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

[duckluck]

Yeah, horse people might not be great at all kinds of math, I know I'm not, but many of us become masters at "multiplication"!

Horses are like dust, they have the tendency to attract still more of their kind!

 

[Cara]

They will proportionally increase according to the number of stalls or acreage... and at that point you have to move.

 

[twentynine]

Yes! It has been discussed here and at home. Purchase of another horse.

While the IDEA sounds fun and proper at first mention, I am still holding out on the not yet. We are still fence limited, wet, cold weather continues so fence issues will not be cleared up for some time. Grass, or lack there of. Hay availability and cost. And the barn is still set up with the SINGLE make shift stall.

I have to admit at this point it is becoming fun to spend time with Cody. Each day it seems we both learn something. With the addition of another horse right now things would once again become stressfull. "Plan" is to wait a little while longer, atleast until the grass starts greening up and some of the work issues are resolved.

jlapham----------- no sweat! no harm, no fowl! Sure jumping up and buying a horse before preparing the way, may not have been a stellar move on my part, I was able to use information gathered here and from other sources keep everything on an even keel.

 

[twentynine]

Update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Made an appointment for a trainer next Wednesday, for me. After I am evaluated and I guess judged to see if I got good sense, Cody will be evaluated.

Snowing this morning, nothing building up on the ground, 35*. Cody is a true coonass horse, he ain't got no idea what this stuff is. He is out there standing in it, a few minutes ago I swear I saw him running around trying to catch snowflakes. Nice warnm stall in the barn with plenty of good hay and water, and he is standing in the open pasture! Go figure!

 

[ducks4you]

IMHO, just keep to Cody at the moment. I know the fun that you speak of--ALL good and positive. I know when it ISN'T fun to work with a horse. A 2nd horse will just distract Cody from you--negative. SOOO GGLLLLAAADDD this is a happy ending!!

 

[Kansaseq]

One of my neighbor's horses is ALWAYS out, in the cold, wind, etc. He has a nice barn, but nooooooo, he's out with his butt to the wind and cold. The whole lead-them-to-water thing, apparently applies to the barn as well.

And maybe I'm wrong here, but wasn't Cody supposed to be your wife's horse??????

You're hooked!

 

[twentynine]

Quote:
Nope! You are not mistaken.

As in all things---------- heavy lifting, cold, wet, muddy things are my domain.

Got to admit maybe just a little, only a little, with the slightest sliver, Cody has kind a won me over.

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
You won't get any argument on that from me...winter can be one of the worst times to own a horse, and you're not even in the heavy snow zones like we are. Keeping it fun and low stress helps, especially with getting started. It can be very hard to wait and not push on for more but yeah, I think waiting is a good idea until you are settled in on other stuff with the one you have.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

wasn't Cody supposed to be your wife's horse??????
You're hooked!!

You are not mistaken.

As in all things---------- heavy lifting, cold, wet, muddy things are my domain.

Got to admit maybe just a little, only a little, with the slightest sliver, Cody has kind a won me over.

He's all yours. If your wife was interested, she's be out there on a daily basis doing everything needed for that sweet guy. She wouldn't let a little muck, smell, and hard work stop her like the rest of us girls.

Showing up for a ride around the pasture after all the work is done once a month isn't the one that's bonded. (just me).

Thanks for keeping us updated in your progress with Cody. The pictures are great too. Great weekend.

 

[twentynine]

Cody is now on Purina Strategy, free choice hay and 30 minutes green grass grazing a day. He has filled out a good bit in the time he has been here. Continuing rain and mud issues make it hard to get a good picture. No ribs showing back bone filling in and the hollows in his hip are filling.

Tried to lunge him on a short line the other day, I failed. He made a few circles but I think my stance and body language was all wrong. Further more I found it impossible to stay behind his shoulder as instructed. I gave it up until I can get some personnal instruction.

One thing about the feed. He was getting nearly 10 pounds of feed a day, it was low protien sweet feed. Now that he is on Strategy he is getting around 5 pounds. According to the chart on the bag that is still maybe a pound or two more than he requires. He is not a happy boy, you would swear we were starving him to death.

We have an appointment this morning with a horse trainer.

By the way:

Wife's horse verses My horse issue-------------------------

My wife says I am a control freak (or rather control issues), I do not think so, I just like to be incharge, and I like everybody to do what I say. Control issues--- who me? She has been out there building fence, shoveling apples and feeding Cody. She is also big on the administrative issues, like calling vet, locating hay, procurring materials and getting help when appropriate. Those are the things we all tend to forget, but necessary none the less.