sheedalaadie

Can anyone name any discipline or type of purposeful breeding program of performance horses that would universally accept allowing a stud free roam amongst a mixed "band" of 16 hardly touchable mares and foals in a 20 acre field?

I was told I don't get it because its a western thing and I'm english. And also, that it is ok because the band is "his"(the stud's) and he is with them all the time.

Despite 2 decades of both english and western exposure I have never heard of a discipline that universally accepts this type of foal production program. I'm just confused at the moment and want to understand so that I'm not wrongfully judging an entire discipline based on this person's claims.

Perhaps her she meant regional, rather than discipline. So if that is the case, is it common for people in the northwest to adhere to these practices? I would hate to wrongfully judge an entire region or discipline, but I was told that this is normal for either western disciplines, or western states? I'm not sure....

Is this just good old fashioned BYBing? Please enlighten me if my assumption is incorrect this person seemed mighty offended that BYBing was the only thing I could associate this program to. Did BYBing recently become a discipline?

Please, I need answers. My head is about to explode.

1. Does it scare you when a horse

A)Balks

B)Spooks

C)Bucks

D)Rears

E)Tries to take off with you?

2. Why or why not (for question 1 A-E)

3. How long have you been riding?

4. What discipline(s)

5. Did/do you take lessons from a professional?

6. Were you afraid to canter you first time? Or you tickled pick that you could finally "go fast"?

My coming 3 year old daughter is getting a pony in August. Her grandma already has it so unless something happens that she cant make the trip up here to deliver him, its a done deal. I want to get her a helmet for Christmas, but not sure what size. Im a little iffy about ordering one without her trying it on, and the only "tack" store around is Tractor Supply Co. which has a very limited selection of all things equine. So, first question is what size should fit a 3 year old? And question 2 is, what brand?

I've never bought a helmet before, I've always hated wearing them, so IDK anything about whats good and bad. Im, gonna buy an el cheapo for me just to set a good example, so any recommendations on comfy yet cheap helmets for adults are appreciated too.

Is there anything your barn/yard/stables/livery/instructor/trainer/BM whatever, does to promote good sportsmanship both on home ground and showgrounds?

If I belonged to a competitive group, I would want to be surrounded by people who use competition to identify the weaknesses they need to improve on not just for bragging rights over winning classes. I would want my circle to be courteous and encouraging of all weather they are part of said group or not. I enjoy competitive rivalry, however, I feel that rivalry only belongs in the actual showring, not behind the scenes.

How would you promote good sportsmanship among your peers?

And 3rd what is good sportsmanship to you?

Do you think someone has to be able to work with dangerous or difficult horses to be accepted as a good rider? Or even a trainer? Does experience with a certain type of horse make you a better horseman than someone without that experience?

people choosing a horse by its breed rather than actual lineage? Like say they buy a horse who is specifically halter-bred QH but their discipline of choice is in speed events, or they buy a straight endurance-bred Arabian for western pleasure. I'm not saying that there aren't exceptions when it comes to individuals, especially those who don't make the cut in their intended discipline, but do you think a horse can develop behavioral and training issues simply due to being restricted by or expected to perform a job polar opposite from what they were intended?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgUau...

I was wondering before I even answered it, and then the wonderful feedback given to the people who answered doubled the troll vibe. I haven't been around much until here recently so I'm not as familiar with the local trolls as I used to be. Has anyone else experienced the feeling of being trolled by this user? Or is it just someone who really doesn't know any better?

How do we convince these kids parents to buy them the horses and ponies they're incessantly nagging us about? Apparently we need to find out cause I'm so tired of their whining. Trying to convince *us* that they're mature, responsible enough, and have the fiscal means through babysitting and dog walking to support a horse, searching for a thread of validation to use against their parents.

I propose we start E-mailing petitions including screen caps of the questions they ask to their parents. Petitioning them to ground their children from the computer until they get off their broke asses and make enough money to support their dependent's horse and associated costs. The petitions also needs to include them adding more time to each day so after they're done making all that money, they can cart their little brats back and forth to the barn. Then when the kiddos get back home from riding their BYB&B (back yard bred and broke) horses, they can come back here to ask us how to get over their fear of riding and fix all their medical and training problems.

Sounds much better. Doesn't it?

Leaving lights on a horse to prevent a winter coat from coming in or aid in shedding out?

If you use this method, have you ever noticed problems in mares with their heat cycles?

Just curious.

Would you be for or against the opening of slaughter houses for horses not intended for human consumption in the US. Like to feed zoo animals and wild or exotic rescues and such.

As many know the EU is working on banning US horse meat from being sold to their country and for good reason. My biggest problem slaughter is that the drugs fed to performance horses aren't intended for food animals (along with the transportation noncompliance with decency). So I totally agree with the laws that will soon be enforced.

Many view slaughter as a necessary evil that we need in place to discard unwanted horses. And whats a better way to put something of no value to good use than to feed something/one with it? I agree anyone who says that the AQHA and Jockey club are to blame for the flooding of unwanted horses, they have a huge gutter to pour out their waste. Sure ignorant BYBs add to it, but they arent the ones ruining the value of registered horses and the industry as a whole. That is the fault of the breed associations who have no annual limit to how many horses they will accept into their registry, and also have zero regard for their competent ethical breeders who get thrown in the same garbage pile as the slaughter system offending major horse *cough* meat *cough* producers who produce more junk than quality.

