HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: peb2g@fulton.seas.Virginia.EDU (Penny E. Breyer)
Subject: Net wisdom needed on nerving
Summary: Thumbs up or down on nerving for navicular?
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 19:54:57 GMT

Hello everyone!  Faced with a horsey dilemma, I too turn to
the wisdom of the net for more experienced opinions on what
to do.

Here's the problem:  My mother's 11 year old Quarter Horse, Tex,
has been diagnosed with navicular.  She has been trying everything
(wedge pads, bar shoes, etc.) and he is still dead lame.  Someone
has suggested nerving him, which (I believe - correct me if I am
wrong!) involves cutting the main nerve in his foot so he can
be ridden without pain.  This is a pretty drastic step, so my
mom has asked me to see if anyone could give opinions or relate
similar experiences and decisions made.

The horse's history:  Previously to the navicular, Tex had not been
lame even one day since my mom bought him two years ago.  He is a 
very, very hardy horse - a hard worker in the ring, but flighty on
the trails.  He is really friendly and loves attention.  He was
never a school horse, and really only got ridden 3-4 times a week.
He wasn't really in training, but my mom's eventual goal was to do
Training Level dressage with him.

Right now, he is spending six months with 18 hour-a-day turnout in  
a large field, with no riding, in the hopes something will have
improved.  If, at the end of the six months, he is still lame, 
probably one of two things will happen.  Either we will go ahead   
and nerve him, and continue riding him for pleasure OR we will
try to set up an arrangement with someone so he could stay on
their property as a sort of companion horse if they only have one
horse and couldn't afford to buy another. Either way, we would retain
ownership of Tex.

Unfortunately, Tex is too young to be retired, and we really can't
afford to keep a horse we can't ride.  So, a decision must be made.
Can anyone give some much-needed advice on this?  If we do nerve him,
what would his limitations be?  Is there a possibility he might hurt
himself if he suddenly spooked and lost his footing?  He is a very
surefooted creature now, but has been know to turn tail and run for
the barn in terror at the sight of leaves moving in the trees :-) 
and occasionally takes riders for an impromtu swim in the Brandywine
river!  And also, would a nerved horse be allowed to compete in 
shows?  Would the nerved foot require any specific treatment or  
attention?

We dearly love Tex, and only want the best for him.  He seems sort
of puzzled by the lack of riding now, but he is obviously in pain 
when he trots.  We need to do something, but we just don't know what
the best option is.  Thanks a lot!!            

Penny Breyer, her mom Kay, and Dahl's Last Decision (aka Tex!)
send email to: peb2g@virginia.edu
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 13:22:47 EST
From: <GMG7@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Re: horse vacuums

A freind of mine trains Arabs for a private farm.  They have a large (read,
expensive) vacuum cleaner.  She uses it daily on all the horses at the facility
The horses stand quietly (at least the one's I've watched), and act as if it's
nothing.

I've used a shop vac on my horse (a Morab), and I've also borrowed a friend's
"dirt devil" type hand vac which I like so much I requested one for Christmas
I can't tell the difference between his vac and mine except he has little
horses decorating the bag part.  I'm sure mine was considerable cheaper than hi
s (Kmart 34.88, I saw them after Christmas for 29.95 at Gee Bee, but I think
they are a regional type store.  I've seen them for sale in tack/vet catalogs
for no less than 50.00)
My horse isn't really fond of being vacuumed yet although he does stand quietly
while being vacuumed.  Obviously a vacuum _is not_ a substitute for proper
grooming but they sure do come in handy.  They get alot of dust, loose hair, an
scurf off.  I've found a great help when the weather is less than ideal I have
a clinic or unimportant show.  They are also nice when they start to shed.
The vacuums don't get all the loose hair but they get enough so that I don't go
home looking like a little wooly bear.
That's my $.02 worth.

--Gina M. Giansante
From: kw@cbnews.cb.att.com (kathleen.m.wilber)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Western/English
Date: 7 Jan 93 18:30:41 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T


In keeping with a discussion on Western vs English, and also in keeping
with NOT flaming either style:

I can't remember where I heard this story, but....  The new owner of a
horse of unknown background was very dismayed to find that it was
completely disobedient when she tried to longe it.  It would turn and
face the owner, and quickly back up until the line was taut, and refuse
to move on.  If the owner approached the horse, it would back up again until
the line was taut.

You guessed it: upon investigation, it turns out the horse
had been trained for roping, and was doing exactly what it had been
trained to do to hold the calf - and was getting very confused at being asked
to do differently!  If I recall correctly, the story ends OK: once the
problem was understood, the horse could be retrained.

