Room Full of Hearts

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I like these.

http://www.bitlessbridle.com/

Interesting. I hadn't seen those before. Yes, I would definitely have used one if it were available when I still had my mare (she's been dead for 13 years now and lived to the ripe old age of 28).

[Nagishkaw 510]

Im so sorry to hear of this. I bet she was your best friend, too. What kind was she ? Do you have pics ? If it is too painful, I can understand that, so no problem if you don't want to post any.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thanks. It was many years ago now. I got her the day she was born and had her until the day she died. Basically her metabolism stopped functioning due to age and the choice became inevitable. I had to have her put to sleep before she starved to death . Yes, it was very hard and yes, she was my 'best friend'. She was a double registered Canadian Sport Horse and Canadian Palomino. She was fairly close coupled like a quarter horse and stood 15 hands 3 3/4 inches at the withers. I have lots of photo prints but very few scanned photos of her - here are some where they are posted on a yahoo group - hopefully the links work:

Kassan as a 3 year old (with me at 17) http://groups.yahoo....ount=20&dir=asc It was the end of March and she still has her winter coat.

Kassan at 6 yrs with her 1 hour old daughter Kassandra http://groups.yahoo....ount=20&dir=asc

Kassan at 19 yr in a local Hunter show http://groups.yahoo....ount=20&dir=asc

Kassan at 20 yrs with her best friend at the time, an Arab named Raff http://groups.yahoo....ount=20&dir=asc

Coalfire at 1 day old - Kassandra's 2nd foal, Kassan's first grandson http://groups.yahoo....ount=20&dir=asc (Coalfire was later syndicated to a group of Americans for International competition in 3 day eventing and had a very successful career)

Edited January 2, 2011 by Kathryn41

[Nagishkaw 510]

I feel as though I will cry. She was a beauty ! A very blessed girl....well, both of you blessed to have one another. (F) (F) (F) (F)

Do you own any horses now ?

[Nagishkaw 510]

The link works but I had to join the group, BTW.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Oh, I'm sorry that you had to join - the group is pretty well defunct now but for a while was a very nice and active discussion group. A number of us in that group were horsewomen.

No, I don't own any horses now, and haven't had much opportunity to ride over the last 10 years. Yeah, Kassan was beautiful not just in body but in spirit and personality. She really was a pleasure to be around, easy to look after, nicely mannered, and curious about the world. I really loved to be out in the wilderness with her - where she was born and where we boarded for many years was adjacent to a large conservation area that covered about 10 square miles which included everything from forests, to cliff trails, to marshes, open fields and old abandoned roadways, the buildings long vanished. It was a haven for riding and she was such a pleasure to ride whatever the season. She was always very aware of her surroundings and I would always know when we would come upon deer in the woods or field because of her 'attention'. It wasn't just the riding, though, it was also just spending time with her, grooming, visiting in the pastures, hanging around the stables and just being in her company. She travelled with me when I moved to Ottawa, and then to St,. Catharines and finally to Chatham. Many times, I did a lot of stable work and even some riding instruction in exchange for her board. Yes, I was very, very lucky, and having her showed me that dreams really can come true

[Nagishkaw 510]

And I am hoping I can have a similar experience such as yours ! I 'm looking for a horse but boarding is a huge problem. What is close to me is through the roof in price. Pasture board is cheaper, but I will have to travel some distance to get there. This is my only obstacle.

I don't want a horse that is shod, and prefer to take a rather holistic approach to things. I want to ride bareback with a halter and feed natural foods ( along with hay and grain ),soak hoofs in vinegar, etc., I also need to hook up with a good vet and farrier.

I'm getting up in age and my health is lousy so I'm thinking now is the time to do what I want to do. I don't know if I want an older horse with miles or go younger in case something happens to me and the horse can be place easily. What to do, what to do.

0ver the holidays I ordered some supplies I'll need when the time comes. Sounds crazy, doesn't it ?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Go for the dream!

My best friend here is also a horse woman. For many years she worked as a groom and then stable manager for a woman who owned a number of horses, although she never had one of her own. It had been a few years since she had much opportunity to be around horses but a mutual friend's husband has a number of horses out on pasture. They have not been very well looked after, more from lack of time than consideration - so my friend found herself going out and doing things that needed to be done. One of the horses foundered badly last Spring and the owner came down with his own serious health situation at the same time, so my friend basically took over the care of these horses.

