Search found 40 matches

by jeniferkey
Wed Jun 28, 2017 4:24 pm
Forum: For Sale!
Topic: 15 yr old 15.3 draft cross gelding
Replies: 0
Views: 3547

15 yr old 15.3 draft cross gelding

Thistle is a 15 yr old 15.3 hh baroque-type Belgian/Welsh cross gelding. He's been on lease for the past 6 months at a dressage barn, and his rider is gone for the summer so he's coming home. He's working 1st level and schooling 2nd. Thistle's large bodied, but when working correctly, light on his f...
by jeniferkey
Wed Dec 14, 2016 11:36 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Horse before the cart
Replies: 8
Views: 8168

Re: Horse before the cart

An update that things are going quite well. I've hooked him alone and driven him a couple of times now. We have regular dressage type things to work on, his left turn needs work and I'd like to get shoes on his front feet at least for the gravel. He's eager and forward, but not proving to be spooky ...
by jeniferkey
Tue Dec 06, 2016 10:06 pm
Forum: Tack, Apparel, Facilities and Transportation
Topic: Do you lock your stirrup leathers into the bar?
Replies: 22
Views: 17566

Re: Do you lock your stirrup leathers into the bar?

I don't put them up, and I think one of my dressage saddles doesn't have them, just a swoop up. I have enough trouble switching stirrups and getting the leathers on and off with them down. I've lost one stirrup and leather this way when I was 10 and my pony and I encountered a train. I had gotten of...
by jeniferkey
Tue Nov 29, 2016 8:29 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Horse before the cart
Replies: 8
Views: 8168

Horse before the cart

I finally hooked Topper and rode behind him in the cart. There was some head tossing, we think because he wanted to go and I wanted to walk, but he was good and I was able to easily control him with my header there just in case. We're learning to communicate for the tighter turns, where he has to cr...
by jeniferkey
Tue Nov 29, 2016 7:15 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Neato botvac
Replies: 5
Views: 5719

Re: Neato botvac

I have had Neatos for a few years now. I had one start to go out and gave it to my mother. She moves it from level to level once a week to get the entire house. After a couple of years we've had to replace batteries, and it does do a number when the cat throws up and it gets spread about, but it's a...
by jeniferkey
Tue Nov 15, 2016 11:20 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Cartier's stories
Replies: 138
Views: 72491

Re: Cartier's stories

I know you're disappointed about the show year, but I've loved reading about his progress.
by jeniferkey
Tue Nov 15, 2016 5:34 pm
Forum: Young Horse Forum and Breeding and Registries
Topic: Despooking thoughts
Replies: 11
Views: 11926

Re: Despooking thoughts

Umm... Well, here's a video of a dressage show we did a couple of months ago. (oh, and commenting on your comment about being a better rider, that's the one thing my trainer has had me take away from all this). Riding something so small and, dare I say, squirrelly, has gotten me even more balanced a...
by jeniferkey
Tue Nov 15, 2016 5:01 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Simon doing dressage
Replies: 7
Views: 7567

Re: Simon doing dressage

We're in Fort Worth and we fox hunt North of Decatur in the area of the grasslands. We have a variety of properties. I've grown to like the wide open ones, where we can watch the hounds from quite a distance. Still, the ones with woods and creeks and ravines can be fun for the twisty-turny runs thro...
by jeniferkey
Mon Nov 14, 2016 8:02 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Simon doing dressage
Replies: 7
Views: 7567

Simon doing dressage

Since I retired Miaren and Topper is slated for driving, I'm borrowing a friend's horse for fox hunting. He's an 11 yr old Morgan/Welsh pony cross who's lived much of his life on pasture. He's been trained to drive and ride, but he's not been in a consistent program in a while and rides like a rathe...
by jeniferkey
Mon Nov 14, 2016 7:19 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Dismounting without falling
Replies: 16
Views: 12291

