Holy smokes it just keeps happening.
Old and busted >>1945092
This thread is for anything horse related. Stories, advice, or just simple pictures are appreciated here.
Hope you and your horse had a good new year /hg/.
>>2031084
>one single general survived 120+ days
anyway posting my favorite horse picture
>>2031128
That horse is fabulous.
>>2031178
I wish I could see one like that IRL. Goddamn I love black/white patterns.
>>2031191
I think my favourite colour is just black. Looks quite shiny in the summer months. Doesn't look particularly flattering when the coat is shaggy in the winter though.
I used to ride horses when I was a little kid (or maybe it was ponies because I was so small.) and now I just don't like being around them. They make me really nervous and I'm scared they'll kick or bite or do something else. Probably a stupid fear but they're just so huge and flighty. It's a shame cause they're such pretty animals.
>>2031197
If you move around domesticated horses and don't do any sudden moves or surprise them, chances are they won't be bothered and won't do anything stupid. No need to be afraid, really.
Wild horses, on the other hand, are something I wouldn't think on getting close to unless you really know how to handle them.
How bad of an idea of getting a single horse?
Could spending a lot of time together help it?
>>2033823
You'll never be able to reasonably spend enough time with a herd animal to make up for the lack of company. If you're only planning on a single horse, just board it somewhere that allows interaction.
I need to buy a new riding helmet. Any anon knows about anything good? Are Samshield Shadow Matte worth it? Or is there any cheaper solution that won't split open on the first impact? If anybody knows of European brands or brands already well established in Europe, please prioritize those, as shipping from overseas is really expensive for me.
>>2033979
By the way, I pretty much only ride once a week, so there's that.
>>2033823
The heck are they smiling about?
>>2034325
About your small weiner :^)
Does anyone in the land beyond the wall have any horse qualifications? Is the BHS worth doing?
>>2033804
Jesus that horse had better be named Rocky
>>2035655
>That broodmare entering the frame at the end of the webm
Kek. What's the worst that could happen?
>>2035672
She's definitely not about to bite that girl's knees off.
>>2033804
That is one sexy horse
>>2035655
what the heck is this?
>>2036077
its metal and wide and bristly looking on one end. i'm leaning towards a brush of some kind but its too blurry to tell for sure
>>2033804
Akhal Teke. Favorite horse of Alexander the Great
>>2036077
It's either a riding crop or a blind person stick.
>>2036077
Looks like a riding crop. Doesn't really fit that well in a back pocket it seems.
I guess people's horses aren't very active these days eh?
Here's some horses from a farm I work at
>>2039655
Nothing is eternal
>>2031194
mah nakama
>>2039746
Those are pretty cute.
Horses with fabulous manes?
Horse general is kill
>>2041525
It's too cold out, all the horses are in the run-in lazing about.
>>2039877
that horse has a really long back
>>2042605
Damn, I never noticed until now...
Winter bump.
>tfw no horse book to read
>>2046083
What kind of book are you looking for? Just a generic info book on horses?
I'm ok with horses generally, largely cos I'm very calm and slow to panic or anger, but I need some advice.
At the barns where I work there is an extremely quiet horse - like, stupidly calm in nearly all situations. And he's a colt, and he's only two, and he's on a high-energy racehorse diet. Yeah. He's awesome and I cherish how special he is.
Anyway, if you stand at his head for too long, he will eventually start to lightly nibble and bite at your arm. He's not being aggressive or anything, it's just a little annoying and if he keeps it up it will be painful.
How do I teach him not to do this? He'll do it to another stablehand someday and they'll hit him or something.
Half the people I work with are fucking retards with horses. One asked me if when they whinny (when you approach with food, lol) that means they're angry. Others think that any action by the horse is an aggressive action and are terrified of them, but will then have no concern about poking around near their back legs while working.
tl;dr, how to discourage young horse from nibbling/biting. Also, people are stupid.
>>2047789
>if you stand at his head for too long
can't you move away an say 'NO!" whenever he tries?
>>2048127
Flattened ears mean the horse will fuck you up, right?
>>2048127
>That foal
Never saw this at a resolution this big before. No wonder that thing is pissed.
>>2048178
Yep. You don't mess with any animal with flattened ears. Rule of thumb, that means they don't like you at all and want to fuck your shit up as bad as possible.
>>2048127
That's a great way to teach a young colt that he's the boss of you. By all means. Next he'll take a swing at you.
>>2033979
Helmets are disposable. They are only supposed to be used until one impact. After that, toss it (DON'T GIVE IT AWAY OR RE-SELL IT, YOU ASSHOLE) and buy a new one. Helmets are supposed to sacrifice themselves for your cranium.
