Several questions, and hello!
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello from Pennsylvania! I have finally had a chance to sit down at the computer and write. My Fjord Jon and I are going to Fjord camp next Sunday and I am very very excited. Before I head off, I have three questions: 1) In the August 2001 Horse Illustrated article about beginning driving, there was a cute pic of a Fjord. Did anyone else see it? 2) In the June ( i think) issue of The Horse of Delaware Valley, there were three Fjord yearlings for sale in Maryland. Is someone on the list selling them? 3) Has anyone used a Mychley bit on his/her horse? I read that they are supposed to be more rewarding than snaffles and wondered if they were good for the quiet Fjord. Many thanks from Katy and the wonderful Jon who is gazing menacingly at his pony friend who just stood in the cross-ties for 2 1/2 hours while I pulled her exceedingly long mane.
Breed Abuse
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] One time, at the Devon horse show, we were walking by the warm up ring and saw some Hackneys warming up with chains around their legs. Another had rubber rings around each foot, and the legs were connected somehow. It was horrible! Katy [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: New sleigh
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi List, OK I will fess up to what I've been doing with Heidi, if you all promise not to jump down my throat about all that safety S--T. I extend her traces on her light driving harness with baling twine, hook on a single tree and tie my plastic toboggan on to that. Then I put my rubbermaid step stool in the toboggan and go for one heck of a ride on our drive. Hehe, I can relate. A few days ago, after I finished watching a polo match match with my riding instructor (it was really fun!!), we saddled up her appaloosa pony Petunia and we went for a ride. One girl rode the pony, while we rode in a plastic sled behind attached to the girth by two lunge lines. We rode around the ring. it was great fun. Katy Andersen [EMAIL PROTECTED]
DILEMNA!
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Oh no. I was all excited to go to the Fjord Shows this year with Jon because he is an angel to travel with, and then... Everything seems to be at the same time! Fjord Camp and Fingerlakes and Blue Earth! It is so sad. What are the dates for the other ones? (Libby, Turlock, and Woodstock) Katy and Jon, who are enjoying the rare Pennsylvania snow, although it was 1 degree Fahrenhit this morning! Yikes!
Re: Premarin
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi all- On the topic of Premarin (PREgnant MARe urINE), there were a bunch of foals from the mares that came down here from Canada to be adopted. My old riding instructor has one now -- I think the foal is doing well. It is such a horrible practice! I can't believe that anyone would want to take a drug made from horse urine anyway! Especially after mucking out stalls and smelling that ammonia UGH! Katy
Eons and eons....
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm Katy Andersen -- 14
Re: Stall Confinement
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yeah, Mary, I guess you're right that most horses adapt. I think the reason we had a bit of trouble was because my pony has always lived out, and hadn't ever really been confined in a stall, even at night. Katy Andersen, PA
Re: Stall confinement, tails, and quiz
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi List! I am so sorry to hear about Sylvi. Luckily, my pony has only been confined to her stall once (knock on wood), but that month was a trial for both of us. She is a very feisty one, so it was hard to keep her amused. Be careful for types of bedding -- straw is nice and cushy, but horses sometimes eat it when bored. Shavings are nice and easier, but I think they may soak up more moisture. At least your horse will be stall-kept in the winter and not the summer. Weight was a bit of a concern; we kept her grain to a handful or two a day. It helped her become less uppity and gave her less energy. Um, I wish I could be of more help -- it is pretty hard to keep a horse inside 24 hours a day. Good luck! I hope things turn out well! I took the quiz! and whups, I guess I truly am, like, a teenager. At least I knew the first names of the Beatles! For grooming the tail, I use Show Sheen. It is a bit hazardous to use if going bareback riding; my trainer taught a bareback lesson right after some girls had used show sheen and they almost fell off! Bye! Katy Andersen, PA
Re: Elska
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Congratulations! I volunteer at a therapeutic riding facility, and it is awfully nice to lead a well-trained horse. Fjordies are taking over! Katy Andersen -- Charlestown, PA
Re: BDF Jason and Manes
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Carol- You recently mentioned hunting with BDF Jason in a well-known PA hunt? THat isn't Radnor Hunt or Cheshire Hunt, by any chance? If so, we live really close to Radnor! I liked your story about hunting. Hopefully Jon and I will be doing that some day! Another question: Do fjords' manes get thicker in the winter? Jon's just got rapidly thicker for some strange reason... I've been cutting it regularly, and keeping it about 3 inches high, but it is flopping over. Any suggestions? I think it would be hard to thin it, and I really detest the idea of shaving it for the winter, because everyone who ever sees Jon is always intrigued by his mane. He looks so cute, i couldn't trim it. So, any ideas? Thanks! Katy and Jon
Re: Family
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Astrid- You do know English well! Marius is very cute! Katy and Jon
Re: things are looking up
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Brigid- Yes! I use videos all the time to critique myself. My mother used our new video camera (quite a luxury) at our show. I watch it a lot to see what I'm doing wrong. I noticed that while I am sometimes concerned with keeping my leg under me and not in the Chair Seat position, my leg looks a bit too far BACK sometimes! Jon doesn't notice though. And I can also see if our pace looks energetic enough because going from my pony to my horse makes my perception of paces go wacky (my pony is very short and VERy FAST!). Katy and Jon
Successful First Show!
