Hi, I made it home safely
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Meredith, I made it home safely but it took a very long time due to weather induced airport delays. I got home around 1am; you were smart to wait until Monday. I enjoyed meeting you and hanging out together and hope we can do it again. -- Genie Dethloff and Finne Ann Arbor, Michigan
re: driving bridles
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: Katherine Carter [EMAIL PROTECTED] I think the reason our fjords need the longer browbands is that their skulls don't narrow much from their eyes to their ears. -Kathy in Maine This is one thing that makes Fjords so cute! The wider head and sweet eyes make them look like babies their whole life, and everyone loves baby animals! -- Genie Dethloff and Finne Ann Arbor, Michigan
SORRY FOR SENDING PERSONAL EMAIL TO LIST
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Genie Dethloff and Finne Ann Arbor, Michigan
Re: UPDATE-underweight Tyra
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I, of course, was told via a typed page from the consignors that she was in great health!! Tomorrow I am going to take a picture of her and send it to Larry Wishart along with a copy of the picture from Dreamhorse.com. I called him last night and he was quite surprised and upset. I honestly think this is a legitimate case of animal cruelty and neglect and wonder if the authorities in Cornelius, Ore, would do anything about it. Their may still be other horses in their possession. Good luck in pursuing the cruelty case. I think it is worth a try to get something done. It sounded like those trainers pulled up their operation and will be moving on. I wonder who bought the other horses of Larry's they had for sale and what condition they arrived in? How long was she with the shipper? -- Genie Dethloff and Finne Ann Arbor, Michigan
Re: Search and Rescue Update
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi List ! Lisa, Thanks for the update on your adventures - keep them coming. It's wonderful when you can combine your job skills and horse skills all into one rewarding activity. It sounds like you've found your niche. -- Genie Dethloff and Finne Ann Arbor, Michigan
RFD channel question
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] How are all of you accessing the RFD channel? I don't see it in any of our extended our cable TV offerings and was wondering do other cable providers have it or do you need a dish to see it or what? I'm really envious of what you guys that have it are getting to see. -- Genie Dethloff and Finne Ann Arbor, Michigan
Re: Laurie and Oz
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: Lois Berenyi [EMAIL PROTECTED] Of all my fears related to returning to riding this was one I had not considered. Apparently between age 50 and 62 my lower back and hip joints had seized up. Now my fear is that I will not be able to get off (of my own choice) if I had to. If anyone knows of exercises specifically to help this inflexibility I'd like to know of them. I have not encountered this disability in any other activity of normal life. My defense against all the people who want me to risk life and limb.and put my extra 50# on a mare who can't talk and give me her opinion...is that I love the horses, always have, the same as my dogs. Half of the horses at the barn where I board are not ridden. I respect most the people who don't ride, but still come out and give their horses attention. Several are older retired horses. One horse can't be ridden due to any injury and his owner comes out every week and does clicker training with him - they both have lots of fun and the horse still thinks he has a job. I don't think I'd be very interested in riding if the horse care and ground training were not part of it as like you I love just interacting. Stay solid in your conviction that you are the best one to judge how you should interact with your horses - enjoy them anyway you can. When I went back to riding four years ago after six years off for a surgery and recovery, etc. I had an embarassing start. For my first lesson, they had a 16 hand thoroughbred all tacked up and ready to go and a little flimsy 2 step stepstool for me to get on. I couldn't begin to get on her! Luckily they brought out a 14'3 or 15' quarter horse and I somehow was able to pull myself on her. I couldn't ride in a dressage saddle because I didn't have enough hip and lower back flexibility. What helped the most to loosen up my hips and back was riding- I bought my owner solid three step mounting block and with time I was able to mount and dismount comfortably-without having to lie down on her back to swing my leg over. I still use a large three step mounting block with my Fjord because it is better for my knees and his back. Good luck -- Genie Dethloff and Finne Ann Arbor, Michigan
Re:Genie