>>2047789
Best way is to arrange it so that he encounters something unpleasant when he starts to bite. Carry something pokey/sharp with you and sneak it into his path when he's putting his mouth on you. If he experiences discomfort that he believes HE caused, he'll quit faster. Might not work if he starts out gentle and then escalates. Best thing in that situation is to just draw a line between his personal space and yours. Don't let him initiate physical contact with you. Smack him on the muzzle or give him a sharp poke with your finger or elbow. Don't worry about being too rough. Have you seen how horses "play"? They can take a lot of abuse in the name of fun. You have to deliver with intent. And be swift. Don't fart around it. Some people think that smacking a horse for being mouthy will bake them head-shy. That's baloney. As long as your are quick and consistent, they'll make the connection between putting their mouth on you and the physical correction you dole out. It's when your timing is off and they don't make the connection between cause/effect that the horse gets wary of you.
Also, make sure your smack actually finds its target! If you swing and miss, you've just started a SUPER FUN GAME that just about every colt or filly enjoys. The bitey-bitey game! Watch two horses play it across a fence. Big fun.
>>2048178
Horses will flatten their ears as a warning, prior to making physical contact. It's DEFCON 4. If it isn't heeded, they'll take it up a notch. Depending on the situation, the stage of flattened-ear-warning can last minutes or half a second. But in general, flattened ears means pissy horse.
>>2049083
Oh, they're disposable? Always thought they could handle more than just one impact. The more I know...
>>2047789
I'd just sharply nudge him away when he tries it, along with a stern "No!". Not aggressively, just firmly elbowing his muzzle away as soon he goes in for a nibble. Poor guy is likely just trying to be affectionate and engage in mutual grooming, but it's better that he learns now that it's a dead end and he should stop rather than getting belted across the face by someone else.
>>2049092
>Always thought they could handle more than just one impact.
It's the same design shift that cars had. Cars used to be designed so that even a high velocity hit would not deform the frame, however this meant that the squishy humans got 100% of the force of the kinetic impact. Modern car design is that the frame deforms but the humans are saved from at least part of the force (due to the frame deforming).
Modern helmets follow the same design logic: extra good protection but only effective for one major impact.
>>2049166
Tangy Apple Face,, nomad., joy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PErFJsqbUqo
>>2049179
>Tfw a horse will never bring you beer.
That's a bro tier horse right there.
I know this is a pretty broad question, but how much does the average horse weigh?
Let's assume we're not talking about horses that'd qualify as ponies.
>>2052114
Well, depending on breed and job you can be looking anywhere from about 700 to 2200 lbs. I assume you're more thinking about riding horses, though, so you're likely talking somewhere between 1000-1400 lbs.
>>2049091
You don't know how DEFCON works, do you?
Looking after a thoroughbred for a family member.
Anyone got any pointers on his figure? People tell me he's skinny but the family member isn't convinced.
what do
>>2052322
Looks about a healthy weight to me. You're supposed to be able to see the ribs a little bit.
>>2052322
Why's there a censorbar on the eye? But yeah, horse looks fine to me.
>>2053508
It's to prevent the horse from being identified.
>>2041525
I thought this was awesome.
>worth1000 watermark in corner
Oh well.
>>2053615
>It's to prevent the horse from being identified.
Kek?
Hoooooarse
>>2053615
>>2053615
Then why is it called "charlie.jpg"?!
>>2054929
That could be any chestnut thoroughbred named Charlie!
Remenber, /mlp/ is always watching, silently.
>>2053615
It's not like you can see anything naughty.
HORSE RACING?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=747-Q-WqLHc
I got a gypsy cob (gelding) myself and I also take care of one mare that's in the herd, she is so sweet. When I scratch her she always turns around and bumps her ass into me because she wants to get scratched on her ass and back. When I walk away she follows me and she keeps bumping her ass into me because she is mad for my scratches. When I stand in front of her she scratches my head with her lips real gentle. Horse is love, horse is life :)
>>2031084
I really want a little to medium sized horse one day. Possibly a mare. But would I have to live in the country or just have a big enough yard?
>>2056035
If you wanted to keep it on your own land, you'd absolutely need to live in the country. The more space the horse has to run around in the better.
Of course, you could always board a horse, but that gets expensive pretty quick.
>>2056035
Horses usually need an acre each at minimum, plus some form of shelter is usually required. Add to that the need for a manure heap and another shelter for storing hay, bedding, feed, grooming tools, tack, etc, and it's unlikely your neighbors would be thrilled if all that was crammed in the yard next door along with the horse itself. You don't need a vast farm, but you do need at least a smallish field and space for a couple of outbuildings.
