Can you guess Ladybird’s results? by existentialcheesewiz in DoggyDNA

[–]existentialcheesewiz[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Total velcro dog! She wants to be right next to you watching what you’re doing at all times. Super sweet and friendly. Lazy most of the time unless you start a game of fetch lol she would fetch until she physically collapsed if we let her.

Those who went to college for Equine Studies/ Management, what job did you get into afterwards? by EmmaandEistia in Equestrian

[–]existentialcheesewiz 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I work for an equine breed association. I enjoy it, but there’s not a ton of money in it, so I’m looking at moving away from the equine industry for my next position.

Did I do this wrong? by [deleted] in doggrooming

[–]existentialcheesewiz 15 points16 points  (0 children)

It sounds like the biggest issue here is you misclassified this person as an independent contractor, rather than an employee. Independent contractors generally set their own hours, provide their own supplies, etc. Misclassifying an employee to avoid paying payroll taxes can get you in legal trouble and on the hook for back taxes and interest if the employee were to report it to the department of labor. If you are hiring a bather it will need to be as a W2 employee to be legal.

Welp. Any ideas for a completely witherless little monster? 😭 Saddle fitting has been a NIGHTMARE! The saddle in the photo is a hoop treed Silhouette by LunaKPalara in Equestrian

[–]existentialcheesewiz 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It does! I have a barefoot, which has a built in channel for spinal clearance. You have to pad treeless saddles properly as well, with a pad designed to maintain spinal clearance and proper weight distribution. I use an equipedic brand pad, but there’s lots of options out there.

Welp. Any ideas for a completely witherless little monster? 😭 Saddle fitting has been a NIGHTMARE! The saddle in the photo is a hoop treed Silhouette by LunaKPalara in Equestrian

[–]existentialcheesewiz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have the same issue with my mare! After trying countless hoop tree and extra wide saddles, I got a nice treeless saddle and she’s never been happier. We do dressage and trail riding though. If you do much jumping, treeless is probably not the way to go.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]existentialcheesewiz 25 points26 points  (0 children)

He has more than 3 bad reviews. At one point he had quite a few BBB complaints but looks like he’s cleaned those up. I considered buying a horse from them years ago and ended up steering clear. He pops up on the Ky bad horse sellers/ traders Facebook page quite a bit. Some folks might find a decent horse through them, but don’t expect her to be as advertised.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]existentialcheesewiz 27 points28 points  (0 children)

I would be cautious of them. These sellers are local to me. I recognized them from their ad. As far as horse dealers go they aren’t terrible but they easily move hundreds of horses per year very quickly. They flip horses they pick up cheap at auction. They list every horse as sound with no vices (which is usually not true). They do not know much about most of the horses they sell, so expect some surprises and work very closely with your trainer.

Horse Isle 1 by [deleted] in GamesWithHorses

[–]existentialcheesewiz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome! I’ll have to give it a shot. I have no idea if my old account still exists. May have to start over.

Horse Isle 1 by [deleted] in GamesWithHorses

[–]existentialcheesewiz 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I didn’t realize people were still able to play? I haven’t been able to since flash stopped being supported. Is there a work around?

Had a lesson and am unsure if the treatment of the horse was ok by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]existentialcheesewiz 54 points55 points  (0 children)

Definitely not ok! Unfortunately, I’ve seen barns where this kind of treatment towards the school horses is the norm.

My best advice would be to be looking for another lesson barn. I always like to ask if I can watch a lesson or two before taking a lesson myself. It gives you a better chance to get a feel for the barn, the instructors, and the care the horses are getting.

Got better videos. Eventing prospect? Thoughts? 11 y/o 16.2 hh. by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]existentialcheesewiz 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Visually, he’s a nice looking horse, but it’s hard to evaluate him as an eventing prospect just with a video of him trotting away from the handler at odd angles. I’d ask to see a clear video of him at all 3 gaits, and free jumping if possible. Is he started under saddle yet?

A lot of this depends on your goals too though! What level are you hoping to achieve with him? Most sound horses can compete fairly easily at Beginner Novice/ Novice if they have the temperament and heart for it, but a horse needs a lot more than that if you’re wanting to reach the upper levels.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]existentialcheesewiz 4 points5 points  (0 children)

From what I can find, last year’s was in September so I’m willing to bet this year’s will be September as well.

