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

[Kansaseq]

Just want to say that I 'third' the suggestion to get a plain, D-ring or eggbutt snaffle bit for now. Good, basic bit. You might even be able to pick one up off of CL used, so as not to spend too much while you're not sure exactly what you'll end up using on him.

 

[Cara]

Ebay is also a good source for cheap used bits.

 

[Kelly G]

Quote:
Yes! I looked on the internet and found a picture of a horse's "wolf teeth" and near as I can tell he's got'em. Plus a young guy I hired to help me out last week, turns out he is lots more "horsey" than me, confirmed, my observation. Teeth? Cody is not dropping any hay or feed, no unground grain or hay in his apples, so I think in a general way his teeth are good. Course I am feeding him his pelleted feed in a wet down mash. That was reccommended by another member, here.

Bit. It is a double wire twisted snaffle, with a joint in the middle. The two strands twisted together maybe like 3/16" at most 1/4" diameter. About 3" o-rings on each end. Curb strap hangs loosely under his chin. Also I looked very closely at his lips and the corner of his mouth, I found no obviously irritated places. I made sure the cheek straps (? straps that hold the bit and run down the side of the horse's head) were not to tight. Can they be to loose, allowing the bit to fall into his wolf or front choppers? I took the bit and placed it in the crook of my arm, closed my arm around it, pulled it a little bit. It snags the hair on my arm. Being inexperienced and not being a proper judge, it still seems pretty severe to me.

Not being a horsey person, I do not have a selection of bits hanging around. As far as Cody comming with his briddle. All Cody came with was an appetite and the hair on his back. While bits do not cost an arm and a leg, and I am not with out resourses, I can't just run out and buy a rounded out selection of bits. Frankly I don't even know any one I could borrow one from. I did go by the feed store/saddle shop and look. I came to the conclussion that I could spend a couple hundred dollars and still not have a properly fitting bit. So I decided it was time to drop back and punt, go into a holding pattern where we are doing no harm. We might not be making headway right now, but we won't be loosing ground either. I feel certain that if I persist with this bit Cody will for sure get some bad habits.

It is entirly possible that it is ME! The bit could be right and I am being hamfisted, to hard with my movements?

OK....likely the wolf teeth need to be pulled...have the vet evaluate. I just had Siggy's wolf teeth pulled last June because when the bit rubbed or touched them, of course, it really bothered him. It was $40 to have them pulled - plus the cost of sedation/antibiotices and antibiotics. The entire visit was under $100. But I have had no more head tossing/shaking.

A double twisted wire is pretty severe - IMO. I use one on my Saddlebred when I ride him in his full bridle (this is a bridle that has two bits: a curb & a snaffle)...it helps keep him raised up and off the bit. But in the wrong hands, it CAN be a severe bit...and overkill. I'd really like to see you start with a D-ring snaffle to start...and definitely check Ebay. I will check and see if I have an extra one...but then we really need to check and see what size bit he needs (my Fjord requires a much larger bit than my Saddlebred). I'll look and see when I go out and feed lunch. You're welcome to whatever I have.

I have no experience with bit-less bridles...but many (no-one I know) use them and like them.

This is my horse, Daisy (here to retire from her life as a lesson horse), and this shows a good fitting bit, properly placed in the horses mouth (though, the bit could be placed a little higher in her mouth - creating ONE wrinkle in the corner of each side of her mouth). The bridle also fits really well...everything is where it belongs.

I'll be back later to let you know if I have an extra bit.

 

[Kelly G]

Here is a picture with my Fjord showing a bit placed just a smidgen higher in the mouth - one wrinkle just above the bit..you can see it if you look closely.

This bit is a Pelham - probably more bit than you need, but I wanted to show you another placement.

 

[twentynine]

Okay, after today things are going to be in a holding pattern for a while. Not wanting to start no big crying sympathy circle, my little brother died today. Not my thing to make big deals. I loved my brother, I will miss him, but life must go on.

Took a short ride on Cody today, no saddle, just blanket, no briddle/bit, just lead rope tied in circle to rope halter. Pretty much went where and how I wanted him to go. I took the precaution of going to the back of the property where it is quiet and far from distraction.

Learned one big thing. My behind no longer fits the back of a boney horse.

I am going to have to find out about these BOSAL things.

Vet visit will have to be put off atleast 1 week.

 

[Kelly G]

Respecting your wish to not start a big crying thing, I will keep it short: I'm sorry for you and your family's loss. Our thoughts will be with you.

Now, I didn't have an extra D-ring snaffle. I'll keep my eyes out for you and pm if I find one.

I can't help with the bosal...don't know a thing about them. But if a bosal works and meets yours and the horse's needs, you shouldn't have to worry about wolf teeth.

 

[twentynine]

Feed store run this morning. Started changing Cody over to Purina Stategy, smells like black licorise, don't taste to bad either.

 

[HEChicken]

Quote:
If you use a good saddle pad with a synthetic saddle, wouldn't that make a difference? I.e., to the "breathability" of the synthetic?

 

[geebs]

No... Picking out a saddle is as important as picking out the right horse.... It needs to fit the animal and it needs to fit the horse. Synthetics are substandard. They are cheaply made and do not lend enough support for a rider... They do NOT hold up under normal wear. It is way better to take your time and try out a few so you know what you are wanting... that means spend a couple hours at a time in one... You will be really surpise the difference it make to you... and it makes just as much difference to your horse... Go try on backpacks.

 

[twentynine]

Update----------- Family concerns are now taken care of.

Wednesday I got the last 15 4x4 post down, all the tee post are set, however because of the wet soil and rain the post are not set tight enough to hold wire. It may take a week or two for them to firm up. The final portion of horse paddock will be an additional 1 acre. Plus the entire front of my property will be fenced at the road, so next year Cody will have free range of about 10 acres or 3 different paddocks sized at 1 acre, 1/2 acre or 1/4 acre.

The vet is scheduled out for Feb 9, wolf teeth removal, dental check, vacinations, general health check.

We have been getting around 2 or 3 inches of rain every week, the 1/2 acre paddock Cody is now in is showing signs of severe wear, muddy areas, grass pretty much cropped. I have been taking him out on the lead rope every morning, leading him across the property and allowing him to graze for 30 minutes under some trees where the grass was protected from the frost. He gets himself a pretty good "bait" of green grass, then I walk him to the back of the property and back. He is looking better all the time, gaining a little weight. Switching over to Purina Strategy feed, he has had no upset in this regard. I am now feeding a 1/2 sweet feed to 1/2 Strategy ratio. Next week I will go to 1/4-3/4 ratio.

I have taken a couple of bare back rides on him using the lead rope tied back to his rope halter. He is "basicly" controllable if he wants to go where you tell him. I would never take him out of a fenced area rigged like that, he is not always "responsive" to the rope halter. He does tollerate my presence on his back, I would say he even welcomes it, but I can see that to be perfectly controllable he will require a bit.

And ONE MORE LITTLE THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was asked by some one if I wanted to "buy" their horse. Paint mare, 6 years old, little lite, previously ridden by his grand daughter in some sort of riding club events. No saddle, no tack. The guy even offered to bring her to my house so I could "try" her out.
While the offer did peak my interest. I told the guy I would not be buying another horse for a while yet, atleast not until I get my feet under me with the one I got. This guy has 4 horses in a small paddock maybe 1/2 acre, lots of mud.

I swear do I have a sign on my that says "SOFT HEARTED"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!