>>2052304
Not sure what you mean by that.
I consider a flattened ear to be one of the first outward signs that a horse will give that it is cranky. A flattened ear, or a snarly nostril or a lashing tail. Next escalation (DEFCON 3) would be to cock a hind leg or squeal or snake their neck.
>>2056035
The smaller the space you try to keep a horse in, the more work it is. Take the carriage horses in New York. They are kept in stalls with no acreage at all. All their hay is trucked in, all their poop is trucked out. They get exercised every day (usually by plodding around with a carriage). True, they do get rotated out to the country on some kind of a schedule for some down-time but that's a modern contrivance. Back In The Day, a city horse's life wouldn't have included periodic vacations in the country. It isn't a requirement.
The poop is the main problem, when keeping a horse in a small space. You wouldn't BELIEVE the amount of poop a horse makes. Scooping it up and sending it away is your best bet. Otherwise, it takes over the place quickly. Horses are programmed not to eat grass that is growing out of poopy ground. Parasite larvae hatch from the poop, crawl onto the blades of grass and wait to be consumed, to repeat their life cycle. An innate revulsion to their own poop is what helps keep horses healthy.
i want a horse now. thank you /an/ :)
no idea how to care for one or anything tho.
Gelding. Monstrous or necessity? Are mares calmer than geldings? And are ungelded stallion so much more aggressive than mares or geldings?
>>2033804
Isn't that the sexiest horse alive atm?
>>2056508
I guess people want a gelding because they tend to be more calm than stallions (of course there are always exceptions), around other horses and also around people. In general; yes a stallion is more aggressive. It is also harder to find a place where you can keep one (you can't just put a stallion in the meadow with other horses and expect nothing to happen, whether that is breeding the mares or fighting with others, there is a higher risk)
Post a horse in your country
>>2056508
God, necessity. If it was illegal to geld horses, it's not like all these thousands of stallions would be happily cantering along with their mane blowing in the breeze, feeling so very wild and free and untamed. Most of them would be stabled 24/7 or simply shot because no one would want to deal with that shit. You can absolutely keep a stallion for riding purposes, they're more unpredictable but they're still just domesticated horses that can and will learn how to behave if you don't let them get away with shit, but there's not enough suitable homes for them. Keeping a stallion isolated all its life because it will breed mares and bicker with other intact males is a shitty life for a herd animal.
And no, mares tend to be somewhat more temperamental than geldings. Some people prefer geldings because they're the most placid and calm on average, some people prefer mares because they find them sharper and less docile. But that's averages rather than an absolute rule, you get some very chill stallions and unflappable mares versus some temperamental geldings. Breed, background and individual differences also play a role as well as sex.
>>2057556
>Winter camouflaged horses
Spooky.
Horses make goofy faces
>>2047789
wow something i can actually help with!
helped on a goat farm for a few months, but also took care of the landowners beautiful, spoiled, overly affectionate horse
whenever we did brushies he would turn his head around and begin grooming, also with nibbles
landowner taught me the importance of consistent no, and also to gently guide his head towards his tether stump. It was basically his binky, it was polished mirror smooth on his favorite part to lick
He gets to do his natural thing, just redirected on an inanimate object. everyone wins
>>2057556
Those are some funny horses
>>2059155
Has science finally gone too far? Would you a quagga?
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/133380/20160213/extinct-sub-species-of-zebra-revived-by-scientists-in-south-africa.htm
Make sure to give your horses extra carrots for Valentines day.
Anyone try having...relations with a horse? Im curious about the difficulty to get them to go along with it
>>2062404
How about giving them the D?
>>2048127
Never bother an animal when sleeping or eating, they instinctively take it as an attack of a predator
Look at my Horse, my Horse is Amazing
>>2035655
Is it kill?
>>2063399
I'd give it a lick ;)
Yo where the dicks at?
>>2064487
up yer mum
>>2063551
It tastes like raisens
foals are like, pretty puppy dog cat
>>2066877
I didn't even know they made blankets for younger horses, though I suppose it makes sense.
Still, never seen one with a blanket on before.
>>2066877
Cute blanket. But does it really need one?
>>2033804
The woman looks like the horse. Both are blonde and slim.
>>2067428
You're a big horse
Are horses likable? I'm considering working as a groom for race horses. I like animals in general but after some research horses don't seem like the nice elegant animal as I expected. Some of the horses (especially race horses) are jerks and unpredictable and there is nothing you can do about it. They bite, kick, and get sick just from standing around. I heard stories of experts with decades of experience got kicked by horses that seemed perfectly normal. The pay is better than average grooms but still not worth enough to risk getting crippled.
