Horse Women Unite!!!

Gingerbrew

May I ask a question of horse experts? 

Is it true that horses should not be given the seeds of an apple? I may have incorrect information and there is too much of that floating around. I would prefer to have facts you know about this. 

Thanks Ginger

Enjoyful

Apple seeds are poisonous because they contain cyanide, but I think you'd have to eat an awful lot of them to hurt you.  I don't know if horses are more sensitive but I'll hop on the Googlemobile and find out!

Enjoyful

Mr. Google tells me it's the same with horses - they'd have to eat a lot of seeds before they got sick.

I think I'll take the safe route and give them just the slices.  :-) 

Enjoyful

Update!

My trainer declined to partner with me but she will help me develop a training program and work with both of us monthly to ensure we're on the right track (or right lead!).  Soooo....I've sent a deposit to the breeder and will call to schedule the vet check and site visit.  And away we go!!!

Scoot, Crazy Train Conductor 

BlueCowgirl

Good for you, Scoot! Go get 'em! 

BlueCowgirl

Very sad news: RIP Amy Tryon.

jancie

Scoot - I want to see pictures!!!  How about sending us a link for the horsey you are looking at.

jancie

Can I just say I hate to break in new saddles!  I wished I could have found a used saddle to fit Jazzy that was already broken in and comfy.

I have been looking for 6 months for a used saddle that would fit her and couldn't find anything at the local tack shop in their consignment area that would work on her.

So I bought a new Karl Neidersuss Symphony dressage saddle.  The great news is that someone in Idaho had bought it brand new and it didn't fit her horse and I guess she waited too long to return it and so I got it at 50% off.  I had the saddle fitter look at it and she ok'd the saddle so I had her do some flocking in the front to even it out with the back. 

Jazzy is loving this new saddle.  She was trotting so forward and rounded today.  I wasn't very comfy and the inside of my thighs are hurting as though I hadn't ridden in a month or more.

I had tried a used one and loved the feel of it but it wasn't for sale so now I get the wonderful chore of breaking this one in.

Enjoyful

I hate breaking in new saddles, too!  My sister and I went tack-shopping yesterday, just to get a sense of what's out there and how expensive it is, and I'm really digging in my heels over a new saddle.  Thankfully, a new shop opened about 30 minutes away with a large selection of used saddles on consignment.  Once I get HORSEY, I will get SADDLE.  Yay!

Here is a link to HORSEY.  I wish I knew how to make it live.  Make sure to click on the video tab and look at the second video.  That's the most recent.  (Turn down your speakers if you're offended by Country-Western music): 

http://www.warmbloods-for-sale.com/HorseDetail.asp?HorseID=31585&UserID=12302

jancie

Scoot - beautiful horsey!  I would offer less than what the seller is wanting because it is a buyers market right now and be sure to get a complete vet check done!!

I am very familiar with First Class - the sire's sire.  He stands at Millbrook Farms which is about 30 minutes from my home and I have seen him and a lot of his off spring.  He does throw good babies!

My Jazzy is also AWR registered.  Technically she is 25% hanovarian and 75% thoroughbred.  Her dam was thoroughbred and her sire was Oldenburg registered by he was actually 50% Hanovarian and 50% thoroughbred.  That is how I came up with the 25/75 percentages

Gingerbrew

What a beautiful horse,  I went and looked and then spent 2 hours looking at all the horses.

jancie

Scoot - I have a friend in Dallas that just vet checked a BEAUTIFUL black 2 year old WB gelding - Hanovarian.

The vet check showed some major irregularities in the fetlock and pastern area, etc.  They did about 25 x-rays.  Now why the vet didn't do 5 x-rays and check first before doing all of those I don't know BUT the vet recommended that said friend does not purchase this gelding based on the x-rays.  Now we all know that no horse is going to come out 100% clean but there was just way too much going on.

My friend didn't want to let this gelding go and had 3 other vets check the x-rays and each one of them said the same thing - do not buy this horse.

She is having a difficult time with this because she so absolutely thought this horse was gorgeous and was cheap considering what WB cost.

I am saying this because if she had purchased this horse without a vet check then that horse would have ended up being pasture art within a couple of years.

You might ask the seller who her vet is and then call the vet to get a history.  You also should ask the seller if this horse has already been vet checked.  Although you still need to be careful talking to the seller's vet as in the case mentioned above, the ONLY vet that said the horse was ok for the use intended was the actual seller's vet.  This is why I would have a different vet check out the horse you are looking at.