Kathy Wilber  mvp03!kw
From: doconnor@sedona.intel.com (Dennis O'Connor)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Re: Help! My horse won't drink!!
Date: 10 Jan 93 16:47:48 GMT
Article-I.D.: potato.DOCONNOR.93Jan10084748
Organization: Intel i960(tm) Architecture
NNTP-Posting-Host: potato.intel.com
In-reply-to: bigrasl@mala.bc.ca's message of 9 Jan 93 14:44:47 -0700


bigrasl@mala.bc.ca writes:
] HELP!!! My horse is drinking hardley any water.  We have had 1 1/2 feet of 
] snow for the past 10 days.  The last three days my horse's water consumption
] has dropped to 1/4 of what she normally drinks at night.

Is your horse mainly out during the day ? If so, she may be
eating the snow, and therefor need less water from other sources.

The check for dehydration is to "pinch an inch" or so of skin together
and if the skin goes back to flat within a few seconds, the horse
is not dehydrated. If your horse is not dehydrated, seems to be
urinating properly, and seems otherwise healthy, I wouldn't worry.
Otherwise, call your vet : you can't get a proper diagnosis any other way.
--
Dennis O'Connor			doconnor@sedona.intel.com
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
From: dianem@boi.hp.com (Diane Mathews)
Subject:  Brags and hugs
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 18:17:57 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard / Boise, Idaho

Background:  I have posted about conditioning older horses and stumbling.
Sam and i were recently reunited, and i want to get her back in shape so we
can enjoy some time together.

Sammi is doing great!  She's not there yet but everyone at the barn notices
how much better she looks now than she did before.  Her muscles are firming
up, she has more stamina-although i'm not expecting too much for starters.

The best signs are the hugs and the dashing.  She often used to nuzzle/hug
me while i was grooming her (as someone else already mentioned, although Sam
is a lot more gentle!)  For the first time since she's been here (14 weeks as
of today at 4pm) she dashed around when i let her run in the arena.  She
snorted, kicked, and raised her tail - not a lot, but more than she has for
quite a while.

She still stumbles a little.  She developed a small problem in her left hip
while we were apart, and she's sometimes reluctant to use it.  She has an
occasional cough, which bothers me but the vet doesn't think i should worry
about it much.

The gist of this, though, is what we all know and love about horses.  With
time, patience, skill, and good sense, a horse can be/become healthy and
happy and useful.  Her health, in the past, is undoubtedly the reason why she
has bounced this far back so fast!

Later,
Diane and Sam (and the collies)
From: krystek@alcor.bms.com (Stanley Krystek)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: [Phil Obermarck:  Natural-Ride?]
Date: 5 Jan 1993 10:12:48 -0500
Organization: BBN news/mail gateway
Reply-To: equestrians@world.std.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: news.bbn.com


I also bought the bare back pad from Chicks about four years ago
and my wife and I love them.  We use them for short rides and for 
rides with the kids.  they are light and well padded.  

We have also noticed that you cannot use the stirrups to mount
so we mount from the rear using a small jump.  the stirrups 
do help balance when a person is mounted.  For the price
it is useful when you do not have the time to get saddle and all
rigged up.

stan

 

Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
From: ktracy@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Karin L Tracy)
Subject: Re: AMHA phone #
Organization: The Ohio State University
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 22:18:58 GMT

In article <C0JxGC.34K@boi.hp.com> dianem@boi.hp.com (Diane Mathews) writes:
>The phone # that i have is (802) 985-8897.  I suspect that it this is either
>incorrect or a FAX or modem line.  Every time i call i get a hideous dial tone
 4
>times and then a busy signal.  Any help?
>

Try (802)-985-4944.
                 Karin Tracy and THE MIGHTY MORGANS!
From: VBENJAM@uga.cc.uga.edu (Virginia Benjamin)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Re: Riding boots suggestions?
Date: 12 Jan 1993 18:34:35 -0500
Organization: BBN news/mail gateway
Reply-To: equestrians@world.std.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: news.bbn.com

