tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post3143165242363245351..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: The Responsibility of OwnershipMugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-74419820787525797862009-08-04T01:06:29.163-06:002009-08-04T01:06:29.163-06:00Personally, I wouldn't have a horse tied in a ...Personally, I wouldn't have a horse tied in a trailer with the door open. Especially, if the horse had been known to fly out.Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15203611762503036829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-60323067887650074842009-07-30T20:15:12.243-06:002009-07-30T20:15:12.243-06:00Stop untying him before you open the door. Use tw...Stop untying him before you open the door. Use two ropes if you need to. You could hold one and leave him tied with the other or tie both and wait until he stops trying to fly out the back before you untie one, then wait and untie the second rope.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-24959996707900324272009-07-30T09:15:38.970-06:002009-07-30T09:15:38.970-06:00I tie the horses in the trailer, but I untie them ...I tie the horses in the trailer, but I untie them (entering through the tack room in front) before we open the door to unload them. The issue is HOW to make him back slowly- he's fine as long as the door hasn't been closed, and we can work on it one foot at a time, but as soon as we proceed to the next level (loading him & closing the door), he starts the whole flying backwards thing. We've been working on it almost every day for months now. I really don't want him to wind up hurting someone.Reridernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-31367459564297251192009-07-29T17:53:46.738-06:002009-07-29T17:53:46.738-06:00Rerider, the same slow process of in and out will ...Rerider, the same slow process of in and out will teach what you want the horse to do.<br /><br />Do you not tie your horse in the trailer?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-64119472499555620202009-07-29T14:50:41.083-06:002009-07-29T14:50:41.083-06:00The 3 posts I read covered loading into the traile...The 3 posts I read covered loading into the trailer, and unloading a reluctant backer (neither are the issue). Did I miss something?Reridernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-63259701094807996472009-07-29T07:56:52.228-06:002009-07-29T07:56:52.228-06:00Rerider, Janet covered loading/unlodading problem ...Rerider, Janet covered loading/unlodading problem horses a little while ago. Check the links on the side I think you will find some help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-64742146632243059322009-07-28T09:08:17.254-06:002009-07-28T09:08:17.254-06:00Without reading the other comments (I will in a mo...Without reading the other comments (I will in a moment..)<br /><br />For me, life without gambling is simply existence. I work for a huge company and my stock is very high there. I could devote all my time to this career and in ten years' time rise very high. Economy providing.<br /><br />For... what? For this company, which I love and respect, to make more money? While I continue to make my yearly raise? Are you kidding me? I don't care how much I love this company, I cannot let them define me and my value.<br /><br />With the horses, my gamble and my love, I can pour my energy into something that could potentially pay off. It could make my day more than another daily grind. It gives me the opportunity to be more than what someone else tells me I'm worth.<br /><br />It's a gamble to invest in a horse - just like the stock market. <br /><br />There is also the undeniable factor that if you love horses, if you are That Person, you cannot live without them.<br /><br />I tried. I tried living a real life, with a great job and vacations and money to burn. It was great! <br /><br />Except, what do you do in the evening when you're home from work and supper is over with and there's still daylight outside? Sit and watch television fo three hours?<br /><br />What do you do on Saturday morning when you wake up early in the suburbs? Listen to lawnmowers and look out the window at the shrubbery?<br /><br />What do you do when you realize you don't fit in your jeans anymore, because you're not riding and mucking out and throwing hay bales? Pay money to be surrounded by people in an air-conditioned space, watching CNN from the treadmill?<br /><br />You take everything you saved from not having horses, you move out to the country, and you start again.