Re: coloring books
This message is from: laurie with <livingi...@q.com> ya know, there is a plus and minus side to having a fjord horse coloring book…….. there are only really 4 colors you can use on the horses. however, then you don’t have to buy as many crayons….. ;) laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: coloring books
This message is from: laurie with <livingi...@q.com> coloring books are no longer just for kids. i have several i purchased for both enjoyment, relaxation and stress relief. the only thing that would make it better is to have fjords to color. well done, ladies! laurie with and Iduna Acres Laila, who reminds me of eric clapton every time i see her livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: skylar
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com thank you to all who expressed the sympathy about my loss of skylar. i have also heard from others who have experienced the same thing, and my heart goes out to you. our big strong equines can be taken down be the smallest things. skylar taught me a lot about horses, riding and myself. she was sent to me to continue what oz could no longer do. she was feisty, sassy, opinionated, herd boss and fearless. i took her to a desensitising clinic shortly after i got her. i had only ridden her a few times, but she was a rock star. there was nothing there that bothered her. other participants asked why i was there, since she was so good. i told them it was me that was scared, not her. we struggled. she always wanted to go faster. our attempts at a canter were usually a train wreck. but we worked on it. and in recent days, we were learning how to actually slow down, to listen when i said No we cannot jumps the trot poles. i realized a lot about my riding skills. i learned to quietly get her to slow down and listen. it worked. and then i lost her. after speaking with my vet, i am thinking perhaps there was something going on that finally came to a head sunday night. she was getting girthy. she would stop walking and not want to go forward. she was constantly farting (scuse my language). we just though it was normal fjordie quirks, and we will never know for sure. if you are not on Facebook, i had 100s of notes of support from our Fjord family around the world. and others who have experienced the same pain. we are not alone. i also posted that i am extremely fortunate to have found another fjord who will be able to continue what skylar began. i am purchasing Iduna Acres Leila from Candy Lund in wisconsin. she is a 10 year old daughter of WH Stone and has done everything. from the photos i have seen, she is stunning to look at, but also has the wonderful Fjord qualities we all so love. she excelled at her first years in Blue Earth, and has the same soft eye and calm demeanor we look for. i am very grateful to her owner that she will entrust this lovely mare to me. Skylar has told me in her own way that it is ok. i will be picking her up on August 1st. again. thank you to our entire Fjord family. i have known since early on that Fjords come with an extended family. i am proud to be a part of the celebration of this glorious breed. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
skylar
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i lost Skylar last night to a sudden and very painful bout with colic. it came on in the barn cross ties when i was brushing her, about 6:30 and by 8:30 at the vet knew we could do nothing to help her. she had a ton of pain meds, but nothing was relieving her. they think it was a twisted intestine, and surgery had no guarantees and a high price. i made the horrible decision to let her go, way too soon. she would have been 20 this saturday. she taught me a lot about mares, my riding, and life in general. i know i want another fjord in my life. the hole they leave is too great not to fill. but the grieving will come first. she and Oz are reunited with his old friend Bogie at the bridge. better hope they have an infinite green pasture up there, because i am sure these three will be cleaning it up……. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: blue earth
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com for some reason this didn’t show up, so if it’s a duplicate i apologize…..it refers to the blue earth video of the 20th anniversary. i should mention that this is a video that i did before we had digital cameras, and isn’t professionally edited, however, i think it’s pretty good. as i watch it again, some of the parade highlights include Bob Gudknecht driving the 6-up team pulling the stagecoach, various carts and drivers, Phil Oden did the introduction of the parade and the history of the horse. the Norwegian wedding procession and costuming. Presentation of the flags and anthems for Norway and USA. Neil Sorum giving the history of the show, from 6 horses the first year to 130 in 2005. Recognition of the original starters of the show… Demonstrations of Fjord versatility in driving, riding, jumping, log pulling…..it was the year of the rarely seen Zebra dun Fjords, ridden by the Poirier sisters…. it runs about 45 minutes. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
2005 blue earth
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com while cleaning house today, i came across a bunch of copies of the video from the 2005 Blue Earth 20th Anniversary celebration. it starts with the Norwegian wedding procession, and then all the demos of the fjord versatility. lot of great old memories…….if anyone is interested in a copy, i will sell for $5 each plus mailing. it runs almost 40 minutes with clips of some of the original Blue Earth organizers and Midwest members. how can that possibly have been 10 years ago laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: loki
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com that just made me smile! thanks for sharing…. laurie with livingi...@q.com On May 13, 2015, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest owner-fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com wrote: Just have to share what my almost 25 yr. old Liten Loki did at our county's first annual Festival of the Horse. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
hay nets
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com speaking of hay nets……….i bought a nibble net (brand) for oz, and am now using it since skylar goes in at night, for the time being. when using it, we just stuffed it in, and she pulled it out in less than an hour, leaving it empty all night. when i moved her back to where we used to board, there is an onsite worker who really likes and understands the horses. instead of just stuffing the hay in, he sort of rolls it into a tight wad, and then stuffs in several of them. because they are in there tightly, and there are not so many loose pieces sticking out, it takes her a lot longer to eat. very smart man. laurie with, and skylar, who is not at all that pleased with this “great” idea. livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
thank you, steve
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com here is what i selected before i replied to what steve said……….everything that shows on my reply right now starts with this sentenece and ends with his comment about mac fans. so much easier than scrolling through rows and rows of repeat text. by the way, steve, Mac is still working just fine, thank you very much :) i’m on the way to the barn for Skylar’s pedicure, and then a short ride. laurie with livingi...@q.com On Jan 22, 2015, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest owner-fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com wrote: PS -- Since Hell has not frozen over the Mac stuff here is what I find with Google rather than my ever having touched a Mac keyboard. If I got anything wrong, I won't be hurt if any Mac fans set the record straight. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2015 #10 REQUEST
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i miss this list, too. however, steve, can you explain one teensy little thing again? how to clip your response so that we don’t end up scrolling through 3 days of previous responses. it gets so long, and sometimes i end up scrolling past new stuff. many thanks. skylar says hi to all, Oz has welcomed his old roommate Bogie across the bridge. i am sure they are causing mischief even as we speak…er…type. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: cold
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com yes, here in minnesota just west of minneapolis, we had some -20 stuff last week. skylar just puffed up her coat. yesterday when it was about 25 and i rode, i noticed she is starting to blow out those longer hairs. spring in coming. eventually. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: yellow pony farm
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com kay, kay, kay…..we don’t need to wish you luck. you come with your own luck, and a lot of it. i have seen your pix of the little diva, and i am glad the boys are learning their proper status when a queen shares their pasture. with a flick of an ear, she will turn them into serfs, ready to do any small thing she demands of them. they will discover the grass is HER grass….likewise HER hay……….HER treats, etc. they will defer to her wishes or pay dearly for it. well, actually once they realize she is the top of the heap, there is no need for dominance. skylar (short round) needs merely to flick an ear and the two geldings she is out with (not fjords, i know…..she must suffer with sub standard room mates) bow to her prominence. the last time she went through her royal cycle, which i would never have known she had, the minions in her pasture and the next one circled around her to pay their respects, sniffing with great reverence. she stood silent and regal for their admiration, while they giggled and goggled like young school boys in love. skylar sends singer the best wishes, knowing she has a great realm to watch over with braveheart and bogie. laurie with livingi...@q.com On Nov 19, 2014, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest owner-fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com wrote: The YPF herd has expanded from 2 to 3! Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
ranec
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com jim, i totally feel your pain. your description brought tears to my eyes. there is no easy way to let them go, even when they tell you it’s ok. i am pretty sure my beloved Oz met him at the bridge to teach him all his crazy tricks. peace and hugs. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2014 #137
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com congratulations! what a great job and a great pony. they are really making their mark in the dressage arena lately, and while i don’t ride dressage, i have a lot of friends who do. several here in minnesota are making fjords more visible here as a horse that is not only cute, but very versatile. good luck with levi’s future. laurie with livingi...@q.com On Aug 25, 2014, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest owner-fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com wrote: We could not be more proud of him as he won his class with a 65.5% at Training Level with a rider for whom this was also her first recognized dressage show Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
[no subject]
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com this was posted on our local training blog….. The featured breed for the fall issue of the Cross Country magazine is the Fjord. If you have a Fjord and compete in dressage and eventing and would like it featured in the next issue, please contact Sarah Whiteley at sbliss.white...@gmail.com (with your name, your horses name and what discipline/level) by August 1st. Sarah Bliss Whiteley MWI Veterinary Supply Outside Sales Representative swhite...@mwivet.com Cell: 763-276-3340 Fax: 855-854-3946 laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjords and dressage
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i am finding the discussion about fjords and dressage very interesting, but from a different perspective. when i got Oz, i got started in dressage because in many cases that’s the only type of boarding facility you can find in a certain area. you have very little options, at least where i was, to do anything else. and most barns expect you to take lessons, since that is their source of income. Oz had dressage experience with his former owner, so it wasn’t a bad thing for me to learn. it taught me balance and the value of a good seat, etc., but it was never my goal when i got a horse. it was just what was where i was. i think, and this is just my opinion, so please don’t flame me, that dressage seems to get elevated to the level of being the pinnacle of what you can do with your horse. it’s nice to see western dressage coming along, which gives us a more relaxed version of it, though i know that some dressage riders look down on it as not real…….hey, dressage means training, and that’s what it encompasses, no matter what the saddle and clothing look like. so…..what did i want when i got my first horse, was back in 2001? a horse. a horse i could ride around our pastures, and have a nice, relaxed time. i didn’t even know what dressage was. and i am not saying i didn’t love all the time i spent with my beloved Oz, even though we were at dressage barns until he retired. now, at almost 68 (and i don’t know how that happened!!), i have the lovely Skylar (nicknamed short-round) at a little private place, where i can ride her or not, depending on my day, not being required to take lessons, but able to just hack her out in her pasture, the hayfield or gravel driveway…..or just the indoor and free lunge her, letting her buck, canter and squeal. Can she do dressage? Yes, she has. but now is our time to just be. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2014 #98