Re: Dismounting without falling

I hold onto my bucking strap or the mane. I still kick out and hop off, but I need that hand hold to be sure I don't sit down if my feet don't want to support me. I have broken sesimoids in both feet and I have to be careful how I land. If the horse is taller I do tend to stay close and try to slide...
by jeniferkey
Fri Nov 04, 2016 5:45 pm
Forum: Veterinary, Nutrition, Grooming & Farrier Questions
Topic: Retiring neurological horse
Replies: 21
Views: 15974

Re: Retiring neurological horse

I think Miaren's enjoying staying at the parents' with Emma. He didn't have big water puddles to play in at our place.
https://youtu.be/rbg9fwok0b4
by jeniferkey
Tue Nov 01, 2016 5:08 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: The beginning of a new equine adventure !
Replies: 84
Views: 47664

Re: The beginning of a new equine adventure !

You sound perfect for each other! I'm borrowing a stocky 11 yr old 15 hh ish Morgan cross gelding and it is so nice to just have fun.
by jeniferkey
Tue Nov 01, 2016 5:02 pm
Forum: Veterinary, Nutrition, Grooming & Farrier Questions
Topic: Retiring neurological horse
Replies: 21
Views: 15974

Re: Retiring neurological horse

Small update. He trotted up for breakfast two days ago, hadn't done that in weeks. I dropped him off at the farm with Emma yesterday. He was born on the place, and seemed to remember it as he raced around the pasture with his tail over his back. Then he settled with Emma and this morning they were h...
by jeniferkey
Thu Oct 27, 2016 7:24 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Project horse
Replies: 35
Views: 23878

Re: Project horse

Thanks for all the updates. It's interesting to hear all the results. And nice to hear positive news.
by jeniferkey
Thu Oct 27, 2016 7:01 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Another horse
Replies: 15
Views: 11871

Re: Another horse

His name is Simon. He's around 15.2. Maybe a little taller than Thuy, with about the same amount of body right now. He's already losing weight, but there's quite a bit of crest in that neck. He's insulin resistant and on some meds. I've added in the slow feed hay nets and luckily our grass is thin s...
by jeniferkey
Thu Oct 27, 2016 5:56 pm
Forum: Veterinary, Nutrition, Grooming & Farrier Questions
Topic: Retiring neurological horse
Replies: 21
Views: 15974

Re: Retiring neurological horse

I do wonder if retiring will make things worse, but riding seems to make him feel worse than when he was off for the past year. I know Emma travels a lot over the 20 acres during the day, so it's not like he'll be keeping still and not getting exercise. My vet does not think it's EPM for a variety o...
by jeniferkey
Tue Oct 25, 2016 6:44 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Another horse
Replies: 15
Views: 11871

Another horse

I posted elsewhere that I am retiring Miaren, and the Topper pony I got last year to use for hunting hasn't settled into riding like I'd hoped (we did go to our first dressage show and he was rather good), but I've been training him for driving and he seems so much more suited mentally. So, I talked...
by jeniferkey
Tue Oct 25, 2016 6:10 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Tell me about your good horse/ experience
Replies: 44
Views: 24279

Re: Tell me about your good horse/ experience

20 years ago I thought I wanted a draft horse. I browsed a lot on the internet and in my searching I saw a Belgian/Welsh pony gelding for sale up in Oregon. Back then I didn't know people who bought horses from across the US, but even then I could see a picture of a horse and know I wanted it. He sh...
by jeniferkey
Tue Oct 25, 2016 5:30 pm
Forum: Veterinary, Nutrition, Grooming & Farrier Questions
Topic: Retiring neurological horse
Replies: 21
Views: 15974

Retiring neurological horse

Not really a question, but I'm working up to the decision to retire Miaren. He's been NQR for two years now. First he started stopping at jumps and then I started feeling something happening with his hind end at the walk and eventually the trot. To catch it I had to video him and it showed he was tr...
by jeniferkey
Tue Oct 25, 2016 4:42 pm
Forum: Tack, Apparel, Facilities and Transportation
Topic: Dublin paddock boots
Replies: 6
Views: 7701

Re: Dublin paddock boots

My last pair of Blundstone's also fell apart. A friend's did, too. The soles just shredded apart.
by jeniferkey
Wed May 04, 2016 6:35 pm
Forum: Tack, Apparel, Facilities and Transportation
Topic: Bit suggestions sought...
Replies: 14
Views: 13491

Re: Bit suggestions sought...