<br /><br />Don't waste your time trying to live the 'burb life, it's the reason why psychotherapists have big houses and Self-Improvement and Diets are the most popular sections at Barnes & Noble.Natalie Keller Reinerthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12171624494588937877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-14389281844857854332009-07-27T21:13:09.780-06:002009-07-27T21:13:09.780-06:00I am so very blessed to have the family I do- my p...I am so very blessed to have the family I do- my parents own a farm, & my grandparents own a hay farm, so I can board for pretty much free. Toby (my 15 year old, the former rearer) & Clue, my 3 year old are at my grandparents right now. There's so much grass that I'm having a hard time keeping them from being too fat. Lovely problem to have. Its enabling me to save up what I would have spent on feed so that I can be prepared to feed them in the winter. Farr, my 37 year old, is at my parent's farm, helping my 6 year old sister learn to ride. Right now, things are really tight. I can afford to feed them, have the farrier out, & pay for coggins & vaccinations, but if one of them has an emergency (other than colic or simple stitches), I don't have the resources to handle it. That's why Clue is for sale. I wouldn't feel comfortable selling Toby, knowing his previous issues, and Farr is not going anywhere. She's earned the right to stay in one place until she passes, and if it came to that, I'd have her PTS before I gave her to anyone.<br /><br /><br />Big question for Janet- my 16 year old sister's horse, Red, has a problem UNLOADING from the trailer. He'll load himself in, and stand patiently (I don't tolerate pawing or kicking, and he's never offered), but as soon as we touch the handle to unlatch the door, he blasts backwards like a bat out of hell. The trailer is a 2-horse straight load, & if the divider is out & he can turn around, he still blasts backwards. At first I thought he might be uncomfortable with the step while he was backing & the speed was to compensate, but having backed him over everything I can think of (poles, cavaletti, etc.), that really doesn't seem to be it. What can we do about it? Everything else is in place- great manners, wonderful disposition, behaves everywhere and as close to bomb proof as I've seen a horse. Help, please?Reridernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-57987055629827947822009-07-27T16:10:03.320-06:002009-07-27T16:10:03.320-06:00I'm not sure but I do know Im not there yet! ...I'm not sure but I do know Im not there yet! I have not owned a horse in 10 years. Between the upkeep, the 'what if's', and the fact that I could not currently keep a horse in the level that I would want it to be kept.<br /><br />Im lucky in that the filly I show is owned by people who are more than happy with me helping out with some show costs, and allowing me to show her. Although if a medical issue came up I would help out with the cost, I would also accept that if it was too much money or if the chances of recovery were slim I would rather see her put downJustaplainsamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15399124494395034612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-77788329497391644932009-07-26T15:16:47.176-06:002009-07-26T15:16:47.176-06:00Hey mugwump--my email is down so if you're try...Hey mugwump--my email is down so if you're trying to reach me, that's why no answer.Laura Crumhttp://www.lauracrum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-8227147275339102132009-07-26T14:46:25.841-06:002009-07-26T14:46:25.841-06:00I feel your pain; we have 4 horses and live in an ...I feel your pain; we have 4 horses and live in an area where my horse bills every month including board are more than my mortgage. But I agree with what someone else says; I get more in return, so that the money I feel is well spent. I also feel that if my horse are not well cared for in terms of medical or food I would give them up. It's very tough and many nights I wonder if I would be better off with out them. But also my 4 are all rescues with very bad histories so if it were not for us they wouldn't be here at all.. I just hope karma comes back, I could use a little good luck one of these days. :)Jay Jenningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17159278482063488370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-58478075157265001032009-07-26T10:05:57.704-06:002009-07-26T10:05:57.704-06:00On another subject...
I've been pondering Jan...On another subject...<br /><br />I've been pondering Janet's "Less is More" approach, and yesterday, being tired, decided to try it riding than jumping. I've been riding Starlette for 3 years, owned her for two, so we are pretty bonded right now.<br /><br />I relaxed in the saddle, and while at a walk, thought of changing directions, and just turning a little without any leg. She went in each direction I asked. Then I made sure I was relaxed, and thought "trot"...she picked right up into one without any conscious leg cues! Her halts are a little lacking (she has gone from a horse that had no move to a horse that likes to go), but we will work on that.