Enjoyful

Jancie,

I've already talked with a vet and the breeder's agreed to trailer the horse there for his exam and x-rays.  I'm not going to offer less because there are other people clamoring for this horse (she sent me the emails) AND because she's going to trailer him from OK to MD for just expenses.  That's at least a week of her time.  Commercial haulers charge much more so it's a good deal for me.

Ginger,

I know what you mean!  You can get lost in that online horsey wonderland! 

Enjoyful

Jancie - The whole AWR registry thing confuses me.  "My" horse was judged a First Premium foal but the breeder didn't send the DNA sample in on time.  Hence, he's not on the AWR registry.  She says I can register him if I like though it's not necessary for my purposes.

My sister wants to buy my horse's full sister.  She doesn't have the athleticism and joy of jumping that Sampson has, but she's a calm and placid horse with some potential for hunter class.  My sister and I have always had opposite taste in horses - I like the firey "hold me back" jumpers and my sister likes the calm "let me sleep" horsies.  :-) 

jancie

Scoot - I can tell you all about AWR and why you would want to register your horse, etc. but I need to leave to have coffee with a friend so when I get back I will post again.

BlueCowgirl

I will probably get flamed for this, but that's nothing new for me here, so here goes - I wouldn't worry so much about the AWR, especially for a gelding who will obviously not be bred. The fact that the registry accepts just about any horse regardless of breeding doesn't make that registry especially significant or add value to the horse in the eyes of most professionals I know. JMO.

And Scoot - hope the prepurchase exam goes great! Watched the videos and think the horse is lovely! Beautiful jump!

Enjoyful

I don't think anyone will flame you, Cowgirl!  *eyeing people with flamethrowers at the ready*  I've wondered myself at the value of the registry, but it sounds like jancie has some info to add.  I'll take any and all suggestions/recommendations.  The horse world has changed a lot over the last 30 years.

Isn't he a beautiful mover?  Very athletic and loves to jump.   We've scheduled the on-site visit for May 5-7 assuming the exam goes well.  

Yay!  Horsey! 

BlueCowgirl

Scoot, I love the horse's movement. He uses his hind end so well, both moving at liberty and in his jump too! Looks like a wonderful eventing prospect, and if all pans out looks like a great deal to me. Fingers crossed for you, and rooting for your future partnership and success

jancie

Scoot - ok back from coffee and running errands although I still need to go through utility and medical bills

The reason why it would help to register your "gelding" in AWR even though obviously you can't breed him is due to the fact that if you insure your gelding you could probably get more value on your insurance as far as mortality insurance goes.

My thoroughbred mare (Jazzy's mom) went from a $10K value to $20K value in one year as she was approved in the main mare book of the Oldenburg ISR and the Oldenburg Verband registries.

Jazzy's value increased to $15K due to her breeding and acceptance into the AWR.  There are more horses more talented than she is at this age but her breeding and approval increases her value.

Of course if you are not going to get insurance on your horse then it wouldn't really matter.

All you would have to do at this point is get a DNA kit from the AWR - have a vet come out and pull the hairs as his signature is required on the form that those hairs actually came from your horse.  Send it in with the paperwork and then the DNA is on file.  Once you get the DNA results you could request "registry papers" and if you so wanted once you got that you could take him to an inspection that is local and get him branded if you want.

Personally, I would insure the horse.  It doesn't cost that much money per year and you never have to think about a $5K colic surgery if you get colic surgery insurance, etc. 

Right now I have mortality ($15K), emergency colic surgery, major medical for an additional $7,500.00 and 3rd party liability insurance.  My yearly premium is $880.

In the case of my approved mare (Jazzy's mom), she had colic surgery twice within 6 weeks, had to be euthenized at the 2nd colic surgery and not only did they pay 100% of both colic surgeries, they sent me a check for $20K - her mortality value.

I would have much rather had my horse but the money did help me out with Jazzy and when I had to quit working after BC dx - I was able to use that money to pay for Jazzy and not have to worry about working.

Enjoyful

He has tons of power.  I swear, on one of the 4' jumps with the ground pole (difficult to see but you can tell it's there by the way he ducks his head to take a look at it) he went 5' high and 20' long.  I think this guy can take me wherever I want to go.  

I only watch his video 10 times/day.  That isn't creepy, is it?  ;-) 

Enjoyful

Jancie -

I couldn't find third party liability insurance anywhere!  I planned to insure the horse but want to insure should someone be stupid enough to get kicked by him.  Do you mind sharing your insurance company info with me via PM?

