade drugs? This message is from: Karen McCarthy weeg...@hotmail.com Teressa, nice to know they tossed the cocktail idea. Probably ran into some legal challenge along the way. I thought it was kind of odd - but it was in there in the binder all the same. 'Loving You' by Minnie Riperton - Are you referring to a song that was playing in a loop on the Rebekah's float just before you guys? Yeah that would get fairly obnoxious, but better than a big marching band on your tails ;) Karen From: tere...@kodiakfishco.com To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: RE: Rose Parade drugs? Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2014 15:12:19 -0800 This message is from: Teressa tere...@kodiakfishco.com The answer is no. Vets were present along the parade route as were the Humane Society who had horse trailers lined up along the route, just in case. We were never asked to sign any waiver allowing the vet to administer any drug. I doubt any of the horse owners would have signed anyway. I have no idea what would have been done had a horse acted up. We had our own safety plan for our group; but we were also driving and riding Norwegian Fjord Horses. You would all have been proud to see what they encountered and how they handled it. We laugh now at our desensitizing efforts prior to the parade as there is no way to duplicate those conditions. However, I wouldn't ever play the song by Minnie Riperton, Loving you with all the lalalas around any of the horses or people in our unit. The results could be catastrophic. Teressa -Original Message- From: owner-fjordho...@angus.mystery.com [mailto:owner-fjordho...@angus.mystery.com] On Behalf Of Karen McCarthy Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2014 2:19 PM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: RE: Rose Parade drugs? This message is from: Karen McCarthy weeg...@hotmail.com I think what you are trying to say Jerry (and pardon me if I interpreted this incorrectly), is did the Rose Parade management give any of the Fjord horse parade participants a pre-parade cocktail? I know that when we looked into Rose Parade participation 10 years ago, we were informed via the equestrian unit application, that as part of acceptance into the parade, that the parade vets had the consent to administer a horse a tranquilizer, only if they deemed it necessary for the safety of the parade. Don't know if this applies any longer, but it did in 2003. One other thing that also stood out from that application is that they asked if your silver on your saddle was plate or sterling. OMG, we thought that was hilarious!! (It kinda puts into perspective the white-glove Junior League orientation of the Rose Parade org. ;-) :: Karen McCarthy :: Great Basin Fjords :: Madras, Oregon :: From: tere...@kodiakfishco.com To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: RE: Rose Parade photos Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2014 13:50:44 -0800 This message is from: Teressa tere...@kodiakfishco.com I'm not sure I follow your question. What do you mean, what kind of drugs? This message is from: Jerry Friz jfri...@comcast.net Couple of questions, What kind of drugs are giving to the horses, and how often? Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
RE: Rose Parade Roses
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net As Teressa said, we were not required to sign a waiver, nor were we required to tranquilize our horses or carry tranquilizers (I think the DEA might have something to say about that...;-). However, we did have a contact number for the head veterinarian/farrier along with us should it become necessary to treat a horse. (BTW, my vet says those little cocktails administered to the horses are more effective as a prophylactic for the rider/driver anyway...;-) In my opinion, in the interest of public safety, should one of my horses require tranquilizing in order to get them safely out of the parade, I would have agreed. Until you were actually in it, you had no idea how jam-packed the sides of the streets were. The equestrian parade organizers told us that the escape route, should something happen, was to go to the left of the boulevard and exit stage left. Meaning, if horses ran, or floats lost their brakes, etc., the runaways would go to the left and the untroubled participants would stay right...having experienced it now, it would have been difficult to do that easily. But I did see ambulances, tow trucks and horse trailers staged on the side streets on the left side of the road along the route, so the organzers were prepared. We did do our homework to expose them as much as possible to the weird, unusual, looming, approaching, loud, etc., etc. But, as Teressa said, nothing can prepare you for that kind of experience, except being in it! However, our horses were amazing. They trusted us, they trusted each other and banded together as a herd. They tolerated more noise than anyone could imagine. I am still blown away by that. Even little poppers started going off towards the end of the parade, kind of like fireworks poppers. Not one horse paid attention to that. On a side note, my vehicle was an antique carriage and was the only four-wheel carriage that did not have brakes. My wheelers held that carriage, loaded with 5 passengers and two whippets, on all of the up and down slopes. Sometimes they had a little help from the leaders on the up-slopes, but not the down. And we did plenty of stopping/standing on the down slopes! Something that the parade organizers did for us that they have not done before was to allow our riding and carriage horses to stay together as a unit, entering the parade as a unit. Normally, they separate the carriage horses from the riding horses. Now that might have caused us some problems for us! The parade volunteers at the end of the parade didn't get that memo, however, and tried to separate us on our way to the disbanding area. Teressa got in that guys face and told him otherwise she was an amazing marshal in a number of ways. Perfect for that job! So, Hip Hip Horrah! for our horses. I love them even more. Beth This message is from: Cindy B Giovanetti cin...@ipi.org Seriously, did the parade organizers require you to carry tranquilizers in case a horse freaked out? Cindy Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
RE: Rose Parade
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Despite the security, there were people getting out into the street - including a kid dressed in a tux walking down the middle of the street toward the rear of the parade. That was strange. OMG, that little kid. He must have been about 6 years old wearing a drum major's costume. He stood in the middle of the boulevard with his hands on his hips like he was inspecting everything! He stayed right in the middle of the street as our group went on either side of him. It was hilarious and Sandy didn't see him, so no photos, darnit. Beth -Original Message- From: owner-fjordho...@angus.mystery.com [mailto:owner-fjordho...@angus.mystery.com] On Behalf Of Me Kint Sent: Friday, January 10, 2014 8:52 AM To: Fjord List Subject: Rose Parade This message is from: Me Kint me.k...@yahoo.com The dangers of parades pointed out by Phil... I noticed in the photos that all of the carriages carts of the Fjords had grounds people, the multiple hitches had people on both sides. Question how did you know to have these extra people there as a safety net? Did you contact past parade participants, or did parade organizers give out such info to help in planning, or are you just very wise horse people, planning ahead for all safety concerns? From Mary's iPad PLEASE REMOVE ALL E-MAIL ADDRESSES BEFORE SENDING OR FORWARDING THIS EMAIL. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
RE: Rose Parade drugs?
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Ohhh, Teressa, now I know you are truly evil;-) We should have had Holly's kicker in my carriage playing Whip It. Beth Ditto on that Beth. Too bad we didn't have advance notice of the float's music choice so that it could have been played at your wedding. Teressa, you wicked person you for putting that tune back into my head! AGGG! ;-) Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
RE: Rose Parade hoopla
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net This message is from: Karen McCarthy weeg...@hotmail.com ..as Teressa said, nothing can prepare you for that kind of experience, except being in it! This is so true Beth, and it really is one of the biggest 'stress tests' you can ever have with horses. Parades are not to be trifled with. So true! We have an annual parade in Parker, south of Denver, that was started by the Colorado Carriage Society. It used be called the Parker Christmas Carriage Parade. As parades go, it is the most horse friendly parade anyone can be in. And they still have problems. In the past, a team of Belgians ran before the parade even got started, running through a fence and over the top of a spectator who had a broken arm, or something like that. These days, the parade includes horses and carriages, ridden or in hand horses and marching bands. No gas powered vehicles allowed. And they have knowledgeable safety spotters there to make sure carriages/harness, etc. were all safe. (Luckily our horses had borium on their shoes as we had heard about this dangerous footing, but we still gave it a lot of respect when we crossed it) The Rose Parade allows for barefoot horses, but you have to sign a release waiver saying you recognize the risk. We opted for shoes and borium tipped nails after seeing the hilly route and hearing about hydraulic fluid leaking from the floats, etc. I was grateful for the extra grip when my horses were holding the carriage. I think they appreciated it too. No need to take chances! And the nail heads allowed for just enough slip that our horses weren't sore from the shoes being too sticky. We had been told that there would be people out there who would do things to try to frighten our horses. I did not see that during the Rose Parade, in fact everyone seemed happy and welcoming, however prior to the start of the parade, while we were getting the horses ready in the Pit, (which was the closed-down 710 freeway) a guy flew by on a chopper, arms hanging from monkey bars and revved his engine as loud as he could at our horses and at the group down the road from us. Clearly trying to get a response from the horses. I hope he was disappointed, because he didn't get one! And I couldn't agree more with Phil when he said that a parade is the most unnerving and potentially dangerous horse activity I can think of. Amen to that ;-) Hats off again to all of you Rose Parade peeps + ponies, a great job all around showing our Fjord breed off at what they do best, impressing the world with their unique beauty and kind attitude at whatever they are asked to do! Karen Thanks Karen, and everyone else who gave us compliments. We did not enter this frivolously! All having parade and exhibition experience, we had a pretty good idea of what to expect regarding serious, hectic parades. What we didn't expect was the amount of work that it would take just satisfying the needs of the RP committee. Paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork! Deadlines to meetsheesh. It was quite the team effort! Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Rose Parade
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net This message is from: Me Kint me.k...@yahoo.com Question how did you know to have these extra people there as a safety net? Parades with horse knowledge/experience require a certain number of out-walkers per a certain number of horses. As Teressa said, originally we were told (and it was in fact in writing) that one out-walker was required per horse! That seemed excessive to me, especially looking at past parade photos that didn't have all of those out-walkers...but they stuck to their guns until about a month, month and a half before the parade...(I think)...and we had to cut down on our numbers. So we reduced from thirteen to seven, with only very experienced horse handlers as our out-walkers. I did have a plan for making it appear like a wedding party, to make it look pleasing if we did include all 13. They didn't say where we had to place the out-walkers! So I would have grouped all of the non-horsey out-walkers like a wedding party and had all the horse savvy people near the carriages. I would have been pretty. Especially since they would have all been in bunads. Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Rose Parade photos
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net It looks like I messed up when I setup the SmugMug account. The albums were not supposed to be for sale. Only prints and low-rez versions for download. Hope you bought a lottery ticket today -- seems like this is your lucky day! Glad you enjoyed the photos! Sandy -- Original Message -- Received: 05:23 PM MST, 01/09/2014 From: Cindy B Giovanetti cin...@ipi.org To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: Rose Parade photos This message is from: Cindy B Giovanetti cin...@ipi.org What a fantastic bunch of pictures. My favorite, the shot of their butts with a ribbon outlined by clipping. Mine too! It only costs $6 to purchase the whole album. Cindy Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Rose Bowl Parade.(minus the e)
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Nice idea, but I am afraid that being part of the performance and the parade come with having to pay attention to copyright laws, as they have hefty copyrights already in place...therefore we more than likely will not be able to produce a DVD that can be sold by the NFHR without paying hefty royalties. We ran into music royalty and copyright problems producing the 25th Anniversary video, making it cost much more than could be recouped with the sale of the DVD. Susan covered those expenses, not the NFHR. So, if we did something like this we would have to be very careful and mind our p's and q's, so to speak. We might not be able to include the actual performances or whatever. Social media, however, is another story. I'm sure we will be able to enjoy various home videos that get put up on FB, YouTube and elsewhere. Sandy North is trying her best to collect preparation photographs and will be our official photographer for the show and the parade. She plans to put together a book of the event that could be for sale. We'll see how that goes. Beth -- Original Message -- Greetings from Brian Jensen, Since this is such a wonderful happening for the Norwegian Fjord in North America, might I suggest a volunteer videographer/video capture the event from the earlier show to preparations leading up to the parade involving the NFHR members and their Fjords. Then actual parade footage of all the Colored Fjords and their handlers. In Canada we do not get some of your TV stations, rather use the major networks for watching the parade. We might miss out seeing anything.. I am thinking of the DVD that Beth and Susan had made up for Galena Anniversary Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Rabies
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net In Finlay's case the horse had been given a West Nile vaccination 2 days prior to displaying signs of illness, so there was a question as to whether it was a reaction to the vaccination or if it was rabies. He was transported to CSU where he was isolated and monitored, but after 24 hours his condition declined so rapidly he was euthanized and tested, result positive for rabies. His initial signs were lethargy, slight neurologic instability and Shari had noticed slight twitching in his nose. Nothing dramatic. He still had an appetite and recognized Shari, even nickering to her. Fjords are so stoic... I don't know why I'm even bothering to type paragraphs...as they don't seem to come through when the post reaches the list... ;-) Beth This message is from: Robin Churchill rbc...@yahoo.com it is not clear what the problem is at the beginning of the illness. Robin Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Rabies vaccine?
