Hi Jackie,

I use a rubber mouthed D ring snaffle when I start a horse. No spurs. Use some grass hay and some alfalfa depending on who needs the protein. If you need to, use a higher protein mix with their grain.My guys get no hay during the summer when the pasture is good. When it's really hot, I bring them in during the day and out at night. In the winter, they're out during the day and in at night. If there's a big snow/sleet storm, they can stay in, otherwise they're out. If it's just rain, they have an overhang. If I was showing them, I'd clip them and blanket them but still let them out. They would rather be out. I also would only shoe them if they're in heavy use or competition.

To teach softening to the bit. I draw their heads around until they give and then release. Pull and then release when they give. Pretty soon (as in a few minutes) they're touching their sides. When I start to get on them, then I do it on top before even moving off. No craziness, just softness.

I grew up east coast english, lived in the west, and now back in PA. Because of the questions you're asking, it shows you have a pretty good knowledge of horses and training. Lot's of people have opinions on everything. I've mentioned mine. Your vet can advise you on feeding. Don't do anything that others suggest that doesn't feel "right" to you. Enjoy Starlette.

Welcome,

Shawn

Well, I've been leasing lesson horses since this past March.  Recently my lesson horse's mom, from whom my BO leases him, told us she planned to sell him for $X.  BO and I decided we'd co-buy him, he's a great lesson horse, plus knows the moves he needs to know in order for me to show him in novice classes.  I've been all fired up about this, thinking wow, a horse of my own (sort of), woo hoo.  Started buying tack and all that.

A couple of weeks ago horse's mom says she wants $1,200 more than she'd originally quoted us, wants to approve me as a co-owner, and wants a right of first refusal in the sales agreement.  I could agree to both of those conditions, but the horse just wasn't worth what she wanted for him.  So, we said thanks but no thanks.  BO said he could stay in her lesson program 'til mom finds a buyer.

Yesterday I get an e-mail from BO saying guess what, horse's mom picked him up today, he's gone.  Waaaaaahhhh!  I didn't even get to say goodbye!  Not that I was that attached to him or anything, he was one of those non-demonstrative horses, but it would've been nice to give him special pets and a few treats.

So, now I have a saddle and no horse of my own.  Found it on Craigslist, picked it up Saturday.  It's really a great, saddle, I'm pumped!  It's a Crates roper/reiner that's 2 y.o., with very little use.  I got a great deal on it.  It has full QHB, and being a Crates I figure it'll fit a wide range of horses, so what the heck.  A new lease horse is in my future (starting tomorrow), and who knows, maybe we'll find another horse to buy together.

Riding lesson tomorrow, I can hardly wait to get to the barn!

Good riding, everyone,

Mary

PS - I love this 50-Plus Gang forum, it's great! 

Hi gang, it is so wonderful to have all these new posters here!  Jackie my story is similar to yours, horse crazy since birth and bought my first one, a worn out broodmare for $200 when I was 17.  Mean, nasty mare that taught me a LOT about horses.  You are right on with your thinking, twisted snaffles, spurring and beating with whips is bad horsemanship then and now.  Keep on setting a good example and rant away!

Bass, I am sorry you lost your horse, but you will find a new one to love.  Now that you have your saddle, I'm sure you won't let too much time go by!

Happy riding, everyone.

Hello Jackie and Starlette!  It is great to see the "Boomer Thread" growing!

Ditto what others have said and you are not way out of date with your horse care principles - keep on thinkin' like you're thinkin' 

I can tell your East Coast without you saying anything by some of the questions you ask and they are good ones too

I was raised with horses on the OH/PA border.  All we ever fed our horses was a good timothy mix.  While alfalfa/mix has its place, it isn't for every horse.   Now that I am semi-retired in Middle Tennessee, the main grass component seems to be orchard with others mixed in.  The hay I buy has no fescue because I buy from a breeder and mares can't have fescue during a certain period of their pregnancy.  They can either abort or the foal will be still born, or it will be born with health issues.

I started breaking/training my grandpap's Welsh/crosses to ride and drive when I was 12.  There was no such thing as spurs.  I have never in my life had to use spurs on a horse and I'm too old to start now - lol lol 

Back then, the only time we used a "broken twisted wire" was when the ponies were hooked to the driving cart.  Otherwise we broke them with a plain old curb bit on a 4" shank, and a leather chin strap.

