From: shelly@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Shelly Holifield)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Miscellaneous
Date: 15 Apr 92 15:09:45 GMT
Reply-To: shelly@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Shelly Holifield)
Organization: Carderock Division, NSWC, Bethesda, MD

Hello everyone!!

     It's been a while since i've posted.  I just wanted to comment
on a few postings i've seen recently.  Most importantly, Wendy, I want
to extend my sympathies to you on your loss of Pendragon.  I cry every
time I read your story.  I let my mom read it and we both cried.  I've
lost a horse every year since '88 for various reasons.  The first one
I lost was an Arab gelding to Potomac Horse Fever.  He was *the* best
horse in the world to me.  I still cry when I think of him; now he's
got Pendragon to keep him company racing in the wind and clouds.

     Anyway, I just bought a new horse in January.  He's about 1/2 Arab
and 1/2 QH.  He's 10 years old, grey (nice dapples on the rump!!) and
an absolute sweetie!!  It's so nice to see the progress in our relationship.
He's starting to get to know his name (Spencer).  And comes to me when
he sees me in the field.  Even if I don't have food!  He and my mare
are the only two in the field that don't run when they see a halter/lead
coming for them.  All the others have to be tricked into being caught.
 I personally can't stand horses/riders with relationships like that.
I want my horses to love me like I love them.  I *HATE* people that
don't "spoil" their horses a little.  I board with a girl that can't
catch any of her horses without feed.  She catches them, doesn't do
any kind of warmup, rides the ***** out of them and throws them back
in the field without cooling them down!!  Can you believe this??  I
can't get her to change her ways.  It kills me.  She wants me to get
rid of my mare because they don't get along.  My mare, Dixie, is a very
dangerous animal in the wrong hands.  I mean dangerous.  She's a cronic
rearer.  And will flip over all the way with anyone she doesn't like.
My friends call me "The Chicken Rider", since i've been hurt alot by
some unruly horses, i've lost my confidence.  Spencer & Dixie give me
lots of support and I can ride either of them with no problems.  Dixie
does not get excited with me as long as I move slow and gently with
her.  That's how she should be treated, in my opinion.  I want my animals
to enjoy our rides as much as I do.

     I have a very nice place to keep my two horses in Montgomery Co,
Maryland.  I pay $150.00 per/month for them both.  I can't afford
board anywhere else, but I don't/can't get rid of my mare.  Any ideas?
If anyone else got their hands on her, they'd kill her.  I've had her
for almost five years.  I'm too attached.  But like I said, she is very
dangerous in the wrong hands.  Board around here is about 3-350 p/month
for full board.  Field board or self-care runs between 150-200 p/month.
You must supply everything for self-care.  I need a place to keep my
horses that I can work in exchange for board or reduced board.  This
area is so expensive!!

     I know a horse "dealer" that has lost several horses to overdoses
of tranquillizers (sp?).  These are very cruel people who don't care
about their animals.  They give them dope until they can't walk and
sell these almost wild or abused animals as child-safe.  I don't think
any of the people on this network are like that.  I hope not!! :) But-
it is very easy to not see a difference in the anount given and to give
an overdose.  It should only be a vet that gives a tranq. in my opinion.
Unless you're experienced with doses.  The TTEAM methods work!  Love
and affection works!  Time works wonders.  Please be careful if you
decide to use any drugs.  And good luck in your showing!

     I used to manage a barn that had a huge epidemic of strangles.
One mare seemed to get rid of it and it would come back, she'd get better,
then worse.  She actually never got completely over it until we confined
her for a month and took the best care of her that we possibly could.
No chills, constant fresh water, hay and the freshest feed.  Lots of
carrots & apples, too!  I mean, we didn't let her do very much on her
own or get excited.  A hospital environment to the fullest extent almost.
She was fully over it in about three weeks.  And never got it again
even after being exposed to it.

     Sorry this got so long.  Thanks for listening.  I needed to vent
a little steam and opinions.  Hugs to all your horses.

Shelly
Dixie & Spencer
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian