Wild Pony Eventing: Recent Comments

Comment on Five Hour Farrier Fun

Kim — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:23:15 GMT

Fi's story brings back memories of a NSH mare I had in training years ago. The owner bought her has a youngster, and I was to train her under saddle. Maya came with issues about her hind feet. We found out later that she was bred by a farrier, who had a habit of slapping her on the rump every time she flinched with her hind feet. Needless to say, she became EXTREMELY paraniod about her hinds being handled. She was down right dangerous in her craftiness and aim. Sedation didn't work with her. Twitching, drugs, nothing. She still had a deadly accurate aim doped up. Our farrier, John Pontius, bless his heart, hung in there with us as we spent YEARS of working with her to overcome this issue. Last time I saw Maya and her owner was about 8 years ago.

I recently ran into her owner, at a rabbit show of all things, lol. She still has Maya, and she's come a LONG ways, never gave up on the poor girl. I guess now she's an excellent dressage horse, and has very little, if any, issues with her hind feet even being shod. Farthest we got was a fairly calm trimming session, without restraint, and we were only just starting to try and tack shoes on there. That was after nearly a year of working with her. I was SO happy for the owner and Maya, as I knew she loved that mare beyond reason.

Fi is lucky to have not only an owner, but a steady, faithful farrier to help her through. Hang in there gang, she'll be a dream someday!

Comment on Equestrian Institute Horse Trials

Kim — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:25:19 GMT

Hey, could you let us know when you are showing locally, like a weekend or two before hand? My daughter really wants us to get back into training, and she wants to learn to train from me, so I told her we'd go to some shows together, and watch the ponies, so I can coach her on what I see, and all that fun mother/daughter bonding stuff, lol. It would be great fun to come see you, and meet your ponies!

Comment on Equestrian Institute Horse Trials

Jolynn — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:08:14 GMT

Thanks Kim! It is often a bit surreal showing again - a strange combination of old and new, familiar and novel...~Jolynn

Comment on Equestrian Institute Horse Trials

Kim — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:56:47 GMT

Oh, Jolynn! You brought tears to my eyes, and a FLOOD of memories, lol. Yup, been there, done that, though I am not an eventer. Reiner, side saddle, western pleasure. But, have camped at more horse shows than I can remember, even slept in the extra stall rented for a tack room, lol. I always love that best. 12 p.m. nights 4 a.m mornings, ah, I do miss it, lol.

Thanks for sharing your adventures with your ponies. It keeps the fire buring for me, maybe some day I'll be back in the saddle, too!

Comment on Groom & School, Groom & School

Jolynn — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:05:52 GMT

Thanks Kim! We love Frost dearly but always appreciate hearing what others think! Hope your buns & goats are well!
~Jolynn

Comment on Groom & School, Groom & School

Kim — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:40:22 GMT

Jolynn, I just have to say, Frost is just perfect. What a balanced, upright, smooth girl! She looks like she'd be a dream to ride. Someday, I'll be back in the saddle again, on my dream horse. For now, I'll drool over yours, lol.

Comment on Permaculture and Biodynamic Growing Workshop

Kim — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 06:58:08 GMT

Thanks Jolynn! This is happening right in my backyard! I never would have known about it if you hadn't of posted it here. I am looking at participating!

K

Comment on ANIMAL RIGHTS OR ANIMAL WELFARE?

Doug — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:44:17 GMT

It is no more cruel for humans to kill and consume animals for survival than it is for predatory animals doing the same. The only difference is where we are on the food chain, which is near the top, if not at the top. And I find it interesting that most all of the nutrients needed for human life is found within animal flesh.

Comment on ANIMAL RIGHTS OR ANIMAL WELFARE?

John — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:35:09 GMT

Most of these vegan diets are comprised of vegetables raised in hot houses on factory farms utilizing pesticides and fertilizers that do more harm than good to our environment

Comment on ANIMAL RIGHTS OR ANIMAL WELFARE?

Jolynn — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:53:17 GMT

Well, Tracey, thanks for your comment, but I disagree.

1. I don't find it "inhumane" to slaughter animals - there are many humane ways to slaughter and I believe diet (meat, vegetarian or vegan) is a personal choice, not an "ethical" choice. Where ethics comes in is the humanity in which animals are raised and given death. ARA's have the highest kill rates in the US among shelters...how is THAT humane? The bodies are disposed of, not even used to feed or cloth anyone.

2. A vegan diet is *not* "natural," humans are carnovores and require the amino acids present in animal meata nd by-products to survive.

3. Death, as opposed to vegan diets, IS natural, whether by disease, natural selection or being eaten. This is part of the natural cycle of life. Go out into nature and see it for yourself.45. A vegan diet does not equal "cruelty free." Animals will continue to be treated inhumanely by those people who make that choice, even if the world goes vegan.

I believe that the answer lies in raising better humans. There are millions of starving children, millions of abused and neglected children, and hundreds of thousands of children sold into slavery right now in the US. THESE are the people who will be abusing animals. If we take care of the HUMAN issues, the animal issues will fall into place. I challenge all the ARA's to even *match* their energy and funds put into animal right into helping humans.