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net First of all, Beth M., thank you for vaccinating your mare! I can't believe, after all of the rabies exposure we had on the Front Range in Colorado this spring that your barn-mates have not had their horses vaccinated! Shari MacCallum's Fjord gelding, Starfire Finlay, contracted rabies from a presumably dead skunk that she found in her pasture. The horse was dead 3 weeks later and she, her entire family and at least 10 veterinarians/vet techs had to receive the prophylactic treatment (several thousand dollars just for her alone.) At least she is alive. He was in the prime of his life...they had performed in the Stock Show with us in January and in the Expo with us in March. She was having a blast with him until this happened. I do not blame Shari, for she did not know that her horses required annual rabies vaccinations in order to be protected. Finlay had been vaccinated two years prior and was due for re-vaccination when he was exposed. It could have just as easily been a horse or horses in my herd, as I had a rabid skunk on my property around the same time (in the vicinity of my paddocks and arena) that I captured and had tested. My dogs were exposed (they had been lightly sprayed but presumably were not bitten and were up to date on their vaccinations). Luckily, my horses were not but I couldn't be too sure. I was just lucky. We did re-boost the dogs and cats (recommended by my vet and the state veterinarian) and I vaccinated my entire herd that week, but I kept a very watchful eye for several weeks afterward for any unusual behavior/signs. I was very worried. It doesn't take a bite to transfer the disease. All it takes is exposure to saliva/blood/bodily fluids. This could be through open skin, etc. The best guess regarding Finlay's exposure is that he must have mouthed or nosed the skunk, as they could not find any puncture wounds on him anywhere. The skunk may have already been dead or dying, no one knows because Shari found it dead in her pasture. I ditto what Robin Churchill wrote...all of this would not have happened if her horse had been vaccinated this year. This is serious business. Don't think that, because we can vaccinate dogs and cats every few years, that you can vaccinate your horse the same way. Horses have to be vaccinated annually in order to be protected. It's very inexpensive if you give them yourself. Even if your vet has to give it in your area, the cost comparison between giving a vaccine and you receiving prophylactic treatment is nil. If your horse contracts it, it will die. We had rabid skunks and foxes all over our area this spring. There was report after report of skunks attacking dogs, cats, breaking into houses through windows (seriously!), fox and skunks chasing horses...seriously! Rabies has been moving towards the Front Range in Colorado for several years. Last year it was in eastern Colorado and eastern Adams County. Once we heard the first report of it being found west of I-25, this spring it was too late for Finlay. Such a sad deal! And we in our society have become so complacent that there were no reports in the local news until at least two months after Finlay died. The first news report I heard was on NPR national news! Not our local news. Unbelievable, since if you contract rabies, you die. End of story. I have told all of my friends that I know that it will be moving into their area...even those on the other side of the divide. It is just a matter of time. I have yet to see a problem with giving the vaccine to my horses, dogs or cats. So, those of you out there who are in the more arid areas, don't wait. You just never know when that rabid skunk, fox, possum, cat, bat, whatever...will end up on your property. Beth www.starfirefarm.com This message is from: Main Email divingduoandcor...@comcast.net I am the only one at my barn who vaccinates for rabies. We board in a rural area of Colorado (Morrison) south of area with a significant increase in rabies...it was found at a horse barn after a feral kitten was diagnosed with it... after scratching people. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Fjord Herald
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net The summer issue of the Fjord Herald should be winging its way to you any day now. The submission deadline for the fall issue is tomorrow, August 1st. The fall issue is your opportunity to show us your 2014 foals, as well as letting us know what you and your Fjords have been doing all summer, so please share your stories and photos with your fellow Fjord enthusiasts! Send your material to: edi...@nfhr.com Looking forward to your submissions. Thanks! Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Holding Interest of the Crowd
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net I'll be interested to see if this reply makes it to the list... You could do a driving/jumping routine like we did for Stock Show and our Expo. Make a jump on wheels, attach it to the back of a carriage and do a routine with ridden Fjords jumping the jump. We found, to be safe, that the carriage needed to stop so the ridden horses could jump safely, but the pattern can be smple with one rider leading the entire pattern, so less room for confusion. Our jump was a low, sturdy cross rail attached to the carriage with quick release shackles. Something for riders and drivers! ;-) Beth -- Original Message -- Received: 07:14 AM MDT, 07/29/2013 From: Therine Gudknecht bgudkne...@frontier.com To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Holding Interest of the Crowd This message is from: Therine Gudknecht bgudkne...@frontier.com Hi All, We attended a fantastic draft horse show yesterday in Jordan, Minnesota. There were 17 six horse hitches and 14 eight horse hitches. These are some of the top hitches in the country and it was awesome to see them all line up in the ring at the same time for placing in their class. Because it was a point show, the judge had to place all 17 six horse hitches. These big hitches are the first ones of each show day. So when they are finished, it takes quite a while to break down the large hitches and get ready for the next class. During that time, a lot of the crowd leaves and the show people are looking for a way to keep the crowd interested. We were asked if we would have any ideas of something that the Fjords could do during that time to keep the crowd there. Anyone have any suggestions or want to do anything with their Fjords during that time next year? Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
RE: Trucks
This message is from: Beth Sandy - Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Here, here -- keep the trucks on the list! We're having to consider a new 'hauler' as well!!! Sandy -- Original Message -- Received: 02:16 PM MDT, 06/29/2013 From: Gail Russell g...@zeliga.com To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: RE: Trucks This message is from: Gail Russell g...@zeliga.com I would advocate that the discussion go to the list? Any agreement? Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Stallion owner responsibility
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net As a stallion owner, I had another thought regarding the situation regarding this filly not being registered. Why are all fingers pointed towards the NFHR? Why not the stallion owner? Whatever the facts, whatever agreements that may or may not have been made, why not just do the right thing for the filly AND for the breed and sign the paperwork required for the horse to be registered? 1. It would benefit the breed 2. If it is a nice horse, it is good for the stallion's reputation. 3. It would show that the stallion owner had enough respect for his/her own reputation as a horse owner/breeder to rise above the controversy and allow the foal to be registered. In my opinion, sometimes you just have to look at the bigger picture. It is certainly what I would have done. Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Foal registration and NFHR BOD responsibility
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net I tried to send this yesterday, but it did not go through, so if there end up being duplicates, my apologies to the list. Though I have tried, I am unable to post to Fred's list (I can read it, but I can't reply!). I am assuming technical problems with our e-mail connection, as we have had problems with yahoo lists before. Ellen Barry wrote this to Fred Pack's list. What surprises me too is that any and all BOD registry officials have not made any effort to explain why they cannot register this poor filly. It leads me to believe that they're more interested in protecting their own -- than protecting a Fjord horse. Both Fred and Steve's list are private lists, the intent being for discussion regarding Fjord horses. They are not intended for the discussion of NFHR business...especially Board business. If I remember correctly (it's been a while) Fred started his list because Steve chose to remove one person from posting to his list because that person continued to violate Steve's posting rules, even though Steve was very generous in giving several warnings. Regardless of the facts of this situation, I believe the NFHR board is acting appropriately by NOT discussing this on these discussion forums. If you are an NFHR member, you can contact the NFHR president directly if you would like to discuss the situation. On 3/5/2012 3:08 PM, Gail Russell wrote: That said, there must be enabling legislation that empowers breed associations with the ability to overrule the state statutes and common law as to ownership??? The Registry does not get into ownership disputes, even though people try, time and again. That is what our legal system (necessary evil that it can be) is for. Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Piaffe and Passage clinic
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net On 2/29/2012 8:06 AM, Me Kint wrote: Wow! Thanks for sharing with us. So great to have someone who is willing to work with Fjords in learning this exercise All horses are capable of learning piaffe and passage with this system, it just takes knowledge and patience. Manuel's seminars are designed to train the trainer (trainer meaning anyone who is handling the horse as opposed to trainer...like someone you pay to train your horse). It does take time to recognize when the horse is trying, when to ask for more and when to quit and reward. Keeping the horses relaxed and happy is most important. Having said this, the horse must be at a basic level of training before beginning the collected work, but once started in this direction, the benefits are amazing. Awareness of the horse's balance and strength are the most important. The balance issue issue has been one of the greatest benefits in working with Fjords in this system. Horses use their necks for balance anyway and with the Fjord's neck being heavier than most breeds, helping them learn to go in a more uphill frame has been much easier for the horse (and for the rider) than using a hold them drive them system. The horses are light, happy and move more freely under saddle. And...we're having a blast! These were only a handful of photos that we were able to take before my poor little camera's battery crapped out...:-( Hopefully, Christiina Turissini of Alphabet Ranch Studio will have some nice photos up soon. I'll post the link when hers are up. Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Fjord on tv this week
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net I remember Margy showing at Libby so many years ago. It was a cute Fjord and I love that it was driven without blinkers! Not that I advocate that (whatever the horse needs) it was just neat to see. Beth On 2/24/2012 6:30 PM, Teressa wrote: This message is from: Teressatere...@kodiakfishco.com Margy Cox is actually from Seattle area and moved to the Black Prong vicinity along with her driving horses several years ago. She is a very nice and cool woman - and has a BB for any of you would wish to stay near the Goethe and Black Prong to spend a winter training. It is well worth while, I can attest. Many very qualified trainers to work with. The pony is very well cared for and loved by her family. Not sure we would wish her daughter married on a reality show but heck, I've had nieces meet and marry guys they met online through those dating websites. It's a new reality. Teressa -Original Message- From: owner-fjordho...@angus.mystery.com [mailto:owner-fjordho...@angus.mystery.com] On Behalf Of Gail Russell Sent: Friday, February 24, 2012 2:28 PM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: RE: Fjord on tv this week This message is from: Gail Russellg...@zeliga.com What is the breeding of that Fjord? I tried the NFHR search and could not match it up. Maybe Canadian? I tried to watch the program, but had a hard time with what I think is the basic premisethat this guy is going to marry one of these women, just because he was on this show. It is weird. Gail Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Heart Murmurs in Fjords
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net On 2/19/2012 9:33 PM, John Eunice Bosomworth wrote: Cheryl said: Has anyone out there bred a foal with a heart condition, or bought a fjord only to find that he/she has one? Do you think that there are many fjord breeders who actually have their foals checked for heart murmurs? All of our foals receive a well baby exam which includes a blood test to make sure they received enough colostrum, an exam of all of the orifices to make sure they are in working order, and our vet listens to their heart and lungs. To date, only one of our Fjord foals had a questionable murmur, which went away with maturity. We only have one or two foals per year. I imagine that perhaps some farms that have a lot of foals per year, or that don't have easy access to veterinary care, don't have all of their foal examined soon after birth. Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: How much can a Fjord Horse pull
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Well said, Phil, and so true. So just as you can teach your horse to pull while building muscle and confidence and to pull even more for a longer time you can also condition your horse to feel that it has to quit after just a little work or ( have mercy ) that it can't pull what so ever. During an evaluation clinic held here a young (three years old, if I remember correctly) Fjord was brought here to practice the draft test. This was a large, drafty, very strong looking horse. He was very well behaved in the draft harness during ground driving...until he was hitched to the stone boat and felt the weight of the sled in the traces. As SOON as he felt that weight, he started bucking. We unhitched the stone boat and he was fine. Hitched the stone boat and he started bucking again. I had never seen anything like that before...nervous and unsure, yes, but not that immediate reaction to the feel of the weight. It turned out that the owners had previously hitched the horse to a truck (or something like that) and had asked it to pull the truck out of the mud! That was its first experience pulling in draft. The horse's confidence was blown, which was a sad situation that required a lot of time to re-build the horse's confidence. Most folks these days don't have the experience with agricultural work to understand what it takes to develop a horse's confidence to pull farm equipment, such as a stone boat. The direction of the draft is different. The frictional forces are different. The sound is different, all things the horse needs to start slowly with to build confidence and strength. It takes time to teach a horse how to drag a stone boat through a series of cones (simulating trees, rocks, whatever), to lean into the collar and move that thing around without losing balance. I have seen some very well performed draft tests and, unfortunately, horses that were not prepared well enough to really do the job well (or at all). Like everything else, it takes slow development and practice, practice practice! Having said that, I have seen some Fjords, once prepared properly, just lean into the collar as if to say now THIS is what I was made for! Always makes me smile. Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Tripping in Fjord horses
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Tripping can be the result of a number of things: The rider's balance over the horse's front legs; A lazy horse; An inattentive horse; A tense horse; A horse that has not been warmed up well enough; A horse lacking hindquarter/loin strength; A horse that is not supple; A horse not ridden/driven in proper balance; A horse falling through the inside shoulder on a circle; Incorrect farrier work; An orthopedic condition that requires veterinary diagnosis/attention. These could be in combination, or the result of only one condition, but it happens. Tripping in a horse that does not do this normally can indicate arthritic changes, onset of navicular disease or just sore feet. I currently have a Fjord in training that would habitually trip at the beginning of a warm-up session. The training goal for this horse is to improve his collection in dressage, eventually teaching him piaffe, passage and all of the other goodies that go along with that here. He could be a bit tense (just a little) until he warmed up. He was also used to carrying his rider over his left shoulder (the position that was the rider's habit), therefore he would tense his left shoulder/back to try to ease the discomfort (essentially protect himself from pain.) This horse would actually look like he was lame when trotting, but he was just trying to cope with his out-of-balance rider, which eventually turned into a pattern of uneven/unlevel trot steps. Working through collected exercises, both in-hand and under saddle, has helped this horse develop strength and balance that he did not have previously. In addition, my farrier and I have been problem solving his front limb movement and ended up setting his shoes back a bit (not a natural trim, but has the same effect without shaving away and weakening the hoof wall, which is what happens in this neck of the woods) which seems to have helped. Long warm-up sessions and frequent breaks during his work sessions have also helped. He is much stronger in his hindquarters (like...Buns of Steel!) and is now a blast to ride in both collection, medium and working towards extended gaits. Hope this helps. Beth On 2/6/2012 6:39 PM, Marie wrote: This message is from: Mariecountrydreamingspi...@yahoo.com Hi all Has anyone here had a problem with their horses tripping or stumbling? My gelding Sam occasionally stumbles when being ridden and when being worked in hand. It is scary and frustrating. He seems to trip mostly at the walk, but once in a while at the trot. I have been trimming his hooves.myself for the past two years, but am planning on having a professional out to evaluate his hoof balance. I also plan on working on his overall strength and fitness, as I believe that is probably playing a role on the tripping. I would greatly appreciate any input and to hear if anyone else has dealt with this problem on any of their horses, as well as solutions they found. Thank you Marie (and Samsun) from Long Island Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: tripping
