Re: [IceHorses] Falki, the saddle model...
Karen, Which saddle is this? Nancy
RE: [IceHorses] Falki, the saddle model...
Which saddle is this? That's a Sensation English Trail model. Karen Karen Thomas Wingate, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.4/1226 - Release Date: 1/15/2008 6:19 PM
Re: [IceHorses] Falki, the saddle model...
That's a Sensation English Trail model. Oh good, Kaaren J is sending me one to demo. I was hoping that was the saddle. Nancy
RE: [IceHorses] Falki, the saddle model...
Oh good, Kaaren J is sending me one to demo. I was hoping that was the saddle. We'll be waiting for a report. May you love them as much as I love mine...! I had a bad case of chronic saddle depression until I found them... :) Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.4/1227 - Release Date: 1/16/2008 1:40 AM
Re: [IceHorses] Falki, the saddle model...
Karen, Does he have a sidepull or bit in his mouth? Do you know if he was ridden with the sidepull then? I've only had it on him a few minutes at home. I do recall riding him in the ring next to the barn with the sidepull and we switched him to a bit for better steering -- Anna Southern Ohio
Re: [IceHorses] Falki, the saddle model...
Does he have a sidepull or bit in his mouth? Do you know if he was ridden with the sidepull then? I've only had it on him a few minutes at home. I do recall riding him in the ring next to the barn with the sidepull and we switched him to a bit for better steering Karen had Teev in a sidepull or a bit but when I got him home he purely HATED a bit. maybe something to do with my hands?? I was scared to ride him in a sidepull, afraid he would disregard me completely and do whatever he wanted. But i found he is perfectly responsive in a sidepull. I relaxed, he relaxed. Now recently I tried him in Fox's bridle and he loved it and I rode him in a bit and he was great! Key being, I was relaxed, he was relaxed, mild D ring snaffle with a barrel. I may ride him in a bridle now, simply because he looks awful snazzy and a bridle with bling would really suit him... but its not a big deal anymore, i can ride him in either. But when he first came to me he would not take a bit, well he would, but he hated it. Clonked and chewed at it constantly. I have been told by more than one person I am heavy handed so I try to ride with no hands at all, loose rein and leg cues. I think it took a while for him to figure out my cues and my style and then now we are fine. I think when he came to me, he was holding his breath just WAITING for me to be strict. janice -- yipie tie yie yo
RE: [IceHorses] Falki, the saddle model...
Does he have a sidepull or bit in his mouth? Do you know if he was ridden with the sidepull then? I've only had it on him a few minutes at home. I do recall riding him in the ring next to the barn with the sidepull and we switched him to a bit for better steering Good eyes, Anna. Yes, he's modeling a sidepull in the saddle picture, but Liz did use him for her bit demonstrations too. I rode him in both at different times, including a couple of different bits. When he first came here, he was already, a solid dependable trail horse, but still very green on what I call the finesse issues. In other words, he knew to stay on the trail, but his steering wasn't very precise in an open field or for maneuvering around agility type obstacles. We used one of the peanut-center French link snaffles on him. Once that was better with his steering, I'd ride him in the sidepull - that one in the picture I think is my old Lyndell. He never really needed a bit for brakes. I remember once he trotted a little ways unexpectedly with me in the field - maybe 50 feet, and that was about the most excitement he ever gave us... :) When my nephew started taking lessons, we first used Reddi, but then I sold Reddi, so Falki's number came up. My nephew was little, I think six at the time, and even a good horse can unseat a little kid pretty easily, especially if they learn they can grab grass. At that point, when my nephew would ride him, we used the very short-shanked mullen mouth Pelham - my nephew would use the reins on the curb ring, but we'd put the reins on the snaffle ring for adults. Liz thought when she picked him to model bits that he'd be like many Icelandic's and have a low palate, but his is pretty normal. I'd say he's not too picky about his bit, and pretty easy to fit. I think you used a Myler comfort snaffle on him at the clinic? Whatever, he seemed happy with it. A horse in new surroundings can always revert to a slightly lesser trained state, but for what it's worth, he was ridden on the trail some with the sidepull. Oh, the other thing...I think I'd just started back with the sidepull when he started seriously offering me his foxtrot, so I switched him back to a bit then. I think for the subtlest communication for gait training a bit works better, but that's just me. A better rider than me could probably do the same in a sidepull. I guess I'd say he had at least a good exposure and introduction to a sidepull, even though we rode him with a bit more often. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.2/1224 - Release Date: 1/14/2008 5:39 PM
Re: [IceHorses] Falki, the saddle model...
