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Any MNers with horses out there?

631 replies

Longlegs1972 · 26/01/2007 15:36

and how do you cope?

I'm getting really down cos I never get the time to spend with mine....

OP posts:
madoldcatlady · 04/04/2007 20:53

How very dare you! MIL made them from best quality lurex! The horse didn't have a costume so we used one of baby madolds nappies to make him a hat!

Pixel · 04/04/2007 21:35

Lol. (hope it was a clean one

Actually, whilst all that gymnastic stuff was very impressive, after a bit I started to feel sorry for the horse with all those people swarming over him. I found myself longing for him to kick one of them .

madoldcatlady · 04/04/2007 22:05

I thought that too Pixel. I'd love to see them try that on my girl. She'd launch them into orbit.

manuka · 09/04/2007 13:22

CHECK OUT THESE HUGE BASTARDS! Think there's a gap in the British seaside market!

Pixel · 09/04/2007 19:40

Wow, that would put an end to the sight of big fat holiday makers on little tiny donkeys. They'd need a step-ladder to get on though! I wonder what their temperament is like? I love the chestnut colour.

manuka · 09/04/2007 21:09

They're scary looking buggers I think!! considering how strong a normal donkey is can you imagine how strong they are?!!! If I had enough money to gamble I'd buy a herd and set up adult donkey trecks at some nice seaside place like Robin Hood's Bay!

theslownorris · 11/04/2007 10:50

Blimey! Those donkeys are enormous! A friend of mine has a Spanish donkey and a French donkey,and I thought they were big enough.

I've been "shopping" and bought myself another horse! She's a blue and white yearling cob. So much for dd1 getting another pony (she's going to share my Fell for the time being). Pics are in my profile.

Pixel · 11/04/2007 11:11

Ah Slownorris, she's beautiful. I wish I was brave enough to get a youngster. I know I have the knowledge and experience to bring one on regarding manners, lunging and all that but I don't think I have the confidence to do it justice when it gets to the riding stage. I see myself ruining a nice pony because I'm too nervous to take it out in traffic or let it go in an open space. That's what comes of getting an unsuitable lunatic the last time .

Congratulations on your new baby!

Rodeo · 11/04/2007 13:59

Quick catch up....really need to get some housework done....
Ah Slownorris she is lovely
And Pixel, I'm sure your new pony is just around the corner - any news on the one you went to see?
My 2 are both out at night now, hurray! So they'll be nice and quiet to ride for the next few weeks Had a lovely 2and a half hour ride last Thursday, though I managed to get my arms sunburnt!
LOL at those huge donkeys!

manuka · 11/04/2007 16:35

slownorris [love the name!] - I've just read your profile and am mightily impressed with the fact you have FOUR kids and FOUR ponies (jealous of that!!) How do you cope with looking after 4 young kids and have time for horses?????????
I have one 9month old and have bugger all time for much else cos dh works loooooong hours. but I'm wondering if that's not true and really I do have time I just can't see it yet?!?!?!
One of my patients has offered me the use of her field for a horse and she lives close by. I'm just not sure how much it would be to 'run' a horse. would be a Connemara.
Where do you have your herd? Do you have land or do you have to go out to them at a yard somewhere??
Sorry for all the questions I've just been feeling very trapped by new baby and am always amazed at how other people have a life too!!
I'm allowed out at weekends to do music so I suppose thats something!!