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i have a ton of fjord photos. anything in particular you need? laurie with livingi...@q.com On Jun 17, 2014, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest owner-fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com wrote: his message is from: Ardeth Obenauf laz...@united.net I am looking for some recent photos of Fjords to accompany an article for a national magazine. The request is for headshots or at liberty poses. If you have high resolution shots that you would be willing to let us use, please email me at ard...@nfhr.com. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: stall/outdoor
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i think i should clarify my terms from yesterday’s post. up here (in da frozen nortland tundra) we refer to stall board as coming in at night, but with turnout during the day. she would be out during daylight, pastured with a couple of other horses. sorry for the confusion. no way would i keep her indoors all the time. my bad. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2014 #40
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com mary, this it too funny. i have seen this with both my fjords…….turn them out in the indoor, let ‘em go. they give one squeal, one gallop to the far end, and then stand there admiring themselves in the mirror. so i trudge all the way down there, while they watch me in the mirror, and then we repeat the process, with them stopping with there nose on the door. laurie with livingi...@q.com On Feb 26, 2014, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest owner-fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com wrote: This Fjord was so funny. He would run around a few times, buck, kick up his heels, roll, dutifully as if imitating what he saw the boarders do, then he would come stand at the gate waiting for me to come get him. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
stall vs. outside
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i have always kept skylar outside 24/7, and she thrives on it. someone saw her napping the other day, lying down in the snow. silly girl. she has the typical yak hair that they get in the winter. the barn i am at changed hands last fall, and though we thought it would be a good change, it’s turned out to be anything but. almost everyone that i knew there has already left, and the new owner is the main reason. he and his wife, who has been battling breast cancer took over, and even though HE promised big changes, it’s not happening. there has been a revolving door of workers, trainers, barn managers, boarders, etc., because he finds problems with everyone he hires. he has told boarders to get out RIGHT NOW if they do something he doesn’t like. and though he claims to love horses, it’s mostly his own that he cares about. the stalls are not bedded well, water has frozen in the outdoor tanks, some of the fencing doesn’t work, etc. etc. he is a bully, a liar, and is having an affair with the manager of our local Dover store! she has her horses there, and acts like she owns the place, but she is not a nice person. the owner’s wife has filed divorce papers, so who knows wha! t’s going to happen. i know, it’s sounds like a soap opera. i come in sometimes and there is nobody there, and most of the stalls are empty. we used to have a lot of very talented kids and teens who rode there, but they are all gone. the ones that stayed left, because their kids all heard about the behavior of the owner because they go to school together. almost every local barn knows about it, because the horse community here in the minneapolis area is very interconnected. i like the facility, large indoor and outdoor, close to home. but the atmosphere has become toxic and it’s affecting the horses. i have found a small, private place, about 5 miles farther away, with a 1200 foot driveway, so the horses aren’t right up to the road, like they are where i am. the barn is heated, with automatic waterers, they custom feed the horses with what they need. i think there are maybe 10 stalls. they grow their own hay. it’s owned by a woman about my age and her husband, and her daughter runs it. the daughter has shown horses in the pinto/paint circuit (she knows kristin lee), and went to school for equine management. she teaches, but lessons are not required. there is no outdoor, but the property is large, and a local park with trails is close by. it would force me to learn to be comfortable away from the arena, which is one of my little fears. there is a nice group of middle aged women who board there, and the owners live right there. they come down in the evening and do a bed check, or is that stall check? the only down side is that there is only indoor board. i have always thoughts our fjords do better outside, but am thinking this is a much better atmosphere for skylar. any input? laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: dustenai
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com gayle, i am so sorry. i am sure she will be happy keeping oz in line. it’s never an easy decision. laurie with livingi...@q.com On Jan 31, 2014, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest owner-fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com wrote: Gayle... I am so sorry to hear about Dustenai's passing. I know she's with Molde and Patty. It's always those of us left behind for whom I feel the sorriest. I know those who cross the Bridge are safe, well and happy but it doesn't keep good-bye from breaking your heart. Kay Van Natt Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: my boys
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i am SO glad to hear the boys are on their way home. it’s hard when they don’t feel good, and we get so worried. laurie with livingi...@q.com On Jan 28, 2014, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest owner-fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com wrote: My boys are in my trailer and we are in our way home!! Yahoo! Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: Riding Horseback in Purple
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i just downloaded it from Amazon. congratulations. i can’t wait to start reading. laurie with livingi...@q.com On Jan 28, 2014, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest owner-fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com wrote: So I hope Riding Horseback in Purple is a small gift back from Bocina and me. I'll be in touch with some of you individually. But as a group, I thought I would let you know that the e-book version showed up on one site yesterday, and the print version is just starting to show up on Amazon. I think this means that both are widely available now, but you may still need to ask at most bookstores and perhaps include the ISBN number Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2014 #20
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com the last post is a hack. Beth Gerst, you might want to check your email. laurie with livingi...@q.com On Jan 22, 2014, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest owner-fjordhorse-dig...@angus.mystery.com wrote: Subject: Urgent Attention Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjord history
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com speaking of old things Fjord…….i recently found, on ebay, a Breyer booklet from 1995. It's volume #3 number 3, Just About Horses. the featured horse is the Fjord, and on the back it announces the Breyer Fjord is coming soon. The photos on the front and back cover are credited to none other than Brian and Ursula Jensen. 2 inside photos are from Los Trigos Ranch, with comments in the article by Lindsay Sweeney of Vestlandgard Fjords in Vermont….. fun stuff to find laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjords and chubby old ladies
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com KAY, thanks. i totally agree with your statement on the right fjord is great for those of us mature riders. though i started up nervously with Oz when i got him, i have to say he was always super kind and forgiving of my mistakes. the kids at the barn loved him in lessons, and he returned that with obvious fondness for them. about the only naughty thing he did was not always steer the best, but in retrospect, that might have had to do with his ringbone. along comes Skylar. she is alpha in the pasture. no question. and she has a little more forward tendencies than oz ever had. however, she is becoming my rock. nothing bothers her, and while she would still rather gallop up a hill than walk, if i ask for a walk, i get a walk. one of the girls at the barn loves riding her, and everyone who has been on her has said she is fun. i like her. we are still a work in progress, since she does have a tendency to try and push through the bit. but she is close to the ground, perfect for this almost 67 year old. nothing bothers her and she is making me a better rider. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2013 #142
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com this is a test. i have sent a message to the list twice, and it hasn't shown up………..i am trying to see what the problem might be. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: personalities and relationships
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i too am enjoying this discussion about the differences in horses within the breed, especially in the light of having recently lost Oz and getting Skylar. when i first got on her, aside from the difference in height and width, she felt quite different than oz. she had a quick, rather uncontrolled trot that frightened me when compared to Oz's smooth, quiet one, which i had experienced for all those years i owned him. i lived with him for 9 years, almost to the day, and i agree that it took time for us to bond. at first he was kind of just there. i was coming off a bad experience on another horse, and carried some of the fear over to him. it did take us a couple of years for me to trust him and vice versa. once we became a pair, he was the best horse i could have imagined. he was patient, quiet, put up with kids, etc. you guys have heard all his stories. the only thing he never learned to live with was plastic bags, a small concern in the grand scheme of things. i never came off him, though i did fall down twice from steping wrong dismounting bareback. but he never spooked badly enough to unseat me. he was quiet, and slowed do! wn quite a bit at the end when the ringbone took over. skylar at first felt out of control. she was running through the bit, and on one of my first rides on her, trotting fast across the diagonal, she spooked at something and i darn near came off. it scared me a bit and made me wonder if i had made a mistake. but….that was her last spook. we did a despooking clinic, and she was so good i am sure several people wondered why we were even there. it gave me a big boost in my confidence, which of course translate straight to the horse. we still have our struggles now and then when she wants to get fast, but she listens. and on the ground, she is almost perfect. there were many times when oz would grass drive on the way back to his pasture, and it took a lot of work to get his head up. skylar walks quietly, starts to look that way, but keeps walking on a voice request. if i just assume in my mind that she will do something, it works. i totally understand the concept, too, of them being different when coming to a new owner. i moved oz several times during our life together, and he was always settled almost the minute he got where we were going. with skylar, i was a new owner, and i could see her struggling to adjust with no idea who i was. she was at the first place where i owned her for only a couple of months when i moved back to my old barn so i could ride with my friends. it took her a day or so to adjust to new roommates (after she told them that she was in charge), but since i was there, i think she also felt comfortable and not abandoned. after getting used to the barn schedules and procedures, she is fine. she is used for lessons and campers and birthdays, and does just fine with the kids. with me she still tries to move out more quickly, or she spends her time calling for her friends. however, i have learned things about keeping her moving and making her work, and she is improving. our canter is! still a train wreck, but we are working on it, and i am losing my fear of that gait. she is a gem. as for tack, i found an oversized bridle for her at a website called buckaroo leather, though her head isn't quite as large as oz's was but still bigger than other breeds. the thing that i find strange is that i had to get her a 6 bit, yet her muzzle is cob size. go figure. i did find her a very nice gentle curb with a low port and fairly short shanks that angle toward her rather than being straight, which seems quite gentle. i wish i could remember where i found it so i could share the information. every now and then she still gets high headed with it, but i find she will still try to run through the happy mouth mullen i use on the english bridle. i can't imagine myself with another breed. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjord escape story