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Genie, you gotta think more positive than that girl! My stepfather just quit riding the hills at about 75. He still misses it and gets on a borrowed horse once in awhile. He is 81 this March! He now is raising and driving Mini's so he is not without horses :) Lou I only worry because I have had serious knee problems with my left knee - several dislocations, a surgery and lots of inflammation with fluid build up. The riding can be good for my knee as it helps build up muscles, but whenever I try to take it to the next level my knee blows up. So as good as it feels to do the posting trot until I am almost exhausted, but feel like I've really had a good work out, I have to take it slowly to build up. I had a near scare recently with a new knee injury/problem but the MRI results were better than expected as to nothing was torn, but my Medial Meniscus is wearing away. I am not willing to give up riding unless I absolutely have to and then hope to start driving. Riding is the only thing that can get me out and active, especially in the winter. I can be feeling tired and achy or grumpy and still get myself into my car and drive to the barn knowing I will feel better there. My body feels much better on days I ride than on days I sit working at the computer all day - go figure! When I moved Finne he had been in a pasture with lots of grass and then was put in one with virtually no grass at the new barn. He really missed his grass so I started to hand graze him after our rides. I would be standing out there for 20 minutes with the wind blowing and freezing cold temperatures thinking that I would never do that other than for him, and I actually enjoyed it. He was very sad when the snow came and stayed and we couldn't graze anymore. I too find the support on this list great and it's good to know there are so many kindred spirits out there. -- Genie Dethloff and Finne Ann Arbor, Michigan
Re: Laurie and Oz
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The best advice I can give is Take Your Time! Don't feel badly and don't rush. Taking lessons is a good thing and if your instructor sees good things in you...super! I can recommend the book Overcoming the Fear of Riding by Theresa Jordan Ph.D. Peter DeMichele M.Ed. and also Fitness, Performance and the Female Equestrian by Mary Midkiff. Both are good reads. I also have read Overcoming the Fear of Riding. It was given to me by the women who sold Finne to me. She had to overcome a bad injury to ride again. If you read it, don't be put off by the beginning where all these big time professional riders are talking about overcoming their fear. At first I thought, right! if I was willing to attempt a tenth of what they did I'd be brave. But as the book goes on he talks about everyday riders and gives some very useful techniques about honestly assessing your abilities, the risk you would need to take to do what you want to do, and then deciding if the risk is acceptable to you. I also am taking it very slowly and allowing my body to be fit and ready to progress. I'm a little envious sometimes when I see others cantering around the arena and I know we are a long way from that. But after 8 months of lots of walking and well contolled trotting, I'm so much more confident. Of course Finne needs to learn to canter under saddle and I won't try it with him until the trainer has him confirmed. I am 51 and in someways feel like my riding time may be running out, yet I feel if I am careful and take it slowly, I will still get to ride when I am much older. Finne is only 6 and a half so he may be my last horse and I want to do it right with him, no matter how long it takes. I want to go to Blue Earth and show this year; I'm finally beginning to realize we might make it! -- Genie Dethloff and Finne Ann Arbor, Michigan
Re: Record Book II
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: starfirefarm [EMAIL PROTECTED] I also support an on-line format and would like to see the data integrated with the pedigree site (I've even offered to help with that effort). Perhaps we can figure out a way to provide earlier results on-line and then follow up with a printed version every 3-4 years. I think adding the online format for results would be very timely. Once the format is coded it is easy to add updates and would be much quicker than publishing a book. The hard copies are wonderful resources, but because you have to do printings they are always limited in numbers and hard to decide when to reprint. An online version is available to everyone. I just sent an email to Mike May yesterday offering to volunteer to help with the website as I am a website designer; I would be glad also to work on this project if approved. As I was writing this Margaret's email suggestion of selling electronic copies of the book arrived; what a good idea and another way to generate income. -- Genie Dethloff
Re: long, maybe boring, toot toot
