I got a horse, now what? update 1-22-11

[greathorse]

Quote:
I think you were asking me and I think the more hours one spends with a horse the better the horse will be. What I meant to say is that I think it is important especially with a young horse is to have some kind of goal in mind when with the horse whether it is for 10 minutes or half a day.

I liken it a bit to driving a car. When you are behind the wheel you must pay attention every second that you are there. Even the most breif lapse can cause a problem, you dont need to be nervous, fretful or even fearful only mindful. So in other words when behind the wheel on should not "piddle" but drive and drive carefully with a goal and that goal is to get to your destination safely and of course comfortably.

Hanging with a horse same deal. Enjoyable, comfortable, calm etc. etc. but always always mindful. My father was a master horseman who had no fear, but he had a watchful cautious eye and just made safety the highest priority.

There were five of us boys and he bought and sold colts as fast as we could turn them out. We had some rank ones sure enough and in all those years never a bad injury induced by a horse, and I give credit to my fathers vigilance for that.

"Twenty Nine is doin fine" Just cant be tying a horse to a gate thats all LOL

 

[Wynette]

greathorse, I wholeheartedly agree!

 

[verity]

I am enjoying this thread so very much --- horses are wonderful creatures and each one is different ---
It truly makes me happy to hear that you are doing all the right things for Cody -- lucky horse!

(My''Moriah' was a rescued Arab mare and the best years of her life were spent with us -- she had to be put down two weeks ago -- we held her head in our laps, rubbing her ears and stroking her muzzle as the vet gave the final injection --- we thanked 'Moriah' for all that SHE had given to US in the years we had her -- she was 26 years old)

So, you see, horses are close to my heart and I am sharing your joy as you learn all about Cody --

Keep us posted -- and kiss him for me ---

 

[Wynette]

Verity, I'm SO sorry for your loss. My eyes are welling up reading your post...I lost a mare 8 hours after she had a foal, the first foal we'd bred on our farm, and the mare, our very first riding mare and a phenominal lesson horse. I think half my heart died that day. You know, horses are my therapy. I'm equally happy riding as I am grooming or even scoopin' poop! That's why my title, when I was a golden feather member, was: scoopin' poop is therapootic!

 

[twentynine]

I understood what GH was saying. Kind of like the difference between a Sunday drive and driving to work. One is done for pleasure and the other for business, but you still need to apply the same rules of the road.

Today we worked on closing in 2 more acres. This will give us the ability to move Cody around to avoid making mud or depleting the grass. One word----- rain, rain, rain. very little accomplished. But we did make a start, if weather will give us a break Cody will have about 2 1/4 acres in 3 different enclosures, water, shade and shelter in each.

Not much time to watch chickens or horse.

 

[Wynette]

Sounds like progress is being made! I think Cody found the right home! Keep up the good work.

 

[Kelly G]

Quote:
This is a good way to look at it. Perfect.

Whenever you are dealing with your horse, you are always teaching it. You are either teaching it something good or something bad. It's a constant choice & constant awareness.

Good job on the fence. It never ends, does it?! But if you love horses, it never seems like work.

Here is a short video of our property taken last year just after we finished building the barn (well - sort of finished!). It's a little lame & very amateur - I was playing with my Xmas / birthday gift I got last year. Ugh - it's a little painful to watch! Anyway...this year, we added another stall and a large arena, but I don't have an updated video. My FAVORITE thing is the my wash rack!!! LOVE it! Everything I need is right there at arms reach!

Here is a still of the barn - again, MOSTLY completed!

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
Sounds like you are making some good progress! Got your PM, hope to get to replying to emails today, I am a bit behind...

 

[twentynine]

Word for today is STICKY MUD. Much worse to work with than wet mud. Sticky mud holds on to the shovel and bottom of your boots and tools. Net result--- walk across some mud and I am over 6' tall course feet weigh 75 pounds. Dig a post hole not only do you have to lift the wet soil out of the hole, but you got to beat it off the PHD.

We set 10 4x4s and maybe 45 small post.I guess we are about 3/4 of the way. No wire up yet, the post are set in wet soil, they won't hold the tension.

I have got to decide whether I am going to buy gates at 95 each or weld up my own. Or build them out of PT pine. Weight wise I like the store boughts. Price wise , I can build one for about 30m.. Time wise it sure would be easy to go buy'm. I need 3.

 

[katrinag]

If you have welding know how, weld them. The gates you can buy are not well built. Pine will warp then you are left having to put tensioners on the gate. Been there done that.

I do not remember what type of wire, but please stay away from barb wire. You would not believe the cuts and wounds that I have seen. You can buy hot wire from Farm & Fleet. Even if you do not use it with an electric charger it's better then barb wire.