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Barnyard Buddies:  Heather's first horse PICTURES***  |
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Garden_artist
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Tammy
Southern Coast Oregon
182 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 2:50:54 PM
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Well I just read Lady Crystal's chat regarding: to get a horse or not to get a horse and I thought I would tell you our latest news.
Heather just bought her first horse. I was pretty hesitant at first because she starts college in fall. The first 2 years she'll be driving back and forth (1 hour each way), the second two years she will be 3 1/2 hours away. I almost said no, but then I remembered how much I wanted a horse when I was a kid and thought I am not going to squash her dreams. If she can do it and we can help I am going to help her out.
We have never had a horse before, but Heather joined 4-H back in January and she and I have been learning a lot. I talked my hubby into clearing some land (between 1/2 acre & 1 acre) so we can build a small barn and pasture.
So far Heather is working the cost of the horse and tack off ($500.00). My hubby is clearing the land and putting in the fence $1500). She just bought the first months feed (Alfalfa bale, senior feed, wet cob & a wormer) that was about $45.00. This Sunday the Ferrier is coming out, because Trixie scraped up her hoof yesterday and they need a good filing and shaping $25.00. This summer we are building the barn (good thing my hubby can build) It'll cost about $1000 (small lean-to style to get the horse out of the weather when necessary). Plus Heather takes lessons each week $15.00 and she has a 4-5 hour 4-H lesson each month $5.00. I hope by listing all of the costs it'll help others who are considering a horse. I also hope you can give me ideas on cost savings for care & boarding our new addition to our family.
My hubby is looking for a horse trailer and truck now for Heather and we hope to keep it under $6000. We are going to sell two other trucks (Nissan & 6 cyl Ford) They are both Manual transmission and since she is a new driver we thought it would be better to get her an old dodge diesel with an automatic transmission.
I also just bought about 6 books by Cherry Hill on care, feeding, housing of horses, so we can take a crash course during the next couple of weeks.
Our friend who was the previous owner of the horse is going to teach Heather basic first aid to help keep the vet bills low.
I'll post pictures as soon as Heather gets back and she can tell you more. If you have any words of wisdom please send it our direction. I want our family to be a responsible horse owner and I don't want it to put us in the poor house along the way.
When I feel spring coming I have to plant or I’ll go crazy! |
Edited by - Garden_artist on Apr 09 2007 3:22:47 PM |
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LadyCrystal
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Alicia
Rhode Island
USA
593 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 2:56:02 PM
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Congratulations. I bet she is so excited. I can't believe how cheap lessons are were you live. They are around 50 dollars an hour here. Good luck with everything. I can't wait to see the pictures.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
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Garden_artist
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Tammy
Southern Coast Oregon
182 Posts |
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Muttley
True Blue Farmgirl
67 Posts
Heather
A tiny town
Oregon
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 3:10:27 PM
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Hey Gals!
So I see mom told you about my new BIG pet! :D I am so excited! She is absolutely beautiful and I think that she will be a great first horse for me!
Trixie is 15 yearls old and has had 2 foals. She is 15.3 hands, and I am SO EXCITED!!!!! I rode her for the first time yesterday, bareback, which is my favorite and her favorite, and I really really like her. She is a paint and absolutley gorgeous.
I hope that all of the gals will have some tips for me!!!!
Heather Rene
"To fear God and obey His commands in the destiny of Man."
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Muttley
True Blue Farmgirl
67 Posts
Heather
A tiny town
Oregon
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 3:11:38 PM
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I hope the pics came through!!!
"And on the 8th day, GOD made COWGIRLS!!! :D" |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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Garden_artist
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Tammy
Southern Coast Oregon
182 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 3:24:27 PM
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Marybeth,
I understand she is from WA. As soon as we get her papers, we'll post her full name so you can see if they are related.
We are so excited...
When I feel spring coming I have to plant or I’ll go crazy! |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 4:09:32 PM
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Heather-She is just beautiful!! You two look loike best friends alreaady!
Karin
Wherever you go, there you are. |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 10:15:49 PM
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congratulations. she's a beautiful horse!
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 10:22:57 PM
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Congrats! I am sure you two are going to have so much fun together!
One thing I learned at the horse ranch that I used to work at is that Alphafa can make some horses "hot". If she starts acting spooky or high energy I would suggest that you think about just feeding Timothy grass hay. Unless she is underweight she might not need the extra calories that alphafa can give.
It sounds like you guys are trying to get educated and doing all the right things!
Alee |
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Muttley
True Blue Farmgirl
67 Posts
Heather
A tiny town
Oregon
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 12:32:37 PM
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Marybeth: Hi! That is so funny that our horses look alike! Send me a pic if you can!