I love my new pair of On Course paddock boots with a rolled leather cuff at
the top.
I had a local tack shop order them for me based solely on the proprietor saying
that one of the instructors really liked hers...I didn't see or feel a pair or
try a pair on (not what I'd normally recommend)...I just saw a picture in a
catalog (which excepting the rolled top, looked just like other nice paddocks).
They have a ribbed sole which I easily became accustomed to, a very cushioned
walk which is similar to an aerobic shoe in the way the support feels, sur-
prisingly lightweight and easy to lace up with the fat eyes above the ankle.
Although they are several inches higher than my previous paddocks, there is
no rubbing and the leather was supple from day one....
I saw the instructor who also had a pair when I went to pick mine up several
weeks ago and she says she wears hers from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. without ever
experiencing any discomfort...she has even worn hers hiking....
I think they cost around $110.00 (but the tack shop was giving a 20% discount
when I ordered mine so they ended up costing 80-something).
I used to get occasional catalogs from On Course but I don't remember getting
one recently....
Definitely consider this boot...I feel I really lucked out having it recommen-
ded to me...I have only ridden in mine twice (we are definitely in the rain
mode here with nothing but slop on the ground) and they felt great...
If your local tack shop doesn't have info about this boot, get back to me and
I will try to find out here where they ordered mine (I tried to call today be-
fore posting this but they have irregular hours and I never did find anyone
in).

virginia (athens, ga.)
internet: vbenjam@uga.cc.uga.edu   bitnet:vbenjam@uga
From: sbishop@desire.wright.edu
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Re: How Old is too Old?
Date: 6 Jan 93 15:29:12 EST
Organization:  Wright State University 

In article <1993Jan6.160112.4997@vlin1.vsla.edu>, bchamber@vlin1.vsla.edu (Bill Chamberlain) writes:
> I had a horse being riden continuously when he was 36 years
> old.  He died at the age of 38 by breaking a leg gaalloping
> round a field.  I still have a 30 year old Shetland Pony who is
> still teaching young girls to ride very happily.  Age depends
> on how well they have been taken care of and how well they have
> been conditioned - very similar to humans!  Bill.

Another thing to take into consideration, some horses just seem to live
longer.  Certain breeds tend to have a longer life span and, it seems that
stallions don't live quite as long.  I've never heard of any horses from
the heavy breeds living to much over 20.  (I could be wrong.)

Sue
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
From: lbm@avs.com (Linda B. Merims)
Subject: Re: Trakehner decision
Organization: Advanced Visual Systems Inc.
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 19:43:26 GMT
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
X-Posted-From: phobos.avs.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol.ctr.columbia.edu

It is also true that breeding farms have to be careful to sell their
good stock, and not get a reputation of offering only culls.  Several
Morgan breeders I know have gotten into that trap.  The scuttlebutt
with their mares is that they keep all the good ones, and anything
offered for sale either has something wrong with the horse or
it will cost you a fortune, with nothing in between.  The wise,
established breeding farm lets some good ones go at reasonable prices.

Linda B. Merims
From: patty@alpha.larc.nasa.gov (Patty Howell)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Re: Boots, boots, boots..
Date: 4 Jan 1993 19:59:25 GMT
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA  USA
NNTP-Posting-Host: alpha.larc.nasa.gov



John -

 Thanks for the catalog info! Just what I've been looking for!

 Specifically, I'm in need of a pair of dress boots for fat calves
 and small feet! (without the custom made price!) If anyone out
 there in netland has numbers for any other tack catalogs, I'd
 appreciate any info. Apparently, all riders are supposed to be
 6' tall and skinny.....it's very discouraging to try to find
 clothes that fit. Any short riders out there have a favorite
 tack shop? What I'd like to find is a boot with an extra wide
 calf, size 5 or 5 1/2 wide, in the smallest height available (I think
 the height could be altered fairly easily, as long as it doesn't
 interfere with where the boot pulls are stitched in).

 I have a pair of custom made Dehners that were made when I was
 16 years old...needless to say, I'm a different shape these days.
 (Oh, for the days when my parents paid the bills.....)
 Does anyone have any experience with having boots altered? I only wore
 them to shows, so they're in GREAT shape. My choices are to 
 (try to) alter them, or (try to) sell them. 

 Anyone know the market for second hand custom boots? 
 They are probably best suited for a young teenager - about a size 5
 shoe, 14" height, fairly slim calves (in comparison to my fat calves
 of today). I don't even know how much to ask for them....any
 suggestions? 

 Anyone's experience in this area would be greatly appreciated! 

