Howdy again y'all. I posted this question to Steve B. via e-mail & thought I'd see if I was the only one or if there are others out there who would like to see a separate Horse Barn thread in the catagory outline, as a quick reference title. I know most of us don't have draftstock for farming, but many of us do have horses & donkeys. I'm without equines at the present, but love to read/interact with other horse folks. And believe me, if you are a new horse owner, you NEED a thread like the Forum can provide! Yes, there are many other horse-related sites on the web, but the C'side Forum is sort of my "hometown", so to speak, as it covers everything in the barnyard. Happy trails, debra in nm.

-- debra in nm (dhaden@nmtr.unm.edu), November 20, 2000

Answers

Hi Debra, I would like to see a "Horse" thread catagory too, it takes forever to sort through all the "Uncategorized" threads to find the horse related ones. I have had horses for 25 years now, would love to be able to talk to other horse folk out there, and catch up on happenings easily on the old threads. We have four Arabians here, I used to be into Endurance Riding big time, bad knees stopped that hobby, unfortunately. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 20, 2000.

I think what you want is that there would be a separate category for horse-related topics/threads, right?

I will add my vote for one. I've often wondered why there isn't one. I have a bay 7/8 Arab mare, 17 years old, currently boarded; maybe someday she can live with me (when I get real and quit being a "wannabe").

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), November 20, 2000.

Horse Barn -- yes please!! I currently have one gelding and 4 mares,QH, and Part-Arabs mostly. Seems like there are a lot of other horse fanciers on this site and it would be nice to have our own reference area for when difficulties arise. I've had horses for 23 years, which is why I am where I am.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), November 20, 2000.

Oh yes, now your talking. Horses, donkeys, mules and can we include draftstock? Good idea Debra. Maureen

-- Maureen Stevenson (maureen@mtaonline.net), November 20, 2000.

Joy and Julie, I'm glad to see someone else still has Arabian horses, everyone here has Quarter horses, and paints. Cutting and barrel racing are popular here too, so folks think I'm a bit weird (they're probably right!!!) for keeping Arabs. I guess there's just something special about their personality that draws me to them, or the challenge of staying in the saddle on a brisk fall day, when the woods are full of "spooks" ! Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 20, 2000.

Add my vote! We have 3 paint mares in foal, 1 mustang mare in foal, a paint stallion and a mustang gelding, so I would really be interested in a Horsey thread! Jan

-- Jan in Colorado (Janice12@aol.com), November 20, 2000.

What's the point of living in the country if you don't have horses? We have a rescue Morab and are training rescue foxtrotters.

We definitely need a separate horse category.

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), November 21, 2000.

MY PEOPLE SPEAKETH!! Yes! Yes! My kingdom for a horse... As I said, I am without one at the moment. My real intent here is only a ploy for me to live vicariously through others who still have them and use them, love them and interact with them. Sigh. Yes, there ARE people who know Arabs are NOT just for pretty! I've had my share over 30 years, along with a QH, 2 Apps, a donk, and 2 (of the most beautiful) Appy mules. It seems I was always too busy taking care of other people's animals to really enjoy my own, tho. And when I bought my last Arab mare, she mostly just stood in the paddock and said, "Me? Today?" It was just too hard to do a work-a-day job (plus out of town travel often) and come home and muster up the energy to ride. And the cost of those little this's and that's took it's toll on one salary... we'll not go there. Right now, 11 goats still don't add up to the cost of upkeep for 1 horse. But, it was a happy ending for us both; I get visitation rights and she is the happy beloved princess of two gay guys who take her out jogging with them in the mornings, have happy hour with her in the evenings, and would dress her up in little dolly clothes if they could. She also has a new Arab gelding companion that she can beat the hell out of. A bad friend is better than no friend at all! Life is very good for Bazy.

When I was in my 20's I groomed American Saddlebred showhorses down in Houston, later also working for Arabian barns. Even though I had to bite the bullet and get a 'real job' eventually, I never wanted to let go of that life and ended up doing caretaker work on small horse farms in exchange for free rent for about 15 years, and also helping out at shows. I used to take my vacations and come to the Arab Nationals here in Albuquerque, or the Carriage Assoc Convention in Lexington... to work! It's a great opportunity for young people to learn about caring for horses before they actually go out and buy one. You learn real quick if this is for you, or not! Having a horse is much more than riding off into the sunset and I wish more parents would realize that before they get little Suzie a horse...

When I had my mare a couple of years ago, a friend introduced me to Back Country Horsemen of NM, and I discovered this wonderful volunteer group who actually DID something with their horses! I was able to do a few of their trail projects one year, and then time and money, once again, got in the way. But, I'm sure I'll get into it again when the next horse comes into my life. If any of you have this organization in your neck of the woods, and love to do something USEFUL on your horses out in the wilderness areas, it is well worth joining! These folks keep the trails clear and do projects that the Florestras (Forest Service) doesn't have the time, money, or manpower to do. And your horse gets an amazing education out on the trail! Check it out, and I know they've got a website.

Thanks again, all. Let's hear from more Horse Barn supporters! dh in nm.

-- debra in nm (dhaden@nmtr.unm.edu), November 21, 2000.