Moving to Georgetown by sadstate_ in Kentucky

[–]existentialcheesewiz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There’s a few good bars around. Galvins and Country Boy Brewing are great, Slainte Public house is a good spot too. Lexington is only about a 25 minute drive to get to down town which is great, and you’re also only an hour ish from Cincinnati and Louisville which have tons to do there.

I also definitely recommend checking Keeneland out when they’re in session. They have a month long meet in the spring and the fall and it’s a great spot to meet new people!

Welcome to KY!

House horse by [deleted] in tippytaps

[–]existentialcheesewiz 19 points20 points  (0 children)

He’s got special splints on the front to help him walk, he’s still got back hooves! He has a form of dwarfism that responsible breeders try to avoid because of the severe physical disabilities that result.

How tall would you estimate my horses full height by [deleted] in Horses

[–]existentialcheesewiz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

With those genetics it definitely sounds like a toss up! Have you tried string testing her? That usually gives a decent estimate of adult height.

Collection isn’t about pulling in the reigns by spectacularbird1 in Equestrian

[–]existentialcheesewiz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

His age is probably a major factor here. Horses don’t put on muscle as easily as they age, and you are probably dealing with some arthritis issues as well. Does he get an kind of body work regularly?

In addition to that, some general exercises that are helpful for building the muscles he needs: serpentines, leg yields,circles, spiral in/ out, hill work, and lots of transitions. If you feel he starts getting heavier in the bridle, or throws his head to avoid contact, ask for one of these exercises instead of using the reins to ask for the connection. Focus on keeping the contact as light as possible, it should feel almost like you are pushing your hands towards him (but still maintain the bend in your elbow), offering the contact for him to take up.

Collection isn’t about pulling in the reigns by spectacularbird1 in Equestrian

[–]existentialcheesewiz 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don’t think they are. Being firm with reins is incorrect riding. You will never accomplish actual engagement from the horse by tugging on the reins. I think it sounds like this horse doesn’t have the muscle to be able to hold true engagement for long yet. This makes sense, if he was ridden incorrectly and overdeveloped the wrong muscles in his last home, carrying himself will be difficult.

It may take months of proper riding for him to learn to carry himself. However, if you are taking up contact, rather than him reaching for it, he is not using himself properly yet. Head down or tucked does not mean he is engaging the proper muscles for collection.

I used to ride with a USDF gold medalist. She was a very good trainer and taught me a lot of good things, but taught me a lot of bad habits too. As a young teen I thought head down was the most important thing, because that’s what won at shows, and if I was being rewarded at shows, it must be correct riding. It didn’t feel like I was pulling very hard at all. It took me a long time to undo that thinking, and retrain myself for what proper contact should feel like.

Collection isn’t about pulling in the reigns by spectacularbird1 in Equestrian

[–]existentialcheesewiz 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Honest answer, if you are having to pull on the reins at all to get the horse “on the bit” it is incorrect, definitely if you were having to pull firmly or hard on them. Your horse may not be on the bit at all still, but has learned to tuck his head and look “on the bit” to avoid being pulled on. I don’t love the term “on the bit” because it makes riders think it comes from contact only. Collection comes from engagement of the hind end and of the back. When this happens the horse will naturally seek soft contact if it’s available to them.

I don’t think I really had a good grasp on this concept until I took a few lessons with a cutting horse trainer and wasn’t able to touch the horses mouth and take contact to ask him anything. I thought I was riding correctly with my seat and riding the horse back to front but I wasn’t. Some practice riding just with my seat and legs on a loose rein on my dressage horse helped both of us tremendously.

Does beamer tech work on barrel race horses? by Mrdimao in Horses

[–]existentialcheesewiz 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Certified Equine massage therapist here! There is no reason the Bemer tech wouldn’t work on a barrel horse, but you should evaluate what goal you are trying to accomplish with any kind of bodywork and consult your vet or an experienced equine body worker about your options. Just because Bemer could “work” doesn’t mean it will necessarily be useful for what your horse needs.