>>2068342
well, racehorses are quite high-strung and might scare you if you don't have previous experience. I'd try something with rescue or lesson horses who are more forgiving and less intimidating
>>2068369
They run a training program. Trainees will be sent to retired horses stables. You can choose to keep working there but naturally you will receive no bonus prize money. I am not sure if I like horses enough to justify the low pay and crazy working hours. Horses seem like dumb animals. They don't seem interactive like dogs and cats. It may be different if I get to ride them. Why do people like horses?
>>2068390
People like THEIR OWN horses because after a while, you understand their behavioural patterns, and the horse gets used to you. When that happens, they tend to be a lot more relaxed around you, and they sometimes do cute things like licking your hand or making weird faces.
>>2068396
>they tend to be a lot more relaxed around you
They tend to be... but still can be unpredictable. That's my worries. One story I heard of was a Deputy Trainer with decades of experience got kicked by a horse he was tending. The horse was professional trained and had been around the stable so to speak. Horses are such dangerous animals.
>>2068400
horses don't spook/bite/kick without some sort of provocation. If you know how to be safe around horses there shouldn't be much of a problem. Even so, incidents like that are rarer than they seem.
>>2068405
I read some stats released by a organization which takes care of 1200 horses with 600 staffs. The numbers round up to be about 100 cases of horse related injuries every year. The horses are thoroughbred race horses.
>>2068412
Most injuries are a result of people not paying attention.
For most cases, if a horse knows you well enough, it'll give you plenty of warning before doing something rash.
>>2068390
My experience with dogs: bark bark give me food throw ball bark bark
My experience with cats: meow meow gatorade me bitch meow (but only when it's 3 at night)
Oh well I guess everyone has their own preferences. I really like horses, not just riding but also walking with them, brushing them and working with them in general. Nothing makes me more calm than being around horses.
>>2068396
I don't just like my own horse, I never came across a horse that I did not like. Even the ones with behavioral issues (that are usually not to blame on the horse but on the 'owners') I like.
>>2068342
If they shit you up that badly, they're probably not for you. They're not especially scary animals though, they're very easily handled considering their huge size and strength, but you don't appear to be familiar with horses and it's not a good idea to go into a job handling TBs if you're nervous and inexperienced. Horses tend to pick up on fear and get jittery in situations where they would readily follow the lead of a calm, controlled handler.
>>2069779
Have you ever worked on a racing farm? Colts are fucking bitey shits.
/an/, newbro here. Dating a horse trainer. Pls teach me how to horse so I can impress her.
>>2070674
1. Brush horse
2. Bribe hoers with apple slices so he likes you
3. Be relaxed
4. ???
5. Hoers friendship
>>2070675
Yay
Thank you
Bump.
>>2053615
Underrated post here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBY5q2IRu3M&list=WL&index=5
I want to have a horse in the future and I want to know how to take care of it, so:
-How many times do you have to feed it per day? And how many Kg of food per meal?
-At what times do you usually feed it?
-How often do you wash it?
-Does it like the company of dogs?(that probably depends on each horse, so tell me about your horse)
>>2073180
>How many times do you have to feed it per day? And how many Kg of food per meal?
Depends on the season/availability of food. If the horse has plenty of grass to eat (summer months) you might feed it only half a bucket of carrots. In the winter when grass is basically non-existent, a couple flakes a couple times a day is fine.
It also depends how much you work them. If they spend most of the time lounging about and not being ridden, they don't need as much.
>At what times do you usually feed it?
In the summer, at night.
In the winter, morning flakes, afternoon flakes, and at night flakes + carrots.
Really though as long as you adhere to a schedule, the horse doesn't mind.
>How often do you wash it?
Seldom if ever. Brushing is sufficient in most cases. Occasionally if it really, really worked up a sweat in the summer you could give it a rinse. But otherwise you don't need to wash it.
>Does it like the company of dogs?
Depends on the dog breed, and the horse. Had a border collie and horses once. They naturally try to herd livestock, but horses aren't like sheep. It got kicked a fair number of times, broke its leg once (even then it never whined or complained when the vet came to fix him up).
Horses are generally fine with anything that doesn't try to bite them. But a horse might try to "play" with a dog, which can be a problem if the dog is small or doesn't keep its distance. Most dogs that aren't herding breeds will just try to avoid horses though, as from the dogs point of view they're pretty big animals. At least from my experience.