theslownorris · 11/04/2007 17:34

I am very lucky as I had a pony (Cally) when I met dh. At that time he was a farmworker so although not horsey he understands animals. For a long time I only had two ponies (mine & dd1's). It's only in the last year my herd has expanded!
I rent a field about 0.5 mile from where I live and basically my guys slum it most of the time. By some people's standards they're probably neglected ,but I don't see the point in making more work than necessary. They are also the sort of animals that don't go ballistic if they've not been ridden for a while.
I don't have to do it now as dh works more regular hours,but I have been known to go riding at 5am as that was the only time available to me.
I think because they are such a passion (I used to be a groom) it made me more determined to keep it up and I swear it keeps me sane!
I did try to give them up but I couldn't do it,I'm far too addicted

manuka · 11/04/2007 19:28

They sound like great animals! I used to look after a fabulous pony that was always really chilled out which was lucky cos he only got exercised a couple of times a week.
Getting up at 5am is unbelievable! Although I expect in Summer its an amazingly peaceful time of day to be riding. Quite spiritual I imagine.
We drove past the field today and I told dh about the offer of using it and he didn't object. just need to work out how much everything else is and time etc.
You are indeed a hardcore woman in my opinion! 4 kids would be far too hard for me!!
Do you do any eventing with your herd? What's your fell like?? Can you ride it anywhere??

theslownorris · 11/04/2007 20:05

I am such a wimp! No way could I event. I get scared over a 2ft jump lol!
My Fell is the best . I've owned her since she was 3 and she's now 11. She is very much a one person pony-she has "issues" with people-possibly due to ill treatment but I can take her anywhere. We don't have a much off road riding so she's brilliant in traffic and I've got a fantastic picture of us on the beach. She loves to gallop too-the power shift is amazing . Who needs thoroughbreds?
I've done dressage,showing,gymkhana etc (not always successfully but I have fun,just a big kid at heart)

Pixel · 11/04/2007 22:06

Rodeo, I've sent an email to let them know we are still interested if by a slim chance the other people don't have her, but I haven't had a reply .

Manuka, I'm not much good at early starts myself but we used to ride over the Downs by moonlight. You'd be surprised how bright it can be in the summer, almost like daylight sometimes and the ponies could see perfectly well anyway. It was so lovely and peaceful and we'd see all sorts of wildlife. If I ever manage to get another pony I might be reduced to doing that again just to find time to ride .

manuka · 12/04/2007 19:08

I love native ponies! They're so tough aren't they? I don't think I'd want a 'delicate' type of horse. Fells Dales and Connemaras are my ideal mount. I bet it was brilliant to speed down the beach!! I'd love to do that!
And Pixel, your moonlight riding sounds incredible! Is that the Downs in Surrey?? My mil lives near the racecourse in Epsom. Lots of fancy Thoroughbreds clattering around near her house!

Pixel · 12/04/2007 23:00

No, it's the South Downs near Brighton .

mamasaid · 12/04/2007 23:26

I have to do all my riding vicariously through my 13 year old son now - I rode all my life in australia and still pay for the retirement of my lovely old horse there (16'3 thoroughbred, sweetheart) but we live in london and it just isn't affordable. My son shares a pony though so I get to help out and love watching him ride. He's so good! Lovely to read up on other people's horse stories - I dream of the day when the money comes in...

Butkin · 19/04/2007 22:12

Taking our DD (4)'s new Dartmoor pony to his first show on Saturday. Spent this evening practising his show/stand up for judge. Washing him tomorrow night - he is grey!

Went to tack shop today and bought DD new joddy boots and clips. Had intended to get new bridle and gloves but no dark brown bridles and no gloves small enough. Making do with old bridle for this show and woollen gloves (it is only a riding club show and really just for an outing). However going to specialist pony jockey outfitters in Lincolnshire on Monday! DH has cancelled subscription to Sky Sports to help pay for extravagences...

Enjoyed going to connemara jubilee show at Addington last weekend - great to see all the stallions inc. Sire of our 3yo palamino connie (Pilgrim's Excalibur).

She'll be doing South Suffolk and Suffolk shows this Summer all being well before we finish backing her.

Going to start doing "really novice" combined training on dun connemara. 1ft 6 jumps and no canter dressage - just to get him going. Will do simple dressage, with canter, at same show though.

Hope everybody else is getting ready for show season and that you're horses/ponies coats are coming right in this lovely weather!