Thanks!
   Patty
From: tracy@scoraz.resp-sci.arizona.edu (Tracy Scheinkman)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: re: how old is too old?
Date: 4 Jan 93 06:43:09 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

In Article 10760 (3 more) in rec.equestrian:
From: b_lmcgilve@cpvax.cpses.tu.com

>I'm in the market for a quiet riding horse - something I can use to pony 
>young horses on the trail.   A local, whom I know nothing about, 
>has a 22-year old gelding quarter horse for sale - an ex-roping horse.  
>The horse appears to be in fairly good condition (I won't even think of 
>buying it without a vet check though).  My question is how old is too old? 
>or put another way, at what age do the health problems really start to 
>interfere with riding?   I'm very leery of buying a horse over 18 and 
>getting stuck with a basically unrideable mount.  The owner did let me 
>know that he had the horse on a complete feed - he won't keep weight on hay.

>So what's the net wisdom on this?  Would you take a chance on an aged horse
>that appeared perfect in every way except age?  
-- 
>Laurel & TBs Rose & Pregnant Sweetie & Buddy (7 mos) & Pal (2 years)
>             AussieXBorder Priscilla & Bubba Jr (BJ)
>             Barn/House cats Samantha & Cinderella

	An older horse is the best quiet riding horse.  My old Quarter Horse
mare lived to be 29 1/2 years old and from what I have gathered anecdotally
that is not uncommon.  You are going to have a vet check done so if the 
horse is sound and passes vet check that should not concern you.  Some
older horses have trouble keeping weight on because of age related problems,
however before you consider that please have your vet check him for sand
in the belly which Quarter Horses in the southwest can accumulate over years
and not show any signs of.  A friend of mine's 23 year old Quarter Horse
mare just recovered from a bad case of impaction colic which was caused
by sand.  Now the mare is receiving large daily doses of psyllium seed hulls
to clean her out.  This is the way the problem is solved and is a very
easy solution (2-3 months 2 cups of psyllium a day to clean out, 1 cup every
day for 7 days one week a month for maintainance).  Other things that
can cause the horse to be having trouble keeping weight on are various
illnesses such as Cushing's syndrome, and heaves, all of which can be
and should be diagnosed by your vet when you have the vet check.  Most
of these problems can be managed.
	Good luck to you.

					Tracy and everybody
From: sknopp@vax (KNOPP, SHERRON)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Re: loss of hair
Date: 7 Jan 1993 20:11 EST
Organization: Williams College Center for Computing
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: vax.cc.williams.edu
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    

In article <7JAN199312474588@watson.bms.com>, gibson@watson.bms.com (Minde Gibson) writes...
>I purchased a used New Zealand Turnout Rug for my Quarter Horse in the fall
>and since the weather has turned colder he has worn it.  My concern is that
>he is losing his hair at various pressure(friction?) points.  I have tried
>loosening the rug some but this seems to have no effect.  Next year he will
>probably be left naked(since he's partially destroyed the rug anyway).
> 
>Will his hair grow back or will he be bald in these spots for good now??
> 
>Any comments/suggestions will be appreciated.
> 
>                                 Minde, M&M's Van Go
> 
ago for a very active TB.  He put a rip in it on his first outing.  BUt
it was also very heavy and a PAIN to put on and off.  I would NEVER buy
another one--and haven't used the one I bought.  The lighter blanekts
with hollofill or thinsulate or whatever keep the horse just as warm,
and they're  MUCH easier and lighter to deal with.  The mare I have
now wears a thinsulate blanket (this is in New England) and maintains
a show quality thin coat. She wears a Wundercover under her balnekt
because she does get rubs (but NOT with Wundercover).  YES, your
horses's hair will grow back from the rubs.  But don't give up
blanketing if you want a nice coat--buy a lightweight nylon blanket
and a wundercover.

SHerron and "Judy"
Williamstown, MA
sknopp@williams.edu

ago for a very active TB.  He put a rip ini
From: GC.GGG@forsythe.stanford.edu (Gwyn Gordon)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: FUNGUS ADVICE WANTED
Date: 4 Jan 1993 16:46:03 -0800
Organization: Stanford University
NNTP-Posting-Host: morrow.stanford.edu

Hi everyone!

A quick question:

I've got a horse turned out with a turnout rug on, and he suddenly
has developed an odd fungus (maybe). The symptoms are clumps of hair
falling out and leaving oozy sores. They are mostly centered in his
"armpits" but are starting to spread up his shoulder and back to
where the girth goes.

HELP!!!

Should I do the Desitin thing or will the powder be enough? Does
anyone have a name for this horrible thing? Is there a special goup
I should get from the vet?

Thanks for your help! I'm not on the net anymore, so please reply to
my e-mail directly.

THANKS AGAIN.