I had switched to a mullen mouth pelham for the jumping phases with Mairen and was riding some of our dressage in it using mostly the snaffle. He was doing so well I found a mullen boucher that he seems to really like. I had to get it off ebay from England, but he goes so nicely in it.
by jeniferkey
Tue Mar 01, 2016 2:54 am
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: My new guy - Topper
Replies: 28
Views: 19037

Re: My new guy - Topper

image.jpg You can see that if my saddle doesn't have too wide a twist my leg should lie mostly against him. image.jpg Out with the hunt in the dressage saddle. image.jpg We rode out with the huntsman on her new mount one ride. Topper was really eager, but always manageable, even with hounds around ...
by jeniferkey
Tue Mar 01, 2016 2:37 am
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: My new guy - Topper
Replies: 28
Views: 19037

Re: My new guy - Topper

In the dressage saddle I push my heels down every stride and my legs stay long that way. I do have my stirrups a little shorter than usual to have horse to put my leg on. I guess he's pretty well sprung because I don't have trouble keeping my leg on. I've ridden a lot of ponies where my lower leg di...
by jeniferkey
Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:01 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Energy!
Replies: 17
Views: 14670

Re: Energy!

I went through this with Miaren. After the fall I wanted him to just go slow as even his energetic walk would intimidate me. Then after a couple of years, when I started wanting to think about 2nd level I realized that we had to face some retraining. Riding an upper level horse really helped to feel...
by jeniferkey
Mon Feb 01, 2016 10:49 pm
Forum: Young Horse Forum and Breeding and Registries
Topic: Despooking thoughts
Replies: 11
Views: 11926

Re: Despooking thoughts

We've been out with the hunt 4 times now and away for a XC school and trailered out to the local event farm indoor. This last hunt ride was the best yet. I only got off twice, and both times it was before I felt him get anxious. Once was when a part of our group needed to leave us quickly and the ot...
by jeniferkey
Fri Jan 29, 2016 6:50 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Stall mat experiences...good and bad please? NEW QUESTION 1-28-16
Replies: 32
Views: 27449

Re: Stall mat experiences...good and bad please? NEW QUESTION 1-28-16

I have the 6x4x3/4 on the concrete apron around and in the barn. I also have 4 6X12 in my 12X24 stall. I like the larger ones because they cover more area and don't shift as much. They are expensive new though. I got mine used. I've noticed the 6X4 breaking apart as the glue seems to give way. Piece...
by jeniferkey
Thu Jan 28, 2016 5:50 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: My new guy - Topper
Replies: 28
Views: 19037

Re: My new guy - Topper

He does look a lot like your Tuddy. I'm guessing my guy is a bit smaller but they have a similar look.
by jeniferkey
Thu Jan 28, 2016 4:49 am
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: My new guy - Topper
Replies: 28
Views: 19037

Re: My new guy - Topper

He's a 6 yr old Morgan/Haflinger cross. He's not as confident in himself as Miaren, but he's braver. It's a strange contrast. Where Miaren might run away from something Topper walks up and sniffs it. Especially if food is involved. But you can wave your arms at Miaren all day long and clap and push ...
by jeniferkey
Wed Jan 27, 2016 11:09 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: My new guy - Topper
Replies: 28
Views: 19037

My new guy - Topper

I finally started a web page for him. Here's a link to a recent lesson http://www.draftymanor.com/topper/160124/ He's changed from when he first arrived. It's like he has woken up. He's from the Amish and has some of the holdover worry from that. For example he'll still shy trotting past my trainer ...
by jeniferkey
Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:25 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Speaking of audiobooks
Replies: 9
Views: 8914