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lisa, your write-up was anything but boring! What fun and what an accomplishment. It sounds like you really did your homework to prepare, although I'm sure you didn't have access to sirens and police lights at home for practice. I too have those extra pounds and have had lots of fear to deal with. I've been working with my first fjord for eight months now and he has helped me get rid of so much fear. He has retrained me to not assume he will spook at things other horses would spook at. It is very liberating for me to be able to truly relax and not wait for havoc. Yesterday, a man came storming into the arena through a closed door, making a loud boom just as we were rounding that corner. Finne did a little jump forward and I thanked him for doing it so straight and small that I just bounced off his neck and was fully upright immediately; then we stopped and watched as he opened the big arena doors, drove his truck in, dumped sawdust, clanged gates and doors shut and was on his way. Finne found it very entertaining to watch and then we resumed work. Mind you my first thought was to dismount until the delivery guy was done, but I am learning that with Finne, it is not necessary. Finne has a very interesting and brave way to explore the world - if he can just touch it with his nose and it doesn't bite it is OK. It can fall over, move, or give way when poked with his nose - it just can't bite or jump up. Most horses I've worked with wouldn't be brave enough to go up and touch, but Finne finds it so much fun. I think he ignores the possible fear factor so that he can express the play factor, which is very dominant. One thing I have noticed is that these eight months have really helped me become more fit and balanced and so much more secure in my riding. It sounds like you are very brave and able to suppress any fear, and given alittle more time back in the saddle, you will be unstoppable!! Here's to all the overweight, middle aged plus, women still enjoying an active life due to fun with fjords. Genie Dethloff Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2005 #17
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am now faced with going to Philadelphia for immuno/embloization, every month. This necessitated lightening the load in animal department, although I am still keeping the POA who is forty-seven and doesn't need to try to adapt to a new farm. Please keep me in your prayers, as I need a miracle here, as no one has ever survived liver metastasis. Thank you, Alex Wind Dear Alex, I'm so sorry to hear about your ongoing ordeal with melanoma and your liver metastasis. I was curious as I had never heard of Uvial Melanoma, so I looked on the internet and read some sites on immunoembolization for liver metastasis. It looks like a very promising procedure that will hopefully hold your cancer at bay. Hopefully a medical or other miracle will come along for you. Good luck with your treatments and your travels. It sounds like you found wonderful homes for your fjords. As hard as it must have been to part with them, you have done yourself a service by lightening your load, and added to the joy of their new owners. Stay brave and remain hopeful. Genie Dethloff in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Re: bloodlines and behavior
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: janet [EMAIL PROTECTED] I would wager the mare actually has more than 50% of the influence on the foal. She spends nearly 6 months rearing the foal, and it has been said, that a mare that allows the baby to push her around often produces foals that are head strong vs the mare that disciplins her baby. But since one stallion produces many babies a year vs one per year for the mare, following stallion lines is going to be more productive. Janet Hi folks, I have really been enjoying this thread - a lot of food for thought. Jane Smiley's book, A Year at the Races, is a very interesting look at the personality, ability, and interaction with humans of horses. She breeds thoroughbreds and some go the track. She not only analyzes their dam and sire but also talks about those early influences of the foal and his/her mother and other horses early on and how some events or situations trump breeding and influence the horse for life. Of course owner handling and early training also greatly influence a horse's future life. This is a fun and informative book to read but she does have an animal psychic that she often confers with, so you have to accept psychics or ignore it if you don't believe. When I sold my Hanoverian, Glory, a breeder called me looking for a new breeding mare to replace one of hers that had just died. Mine had the same sire as hers had and that was what she was looking for. It was errie how she described her mare and how almost every behavioral trait was the same as mine. When I talked to this breeder, I started to understand Glory's behavior much better and how my trainer at the time was taking the wrong approach with her. It seemed that this whole line of mares had similar personalities which the breeder loved. For me, Glory was too much, but the breeder just loved them. These mares definately passed on strong traits but they could be linked back to their common sire. Unfortunately, the sire back two generations on the dam's side, passed on crooked front legs. Many of his descendents went on to become great jumpers anyway but my mare's crookedness caused her pain and unsoundness. Genie Dethloff in Ann Arbor, MI
Is there a problem with list?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I haven't received any messages since Saturday afternoon. The archives date the messages I received on Saturdays with today's date, and nothing new shows up there either. Is something wrong? Genie in Ann Arbor, MI
Re: Loki - blinders - long