=GWYN
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
From: mapike@sei.cmu.edu (Mary Ann Pike)
Subject: Arabian horses for sale
Organization: Software Engineering Institute
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 09:40:39 EST

I finally have some time to ride now that my kids are past the toddler
stage, and I'd like to get back to showing. Since my colt won't be
ready to ride for a few years, and my mare is not a show horse, I've
decided to sell one of them and buy myself a horse I can show. Here is
some info on the two of them.

LF Robyn - 15 year old purebred arabian mare. Grey, 14.1 hands.
           Good broodmare -- has produced one Class A halter champion
           and western pleasure winner, and her current colt is very
           promising. Very sensible, and passes it on to her foals.
           Broke--very quite in the ring, but somewhat nervous out on
           the trails until she gets used to them. I've owned her for
           almost seven years and she's had no health problems. Her
           bloodlines are basically crabbet.

           asking $1500

Baaskin Robyns - yearling purebred arabian colt out of LF Robyn.
           Currently black/bay, but will be turning grey. By Ali Bama,
           a Class A halter and western pleasure champion. Very nice
           head, correct body and legs. Very good personality, quiet,
           handled a lot. Good show prospect. No health problems.

           asking $3000

Also available, two breedings to Ali Bama. Beautiful bay, 15.1 h, very
little white on him. Class A halter and western pleasure champion. 
Polish/Domestic(mostly crabbet) bloodlines. His current stud fee is
$2500, asking $1500 for each breeding.

I can provide complete pedigrees for all of the horses for anyone who
is interested.  Both of my horses are located near Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. The stallion is located near Youngstown, Ohio (the owner
may be willing to do AI if someone outside of the region is
interested). I can be reached via e-mail or at (412)268-6503 (w) or
(412)378-3794 (h).

Mary Ann Pike   (mapike@sei.cmu.edu)    and     Robyn (14-year-old Arabian)
Software Engineering Institute                  & her June colt Baaskin Robyns
Carnegie-Mellon University                     
Pittsburgh PA                                   
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
From: tara@wam.umd.edu (Tara)
Subject: Re: Horsey Hugs
Keywords: hugs
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1993 00:17:06 GMT

Here with UMEA (see my .sig), our horse Playboy refuses to let
a rider onto his back until after they have hugged him.  He'll
put his head between you and the saddle as you are trying to
swing up.  Although he is no longer as insitant about the matter,
he'll still push me back every once in awhile until after he has
been properly hugged.


             ,--, | University of Maryland Equestrian Association 
       _ ___/ /\| |
   ,;`( )__, )  ~ | Horses: Quaker, Bud, Playboy, Tommy, Casey, Darla
  //  //   '--;   | 	    Nehi, Classy, Dee, Vern
  '   \     |     | 
tara@wam.umd.edu  |
From: dan@msen.com (Dan Sugalski)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Horse hugs
Date: 6 Jan 1993 17:40:35 GMT
Organization: Msen, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, Michigan
NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.msen.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]


I got a horse hug yesterday.  Now I know I don't want a bear hug.  While
visiting Sterling, I gave him his usual hug for being a wonderful friend. 
I had my arms around his neck and all of a sudden, he brought his head in
and squeezed me.  Ouch!  He needs to lighten up.  I tried it again later
and he did it again.  This is the first time in the 6.5 years I've had him
that he's done this.  I wonder what prompted it.

Karen
From: b_lmcgilve@cpvax.cpses.tu.com
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Dressage Horse (NY) available for 1/2 lease
Date: 4 Jan 93 08:17:39 CST
Organization: Texas Utilities, Glen Rose TX 

Dressage horse available for 1/2 lease, $350 @ month (I know, I know, the
board around here is exorbitant).
He is at a stable that is about an hour north of New York City in
Westchester (Lincolndale); a nearby town is reachable by train. Lessons
with a really really really great instructor are available.

Call Karen Sergey (914-962-1676) for more information.

Leah Beckman
beckman@cs.nyu.edu

PLEASE, do not repond directly to this post---I can not post from this
site and have asked somebody else to post this for me.

Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
From: bchamber@vlin1.vsla.edu (Bill Chamberlain)
Subject: Re: How Old is too Old?
Organization: Virginia State Library
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 13:57:21 GMT

According to the Guiness Book of World Records 1989 the oldest horse
lived 62 years and was a Cleveland Bay cross (i.e. "Cold
Blood").  The oldest Thoroughbred lived to 42 years and died in
1978 in Australia.
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian