Michigan

[wyliefarms]

Quote:
Hah! Try riding 25 miles down a disty trail in it, with horse sweat flicking back into your face!

Just got back from Day 1 and Day 2 of the GLDRA Shore to Shore Endurance Race (we're NOT the Michigan Trail Riders) and my horse and I won both days in our weight division!

This was my horse's first multi-day ride in 10 years but she did great. To give you an idea of what we did. On Sun we rode from Oscoda's River Road Camp to Lake Huron and back. Then yesterday we rode from River Road to the South Branch camp for a total of 50 miles in 2 days. She's old enough now I don't attempt the whole 250 miles and I don't have a rotation horse, so we quit while we were ahead. I even got to take her swimming in the Au Sable River afterward. That was fun!

Here's a picture of us 2 weeks ago on the banks of the AuSable River on a conditioning ride.

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/1172_039.jpg

congratulations!!!! I surely do miss trail riding...one downfall to 5 kids and MIL passing away, no time and access to horses is gone.

 

[vicki2x2]

Youngest got money from the tooth fairy last night, oldest daughter (child 2) is cleaning and packing to move out this weekend. We will be down to only two kids again! Wow! How did that happen?! Oldest son moved out two years ago, now oldest daughter. Fortunately the youngest two are quite a bit younger, at 10 & 6, so I have a bit of a reprieve.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Quote:
Hah! Try riding 25 miles down a disty trail in it, with horse sweat flicking back into your face!

Just got back from Day 1 and Day 2 of the GLDRA Shore to Shore Endurance Race (we're NOT the Michigan Trail Riders) and my horse and I won both days in our weight division!

Congratulations!!!

I was wondering how you guys did!!!

GOOD JOB!!

Thanks everyone!

So when are you going to try it, Apdan? Heck, if nothing else maybe you can pit crew for me or someone else next year. Ride management always needs volunteers and nearly everyone at the ride (except for those weird people from Missouri) was really nice and helpful. It's a lot of fun and on Shore to Shore there is always more camaraderie than most other competitions because it requires so much teamwork to get everyone across the state.

Gallinamama, the Shore to Shore is also a hiking trail and humans are welcome to use it too!

BTW, the background of the AuSable River in that picture is what I submitted to the fair that took first place, except that the photo was taken last fall so you get the fall color too.

 

[apdan]

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I would love to do the shore to shore ride but... whenever I leave somewhere I have to find a babysitter (way to many 4 legged kids to just up and leave)

I would for sure not be able to do it this year! My girl and I havn't been out enough this year to go do something like that! She would prob pass out on me!

I do have a question about it! Do you guys have to do alot of cantering or is it mainly just walk and trot?? I will have to look into it for next year, even as volunteering it! It sounds like a ton of fun!!!

 

[michickenwrangler]

Quote:
I would love to do the shore to shore ride but... whenever I leave somewhere I have to find a babysitter (way to many 4 legged kids to just up and leave)

I would for sure not be able to do it this year! My girl and I havn't been out enough this year to go do something like that! She would prob pass out on me!

I do have a question about it! Do you guys have to do alot of cantering or is it mainly just walk and trot?? I will have to look into it for next year, even as volunteering it! It sounds like a ton of fun!!!

The endurance division turbo trots but you actually have more overall time to complete mileage than in competitive trail of the same mileage. For example, you have an absolute maximum of 5 1/2 hours to complete a 25 mile competitive trail ride, you have 6 hours to complete a 25 mile endurance ride. You are mostly trotting the whole way, walking where you need to. The Brighton Spring and Fall rides host a 15 mile novice ride that you may wish to try first. The ride manager even has a "tutored ride" where she'll accompany you during the competition and explain things.

Why don't you PM me for more info or go to the distance riding thread on BYH on "Everything Else Horses, Mules & Donkeys"

 

[michickenwrangler]

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General upkeep and unexpected vet bills. Due to the economy, horses are very cheap although if you're new to riding, I would suggest taking riding lessons first and don't be afraid to pay $1,000+ for a good horse rather than $100 for something dubious. Also, if you're a newbie, don't be afraid of older horses. Vet bills for horses are expensive for 2 reasons: 1 is usually the farm call itself. 2, because they are so large, dosages are larger, vets need specialized equipment, etc... If you want more info, check out the sister site of Backyard Herds. Apdan and I are members on that. There are also more MI people on there too.

 

[LyonFuzz]

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I can't say enough good things about Independence Lake! We call it our "secret lake" because it is never crowded and it's so far off the beaten path. Nice and clean too.
If you are looking for a good, funny movie for the kids, check out Toy Story 3....laugh out loud! Enjoy your staycation time!

 

[gallinamama]

Good morning everyone!

It is a foggy morning here in macomb township. and it doesn't look like rain.

We could use a little.. my neighbors pond is about 5 ft low!!

I have a feeling the other rooster is starting to crow... I heard this morning... One really strong crow.. from my big boy.... and a weak crow...either it is another rooster or my big boy.. has a frog in his throat...

 

[Ooopsy_daisy]

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Chance my 29 yr old mare who was born here, has seen a vet 2 times in her life and that was for teeth floating. Lucky is 16 and only time he's ever seen a vet was when he came here he had a respiratory infection 9 years ago. Zest has been here for 8 yrs and has never seen a vet and he's now 20. Honey just came a year ago April and has yet to see a vet either and she's 12.

Vet bills are what humans make, I feel. My horses run free here and are never stalled. The drink out of my pond in the warm months and I provide them with heated water in the winter. They have a hay barn to go into during bad weather if they want to. But you'll usually find them out in the elements. I do all my own shots, rabies and worming yearly. I rasp their hooves every 3-4 months if need be as they walk them off for the most part, themselves.

I have bred and shown horses for 28 yrs and when you stall up an animal you change not only their minds, but their bodies. You make their environment TOO CLEAN and that causes problems. Just like children when you confine them too much, they are the first ones to get sick. My vet bills are the least expense for my horses and its feeding all the extras during the winter thats costly. But still not that bad when I dont have to hay from April until October 1st

So word of advice, if you get a horse, let it live as free as possible . You'll not only have a happy horse, but a healthy one too. My 29 yr old mare looks as good as all my other 3 that are much younger horses.

The 29 yr old is the far left...20 yr old is in the middle and 16 yr old is the paint. This picture was taken last month.

 

[wyliefarms]

Good Morning!

Hot one today! Clothes are on the line and probably going to take most of the day to dry with the humidity.

2 more days and the meat chickens go and one less chore to do

Actually I will have a day or two off then, more chores will be added!

We have 46 eggs in the incubator that are due to hatch on Sunday- Wednesday. I kept adding Ameraucana eggs for a few days, I have never done that so hopefully it will be ok.

Some got in yesterday's election that I liked and some did not.... will have to see what happens in November.

Off to get some more work done. Have a great day!

Sarah