Needless-to-say, I've tried other popular bits down thru the years and have always reverted back to a low port curb bit, with the length of the shank depending on how big motored the horse is.  I have never been one to try and take the motor out of my horse either.  My 20 yo still thinks he is powered by Rodak.  Two others resemble built-up 327's and my Arab is so laid back and lazy that Mr. WTW calls him "The Stoner Horse" - lol lol lol

I, too,  don't like the idea of messing with Mother Nature by means of closing up the barn and leaving lights on to keep a show coat, so it's probably a good thing I only trail ride - lol lol

While horses can be left out 24/7 if they have good shelter, I still hold to family tradition of bringing the horses in at night and turn them out in the AM.  I have a run-in, but I prefer to bring my horses in at night so I can make sure no one got damaged during the day and it gives them a hands-on lesson every night, over every inch of their chubby little persons:)  Plus I have one that is now EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome), so he needs to be on a fairly controlled feeding program.  Keeping him off pasture 11-12 hours is part of that program:)

Hope to hear from you often.  You will get lots of help with your young horse if you have questions:)  Plus it's always fun to talk about the Old Days with others that lived them, whether they are horse related or not - lol lol

Our boarding barn recently got alfalfa hay and some of the horses are a little hot and crazy with it. My riding buddy, who is 65, was beginning to be afraid to ride her mare. She was jittery and spooky (the mare, not my friend). They took her off alfalfa and she's back to her old self. Apparently there are several other horses that are having the same problem. My little mare doesn't seem to be affected. She's so laid back at four, I hope I can get her to move at all when she's a few years older. I shouldn't malign her, she moves out when I ask, she's just not very excited most of the time. I've found hay for our new farm that I'll be getting in next week. It's an orchard grass blend apparently.

WTW, I'm glad you mentioned that about fescue. I'm not planning on ever breeding either of the mares, but it's always good to know these things just in case.

At the moment, my plan is to have the mares outside with access to their stalls since the pasture goes right up to the barn. We'll see how that works. I have no experience with having the horses at home so I'll probably have lots of questions, too.

LuckyLady:

Our boarding barn recently got alfalfa hay and some of the horses are a little hot and crazy with it. My riding buddy, who is 65, was beginning to be afraid to ride her mare. She was jittery and spooky (the mare, not my friend). They took her off alfalfa and she's back to her old self. Apparently there are several other horses that are having the same problem.

LL, straight alfalfa will make most horses hot and jittery.  If we ever feed it, we mix it with other hays such as orchard grass, mixed timothy and orchard grass, etc., making the smallest portion the alfalfa.  I hope your BO didn't switch types of hay from something else to only alfalfa overnight!  That's a double whammy!

Living in Arizona, we don't get much else BUT alfalfa.  I do bite the bullet and add bermuda grass hay.  Unfortunately with alfalfa at $11 a bale and grass at $14-16, most of us stick with alfalfa.  Timothy (which I would prefer) is like $20 a bale.  But I don't have any really hot horses, so it has not been an issue.  Anyone else with experiences on this?   

Holy #%*& If i had to pay that much for hay, I sure wouldn't have as many horses!  When I tell people I'm paying 7 per bale, I get 'that' look.   That is super 2nd cut 80 pound bales with a nice mix of alfalfa and grass, and the horses do well, and clean up every lick.  Isn't Arizona ranching country, someone must grow hay, not ship it from lotus land.   Prices like that make extruded complete feeds look affordable.

Haven't had any time to post, too busy doing stuff, wish that included riding, but I should have some time to get on a horse today.

One of the horses I need to ride, is a friend's horse that is staying with me for the winter.  He is a very cute little QH, 14'3, that Joey used for ranch work in the hills near osoyoos.   She is a totally cool far-out person that lives way up in the mountains in a 5th wheel with solar power on a huge acreage that she leases for about $200 per year, and one of the ways she has made a living over the years is to hire out to the local ranches to mange their range cattle, and this is one of her best horses.   But the little stinker ran one of her other horses right through her knee last spring, and she has just started walking, and can't move too fast, so Tiger is living with me for a while, and he's getting conditioning and arena training.   Joey is 50 plus, by the way, doesn't go near doctors, is healing herself her own way, but she's getting there.   I was pretty worried about her for a while.

My tb event horse that I sent off to a stable for a trial period to a potential buyer came home last saturday.   The buyer was too inexperienced, the stable liked my horse as a lesson horse, said he was well-trained, had good manners, but he's been pretty thin this summer after getting a bad float from a horse dentist who should have known better.   I got his teeth done in July after he lost some serious weight, and he's put a lot of it back on, but I guess he's stuck with me for a while longer.   I luv the horse, but he eats for two!

My 6yr old tb gelding is going nicely now, not trying to kill me anymore, so I took him to a little show saturday before last, and he was a very good boy, even winning a pleasure class for me, and some very nice compliments from the judge.   I'm really looking forward to getting him over some cross-country in the spring, but it's gonna be a long wait.

Hi Shawn and others,

It is beautiful here in MN today and I have to get out to the barn earlier today as it is dark by 6:30 and it is quite spooky when I am the only one there. I'm so glad to have the day off too.

