Horses!

[Themellowyellows]

i know a like 40 year old appy (possibly cross?) gelding who, last I heard, is still doing beginner lessons

Woah 40!! Whats his retirement plan lol!

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Always wanted a horse but their size is so intimidating to me! Also the vet bills..

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Oh yes sweet feed is very popular around here! I cringe when I see people feeding their horses sweet feed and then wonder why they end up with horses with metabolic issues as they age. I just told someone this spring that they needed to get their 18 year old gelding tested for Cushings. They said they didn’t know why he wasn’t shedding out this spring, his coat started to almost look curly and he was losing muscle. When I said she needed to get him tested she said “well he has kept his weight on fine every other year with an extra scoop or two of sweet feed in the winter so I think he is just getting old”

It's just sad. People are so stuck in their ways that if you present a new idea and evidence, people act like you are a complete idiot and pull the "I've owned horses for.... Years and I've always done it this way and they've been fine!"

 

[ILoveDaffy]

I’m a calm person, but if I caught someone trying to feed my horses corn or sweet feed I would be chasing them off of my property with my 20 gauge.

Yes. I was furious. I know my horse, and I saw he put on a couple pounds. Not anything very significant but enough to tell me something was up. He'd maintained his weight exactly for months. I hunted around where they get their buckets and found a couple kernels of corn. Confrontation did ensue. Not with a firearm, but words were spoken.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Always wanted a horse but their size is so intimidating to me! Also the vet bills..

Vet bills can be cheap or insane depending on your area. Where I live now it cost me the same price to get all three horses wormed, vaccinated and their annual exams for the same price as it used to cost me for one dog where I used to live. As far as height goes the 14 hand range is a good happy medium for adults that don’t like tall horses. If you are in the lower 5’ height range or shorter you could easily go with the 13 hand range. In the 14hh height range if you are a lighter adult you could go with the lighter breed options or if you are taller or need something to carry extra weight a nice stock bred quarter horse or draft cross will haul you anywhere and everywhere. I have ridden everything from dainty Arabs to big Belgians. I told my husband that I married him because I like my men like I like my horses tall and stocky

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Does anyone on here ride your horses without a bridle? I’m just curious!

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Does anyone on here ride your horses without a bridle? I’m just curious!

I've rode in a halter with a lead rope but not with nothing. I also loped in a round pen hands-free

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Does anyone on here ride your horses without a bridle? I’m just curious!

Yep! Halter and lead only.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Does anyone on here ride your horses without a bridle? I’m just curious!

I have ridden with halter and lead, no halter or lead at all and various different types of bitless. A lot depends on what the horse prefers and my trust level with them lol

 

[calicocows]

i've never gotten to ride bitless or bridleless, but i'd really like to one day! gotta keep working on giving clear leg cues first though, i STILL struggle with steering and i'm only finally getting a consistent decent upwards canter transition