Karen had Teev in a sidepull or a bit but when I got him home he purely HATED a bit. maybe something to do with my hands?? I was scared to ride him in a sidepull, afraid he would disregard me completely and do whatever he wanted. But i found he is perfectly responsive in a sidepull. Yes, but you do know why I had him in a bit, don't you? I know that most people don't have that luxury, a true horseman as a best friend. I know full well that I can't know what will happen to my horses once they leave my care, so I try to s-l-o-w-l-y and meticulously expose them to lots of different experiences here in the comfort of our controlled environment, while I have such a good resource as a ground spotter and sometimes as the rider. Someone, Robyn I think, asked if we always start the young horses in a treed saddle. No, we don't ALWAYS, but I do like to expose them to both. Same with bits, bridles and sidepulls. Can you imagine a horse whose been spoiled by riding in a sidepull and no-weight treeless saddle, with tiny Shirley (or even tiny-framed-but-too-darned-fluffy me) up - then at some point having a big western saddle thrown on them and maybe a curbed bit put in their mouths? Ok, I'm not going that far - I won't be putting a 50-pound roping saddle on any of my Icelandics, nor will I use a long-shanked bit on them, but at least I will expose them to treed saddles and bits. I relaxed, he relaxed. That's the magic answer to a lot of equine mysteries. :) Now recently I tried him in Fox's bridle and he loved it and I rode him in a bit and he was great! Key being, I was relaxed, he was relaxed, mild D ring snaffle with a barrel. I may ride him in a bridle now, simply because he looks awful snazzy and a bridle with bling would really suit him... but its not a big deal anymore, i can ride him in either. And to me, that should be the goal, for both horse and rider: that it shouldn't MATTER if you ride in a halter, a sidepull, with a mild bit. You deserve a pat on the back for the relationship you've built with Tivar. If someons has a genuine reason for a bit - clarity of communication for using/training a particular skill, I'd say use a bit. If your horse doesn't need a bit, why use one? But if your horse goes fine with a bit, and your hands are soft, but you tense up and feel insecure without a bit, maybe it's better to use the bit. so you can both just relax. And if you want a bridle for the bling factor , just make sure your bit is mild and work on softening your hands... :) Karen Thomas, NC
Re: [IceHorses] Falki
the woods and I was down there alone to boot, but still not too bad. When I came home from work, I wanted to clean up the paddock while therewas still dayllight and give them more hay. Even with 4 piles Falki wanted them all. Not a big deal, just annoying. I so want them to be happy and getting along. Probably, they're more stir crazy from the small area, then anything else. Anna: You are doing the right thing by adding at least one pile more than there are horses. Adding space is also important. The more space the better. Horses tend to be happier if there is space to run in because then they can choose to be either all together or apart. They will choose to be together 99 percent of the time. And as anyone knows doing something by choice will make both humans and horses happier. So if the horses are now confined in a small area - see if you can give them more space. Also put the hay piles as far apart as you can - so far that chasing the others away from theirs becomes too much bother. Anneliese
Re: [IceHorses] Falki
i think at first they do overkill Anna, Tivar did, he was very polite at first, and then brutally mean, it would really upset me cause he was so mean to nasi, he would stand and not move, frozen for fear of tivar jumping him. Then tivar settled down and now he acts like jaspar, fights when they come after him but minds his own business otherwise. and when i separate him and nas for some reason nasi calls to him so i know he likes being pastured with him. and now he lets nasi play and act like a youngster without jumping on him all the time. It took about 4-6 months for all that to settle down. Janice -- yipie tie yie yo
RE: [IceHorses] Falki