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net It seems to me that the rider putting extra weight on their horses forehand can and would be an issue, but at the point of being lame? If this is in response to my earlier post, please let me clarify. The horse was NOT clinically lame, however, the crookedness in the rider's position was creating discomfort in the horse's shoulder (only one shoulder, the one the rider was putting more pressure on) which made the horse favor that shoulder in order to avoid discomfort, which became a habit (ask your vet, sometime horses that experience prolonged lameness have to be encouraged to use the affected limb because they expect to feel pain, so still favor the limb.) I forgot to mention that the rider's crooked position also caused the horse to travel crooked, exacerbating the problem. So, one could consider it a rein lameness however, I believe rein lameness can be a misnomer, not caused by the reins only, but also caused by a crooked, out of balance rider (hence rein imbalance). But might be the vet might find some issues with the backend, not even the front end? Yes, this can be true. Sometimes what might seem to present as a front lameness problem is actually a hind lameness problem. I do think its true, no strength or muscle in the butt will surely make a horse heavier on the forehand, but trippy? I’d worry if mine didn’t have muscle in their butts. Especially fjords. This Fjord had plenty of muscle in the hindquarters. It's even nicer now! ;-) When I see a horse, especially a Fjord, with a lack of muscling in the hindquarter and the hind limbs (stifle, gaskin, etc.) It is a red flag to me that something is not right with the horse. My husband had a quarterhorse. He was afraid to let go of this horses mouth, especially at the canter. We could see him lift the horse with each canter stride. If he dropped contact, the horse would fall on his face. I have re-trained warmbloods that were ridden with the hold-'em, drive 'em mentality that had started the horses rearing with their riders (a couple of our trainers out here are famous for that!) One horse was so used to being held up that when I let the reins go to the buckle, he fell to his knees and I thought o, here it comes! but he manged not to somersault and learned to balance himself. Rest assured, my weight was NOT on his forehand when that happened! My main point and a major focus with my students is correct position and balance of the rider to not hinder the horse's balance and way of going. Once they get that, then I help them learn how to enhance the horse's way of going with their balance and position. It can be a long journey, but one well worth taking. Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: contact and supplness and the hindquarter button
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Someone asked earlier that I describe what I call the hindquarter button. I wasn't sure I had time to answer that request, but now that we're under about a foot and a half of snow...so far...and because Sandy is taking her turn on the tractor plowing right now...I have some time. The On 2/3/2012 8:47 AM, Phillip Odden wrote: Stephan Peters said the three most important aspects of ridden dressage were suppleness, suppleness and suppleness. This is very true. But Stephan Peters is one of the MOST supple riders in the current upper echelon of competitive dressage. Because /he/ is supple, confident and has a deep connection in his seat, he instills confidence and trust in the horse. If you are not supple in your own riding, your horse will never be able to be entirely supple. Even if the horse is trustworthy, there will be little imbalances and braces that the horse will develop in order to carry you. Which is okay for some horses. Some horses, Fjords included, are better at forgiving their riders' tension and lack of balance than others. There came a point when I knew that if I couldn't find a way to ride and drive with light contact while keeping my horse in frame and using itself correctly I would have to quit. I needed a supple horse. I needed to drive and ride with contact and I wanted to excel at dressage. To my students, I have always said, Contact is relative. Contact for driving a horse can be different from contact while riding a horse. Contact for a reining horse is different from contact for a dressage horse. Contact for a horsemanship ...Californio, or Vaquero style working horse is going to be different from all of the above. You might see a real loop hanging in the reins, but there is contact. I prefer to call it communication rather than contact. Contact can be a pretty strong word when trying to describe the feeling you should have in your hands and body in relation to the horse's mouth. Contact within dressage training styles varies greatly. Nuno Oliviera could ride a horse in pure collection, piaffe, passage, levade...all of the High School movements, and extended gaits, in an exhibition, with a thread in the horse's mouth...nothing else (that is one of my goals!) And, though he was offered world-class horses with amazing ability, he chose to train horses that had conformation difficulties and he was able to make them beautiful. In my experience, driving horses seek contact/communication. It can be as light as the weight of the reins, but if it is not there, if you cannot feel the corners of their mouths in the reins, they can feel lost and insecure. The body contact that one has while riding makes it possible to ride with a long loopy, rein, yet still have contact. Two thousand pounds of thundering horse flesh pulling a war wagon through tight obstacles is exciting. Yes indeedy! ;-) When I hit the In Gate I ask them to bolt and I encourage them to bolt with lots of voice and verbal threats. This is important, because you have to first build your horse's confidence and trust to be able to balance themselves well enough to canter with the carriage. Many horses are never allowed to canter...or to really move out, whether in harness or under saddle, which can foster a lack of confidence that can build up over time, resulting in a true runaway or the horse bucking, etc., which I believe the horse learns to do to relieve built up tension. Doing this with a pair of supple responsive horses is a real rush. But they have to come back to me with just a little pressure. I like and expect the same suppleness and responsiveness when we are trail riding in Wisconsin or hunting in the mountains out west. Suppleness + responsiveness = safety. I agree. As to the hindquarter button I train my horses to look towards where I am touching, the hindquarter button being behind where you would normally have a relaxed leg lie, around where a back cinch would be if you had a western saddle on. The technique I use is something like tapping that location, annoying them, until they finally look at it as if to say, WHAT do you want? Like a horse reaching around to get rid of a fly. Like you responding to someone tapping your shoulder. When they look like that, I stop the tapping. When they look reliably, I tap until they shift their weight. When they shift their weight reliably, I tap until they move their feet. When they move their feet reliably, I tap until they move their hindquarters (without moving forward). Once I have all of that at the halt, I tap the button while they are walking. If they don't bend or disengage, I use the rein on that side to bend and halt them. Pretty soon, they make the connection and disengage to a stop when I touch the hindquarter button. Once it's good at the walk, I move up to the trot, then the canter. I had to use this system when re-training
Re: contact and supplness
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net On 2/3/2012 11:25 AM, Debbie Hunt wrote: I spend the entire time trying to establish suppleness and light contact but it is always a struggle. The longer I ride, the faster he gets and it is quite the opposite of light contact. It sounds like your horse is losing his balance the longer he goes on in the canter. Hence the reason for him getting heavier and faster as he goes along. Perhaps you are also sitting with your weight over his shoulders (this could be minimal, but very important to your horse). In Philippe Karl's book, Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage, he describes a method for teaching the horse to balance and develop confidence at the canter. On a 20 meter circle, ask for the canter. As soon as the horse canters, walk and reward. Walk a full circle, then ask for the canter again and repeat. Try to ask for the horse to walk before he loses his balance. The walk will be the reward. Because he has to re-balance himself in order to achieve the walk transition, he will start to learn to balance himself in the canter. The temptation is to keep on cantering, but the goal is to help the horse to remain light and not fall out of balance. It can take quite some time with a Fjord, but it is worth the time, effort and patience. Philippe Karl's question is: Why continue if your horse is out of balance? Also, sit with your weight more over the outside hip rather than the inside shoulder. This allows the horse the freedom to raise the inside shoulder leg to free the inside limb for the proper lead. Most people put their weight over the inside shoulder/limb to canter. You could start planting the seed for the above exercise by using a Conrad Schumacher exercise: trot/walk transitions going into the wall on a 10 meter circle. Doing the transition going into the wall helps the horse re-balance himself towards his hindquarters in order to make the transition. Trot a 10m circle, walk going into the wall, walk a 10m circle and repeat. Schumacher also says, If you can't get a half-halt, get a full halt! Bottom line is, transitions are the key to success in helping the horse learn to balance itself. You can also do these exercises on the lunge, in a corner of the arena or in the round pen (and I don't use side reins!). As under saddle, the idea is to get the transition and then reward with a walk, not continue in the canter until he loses his balance! Then there is teaching the horse to raise its neck and hold it up on its own. Baucher's second method or manner. Quite controversial for over a century, but it is a method that I have learned and have been using for several years that works quite will with Fjords. I don't hold their necks up, I teach them to raise their neck and remind them to keep it up when they lower. Allow them to hold the neck in a natural position and they will come into vertical flexion on their own. Hard to believe, but it works. Also, you have to take into consideration that your horse may not be strong enough to hold the canter. Transitions and the above exercises will help build his strength and balance under saddle. Ride lots transitions, give a lot of walk rewards (Steffen Peters does this also). Pay attention to YOUR balance in the saddle as well as your horse's balance and you should see some positive results. Reward for little and reward often! Most of all, enjoy your ride. Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Training the One-rein stop?
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net On 1/30/2012 9:35 PM, Julia Webb wrote: Any differences with installing that one-rein stop/disengagement of the hind-quarters with Fjords? I'm not the best rider in the world, but as a thinking adult beginner, I've had many teachers, all of which (to some degree or another) made sure I knew how to A) Get off a moving horse as safely as possible, and B) Train that one-rein stop. This was Buck Brannaman's advice, many years ago during a colt starting clinic I was in, about teaching the one-rein halt...Make it [the halt] a soothing place to be,...so the horse gets security from it rather than being just a means of control. So, I don't think it is just about flex, flex, flex. Sometimes if you try to teach a Fjord to flex roboticly (like some clinicians) you can teach the horse to fear and brace against the one-rein halt. Often, with a Fjord, one needs to break down a movement or request into smaller steps to help it understand what you want. Teach it to yield laterally to the bit (or, preferably to the halter) slightly first, then graduate to adding neck flexion, then add the disengagement. The rider's seat position and balance are also crucial in a one-rein halt. The rider's balance should be somewhat over the outside hip, but deep and grounded in the seat of the saddle, rather than what the body wants to do naturally, which is lean over the inside shoulder, weight out of the seat and over the rider's legs. Unfortunately, when the weight of the rider is over the shoulders, it makes the horse's weight fall onto the forehand and the horse could lose its balance, falling over its own front feet. A scary situation for both horse and rider. Fjords can have very strong necks, but setting that neck always starts with /mental/ strength or bracing. Under normal circumstances (meaning the horse is comfortable with the situation, etc.) their necks are extremely supple. In fact, I have found them to be extremely supple throughout their entire bodies! I have taught, and continue to teach, many Fjords (and other horses) to do a one rein halt /without/ reins, essentially teaching them to disengage when I touch the hindquarter button (my students will understand this! ;-) When you have that...you really have a connection that can be very reliable. Having said that, a horse that is truly afraid and is a true runaway cannot be bent with any amount of force, Fjord or otherwise. One had to chose whether to ride it out or jump off. If you ride it out, you have to wait until the horse peaks to try to make any effect with a one rein halt. Make that one-rein halt your horse's little happy place and you should have a tool that is reliable for both you and your horse. Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: quiet on the list
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hi Debby, I agree with Kim, she is right on about the stoic but sensitive nature of Fjords and Friesians, as well as some drafts and draft crosses I have worked with. Because of their stoicism, they can be highly misunderstood...especially by trainers who have the expectations of must do types of disciplines like dressage and reining. I had someone come to me with a Thoroughbred, complaining that she couldn't get along with her horse and that it would blow up with her. When she showed up, he was the kindest, sweetest horse that tried his heart out for her. She, however, was an uptight, driving kind of rider (uptight by nature with learned/taught driving.) I learned later that her horse had ulcers! No wonder. She is an accomplished dressage rider, but when I put her on /my /solid horses.../they/ started blowing up! Her energy was /so/ strong... she didn't have a dimmer switch (as I like to call it). It took three tries to find the horse that could handle her energy while I worked with her on turning down the volume, so to speak. That doesn't mean that you can't ask a Fjord to perform for you...you just have to do it the right way...with their self preservation in mind. I think a lot of us have; Fjords (like Friesians which I also own) seem stoic, but can be sensitive and do best with trainers that make a personal connection with the horse Find a trainer that loves and appreciates your girl and makes friends with her first. Trust your instincts rather than just giving in to a trainer everyone says is great. What is great for one horse may not be for yours. Good luck with your trainer search. Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky941
Re: USDF all Breed Award and Horse of the Year Award
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Congratulations to Howard, Sophie, Sam and Hersey. Well done! Beth On 10/24/2011 3:19 PM, Green Valley Farm wrote: This message is from: Green Valley Farm sop...@greenvalleyfarm.com Green Valley Farm is very proud to announce that GVF Sjokolade ( Hershey) and Samantha Poirier had an extremely successful year in the USDF World. Hershey is a seven year old Fjord Stallion owned by Howard Sophie Fiedler of Green Valley Farm in Galena, IL. This was their first year showing in recognized dressage shows. They competed in Open Training and Open First Level. Two of their proudest scores are 75.6% in Training Level and 70.645% in First Level.. Those consistent high scores put them 11th in the nation out of 541 Training Level horses of all breeds and 59th out of 517 First Level horses. Hershey also was the Champion in both levels for the All Breeds Award. On November 19-20 the Wisconsin Dressage and Combined Training Association will present two of the United States' internationally known and respected dressage clinicians, Steffen Peters and Janet Foy. Steffen Peters will work with each horse/rider combination to help in moving them up the levels. And, Steffen will ride some of the horses! Together Steffen and Janet will demonstrate and explain training exercises to help the horses and riders achieve correct basics and balance for their level. Samantha and Hershey were chosen from over 100 horses competing for a spot in this Symposium and they will be demonstrating First Level. For more information about Through the Levels Symposium, please go to www.wdcta.org . A big thank you also to Donna and Chet Thomas, Fjord owners, for all the work they do for the WDCTA. Howard Sophie Fiedler www.greenvalleyfarm.com sop...@greenvalleyfarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Fjord Herald - Submission deadline for summer issue approaching
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net I know, it doesn't seem possible. But it is. As always, we encourage you to share your experiences and expertise with entertaining and/or informative articles. If you are reluctant to submit something because you think it is to complicated or difficult -- reconsider. Beth and I will try to make it a fun and rewarding experience. Holler with any questions. You can reach us at edi...@nfhr.com or 303-651-3940. Remember to send us full-sized, original image files -- if you aren't sure what that means, just ask. I'll be glad to help you understand the confusing world of digital images. Sandy -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Our performance at the Mane Event
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Thanks again Jerry. Again, I apologize to the list about the duplicate posting. It did not come to my computer until 24 hours later. Wish you guys ALL could have been there...we had a great time! Beth On 3/16/2011 12:29 AM, jerry wrote: This message is from: jerry jf...@com-pair.net Hi Beth, Yes, your first post came in fine. You did a great job, as always. Keep up the good work please. Only wish I could have been there to watch. Jerry in N. Ca.[still] Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Our performance at the Mane Event
