stumbling fjords
This message is from: Rose or Murph [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thank you Ruthie. I agree with you about NOT using a halter as a bridle to ride in. Any horse, I don't care how well trained it is, if scared badly enough out on the trail, will RUN. I have ridden many different horses for years on the trails, deep in the woods, over rocks, through rivers. Eventually, the horse is spooked at one time or another by something. I know each one reacts differently, and some people may think not my little prince or princess, I am one with the horse. HE knows me and will stop by my loving tugs on the halter no matter what is happening. I believe in traditional bridles, I always like to have a bit in case of an emergency, otherwise I sit up tall, use my legs and leave the horses face alone. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: stumbling Fjords
This message is from: ruth bushnell [EMAIL PROTECTED] PS You don't need to rush out and buy a dressage saddle, your Western saddle will work. and forget about the bit, your halter will do just fine. If you can't ride your horse using a halter, then the ground work was never done. [ and you will be back to stumbling along] Jerry I STRONGLY recommend NOT using a halter for riding head gear. I do see your point, about adequate prior ground work, this might be a valid test for veteran riders. But every situation is so different.. there might be many on this list with little or no riding experience, some with newly acquired Fjords with unknown backgrounds, some who have no arena to ride in--their using a halter for a head piece could be disasterous. Don't do it. A horse immediately realizes the lack of control, stoppability, and the freedom to duck their head if they are inclined to buck--should any kind of unforseen stimuli occur--and with horses you must always expect the unexpected. ! I think that sometimes we forget how green some of the newbies are; that could easily be mislead by a casual observation such as using halters for bridles. As far as stumbling, we've had this conversation in the past, which might be profitable to revisit, via the link at the bottom of each letter--for a search of the archives. There's been some great comments made, only one I could add is that horses who have been closely contained for their entire existence, sometimes stumble a lot on uneven terrain--until they get the hang of it with use. Ruthie, nw mt, US The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
RE: stumbling Fjords
This message is from: Cherie Mascis [EMAIL PROTECTED] There's been some great comments made, only one I could add is that horses who have been closely contained for their entire existence, sometimes stumble a lot on uneven terrain--until they get the hang of it with use. Ruthie, nw mt, US That's a good point Ruth. My boss bought two Belgians who were lucky to get out an hour a day on flat land. They were complete Klutzes on our, rocky, hilly terrain. One even fell down when I was turning him on a slight slope! Luckily after running around for several months with six other horses, they have built up muscle and acquired coordination. My Fjord, Tyra, who has never been kept in a stall, is very athletic and comfortable in rough terrain. Cherie Western North Carolina Lilja, Roka (Icelandics)and Tyra (Fjord) The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: stumbling Fjords
This message is from: jerrell friz [EMAIL PROTECTED] I should have also said, I once had a trainer show me, on his tall lanky Quarter Horse, how you can make a horse stumble by sitting/leaning too far forward. His horse started stubbing his toes when he put his balance point too far forward. He then asked me to do the same, and voila, my Fjordie stumbled the next step after I leaned forward on the flat. I know I was trained to put my weight more forward, more often than is recommended today. Bad habits are hard to break. Also, I often see saddles that are placed too far forward. When you place a saddle on your horse, shimmy it back keeping the hard tree of the saddle off the shoulders but not too far, still keeping snug to the contours of the horse's back. Meredith Sessoms Meredith your post is right on Although there might be other reasons,,, this one is always overlooked. [ it is so easy to blame the farrier, or the horse, when it is the 250 lb. RIDER] Horses are very, very, VERY, sensitive to your BALANCE, and AIDS,please folks get lessons from a good dressage trainer. Regards, Jerry Friz, Anderson, Ca. PS You don't need to rush out and buy a dressage saddle, your Western saddle will work. and forget about the bit, your halter will do just fine. If you can't ride your horse using a halter, then the ground work was never done. [ and you will be back to stumbling along] For your security this Message has been checked for Viruses as a courtesy of Com-Pair Services! The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Stumbling Fjords
This message is from: Melissa Dowling [EMAIL PROTECTED] Not long after basic riding training began, my coming-6-year-old Fjord gelding began stumbling. When rest/light work, bute, hoof trimming, etc., had no effect, I had x-rays of his front pasterns taken. I was devastated at the diagnosis--low articular ringbone in both front legs. Even my vet was surprised by what the x-rays revealed, given my gelding's age. I had bought him as a long yearling, and was crazy about him. He had been to a few small shows, and everybody loved him. Needless to say, all of my plans for a dressage and trailriding life with him came to a sudden halt. Even after several rounds of extracorporeal shock wave therapy, I never felt comfortable or safe riding him on other than level surfaces, and at no faster than a walk. He had a wonderful temperament, and I wanted him to be more than a pasture ornament. After much research, I located a therapeutic riding program that, with full knowledge of his low ringbone, agreed to a permanent lease instead of a donation so that I could maintain ownership. The directors of the program are thrilled to have him, and I am happy knowing that he has had a second chance at a career. The moral of the story--Stumbling is not always benign; it can be a symptom of a serious underlying condition. Melissa Dowling The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: stumbling Fjords
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] If your saddle was pinching or jabbing her shoulders that may have made her stumble. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska cloudy and mild, 20 degrees At 10:54 AM 12/8/2007, you wrote: This message is from: Nature Friends Outdoor [EMAIL PROTECTED] I finally got to ride my mare in the Little Joe bare back pad and a few things changed (first my legs kind of ached...but with a barrel shaped horse that's unavoidable). I noticed that my mare is lighter on the forehand and less prone to stumble. She had a higher lighter head carriage and seemed more balanced and overall really happy. Also you have such a close contact that the slightest hint of a pressure from my legs would make her react. I am wondering about my saddle now... even though she never resented being saddled or ridden with it and I know that it fits her. That might be something to explore especially if your horse does not stumble in harness... Yasmine Djabri The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
stumbling fjords...
This message is from: Ingrid Ivic [EMAIL PROTECTED] I use Baldur in my school program. In the indoor he is very sure footed, jumping close to 3 feet. Outside is another matter. He stumbles constantly. Hello Kate... I have to agree with Jean G. and Bonnie Hif his feet are in tip top shape, it's probably a focusing on the work at hand type of thing. Work on riding him on the bit and in balance, trying to keep his attention on you. I find with our fjords, they bore easily and we need to vary the routine often. They tend to zone out after the twentieth time around the arena, doing the same thing. This usually happens here, when the younger nieces and nephews come for lessons and we need to go slow, doing repetetive things, till they gain muscle tone and balance. You can see it on the fjord's face and in the way they start moving their body...sleepy time! They are so willing to put in their time with the kids, but are just plain bored to pieces. Seems the best part for them is afterwards...the hugs and kisses and treats! I can't say it's totally a fjord thing about the tripping and such, had a QH that scared the begeebies out of me at first, when working outdoors. In an indoor arena he was fine. He was trained western originally, but I threw in a little dressage after owning him for awhile...seemed to help him gain self carriage, getting his weight off the forehand...no more pushing peanuts on the ground with his nose. Wouldn't trade our fjords for anything though...they are so inventive (ie: smart). They make ME think more. Wishing you the best of luck...Ingrid :o)