I want house pony do they dump alot?
>>2039655
I've seen another version of this pick put in cartoon form. It was pretty adorable but I never saved it. Every time i look it up nothing comes up.
>>2073854
Least the horse survived the incident without injury.
>>2073879
thank god. would be sad if he/she passed :(
>>2073180
Please don't feed a horse a half bucket of carrots all in one go. That's a shit-ton of sugar they really don't need. Why would you do that?
Horses digestive systems are designed to be trickle-fed. That is, small amounts of food more or less all day. So, they do best when kept out on pasture where they can graze all day. If you can't do that (because of weather or because you don't have enough pasture to keep the horses on it all the time), then you feed them hay. The more times per day that you can give them hay, the better. How much they WILL or CAN eat is not the same thing as how much they SHOULD eat. Some people buy giant 800-pound bales of hay and plop them down in the middle of the field for the horse to eat whenever he feels like it. That works for some horses, not for others. Horse, like people, have different metabolisms. Also, in wet climates, that much hay will spoil and mold before it all gets eaten. Moldy hay will kill a horse.
The basic formula is 1.5 to 2 pounds of hay per hundred pounds of animal, per day. So, 0.7 kg to 1 kg of food per 45 kg of animal weight in roughage per day.
If you give them their ration all at once, they will eat it all and then be hungry the rest of the day. Going without food in their digestive systems causes ulcers. Also causes bad habits out of frustration, such as chewing on wood barns, fences, etc.
Twice a day feeding is better. Three times a day is awesome.
Horses don't really need to be washed. One of the exceptions if that - again with the wet climate problems - the horse stays dirty and wet for a prolonged period of time (weeks) they can get skin infections.
Some horses get along fine with dogs. Others try to smash dogs into the ground. It really varies by individual horse personality.
Average horse weight being about 1,000 pounds in the US = 450kg. 15-20lbs hay per day / 7 or 10 kg hay per day.
>>2074265
I heard horses sometimes eat too much they die, but I think it's mostly when they eat flakes. Can they die because they over-ate grass/hay?
A horse can get sick if they eat too much lush green grass when their systems aren't used to it. Also, some breed of horse (like miniature horses and types of pony) can't handle a lot of grass. Most ponies evolved in harsh environments, nibbling on twigs and lichen and moss and dried-up grass. So a bunch of rich green spring grass and they get sick.
There are two different types of hay (dried plants). There's grass hay and legume hay. Most horses won't get sick if allowed to eat their fill of grass hay. A horse could possibly get sick from eating too much legume hay, but most horses would be fine after a period of adjustment for their digestive system to acclimate to the rich food.
The main thing that could happen to a horse that over-eats on hay is that they could get fat. Some horses get fat just looking at hay. Others can eat hay all day and still be lean. Different metabolisms.
What DOES kill a horse is eating too much grain (oats, corn, barley, bran, etc).
In this video at 0:27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yAmX2X8inE
What does that mean, when the horse touches your finger with his lip like that? Is that one way how horses show affection/playfulness? If he does that, should I brace myself for a bite?
>>2068390
If the pay and hours are that bad, and you don't even like horses, why on Earth would you consider this job? I can't imagine there's no other employment opportunities around you.
My beautiful girl, Kisari, which is Peruvian for Blue as she is a blue roan quarter horse. What do y'all think??
>>2078070
pretty
>>2077602
Could be a lot of things.
Horse lips are pretty sensitive, and it's what they use to explore their environment. It's not uncommon to see them wiggling their lips when they're trying to eat, as I believe it's their way of "sifting" through the grass.
The horse in that video, while somewhat annoyed, didn't look at all angry. More just curious. So it'd be unlikely that it'd go for a full on bite. However it still could try to give a light nip.
>>2077602
Horses do have the capacity to understand how to play gently with more delicate creatures (like humans, cats, dogs), but you'd have to take it on a case-by-case basis. Horses have pretty tough hides and they like to play by nipping at each other. If a horse tries to play with a person like it would with a horse, you'll get a nasty bruise or even a broken bone. But if a horse has learned to be gentle with people, it is unlikely to bite. The Icelandic horse in the video seems pretty gentle (and Icelandics generally are, as a breed) but the person in the video was taking a risk playing with it that way. I would only do that with a horse I personally know well.
>>2078536
How big can horses get?
Is it possible to hurt a horse by kicking it (the leg aids) when you ride? I see many animal activists bitching about it all the time, and then they are like "Would you like if someone kicked you in the ribs?!"
