Saddles
This message is from: igs...@tds.net Ok, at the risk of becoming the most flamed person in Fjordie-land, I am going to weigh in on the saddle issue. To fit a fjord properly with any type of treed saddle, you need the right tree. I am sure you understand how a tree works - it is the wood or plastic skeleton that is designed to get your weight up and OFF your horse's spine. It is supposed to make good contact with your horse's back the entire length of the tree, while staying free of the shoulder area, so that the shoulder can swing freely. Most western saddles do not fit ANY horse except a very specific type of quarter horse because they are all using the same tree, all made by one company. It does not matter what you do with panels or gullets or whatever if the tree does not fit. There are only 2 companies in the US who still make their own trees. Billy Cook and Big Horn. I own 2 wide tree Billy Cooks and they are fabulous! I think that any one who saw my show saddle at the MWFHC show has to agree - fabulous tack that fits like a glove. I ride my BCs all the time, and I do not need a back cinch or a breastcollar or a specific type of cinch. My saddle does not slip because it FITS. If you need all kinds of rigging to keep your saddle in place, it does not fit. It is that simple. Think I am exaggerating? Let me tell you about my dumb-ass moment. I cleaned my saddle, and took the cinch completely off to clean it too. Re-attached it sort of half-assed on the off side (just enough to keep it physically on the saddle), thinking I would get it done properly at the barn. Got really busy and did not ride for a week or 2. Forgot about the cinch not being adjusted properly. Tacked up, jumped on, and did some ring work. We did serpentines and lots of trotting in circles, etc. At the end of the ride, I jumped off, and the saddle came off with me. The saddle did not slip around as long as I stayed balanced, because it fits! I can not speak to the issue of small manufacturers who custom make a saddle for you. If you are going to pay that kind of money, make sure you ask who made the tree. If it is a Steel (company, not material), save your money! Here's the part that is going to get me hate mail. My trainer grew up (literally) in a tack shop. Her mom is a fantastic tack fitter and award winning saddle designer. In my trainer's opinion, there were TWO saddles that fit properly at the recent fjord show. TWO! Mine and one other. (No, I do not know who the other one is.) Fjords are great at just sucking it up and carrying on. The fact that your horse is not bucking does not mean your saddle fits. Julie in Madison Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone, powered by CREDO Mobile. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Driving Digest
This message is from: igs...@tds.net The Sept/Oct issue of Driving Digest arrived yesterday and has a nice article about the Iron Horse CDE. Most of the first two pages of the article are taken up by a GORGEOUS photo of Phil Odden, driving Marcie Herger ( Howard Fiedler 'gatoring I presume). They are blasting out of a water hazard and they look amazing. If you do not get Driving Digest - try to get a copy of this issue - that picture alone makes it worth it! And thanks to Phil - who is a wonderful ambassador for the best ponies ever! You are doing a fantastic job showing everyone how athletic and talented fjords are. Julie in Madison WI Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone, powered by CREDO Mobile. 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 #35
This message is from: igs4me tds.net igs...@tds.net Re lunging, someone wrote: So what is the big deal if a horse learns that stepping on the thing attached to his head means stop or move it's foot off. I don't think it is a problem if the horse is calm and relaxed. It becomes a problem if something spooks the horse. That happened here in WI last summer - someone I know was walking her gelding with a bridle and lead rope down a lane that they had been down many times before and something scared him. They think it was a coyote in the bushes. Anyway, he freaked and bolted, pulling the lead rope out of her hand. As he tore back to the barn, he stepped on the lead rope and broke his neck. He was dead before he hit the ground. It was really horrifying. THAT is why people are so careful about lead ropes. Julie in Madison Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Happier topic
This message is from: igs4me tds.net igs...@tds.net OK folks on a happier note, did anyone else see the terrific photo on the cover of the Sept/October issue of Driving Digest?If you didn't see it yet, the caption says it is junior drive Maggie Sullivan who won the Intermediate Single Pony class at the Bromont CAI-A. It does not identify the lovely fjord she is driving. I'm sure one you knows who it is? Anyway, I was delighted to see a beautiful fjordie on the cover! Julie in Madison WI 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 V2009 #136
This message is from: igs4me tds.net igs...@tds.net Re: fjordhorse-digest V2009 #135 From: katesei...@aol.com Subject: Re: Britta Did the vet think this was a permanent problem, or a spring/summer issue? Kate Hi Kate (and anyone else interested) This allergy thing with Britta definitely has a seasonal component. It first flared up at the end of summer 2008, and became progressively worse through fall. I moved her to a rough board situation to reduce the dust/indoor allergen thing that can happen in a stall situation. The move coincided with our first heavy frost, so it was hard to tell if her improvement was due to the move, or the weather. As soon as the snow flew, she was fine, and did well all last winter right up until our first early thaw in Feb. She had a severe reaction at that point, and continued with major problems off and on right up until May, when we started the shots. So the $64000 question is: is it the shots - which target the allergens she reacts to and provide a constant, low level exposure to them in order to stimulate her