Yes, I see your point with the registry.  I'll probably do that, if only to say my horse is registered.  

:-)

Scooooot 

7of9

I'm so pissed my Taxol treatment last week sapped my energy and I missed Equine Affaire in Columbus...my aunt has a Friesian and I'm looking forward to some quality time with him again this summer after surgery.

Still planning on my annual Kentucky Derby party on May 5th (5 days before my last chemo!!!). Anyone have any favorites they are rooting for? Union Rags for me! Though I think Bodemeister looks like some pretty raw talent.

jancie

Scoot - sent you a PM

Gingerbrew

I live in Redmond WA, having moved here in 2010. I havent been out much. I would like to go to a horse show but I don't know how to find one. I actually live on horse property but have no animals, just a nice horse barn with a 2 acre fenced area attached. Well, I have dogs and cats.  When we looked at this house there were four horses here, a stallion, a mare and a baby and a yearling. Those horses were living here alone at the time and wanted hugs so much.  I just fell in love with this place because of those horses. The horses of course moved along with their owner.  I don't think I will ever be able to have ahorse myself, I don't know how to care for them and I am 66 and not very strong.

I think going to see a horse show would be good. In Illinois, where I am from I went to a hooved animals humane society show a long time ago and met some Fresians. It was heaven. 

I rode in high school but not much after. Funny I think I remember the name of every horse I ever rode. My DD rode from about 10 yrs old on to high school  and I loved taking her.

I love reading your posts, sort of  horses by proxy.

Ginger

Enjoyful

7 -

Sorry the Taxol kept you from doing something fun.  Stupid chemo!  I don't have any favorite horses in the Derby but then I haven't been keeping up with it.  I usually pick my favorite when they're heading out to the track.

Ginger -

Your place sounds lovely!  It's too bad you couldn't rescue an older horse and just keep him as a pet.  I'm sure people would be willing to work with you on care & feeding.   

BlueCowgirl

Gingerbrew Echoing Scoot - there are lots of wonderful horses desperately in need of loving homes. There are also a lot of good hearted horse people who I'm sure would be willing to help you learn. Not to mention that there is certainly something very special about the healing power of horses...If horses make you happy, here's hoping your barn isn't empty forever.

pupfoster1

I third the sentiments for Gingerbrew.  It would be awesome if you could rescue a horse or two (aren't they usually happier with a companion as they are herd animals?).  I'd Google horse rescues near your area as well as horse shows.  If you live near a lot of farms I'm sure there's a local tack shop that someone could refer you to both.

I say go for it!  Wish I had the property to do it myself!

Sharon 

jancie

I agree with Pup!  They are herd animals and are so much happier having a companion.  I would rescue horses myself if I had the property.

However, you have to think about the responsibility of doing this.  When you go out of town you will need someone to come over and feed and water them.  It does keep you home bound unless you have someone close that you trust that will take care of them when you are away.

This is the main reason we didn't buy horse property.  My dh and I love to travel.  Sometimes it is just overnight trips but then we would have to get someone to come by and take care of Jazzy and I love the idea that she is in a large facility and I have lots of "eyes" on her when I am out of town.

Gingerbrew

I know of a rescue out here. Second Chance Ranch. I will talk with their director Katie (?) again. I did two years ago and we figured out I couldnt do it on my own and we/she couldn't find anyone to do horse care. There were a lot of people who had said that they would if they had the space/land. No one was interested in coming over here though. I will keep exploring what might work.

In the horse barn there are two stalls, with outside double doors, one tack room and a room that is open to the outside with a moveable metal gate over it. In this outside room the horses had eaten the wood away as high as they could reach.

I had heard that the owner had not been coming by to feed them, a neighbor told me she had heard them calling out at night and she had been sneaking over at night with food for them.  The grass in the paddock was chewed to the ground. A friend told me it wasn't enough space for four horses to live without more food. I felt so sad when I saw that. I think I wanted to give back to some horse, to use the space for good. The previous resident here was a contractor who went bankrupt. The neighbor told me the stallion was an expensive horse and he kept waiting to sell him but couldn't. It is hard to understand someone not feeding their horses. 

BlueCowgirl

Gingerbrew...Here is an idea. It would involve finding someone knows horses, is dependable, and whom you really trust, which can be hard. But you could offer one of the two stalls to someone in exchange for caring for your horse, as well as helping you learn how to do so yourself.

As Jancie said, yes, having horses on your property really does change your lifestyle! Much easier if the responsibilities are shared.