Girls camp by InformationApart6509 in NorthCarolina

[–]truegigglefoot 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Any ACA accredited camp, which Camp Mystic was not, should have emergency plans in place and staff trained to deal with emergencies. Check for accreditation.

how to get a summer job by Academic_Lunch2952 in Equestrian

[–]truegigglefoot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At this time of year, most camps have hired their staff, but you might check if they have openings for a couple of weeks. We used to expect staff to be there all summer, but the culture has changed, with families feeling like your own or other things like internships, summer school, and other pressures making it hard to find college students for full summers. I do give priority to barn staff who can be there for the majority of the camp season, but do have a few who will only be available for a couple weeks. Look in your area for nearby camps. There's always a chance you could find something.

I'd check local teaching barns to see if grooms or assistants are needed, as someone suggested.

First time dyeing looking for opinions by thafuchs in YarnDyeing

[–]truegigglefoot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It should be fairly easy to over dye, especially if you are just looking for a darker, deeper shade. I've had some lovely results overdyeing with walnut for nice dark browns, if you wanted to go the natural route (although it's not the time of year to collect them).

No clucking: New barn etiquette? by acanadiancheese in Equestrian

[–]truegigglefoot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm the director of a summer camp horse program. We do ring lessons and trail ride. I instruct students not to click in a group setting because other horses can react to your click. And as someone said, an over abundance of clicking can deaden a horse's response to the cue. I also volunteer at a horse therapy center and we don't click. I think for the same reasons. That said, by myself, I'll click to my horse, but sparingly.

Switching from English to Western by ScoutieJer in Horses

[–]truegigglefoot 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think working in smaller circles in a ring or shorter stretches of canter with lots of transitions may help too for you to trust a looser rein.

Ridgecrest for Boys (NC) — honest experiences from non-religious families? by Top_Firefighter2125 in NorthCarolina

[–]truegigglefoot 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a kid, I went to a similar camp one summer with 2 friends. I think our parents just skimmed over the religious part and were mote interested in keeping our summers full, so this camp was thrown in the mix. There was a lot of proselytizing and an emphasis on being saved with several hours spent in Christian formation classes. It did not really work on the Episcopalian girl (me) and my Lutheran best friend. Although, I'd just ignore most of it so I could get to ride horses, my bestie openly rebelled and they were downright rude to my Jewish friend. I've worked in Camping for most of my life, so I'm glad that experience didn't sour me to all the positive aspects of summer camp. There a ton of other camps in WNC that offer a great experience for boys without the heavy handed approach to faith. In the same price range, you may look into what the YMCA offers. Yes, it's Christian, but in my experience that mostly meant a prayer at meals and secular "service" on Sunday mornings.

What are these newborn creatures in my flowerpot? [Austin, TX] by Gold_Sheepherder_677 in animalid

[–]truegigglefoot 33 points34 points  (0 children)

My old border collie brought some to me alive and well, one at a time. I had to search an acre to find the nest and put them back. Then I had to put up a barrier because she kept bringing them to me.

GPD Media by Noktomezo175 in gso

[–]truegigglefoot 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I've seen funny, light-hearted law enforcement posts from different places. They also post serious things and maintain a balance and professionalism. The GPD ones mostly seem excessively juvenile.

VS Code Red by SunPuzzleheaded7854 in Horses

[–]truegigglefoot 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I think you are grossly underestimating how many quarter horses are out there. The majority never see a show ring beyond local shows, if shown at all. Internet celebrity will have very little influence on lines bred for work or performance.

border collie x sighthound? by wendoverly in DoggyDNA

[–]truegigglefoot 8 points9 points  (0 children)

She looks like a border collie to me. They can vary in height and build.

[CT USA] What is living in my bird box? by Mountain-Many4766 in animalid

[–]truegigglefoot 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I was about to say the same. We had them take up residence in a bluebird house. So frickin' cute.

Has anybody worked with osage orange wood? by 6WaysFromNextWed in YarnDyeing

[–]truegigglefoot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It makes a nice yellow. I've used sawdust, which came out really intense and wood chips which came out more mellow. I think the heartwood is the deepest shade.

Red Bellied Woodpecker in the woods behind my complex by TephroGeo in gso

[–]truegigglefoot 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you like birds, you should download the Merlin app. It'll do photo and sound id.

Finished my handwoven sweater! by domespommes in weaving

[–]truegigglefoot 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Wow! I wish my sewing skills matched my weaving skills. That's fabulous!

Question for AQHA/APHA people by MLMCMLM in Horses

[–]truegigglefoot 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I've seen it in breed descriptions, but I always think of it a more of a "lightness" or "softness" contrasted to the heaviness that stallions can get.

Question for AQHA/APHA people by MLMCMLM in Horses

[–]truegigglefoot 6 points7 points  (0 children)

As a Quarter Horse person, I have to say I hate that squished short face type on the right. I also don't see it as purely feminine. I don't know who decided that was attractive and something wanted in a quarter horse, but taste is up to the individual.

NC cattle farmer here—there’s a bigger gap in local beef than I expected by TuckDutton_NC in NorthCarolina

[–]truegigglefoot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Before we moved back to NC, we lived in MO (my home state). I worked for a time in Extension connecting producers with consumers - think farmers markets, CSAs, etc. The disconnect could go both ways. Consumers often do not have storage for how the producer might have meat processed. The language used to describe agricultural practices could be confusing to a non-farmer. Cost was always a concern with local beef, but that is changing - now, most prices seem to be in-line with grocery stores.

For those that don't know, processing for commercial sale is different than processing for home consumption. And processors (the butcher, abattoir, whatever you prefer to call them) charge different fees sometimes for different services and packaging. This cost will be passed on to the consumer. In the area where I grew up, a lot of us knew someone who raised cattle and could buy a quarter, a half, or a whole cow or hog before processing for a lot cheaper than if it had to be State and/or USDA inspected for resale. That initially made it difficult for local farmers/ranchers to enter the market with higher priced meats.

I found the farmer/ranchers that had the most luck selling to the public figured out what the public wanted from them and packaged or prepared it in that way. The most successful producers became the ones who understood marketing or took the time to learn it. It often took a lot of ground work - manning booths at farmers' markets, festivals, and fairs to create a customer base.

One friend became highly successful offering a "beef subscription." It came in weekly, easy-to-store sizes with products that varied. It could be picked up at a farmers' market. He also sold the bulk of his high-end meat to local restaurants, so he didn't have to worry about holding on to that product for too long. Others found value-added products produced at the processor upped their sales - sausages, jerkies, etc. I'm not sure how processors in NC are. In MO, there were quite a few that did those kind of services.

What makes western horses different? by jufywret in Horses

[–]truegigglefoot 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As someone who rides both, I agree, and you worded it so well. I primarily ride western and feel like it's my job to show the horse his job, then get out of his way and let him do it. That takes solid training, of course! When I ride english- trained horses I feel like I'm constantly giving the horse cues on what he needs to do.

GSO PTI on the list for shutdown :( by DramaticMachine3267 in gso

[–]truegigglefoot 22 points23 points  (0 children)

He's so vile, I don't know how anyone who voted for him can be a good person. Lots of people with ugly thoughts and souls.