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i have a funny Oz story about his great escape. it was several years ago at a different barn than the one i board at now. i had ridden, and put him back in his pasture in the evening. morning came, and when the barn workers showed up, his gate was open and he was gone. he was found in the hay storage barn, happily eating from a round bale. the second time, at the same barn, the stall board horses had gone in, and i looked out and he was wandering toward the pasture next to his, which had a round bale. food always kept him in range of the barn. shortly after that i realized that he had learned how to unhook the chain on the gate. it had one of those with the slot that the chain link fits into. from then on, he also had a clip on the chain. that stopped his wandering. however, he was found, at one time, lying on his side, trying to reach under the fence toward hay in his neighbor's pasture. he was a very silly boy. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
thanks
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i would like to thank everyone who sent responded to me after having oz put down. i truly appreciate the sentiments and comments. he was quite the special horse and touched many lives. while i miss him terribly, i admit i feel as if a heavy weight has been lifted. the last two years were spent worrying and wondering about his lameness, which weighed heavily on me. i know now that he is pain free, and has sent me assurances several times to let me know it was ok. skylar, though quick and out of shape, is coming along. she gives me a fjord to concentrate on, and makes it easier to think of the happy times with oz. she is easy to get along with, i enjoy her small size, and i swear at times she is channeling oz with the things she does. she is a blessing in my life, and i am lucky to have two of these special ponies to share my life with. i don't think i really owned oz. he shared his life with everyone he met, i was just the fortunate one who got to spend the most time with him. i never met anyone who didn't like him. he is missed. laurie with skylar, the energizer bunny and oz, watching to make sure she does it right laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
oz
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i posted this the other day, and like my last one, it didn't show up .perhaps i used the wrong email . with a heavy heart i must report that today Oz the great and powerful, as nicknamed by Kay Van Natta, was humanely euthanized at noon, exactly 2 months shy of his 18th birthday. the ringbone that had plagued him for the last two years, and caused his retirement last fall, had gotten to the point where even walking was painful. consulting with our vet, i realized that none of the solutions that might be available had a chance of relieving his pain. several days ago, while falling asleep, and sending him messages in my mind, as i usually did, he sent me a vision. in fact he sent it three times, and it was very clear to me that he was telling me it was ok to let go. the procedure was done by a vet with whom i am friends, and my wonderful friend carol supported me through the day. we brushed and combed him, and stuffed him full of all the treats he loved. he will be sorely missed. he had a huge presence to go along with his large size, and he left a part of him with everyone he encountered. he leaves a gaping hole in my life. i am very lucky to have skylar with a shoulder to cry on, because to not have a fjord in my life is too painful to even imagine. laurie laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
duett saddle
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com hi, all. i know this is hard to believe, but my Duett Companion A/P saddle, purchased for oz, does not fit skylar, so i am selling it. it is 32 wide with an 18 seat. duett has a website, telling about their saddles, and the companion is listed, however, while this one is brown and black, the parts that are brown are not the red/brown shown online. i'm not sure if it's an older model, however, the color difference won't change its ride ability. it's in very good condition, everything is solid, there is some scuffing where the stirrup leathers go, but the leather is in good shape, with no cuts, tears or cracking. i am asking $750 or B/O, and will ship anywhere for $50. if you have been looking for a nice wide designed for a chubby pony, this is a great saddle. laurie with, and oz, the great though rather slow lately, and skylar, who likes to move livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2012 #281
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com pat, i did not think you intended to flame me, please accept my apology if that's how it seemed. thanks for the lineage information. i had looked at it briefly, to find she is related to june wheeler's Bjorne, but haven't had a chance to dig deeper. wow, marcus….that is really cool. i have been trying to send mental images to oz, and let him know he has a girlfriend on the way. he says oh. ok. just so she doesn't eat my hay. and all the hay is MY hay. he has lived with mares before, including tanya bailey's therapy mare, viola, so i expect it will be an easy transition for them. he is also out with a mini, who even after 2 months of having oz there, runs circles in the pasture every time oz leaves. it's too cold for him to get that sweaty, so hopefully with another horse in there, he will settle down since there will always be someone with him. my emotions have been on a roller coaster all year, so my apologies if i have seemed fractured. it started with the knee replacement, and then with oz obviously getting more lame, though he was slightly off for the whole year, that took a toll on me. also, my mom is 91 and her health is failing. then just before thanksgiving my sister's son (my nephew) was murdered in colorado, and that of course, has hit the whole family hard. so the thought of the loss of my only sanity was weighing heavy on my mind. On Dec 6, 2012, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: Your Maggie Lane Skylar mare is a well bred addition, her linage has given us such horses as Advent Hill Oliver and Spruce Hill Marcus via the bottom side with Ljosa and the top side with Rudaren and Orrjo - the 'creme de la creme' Steinfinn laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2012 #279
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com On Dec 4, 2012, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: Ellen made the right call for Oz - retirement. thanks for the post, pat. with everything that has gone on, i have to consider the costs, since i am not wealthy. my horse is my therapy, my entertainment, my buddy in what spare time i have. i am partly retired, and work 2 part time jobs. i don't drink, smoke, eat out, go to movies, play golf, etc. i spend time with my horse. period. it's much more satisfying and peaceful than any man made entertainment. i get by. and i admit to being concerned with the cost, but please don't flame me. you all know how i feel about my horse. and i want to be able to ride. he has been off for over a year, and most days i ride him bareback at a walk for about a half hour. the vet has said that is good for him, keeping his joints moving. the reason i had mentioned putting him down, is that the vet also said that if we can't control his pain, that would be our last option. right now he seems to be pain free and happy and not ready for that yet. that said, i just turned 66 yesterday and am not ready to hang up my riding boots yet. for my birthday, i have finally given into our common adage, and purchased another potato chip……..i hope you get the reference :) sometime before christmas, maybe even this week, Maggie Lanes Skylar will be joining Oz in his pasture…….i am very grateful to marilyn olson and tiffany for allowing me to make her part of my horse family. she is 18, cute and sound, and a FJORD. as for OZ, for right now, he's staying put. i am going to find ways to pay board for both. the lovely girls (young women) who manage the barn where we are tried to crunch their numbers to see if we could reduce the board costs, but couldn't. but the thought of oz going someplace else had all three of us in tears. so somehow i will make it work. and oz can continue to make us all smile with his goofiness and love. if a perfect situation for therapy should come up i will consider it, but for the moment, he stays put. i feel better, and excited to be able to ride again…... laurie and oz, the great and fuzzy, who wants to know when the cute chick is coming Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
ozzie
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com hi, all, i am just throwing this out to see what options might be out there…. as you may know, oz has ringbone in his pasterns. i have had him injected 3 times, the last one the day before thanksgiving, and he is still lame. i ride him now bareback with a halter for maybe 20 minutes indoors, but he is lame. it hasn't changed his attitude about food, however, and he still eats, complains about not getting enough, and mooches for treats. the only ones he gets now are made for insulin resistant horses and have no molasses or sugar. he is still his old, sweet self and has charmed the people in the new barn. i am going to try and find a situation for him where he can still work without being ridden, or with very little. while we were at my last barn, he participated in many therapy groups and camper situations. he loved the kids, and they loved him. at the camps he was groomed, painted and loved on, and simply fell asleep in the cross ties while the kids scurried around him. he connected deeply with the troubled kids who were in the therapy program, to the point of hugging his last partner when the sessions were over. i think he would do very well in a situation like this. i am looking for options, if anyone knows of any, to place him. seems to me a much better solution than just putting him down. he has so much to give and i am heart broken with his condition. i really want to do right by him, and if it means sharing his talents and abilities with a program that helps kids, then that is the best job for him. thanks for any input laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: cinch chix nets
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com hi. i found the post about the cinch chic nets to be interesting and went to their website. it almost looks like a better net for oz. has anyone had experience with the extremely small openings? would that be a good option for just putting an entire bale in his pasture? i worry that he would simply stay there all day and manage to eat too much. i have a nibble net for him, but he manages to empty and then has a lot of time on his hooves. at the end of the month he is going from the dry lot to the outdoor pasture, along with a mini. the grass is pretty much shot, but he will be getting hay. the cinch chic net looks like it might be a way for him to have longer access to hay, which i think they all need in the winter. it could be placed in the shelter and attached to the wall to keep it dry. any info or experience would be appreciated. laurie and oz the wonder pony, who mostly walks nowadays Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: shockwave/coats
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com thanks for all the input, everyone. mary, that link had a lot of encouraging information. we have good days, and not so good. yesterday i rode him bareback indoors, and he kept giving the evil eye to the arena door when it rattled in the wind, but he didn't seem to be limping. as for coat, ever since i have had him, oz has grown a thick winter coat. last year was the only time he was clipped, because he was used for kid lessons in the evening and would get too hot to go back outside. so he stayed inside at night and had blankets. i have always watched him hold onto at least the long hairs under his chin until late spring. even when he's done shedding the big hunks, i end up trimming under there. he gets smooth during the short period of summer when he has a short coat, but never really shiny like a dark horse or another breed might be. he also seems to start up the winter hair right after or during the time he sheds the summer coat. he is starting on the winter coat now, even though we had a very hot summer. here in minnesota, when it was below zero he used to come in looking like a bear. he was born in Idaho and has always been in the northern states. on another note….Dover Saddlery just opened a store right next to the Target where i work. and i start working there 3 mornings a week on Thursday! (i'm not quitting target, but will work less hours)….eventually more responsibility when i learn the ropes, plus an employee discount! laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
shockwave therapy?