Pixel · 19/04/2007 23:15

Good luck Butkin, hope it all goes well. How exciting! I love dartmoors, I used to ride one called Rufus, a great little pony. Can't remember the last time I went to a show as a competitor. Actually I can, my pony stopped at the first jump and I didn't . We never did 'proper' showing though, it was more fun things like 'family pony' etc. I've still got my third rosette for 'the horse the judge would most like to take home'. Ah happy days .

I'd love to take ds to a show but I don't think it's likely to happen for a long time yet. I've got to persuade him to hold the reins for a start. Mind you, we've improved on last year when he wouldn't put his feet in the stirrups either! I'm hoping he will start going to the RDA with his school soon so maybe they will sort him out.

manuka · 20/04/2007 09:30

Butkin!! Wow connemaras!!! My FAVOURITE breed!!! How many do you have? What are they like?? Where did you get them and how much were they etc etc lots of questions!!! Also are they easy to keep? What do they need food wise? Can they stay out most of the year???

Butkin · 20/04/2007 23:08

We've got one pure bred 3yo palamino connemara filly and one part bred 5yo dun connemara gelding - although he looks very connemara and could be pure but we've no papers.

The 3yo is quite slight of build and a real pony although very attractive. Her coats looks very washed out at the moment but some coppery hints are coming through. We bought her as a yearling off her breeders after she'd done really well showing in hand as a foal (champion at the breed show) and yearling. She has a lovely, soppy temprement and hopefully will be an ideal 3rd pony for DD. We gave her a year off last year but will start showing her in-hand in May and she'll got to 3 shows up to county level.

The part bred is having lessons and will start doing low level combined training and will go hunting, do long distance rides etc. We are enjoying just riding him but with a view to selling him once the 3yo is broken and ridden away.

They are very easy to keep and can live out although we rug ours and brought them in during December and January. This was because we wanted to ride the dun and wanted to get a good coat for showing the palamino.

They can live just on grass but we feed hay in the field as well. When they came in they just got carrots and chaff. The dun also got sugar beet to give him some energy as he was ridden twice a week over the Winter.

We recommend them from what we know. The Dun is much more of a horse than the filly who is ponylike. They are hardy, can carry weight and are good for leading little ones off - which is an important job in our house.

manuka · 21/04/2007 18:47

They sound great! Thats the type of horse I'll be getting when I get one. Always wanted a palomino too. Your children are extremely lucky!!

Pixel · 21/04/2007 19:50

How was the show Butkin? You had a lovely day for it anyway.

We went to look at a mare but she wasn't right for us unfortunately. She was beautiful, a real head-turner, but she was very stompy and rolly-eyed and with her long mane and everything all I could think of was those Stubbs paintings of horses being attacked by lions! She is going to be a fantastic horse one day but needs a lot of work and I'm not the person to do it (not if I'm paying a shed-load of money for her anyway!). Feel a bit disappointed but will keep looking. Never knew it was this hard to buy a pony!

madoldcatlady · 21/04/2007 20:17

That's a shame Pixel. Keep up the search though, you'll find one soon.[smlie]

Manuka, I often look for future husbands for my girl. She's bright bay, the odds are good,
if I put her to a cremello we'd have a palomino. That would be to die for. She's beautiful as she is, but a golden version would be adorable.

Butkin · 22/04/2007 12:53

DD came 2nd (of 5) in her Lead Rein M and M class yesterday. Lovely day for it and we were beaten fairly by a well known pony that has qualified for all the big pony shows like PUK and BSPS. The other little girl was 8 and knew her job but DD (4) rode beautifully and fully justified her blue rosette - even though she was cheesed off it wasn't pink!

MOCL - you won't breed a palamino from a bay mare unless she has two chestnut parents. You are likely to get a buckskin, a dun or another bay.

To guarantee success of breeding a palamino you need to cross a cherry coloured chestnut to a cremello.

You really need to study the colours of the whole family for a couple of generations to work out chances of future colours.