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net We got back home late Saturday night. My original post was a reply to Jerry Friz's, but I don't see it here or in the archives yet, so I am re-posting. If it duplicates, my apologies. I was able to put some video up on the Starfire Farm Facebook page, for anyone who would like to see our Saturday night performance (will try get to YouTube tomorrow). Wayne Williams, the announcer from the NFHR 25th Anniversary, was the announcer for the Mane Event and he is always very complimentary of our Fjords. I can't say enough about Sarah Reidy and Shari McCallum-Clark. Both have really embraced a goal of learning to ride at a higher level (if you will) and have been exceptionally fun to perform with. John Arthur and Magnum could not be happier with their performance partners! My sincere thanks to Sarah and Shari for being so engaged, flexible and fun to perform with. Thanks to Christi Kipple and Elvis Lucil for your background support. Also, we had the privilege to perform with an amazing horseman and entertainer, Guy McLean, who hails from Australia. He has been on an eight month tour with his Australian stock horses and plans to stay here in the states. He and his horses performed at the WEG. If you have an opportunity to see this amazing horseman in person, you should do whatever you can to go see him. He is honest, engaging, talented and his message comes from the heart. His liberty work is thought provoking and inspiring, to say the least. And...he was very complimentary of our performance and what we have accomplished with our Fjords! So, if you get the chance, go see him. Otherwise, look at his videos on YouTube. There are quite a few. I have to say, part of his presentation is doing some amazing Aussie whip cracking while demonstrating his training and not all of the horses performing in the Mane Event could handle the sound of that. It was like firecrackers going off. Sarah, Shari and I happened to be in the arena of the Events Center schooling our horses at the same time he was doing his afternoon presentation on Friday (we were in one half, he was in the other). The whip-cracking was a non-event for our boys. The following day some other performers were trying to school their horses in the warm-up arena, which is accessed via a tunnel...though in a completely separate location no where near his presentation...and they sent someone out to him to tell him that their horses could not handle the whip cracking. Well, of course he told them that he was being paid to do his presentation (he can crack two whips on either side of a horse or standing on his horses backs cracking two like helicopter blades...effortlessly) that the whips were part of his job and he continued to use them where it fit in to his presentation. Just another reason he told us that he was impressed with our Fjords, so we can all be proud of that. Oh, yea and he signed my boot..(long storyright Shari and Sarah?...it started in Nashville.. ;-) We have been invited to perform at the Ride for the Cure at High Prairie in April and at the Ballet on Horseback at the Boulder County Fair in August. Will try to get more detail out later. Take care all, Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Fjords performing at the MANE EVENT in Denver
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Thanks Jerry. We got back home late last night. I was able to put some video up on the Starfire Farm Facebook page, for anyone who would like to see our Saturday night performance (will try get to YouTube tomorrow). Wayne Williams, the announcer from the NFHR 25th Anniversary, was the announcer for the Mane Event and he is always very complimentary of our Fjords. I can't say enough about Sarah Reidy and Shari McCallum-Clark. Both have really embraced la goal of earning to ride at a higher level (if you will) and have been exceptionally fun to perform with. John Arthur and Magnum could not be happier with their performance partners! My sincere thanks to Sarah and Shari for being so engaged, flexible and fun to perform with. Thanks to Christi Kipple and Elvis Lucil for your background support. Also, we had the privilege to perform with an amazing horseman and entertainer, Guy McLean, who hails from Australia. He has been on an eight month tour with his Australian stock horses and plans to stay here in the states. He and his horses performed at the WEG. If you have an opportunity to see this amazing horseman in person, you should do whatever you can to go see him. He is honest, engaging, talented and his message comes from the heart. His liberty work is thought provoking and inspiring, to say the least. And...he was very complimentary of our performance and what we have accomplished with our Fjords! So, if you get the chance, go see him. Otherwise, look at his videos on YouTube. There are quite a few. I have to say, part of his presentation is doing some amazing Aussie whip cracking while demonstrating his training and not all of the horses performing in the Mane Event could handle the sound of that. It was like firecrackers going off. Sarah, Shari and I happened to be in the arena of the Events Center schooling our horses at the same time he was doing his afternoon presentation on Friday (we were in one half, he was in the other). The whip-cracking was a non-event for our boys. The following day some other performers were trying to school their horses in the warm-up arena, which is accessed via a tunnel...though in a completely separate location no where near his presentation...and they sent someone out to him to tell him that their horses could not handle the whip cracking. Well, of course he told them that he was being paid to do his presentation (he can crack two whips on either side of a horse or standing on his horses backs cracking two like helicopter blades...effortlessly) that the whips were part of his job and he continued to use them where it fit in to his presentation. Just another reason he told us that he was impressed with our Fjords, so we can all be proud of that. Oh, yea and he signed my boot..(long storyright Shari and Sarah?...it started in Nashville.. ;-) We have been invited to perform at the Ride for the Cure at High Prairie in April and at the Ballet on Horseback at the Boulder County Fair in August. Will try to get more detail out later. Take care all, Beth On 3/10/2011 9:48 PM, jerry wrote: This message is from: jerry jf...@com-pair.net We have been asked to provide a performance in the Mane Event for the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo this weekend, Friday and Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Hi Beth, That's good news! I know you folks will do a good job. Jerry, N. Ca. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Fjords performing at the MANE EVENT in Denver
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net We have been asked to provide a performance in the Mane Event for the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo this weekend, Friday and Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. The Mane Event is a breed show ccase to music, along with professional equine performers. Sounds like it is going to be interesting and very entertaining this year, with music and spotlights, so come on down to the Events Center at the National Western Stock Show complex in Denver. Hope to see you there! Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Fjord Herald submission deadline approaching
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Your winter Fjord Herald should be arriving in your mail box any day now and it is almost time for us to start on the next issue. The article and ad submission deadline is Feb 1. As always, we are happy to answer any questions you have about submitting -- especially if you're a first time author. If you have something to share that might be of interest to other Fjord enthusiasts, don't put it off any longer. And, start going through your Fjord photos too -- it might be time for another What have you done, lately feature. When you send your photos, be sure to include captioning information and tell us who took the photo so we can give them proper credit. Look forward to hearing from everyone! Sandy (and Beth -- who is at the NFHR educational forum in TN right now with BDF Obelisk, BDF Magnum and BDF John Arthur) Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: IGF Fjord Driving will be entertaining the Sultan of Oman
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Wow! Now THAT is cool! What an honor and what an adventure for the horses, their drivers and handlers. Congrats to the IGF. Ursula, I am jealous of your tickets! Enjoy the show. Beth On 12/16/2010 7:23 PM, ursula jensen wrote: This message is from: ursula jensenujen...@junction.net I just got word that the Fjord Driving Team that entertained the crowds at Equitana, Essen Germany in 2009 is heading to the desert. Reinhardt Gombert, the Team leader got the invitation last May at a driving event in Odenwald Germany to participate in the January 2011 Horse Gala Royal Equestrian Camel Festival in Maskat the capital city of Oman. Mid November 13 carriages, 26 harnesses and related equipment filled a contained and was shipped to Maskat with 27 fjord horses following next week. One day later the drivers and trainers follow for an adventure of a lifetime: quite an adjustment for horses since they will disembark to summer temps. This team is truly accomplished and was a spectator hit at Equitana in 2009. Equitana is the largest Equestrian Exhibition in the world Fjords will have a chance to be aptly showcased and since they are considered a rare breed will make their mark at a truly International Event. We can all be proud and wish them well. Those of you who have seen the Lorenzo videos have seen this Festival and know how huge an event it is. I am planning another trip to Equitana this year and will be joined by 3 other Fjord friends to partake in a truly magnificent eventcan't wait till March. Flights and accommodations are booked and tickets are in my hands...yipppeee! Ursula Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Fjord Herald Submission Deadline
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Quick reminder that the submission deadline for articles and Ads is November 1st. Think about sharing your summer and fall adventures with the rest of the members you know how much you enjoy seeing photos and reading stories about other member's experiences. Articles can be about anything FJORD! From everyday interactions, trail rides, performances and show results, tips on raising or training or just what your Fjord means to you. And, we are always collecting images and short stories (usually just a paragraph) for the What have you done lately? series. If you need 'technical' help with your submission, don't be shy -- just ask. Usually you can just email everything to us. Remember -- the Fjord Herald is YOUR publication. Linda, Beth and I just pull it all together and get it out there for everyone to read. Without YOUR submissions, we have no Fjord Herald. And, along those same lines, your advertising support goes a long way toward keeping the publication viable. Consider renewing your Friend of the Fjord Herald today! We look forward to hearing from you, Sandy -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Fjord List, genetics of temperament and Slomiet
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello Amy and the List members, It appears to me that the list has been very quiet. So quiet that I went to the archives to see if I had missed anything, but no. There was some recent discussion about companion animals for horses on the Fjord Issues list, but I don't seem to be able to post to that, for whatever reason, therefore don't read it unless someone forwards me a subject. Slomiet has returned to Starfire Farm, so if anyone out there felt like they missed out on a great mare, she is available. The prospective buyers were simply not willing to give her time to settle in to her new home. She had only been there for three days when they made their decision not to keep her. I picked her up after she had been there for 8 or 9 days and I could not detect ANY problems with her behavior. She was quiet, polite for the halter, loaded up into the trailer by herself, no problem, without making a sound. Settled quietly into the trailer, rode home quietly by herself, etc., etc. I could have taken her on a trail ride, or to a show, or whatever and she would have been easy to handle, easy to ride or drive. On a similar note, one of Slomiet's most recent offspring, 3 year old Giotto (his father is Thordal) came to Starfire last week to be hitched for the very first time. His owner has been ground driving him in a surcingle, but she doesn't have a harness or cart, so needed to come here for the hitching work. In a two hour period, we taught him to drag poles, tolerate having his back legs touched by trace and pole, etc., etc. then, because he accepted everything so extremely well, hitched him to a training cart and off he went. No problems, no jitters, no spooking, nothing what-so-ever to question this horse was enjoying his new job. Yesterday they returned and we fitted a nice leather harness to him (did he ever look handsome), had him drag the poles again and then hitched him to the training cart. He drove off like he'd been doing it his whole life! Both parents have great temperaments, so it is no surprise that Giotto is taking so well to his harness training. His owner, Sara, has been riding him lightly, so he knows a bit about work, but he is SO willing...that type of temperament can only come from a combination of two great parents. Slomiet had to jump through a number of hoops to satisfy the questions of the previous buyers, so there are quite a few videos up on YouTube showing all of the things that she can do. Every time I took her out with the prospective buyers she impressed me with how good she is on the trail. How wise she was about new sights and sounds. How pleasant it was to watch her take care of her strange rider. Her training will continue, but she has already improved greatly from the initial riding-in-the-arena video. She is definitely one of the better horses that I have had to work with. Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
New video of Slomiet
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Took her to her first pleasure driving show this past Saturday, the Blue Jeans Pleasure Show. It wasn't the Columbus Carriage Classic, by any means, but enough for a horse's first experience. She did quite well, including helping me to win Super Reinsmanship...not bad for a first show experience. I showed her in a traditional Norwegian harness, looked pretty cute! We got footage between classes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fyz2HVuwZk Nancy Newport went also and showed her mare, Tamara. I think she took 1st in Progressive Cones...both horses showed the locals that Fjords can be competitive out here too! This morning Slomiet went on her first water ride a trail in the woods with lots of water and bridge crossings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM6a2zhZ7jk She was awesome! No music yet, but it's pretty to look at. Enjoy, Beth -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Mare for sale - Slomiet
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello Everyone, We are offering a wonderful 13 year old mare for sale, Slomiet (aka Sophie). Imported from Holland. Gorgeous, 13.3hh, healthy and sound. Has never seen the vet, except for well baby checks after foaling. Fabulous temperament. She can drive single or pair and is a really cute jumper. Absolutely wonderful temperament. This mare has been a broodmare for the past eight or so years. We brought her out when we needed an extra horse for our quadrille, basically taught her to jump and she joined right in, performing at the Stock Show to live music in a 5,000 seat area. Didn't bat an eyelash. She has now been in regular riding/dressage training for about a month and is progressing very rapidly. Took her out for her first trail ride - ever - and she was steadier than the horse that has been on several trail rides! In fact, that horse spooked onto the top of her and all she did was turn to get out of its' way. She then lead the trail ride for the first half! Great ground manners. Easy to ride, has three good gaits which are easy to sit and is forward enough for someone who wants to ride dressage...she doesn't need to be pushed to go but won't run out from underneath you. This horse would be WONDERFUL for the amateur who wants to do a everything. A confidence builder. She has produced three beautiful, easy to train offspring: Starfire Chiron (owned by Cynthia Madden), Starfire Elektra (owned by Sue Plein) and Starfire Giotto (ownend by Sarah Reidy). This is her pedigree: http://www.nfhr.com/ponyweb/ponyweb.cgi?search You can see her on these YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuVrM5REVCk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TReH8xwnad8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOWKr5vx-JA If you are looking for a Fjord mare that can do it all, this is the one. If you know of someone who is looking, pass this along. Thanks! Beth -- -- Beth Beymer and Sandy North Starfire Farm, LLC www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Teff Hay In Boise Id area, and shipping west to Portland or WA
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net We have a local hay farmer growing Teff hay here in Berthoud, Co. Pretty hay, nice and soft. Our horses seem to do well on it. It is their second choice (if given a choice) but they clean it up. If anyone wants the farmer's info, just contact us. Beth www.starfirefarm.com Gail Russell wrote: This message is from: Gail Russell g...@zeliga.com The message below is cross posted from the ECHorsekeeping list. This hay would be good for an insulin resistant Fjord. The woman who wrote it is trying to develop a good market for this hay so the growers will grow it. Gail Russell Everyone: I live in Baker City, OR and own an IR, recovered, post-founder Arab gelding. Locating safe hay for my horse in this high, cattle ranching region is always a challenge. I found a hay broker in the Boise, ID area who has gotten two of her suppliers to grow Teff hay. There will be two cuttings from each of the two fields. One cutting from one whole field is already sold. There should be between 50 and 100 tons available. I purchased 15 bales from her from one of the growers last February (2009 crop) and tested them at Equi-Analytical and the as sampled results are as follows: WSC 6.9% ESC 3.7% Starch 1.5% This hay was usually my horse's second choice of what to eat if he was allowed to choose (first choice was alfalfa which he cannot have, sometimes second was some over mature, stemmy timothy, always last choice was the organically grown grass hay). The Teff is pretty, soft, green and my horse is eating it almost free choice (850 lbs and about 22 lbs of hay/day plus a small amt of beet pulp and maintaining a BCS of just under 5 at light work. It comes out of a small mesh hay bag easily. He looks really good and is being pretty naughty so he is doing well on it. Out of the 15 bales there was only one area that had some mold in it about 9 square. The original grower had it tested (he's trying to do things right for horse owners) and he got a protein of 11.4% and sugars of 7.5%. I don't know where he got it tested and never saw the original results. I am going to test one of these hay crops with the recommended Equi-analytical profile from the main list (I think it's #603 -Trainer) and will provide it to the seller so it is available to anyone who wants to buy this hay. If you want to try Teff this may be a good chance for anyone to do so without the added cost of the analysis to balance their minerals. I am trying to get a load shipped west from Boise down I-84 to my region and perhaps beyond towards the coast and Portland if we can get it organized. In addition, the broker and growers are willing to truck anywhere in the west if buyers in the region can cover shipping costs on top of the cost of the hay. I paid $7.50/bale and picked it up myself last February. The broker said the bales weighed about 80 lbs and that's what I got when I weighed a couple I bought. That comes to approx. $187.50/T. It is expensive, but I am NOT soaking hay and have a real happy, busy horse. This years crop will probably cost about the same. Please contact me off list if you're interested. Lynn and True, Baker City, OR Feb. '07 Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Hickory knoll, Blue earth and Iron Horse