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com is anyone familiar or had shockwave therapy on their horse? the vet who is helping me with oz suggested that as one of the steps in trying to control his pain. i have looked into it online, and it seems to be successful in pain reductions in some cases. and the price isn't unreasonably high, which i'm afraid is a concern for me, even though i wish it wasn't. right now he is quite ouchie, two weeks after his injections. i have been told that they can get quite lame and then the joint will fuse on its own and the pain goes away, and i hoping that this is what is going on. we had such a nice quiet bareback ride a few days ago, but yesterday it was clear he was sore and crabby. i purchased a nibble net, and it is very effective at slowing down his hay consumption, thus making it last longer with less hay. it also keeps it from getting tossed on the ground and wasted. he is not fond of the diet he is on, but he is making progress as far as slimming down. laurie, and oz, the wonderful but hungry Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
oz retirement…long
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com trish, i have to say that Elph sounds like he has it made in the shade. i notice he's on quiescence, as is oz. both are lucky boys. oz has officially retired from the world of training barns and giving lessons. i took him to the U of M vet last monday to get him checked again for his ringbone and ongoing lameness. Dr. Ernst at that facility is a fantastic vet, very open and thorough, and even though he is busier than anyone i have seen, he always takes time for his patients. he actually called me on a saturday, on his way to the airport for a trip out of the country, to tell me he could see us the day he got back. amazing. the news was nothing new, oz has ringbone in his front pasterns. we injected them, with suggestions to return to aluminum shoes with a heel wedge, and light riding at a walk when he is not painful. he is also now on a strict diet, since he put on weight after not being used for kid lessons due to the lameness issues. the usual….no grass, limit hay intake, dry lot, etc. the good news is that i found a small, private boarding barn just as close to me as the one he had been at, which had close to 40 horses. this one has 2 others, and one belongs to the owners. the girls who manage the place are wonderful…helpful, accommodating and loved him immediately. the owners live there, so someone is always there at night. they have a dry lot available which is next to the one with the other two horses, so he has company during the day. at night he goes into the outdoor pasture with his muzzle, and there is a cow next to him. i don't know yet what he and the cow thought, but i will stop after work and check him out. they will give him his supplements and i am to talk to them if i need Anything! it is very peaceful and quiet and i love it already. i got him a nibble net, which he started working on immediately, since he was already unhappy that i made him stop grass diving. he settled in quite nicely the first day, and when i get there he's usually sleeping in the corner of the pasture next to the other two. his pain level has gone down considerably so we rode a bit yesterday. they have a sand indoor, and the outdoor is the dry lot he's in. behind the next to pastures is a grass field, with mowed paths we can walk. and it's all level, no more big hills to come down, which seemed to make him hurt more. both the outdoor arena and the outside board pasture are attached to the indoor and the stable area, so i can get to him right away, which is a big improvement for me, too. i am totally amazed at the many lives my horse has influenced and touched. i know i posted the asberger's rider, and he has been used for lessons, camps and birthday parties at the place we left. there were children (and adults) who came in nervous and/or afraid of horses, and every single one loved oz. there were 4 camp sessions in august, and he was painted, poked and prodded…..a dozen kids learned how to take a horse's temp when they were talking about health issues….brushed, braided and bandaged….walked, trotted and hugged. his impact was amazing. kids would come into target where i work and tell me they knew i am oz's mom and how much they loved him. he was used for therapy groups for kids with difficulties, and gave hugs to the participants when the sessions were over. even the barn owner, who drove me to the new place, kissed his nose and said she loved him. so now we have OUR time, no crowds, no drama, no more overused muddy pastures with other horses who want to make him run when he shouldn't. one other boarder who is similar in age to me with a 25 year old arabian mare…..my job is to keep him comfortable and pain free, and love on him. he has turned out to be the most remarkable horse i could have ever imagined, who has taught me and many others the meaning of trust and learning not to fear. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: insulin resistance
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com On Jul 19, 2012, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: Do many Fjord owners have issues with IR or Cushings with their horses? I don't think my mare has any symptoms from what I recall of IR, I definitely don't think so for Cushings. She's got crest on her neck i have has a problem with this with Oz. at one time he was incorrectly diagnosed with cushing's, and a second test proved he did not have it. however, he has had a crusty neck and weight problems, and is on a thyroid med. i also have him on a supplement called Quiessence, at the recommendation of a vet. she saw him when he was overweight. it is for horses that tend to be easy keepers, and it has helped with his weight reduction. the main supplements in it are magnesium and chromium. he also gets HS35, which he was started on when he was at Kathy Johnson's fat farm for fluffy fjords, a great source of vitamins, minerals and omega oils. i use it as the base for his other supplements, rather than grain. he gets about a cup a day. right now he is in excellent shape and looks great. unfortunately, his ringbone has him lame, so we are moving to a new, quiet barn. i am hoping to be able to still ride him slowly and carefully, since he needs to keep moving, but he's pretty much going to be a retiree. i am saddened to hear of Lee and Flick. Lee had such a presence, and i have special photos of kit's granddaughter doing barrels with Flick from the 2006 fjord show. they were both special horses. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
oz the people whisperer
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com the past couple of weeks oz has been mentally off as well as physically. he wouldn't take gummy bears, he hung his head the minute he was in the cross ties and fell asleep, he was walking slow, etc. the last couple of weeks i have been very depressed about his condition, and trying to make the change to a new barn. i think since i talked to lisa and decided to stay where we are, my mood has relaxed and i have stopped crying at the drop of a curry comb. today i went to the barn to check on him. he's been staying indoors with a fan since yesterday, as are the indoor board horses. i took him to the cross ties for some brushing, let him roll in the arena and then hosed him down. he was very much more alert, holding his head up, and begging for gummy bears and taking them. he just seemed more relaxed and happier. he sticks his head out the stall door and smiles at everyone who goes by. just saying……….. laurie, and oz, who really is norwegian and not a southern belle…….gonna be 100 here again today Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: ringbone/salt/et al
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com interesting discussions. the vet's description of ringbone is pretty much what my vet told me when i had oz X-rayed. i know this was starting a couple of years back. i wonder if there could be a correlation between overweight and the ringbone. i think in people with bad knees (like mine, both replaced) and weight. it all puts more stress on their joints. as far as his case, the vet told the barn manager, that keeping moving is the best thing for him. not hard riding, but schlepping around kiddos in lessons would be fine, or my wandering around the farm with him. the weight issue is part of it, and he is at a very good weight now. between his muzzle, and the lessons, he is healthier looking than ever. his feet look very good, and i am amazed at how much larger they are now than before we started shoeing with the ringbone in mind. as far as salt, the first riding instructor i had was very much into natural remedies and healing, and highly suggested redmond salt, even the blocks of it that were chipped off and larger block of it. if oz is in the mood for salt, he has in the past eaten to the point of peeing a lot, but this is something he does frequently. i can almost always count on him to pee just after we get into the arena to ride. it's kind of joke with us. right now we are dealing with heat/humidity, as isso, most of the nation. 101 is predicted for tomorrow. yesterday when i went to the barn in the morning, i found oz eating standing out in the sun. his muzzle was off, which is good, because i think it restricts their breathing in some cases. however, even without it, he was breathing hard. i hosed him down for quite some time and then was lucky enough there was an empty stall, where i put him in with a fan. later in the day he was a lot better, but stayed in overnight. today he went out for a little while, but they brought him in about noon, hosed him down and let him stay inside. the owner has very nicely allowed me to keep him indoors until it cools down. it doesn't seem to bother the other outside boarders like it does him. i also spoke to her yesterday about moving him, since i felt he wasn't always riding sound, and she (and all the kids there) is so fond of him, she gave me the option of keeping him there without increasing my costs or charging me for lessons i won't take. she totally took me by surprise, and i am pleased. i didn't want to leave my best friend and the others friends there. half of the riding aspect for us is the social one, and there are several of us mature women who regularly ride there in the morning. so we are staying put, and i can stop stressing out quite so much. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2012 #159
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com thanks, everyone. jean, i would have no problem with letting him walk with the kids. but…..we are at a dressage barn, and i am not sure if she would go for that. part of our agreement is that he is used for lessons for the kids and beginners, but if he can't be, she's going to charge me to take lessons that i don't want to and can't afford to take. i'm not saying i am anywhere near a perfect rider, but at my age i don't plan to show in dressage and simply can't afford the extra cost. the owner can be a nut case, nice one day, bitchy the next, so it's hard to deal with her unless you can tell what kind of day she is having. i have found an ideal place to keep in, same distance from my house. it's small and private, no lessons required (no instructor) and very well maintained, which i can't always say for the place i am now. i stay where i am because my best friend rides there. however, if i need to move him, this place is ideal. small, only 8 stalls and they are looking for a few more boarders. the only one they have now is 70 years old and has a 25 year old arabian. i should fit right in. and the board is less, also. he IS on outside board with lots of trees and a shelter, so in answer to the heat problem, i have no choice to bring him in. On Jul 2, 2012, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: Hi Laurie, If you retire Oz, could he still be used for the younger kids to walk around on and they could learn to groom, etc? Seems like that would give him something that he could do... Jean i laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: aging and horses