immune system to respond in a more measured way? Or is it dumb luck based on what allergens are present (i.e. maybe not so much tree pollen, etc)? Clearly, I am hoping for option A. The allergies will never be cured, but I am hoping for them to be managed in a way that she is healthy enough to be ride-able MOST of the year VS the 2 or 3 months I might get without the shots. The joy of riding aside, there is also the more important issue of permanent lung damage if the allergies are not managed better. Prior to starting the shots she was developing a heave line - i.e. ridges of muscle running the length of her abdomen on both sides that develop when a horse is working so hard to breath that they need to use new abdominal muscles to try to help pump air into their lungs. Right now, the heave line has disappeared and I am really hoping it never comes back! Thanks to everyone for the good wishes and I'll keep you posted as to Britta's progress. Julie 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 V2009 #135
This message is from: igs4me tds.net igs...@tds.net Hi List! It has been really fun (and impressive!) to read about what you all have been doing - CDE's and other sorts of showing, and chasing bears, and so forth. I thought I'd add my minor triumph to the list of good news. You may or may not remember that around Feb, I posted looking for advice on treating allergies. My mare Britta had developed such severe allergies that she has had a very difficult time breathing, and I was looking for something other than steroids to provide her with relief. It has been a long road, and I have tried many things like herbs, and accupuncture and some traditional vet medicines. Nothing has worked very well, and I was becoming resigned to the fact that I now owned a pasture pet. As a last resort, I got the vet to do an allergy panel, and I started allergy shots custom tailored to her specific sensitivities. The vet was pretty doubtful that it would do much, and thought that it would take up to a year to show any results. I started the shots in mid May. She has been off steroids since then, and I also weaned her off of the bronchio dialator at the end of May. While her breath rate is higher than I would ideally like to see (16 - 18 pbm VS the 12 she is at when not having any allergic reactions), it has stablized in the normal range and has been in the normal range for 4 weeks. She has been looking so terrific that I risked our first little ride since February. It was just 15 minutes of walking, but it was so wonderful to be riding again, and to see her doing so well and not have any problems with her breathing that I nearly cried for happiness. There was a time in April when her bpm spiked at 44 (!) and she just stood with her head down struggling for every breath that I was pretty sure that these allergies were going to kill her. So while a 15 minute walk is a pretty scruffy accomplishment compared to competing at the high levels many of you have achieved, for me that 15 minutes was truly a blessing. Julie Madison WI 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 V2009 #82
This message is from: igs4me tds.net igs...@tds.net Steve wrote: Maybe we should have an open discussion here about just why people can't seem to extend this little courtesy to the rest of us on the List. I just assume that people are hitting the send button a little too quickly. An understandable mistake, but it has been happening A LOT lately. I've gotten digests that are 95% repeats of old stuff, and it can be really hard to tell what is new and what is old. I usually just give up and delete the whole digest unread. It would be nice if folks took the time to re-read their posts (grammar is important too!) and to trim before they hit send. Julie in Madison Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
allergies
This message is from: igs...@tds.net HI List ! Does anyone have any ideas on how to help a fjord with allergies? I have a mare who had allergic bronchitis last fall. I moved her to a pasture board situation (instead of being stalled at night), and she is getting treated like a heavey horse - stemmy hay rinsed of dust, etc. She did well this winter, but when the temps shot up into the 40's and 50's briefly here in WI, she started coughing and breathing heavily again. She is now on Dex, and a bronchio dialator. The vet wants to try acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Anybody else have any experience in this area? She does NOT have heaves at this time, but chronic breathing problems due to the allergies can lead to that, according to the vet. Julie in Madison WI 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 V2007 #194
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:51:47 -0500 From: Bonnie Ehlers [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Syttende Mai This message is from: Bonnie Ehlers [EMAIL PROTECTED] HELP! Would somebody in the know let me know how to pronounce Syttende Mai? OK, I am not Norwegian, and I had never heard of Syttende Mai before I move to WI. But I now actually know people who make (and eat!) things like lefse and lutefisk. In this part of the midwest, people say SET-nay My (accent on the first syllable). Hope that helps! Julie Madison WI The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2007 #152