<br /><br />I then had an "Aha!" moment asking her to canter. Let's see if I can break this down into steps...when I ask her to go into a posting trot, I find the right diagonal leg and start to post - so she feels my legs squeeze/hip motion shifting forward, then starts to trot. <br /><br />I have been having off-and-on success asking for a canter and her going right into it. Trying Janet's theory at a canter - i.e., I sat back, relaxed and thought "canter", I realized that the times I was getting the jack-hammer trot was when I was tensing up (and probably forward) just like I would when I'd ask her to trot...so she was giving me a trot. I'd then squeeze harder, but still in the pre-trot postion, and she'd go faster. <br /><br />Yesterday I had the jack-hammer trot once, then the lights went on, and the second time I asked her to canter, I sat back and relaxed, and she went right into it. I am obviously going to have to practice more, but I think I've discovered one of my problems :)<br /><br />Now we are going to work on the "Less is More" theory all the time!<br /><br />JackieHorsesAndTurboshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03607758320356759231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-88306322480392326912009-07-26T06:40:35.045-06:002009-07-26T06:40:35.045-06:00On a somewhat related note, I need some suggestion...On a somewhat related note, I need some suggestions.<br /><br />I have a mare who cut the back of her front pastern pretty bad and it needs to be wrapped. Only she keeps ripping the wrap off, daily. (Twice yesterday) Any suggestions to get her to leave the wrap alone. She is in a small grassy pen with a buddy. I don't know if she is bored or if the wrap bothers her. Any homemade toy suggestions or thoughts on how to get her to leave the wrap alone would be appreaciated.<br /><br />Thanks!drifternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-25842794811046264332009-07-25T22:00:03.817-06:002009-07-25T22:00:03.817-06:00I don't think I'd insure a horse unless it...I don't think I'd insure a horse unless it was valuable (monetarily, not emotionally). And I'll probably never own a valuable horse. I like the free and cheap horses. <br /><br />My current horse is 20, I've had him for a year and a half. And he's not a candidate for surgery at his age, and not insurable due to lack of "value" and his age. He is insured against theft for $500, I didn't seek it out, it was a part of the liablity insurance (which is DIRT CHEAP with my homeowner's).<br /><br />What other expenses beyond housing, feed, worming, trims, and shots are really necessary? Once you've bought all your tack there's no other expenses beyond the regular stuff. And aside from possibly a saddle, the same stuff can even be used on all or most of your horses.<br /><br />Showing isn't a necessary part of owning horses. It can be fun, but as you pointed out, it can be terribly expensive. If you can't afford it, don't do it. Who cares. Your horse probably doesn't.Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03962958104368455340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-19711686913858359822009-07-25T20:43:30.108-06:002009-07-25T20:43:30.108-06:00ChamoisWillow.
Please print where you took that fr...ChamoisWillow.<br />Please print where you took that from. As in the author's name, please.<br />She has gotten tired of chasing the plaigaristic thieves..<br />Here's the link to that particular article, which she had to take down.<br /><a href="http://www.geocities.com/trinityapp/sweetsixteen.html" rel="nofollow">It's a lovely sentiment, written by this person</a><br />I've read it before, on her blog.<br /><br />Thanks for posting, but always give credit where due.<br />Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-60978723848301114182009-07-25T10:03:16.521-06:002009-07-25T10:03:16.521-06:00Theres having 2 horses and riding in your local ar...Theres having 2 horses and riding in your local area. There's trailering out to trail ride. There's boarding and training and taking lessons. And there's competing, showing. Expenses vary with the level you chose to play the game. First you need to provide for yourself (Health care, dental, real food, ) and kidlette (education, plus above). Then what do you have left? Two horses in the closest self-care board? Would that satisfy the craving for muzzle whiskers and nickers? My point is that having horses is a different financial burden than "going to the big time". I am probably backing off from pursuing reining as a serious hobby, both due to the money and time involved. I cannot casually buy a horse and resell it if financial disaster hits. I have learned this. My first equine commitment is to the ones I already have. No more for me for now. But if I win the lottery.....nagonmomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-72973150661469723372009-07-25T06:07:16.644-06:002009-07-25T06:07:16.644-06:00After reading through the posts it seems we all ha...After reading through the posts it seems we all have been shaped and