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com thanks, kay. you give us all hope. 'course i will be 66 () this year and oz is 17. we have both had our lameness issues, but right now both of us are semi-sound. his ringbone injection really helped and he is quite active in the pasture, from what i hear. he is used for kid lessons several times a week, and he's very good with them. i ride a couple of days, and even with two phony knees, i still love just meandering around with him. we have even tried a couple of canters. i am so proud of him. last week we had a schooling show at the barn. i chose not to ride, so three of the young girls who take lessons there rode him. i think the oldest was 8 or 9, the youngest was 6! the six year old got FIRST in walk/trot equitation. he was a gem. in the other two classes, which were gaming, he got second in egg and spoon, and tied for first in ride-a-buck. they were both tickled. he goes out with his muzzle, gives a try to get if off on a tree, but this one stays. he's reduced to flipping hay in the round bale and hoping some pieces fall in the bucket, or else settles for whatever grass he can get. and he looked great. we are both a little older, hopefully a little wiser, perhaps a little more sore than we had hoped, but he's my heart horse and i am going to work my butt off to keep being able to ride. laurie, and oz, the svelte On May 8, 2012, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: Braveheart is 14, Bogie is 20, I'm 67...and all 3 of us still have adventures planned! laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
oz update
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i am very pleased to say that the injection that oz had in his pastern has made a big difference in how he feels and moves. i would say he is at 95% of normal. i let him rest for a week, and then tried him with some light riding with no problems. yesterday i rode him for a good half hour with lots of trotting both directions, and he was good. he's back in the lesson program, giving lessons to kids again. they have missed him, and he does so well with him. there is a short clip of him with a young girl rider on my Facebook page. it's obvious he needs some muscle toning on the side he's been favoring, but he's no longer avoiding moving that direction, and seems quite happy. except for his muzzle. there are at least 3 other horses at the barn who wear a muzzle. they are all quite normal, i see them wandering around, sleeping, trying to get a little grass through it. oz? see other short video. he's at the round bale trying to suck hay into the muzzle. sigh. fjords never give up. laurie and oz, the king of the bucket heads Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re: ringbone
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com thank you, everyone, for your ideas and input. i should clarify he has seen two vets for this process. one is a lameness specialist who works at the U of M, who also does body and healing work. the other is at anoka equine, our local vet, who have some good lameness specialists on staff. i know several people mentioned previcox, and i should have mentioned that he's been on that for several months, on the advice of the lameness vet, who recommended that over bute. she also recommended quiescence, which is good for horses that tend to keep weight on and have crusty necks. we also increased his dose of thyroid supplements. what he had been getting was not sufficient for his size. and because he is somewhat IR, some of the natural supplements can't be given to him. he also gets HS35, which is a balanced vitamin/mineral combination that he was started on when he was at kathy johnson's for a while. and also red cell. so, i don't want to add much more to his list, depending on what happens with the injection. one thing i can say about all the stuff he's been getting, plus being able to keep in on indoor board for a while (with turnout) is that he has taken off considerable weight. the vet from the U says his weight is great, and he looks good. i have also noticed he is much more alert that he used to be, he doesn't fall asleep in the cross ties any more. i think that was part of his not getting enough thyroid meds. he's generally happy and nosy, and everyone loves him. we have also gone back to shoes, since barefoot was just not working for him. he tested pain free in the feet when she was here the other day, which is what eventually led us to the ringbone. i will ride him tomorrow and we will see where we are in the process. the other day i turned him loose in the indoor arena to let him roll, and when he saw horses running in the pasture outside, he turned, squealed and bucked, then took off running across the arena. stoic, yes…..but still able to have fun. On Mar 30, 2012, at 2:59 AM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: I agree with both Wendy and Mary. Anything you give a horse, whether is it prescribed or homeopathic, has potential and real side effects. It's a good idea to talk to your vet about any proposed treatment even if you chose a homeopathic remedy. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
muzzle
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com ok, one more question. now that i finally have found a way to keep a muzzle on houdini, i have 3 options as to when he wears it, and would like input. he is boarded. he was on inside board for a few months in exchange for being a lesson horse for kids, so with that we could limit his intake. this weekend he goes back on outside board. i simply can't afford indoor. he is out with several other horses, and lush does not in any way describe their pasture. thank goodness for small favors. the barn workers will put on and take off his muzzle as i request. my dilemma is…..do i leave in on only all day, do i leave it on only at night, or should he wear it all the time? it would come off when he's ridden, of course. i am trying to figure a schedule that will allow the most time with it on and do the most good at keeping his weight down. i have no option for a dry lot or private turnout. thanks again laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
ringbone
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com today i finally took oz to anoka equine vets. the lameness specialist determined that he has something going on below the knee on the left front, and that his feet are no longer sore. the losing weight has helped a lot. however, what they found through testing and X-rays is that he has some arthritic signs in the pastern. he said it's high ringbone, which i know is not as bad as low ringbone, but still has me concerned. he ran through totally all the information he had about it, and options to treat it, knowing that it won't go away but we can help relieve his pain. what we chose to do was a pastern injection with hyalorinic (?) acid/cortisone. he should show improvement in 5 days or so, and can go back to light riding. so i am keeping my fingers crossed that it takes. there are other options including bute, which isn't a long term shot, though he has had it before and it helped and he doesn't seem to have any digestive problems from it. then it goes up to hoping the joint would fuse, or fusing it with surgery. has anyone else had this with their fjord? any ideas or input? i, of course, am not happy, but need to keep hopeful that he can improve. someone said he was channeling my pain from my knees. it almost sounds like it. he, by the way, charmed everyone at the clinic. we were there for several hours, standing, testing his gaits, X-rays, etc. and he was calm and quiet. he smiled at the techs, and accepted itches that made him make the silly face. what a good boy. laurie Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
forum and oz update
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com first, I want to thank everyone for listening to our western dressage presentation at the fjord forum. it's fun to see so much interest in this developing new discipline. if you didn't get information, please check out our website. in Minnesota it's wdamn.org. the national organization is westerndressageassociation.org. some states already have an affiliated club (colorado for one) and others are in the works. in the Midwest feel free to use the Minnesota site, Wisconsin and Illinois are still working on it. also, please don't confuse us with any organization that is not affiliated with the national organization, western dressage association of America. and, ozwhat can I say? he was such a trouper, even with the heat. as I mentioned, when we all got here in Minnesota a few years ago for either the winter meeting or the national 25th it was almost 90 degrees colder. we lucked out this year. I had him checked again with my lameness vet. she's very pleased with his weight, and his feet are no longer painful. we have traced it to something in the pastern or fetlock area on the left leg. I am taking him to Anoka equine for X-rays and testing to see what we do next. at least this is progress. he thanks all his fans for the nice comments, and it was fun to meet others and finally put faces to names. especially fun was Jeanne poirier, who when I introduced myself said, quote...nice to meet you, where is oz? LOLOL it was a great to see everyone again, and thanks to everyone who made the meeting run so smoothly, and to sue plein for inviting us to speak. laurie, and oz, the spring fuzzy pony Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
laurie/oz update
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i haven't posted lately, mostly because on january 6th i had my second knee replaced. i was kind of dreading having it done, since the one i had six years ago still gives me pain, but i must say this has been a pretty remarkable recovery. anyone who has had this done knows how hard it is. the PT can be hell, but you have to do it in order to walk normally. i went through a couple of rough weeks about 4 weeks into it, crying at any little thing, wishing it was over, blah blah blah. but, suddenly at 5 weeks, things improved dramatically. i had my balance back, the pain for the most part was gone, and i could walk without a cane. after my 6 week followup, i whined my surgeon into clearing me to ride again. after all, i ride indoors, on oz (who unfortunately has been lame lately) who has 4 year olds ride him in lessons, has only two speeds - slow and eat, i use a mounting block, and promised to only walk. at 6 weeks and 5 days post surgery, i got on him for the first time since the day before surgery. the leg was strong enough to go over his back, and to walk up and down the block. happy camper here. with the first knee i didn't ride again until 4 months. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
fjord meeting/forum
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com hi, all. i am a board member of the western dressage association of minnesota, an official affiliate of the national organization. sue plain has asked us to do a demonstration and presentation of what western dressage is. i had planned to use oz, but he has been lame on and off for some time, and i am not sure he will be sound by then. i am just checking to see if anyone who is coming here to minnesota for the forum might be bringing a horse and would be willing to ride a western saddle and help us show what we are about. oz has done it for ages, since i always ride western but use my dressage lesson training to make him move better within himself. i am contacting people i know here, but thought perhaps someone else might be willing to help us out. since we are a fjord organization, having a fjord to discuss it with is probably what we want. many thanks. hope to see a lot of you here in minnesota in a few weeks. laurie, and oz, who is shedding his long coat, and growing out his clipped hair. pretty soon they will meet in the middle and he will look normal again. he has lost some weight and is looking good, but we are still having feet problems. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
Re:saddle issues
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com sue, i have used a string girth on oz and had good luck with it. the cinch that i found hard on the horses are the neoprene. they seems to cause pain more than any of the others. i assume you are riding a western saddle? one thing that might help is a breastplate. i have always used one with oz, at least until his present saddle pad which kept the breastplate from fitting loose enough. but, it really does help with the saddle slipping side to side. also, do you use a mounting block? that has always helped me, though with my knees i never could get on without one. On Sep 6, 2011, at 7:52 PM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: I, too am having saddle issues. Our boys are round as apples and mutton withers. We cannot keep our saddles tight. I have used a neoprene saddle pad or a reg fleece lined pad, new leather cinch straps, nylon cinch straps and all types of belly bands...except the traditional string girth... Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: oz and barefoot