When he chases the other two around, I am tempted to shoo him away, but am afraid I'll just make things worse. We've rarely interfered with herd dynamics, but one case does stand out in my mind. Thunder and Mac were best buddies when they were our only two horses, way back when. Then, we got Holly...who promptly went into heat the day we brought her home. Thunder instantly turned into a holy terror - he wouldn't let Holly out of his sight, and he wouldn't let Mac eat, totally terrorizing poor Mac. That's when we realized the truth: two horses are friends, but three horses make a herd. Mac was much bigger, but Thunder was bound and determined to be the boss, and in your word, not a very benevolent one. We decided we couldn't take it, so Cary went out at feeding time with a lunge whip, planting himself right beside Mac. He never really hit Thunder, but if Thunder lunged at Mac and tried to drive him from the food, Cary moved towards him and let him know in no uncertain terms that he HAD to let Mac eat. It only took a couple of days for Thunder to realize that Cary was serious, and that Mac WOULD be eating, thank you very much. Then Holly went out of heat, and they found their groove - surprisingly with Mac as the herd leader, a position he basically held until his death. (Ok, granted, I eventually separated the old horses from the young whippersnappers, but he remained herd leader among the old guys.) I'm sure if we were in that situation today, we'd have more savvy about herd dynamics, but honestly, looking back, I have to say that Cary did a fine job - being firm, but not mean. BTW, Thunder and Mac remained very best buddies until Mac died back in August. Thunder does ok without a best friend - he's in with Joe and Holly, but he still stays to himself a lot. He seems content enough, but it makes me sad to see him alone. I'm glad Mac went first, because Mac couldn't stand for his little buddy to leave his sight the last couple of years. Believe me, there was a time when I thought they were mortal enemies for life. I was wrong - very wrong. I know that Falki is a very sweet guy...but you never know how herd dynamics will play out when you rearrange the herds. When I first met Holly, she was a three-year-old in a herd of huge, older Saddlebred brood mares. She's only 14H, and they were all at least 16H. She had kick marks all over her. I felt so sorry for the poor little thing - then she moved here and promptly became the dominant mare, in charge of everyone. I can't remember the last time ANYONE felt sorry for Holly! Falki was fairly low on the pecking order here, so go figure. Maybe he's drunk with power to discover that, after all these years, he CAN be boss. I have a feeling that he'll always be a meek and mild guy at heart - so maybe he just needs a little reminder that, just because Buck, Melnir and Skjoni aren't around to boss him around, it doesn't mean he can get away with murder. Do you have a Parelli carrot stick, or similar? I'd practice just walking with it, and just casually swinging the string - not in a threatening way particularly, but JUST enough that they have to get out of your way when you walk through. This is a case where phases of pressure are important - I wouldn't use any more pressure than necessary, knowing Falki can be a little tenderhearted - or at least he could be before his self-promoted promotion to Big Fish in a Little Pond. I betcha it won't take much to call Falki's bluff, and make him be mannerly again. As far as being dominant though - well they are herd animals, and there is always a little bit of a power play going on in any herd. They probably will work it out on their own, but unless we just got unusually lucky with Mac and Thunder, I don't think it would hurt to try to encourage manners, at least at mealtime. Just stay safe. Karen Karen Thomas Wingate, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.12/1162 - Release Date: 11/30/2007 9:26 PM
Re: [IceHorses] Falki
great boredom buster. ;] Raven Lucy Molly, the Girl Doggies Huginn Dixie Chick, the Back Behind the Barn Ponies Maggie Rose, the cat who makes me sneeze Respect ALL Earthlings. We are all animals of this planet. We are all creatures.