>>2079029
This is an article about the biggest horse in the world. http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2012/9/record-holder-profile-big-jake-worlds-tallest-horse-video-44749/
Most don't get this big obviously and varies from breed to breed
>>2079373
You can hurt them by misusing tools like spurs (and/or using bad spurs), but a regular leg aid should never be painful. Your legs, especially in that position, can't come close to delivering the sort of kick that they'd shrug off from another horse so it's not really a concern.
That being said aids should be performed as delicately as possible, and a leg aid should be a squeeze or a nudge rather than anything resembling a kick. If you ever feel the need to deliver an aid that you think might possibly hurt, you really should go back to basics and figure out where the problem is.
>>2079029
Shires are the largest breed, and are generally somewhere between 2000-2400 lbs.
>>2079626
In this video at 0:33
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8WfvETsch0
Do you think it hurts the horse? Or is the woman only flapping her legs and not touching the horse's sides?
>>2079867
Most barrel racers ride like this. It's called "starfishing" I personally don't think it's affective but some riders live by it
>>2079867
Barrel racing (particularly the lower levels) tends to produce some of the most actively aggressive riding techniques, it's almost easier to find horses with signs of distress and pain than not. Based on research, it doesn't improve racing times at all and only seems to result in unwanted and aggressive reactions from the horse.
So, yes, I would have to say it does hurt.
>>2079870
>>2079890
Oh thanks. I never knew there was actually a name for that
Btw, a couple of weeks ago I rode a barrel racing horse, but it was only for reins. And when I made him canter, he would stop after a couple of seconds and go back to trot. Was it because he is used to starfishing, and since I was not doing it he didn't think take me seriously?
>>2080070
I would try using leg pressure and possible a quirt. Usually you don't have to hit them with the quirt just pick it up and they will know you mean business.
>>2031084
t. 45 or 17 year old fat white woman leeching off the man of the house for an arbitrary and futile hobby
Don't mind me just posting a comfy video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozo4yhjQFkk
>>2079373
Horses are a lot tougher than humans. Just simply kicking them won't injure them.
>>2081114
Only in some aspects and when compared to a human they aren't as resistant. It takes won't trip for them to break everything and their fucked up body has a hard time fixing any of it.
It's really hard to compare animals to humans since all around humans are mostly superior. We even outrun most animals except for dogs. That's why we use them for hunting.
>>2079867
They are spurring the shit out of their horses and it's total bullshit. The horse knows what it's supposed to do. If it won't do it, retire the poor bastard and get another horse that wants to run. You can't MAKE a good barrel horse get a good time on his run. A good barrel horse will score high because he loves his job.
The sport of barrel racing has some of the WORST displays of terrible horsemanship in the entire equine industry.
>tfw love horses but hate "horse people" worse than hitler, cancer, and AIDS combined
>some of the most dramatic, two-faced, insane fucking people you will ever meet
>E V E R Y O N E that has had a few lessons thinks they're a trainer
>E V E R Y O N E thinks they're a vet and throws bute and banamine at everything and anything without trying to figure out the source of the problem
>Nobody is willing to accept that their horsemanship skills are less than perfect, sometimes downright shit, and will shit all over you if you make simple suggestions to them
>EVERYONE's shit riding is ALWAYS the horse's fault and they beat on them and yank on the reins to show it, thinking they're fixing things by "showing who's boss," getting pissed off and yelling
>if you aren't training a horse using some level of violence you don't know what the hell you're doing
>spurs and whips are absolutely essential and must be used aggressively/excessively instead of the rarely-used fine-tuning tools they're meant to be in the hands of a competent horseman
>if you're not one of the big-name trainers nobody fucking cares who you are in the horse world
>people will breed shit horses "because they want the experience of raising a foal" not giving a shit about the excess of unwanted horses that are ending up meeting gruesome ends at slaughterhouses
I love horses, but I had to get out of the horse business because I couldn't tolerate the people in it. Right now I'm training two horses for a couple old friends, and that's only because they take my word as word of God when it comes to training and will pretty much leave me alone and let me do my thing. They know I'll turn out quiet, safe horses for them by the time I'm done.
If I could make a full time living with horses and didn't have to deal with the people that come along with it, I'd jump on it in a heartbeat. If I had 15 clients like the two I have now willing to pay me to train their horses I'd do it full time.