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com many thanks to everyone who answered on here and/or emailed me. just to clarify, i'm in minnesota and we had a VERY wet spring/summer. oz is outside boarded, which suits him fine, but he does get the effect of a lot of wet ground. what we would see is head bobbing, especially to the left at the trot, where he seemed to really be sore when turning. it looked like he was favoring the left leg, and i wondered if it was a shoulder problem. the injections he had were into the coffin joint, trying to reduce the inflammation that might have been there. this vet was talking about nerving him if this didn't work, and i immediately said no. my gut told me he was tight and/or off balance. the vet that gave him shots doesn't believe in chiropractic and adjustments, but then again he's not my regular vet, particularly since he's always giving you the gloom and doom interpretation of what's going on. two days ago one of the horses at the barn was getting a session of cranialsacro therapy, almost like a combination of chiropractic and massage. she had time, so she also worked on oz. what she found was imbalance, and some tender areas. she did gentle neck flexion, and guess what.he was uneven and sore, particularly on the left. she worked with him in both directions and his flex improved and was even on both sides. she did other work, but it's a lot to try to describe. however, the last one was pulling the tail, which i learned at a TTouch clinic. lately when i have done it, he clamps his tail. when i brushed his tail yesterday, it was soft and relaxed. the best part.when i got the to barn yesterday, he was being ridden in his second kid's lesson of the day. and he was sound! if you are on facebook, i posted a photo of the boy who was doing the lesson, and then rode him bareback. what a happy pair. anne longfellow and bjorne know this clinician, and also the trimmer she uses. i am going to go see them and talk about it and go from there. i love my farrier. he's working his butt off trying to get oz comfortable again. i think, however, it's time to dump the shoes and give it a try. i promise to get boots and not whine if he's ouchy for a while. laurie and oz, the best pony at the barn, and also the hairiest with winter hair starting already!!! Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: knee
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com thanks for the input on my knee and oz. he had injections in both front feet today, the vet happened to be at the barn and had some extra time to watch him trot and do some flexion tests. sorry, i wish i could remember what he told me he used, but it went into the front of the leg right above the hoof. hopefully, it will help him feel better. as far as his food source, he does not get treats, except perhaps 3 gummi bears. i don't think they can affect him much, since they are very tiny. he's on HS35, a supplement and thyroid meds. he is on pasture, which is really grazed down, but vet said that's not always good because then they are getting new grass. nuts. i don't have much choice about it, there is no dry lot where i am, so we refitted his muzzle today to see if it will stay on better. as far as riding, i am getting that covered. the barn manager/ instructor (who is VERY good) is going to ride him once a week in replacement of the lessons i paid for and couldn't take. she will monitor how he is moving and get him back in balance and better shape. two other women at the barn, including my best friend carol, whom many of you have met at blue earth, will also ride him. and, he will be used as a lesson horse. we are getting a LOT of new students, many of them young girls, and he loves doing lessons with them. the barn manager tells me she can keep him as busy as i want with lessons. i am officially old now, since i just got my medicare cards. lots of paperwork for that and the medical leave. at least i can still get to the barn to hang out. i might try the clicker training, but the arena floor is hard to walk on, and i have been using a cane lately... so, thanks again, all. when i left oz was snoozing in a stall with his lovely blue vet wrap on the front feet. laurie Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
knee replacement #2
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com after having my left knee replace in 2006, i have been living on borrowed time for the right one. last tuesday it told me in no uncertain terms that it needs to be done. it has been painful for several months, and when i got off a very short ride on oz, i could barely walk. i can no longer stand at work (PT cashier at tarjay), so i am taking temporary disability until medicare will start in december. while i am off, i will work on dropping some extra weight and getting the muscles stronger for the recovery. what breaks my heart is not being able to ride for the next 6 months. oz and i have been alternating being off all summer, and the heat was too much for riding most of july. i am hoping friends will ride him for me, and he can also be used for a lesson horse. he needs to lose some weight (as well as me) but i haven't been able to put the hours on him that he needs. laurie, and oz, who doesn't care one bit if he has to work or not Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
lyme in horses
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i am throwing this idea out to see if anyone has had any experience with lyme disease in horses….. i have been dealing with off and on problems with oz since spring. he's been ouchie on occasion on his front feet, and other times just kind of off, especially turning to the left. i had his feet xrayed by the vet, and everything looked fine. we have tried 3 different kinds of shoes, hoof hardener, bute for a short time, he spent time inside for 4 days when he was sore and lost a shoe……i just don't even know that to do any more. my farrier has been working hard with me trying to get him sound, but so far we are stumped. i just read the symptoms of lyme and one of the things described is not wanting to work and a change in attitude. oz has always been a pretty easy boy to ride, but lately has been kind of difficult. my friend has been riding him because my knee is to the point of needing replacement, and i am trying to keep him moving. she called him rude after the last ride because he wouldn't turn, wouldn't go, when he went he wouldn't stop, etc. and i found him difficult the last couple of times i rode…….trying to ride circles he would almost run into the fence rather than just do the circle. and his canter, which he really likes, was very choppy and difficult to keep going. so if anyone has ever seen behavior or actions like this, or even had lymes, i would love some input. i have a farrier appointment in a week, and i am also thinking of calling to have a blood test just to satisfy myself. this is very hard on me right now, since i am working on scheduling my second knee replacement soon, and i can't ride right now. he's gotten a bit too heavy, and i have people lined up who will ride him, but i need to make sure he's not lame…….sigh. they also like using him in lessons, but can't if he is off………. laurie, and oz Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: heat and humidity
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com well, the real heavy duty weather hit the fan today. i went out mid morning to check oz, and he was really panting, as were most of the horses. they were in the midst of bringing everyone inside, and even outside board horses got to come in. i had already decided oz was staying inside. when he came in i hosed with cold water, scraped him off and repeated until he felt cooler to the touch. then he had some beat pulp with electrolytes which he gladly ate, and then fell asleep in front of the power fan in the tack up area. we set him up a stall with a fan, and when i left he was doing his usual lying down nap, and his breathing was close to normal. all the barn girls are amazed at his naps. when they use him for camp, he always lies flat out and sleeps. i am going back later today to check on everyone and make they all have water. i have to think being inside with the fan is a lot better than outside in the sun. at least two more days of this and it's brutal. i hope to leave him in, but i know he will get antsy after a while, but it's just too hot. and riding is totally out of the question. laurie, and oz, who naps for a living, when he's not eating Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
ozzie and his muzzle
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i know you have all heard me comment on oz and his propensity for removing his muzzle, halter, or anything on his head. i purchased the new version of the best friend muzzle with an extra strap in front and all sorts of adjustments, they call it houdini proof..ha, but not fjord proof. oz discovered that even though his pasture buddies look at him strangely, they refused to help him remove it. taking matters into his own hooves, he looked around his pasture and discovered a downed tree trunk had just enough fingers of wood on the root end that he could hook the strap on it and pull..off it popped. the quick release worked just like it's supposed to...darn. one day i put it back on him, and watched him simply walk to the log, bump his head against it, and off it came. all the barn workers know to look for it at the end of the log. i tried duck tape around the fastex buckle, nothing worked i had about given up in frustration, when my dear friend carol suggested laughingly that i should just put a plastic bag on the end of the tree, since oz is still afraid of them. so, we tried it. the look on his face was priceless when he walked toward the end of the log. he stared. he stood. he tried to rub it off on the smoothly cut end...he stared more. he started carefully toward the other end.and the bag moved. for a long time he tried to determine which was worse, the hatred of the muzzle or the fear of the bag. the bag won. he stomped over to the spot where he always sulks along the fence. and sulk he did. it was apparent in his entire body. when i went out later in the day, it was still on, and he RAN to me at the gate..mom, puleeeze take it off. i did, but then we went for a ride :) gotta love that pony laurie, and oz (gotta hate that muzzle...and the bag) Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: tender feet
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com On Jun 12, 2011, at 8:42 AM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: My mare Gaven has very tender feet boy, can we relate to the tender feet issue. my guy oz goes through this every spring, and it was especially bad this year because here in minnesota we had a monsoon season rather than spring. i think it rained for 6 weeks straight. he was very sore, to the point of calling out the vet to do xrays to see if something else is going on. thank goodness for my very patient and available farrier (how many will shoe a horse while said horse is using his back as a headrest while he sleeps in the cross ties). we determined his heels were sore and first tried aluminum egg bar shoes with a slight lift. not bad, except oz lost one in both of the pastures he was in this spring. amazingly i found one 3/4s buried in a muddy foot print in the far corner of one pasture. there is still a reward out for the other one. after the vet check we did determine he needed more lift in the heels, so he is now in regular shoes with a plastic lift which protects the frog. he is doing super. however, as far as the softness, on the recommendation of my farrier we tried Durasole. it's a liquid which is spread on the sole, first daily for a week, then as a monthly touch up. we started it after we did the round shoes and his feet were still very soft. when the farrier returned after the vet visit, he was astounded on how much harder the hooves were, even in such a short time. that stuff really worked. i am also really pleased the the vet and farrier spoke with each other about oz's problems and worked together to help get him sound again. we have a very talented young rider at my barn who rode him the other day and cantered the crap out of him. it was one of the best canters i've seen him do, and his soreness issues were gone. laurie, and oz the wonder pony, who can easily be seen in the pasture with his neon orange bell boots Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
oz and western dressage