made better people thanks to the horses in our lives. They have taught us all so much and we all seem to look to them for sanity(or insanity),pleasure,companionship,friendship,a sense of need and belonging.I know the feelings I have for mine are worth more than any vacation or other stuff I could buy,and they have done more for me in the way of mental health and happiness then any therapist could.LuvMyTBshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02535739190335276089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-9413445446761844192009-07-25T05:14:24.398-06:002009-07-25T05:14:24.398-06:00This is why I don't have a horse - and won'...This is why I don't have a horse - and won't for a while. yeah, it seriously sucks. However I can afford grazing (pasture board), however I'd then have to do everything, to maintain that horse, rotate pasture (essential in the winter here)and currently, it's too cold and wet for grass to grow, a lot of paddocks are turninginto bogs, and I'd finish work and be doing the chores in teh dark, and I wouldn't have the indoor arenas that you have in the US to work my horse in.<br />Logistically I can't do it. Financially, I might be able to, time wise, no, I'd end up riding a couple of times a week, trying to do what I used to be able to do and getting myself hurt. <br />It's not worh it. and it sucks every time I see a horse on TradeMe that I know I could handle!<br />I guess that is my piece towards responsible horse ownership... I don't own one! <br />(However I do get to live vicariously through all of you!)<br /><br />My horses though kept me sane through high school, and did the same for my sister - we would have been different people if it wasn't for horses.Deeredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598240463885095790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-43922300902485170692009-07-24T20:33:20.208-06:002009-07-24T20:33:20.208-06:00My mare is 20 this year. I don't have insuran...My mare is 20 this year. I don't have insurance on her. I wouldn't have insurance on her.<br /><br />At this point, I figure she's lived about two-thirds of her life, and I wouldn't do anything heroic to prolong her life. Regular vet care? Of course. Any sort of major surgery? Not so much.<br /><br />At some point, I'd have to ask myself, is that for her or for me? I mean, she's twenty. Not ancient, by anyone's standards, but not a youngin' with her whole life ahead of her.<br /><br />She got me through the rough parts of my teenage years. She pulled me out of a depression so deep, I couldn't see the end of it. I don't think I'd be here without her.<br /><br />Which is why I owe it to her to let her slowly become a grand old lady, stuffing her face full of pasture grass all day, while I work my ass off trying to pay her board, my rent, and tuition.<br /><br />She's worth the long nights, the early mornings and never having quite enough time. She's also worth the heartbreak I know it will cause me when her time comes.<br /><br />----<br /><br />That said, Am I economically stable enough to own a horse?<br /><br />Hell no. I'm in college.<br /><br />There's a formula where you take your income after taxes and everything and 50% of that should go towards your needs - housing, food, transportation etc. 30% should go towards your wants - horses, cable tv, eating out etc. The remaining 20% should be saved. If I could manage that and the 'wants' part ended up big enough to cover my horse expenses, I'd feel extremely comfortable financially. In fact, that formula seems conservative to me.<br /><br />Unfortunately though, conservative or not that financial picture looks nothing like my current picture. -_-<br /><br />Here's hoping I find a job when I graduate in December?Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15203611762503036829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-19173668193578804182009-07-24T19:54:35.757-06:002009-07-24T19:54:35.757-06:00I had also worried over what would happen to my ho...I had also worried over what would happen to my horse if something ever happened to me. I was particularly concerned because my horse has a lot of trust issues and thus has only ever allowed two people to ride her. When my husband and I bought a house we each bought a life insurance policy. Neither one of us could afford our mortgage without the other's salary. I have now left instructions for my horse to be returned to her previous owner (who still lovers her dearly) along with a portion of my insurance policy to help pay for her expenses for a decent portion of her life. This was my best solution to feel at easy about her future if something were to happen to me.paintarabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14676883569515282764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-55045677348820371732009-07-24T16:14:56.322-06:002009-07-24T16:14:56.322-06:00What's the value of your horses?