>had my horse of 7+ years taken away when I lost my job and couldn't afford board
>owner of the stables won't even let me visit him
>lost my best friend, became depressed to the point of suicide, hospitalized for 10 days
>finally start getting my shit together
>friend suggests asking another of her friends if I can work with her horse
>9 years old, never been ridden
>end up asking her, she enthusiastically agrees
>been riding her for a little over 2 weeks
>realize I'm falling in love with this little sweetheart of a mare
>dread as I realize I'm going to lose her some day too
>not prepared for that kind of heartache
>it'll literally be the death of me next time
>but it's inevitable, she'll be gone some day... taken away just like he was... and I can't stop it
>starting to fall back into depression, but being near her soothes me
>spend as much time as I can at the barn with her
>snuggles, treats, kisses and hugs, she's very affectionate
>realize that I've bonded with this horse already and it's too late to try to distance myself emotionally
>realize too late how stupid it was to let myself get emotionally attached to someone else's horse
>just waiting for the ball to drop and get my heart ripped out of my chest again
>don't have the money to get my own horse back or any other horse for that matter, I have to strictly rely on the kindness of friends to get my horse fix these days. Honestly don't think I could survive very long without them being a part of my life. Don't know how I ever did it growing up. Also don't know how anyone could dislike these wonderful creatures.
>pic related is her, such a sweet girl...
(also what color do you think this horse is? People around the barn can't agree whether she's chestnut or sorrel. Personally I think she's more of a chestnut, but my vision isn't quite what it used to be so I could be wrong.)
>>2082585
>know girl who does horse shit
>she kills her horse jumping it, it failed the jump and broke its leg
>she's all devastated so i put on my fedora and bust out the
>"that's why horse jumping sports are inherently unethical, there is no benefit to the horse, only the risk of death for human entertainment, sport, or gambling"
>she never says a single word to me again
pussy was too tight anyway
>>2082607
>pussy was too tight anyway
The horse's or the girl's?
>>2082609
the girl. if you've ever fucked a horse ridin' bitch you might understand.
>>2082611
I prefer not to stick my dick in crazy, anon.
I'm 295 lbs and I ride horses all the time. Am I a bad person?
>>2082614
You're too fat to ride. Anyone over 225lbs should never ride a horse. Even 225 is pushing it. If you care at all about the animals for the love of god quit riding until you lose weight.
>>2082614
>295 lbs
God bless
>>2082614
You're 2 bad persons.
>>2082592
I have a similar situation
> was always very emotional with my horse she was all I had. I had a pretty good job and all that but my parents owned the mare and took her away from me because they thought she was the reason i was so ant social. Still kills me to think of her.
>>2082612
I'd rather put my dick in a horse and fall in than fuck crazy
>>2082688
damn that's fucking rough
>>2082705
I don't even have pictures of her I have to remember what she looks like and as time goes on it becomes harder to remember.
>>2082713
haha...
So what's the typical day job/lifestyle of riders? Farmers? 9 to 5 office drones? Trust fund kiddies loaded with money and zeros responsibility?
I mean, do you only see your horse on the weekend or you work with it every day? How do you make it fit in the life of a non-NEET?
>>2031084
I don't know that there is a "typical" rider, beyond female and 14-45. Probably not a farmer, as there aren't many farmers around anymore. Most riders don't have a lot of disposable income and have to cut some corners elsewhere to support their hobby.
>>2083095
>>2083103
Work a typical office job during the day. I don't own a horse anymore, but I have a reputation around here as an excellent horseman, so plenty of people willing to let me ride and train their horses, some even pay me. Right now I'm working with 2 horses that I see maybe 4 times a week. The nice part is that I don't have any boarding, farrier, or vet bills, yet still get to ride whenever I want.
>>2083103
>I don't know that there is a "typical" rider, beyond female and 14-45.
I really fucking hate the stereotype that horses are a women's thing. I'm a man and I've loved horses all my life. I wasn't allowed to take lessons as a kid because my parents thought it was too "girly." Told them to go fuck themselves when I went to college for an equine studies degree. I was the only one in the program at that point that had never been on a horse before. And it was mostly women. Everyone thought I was just there for the girls but I ended up getting through it and graduating top of my class, and competing in IHSA at the national level.
Horse X Snowman my otp
>>2083147
your personal life experience anecdote doesn't make horses not a woman thing.
>>2083168
That's not what he's saying retard.
>>2083169
>I really fucking hate the stereotype that horses are a women's thing. I'm a man and I've loved horses all my life.
that's exactly what he was saying
stereotypes exist because they are true.
>>2083147
>Horses are a woman's thing
I thought most of the top riders were male? I never saw it as particularly girly, it's just small ponies are marketed to girls more.
>>2083599
At the Olympic and International level, I think you're right. But the average backyard rider is usually female.
>>2083604
horsies are considered a girly thing but only recently
>>2083611
Coincides with the rise of "natural horsemanship".