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Other Life Im doing a little research and need your help. What do you do in your other life to support your Fjord habit? Another late entry into the other life question: I am a retail store manager. Sound dull? Here's the good part: It is a PET SUPPLY STORE/ TACK SHOP You would not even BELIEVE the discount I get - the owners are very generous that way. And I need it, as I have 5 dogs ( 1 retired racing greyhound, 1 whippet, 3 Italian greyhounds), 3 cats, 2 parrots, and one fjord. I also do italian greyhound rescue, so the # of dogs can goes up sometimes. I have the honor of working with someone who has been in the tack industry her whole life, and is an award winning saddle designer. She is teaching me many things about horses, the horse industry, and exactly how all this tack fits and works together. She is very good with fjords, and if any one wants proof that you can indeed get a custom Billy Cook saddle that fits a fjord like a glove, you can see a good picture of Britta being ridden by my trainer at the bottom of this page: www.midwestigrescue.com/brittahoof Ignore the stuff about her hooves - it is a page I am doing for my young nieces who are all taking riding lessons and I am trying to do a little long distance education. Britt was a bit hoof-challenged when I got her a year ago, and I am trying to show them the importance of correct trimming. And yes, I know she is a bit chubby. Unfortunately, she has become one of the top two mares in her drylot and now she is getting a little too much time at the round bale as a! result. She's on a diet, though! Julie in Madison The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2007 #125
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 14:17:05 EDT From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Growing forelock This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi, all-- I love when Fjords have a beautiful long forelock that falls over their beautiful eyes. Has anyone had any luck using a formula like M-T-G to encourage growth or is it simply a genetic blessing? Hi! I would be REALLY careful with M-T-G. I tried it because my horse-mentor loves it. It gave my fjord mare a heck of a rash, despite using as directed, and being sure to use it (ONLY ONCE!) in early evening after she had been brought in for the day. Julie in Madison and Britta, who does NOT like MTG! The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2007 #107
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] More specifically, do you think that Fjords (as a breed, not specific horses) ARE or ARE NOT suitable for children, novice horse people, as family companions, and for therapeutic riding programs? I am in no way an expert, as I only own one fjord and she is my first horse. BUT I am definitely a novice rider and can speak about my experiences. My Fjord, Britta, has been as absolute dream as a first horse. She has taught both me and a friend of mine who is also taking lessons on her a tremendous amount. My trainer, who has experience with many breeds, but never a fjord before, assures me that I managed to buy the perfect horse. I think it is partly because she is a fjord, partly because Patti Jo Walter did a FANTASTIC job training her, and partly because I have lots of training experience with dogs, and do not accept being walked on by ANY animal I own. I can see how with a really wimpy owner, who spoils their fjord and does not set limits, that a fjourd could use their strength and willpower to be the boss. But if you are fearful, and inclined to spoil your pets, you really should NOT own an animal that weighs 1000# anyway!!! And you probably should not own most do! gs either, for that matter. Julie Snape Madison, WI The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: barefoot trimming
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I only have one fjord, who had problem feet when I got her. Her only real problem is that for years, her farriers had been trimming her like a draft breed - very flat, letting the toe get way too long, which in turn put her back on her heels. Her heels of course wore down from her unnatural gait. My non-fjord horse mentor took one look at those feet, and diagnosed the problem immediately. A terrific farrier, and almost a year later, her feet look like they belong to a different horse! She actually has a heel and hoof walls. My farrier pointed out that the angle of the hoof need to match the horse's angles. So if you have a horse with steep shoulder angles, and flat feet which forces the pastern into the wrong angle, you have a problem. Now that her angles are matching, her gaits have improved tremendously. Which is probably old news to all of you. But as a first time horse owner, I am learning SO much - it is quite an eye opener! Julie in WI The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Breyer Henry Fjord Christmas Model
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi! For all you fans of the Breyer Henry Fjord - you might not know that in 2001 they did a limited edition Christmas fjord. 1500 were called nice and were painted a pearl white with light blue snow flakes (and a light blue eel stripe) and 1500 were called naughty and are dark blue(with a pearly sheen) with light blue snow flakes and stripes. I bought one of each off ebay, and there are several more for sale. Nice just arrived, and it is BEAUTIFUL! If you do not want to wade through the 65000 breyer horses on ebay - try searching on breyer 2001. I found 2 naughty and one nice on there this morning using that search term. Happy bidding! Julie in WI The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Need to contact the speciality sweatshirt person
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi list! Does anyone know how to contact the lady that is handling the specialty sweatshirts? Or someone at Winona I could call to give her a message? I ordered 2 sweatshirts to be picked up, but I have the flu and can't go. I need to get a message to her to not sell my shirts - I'll pay for mailing gladly, but don't know how to get in touch with her! Julie Snape, miserable in Madison! The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
cutest foal contest
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi List! I'm a long time lurker, and this is my first post. Congrats to Peggy and Patti Jo on the beautiful little filly who won the Cutest Foal Contest from Mounds. I was on the selection committee - and the fact that I am about to get my first fjord had nothing to do with her win! The final choice was made by our marketing manager who is not a horse person, and she beat out roughly 50 other foals to win. As our marketing manager said - it is hard to find anything cuter than a fjord foal! Julie Snape