Shawn, I am having problems with my mare now. I find that if I don't ride her for a few days, she tends to fight against the bit. I have been using a smooth D ring snaffle for two years now with a caveson. I will admit that I am tough on the reins as I always feel that she is going to run away with me if I'm not. What whould you suggest I use? Is the rubber mouthed snaffle something to consider? Experienced people, HELP!!

Reinchick- The pics of the horses are pretty. Are they yours???

It's seems like there is a poll going on here about stalls vs.outside. I am leaving my horse out 24/7 until December unless the weather changes dramatically here. Then, she will come at night and turned out all day. There is a shelter outside but she always follows the herd and they stay out. It can get nasty with the wind and all.

Well, better get amove on this day. Computers can be addicting,time consuming and soon the day swiftly moves away.

Have a great day,everyone!  PJ

Hi PJ,

I use a rubber mouth snaffle when I'm starting a horse because it's soft and they can mouth it while getting used to it. I will keep a horse on that or a plain D ring snaffle unless they need something stronger.

 I have a mare like yours. I'm getting her more supple and soft by doing a lot of trotting, circles, serpentines, and changes of direction all at the trot. She needs to practice listening to the rider and not just charging around on her own. I want her to be able to flex her neck back to her belly both on the ground and under saddle. She's beginning to relax. When I got her, she wouldn't walk at all. Now, she's walking on a loose rein. She's getting better at the trot but still has more to go. I wouldn't put a stronger bit on your mare. But, the caveson is a good idea. Instead of hauling on her and having a tug-of-war with the reins, turn her. I would keep circling her, straighten her out and see if she relaxes. If she starts to pull, circle. Make her work harder when she wants to go and let up when she starts listening.

Others?

Shawn

A big ditto on Shawn's advice about circles, serpentines, turn, turn, turn...all at the trot!  Trot until you're both too tired to trot anymore (I usually wore out before my "charge 'em" OTTB did!)  Just let her trot as fast as she wants and when she wants to slow down...no! no! no!  Not until you say yes. You want it harder and more unpleasant for her to do it her way than your way.  It took my TB about 3 rides before he got the message, then we just had to throw in a refresher course every now and then, which usually lasted about half way around the arena. And, boy, did I get buff legs and a good seat at the posting trot.

And my new guy looooves his full cheek happy mouth snaffle.

I too like the full cheek, I think it presses a little against outside of their mouth, helps give a message to bend, and no danger of it pulling through.   I tend to like french links, so I don't worry about their tongues getting pinched.

Having a dressage background, I really believe it is important to not grab onto that inside rein and hold.  When they learn to relax and give to the inside rein, they should keep the bend on their own, but don't throw away the outside either.  

My 6yr old tb likes to scoot around at a high speed trot and I don't let him at all.   I keep him in walk and doing circles until he relaxes, and when we pick up trot, it's on my terms.   He trips over his back feet when he trots to fast, because his back can't relax until he slows down, and he gets happier when I show him how to get balanced and relaxed, then I get his trust.

I've always heard that Alfalfa hay was about the same as speed for a horse.

I would like to say that this forum is so informative!  I read all of the most recent additions tonight, and they all made me feel like I was connected to a larger group.  I have gone through much of what has been written: 

I  lost a leased horse (experienced dressage horse) that I really cared alot about, because his owner decided to move him home,  I bought/was gifted, a rather "green" (6 year old) mare (former barrel racer) after my leased horse went home ( I am also a green rider) that I have been training for dressage.  My mare and I went through a rough spook last Dec (on a trail ride, caused by a unplanned meeting with a stupid deer) that left me with a rearranged right arm, and reservations (aka: fears). 

Now, my mare loves to take off fast at the trot, and refuses to turn right on a circle.  We have been working on getting me relaxed whiile on horseback, softening my hands, breathing regularly (me) and not being afraid (me)  My mare is working on listening to me again.  We work wilth circles, backing, serpentines, and bending to the outside on corners. 

I agree on the posted methods of getting horses to listen to you by turning, I call it "kiss my boot" .  I have heard all the lessons, I just need to put them all into action. 

Thanks.

My mare is outside 24/7.  We live in Nebraska, (cold) and she came from Ramona, CA in 2006, where she was also outside all the time (big deal, that was California).  Last winter in NE, she was out in the daytime and in a stall at night. I moved to a new barn in August, and now she is out all the time.  She really is calmer being outside, but it causes winter-time blues for me because I generally ride at night during the week, and I am concerned about cooling her down sufficiently after a ride in the cold winter weather (we have an indoor arena).   I do a cool-down ride, and I have a cooler blanket to use for a slow stroll in the arena after de-tacking, but I still wonder how it will work when it is so cold this winter!!! 

Will I have to stop riding after work?  Does anyone else face this?  I do not want to stop riding in winter!