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] hey all- Wow. Fjords are so nice. Jon and I had our first show today. It was just a little schooling show, but a show just the same. I have been riding every day (a miracle!) for the past week and a half, so he was really good. We won a third in walk-trot equitation, a sixth in walk-trot-canter equitation (didn't get that annoying right lead. I've tried everything), and (surprisingly) WON the JUMPING! I couldn't believe it, but then again, it was just a schooling show. Reality. He was such a little darling. I love him! Everyone could not stop looking at him. He must have gotten a million compliments and love pats. One guy asked if his mane was dyed. Another wanted to know what type of palomino is that? People loved his expressive eyes, too. Nancy, what a horse! He is great. The best part was that he was very calm. My old horse, a TB (sorry to any TB owners out there, one of my favorite horses was a TB and one of my least-favorites was one!), was a bit of a basket-case sometimes and left me with nerves. Jon just went around like it was home. Just a quick note- Is anyone selling a Fjord pony, 13.1 hh and 4 yrs, in Maryland? I saw a picture-add of one in a local horse newspaper; she was a cute fjord! Bye! A happy katy and jon
Saddles for roly poly fjords
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Here's my input: We used Wintecs at Fjord Camp and they fit the horses really well. They are available with wide and extra wide trees. I liked riding in them, although they are only all-purpose, not close contact. One mare got bad girth sores, so we used a fuzzy girth cover. I read in Practical Horseman that there is a new type of girth made by County that is shaped so the leather doesn't interfere with the horse's elbow and the saddle won't slip when mounting from the ground. Hm. It's just a bit pricy for me! Jon better not get any sores... Katy
National Show
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hm. A national show would be fun. There's always the Devon Horse Show grounds in PA that would work well. They have one giant ring, one pretty big ring, and two warm-up rings, plus tons and tons of permanent stabling. Big shows are held there all the time. Only problem is turn-outs, but there's lots of ring space to school. I like the idea of rotating every three years, especially since we're so far on the east coast, and other people are on the west coast. Does anyone have a suggestion for helping tick bites? Our woody pastures are infested with the little things and although I check/groom our horses each day, the ticks are horrendous. Must be one of those years. Katy
West Nile Virus
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi all. Yes, the West Nile Virus is a concern in NJ, PA, and NY. I live in Chester County; here, there's been on death concerning west nile (I think). It's not too bad here, we just keep an eye out for dead crows (they are most easily affected by west nile). It began in New York last year. We just fly spray sometimes and keep the water buckets clean Katy Andersen and Jon
Heat
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi all- Jon is growing his winter coat already! I know it is normal for Fjordies to grow their winter coats earlier than most horses, but we have been having 80-90 degree weather and much humidity. This isn't normal Pennsylvania weather, but I still have to keep Jon cool. We've been hosing him down once a day and keeping him in the shade. I think we're going to clip him. Any suggestions on types of clips? Ways to keep him cool? Thanks, in sunny PA, Katy Andersen and Jon
Trailers and More Jumping on Jon
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi all- We're now looking for a horse trailer (bought the horse, here comes a trailer). The Brenderup looks good because it's so light. Does anyone have a preference? Good/bad experiences? Back to Jon's jumping; I couldn't believe that he was jumping so well! Draft-like horses aren't known for jumping, mainly because they're so heavy. But Jon was really eager, and went right over! Is this unusual? Or are fjordies secretly springy? Thanks, in rainy PA, Katy Andersen
Jumping Lesson on Jon
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi list- I just got back from a jumping lesson with Jon. He has springs! (and bucks)... For a first time jumper, he goes over 2' 3 like it's nothing! Whups, I'd better go, but I'll talk later. Sorry! Bye! Katy Andersen
Re: New from Michigan
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Betsy... Welcome to the list. I'm Katy, from PA. We almost bought Tomas! I guess you were quicker, he he. I was wondering who was lucky enough to buy him, and you were! He looked really good in the adds. I just bought my first fjord too, a 13 yr old named Jon, who I love. It's a great breed to get into! Katy Andersen [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Jumping
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Quick question: I'm starting to jump Jon, first with poles, then building it up to a cross-rail, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions for going about jumping? Just thought I'd ask :). Katy
Saddles and Crow
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi all, I've been playing around with Jon. In the two days we've had him, I've been riding bareback, but I do want to use an English saddle too. (To save my legs!). Right now I have a Collegiate, but it may not be wide enough. Are there any good saddles to use? Most of the pictures of Fjords that I've seen have dressage saddles, but I need an all-purpose/close contact one. Hm. One thing Jon seems to like is our pet crow named Bandit. Bandit flies around the house and farm, coming back for food often. He'll sit on the fence, and talk to Jon while Jon grazes. I've heard of goats as stablemates, but crows?!?!
New Horse and Question
This message is from: katy/liz/bill/cha/afa/eda [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi all, I'm kind of new here. I haven't been posting any messages, but I've been on the look out for all types of fjords for sale. I'm Katy, a 13 year old in Pony Club, and have been looking for a Fjord. Well, we finally found one! Jon is a 13 yr old 14.2 hh Fjord we'll be using in Pony Club as well as around the farm . He's settling in nicely. We found him on Saturday at the Horse Progress Days in Kinzer, PA. What a neat gathering. For anyone who's interested in farming with horses, it's a great way to see different breeds, equipment, and demonstrations on cutting/raking/airing/baling hay, plowing/disking/planting corn and fields, and lots more. I think I'll have a lot of questions, but my one right now is how does one pull the mane? Is it cut or pulled? I noticed that Jon's was thin, so I assumed it was pulled, but am still a bit confused. Thanks, Katy Andersen Jon [EMAIL PROTECTED]