Re: Speaking of audiobooks

I just recently did a return with Audible. I hadn't known it was an option before. My favorites are the Jim Butcher Dresden Files series. This is a good reminder to go get another book.
by jeniferkey
Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:23 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Six Feet on the Ground
Replies: 15
Views: 15687

Re: Six Feet on the Ground

That is interesting.
by jeniferkey
Thu Dec 17, 2015 10:13 pm
Forum: Young Horse Forum and Breeding and Registries
Topic: Despooking thoughts
Replies: 11
Views: 11926

Re: Despooking thoughts

I think coming from the Amish he was trained quite harshly to be absolutely obedient on the ground and in harness. I'd think that might be different from any horse I've personally brought along who didn't have that absolute fear of doing something wrong. He hasn't gotten to the point where he'd just...
by jeniferkey
Thu Dec 17, 2015 5:30 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: What will happen to today's young men and women?
Replies: 45
Views: 25068

Re: What will happen to today's young men and women?

Yeah. We hired for IT a kid out of college. His parents came to check out the company and possibly to his interview. I was not shocked when he quit after a week (we paid for his move here and other perks) and it was because his parents offered to support him if he'd move home and work on an app he w...
by jeniferkey
Thu Dec 17, 2015 5:14 pm
Forum: Young Horse Forum and Breeding and Registries
Topic: Despooking thoughts
Replies: 11
Views: 11926

Re: Despooking thoughts

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm sure you're right that it's trust and bonding. My trainer suggests that he is just so well trained in hand that he has no thought of considering distractions, even if he doesn't completely trust me. On the other hand, under saddle he doesn't have that person beside him t...
by jeniferkey
Wed Dec 16, 2015 10:04 pm
Forum: Young Horse Forum and Breeding and Registries
Topic: Despooking thoughts
Replies: 11
Views: 11926

Despooking thoughts

I've had my new a guy over a month now. I know that in and of itself means we're still in the settling in period, but I've brought a number of horses along and he has a different set of issues. He's a 14 hh-ish 6 yr old Morgan/Haflinger gelding who's a former Amish driving horse. Typical to that he'...
by jeniferkey
Wed Dec 16, 2015 8:49 pm
Forum: Tack, Apparel, Facilities and Transportation
Topic: Favorite Winter riding coat
Replies: 7
Views: 8922

Re: Favorite Winter riding coat

First it lost its pull tab and I replaced that, then the bottom stopped grabbing right and I had to hold it a notch up to get it to catch, and now half way up the teeth act up and it pulls apart. I do think I need an excuse. It looks quite ratty and faded, but I think I will check to see what the re...
by jeniferkey
Wed Dec 16, 2015 3:28 pm
Forum: Tack, Apparel, Facilities and Transportation
Topic: Favorite Winter riding coat
Replies: 7
Views: 8922

Favorite Winter riding coat

My zipper has finally gone out on my Kyra K coat and I'm using the snaps until I find just the right coat. I don't like puffa coats because I feel claustrophobic if clothes are tight on my upper body. Most of my coats are a size larger so I can fit sweaters and other bulky clothes underneath. Do you...
by jeniferkey
Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:19 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Besides WB - what do you ride
Replies: 76
Views: 47474

Re: Besides WB - what do you ride

Marien is a Welsh Cob/TB cross. I admit I prefer them shorter and stouter, but he's almost 13 and we've had a lot of adventures together. Right now he's on a break. Hopefully this spring he'll come back to work and he'll feel ok. 05md.jpg and Topper, the new guy, is a Morgan/Haflinger. We'll see wha...
by jeniferkey
Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:03 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Loose ring bits...am I crazy?
Replies: 14
Views: 11623

Re: Loose ring bits...am I crazy?

It wasn't easy to find, but I switched Miaren to a Boucher Mullen mouth and he finally got easy. I figured it was that my hands weren't steady enough for the other bits, but I didn't really care since he seemed happy. Now the new boy is in a single jointed egg butt, because it's what I had that fit ...

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