Re: [IceHorses] Falki
On Dec 1, 2007 7:20 PM, Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Maybe he's drunk with power to discover that, after all these years, he CAN be boss. I have a feeling that he'll always be a meek and mild guy at heart - so maybe he just needs a little reminder that, just because Buck, Melnir and Skjoni aren't around to boss him around, it doesn't mean he can get away with murder. Do you have a Parelli carrot stick, or similar? I'd practice just walking with it, and just casually swinging the string - not in a threatening way particularly, but JUST enough that they have to get out of your way when you walk through. This is a case where phases of pressure are important - I wouldn't use any more pressure than necessary, knowing Falki can be a little tenderhearted - or at least he could be before his self-promoted promotion to Big Fish in a Little Pond. I betcha it won't take much to call Falki's bluff, and make him be mannerly again. Falki is very mannerly around me and never charges with me between him and the other horse. It's when I'm on the other side of the other horse that worries me. When the other horse moves off, I can wave my hand at Falki and he will move away. The Parelli carrot stick would be way more than is needed for Falki. When I wave him off -'chase' him so to speak, he seems to want to charge at the other horse even more. My meal routines work pretty well, and not much commotion since I have instilled a pretty good routine. This morning was a bit more chaotic as the hunters were pretty loud and some deer were running thru the woods and I was down there alone to boot, but still not too bad. When I came home from work, I wanted to clean up the paddock while therewas still dayllight and give them more hay. Even with 4 piles Falki wanted them all. Not a big deal, just annoying. I so want them to be happy and getting along. Probably, they're more stir crazy from the small area, then anything else. -- Anna Southern Ohio
RE: [IceHorses] Falki
Falki is very mannerly around me and never charges with me between him and the other horse. It's when I'm on the other side of the other horse that worries me. Those sort of reactive scrambles worry me too, and that's another reason why I mentioned the stick - to improve your visibility, but still keeping pressure to a minimum. I would never suggest doing more than is absolutely necessary, for any horse, so if you don't need one, better still. I rarely carry a stick with me in our herd, but I will in a few cases...but if all goes well, the stick stays close to my body, or only comes out to scratch a friendly horse. When the other horse moves off, I can wave my hand at Falki and he will move away. The Parelli carrot stick would be way more than is needed for Falki. I thought probably so - I've seen some horses change pretty dramatically when they change herds, but I have trouble seeing Falki being very bad. I don't remember using a stick around him, even just to guide him - he was always gentle and very cooperative. :) I so want them to be happy and getting along. Probably, they're more stir crazy from the small area, then anything else. Could be. Karen Karen Thomas Wingate, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.12/1162 - Release Date: 11/30/2007 9:26 PM
Re: [IceHorses] Falki, the peanut rolling western pleasure horse
bless his heart. well now i dont feel so bad about teev being chunky, he is about the same level of chunkiness :) Janice -- yipie tie yie yo
Re: [IceHorses] Falki, the peanut rolling western pleasure horse
On 10/1/07, Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ok, actually, he was just sedated for his teeth floating. Awww, looks like he needs a hug! V
RE: [IceHorses] Falki, the peanut rolling western pleasure horse
bless his heart. well now i dont feel so bad about teev being chunky, he is about the same level of chunkiness :) Janice I don't know about Teev's current level of chubbiness, and Falki definitely isn't thin, but Falki is actually a bigger horse than Tivar. I weight-taped Falki today at 1003 pounds. He's probably about two inches taller than Tivar. He's a little chubby, but he's also a big horse...with a big heart to match. He's a good fellow. Karen Thomas, NC
Re: [IceHorses] Falki in pink...and natural gaits
Falki is secure enough in his manhood to get away with wearing a hot pink trimmed saddle, even with a floral saddle pad. Gosh, that looks REALLY good! Thank you so much for always sending in pictures for us! Judy http://icehorses.net http://clickryder.com
Re: [IceHorses] Falki
If you've ever wondered what shade of blue is Carolina blue, take a look at the sky. The weather has been beautiful here the past few days. What a gorgeous picture! and gorgeous head! Judy http://icehorses.net http://clickryder.com