I'll support a Horse Barn category. We've mostly had mustangs, an Arab, a QH/Appy cross that was a wonderful old cowpony, and some ponies. No horses now, but I'm hoping that when we get a bigger place we'll have work horses, plus maybe a pony or two for the grand- daughters. Actually, the work horses may be work ponies. Anyway, yes, I think there would be a use for a special category for horses, and I also think there might be a use for a special category for working farm dogs. Anybody else have any thoughts on that?

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 21, 2000.

Debra

You asked very nicely and I am happy to make this forum easier to use. We have a new category

Everyone have a safe and happy thanksgiving!

-- Steve Belanger (csymag@tds.net), November 21, 2000.

I too have Arabians!! A stallion and 4 mares and a new filly. I live in QH and Walking/ Racking horse country. Would not trade my Arabs as they are family.

-- Pam Creighton (zpjc5_@hotmail.com), November 21, 2000.

Hey Debra, have you ever considered adding a Shetland or a Mini? They don't eat much, and they can sure fill that 'empty horse hole' in one's life!! My first 'horse' was my beloved Shetland, Spot (because she was a one-spot pinto and about the size of a Newfoundland). Everyone who knew her loved her, including her vet and her farrier (altho he said it would be easier if I taught her to lie down and roll on her back -- which is what I was starting to do before she died at age 32) She was 9.3 hh, and put on winter hair up to 12" long in places, and I loved her dearly.

I was working with some rescue Mini's last winter (sad/bad story) and would have really liked to have taken home at least two -- the one I referred to as 'The Goat Crossed With The Dachshund" (horrible teeth) and 'The Footstool'. Their health (mini's in general) tend to be kind of iffy, and I'm sure these two would have had problems galore from their bad care, but generally speaking, the prices on minis have come WAY down.

And Spot cost me $30, altho that was 20+ years ago, but I get offered free horses all the time (they know a sucker when they see one), esp if you advertise a retirement home for an elderly pony. Spot went thru about 40 bales of hay a year. That's pretty economical, and she would lie down for me to trim her hooves when she was younger.

Darn, I miss that pony.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), November 21, 2000.

Debra, being raise on a horse farm, showing and riding I to missed having horses around, though with the goats, couldn't say as if I would have the time. We just rescued to Mojave Donkeys (they call them Burros which is really just the spanish name for Donkey) from the blackbeautyranch.org, already they will come up to me, and one will eat carrot pieces from my hand. They are truly loving and beautiful animals. The grass hay, pasture diet, with very little grain, is a dream compared to my high maintainence Nubians. They come in mini, standard (which is the size of the mojave's) and mommoths with varying degrees in the middle, and can pack, bigger ones can be ridden or pulling carts, or in my case something to love and pet on! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), November 21, 2000.

Boy, it's great to see such a response to horses here! Once we make our big move up north, we will probably be looking into some 'long ears' additions. I think my husband, who has never had horses, would probably get along well with a donkey. He's such a pushover and loves all animals, and I think they're 'opinionated' enough to teach him something (sure as anything, he won't listen to ME!). Too, donkeys would probably work with the goats as protection, and I'm toying with the idea of raising paint donks. Miss Lillie Langtry, my jenny, would've given anything to kill my dogs! But, eventually decided they were ok... as long as they stayed just out of reach!

Vickie... if you don't mind, would you check out my question on the goat thread, 'young buck, old girls'. It's great to chat with you guys, thanks for your input and helping to get the Horse Barn going; I'm so lonesome for hay-breath and muzzle-nuzzles sometimes... dh in nm.

-- debra in nm (dhaden@nmtr.unm.edu), November 21, 2000.

Debra, when I was little, and we lived in a housing developement, and I couldn't for the life of me understand why we couldn't keep a pony in the garage, I would sneak "horse biscuits" home in my pockets from Grandpa's farm, at least my room (till Mom found them!) would smell like the pony was there! Mom still has the "Wonder Horse",a spring horse, in her basement, he has given lots of children rides all these years, it's a wonder that I didn't wear him out, must have made toys tougher back then. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 21, 2000.

I'd love to see a horse section too! I currently have a preggo Morgan mare, a preggo Appy mare, an Arab mare, and a Morgan weanling filly. I have had more and I've had less, but I really couldn't go without them. Sad part is I just don't have nearly enough time to ride anymore. I also grew up working on horse farms, saddlebreds, arabs and morgans mostly. I was also sad to leave and get a 'real' job, but now I'm breeding my own and that's even more fun than helping breed someone else's!

-- elle (hotging@aol.com), November 21, 2000.

i love this site but if you have any questions about horses, donkeys, mules or even oxen check out rural heritage.com . go to the front porch section for their forum

-- greg (wgjamesii@webtv.net), November 22, 2000.

Nice to know that the sensible folk have Arabs! I have two and the 4-H people torment my boy and I terribly about owning "dogs." I reckon that my "dogs" would out last their horses anyday... Although I like anything with four feet and fur OR two feet and feathers. One of our Arabs is a grandson of Bay el Bey and I understand fully the "brisk Fall day with lots of spooks!" Thanks, JD for the horse area! Thanks, Debra!

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), November 24, 2000.