This message is from: "truman matz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> First, let me briefly state that my own post which follows, was sent to the list by an error of "button-hitting" on the computer. It was intended as a private post to Ruthie, with whom I occasionally banter back and forth.
I saved the portion of her post below, because it is heart felt posts like this that have incited my keen interest toward the purchase of a Fjord.. Second, my post was NOT intended as an attack on the Fjord, but rather the expression of what some of us see as a need to include more necessary information in the introductory info regarding Fjords. With the main goal of this inclusion being to bring MORE people (and I might add, happy people), into the wonderful world of the Fjord. I've decided the best way to address the comments to my own post was to actually go ahead and dissect my own post. See below,... Ruthie has included it with her response to same. >The Fjord is a wonderful horse and far superior to any other breed I know. >(and I've known a few) Their dispositions are sound, their feet are sound, >etc. >Ruthie, the Fjord devotee, in nw mt ********************************************************** My post to Ruthie began,... >>VERY prejudiced, Ruthie!! But you're supposed to be,... you're a "mommy". The above was intended in jest to Ruthie. No hidden messages, so don't look for them. ************************************************************ >>All that "hype" may be true, but it SHOULD, (and I'd rather put MUST) >>include the rest of the story. I believe every word of what was stated in the message Steve had quoted regarding Fjords, but, like Steve, feel it to be incomplete. When incomplete, the information can be misleading to one not familiar with the breed. (Now, I didn't say intentionally misleading, because I didn't mean intentionally, so DON'T put it in there!) ******************************************************************** Such as, special feeding needs, special >>fencing, special trainers, etc. Mary Thurman wondered where I got those ideas. First, let me assure y'all that I'm not an Authority on Fjords,... I don't even own one, (yet). So ALL of my information regarding Fjords has come from Carol's book, this list, and private emails from breeders and owners. As regarding FENCING, (caps only to designate subject matter), it partly came from Carol's book, but also from a breeder before I had ever heard of Carol's book. The breeder stated that if there's a weak spot in the fence they will find it, and also that they can jump like deer when they want to get into the next pasture, (or whatever). After that I also paid close attention to the fencing in pics of Fjords that were sent to me. Most of which was very high, and very strong. As to TRAINERS,... check the digest archives, as fairly recently there has been much, much discussion regarding trainers. Which, BTW, I don't have a problem with. Fjords train basically as do the Curly breed. But it IS different than most standard breeds. As to the special FEEDING needs,... again, check the archives. I've seen all kinds of feeding programs, supplements I've never even heard of, tricky ways to get them into your horse, and the list goes on. And, BTW, I've saved the info Vet Steve offered, as that is the way I would hope to feed my Fjord when I'm blessed to become an owner of one. I even made a note of the Tiz Wiz which is purported to be very similar to TDI 10, on the chance that the latter isn't available in my area, either. **************************************************************** If not, you'll have very unhappy, >>dissatisfied Fjord owners, who go out and give the breed a bad rap. When I first subscribed to the list, there was a post regarding one of our listers who had been to some horsey function. This lister was commenting on a very unhappy Fjord owner, whose Fjords were for sale, as this unhappy owner didn't have so much as one good word about the breed. OK,... that owner was a real jerk. But maybe he/she had read the "hype" on Fjords, which doesn't cover all of the details. And he/she didn't have a clue that Fjords are "different", or how to deal with these differences. Which, BTW, isn't that "difference" what makes the Fjords so very special? They ARE different, they ARE special, and that's why so many owners have more than one, and why other owners have gotten rid of all of their other breeds to only have Fjords. So my "motive" for that comment in the original post was to NOT have unhappy, uneducated Fjord owners. Not to slam the Fjords. ************************************************************ >>Fortunately, most of the breeders I've talked to "educate" potential >buyers. I see that statement as a "positive" statement, both regarding breeders and the Fjord. *********************************************************** >>But if a buyer bought just from the "hype" they read,... uff-da! Even a >>verteran horse owner wouldn't know how to deal with a Fjord without >>education. Hypothetically, and as a horse owner of many years,... if I had bought a Fjord strictly from the information which Steve had quoted, my (hypothetical) Fjord would have probably been in serious trouble. I would have put it in with our other horses, fed it the same as our other horses, (after a couple of weeks of transition feeding), and probably foundered the poor thing. BTW, part of our feeding program includes the use of several hundred pound round bales which the horses have "free choice". And all the above happening only if my (hypothetical) Fjord even stayed in the fencing that our other horses have been in (for nearly 7 years since we moved here). I might also have been disappointed if I found that this purportedly sweet, people loving, caring animal was trying to take advantage of me, as I've so often heard mentioned on the list with regard to training. ********************************************************** Once educated, then if the Fjord falls into one's realm of >>expectations, I believe that they would have a happy relationship until >>"death do us part". I guess I'm blind, but I can't see anything but a "positive" inference in the above statement. ********************************************************** Have a great day, "mommy". Judy Again, I was jesting with Ruthie, with whom this was originally intended as a private post. ************************************************************ If this doesn't shed a clearer understanding of the intent of my original post, I guess you'll just have to "deal with it", as I wouldn't know what else to say. Our goal is the same, the best interest of the Fjord,... which I feel comes through education and knowledge. Judy