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I've been listening to this thread and have not commented yet but the more I read, the more I need to share my recent experiences. When I started riding a Fjord 8 months ago, I had alot of fear from my two previous horses that I had to get over. At the first barn we were at, we had to ride outside right near the herd or on the farm fields with large equipment going and barking dogs. Everytime something would happen that I associated with a horse spook from my prvious horses, I would get nervous. Most of the time Finne would stand under me and wonder what the fuss was about. So I learned that I had to train myself not to react and to be a good leader. My response was spooking him! The first time we took him around the property on a trail ride I had decided that the only way I would make it through was to be a good leader for him - mind you I'm trying to control my subconsious!! So I kept making myself do deep breathing and saying to myself that I will be a brave leader for him. It worked, we were even able to make it by the canoe monster which just became a canoe - huh? Over time I have learned many other useful things about handling spooks, etc. The first was don't react - not at all, just keep going exactly as you were. Resist shortening the reins and taking a tighter hold. Unless you are already being run away with, the best way to prevent it is to give the reins a little and let your horse balance himself and recover while you keep yourself sitting solid and heavy - no tight muscles. This is where developing a well balanced, strong but relaxed seat that you can trust comes in! The other very important thing I learned is to always keep the horse focused on you. It is kind of like the John Lyons work that someone mentioned. When the horse is busy listening to you, he doesn't notice what is around him nearly as much. Keeping him busy with look this way move over to the right ,etc. little commands that keep his mind busy. If there is a spooky door or end of the arena desensitize by riding closer each time around the arena and before getting near there start your little commands and will yourself to not think about bad responses by the horse. We passed the test the other day when a person and horse who had never been in the arena with us was in there lunging. The owner started cracking her lunge whip (Finne had gone through a long phase with fear of the lunge whip). He spooked and I stayed rock solid and unresponsive and kept going and there was no more response. Six months ago I never could have ridden in that situation, my fear would have driven him to act crazy. If anyone interested in this subject can get the current issue of Dressage Today, a dressage master, Erik Herbermann, has an article on riding through fear. He is a trainer whose clinics I've watched for years and finally rode in this year. We are using many of his techniques. Now eventhough I have conquered alot of fear, I have a long way to go until I will take Finne out on the country roads at my new boarding barn - hopefuly we'll be ready by spring!! Genie in Ann Arbor, MI Now the owner of Finne the fjord. This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I mentioned to our trainer, who knows his background, if we should add blinders. I agree with her answer - he needs to learn to work without them, to give up that crutch, during his training. So, instead of encouraging the dependence on blinders, she will keep that in mind and work on building his confidence despooking instead.
Re: fjord cards
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thank You Linda, The card was exactly what I was looking for. Here is the link to it in case any one else is interested http://www.netequestrian.com/products/product.asp?pId=466cId=12 Here is another one of his with fjords pulling a sleigh http://www.robertduncanstudios.com/cards/?PHPSESSID=18f10c3879cf7f7712ab1b616c1a7351 He also has Fjord plain note cards in the following three card sets: December, The Good Life, Go Outside. His fjord individual pictures are titled: Time for a Sleigh Ride, Dinner Call, A Grand Day, December Snows, To Spring Pastures. Hello, Try the web site Robert Duncan. He has one of a girl, dog and Fjord. Happy Holidays Linda Syverson Kerr Holmen, Wi
Looking for Fjord Holiday cards
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I would love to send out Fjord Holiday cards. Anyone know where I could find some? Thanks, Genie in Ann Arbor, MI
Re: my new Fjord
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I assumed she was ST HELEN'S BELLE -[CAN]2097- because that was the only Belle born in 1998 in the canandian registry. Is this her registered name Amy? If not, ignore the message I sent to you about her grand father. This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Amy, A very nice looking mare! I looked for her in the Canadian Livestock records..Could her registered name be Belinda? There is a mare that age registered as Belinda, Sire is Rorik's Finn, Dam KeJaCo's Eneste. Eneste is up here in Fairbanks, and looks a lot like her! Good Bloodlines if that is her dam. Do you know who was selling her? Jean in sunny and warm (relatively) Fairbanks, Alaska
Re: Caution...