While the vet was out one time she mentioned to my friend that clients of hers had an aged horse that they were giving away to a good home - a 23 year old thoroughbred who had been on the show jumping circuit for many years. He had been sold 3 years prior to a young girl who had lost interest and this horse was now basically confined to a small dirt paddock with no other horses around, no one to ride him or look after him and no pasture to roam. My friend did a lot of research into his previous homes and background, concerned she might be inheriting a problem horse if she took him. I went out and rode him for her so she could see him in motion -and he had been allowed to get away with some bad behaviour with this young girl and certainly tried a few tricks at first! Once he realized it wasn't going to work he settled down and worked nicely - as nicely as can be expected when you are 23 years old and haven't been ridden in over a year, that is.

The end result is that she agreed to take him and moved him to the pasture board place with our friend's horses. Shortly afterwards, our friend gave her the horse who had foundered as well since she had spent so much money and time in getting her well and he felt she had earned her. So, she now has two horses - one older but in good health and one younger but who will require special management for the rest of her life. She is busier than ever driving 10 miles to and from the pasture twice a day - and has never been happier. She is in her mid-fifties as well, has her own health concerns and has just had a life-long dream come true - a horse of her own.

So - go for it. Find a way to make it work for you.

Barefoot is fine if you have the farrier out every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the feet trimmed. I actually learned how to do this myself to save money. Many of the commercial 'sweet feeds' are not the best formulations either for feed. In winter I would mix a concentrated sweet feed with crimped oats and Kassan did well with that - but she was an easy keeper as well. Bareback is fun - I used to ride bareback a lot as well - but you do need a horse with nice withers for that . I hope you find the right horse and the right circumstances - any chance to move further out into the country so that distance isn't a problem? Are you tied to where you are by specific reasons that are not easily overcome?

Something else you might try is to lease a horse or find someone who is not able to take care of their horse for a while (away at University, etc.) and take over the expenses in exchange for temporary ownership privileges. I know a number of people who have done that.

Edited January 3, 2011 by Kathryn41

[Nagishkaw 510]

I just saw this and thought of you ; http://www.equinenow.com/horse-ad-372650

I can't move now. My home is paid for and the market is horrible. Should my mom pass before me, I will get an inheritance and could move then. She is going on 87. I pray nothing happens to her ! I could care less about the dang money.

Thank you for sharing that wonderful story about your friend and what wonderful work she is doing in saving the lives of her two horses. 10 miles twice a day is just amazing ! If she can do it, so can I.

I'm waaaay to paranoid about thrush and a ferrier job done wrong. that is why I need to find a GOOD one. I'm sure I could learn how to do hoof's myself, but sadly I lack the confidence. I was thinking of leasing, but my problem is I'd become too attached. But, I'm not completely really ruling a lease out, either. Let us just say I'm praying over this. It is going to be a huge step forever and I know darn well a horse is not meant to just be a lawn ornament or some spur of the moment idea like that horrible girl you mentioned.

[Amby 490]

hey Nagi ! hope your Friday was happier than expected

I had a long weekend and am back home preparing to pack so I can move properly next weekend Right now I'm trying to book a friggin vacation to St Lucia and I can't get the website to work PS. I'm trying to get Suz to go with me too!

Edited January 3, 2011 by Amby

[Nagishkaw 510]

Amby, it was sad. I hate to sound macabre, but his body felt like it came out of iceberg. I cried when i went up to the casket and cried when I saw his sister had a pic of him and me in happier times displayed on a little table. I ate smoked whitefish that was caught 2 days ago ( traditional ) and put tobacco around him ( also traditional ). I didn't stay but maybe an hour.....I just couldn't take it emotionally.

[Amby 490]

I booked the vacation..now I just need to find more people to fill the 3 bedroom house I rented It said "sleeps 8"

eta: it's for spring break but a calm spring break, not a wild crazy one

Amby, it was sad. I hate to sound macabre, but his body felt like it came out of iceberg. I cried when i went up to the casket and cried when I saw his sister had a pic of him and me in happier times displayed on a little table. I ate smoked whitefish that was caught 2 days ago ( traditional ) and put tobacco around him ( also traditional ). I didn't stay but maybe an hour.....I just couldn't take it emotionally.

I'm sorry *hugs* I hope it gets easier for you.

Edited January 3, 2011 by Amby

[natty bumppo 293]

I booked the vacation..now I just need to find more people to fill the 3 bedroom house I rented It said "sleeps 8"

eta: it's for spring break but a calm spring break, not a wild crazy one

I'm sorry *hugs* I hope it gets easier for you.

so ... you really have room for what ... 16?

[Nagishkaw 510]

Thanks, Sweetie. I appreciate that.

Hello Natty ! We miss you.

[natty bumppo 293]

Thanks, Sweetie. I appreciate that.

Hello Natty ! We miss you.

omg ...i now see i should read the thread a little more before posting ....

nagi ....