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com oh, that rhymes, doesn't it? just a small brag about our western dressage clinic last weekend...we had a great variety of breeds there, and it was interesting to see the different ways they worked and carried themselves. oz was the only fjord, and he had the cute factor down completely. however, he also knew his stuff. thanks to paula for his early formal dressage training, and the work we have done together, the clinician said there was very little he could add to how i ride him. he was soft, round, relaxed and of course, cute. i was proud of him, and it was a nice validation to be told i am a good rider after my years of self doubt. we have been having some foot problems, as always in the spring, but i think they have worked themselves out. yesterday we had a great lesson, light again, working on turns on haunches and forehand, leading to small successes at rollaways and such. good pony. laurie and oz, the western dressage king (for a day) Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
oz and the muzzle
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com it's muzzle time. best friends has made a new muzzle with a change in design and extra straps which they call houdini horse proof. oz has proven you can't call it fjord-proof. thursday after my ride he had it on. when my pasture partner came to ride later, it was off. she looked everywhere. after our lesson yesterday, i walked the entire mud sucking pasture, bad knee and all, looking for it. on my way back to the fence, i glanced at this huge fallen log that i looked all around the first time past it. sitting nicely on the end, tucked behind the root area, was the muzzle. the plastic buckle had broken, as it should. i laughed out loud. fixed the buckle, and tramped across the pasture again. why are they always at the far end of the pasture when we are looking for them. i got the muzzle back on, readjusted it for better fit. first oz got really mad at one of the mares he shares the pasture with because she wouldn't help him get it off. good, i thought, nobody will help him. i headed for the gate. halfway there i turned around in time to see him walk to the big stump again, tap his head against it and the muzzle popped right off. sigh. back i go. put it back on, gave him the stink eye and hoped for the best. if anyone is interested, i posted a photo of the infamous muzzle on my facebook page. i love my pony. laurie, and oz, who field tests muzzles Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
2011 Minnesota Horse Expo
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com we had a fantastic turnout of fjords, including some new participants this year. as usual, the fjord aisle (yup, we have our own aisle) was packed with visitors and kids who love to see the funny horses with the mohawks. and as usual, we did a stellar demonstration. i may be a little smug, but after watching many of the other breeds, almost without exception, our group provides a sterling ride. the horses are clean, the riders look happy and well dressed for the type of riding they are doing, and also we have GOOD riders. in several other demos, i was quite concerned about the lack of balance and skill shown, with several coming close to coming off their mounts. gotta love the fjords. i posted a video of our long demo (they actually gave us 9 minutes as opposed to other groups who rode 4-5 minutes) both on facebook and on youtube. youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC163M10weM on a special note, dave and sue lusty celebrated their 50th anniversary by again joining everyone at the expo. they provided a yummy dinner for us all, and their cart was adorned with a sign announcing the event to the crowd. congrats! laurie Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: spring fordies
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com mary that gives a whole new twist to the old dancing on dad's shoes. if anyone is interested, i posted a couple of new oz videos on facebook under my name. i am having tremendous trouble with my still painful after 5 years knee replacement, and two of the other riders at the barn are riding oz several times a week. it helps get him back in shape, which i can't do since i can't ride long enough without pain. he is looking really soft and round in the videos, and i am really pleased with it. we are doing a western dressage clinic the first weekend in may, and possibly a demo in the evening, if i am up to it. i am seeing a new orthopedic surgeon in minneapolis this week, in the hopes of finding a solution to the unrelenting pain. the knee works like it should, but it has never once been pain free in the last 5 years. it really wears a person down. On Apr 10, 2011, at 9:39 AM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: My husband came to her rescue and grabbed hold of her arms and pulled right out of her boots. In order to not get too muddy, she had to put her stocking feet on Jon's boots, and they did this sort of wierd dance over to the gate. Both of them were cold and muddy to the knees, but laughing at their predicament. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
spring fjordies
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com oh, mary, i also own one of those dappled fjords, who often times is mistaken for the rare black fjord. everything runs downhill right into their pasture, and ends up at the gate. the horses of course trample it even worse when they come to the gate. there are a couple of spots that are about calf deep (even muck boots are in danger), and i know that oz doesn't like walking in the really deep stuff. strange for a horse who doesn't mind sleeping in a manure pile. such loveable ponies. i don't think he will be totally clean until july. On Apr 9, 2011, at 1:07 AM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: We are sitting up here with the dregs of winter, and my horses are finding the nice warm manure piles to lay down on and look like dappled brown Fjords! Mud season is in full swing, laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
horse fairs
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com On Mar 25, 2011, at 9:24 AM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: Horse Fairs please don't forget that april 29-may 1 is the minnesota horse expo. the fjords have a large presence there, and do several demos. it's always nice to have fjord owners come by and chat. the visitors always love our breed. so if you are around, come to the fairgrounds and say hi. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
shoes update
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com got oz re-shod again this week, and that helped with his ouchiness. but, as with last year, he had gotten some major chips, so we had to be sure they would stay on. i got a lot of input, information and suggestions, and want to thank everyone who emailed me. i talked with my farrier, who had also been thinking about ways we could get him going without pain and allowing his feet to spread. one of his suggestions was a glue on pad or shoes, and that's what we are going to try in a few weeks. when his feet settle. he, too, would like to see oz end up barefoot if possible, and thinks that might be a way to get him to that stage. thanks again, everyone laurie, and oz, the fuzzy, muddy, shedding huge yak Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
shoe issues
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com hi, all. i know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. that's kind of what i feel like i am doing. i took oz's shoes off a few weeks ago, with the hope of working through the ouchies so he can go without. he has always seemed to have sore feet, and has had shoes on for a long time. right now he seems quite uncomfortable in the indoor arena along the rail where the footing is harder. does anyone else have problems along these lines? how long would you suggest i wait until i give up and put shoes back on, or do you think he can finally overcome it? are there fjords who always need shoes? thanks for any input you might have. laurie, and oz, who sheds out at least two poodles every day when he gets brushed Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
saddle dilema
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com we had a master saddle fitter come to the barn the other day because two of us have been having troubles fitting our horses. i got a dressage saddle, a nice older albion, XW 19 inch that i thought might fit both of us but wasn't sure. it doesn't fit him. we might or might not be able to adjust it, but i am not that emotionally attached to it. i then told her that i rode in a Balanced Ride Saddle, which really got her attention since she knows how well built they are, and the principles behind them (google john fallis saddles if interested). i have been riding in mine since before i got oz. imagine my shock when we put it on and she immediately said it was too tight on his withers and bridges on his back. i never expected that, and felt guilty that i didn't realize it for all this time. i didn't expect to be trying to find saddle options, but here i am. there is a possibility that it can be used with a contoured wool pad, but not for sure. i contacted the maker (these are all done by hand and custom made. i got one made by my former riding instructor's husband who worked with john fallis on his methods) who said he can't make it bigger, and i would have to buy a custom one if i wanted one. he suggested that most of the ones that can be found for sale used most likely won't fit a fjord. and even used, they aren't cheap. i am crushed right now. my finances this year are really sucky. i don't want to ride him on a saddle that doesn't fit, and i have ridden this one for so long i have no idea what else is out there. any ideas or suggestions? treeless? aussie? i'm not so worried about the dressage, but i am getting into the western dressage movement, and really need to fix this. thanks laurie and oz the yak Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2011 #14
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com linda, i am so with you on this one. winters like this i love the barn staff where oz is. they are out every day in this constant snow and now below zero, taking care of all the ponies. i can't handle it like i used to, arthritis and all, bum knee, but i keep riding...unless of course it's -14 like it's supposed to be tonight. sven is 24? where has the time gone On Jan 20, 2011, at 10:19 AM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: Would be nice to have the energy level and strength of a younger person now and then...the hay bales are getting sooo heavy. And, yes, I am whining because I am so tired of winter and COLD...arthur-ritisand, the penguin walk. Below zero tonight..again. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2011 #7
This message is from: laurie with livingi...@q.com i think i listed my new email incorrectly. the correct version is below my signature. winteroz loves it, i hate it. laurie with livingi...@q.com Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: My reasons for posting about Gjest
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb rll...@pioneernet.net Jen, you might want to re-read this part of Carol's message, though I doubt it will change your mind. #3 - I felt strongly that we had made the right decision with Gjest. He was 32 years old, and in good health. Good health for a 32 year old horse. However, despite our long-term efforts to keep him going, he was slipping physically, and just recently, he was slipping in spirit. -- It was the right decision for Gjest, but it was a horrible decision to have to make. It was horribly hard to let him go. --- As many people have said, keeping him alive would have been the easy way to go . . . for us, anyway. And just for the record, I owe no loyalty to Carol. And if you want off the list, you have to do it yourself. Laurie Lamb Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Fjord piggy bank
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb rll...@pioneernet.net Hi Catherine, If this is still available, do you have pictures? Laurie - Original Message - From: fjo...@hughes.net To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:02 AM Subject: Fjord piggy bank This message is from: fjo...@hughes.net Hey - I have a fjord horse piggy bank I was going to place on ebay but thought of offering it here first. $30.00 plus shipping. If you are interested, I will sell it to the first to reply to me privately. Thank you. (It is new and in original box. Baby Buckaroo is the name of the bank. ) Catherine Lassesen fjo...@hughes.net 1-541-825-3027 Southern Oregon www.Hestehaven.com www.NorwegianBuhund.us Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Christmas ideas
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you are having trouble finding the ebay listing for these pins, do an advanced search for the seller name haflingers111. This should pull up her listings. She currently has 9 up. If you can't find her, email me and I'll send you a link to one of her listings. Laurie in NW Washington Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: New Fjord Item on Ebay!