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Congratulations Phil and all of the other fjords out there representing our breed at such a high level! I expect you'll be getting some well earned rest sometime this winter. For those of you that don't know, Linda Yutzy does have a connection with us. She is our Layout and Design person for the Fjord Herald! Go Linda! Beth The last day was cones and it required a vet check for soundness. The German Sport ponies that were in second place were spun by the vet after the tough marathon. I hit a few more cones than I expected but held on for second place behind Linda Yutzy from Texas. Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Herald Submission Deadline Approacheth - Aug. 1st
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello All, The submission deadline for the Fall issue of the Fjord Herald is upon us once again. *August 1st! *If you have material that you would like to submit, please get it to us ASAP. *Attn: Stallion Owners: *The Fall issue is the one that arrives in subscribers' mailboxes in October/November. If you wait until the Winter issue to advertise, the Herald might not hit the mailboxes until Feb/March, so if you want prospective mare owners to oogle your stallions' photos ALL WINTER, the Fall issue is your best bet! Of course, if you consider a 4x contract, they'll be looking at your stallion all year! Thanks, Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Greeley Evaluation and RMFHC show
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Well, it seems like this past week has been a busy time for Fjord horse enthusiasts. The Rocky Mountain Fjord Horse Club just completed our NFHR Evaluation for 2010 as well as the first RMFHC show. Our club had to overcome a couple of serious problems to pull this off, so I would like to thank EVERYONE involved, from the organizers to participants. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had an evaluator substitute at the last minute, with the need to move the dates forward by one day to accommodate Wayne Hipsley's schedule to allow him to to fill the vacant evaluator spot. Brain Jensen was able to change his schedule to meet our needs. To further accommodate the schedule change and help out with participants' work schedules, seven horses were evaluated in conformation at Starfire Farm on Wednesday evening, July 21st. The remainder of the evaluation and show was held at Tomora Training Center in Greeley, CO. Thursday morning began with a bang...literally. While turning in to the driveway at Tomora, Nancy Newport's horse trailer was sideswiped/rear-ended by a reckless driver. They guys' car had rolled over at least 1 1/2 times and looked like a crushed can. Debris was all over the highway. The driver had somehow survived the crash and was sitting near the wreckage of his car, attended by and talking with a passer-by (who just happened to be a nurse). Nancy was okay. The horses, thank goodness, were standing quietly in Nancy's two horse trailer, but the tires on the right side were blown out and the right fender was destroyed. Evaluators Wayne Hipsley and Brian Jensen drove in to find this scene. Brian, Nancy and I got the horses out of the trailer and someone walked them to a stall. They had no outward cuts or bruises, but after the Sheriff's investigation and the mess was cleaned up, the horses were not able to trot properly. A vet was called and the horses were given pain and anti inflammatory medication. Unfortunately, they were not able to participate in the evaluation. I hear they are doing okay now. We had some great help to pull off this evaluation. Laura Beller, fairly new to Fjords, spearheaded the organizing, paperwork, kept us on our toes as far as deadlines go and kept things moving along. She brought munchies, tablecloths and things that others might have overlooked. Thanks Laura! Jeanne Poirier was our Technical Delegate. Samantha Poirier was our Eval Secretary. She, along with Gary Holland and Tom Poirier, were also a great help setting up the Advanced Utility Riding course and the Draft course and schlepping things wherever they needed to be schlepped. Anne Arling made some spectacular food for the Wednesday evening portion of the eval! We had a barbeque on Thursday evening with food brought by Laura Beller (and including Anne's delicious leftovers). As usual, during the evaluation, Wayne Hipsley and Brian Jensen provided educational commentary regarding horses' conformation and performance tests. Wayne was impressed with the overall improvement of the quality in the horses compared to our evaluation in 2007. In addition to our local members' participation, we had horses from Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, from Divide, Avon and New Mexico. 25 in all were entered. The evaluation ended Friday late morning, as Wayne had to catch a plane to judge his next show. For an afternoon program, I gave a demonstration about the Baroque Classical dressage training I have been doing with BDF Obelisk, followed by Brian giving a mini clinic on driving. Much appreciated by all attendees. Saturday morning began our show. The first held for the Rocky Mountain Fjord Horse Club. Anne Arling spearheaded running the show. Brian Jensen judged halter, riding, driving and games. I judged the dressage classes. There were lots of smiles,lots of laughter, lots of camaraderie. It was a casual and fun time. Jeanne Poirier and Hanne won the Versatillity Award. Victoria Arling and Greenbriar Cezar won the Youth High Point. Jeanne Poirier also won the Adult High Point. Anna Poirier won the Fabulous Fjord Follies, which (for THIS show was: a barricade made up of bales of shavings and a dummy was on one side. The rider had to ride up, dismount, hop over the barricade, put a lariat over the dummy, mount up, ride enough to pull the dummy over the barricade, which pulled some of the bales over, then, dismount, take the lariat off and put the dummy over the horse and run back to the start/finish. For those people, they just had them not mount, to pull the dummy over the barricade. Fun and laughs during THAT one! Wendy Kipple was our eval and show photographer. From me, thanks to Christi Kipple for showing LTW Zeus in his first show. Thanks to everyone who stayed to help clean up. Gary Holland, Sam Poirier, Tom Poirier, Linnea Carlson, Beth German and her friend (and new Fjord Fan) DJ.,Patty Wilbur
OT - Sandy's ride
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello All, Just wanted to let you know that Sandy is riding across the country...on her bike (not on a Fjord!) and she is blogging her experience. You can read about it by clicking a link on our website: http://www.starfirefarm.com You can write to her if you like, starfiref...@usa.net She has been on the lookout for Fjordies, but no sightings so far. Enjoy, Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Greeley Evaluation and Show
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello Everyone, We have recently learned that our Evaluation has been approved! So, those of you who were sitting on the fence, it's a go, so come join us. As for our one-day show (the Sunday following the evaluation) it has been brought to our attention that our list of classes might be confusing regarding the order of go. The list is NOT indicative of the order of go of the classes. It is ONLY indicative of the classes we plan to offer, so those of you who think there won't be time for tack changes, etc. We WILL have time! We will MAKE time where necessary. We will try to have a prize list with the appropriate order of go up on the Rocky Mountain Fjord Club website by the end of next week. The main focus is that we all want to have FUN at this show, so come join in the fun! Beth Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: FUGLY takes aim
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net pedfjo...@aol.com wrote: I must say that someone just this week sent me a video of what appears to be this game. It was hard for me to watch all 4 + min. of it, I must say. The saint of a horse did not understandand the human spent all 4+ min. basically yanking his face off with a lead rope to get that space. Over and over. BAM. BAM. BAM, backing the horse, pulling it sideways. If the horse looked to or approched the human with his head, BAM. The horse kept looking to the human to fix it but clearly did not know what the human was looking for. Well, I'm going to stick my neck out here and hopefullly not get it chopped off.Lisa? By your description, it sounded like the horse was being given NO time to settle and was CONSTANTLY being yanked, jerked and banged on. However, Linda did give the horse opportunities to focus on her, basically center itself in her presence, a number of times, by softening her body posture and energy, but the horse's behavior patterns kept coming into play, i.e. not trusting the human, or believing that the human had the capacity to take care of its surroundings for it (being the herd leader). What I did NOT see from Linda were postural signals to draw the horse's attention back to her (essentially centering the horse) other than the use of the rope. There was a lot of directing the energy of her tools AT the horse's body, rather than the area surrounding the horse's body, which rather surprised me. In my opinion, Linda missed a number of opportunities to really explain to the horse what she was looking for using the tools that she was using in this tape. I don't know how old the tape was. I have seen them do things quite differently in a similar situation in the past couple of years. I used to be contacted by people to help them out of what they had learned from the Parelli system. The Parellis have changed their message and it's not that bad anymore. I have worked with a number of horses like that one and they can be tough to work with on the ground without either 1) getting hurt yourself 2) getting through to the horse without looking like you were really wailing on it. Would I have done things differently? Maybe a few years ago, no. Like I said before, I don't know how old this tape is, but perhaps Linda is better now. I have certainly changed how I understood the use of these tools and the behavioral patterns and needs of the horse over the years. I've seen a number of NH clinicians (to coin a term) learn to work smarter, not harder, over the years, with more sensitivity to the needs of the horse. Some still churn out robots...maybe that will change with their maturity. Now, I am not a Parelli fan or disciple, but I have watched them, as well as other NH clinicians, over the years so I could understand what they were doing and help folks understand what they were trying to learn from a clinic with any of these guys. Most of the time, folks get so wrapped up in the system, they leave the horse out of the equation..but that's another story. They are as mad as me watching this poor display of NH Horsemanship. Tom Dorance is rolling over. Nuff said. Lisa Actually, Tom Dorrance did use some of the techniques in the tape. With more skill, timing and feel, of course, but he could be tough on a horse when it was necessary. As could Bill Dorrance and Ray Hunt...when necessary. And if you had seen one of their tougher sessions out of context, you would have been howling about that as well. What most folks don't get/aren't able to see is the communication/soft offer of support to the horse that was given prior to the handler firming up on the horse AND the offering for the horse to get with..or focus on...them. THAT is where most of us get into trouble. We go after the horse before we give it a little signal or indication of what we want. Really bad handling occurs when we keep going after the horse without giving it an opportunity to respond. Sometimes, these things happen so quickly that the uneducated/inexperienced person can't see those offerings. Clearly, this horse did not have any reason to trust humans throughout his life, hence the searching/distracted behavior. This kind of mis-information...without showing the result of the session...without knowing the basis for the action, is a problem in this media-hyped-up-sensationalizing-frame of mind that is going on with the internet - as well as computer arm chair experts (who perhaps haven't had to deal with horses like this one...not that he's a bad horse, clearly a nice horse, that needed some help.) So, say what you will, understand the tools and please show where the horse is now. My bet is that he likes and trusts his humans much better now. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2010 #30
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net crystal...@aol.com wrote: that is so cool...and i recently found the wonderful video of him on youtube, complete with the music you chose http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCkBaBrbAnc i remember you saying at one time you had to take it down. I never took it down. You Tube came up with, what I think, is a brilliant marketing idea in showing an ad for the copyrighted music, so they re-enabled the music. They haven't worked it out yet for the Winona quadrille music however, so I tried using some of thei music they offer for use. Not quite the same! ;-) Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Obelisk featured in a Facebook campaign
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Check this out...the photographer just sent this link to me. I know nothing about this campaign, but it looks pretty cool! Make sure you scroll down a few photos. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Horses-For-LIFE-Publications/51217564556?v=app_4949752878#!/pages/Horses-For-LIFE-Publications/51217564556?v=app_6009294086 Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Fjords at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello everyone, Just a little brag and a heads-up! Our Fjords have just received a special invitation to participate in the Mane Event of the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo on March 12th and 13th. The Mane Event is a ticketed event and the show is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. We will be providing two acts for them, sothose of you who want to come cheer for your Fjordies check it out and come see us! http://www.rockymountainhorseexpo.com/ Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Fjords at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Thanks, Barb. And...we just received a personal invitation to ride with the Colorado State Legislature on a Trail Ride from the State Capitol to the National Western complex again! Cool, eh? Gotta love it. Beth Barbara Lynch wrote: This message is from: Barbara Lynch fjo...@lynchfarms.com Congratulations Beth and Sandy and the Starfire group! Wish we could be there to watch. Barb Lynch Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Absolut goose bumps / more German Fjord driving on YouTube
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net This gives me goosebumps every time I watch it! Thank you, Eike, for sharing it again. Beth Eike Schön-Petersen wrote: This message is from: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Eike_Sch=F6n-Petersen?= eike.schoen-peter...@t-online.de Because I had some more questions about the videos of the German Fjord driving team at Equitana last year, check out YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ1GW61GIo4 Also, entering Fjord fahr team in the search field will give you some more amateur video of the same group. Eike Schön-Petersen Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Starfire Farm Quadrille at the National Western Stock Show
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Lori Albrough wrote: Congratulations to the whole team! It looked like a lot of fun was had by all. That second announcer was a hoot :) thank you, thank you for that Yes, thanks to everyone for your responses. We had a blast. I spoke with the announcer prior to the start of the show on Thurs. and I think he was a little tipsy.;-) He was definitely having a good time. The HATS were hoot! Nancy Newport and I were cracking up just ordering them on line! They came in a box all MASHED. I had to find some fabric stiffener and figure out how to shape them...they were hanging in our bathroom shower for days. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Quadrille Herald
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Cynthia Madden wrote: As usual the Beth Sandy team do a smashing job of anything they do. The Quadrille was awesome as usual and the Herald, yet another great issue. Thank you! (Just hear that in the announcer's voice! ;-) Brag alert to Kathleen - My Starfire Chiron had both his Mom and his Dad in the Quadrille! He has a lot to live up to if I can ever get in the saddle or cart in the near future!! Yep! This was Slomiet's (Sophie's) 3rd outing EVER outside the farm! The first was when she was a three year old. The second was in 2008 when we performed at the Boulder County Fair and Grace Newport needed a horse to ride. The rest of the time she's been a broodmare. Victoria Arling did a very nice job with her this year. Katheen's horse, Donati's parents have also both performed at the same time. Orinke (Donati's mom) has performed in several different Dancing Horses, as well as other venues, including in the same performances with Obie. So, Cynthia, pull and cart AND a jump for us next year! Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Fjord Herald Deadline Approaching - Feb 1st
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net You should either have, or be getting, your Winter Fjord Herald in the mail! And, as seems to be our pattern lately, shortly after that is in your hands, we start on the next issue. This spring is no different. If you need any help with your submiission (Ads or articles) don't hesitate to drop us an email (edi...@nfhr.com) or give us a call (303-651-3940). And, if you've never submitted anything -- but have been thinking about it -- take the plunge!!! You'll be gald you did, and there's nothing like seeing your story/article and photos in print!!! Thanks to everyone for you unwavering support of the Herald! YOU (and of course, the Fjords you write about) really are what makes it special! Sandy -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2010 #13
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net crystal...@aol.com wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJTLjmCuOpQ you ladies can be our inspiration. i will have to tell her to watch for what i trust is Obie doing the spanish walk in the center. Thanks! Yep, (pony) piaffe the first direction and Spanish Walk the second. Glad you all enjoyed it! Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Dancing Horses Wednesday night video up!