Sometimes th...What's the value of your horses?<br /><br />Sometimes they are my sanity...and sometimes I think they are my insanity. I dream at night sometimes of horses with protruding ribs, horses with no hay, and no bags of feed in the barn. It seems like if you want to do much with your horse at all it takes money. Big money if you want to excel at any particular discipline. My hope, and my dream was always endurance. This past year I have applied my mind logically to what it would cost in real world dollars to truly chase that dream, a dream that has no payback other than the joy of having done it. Big $$$$ to be on the road every weekend, more $$$$ if I want a horse that would be truly competitive (like sell the farm to get that much money), living quarter horse trailer to withstand the heat and the cold, better equipment. As a hobby, I can muster a few rides a year with what I have if my horse gets with the program, but to really embrace the sport in the way I had always hoped once the kids are raised? Not on my budget and I've pretty much ran low on time being over 50.<br /><br />But this morning...feeling particularly sad about a death in the family, I trudged out to the lean to shed to drop a few tears on my old, half blind arabian mare, the horse I love almost better than life. I scratched her itchy places, and just lived in the moment. It felt good. <br /><br />I don't know how long I'll be able to afford horses, especially in the precariousness of this economy. I'm not sure what I will do if I find I can't afford them. Even to re-home you are never "sure" of the horse's longterm well being.<br /><br />But tonight...everyone has their heads down deep in a feed bucket. Life is good. Hoping it stays that way. ~E.G.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-12173742135476064232009-07-24T15:48:43.888-06:002009-07-24T15:48:43.888-06:00Mugwump,
I recently have found myself up to my ey...Mugwump,<br /><br />I recently have found myself up to my eye balls in horses......<br />WHY? you ask.....<br />BECAUSE no one else wants them. <br /><br />My husband and I took in a horse that my ex and I brought into this world. The ex sold him to a friend, who sold him to his neighbor, who STARVED HIM almost to death (when I say you could put an open newspaper on one side of him and stand on the other and read it i'm NOT kdding) and then sold him to a friend of ours. We got talking one day about this pretty little dun and white paint colt (he was 2 and not gelded yet) they bought from a friend. Long story short I realized who he was and went to see him. I didn't even get out of the truck for a close look. From hundreds of feet away what I saw brought tears to my eyes. <br />I felt responsible. How did I let this happen? Why had I allowed this gorgeous animal to be treated so terribly? <br />So, we picked him up that next weekend and have been taking car of him since. The 'friends' were supposed to be paying us for his food....which didn't happen. Now, he's ours because they owe us far more in feed than he is worth. <br />I was responsible for him being here, and I feel responsible to make sure that he NEVER lives a moment with out food, shelter, or love again. <br />So, that added to our already over crowded brood. <br />A friend 'traded' a horse for another horse more suited to her. I helped her find the horse she got rid of. Horse came up for sale again and I happened to have a 4-H girl in need. So, again feeling a bit of misplaced responsibility, this one came home too. <br />Add to that our recent purchase of a horse we have tried to buy for the past three years, the mini and pony my husband won't part with, my old mare, our young filly and my husband's cow horse....we have 8 equine. Yep, that's right, 8. <br />Nope....we don't have high paying jobs. Nope, no family money. We struggle. Every day, to provide for the animals that we have brought into our lives. <br />I'm sorry, but we decided to 'take these animals on' and they will eat before we do, if it comes down to it. They didn't ask to be here, but we made the conscious decision to provide them care. It won't stop just because we have fallen on hard times. <br />Too many people are doing that already. <br />We will make it....it's just going to be tough for a while. <br />:) Sorry that's so long, I didn't mean for it to be that way.Yankecwgrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08286019655631830540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-19699970984433823552009-07-24T14:35:41.233-06:002009-07-24T14:35:41.233-06:00The other day I saw a trivia question, 'how mu...The other day I saw a trivia question, 'how much on average is spent on a dog in 11 years?'. I had no idea- it wasn't something I'd EVER think about because it's not the money that matters- it's the relationship. turned out it was $13,350. (although how do they know that?) I think about the fact that I'll never go without a dog. The thousands upon thousands of dollars I could save. Would it be worth it? Nope. Never had a horse, but I'd be willing to bet it's the same sort of thing. It's never about the money. Poster # one was right- our animals are priceless. They shape us and teach us, they help us become better people. They are all gifts from God.Saryannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09918163523860394766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-38175900831190233282009-07-24T14:08:59.213-06:002009-07-24T14:08:59.213-06:00At this point, I have decided my two rules are (a)...At this point, I have decided my two rules are (a) always have multiple income streams so that if one dries up or goes away suddenly, you have something to fall back on and (b) don't loan money under any circumstances...I am not a bank and heck, that hasn't even turned out well for the actual banks! <br /><br />I have a lot less horses than I used to and will not be making or buying any more unless/until the economy changes a lot. For now, I have 2 jobs and am also continuing to climb out of my own financial hole. <br /><br />It's a scary time...I just know so many people who've lost excellent jobs, jobs they never expected to lose. I am so grateful to be working that it's not funny. I know a lot of people whose horse ownership is hanging by a thread at this point, and it's not like it's easy to sell if you have concluded that you must.fuglyhorseofthedayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-77819028303616784692009-07-24T13:58:11.368-06:002009-07-24T13:58:11.368-06:00Yes, show the followers of the blog. Its great fu...Yes, show the followers of the blog. Its great fun.Redsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473393390441394419noreply@blogger.com