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] The print on ebay was on a Christmas card that I found at Tractor Supply. Does anyone know where I can get more of these for Christmas cards?? Debi Crocker Willow Hill Fjords Waterford, Pa. You should be able to get them at Jody's website. www.bergsma.com Laurie in NW Washington The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2007 #227
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] very strange. doesn't that look like one of pat holland's drawings? pat, are you in a new business? I talked to the lady that makes these. She owns the design. It was made from the photo of a Fjord belonging to a friend of hers (Pat, maybe?). I ended up ordering two shirts from her. Very nice lady. Owns a carriage driving business and her husband makes harness. They own Clydesdales, Halflingers, and just got a spotted draft. Laurie in NW Washington The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Fjord shirt on ebay
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just thought I'd share this with you all. I found an auction on ebay for a sweatshirt with a really nice Fjord embroidered on it. She has some other designs too, but this was my favorite. I'm really surprised that no one has bid on it. Take a look. Auction ends tomorrow morning. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemrd=1item=330169990292ssPageNa me=STRK:MEWA:ITih=014 If the link doesn't work, the item number is 330169990292. Laurie in NW Washington The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: Breyer Dun Fjord for Sale
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am doing this rather than Craig's list or E-bay because I want some one who loves fjords have this rather than some collector. Jeri Some of us are both. : ) Laurie in NW Washinton The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Cart and Harness for sale
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sorry. I forgot to say the cart is a Bellcrown. Laurie in NW Washington The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Cart and harness for sale
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] For Sale: Super Bantum Deluxe 2 wheel cart. Easy entry. Winding axle, removable back step, basket under the seat. 1 set of traditional length shafts. 2 sets of competition length shafts. Fitted cover. 2 25lb weights that bolt to the back step. New paint job, dark green (powder coat). Used for pleasure driving and a few CDE's. Very stable cart. No wrecks. Zilco Advanced harness with stainless hardware. Buckle in traces with quick release snap shackles (the good ones). Comes with 2 breechings, 2 girths, 2 Bowman bridles, and 2 5 1/2 Rimples Mullen mouth Liverpool bits. 2 sets of reins, 1 Zilco (black with rubber grips), 1 Beta (brown). Also includes 1 Zilco English riding bridle with reins. 1 dark green Ultra Lite driving whip. 1 orange vinyl caution sign. 1 number carrier for back of cart. 1 large fleece lined canvas bag. This was all used on horses ranging from 14.2 to 15.3. Everything is in good condition. Email for questions or photos. $4500. Firm. I want to sell this all together. Would prefer to sell to someone who can pick up. I'm in NW Washington. Laurie Lamb The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: comments, behavior choices
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks for your storys about Libby, David. I like hearing these storys every bit as much as the ones about Fjords that are being shown. It just continues to show how versitile these guys are. Laurie in NW Washington The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Bellcrown cart for sale
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Bellcrown Super Bantum Deluxe with torsion suspension, winding axle, front entry with step. Has backstep for navigator and wire basket under seat. 38 wheels, shafts 38 wide at singletree. Singletree has pigtail ends. Used with 14.1 drafty Fjord and 15.3 QH. Comes with 3 sets of shafts (2 marathon, 1 traditional), fitted cover, weights for backstep, number holder, and caution sign. Recently powder coated dark green. Used for CDE and pleasure driving. Very stable. Email for photos. $3000 Located on Whidbey Island, WA Laurie Lamb The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: Stallion Review
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] I read on the NFHR site that they are going to try to get a professional to video the Evening of Dancing Horses as well as part of the Evaluation and Horse Show. What about the Stallion Review? As Pat said, this many stallions have not been represented in one place in NFHR history. How could we not tape it? Is the cost too much? I do realize it would be quite a job. I know that I'd love to see it and the only way that will happen is thru video/DVD. Here's hoping. Laurie Lamb
Re: intro and questions
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Also, surely you know Dave has moved out to the West Coast now! Oregon I think. That would be NW Washington, Jean. Laurie
Re: learning to drive
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Was thinking in terms of a runaway, not as fast or as powerful as a fjord or larger horse, and equipment lighter with minis, so maybe a bit easier to control or accident not as nasty, but with older bones crashingMaybe not? Definitely I see the need for training equally as for a larger horse though. Carts closer to the ground and thinking a bail out or crash would be less velocity:) Please don't lull yourself into thinking that you won't get hurt driving a mini. My first driving experience (many years ago) was driving a very small pony (not sure if it was a mini). Everything was going fine until something spooked her and then it was off to the races and I couldn't stop her! We went thru a fence before it was all over. Thankfully no one was hurt. Maybe a more experienced driver could have stopped her. I don't know. I do know that it turned me off from driving for a very long time. I figured if I couldn't stop that little pony, what on earth made me think I could stop a horse? The answer is, you can't. It all comes back to training. Laurie in NW Washington
Re: TEACH not berate
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Lisa, It wasn't my intention to berate. I was voicing my frustration over that ad as well as others. I had thought about contacting her myself, but decided not to. I figured that others far more involved and informed (like you) would do it. Glad to hear that you did and got a positive response. Laurie
Re: dreamhorse ad
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Barb, AH. Well, nothing can be done if he is not registered. Too bad, though! Lynda But the other one is. (The one looking to trade breedings for a Yorkie.) And will take any breed. I'm guessing he won't be registered for long. By the way, he's only a yearling! Laurie
Re: dreamhorse ad
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] I did not see that one, he did not come up under the search perimeters. Hi Lynda, I did a search for it again and the ad is gone. Must have already got some feedback about it. Laurie
Libby photo from 2001
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm trying to find the lady that had the rather nasty driving wreck at Libby in 2001. I think I finally found the picture I got of her right before it happened. I think her name was Kathy. Does anyone remember for sure who it was? Is she on the list? I'd like to get her the photo if I can. Thanks for the help. Laurie Lamb
Re: what do you tow with?
This message is from: Russ and Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] I personally prefer Ford, and I would not go with less than the F250. I used one of those for years, hauling a 2 horse slant and a 4 horse aluminum gooseneck. We upgraded to a F350 dually about 2 years ago and I'll never go back as long as I'm hauling the gooseneck. Laurie Lamb
Logo Change
This message is from: Russ Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Didn't someone say that the NFHR was just looking into changing the logo? I don't think anyone said they were just going to do it. Laurie Lamb
Re: T-shirt
This message is from: Russ Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Krist, Here's one for you to check out. This one has a driver, but it's close to what you want. This is the link for the main site, http://www.horsedesigns.com/ . This one takes you right to the Fjord design, http://www.horsedesigns.com/drafts/fjord.html Laurie Lamb This message is from: Krist Martinsen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Does anyone know where I could get a t-shirt that has a Fjord and Cart on the front (no driver) and the saying Driven a Fjord Lately)?
Truck for sale in NW Washington
This message is from: Russ Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] 1978 Ford F-250 Trailer Special, 460, Auto, PB, PS, tilt steering, cruise control, extended cab, running boards, 1 ton suspension, heavy duty transmission, transmission cooler (full tow package). Front and rear receiver hitch, fold down gooseneck hitch, spray in liner (Rhino). Trailer brake controller, dual batteries, good tires. Body in good shape, minimal rust. 140,000 miles. 2 owners. Great towing vehicle! $2500 OBO. 360-678-1551 (evenings best) Located on Whidbey Island. Laurie Lamb
Fjord Herald photos
This message is from: Russ Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear listers, Just a reminder (or request) to those who submit photos to the Herald. If someone has taken the time to take photos for you that you like enough to use, please remember to include photo credit when you submit the photos. It disappointing to do the work and not get credit for it. Thanks. Laurie Lamb
Re: Rubber Reins/Heat/Fly Spray
This message is from: Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Remember that if you get fly spray on the rubber reins they will melt in the heat. I don't know about rubber reins, but I have synthetic's (Zilco, Beta Biothane). I just have to stick with water based fly spray. No problems. I use Ultra Shield. Works great. Laurie Lamb
Gelding for sale
This message is from: Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] I won't take up too much space on the list with this. If anyone is looking for a fjord gelding, please take a look at the page I've been working on for info about him. http://www.angelfire.com/wa/torshome/SalePage.html Thanks, Laurie Lamb
earthquakes
This message is from: Laurie Lamb [EMAIL PROTECTED] We just had one here in the Pacific Northwest at 9:03 pm. Haven't heard how big it was yet. Just kind of rolled on thru. Laurie
Re: fjords as kids horses
This message is from: Laurie Pittman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Everything that everyone has been talking about as Fjords for kids is true with ANY breed. Why do you just say Fjords. Sheri Kane hit the nail on the head, it is a respect issue. That is true with any breed, just like she said. So the Fjords will show their strength or go their own way if they don't respect you. Do you know what other breeds do, bolt, rear, buck, bite, they too will shove, evade the bit, etc etc etc. Fjords can do these too, but for the most part they get bully. Of course Fjords can do all these things. The point was that they are often described as bomb proof and perfect childs/beginner horses. Of all the calls I had on Tor, that was what they were all looking for. There's no way I'd sell him as a childs horse. He's too strong and too strongwilled. Needless to say, I still have him. Laurie Pittman
Fjord for sale
This message is from: Laurie Pittman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just thought I'd mention that I still have Tor for sale. Anyone looking for a nice big gelding that drives? He's a brown dun, 14.1, 8yo, drafty build. If you'd like to find out more about him, please contact me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Asking $6500.00 OBO. Located in NW Washington. Laurie Pittman
Re: Congrats Laurie Russ is Lucky.
This message is from: Laurie Pittman [EMAIL PROTECTED] How exciting, yes Russ seems to be a keeper, does he cook? Not only does he cook, but he does dishes too! : ) And, he thinks fjords are cool! Thank you, from both of us, for all the well wishes, both on and off the list. It means a lot to both of us. Laurie and Russ
On a brighter note - OT
This message is from: Laurie Pittman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Some of you met my boyfriend, Russ, at Libby last year (he had a great time, by the way). Well, last Saturday night he asked me to marry him. I was really set up for it too. We were out with some friends when one of his buddies asked me when I was going to make an honest man out of him. I replied that I would if he would ever ask me seriously, (he'd always joked about it before). He snapped around and said really? He then dug a box out of his coat pocket, slapped it on the table and told me to put my money where my mouth was. He then got down on his knees and seriously asked me to marry him. Once I got over the shock, I said yes. : ) Don't have a date yet, but it will be no later than the fall I think. Laurie
