Regarding the Horses in our lives...

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I have a Tennessee Walker mare. I normally do a bunch of dressage figures and exercises with her because if she knows the aids, she can be balanced or straightened better. And her balance improves so her "walk" is much better.

 

[Bunnylady]

We are sort of on "foaling watch" over at the barn. The owner has two registered Appaloosa mares that are due in early March, but you know how these things go with horses . . . .

I won't be posting pictures, for a couple of reasons. One, they aren't my horses, and two, they aren't in great shape. Anyone unfamiliar with the "starving dog" look of a soon-to-foal mare would have problems with the appearance of even a mare in good weight, and these two may even be a bit underweight at this point. They are fed grain twice a day, and have 24/7 access to Coastal Bermuda hay, but they are both in their teens and it's getting harder to keep the weight on them. One, in particular, I wouldn't have bred, but they are his horses.

Anyway, these girls are used to being in the pasture all the time, but the owner moved them to the barn because they were both dripping milk a couple of days ago. They aren't doing it now, of course; neither one has the kind of udder you typically associate with a mare that's about to foal. Millie is carrying lower, but Genesee has a little more bag development . . . . Don't they just love to keep you guessing!

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
I have a Tennessee Walker mare. I normally do a bunch of dressage figures and exercises with her because if she knows the aids, she can be balanced or straightened better. And her balance improves so her "walk" is much better.

Awesome. those exercises are good for their boimechanics .... Kind of like Pilates... Core strength and flexibility always gives a better gate no matter the type of horse. Or the riding discipline.

My horse trainer bought a lovely strawberry Roan Walker for her fiance. He was one of those people that had no fear... in places where he should have just a little. But he and that walker hit it off right away. As a novice rider that horse took good care of him even though he really wasnt a novice horse. Julie kept the horse worked properly so it was a good partnership.

deb

 

[casportpony]

We are sort of on "foaling watch" over at the barn. The owner has two registered Appaloosa mares that are due in early March, but you know how these things go with horses . . . .

I won't be posting pictures, for a couple of reasons. One, they aren't my horses, and two, they aren't in great shape. Anyone unfamiliar with the "starving dog" look of a soon-to-foal mare would have problems with the appearance of even a mare in good weight, and these two may even be a bit underweight at this point. They are fed grain twice a day, and have 24/7 access to Coastal Bermuda hay, but they are both in their teens and it's getting harder to keep the weight on them. One, in particular, I wouldn't have bred, but they are his horses.

Anyway, these girls are used to being in the pasture all the time, but the owner moved them to the barn because they were both dripping milk a couple of days ago. They aren't doing it now, of course; neither one has the kind of udder you typically associate with a mare that's about to foal. Millie is carrying lower, but Genesee has a little more bag development . . . . Don't they just love to keep you guessing!

Isn't alfalfa supposed to help with milk production? Might be worth looking into.

-Kathy

 

[perchie.girl]

Oh man for you show jumpers here I love this video
someone shared me this webside and this video was on it...

http://thehorseaholic.com/watch-this-dad-virtually-ride-the-course-along-with-his-son/

I think hes standing in the entry gate... bout the only place he could move around like that.

deb

 

[casportpony]

That's pretty funny.

-Kathy

 

[Bunnylady]

I have a question . . . how old do you think this horse is?

I've been wanting to pose that question to knowledgeable horse people for quite a while now. Does she look to be a month short of her third birthday? (She is.) And, now that you know that, would you think she will mature to be substantial enough to be expected to carry a 160-or-so-lb adult around (she's about 14 hands)?

But, just because they are so cute (and in spite of my camera being a brat) here are the foals we have been waiting on:

 

[casportpony]

She looks big enough for a 160 pound rider to me. Cute, fancy foals!

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Joe Montana is not a small guy (6'2) and he rides short cutting horses:


-Kathy

 

[perchie.girl]

I have a question . . . how old do you think this horse is?

I've been wanting to pose that question to knowledgeable horse people for quite a while now. Does she look to be a month short of her third birthday? (She is.) And, now that you know that, would you think she will mature to be substantial enough to be expected to carry a 160-or-so-lb adult around (she's about 14 hands)?

But, just because they are so cute (and in spite of my camera being a brat) here are the foals we have been waiting on:

Hard to tell age without seeing face and teeth.

I used to ride a 14 hand Appalosa named Princess Lea... Back then I was around 160 ish. she packed me nicely... I think a heavier rider that is balanced and has good hands and seat is far better than a skinny lump that pounds on their backs....

If thats a picture of the same horse shes nicely put together.

get her legs checked out find out what her teeth say... Grooves all the way and no cups put her around 20ish

Even an Aged mare in good health should be able to be an excellent trail companion.

deb