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peg, You are one wild women! One would think you set-up all of these dangerous situations just to add more excitement to your otherwise dull life sitting home eating bon bons. Try not to injure yourself anymore this year and do try to be careful around those wild cats and wild horses Thanks though for the advice you give to those of us who might one day have the same experiences. PS, They do make strips that you attach to the inside of windows in a house that don't twirl and fly around attracting wild cats. Genie in Ann Arbor. A word of warning to those of you who may possibly have a plague of flies - horse or otherwise. Since flies in the house tend to congregate near windows, you may be tempted to hang fly paper strips on your curtain rods. Please be aware that a cat just might find such a strip, or the not-quite-dead-yet flies on it, irresistible, with the predictable result. As they say, do not try this at home. And don't ask how I know all this Peg
Good news on my knee!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I received good news today that I don't have a torn meniscus or any cartilage floating around in my knee - no reason for surgery. I do have degeneration in my meniscus and cartilage, and bony rough spots, and fluid build-up but it is all a slow progression of damage that will eventually wear out the old knee, but no time soon. So I'm confident that I can keep riding and will keep icing my knee to keep the inflammation down. Genie in Ann Arbor, MI
Re: winter riding indoor and clipping advice
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thank you so much to everyone who shared their experiences. I have a complete collection of wonderful sheets, coolers, light weight, medium weight and heavy weight blankets from my last two horses. The fjord I lease, Finne, is quite wide and 14'3 and can take up most of the length in my 78-80 blankets. I have plenty of experience with blanketing and using coolers in stalls, and have coolers with chest buckles and leg straps so I can use them as long as I am still around to check now and then. I was sure I was going to hear a large outcry to not clip or blanket, but heard from most that responded and ride indoors in the winter that they do at least partial clips and blanketing. I loved the idea of having a horse that didn't need any winter covering, but after seeing his thick coat full of sweat, I was no longer sure. Thank you particularly to Paula for including a picture of her clipping. I will take the info to my trainer and she will clip Finne for me.
winter riding indoor and clipping advice
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The fjord I'm riding has already put on a heavy coat for winter and is sweating quite a bit when ridden. While it is still warm, I hose him off and let him dry which takes a very long time. I can't quite imagine what his full winter coat will be like. I am concerned about winter time when I ride in an indoor arena and how long sweat will take to dry. As I don't have my horse at home, I will have to stay at the barn while waiting for him to dry, etc. I love the idea of not clipping and not blanketing, etc. but I don't know if that will work well. What do those of you that ride indoors over the winter do about clipping and blanketing - no clipping, trace clipping (and where), other clipping - with or without blankets. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Genie in Ann Arbor, MI
Knee problems and horse purchasing on hold
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have put purchasing a new horse on hold for a while as I am having some knee pain evaluated. I thought the pain and feeling that something was moving around in my knee was my old knee cap problems flaring up and evolving to include new unpleasant symptoms, but my Orthopedic doctor says I have a new problem. When I fell off the side of steps on July 3rd and sprained my ankle, I also landed on my left knee on the cement steps. As the ankle was the main problem (that is limiting riding comfortably), I ignored the sore knee assuming it was just bruised. It seems that I probably tore my medial meniscus or broke off some other cartlidge that is now floating around. I have an MRI on Tuesday and then go back to the orthopedic doctor on the 30th to see what the verdict is. I don't know if I will need surgery or what, but every time I squeeze with my left knee or post something moves around and doesn't feel very good! For now, I am still riding the horse I am leasing on alternate days as my knee needs a day of rest in between. Once I hear the final verdict on my knee, I will decide if buying a horse is a good or very bad idea at this time. Wish me luck on my test results!