A sudden and complete stop to all US horses being exported with the intention of slaughter offers a huge problem when the major breeding offenders bail on all the horses they create and go out of business. I am in no way proposing to keep them in business, but there will be many horses who will starve, or be put down (god only knows how) within the first few years. That is inevitable with or without nonhuman consumption plants just because it is a much smaller market, meaning a very small gutter for redirecting limited amounts of waste.

The horse market will literally bottom out when the EU regs are finally in full effect. It will sink all breeders and traders who aren't up to par. Which is great. But do you think that non human consumption plants could help keep the tidal wave of unwanted horses from flooding out the people we NEED in the industry to keep it going? The ones who really are bettering breeds and have ethically sound practices, who are making scientific breakthroughs in training, medicine, management etc, that help the quality of life for tens of thousands of horses.

The EU regs along with the casinos pushing out racing and the poor economy are really putting the entire horse industry in a really bad position. I know Im glad Im not trying to make a living off horses right now. I think there are going to be a lot of changes, hopefully for the good, but i think its going to be a really hard ride getting the horse industry back on its feet.

So are you for or against nonhuman consumption horse slaughter? Why?

What safeguards do you have in place to help prevent fires in the stables/barn? Have you ever done a fire drill at your stables or do you have an emergency plan of action in place?

Just curious. Its getting colder out so more people will be stalling their horses. I've known of too many barn fires and have been unfortunate enough to see one first hand up close. They scare the crap out of me and is probably one of the biggest reasons I dont stall my horses and at least one of the barn doors is always completely open. Anyways, I thought fire safety would be a good thing to bring attention to, so what are your fire safety practices?

If you dont know about futurities they are special/limited show classes or races for young stock 4 and under. The fees associated with the engagements are paid in advance. There are inhand classes and there are 2 and 3 year old performance classes or races. In the performance classes and races the horse is expected to perform what should be their lifelong career in the same manner as a mature horse of the same discipline.

Futurities are typically promoted by the registry to show off the next big thing and crop of youngsters who are supposed to represent the finest of the breed. The main goal of futurities is to improve breeding practices and showcase what their breed has to offer by creating competition amongst breeders. The incentive to breed better horses is the purses for these classes and races are very high. When the young stock does well in competition the sire of that stock become sought after promoting the breeder. THe Kentucky Derby is one of the most well known futurities.

To me they are a good and bad thing. I do like that they promote better breeding practices, however the large purse incentives have put pressure on breeders and trainers to push young stock to physical and mental barriers to meet deadlines and stay competitive. So I like what they do for the breeding aspect, but the performance aspect I hate.

So what is your opinion of futurities? Are they good or bad? What could be changed to make them better?

How would you enforce ethical training practices to keep trainers from pushing young horses to their limits in order to perform well on the deadlines that are already paid for by the owner who wants to see results?

Now comes the time of year I always miss boarding and being part of a stables. Its no fun to dress your horse up or decorate the barn for Halloween and Christmas when you're the only one around to enjoy it. I miss the egg and spoon races on horseback, and the pot luck dinners. Every halloween we decorated the horses, and for Christmas, we decorated the stalls. Ever been caroling on horseback? was it fun? Thats something I've yet to do.

What type of holiday festivities do you have at your stables/yard/livery, whatever you call it? Do you have parties, and game days? Are you and your horse going to dress up for Halloween? If you are, what are you going to be?

Any pics from past parties or holidays you want to share?

What kind do you have? Are you satisfied with the function and safety? What kind do you prefer? Got any gate horror stories you want to share?

Just wondering. People do things differently all over so I was wondering what your feedstuffs of choice are.

My horse's grass diet is supplemented with beet pulp and a ration balancer called Nutrena Empower. My area is selenium deficient so they have a selenium/salt block and a plain salt block to choose from. When the pastures are stressed (late fall, winter, early spring, drought, too wet), I feed free choice timothy/orchard grass hay in place of grass grazing.

this site is lamer than a 3 legged horse?

http://www.tekscan.com/equine-gait-analysis

If I were to invest in this system, do you think I could make a successful business out of it? I'm quite intrigued by it and think it would be beneficial to any horse. But do you think people would pay me to come use it on their horse and share the results with their vets and farriers? My biggest concern would be that some farriers would be busted out for shotty work then badmouth me to potential clients. What do you think?

I primarily ride my horses in my cutback english saddle which I have a good pad for, but my sister in-law prefers to ride in the western saddle. Last year her good pad went MIA, i have looked everywhere on both farms, cant find it. All we have left is a couple junk saddle rugs that dont form to the horse and I dont like her using them. So.... what kind of pads do you like? I dont want to buy a $100 pad for someone else to use. I feel like im riding on a block of wood in the western saddle, so i want something that will protect my horse and fit properly but not cost and arm and a leg.

When on a trail ride what should you do if...

1. A rider falls off

2. A horse gets loose

3. Non-horse medical emergency (like maybe a diabetic needing insulin)

4. Your horse sustains an injury

5. You sustain an injury

And........

Are there any rude or ignorant things people do on the trail that peeve you?

Do you have any safety or courtesy tips for people who are interested in showing? Like how to properly pass another rider, what to do if someone falls off or any other specific emergency, the inconsiderate things other riders do,etc.