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello again, I just successfully uploaded the video of Wednesday night's performance. The same routine as Thursday, but some behind the scenes camera work and different announcing (interesting, to say the least!...;-). Of course, no routine ever comes out the same! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N5gaDoY8Gs Enjoy! Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Starfire Farm Quadrille at the National Western Stock Show
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello everyone, Yesterday morning we returned home from performing at the National Western Stock Show Evening of Dancing Horses. We performed with the Denver Brass, and professional equine performers Jerry and Stacy Diaz, Mario Contreras (Midieval Times Chicago), Cheri Reiber (Midieval Times in Fla.) and Eric Martonivich The show is held two nights, Wed. and Thurs. and we rocked both performances. I just got done putting up our Thursday night performance on YouTube. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJTLjmCuOpQ Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Dressage Disgrace - not just in dressage
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Lori Albrough wrote: I remember having an email from the owner of a filly I sold, this was a long time ago, she was about 18 months old and he was pleased at having found someone to train her for western but admitted he had trouble watching this training as they tied her head to her body in a bitting rig and left her standing in a stall. This is one of the techniques that I was refering to in my earlier post and it is a techinque that some trainers use to teach the horse to bend and to give to the bit. The problem with practice is that the horse NEVER gets relief from the position of being bent. I can only imagine how their muscles must scream, after a while, from not being allowed to straighten out. That is quite different from teaching a horse to bring it's head around with a leadrope or a rein, then releasing it when it becomes light, or for a light response. VERY different. It blows my mind that it is a practice that is still used, and condoned, among some trainers. To look at good German classical dressage, one can watch videos of Reiner Klimke (as Lori mentioned). The video series, Dressage in Detail is a VERY good one. Klimke was always a proponent of allowing the horse to go forward, never forced into a frame (driving from behind, holding in front) but developing the horse's natural gaits through gymnastic movements. Like all trainers, he had his good moments and his bad moments, but he was an absolute master. I may have written about this before, but I remember watching him school BioTop at the 1995 World Cup. Many of the other riders were cranking their horses' heads and necks left and right (a pre-cursor to rollkur- Anky was the hot rider at that time and wasn't using Rollkur yet..at least not in public) in an attempt to get the horses to release their necks and their backs. Klimke would ride BioTop forward, then ride half-halts while engaging his horse's hindquarters into a halt, pat the horse's neck, let the reins out to the buckle to allow him to look around, then take up the reins (at which point the horse went immediately into the bridle) and go happily forward again. That's how I remember it anyway. The horse looked happy while many of the others looked worried. His musical freestyle, though he didn't perform double pirouetts or passage half-pass, was one of the most free and united rides I have ever seen. Horse and human appeared as if they were dancing as one. It brought tears to my eyes and Klimke, though he did not win the event, was rewarded with a standing ovation from the entire audience. I know that all shows were not always like that for Klimke, as I do remember reading on one of the magazines that Klimke was fighting with his stallion again. Exactly what that meant, I don't know, but I do know that riding a stallion in competition can be a tricky affair! As for Amazon refering to the Philippe Karl book as another German way, I'm not sure where that came from. Reading about him on the book's jacket, he has spent all of this time in France, except for two years in Germany. He was invited to be an ecuyer (or officer) of the Cadre Noir of the Samur, the French National Equestrian school: http://www.cadrenoir.fr/en/le-Cadre-noir. Anyway, I don't get the German reference. The Cadre Noir has taken on some of the German methods in their training, but they also use Baucher's methods. Educated trainers/instructors are aware of many different training/riding styles and use techniques that suit the horse best. In terms of choosing a trainer, I tell people to look for someone who gets results (by that I mean they are actively doing the sport you are interested in, on animals who are visibly content and concentrated in their work) AND you are welcome to watch any and all of their methods from the ground up and all of it seems sensible and logical to you and you are comfortable with it. Yea, this is excellent advice. Your trainer should be willing to allow you to watch everything that they do...they should also have you come learn how to use the tools that they have given your horse! I think the internet will be instrumental in bringing questionable or abusive methods - in all of the equestrian sports - to the forefront of everyone's awareness. As with everything, education is key to effecting long term change for the welfare of the animals. Agreed. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Dressage Disgrace - not just in dressage
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Training like this, in hyperflexion, is not only seen in dressage competition. Unfortunately, one sees similar restriction in the neck in training for reining and western pleasure. Why? Because the trainers using these techniques are winning. Not all top dressage trainers are using this technique and many have jumped on the band wagon, speaking out against the use of hyperflexion in schooling sessions. If you think that Fjords are immune to this style of training, believe me, it's out there. I have seen photographs of Fjords being shown with tight, restricted necks, neck muscles bulging in contained resistance, all in the name of having a pretty head-set. The use of harsh bits (illegal bits) for schooling, then being switched for a legal bit just prior to the horse entering a class is also inhumane (and a practice that is being used at some Fjord shows...all in the name of winning). This style of training results in the musculature of the horse being built incorrectly and can cause serious damage that is difficult to repair, if it can be repaired at all. A horse should have relaxed muscles when in collection, not tense, bulging muscles. Be VERY careful who you place your horses with in training! I am currently reading a book by Phillippe Karl called Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage. The book explains how the musculature of the horse is affected by the use of hyperflexion, where the weight ends up being distributed and how it affects the horse's entire back, not just the neck. Very good diagrams and simple to understand. The book also explains the classical methods of training and why they are beneficial, not detrimental, to the horse. Even if you are not into classical training, it is well worth taking a look at this book to educate yourself about humane training techniques to understand whether or not your horse is being trained properly. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: helmets - trying to push them on people who don't use them.
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net plumg...@pon.net wrote: A person on this list (who can pipe up if she wants to) started wearing a helmet after the day that she was riding in a Buck Branaman clinic. The horses were lined up at a standstill in front of Buck, and Buck was teaching how to get horses to cross over in front to move their front quarters. Buck had the end of the mecarte, and the rider had the reins (as I understand it). The horse got his legs tangled up and went down in the arena (think soft dust arena). The rider ended up with a concussion. Yea, that was me. I still don't remember the horse going down. All I remember is being on the horse and looking down at Buck thinking, Gee, I have the best seat in the house. Next thing I remember is looking up at Buck (as he was right at my side) and wondering who he was and where I was. They said I was out for over a minute (and my poor mom was there and saw the whole thing). I have had several horses go down with me during my lifetime (young, green colts) and I always thought that I would be able to handle it, like I had in the past. This time, I never had a chance to do anything about it. Very experienced horse trainers, who watched the event, told me that it happened so quickly that I never had a chance to prepare for the horse going down. Once I had my wits about me, I asked Buck about it and he said that he thought the horse might have crossed both front and hind legs at the same time, but it happed so quickly that even he wasn't sure. The arena was very well worked, several inches deep and soft, but the whiplash effect of the horse coming down with me really created a lot of force. Could I have fractured my neck because I was wearing a helmet? Perhaps. Who can know that? With the location of the bruise on the side of my head, I don't think my neck would have fractured, but it's after the fact and I will never know. Prior to that, I never had a problem riding those spinny kind of carnival rides, etc. Now, I have to be careful about how I go about my day, because I can get vertigo at the drop of a hat, ten years after the accident. So, stuff happens, even under the best of circumstances. Even with all of that wonderful preparation, whatever program you work with, horses can still spook and horses can fall. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Starfire Farm hosting Manuel Trigo
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello Everyone, Starfire Farm will be hosting Manuel Trigo for a day of lessons on Friday, November 13th. Manuel Trigo is originally from Badajoz, Extremadura, located in the South of Spain, North of Seville, close to the Portugese border. His academic pursuits led him to Switzerland. Fluent in Spanish and French, Manuel became well versed in the French classical masters studying and practicing the Equitation Francaise de legerete (French equitation of lightness). This has become his passion - this quest for lightness in his daily task performed in the arena with the horses. You can read more about Manuel on his website: http://www.trigomanuel.com/ Manuel works with all breeds and all people of any level of riding/horse handling, including long-line work. If you are interested in taking a lesson, we have a couple more spots available. Lessons are $95.00. Audit fee is $15.00. I have been working with Manuel for about a year and he has helped me tremendously with BDF Obelisk and our development towards upper level and High School work. Besides being knowledgeable and talented, Manuel is fun to work with! Enjoy looking at his photos and let me know if you are interested. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Rose parade. (was National Western Stock Show)
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net If I remember correctly, didn't you have to have your application into the Rose Parade organizers by June of the previous year? When I was talking with someone about our quadrille performing at a one-evening performance at the Del Mar show (The Night of the Horse, or something like that) it was going to cost around $3,500 - $5,000.00 (can't remember which) just to get our team there, using our own trucks/trailers. That didn't count food, stabling, etc., just getting there. So...anyone up for a sponsorship? ;-) Beth Karen McCarthy wrote: This message is from: Karen McCarthy weeg...@hotmail.com Back when I was doing alot more parades I seriously considered entering a group of Fjords in the RP about 9 (?) years ago. Someone in our group had an in w/ the RP commitee and so we applied. It is a very rigorous undertaking. You don't 'just enter'. You have to do a pre-application to get through the door, then you are sent a binder that must be completed listing every rider/horse with accomplishments photos down to the nth detail - they even wanted to know if the silver on the show saddles was sterling or plate! Well, when one of our group decided to bail on us, we sort of lost momentum in finding a replacement, and we didn't send in the final app. I think I still have the binder floating around somewhere... Yes, you DO have to be prepared to park your rig on a closed off section of freeway late the night before, and you you also have to agree to have your horse evaluated by the RP vets before embarking on the 5 mile parade route. If they deem your horse needs it, you HAVE to accept them administering a 'cocktail', or abandon the parade. It is also a requirement now that you also participate in the Equine Festival before the parade, and I think this is now a big affair, and may take place days before the parade, thus be prepared to be in LA for quite awhile. I believe they stable and hold the pre-parade doings at the LA Eq. Center. Can't remeber if you needed to pay for boarding, but I would assume so. I'd be up for doing the parade, but only if i didn't have to drive in LA, and if the rig used to park the night b4 was a LQ ;~) :: Karen McCarthy :: Great Basin Fjords :: Madras, Oregon :: http://www.picturetrail.com/weegees Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 20:30:42 -0800 Subject: Rose parade. (was National Western Stock Show) From: jern...@mosquitonet.com To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com This message is from: jern...@mosquitonet.com Now THAT is quite an undertaking: I hav a DVD called Hooves and Roses, about the preparation for equestrians groups participating in the Rose parad. The year this DVD was filmed, it RAINED and RAINED! All the Equestrian groups had to line up in the very early hours (3-4 am) or even were positioned with trailers the night before. . All the equestrian units put opn a show before the parade. I think this DVD is still available through Rural Heritage Magazine, or if I remember right, produced by Video Mike. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska This message is from: Jo Wilgus rjrfj...@verizon.net Maybe in 2011 or 2012 you will come to CA to stay with me while we all ride in THE ROSE PARADE. I will have to do some serious sak em out work for that one. I know Regn is up for it as long as Mommy does it the correct way. Duffers is about as calm as they come, he is such a good boy. So how about that idea? Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
National Western Stock Show
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hi Everyone, The Fjords are going to participate at the Evening of Dancing Horses during the National Western Stock Show in January, 2010. The dates for the performances are January 20 and 21. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and is usually an hour and a half or so. Plan to see us do something with a bit of elegance, but also a little wild and crazy. To purchase tickets, you can go directly to the National Western website: http://www.nationalwestern.com/. A pop up button will appear under the National Western Stock Show portion of the page. To view a schedule of the entire Stock Show, click on the Schedule link in the overhead navigation bar. We should be moving in on Tuesday, January 19. Hope to see you there! Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: did I ever send this?