Everyone:
I am so happy that I was able to get Trixie! Yesterday my daddy bought me an old dodge truck to haul her in!!! I am really excited! My grandma (who lives in Oklahoma) has a 3-horse trailer and she will be driving it over for me! So I have my horse, truck and soon my trailer! I am so excited and happy!
Thanks for all of the tips!
Heather
"And on the 8th day, GOD made COWGIRLS!!! :D" |
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DeeDee
True Blue Farmgirl
162 Posts
Denise
Wyoming
162 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 1:18:03 PM
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She is surely a beauty and its so delightful to hear the excitement in your daughters voice with her new 4-legged friend. Much better than hanging around the house on the phone,or playing video games.
Enjoy her and give her lots of love. |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 1:45:34 PM
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so happy for you & shes a beauty. Enjoy your horse.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Luzy
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Luanne
Pueblo
Colorado
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 3:22:46 PM
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Congrats!! I'm so thrilled for you. It's funny, my mini paint looks something like Trixie only itty bitty. Keep us posted on how you two are doing. Thanks for the great pictures. Lu
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May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 3:19:15 PM
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She's a beauty, Heather! Here's to many happy hours together!
There are many very able horsemen here, so if you have questions, fire away. There is no such thing as a stupid question.  |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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Garden_artist
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Tammy
Southern Coast Oregon
182 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 4:52:41 PM
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Wow they really do look alike thats amazing!!!
When I feel spring coming I have to plant or I’ll go crazy! |
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Naomi Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
1563 Posts
Naomi
Sunshine State
USA
1563 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 08:37:13 AM
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I know I already told ya Heather, but that is just one beautiful horse...I'm very happy for you that you got to get her!
I hope all is well with you,
Grinz,
~Naomi~
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be-Abraham Lincoln |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2007 : 1:42:52 PM
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Congrats on the new horse!!
Ok, here's a couple of suggestions. Please don't leave a halter on her when you aren't there unless it has at least a leather crownpiece (the part that goes over the top of her head). This is in case she gets it caught on something, that halter won't break. If it has a leather crownpiece, most likely it will break but the best way is to not leave one on her at all. Safety issue. She doesn't look to me like you'll have probs catching her anyway!! Also, it seems a little snug on her head. Might check the fit or even go one size larger.
If you are feeding senior feed, do you really need the wet cob?? A second cutting of alfalfa is pretty good for a riding horse.
The pics are great and I'm very, very happy for you!! Give her a huggie for me!!
Winona :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff...
http://goneridingagain.bravehost.com |
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Muttley
True Blue Farmgirl
67 Posts
Heather
A tiny town
Oregon
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2007 : 5:24:52 PM
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OH MY GOODNESS!
Ambush look JUST like TIXIE! That is so funny!!! Hahahah! Wow....thankyou all for you warm words. I am so excited about my pretty girl. I rode her for the first time a few days ago, and she is wonderful!
I'll keep you all posted!
Heather
"And on the 8th day, GOD made COWGIRLS!!! :D" |
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Muttley
True Blue Farmgirl
67 Posts
Heather
A tiny town
Oregon
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2007 : 5:26:26 PM
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Winona:
I am not currently feeding her wet cob. She has senior feed and alfalfa at night...thanks for the tip about the halter!
Heather
"And on the 8th day, GOD made COWGIRLS!!! :D" |
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
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Garden_artist
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Tammy
Southern Coast Oregon
182 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2007 : 10:18:37 AM
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Winona,
At this time Trixie is uncovered on about 100 acres. From what I understand the previous owner gives her the senior feed and alfalfa and wet cob at night when it cold. Do you recommend just alfalfa at night when its cold. This is all such a learning process for us. We just got about books in from Cherry Hill about maintaining, housing and caring for a horse. What a lot of info to take in!!!
When I feel spring coming I have to plant or I’ll go crazy! |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2007 : 2:01:33 PM
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| Actually, alfalfa is better as a warm weather feed. Grass hay is best for when it's cold; the process of digestion causes it to generate 33% more internal heat. It's all that fiber doing it's thing.... |
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Garden_artist
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Tammy
Southern Coast Oregon
182 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2007 : 4:40:13 PM
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So Mary Ann what is the wet cobb used for?
When I feel spring coming I have to plant or I’ll go crazy! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2007 : 4:58:15 PM
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Cob stands for Corn, Oats, and Barley. It a grain mix that horses get that is sweetened with molasses. Most horses _love_ it.
Alee |
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Barnyard Buddies: Heather's first horse PICTURES*** |
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Heather's first horse PICTURES***