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello Laura, Yes, you sent it to the list. I don't know if you intended it to go privately or not. I don't have that much time for the e-mail list, so you'll have to excuse my lack of response. Sounds like you are doing good work with your horse. Good luck with her. Beth laura fisher wrote: This message is from: laura fisher laura_fishe...@hotmail.com Hello Beth, I think I will take your advice to heart. when I get home I will take her back into the arena and try a walk and then a trot on the lunge line. I think that will go fine. I willl ride her in big/small/traveling circles all over the place and I will go around the poles (trot) and other obstacles so we don't go crazy with boredom. ...I am a little leery of trail riding but there IS a trail on the valley road that I have taken her on by myself- ( again, she did some testing, but not much) -and I think I should ride with a friend first before going it alone. Unfortunately we do not get cell phone service here, but that road gets lots of traffic (slow). The reason I am anxious to not use the round pen into the winter is that I live in a temperate rainforest and my pen will be under ground shortly. I CAN bring it indoors but it will eliminate all that cone/pole fun. If I have to I could move it in and then take it out when she has gained her balance and is a good girl...The round pen would turn into a 40 foot ( ten feet each side) instead of the 60 and I think the larger the circle for cantering the better. I am hoping that after enough circles while I am riding her and what not there will come a time when she will just break into a nice slow canter on her own. Wishful thinking? I used alot of ground work to get my Morgan to respect me. I just wasn't able to get us working together. I have had him for three years. He was a stud for five years before I bought him and just couldn't shake the dominaton thing. I have a trainer who comes in to ride him and I have just put him up for sale. He is too talented and beautiful and an advanced person needs to ride him. He loves always being given a challenge he can focus on. I wanted a Fjord because I hoped that I would not have to be constantly vigilent every time I want to ride her. PLEASE say this is true...I do love ground work and am looking forward to starting it., Elise is very stiff and I can tell she knows nothing about it. I use a little bit of everything. I am feeling so much better talking with you. I am not ALONE Laura Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 07:58:09 -0600 From: starfiref...@usa.net To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: hello again This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello Laura, Your problem is fairly common, simply because Fjords are so intelligent and many are not taught to lunge properly. Your idea is on the right track. You need to break down the act of lunging into smaller steps and teach her that what you really want is for her to stay in a circle around you. Let the canter not be the most important thing. Use small circles at first, just so she gets the idea about staying with you. Gradually work in larger circles, greater speed, until you are sure she understands and won't leave. Then maybe try for the canter. I would use the round pen, only for easier containment if she decides to leave you again. If she does leave, don't punish her, just start over and take even smaller steps. You did not say how old your mare was. If she is young, you must be very careful not to do too much of this work because it can damage developing joints. Good luck and have fun, Beth laura fisher wrote: This message is from: laura fisher laura_fishe...@hotmail.com I have had a problem lunging my fjord, Elise. I bought her from a woman that let her children ride her on trails. As a result, Elise learned that she does not have to canter. I thought starting on a 60 foot lunge line would remedy this, but instead she is so strong that when I ask her to canter she pulls away and the line is pulled out of my hands ...and I am a VERY strong person. I have tried lunging her in the 60 foot round pen but I do not think this is going to work. I am wondering if I should just do lots and lots of slow circles, some at a walk, some at a trot. ...But I really need some input . I want to get her cantering away but I want to do it right. This is very frustrating. She has a lovely slow trot. _ Microsoft brings you a new way to search the web. Try Bing^(TM) now http://www.bing.com?form=MFEHPGpubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TEXT_MFEHPG_Core_tagline_t ry bing_1x1 Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer
Re: hello again
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hello Laura, Your problem is fairly common, simply because Fjords are so intelligent and many are not taught to lunge properly. Your idea is on the right track. You need to break down the act of lunging into smaller steps and teach her that what you really want is for her to stay in a circle around you. Let the canter not be the most important thing. Use small circles at first, just so she gets the idea about staying with you. Gradually work in larger circles, greater speed, until you are sure she understands and won't leave. Then maybe try for the canter. I would use the round pen, only for easier containment if she decides to leave you again. If she does leave, don't punish her, just start over and take even smaller steps. You did not say how old your mare was. If she is young, you must be very careful not to do too much of this work because it can damage developing joints. Good luck and have fun, Beth laura fisher wrote: This message is from: laura fisher laura_fishe...@hotmail.com I have had a problem lunging my fjord, Elise. I bought her from a woman that let her children ride her on trails. As a result, Elise learned that she does not have to canter. I thought starting on a 60 foot lunge line would remedy this, but instead she is so strong that when I ask her to canter she pulls away and the line is pulled out of my hands ...and I am a VERY strong person. I have tried lunging her in the 60 foot round pen but I do not think this is going to work. I am wondering if I should just do lots and lots of slow circles, some at a walk, some at a trot. ...But I really need some input . I want to get her cantering away but I want to do it right. This is very frustrating. She has a lovely slow trot. _ Microsoft brings you a new way to search the web. Try Bing™ now http://www.bing.com?form=MFEHPGpubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TEXT_MFEHPG_Core_tagline_try bing_1x1 Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Fijador
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net There are two types of headstalls for a bosal. One is with a fiador, the other is without. The way I understand it, the use of the fiador in North America came from Texas cowboys and using the bosal without the fiador came from California cowboys. Who knows which is true? Both sides (non-fiador folks and fiador folks) claim that the Vaqueros either used or didn't use a fiador. The fiador is a knotted rope that goes around the poll and throatlatch of the horse, then extends down to the base of the bosal to keep the bosal from hanging down on the horse's chin. I presume the purpose is to keep the feel of the bosal on the horse's nose and chin area. Another purpose would be to prevent bosal from pulling off of the horse's nose when leading the horse with the leadrope part of the mecate (the traditional rein of the bosal.) If you use a bosal, with or without a fiador, you should make sure the bosal is shaped so it does not rub the horse on the top of the nose or under the chin. Here are a couple of good e-articles about the use, fit and shaping of the bosal: http://www.thinklikeahorse.org/bosalhackamores.htm http://www.nwhorsesource.com/artman/uploads/f3_bosals___hackamores_-_june_07.pdf As one of the articles explains, the bosal was part of the training of the horse in the Vaquero tradition. The horse would be started in a bosal, then carry a curb bit in its mouth (with a mild port) while working off of the bosal, with no reins attached to the bit, then go in a two rein where both bosal reins and bridle-bit reins were used, then staight up in the bridle bit. True Vaquero tradition had the horse finishing in the spade bit. Anyway, training the horse in that manner is a true art and something that I really appreciate. The original bitless bridle, without the poll pressure...or perhaps the original bitless bridle was a grass rope tied around the jaw or the horse? ;-) I also highly recommend Buck's video on the Hackamore. Beth plumg...@pon.net wrote: This message is from: plumg...@pon.net plumg...@pon.net Hi Karen, I thought a fijador was the knot you tied in the reins that are attached to the bosalwhich I would not confuse with a throat latch. Am I not getting it? (Jim is starting to use a bosal on some of his horses and would love to really know how to use it properly. Gail Glad you are taking the time to use the bosal, which I think for some folks is a misunderstood under-rated bridle. I use it occasionally on my 'broke' horses as a refresher to tune on them but avoiding the mouth. I do prefer to use a fiajador though, which is sort of looks like a throatlatch, but is really a way to positively keep the balance on the nose in 'neutral' so a release is always a reward. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Ballet on Horseback
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net The Starfire Quadrille performed at the Boulder County Fair (in Colorado) on August 4th. The show was a success and we had a great time. If you would like to see photographs, you can go to this website: http://alphabetranch.smugmug.com/Equestrian-Performances/Ballet-on-Horseback/Ballet-on-Horseback-2009/9192797_nMCQG#622790881_xSkMd If the above link doesn't work, go to: http://alphabetranch.smugmug.com/Equestrian-Performances/Ballet-on-Horseback Then click on Ballet on Horseback 2009. Photos of our quadrille start on page 10. We rode to a compilation of Greig music, including the Hall of the Mountain King. Obie and I did a solo first, with canter pirouette to piaffe, then trot half-pass and canter half-pass. Then the group entered with some intricate trot and canter patterns, then we all did a finale together. Cool photos of the other performers are included on the website. You have to check out the DRAGON at the end! Obie wanted to EAT him! Horses and riders were: Beth and BDF Obelisk Victoria Arling and Greenbriar Cezar Jeanne Poirier and Hanne Anna Poirier and Tirra Grace Newport and Tamara Sara Reidy and BDF John Arthur Shari McCallum-Clark and BDF Magnum Enjoy. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Foal photos for the Fall Issue - Deadline Aug 1st
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net I can't believe there have only been 6 foals born this year that want their picture in the Fjord Herald! But, that's what it looks like from the Editor's inbox!!! And, if you have been sitting on a article idea, want to share your experience at local or regional shows (like Blue Earth?) now's the time to send us your thoughts and photos. Remember, we're always collecting for What have you done, Lately? and just about anything else you want to submit for consideration. Holler if you have questions or need help. Sandy -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Fjord Heradl submission deadline approaching...
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Gentle reminder that the next Fjord Herald deadline is August 1st. Please gather up your articles, photos, and advertisements and send them along soon. We'd love to hear about what everyone has been doing this summer -- and, of course send photos (and all the details) of all your new FOALS!!! Holler if you have any questions or need help with your submission. Sandy -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Columbus Carriage Classic Link to Video
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Love the film. Love the smiles! Dad and daughter sure have the same smile, don't they? The post-script is great. Congratulations. Beth pmars...@yahoo.com wrote: Here is a video that my brother made of the Fathers Day Class at the Columbus -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Foal Announcement!
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Born at 1:00 this morning, Starfire Ivar, a beautiful, strong red dun colt. Mother is OH Adrianna (Flotren x Edel Berger) Father is Odden's Frode (Smedsmo Graen x Wood's Karina). This is Adrianna's first foal and she is a fantastic mother. Look for their photos in the new NFHR Gallery once they are up! Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: lamness
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Robin Churchill wrote: I have a warmblood who has seemed lame and was pronounced by Dr. Boswell at Palm Beach Equine (who is a well-known lameness specialist)as the laziest horse he had ever seen. That is so funny! Now that doesn't mean that there haven't been times that he really was lame. For that horse, he suggested work because he said if there is really a problem then work will bring it out and if there's not then the horse will get stronger and fitter and move better. Also my fjords sometimes look lame if they are what we call behind the leg. This is so very true. Another issue that can cause the appearance of lameness is crookedness in the rider, which usually causes crookeness and unbalance in the horse. Horses often try to compensate for where the rider's weight is over their backs/bodies and when the rider's weight is not centered, both laterally and/or longitutidally, this will cause crookedness in the horse's way of going. This condition is often called rein lameness but it should not be attributed simply to the use of the reins. Sometimes young horses will look like they are lame, for a few strides, when they are learning to canter under the rider. I like to say that they are developing their canter button and they frequently offer the canter once they learn it. You also want to make sure that the saddle is not pinching the horses shoulders. If none of these things are an issue, I would be starting with radiographs. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Congratulations
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Congratulations to Kathleen Jesse on her purchase of Starfire Donati. Kathleen and Donati are going to make a great team! She will be trail riding and working on lower-level dressage, among other fun things I'm sure. They are currently on their way home to New Mexico with Sue Sorger and her mare, Annika. All of you members from the Rocky Mountain Fjord Horse Club (and other Fjord Horse owners) residing in New Mexico need to have a get-together! Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Fjord at clinic photos
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Yes, it is Obie. I think it was the first session with horses. It was the only time I was able to make a successful Doma Vaquera knot in his tail. The rest of the time it would just fall out because I was unable to twist it tight enough. Someday I would like to perform an in hand program, in the long lines, like they do at the Spanish Riding School or at the Cadre Noire. Working with Manuel is great. Though he mainly works with Iberian breeds, he is not prejudiced againt different breeds of horses. Especially if they are hard-working horses. Through his focus on very classical methods, Manuel has helped Obie and I through a tough spot in developing the piaffe both in hand and under saddle. Obie is fun to work with in the long lines. In addition to Piaffe and Passage, he is performing Spanish Walk, bowing (he has actually done this under saddle a few times now), performing the rear (not a classical levade out of Piaffe yet). The collected work has been great in helping to develop his strength. Because of it, his collected canter has improved greatly. He can perform several strides of a pirouette canter and is starting to be able to perform quarter pirouettes. Also, because of his improved strength, his medium trot has become more balanced. As they say it should be, you can really feel the collection in the extension (almost)and feel the extension in the collection (for sure!) I have been having a blast with him! What a horse. Thanks for asking. Beth Steve Sessoms wrote: This message is from: Steve Sessoms ssess...@charter.net Who is the lovely Fjordie in the Carol Walker photos from the Piaffe and Passage with Manuel Trigo in Franktown CO in 2008? Is it Obie? Hope the link works. http://www.livingimagescjw.com/CLIENTS/08PiaffePassage/08PiaffePassage-1.htm Meredith Sessoms Moulton AL Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Fjord Herald Editor email having problems...
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Hi all, Some folks have reported emails sent to the Fjord Herald at edi...@nfhr.com are getting bounced yesterday and today. If this is true for you -- please send your emails to our personal address: starfiref...@usa.net Thanks, and as the submission deadline approaches, I hope to have a very full Inbox! Holler if you have ANY questions. Sandy -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Green Scorpion - greener handling
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net pedfjo...@aol.com wrote: In the interest of yesterday being the World GREEN DAY, I wanted to let you all know that in my own, very small way, I helped our planet. Once dead ( pretty sure since he was in 4 parts ) I decided to do the heavy work and bury the little sucker. A few swipes with a shovel near my sandy round pen, and he was gone. Disolving into nature and helping my solar weed / wind farm project along. Well, to really be Green, I would have thought that you could have caught the poor little thing in a green glass jar, with holes in the lid for air, of course, then transported it in a green Prius to a suitable green (and sandy) spot for relocation. Maybe you could have celebrated the release with a glass of green beer left over from St. Patrick's Day. Poor little scorpion.;-) Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Import Bashing - Was CEM and Supporting American Fjord Breeders
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Karen Keith wrote: Karen in Northern Virginia, still doing the Snoopy happy dance in anticipation of the new arrival. Just a few days left. I was lucky enough to see photos of Karen's new filly. She is GORGEOUS. The others are gorgeous as well. Well worth the wait. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: What is CEM - imported stock
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net ruth bushnell wrote: It occurs to me, from this piece that you have shared, that the most comprehensive control of this infectious disease is to STOP European importation, is that not correct? Unfortunately, that is not correct. It has been a problem in the Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding industry, in THIS country, for a number of years. Now, those are pretty All American breeds, yes? Common use of improperly disinfected breeding equipment (phantoms, A.V.s, etc) has served to spread the disease throughout the country. With more and more breeders turning to artificial insemination in a number of breeds, it was perhaps inevitable that it would finally infect our breed. Unfortunate, but inevitable. Therefore, simply stopping importation of foreign horses would not have stopped this from happening. Unless, of course, importation of ALL horses into this country was halted quite a few years ago. I don't think the racing industry would have been happy about that. This message is from: morrisshado...@aol.com With the economic times being the way they are and well train good quality fjords selling for much less than they should be sold. It is also effecting the young untrained (unproven stock). Either not moving or selling for much less . So with that in mind it makes me wonder why one would buy young unproven stock from another country? Because the purchasers liked what they saw in the parents, or liked what they saw in the youngstock themselves and because they could. Also, it is easier to import an animal that is not yet of breeding age. The quarantine takes less time. Frankly, in this more global economy, I think it's cool that some folks are able to bring a variety of stock into this country. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Next Fjord Herald Submission Deadline - May 1st
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Just a gentle reminder that the submission deadline for articles and advertising for the Summer Fjord Herald is quickly approaching. Don't know what everyone has been doing the last couple of monthsbut the editor's InBox has been pretty quiet! If you've been putting off writing an article for us -- now is the time to put pen to paper (...does anyone do that anymore?) or more likely, start that new Microsoft Word document.As always, include a bunch of photos for us to pick from to accompany your piece. It should be obivious to everyone that the only way we can produce a Herald that you enjoy readingis if YOU send us stories, club activity coverage and updates, instructional articles etc. to put in it! And, we're always here to answer questions, so don't be shy. Look forward to being flooded with your submissions, Sandy -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Musings on my Fjordies, unwanted horses, etc.
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Paula Chmura wrote: I was just in Ocala for a couple of weeks and while there some clients of mine took their horses out for a trail ride in a local park. They had trailered over in a six horse and a four trailer. After the ride they returned to their trailers to find the trailers full of 10 abandoned horses! This happened fairly recently at one of our local auctions. I told our horse-trailer owners to lock their trailers while they were parked at our Expo, to avoid bringing home any unwanted horses! At a recent local show here in Pensacola at the end of the show five horses were found abandoned at the show grounds with notes on their stalls saying my name is whatever please take me home. This is just so sad. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Aggressive Horses/Behavioral Conference in Texas
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net plumg...@pon.net wrote: ONe of the downsides of the clicker is that the horses are so enthusiastic and excited about the control it gives them that they can get a little exuberant. I came across this problem when I used a reward based system to teach Obie to bow. Once he figured it out, all he could think of was how to get that carrot! He still thinks about getting a carrot, even though I have not rewarded him with one for over a year. I would love to play with this system, if it didn't take so much time. Maybe I'll do it when I'm too feeble to get on a horses's back. The clicker requires a good eye and good reactions clicking with tongue or clicker. This is also VERY true with normal or ordinary styles of training, yet is often missed. The ability to be able to recognize and reward what the horse is offering, in order to shape a behavior, is the key to elevating training to art. Ordinary horsemanship requires physical skills with rope handling and body movement. Those skills help with clicker training, but they are not as essential. Yes, depending upon what you are trying to help the horse to learn (or unlearn!) but this next statement is the KEY to really successful training, ordinary or otherwise: All you really have to do is learn to break the behavior down into tiny steps and then learn to carefully observe what is happening. I often tell people who are working with their Fjords in natural horsemanship (or other disciplines, for that matter) that they have to take the steps that they have learned to use with other breeds and break them down into even smaller steps to be successful with their fjords. This is true for other breeds as well. If you really study the works of the classical masters, they also rewarded baby steps in teaching their horses. In order for the work to enter into the realm of art, the horses had to be happy and confident in their exercises and their work. If it was forced, it showed in the horses' performance and was not beautiful to behold. The correction based training does work, after a fashion, but there are horses that do not adapt well to it, and it does not produce as clear an understanding nor the same enthusiasm. I had a horse that had problems cantering. He was afraid to canter. I suspect, especially after reading your description of the confused dog in the clicker video, that your horse may have received conflicting reward and punishment messages during his initial handling in the canter. Our Fjords can be very stoic about some things, which can serve to hide their sensitivity - and they are extrememly sensitive. Not everyone who is teaching a horse to canter -on command- (I say that because they already know how to canter on their own) can recognize the initial thoughts -or try- and reward simply for that. They end up trying to push the horse into what the human recognizes as the desired response and, in the horse's eyes, have inadvertently punished the horse while attempting to achieve that response. Therefore, the horse becomes confused and sometimes frightened about performing a specific task. Correction based training does work, and it can work faster than the clicker for some things, but it has downsides, as was evident in the video I saw. A mix of both can work well with many horses. One way to try out the clicker would be to take a Chicken Training class. They are also prey animals, so that dispenses with that objection to clicker training...as in...unlike with dogs which are predators, it will not work with horses, which are prey animals. I recall reading an account of a young college student who was accustomed to, and successful at, training horses being humbled by learning how to train a chicken during one of her behavioral psychology classes. She had thought it was going to be a piece of cakenot so! She learned a LOT about pressure, recognizing it, releasing it and rewarding desired behavior. You really can't force a chicken! I do remember messing with training my aquarium fish when I was a kid. (didn't have access to horses at that time) guess it was just in my genes Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: whos responsible ? - pasture/lawn ornaments
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net pedfjo...@aol.com wrote: Anita Unrau was just talking to me a few days ago about their fear that along with the drafty Fjords being bred to be more sport type Fjords, that they feel some of the great temperment is also being lost to more forward thinking ponies. I had an interesting conversation with some Halflinger breeders while we were at our Expo recently. They had the longest legged Halflingers I have ever seen. They were so tall and their hindquarter conformation was such that I thought they were Belgian crosses, but no, they were purebreds. The breeder told me that the market is turning towards taller, leggier, sportier models and they have noticed that, along with those sportier horses, have come hotter temperaments. BUT a hotter temperament doesn't have to mean that the horse doesn't have a good brain. My belief is that there will always be those out there who are interested in breeding Fjords that are more geared towards a family type of horse that is lower-key and useful for plowing the garden and ferrying folks around, in addition to having some sportier types. Susan F. - be careful how you categorize loving homes where Fjords (or other horses for that matter) are pasture ornaments. Just because a horse is out on pasture, or is pastured at a boarding operation, does not mean it is neglected! Beth - Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Pigeons, aka Rat's w/ Wings
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Karen McCarthy wrote: How do you tell a racing pigeon from a regular pigeon? Okay, I'll take a stab at it. 1. A blur in the corner of your eye vs. one strutting around on the ground. 2. A teeny-tiny mail bag vs. a naked bird. 3. High velocity droppings spatter vs. low velocity droppings piles. 4. Contented cooing sounds vs. rat-pigeon rap. 5. Lipstick marks on the champion racer's head vs.a bullet hole in the rat-pigeon's head. Karen, you cracked me up! Beth, in blizzarding Colorado. Snow at last! -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Vivan/Live Oak
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Congratulations to Vivian and Winona! Also to Linda Yutzy, who came in second in Intermediate Pony Pairs with her pair of Dartmoor Ponies. For those of you who don't know, Linda is our layout person for the Fjord Herald. You go girls! Beth Susan Cargill wrote: This message is from: Susan Cargill smc_...@yahoo.com Karen M. is right - Live Oak is the 'Big Cheese' of CDE's. Vivian mentioned that the hazards course is the worst of the worst to drive. Quick clarification - she was driving Winona not Mira. Mira is home expecting. This was Winona's first intermediate level CDE. Way to go Vivian and Winona. Susan Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
WOW
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net All I can say is WOW. We are proud too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ1GW61GIo4 Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Once Upon an Equine: Today in Denver
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Uh, that should have been capital;-) Still tired I guess. From one of your Herald editors. Beth Starfire Farm wrote: This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Here is more about the Capitol event: -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Once Upon an Equine: Today in Denver
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Here is more about the Capitol event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2lnU9q-YGAeurl=http://denverdirect.blogspot.com/ We'll have photos, etc. up later. Enjoy. Beth Barbara wrote: This message is from: Barbara middleagespr...@rconnects.com FJORDS IN THE NEWS ABOUT DENVER EXPO CHECK OUTTHE LINK BELOW. http://onceuponanequine.blogspot.com/2009/03/today-in-denver.html Barb middleagespr...@rconnects.com Eagle Creek Or Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: auction - reasonable prices for Fjords
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Steve McIlree wrote: I certainly agree that several breeds have been bred to excess, but I'm not sure it's fair to point a finger at Morgans. Not trying to point fingers (except for the QH industry). Just comparing numbers. I happen to like Morgans (my best Horse of a Lifetime was a Morgan ...though Obie is coming really, really close!) and chose to research their numbers instead of some of the others (plus, they were the other breed brought up in this discussion). I'm sure the Thoroughbred industry has contributed much, much, more to this glut as well. There are animal multiplyers in every breed, not to mention the folks who have tried to make a buck by crossing the latest fad breed with something more common to create something more affordable - perhaps more marketable - than a purebred horse. Oh, oh, I can feel the flames coming now...I'm not saying that a purebred horse is the only kind of horse to have but MOST of the time (note: I said most, not all of the time) quality (by quality, I mean good temperament, good conformation, hardy and intelligent) horses are not the ones being crossed. As for the number of registrations, that also does not take into account the number of registered horses that are actually alive today. However, I still believe it shows that we, as Fjord enthusiasts, still have a relatively rare breed in this country. If someone has the time to research current numbers of live horses within the various registries, I would find that interesting. Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: auction - reasonable prices for Fjords
This message is from: Starfire Farm starfiref...@usa.net Eric Kozowski wrote: Raising horses, especially right now, is not a money making proposition. This is very true, unless you are willing to put a lot of money into marketing and are willing to sell just about any horse to just about anybody, which we are not. These is a glut of horses on the market right now and even well trained horses (not necessarily Fjords) can be had for under $2000. I agree with the not necessarily Fjords statement. The AQHA January 8, 2008 news item states that they registered it's /five/ /millionth/ quarter horse. That's 5,000,000. The Quarter Horse industry has been one of the major contributors to the glut of horses in the market in this country. And I mean INDUSTRY. The AQHA actually /sold/ the rights to the registration number for the 5,000,000th horse! According to Wikipedia, as of Feb 17, 2009, more than 132,000 Morgan Horses have been registered. Compare that to the NFHR recently registering it's 6,000th Fjord and I think that we can reasonably ask more than $500 to $2,000.00 for a well-trained horse. /// / At even the big auctions, like Billings, nicely trained horses were going for $500-$2000. Colts were bringing $50-$250. Hermiston was about the same. Mostly Quarter Horses, I presume. Horses are luxury items (unless you're a professional cowboy) and people are cutting way back on spending on luxury items. Of course. Responsible breeders that I know have been cutting back for a couple of years now, breeding either 1 or 2 (or none -like us) offspring, which is a far cry from the Animal Multipliers (as Wayne Hipsley likes to call them) who don't take quality and the market into consideration when breeding animals. And, we don't sell our horses to just anyone. We try very hard to match the right horse with a proapective client. Therefore, sometimes we DO hang onto them longer than is economical, but do so for the benefit of both horse and new owner. If the initial post had mentioned that younger or (very) green started horses were acceptable, I may not have put fingers to the keyboard. As I read it, the implication was the need for tolerant, trained horses (what I presume to be a suitable horse for a lesson program.) Beth -- Starfire Farm Beth Beymer and Sandy North http://www.starfirefarm.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