>>2083611
only in western
>started working with a new horse today
>has either never been ridden or was ridden one time several years ago
>the girl that used to have her was scared of her
>knows how to lunge, girl was too scared to lunge her because she reared up on her once
>current owner is not a trainer, has no clue what to do with her
"Let me at her."
>"K."
>gentle, easygoing as can be on lead line
>saddle her up
>"wait wtf is this shit"
>clip lunge line to halter
>"what are you doi-"
>lead her to the arena to lunge her
>"you're dead, motherfucker"
>give her a little bit of slack on the lunge line, push her forward with the lunge whip
>she goes for about a quarter circle, spins to face me, rears up and strikes out at me
>get more aggressive pushing her back into the circle
>she's pissed but complies for about another half circle
>spins back in on me again
>fucking charges me
>evade her, pop her ass good, push her back into a circle
>more rearing/striking/charging over the next 10 minutes or so
>eventually gets wore out
>figures out she can't beat me
>accepts her fate
>lunges nicely
>turn her around
>shit hits the fan again
>repeat process
>show her that she's not getting away with that shit anymore
>she eventually gives up
>we're both pouring sweat, literally dripping by the end
"Holy shit that was fun!"
>owner looks at me like I'm a fucking alien
Can't wait to get on her back. I love a fighter.
>>2083814
>owner looks at me like I'm a fucking alien
The jig is up anon
>>2083814
You aren't addressing the actual problem, though, which is the part where the horse's owner is a limp noodle. Horses don't generalize. They operate in specifics. The mare's got her owner's number. Until or unless the owner stops allowing the horse to get away with shit, she's going to keep having problems with that horse. The owner needs lessons, not the mare.
>>2082592
Looks like a brown recluse.
>wanted to ride tomorrow
>42 and rain/snow all fucking day after a week of sunny skies and ~65-70 degrees
Anyone else pissed?
>always loved horses since I was a kid
>didn't get to grow up around them
>went to college for equine science
>best years of my life
>couldn't find a job working with horses afterwards, but met a friend that rescues horses
>she knows next to nothing other than basic care, but she's got a big heart for them
>I start working with her horses
>one of them, an arabian, had been badly beaten and was terrified of everyone, including her, and ESPECIALLY men
>worked with him over the course of several months, got him to trust me
>eventually started riding him
>still didn't trust anyone else but me, I always had to be there for the farrier or vet to get anywhere near him
>helped raise three rescued nurse mare foals
>fucking bottle-fed these babies myself
>started them all under saddle when they were old enough
>rest of the horses came from really shitty situations
>over time they all came to trust me, and I could ride all but one of them, and that was only because her health prevented her from being ridden
>never owned a horse myself, but these were my babies regardless of who they technically belonged to
>couple nights ago I see them all for the last time
>give them all hugs/petting/treats as always before I leave
>get a call the next morning
>everything after that is a blur
>the barn had burned down overnight, none of the horses escaped
>spent the last couple days screaming, sobbing like a baby, puking, breaking things
>neighbors came down to help remove the bodies/bury them, I couldn't be there because I would have absolutely lost my shit
>got a call about an hour ago
>the fire inspector thinks it was intentionally set
>I was the last one at the barn, no leads on any suspects
(1/2)
>>2084603
/an/ I don't have much. I don't have a wife or children, not even a girlfriend. I have no family that give a rat's ass about me, very few friends. I don't have a career I enjoy, I barely make ends meet. These horses were my world. They were everything that ever mattered to me.
They were my fucking babies for over 11 years. Nothing else in the world mattered because they were always there for me no matter how shitty things got. Now they're gone. Gone because some fucking asshole MURDERED them. And for what? WHY? I may never know...
I don't know what I'm going to do. I've never hurt this badly in my life.
I want to know who did this and I want to hurt them. I want to hurt them bad. I want to make them suffer for this. I want to avenge the only real "family" that ever made my life worth living. Unless something else comes up they may get away scott free, and I can't handle that, I need justice.
RIP Sammy, Tonka, Angel, Luna, Sierra, Buddy, Junior, Cherokee, Phil and Suzie Q. I'll see you all again some day my sweet babies. I love you all.
>>2084603
Sounds like a supervillain/anti-hero origin story. You should definitely try to track that person down and exact justice.
But if this story is real, then I'm very sorry to hear that. Can't imagine what I'd do if that happened to even one of our horses.
>>2084604
I feel you brother. Stay strong.
>>2083814
>using a whip on a horse
>ever
You should kill yourself.
>>2085196
Shouldn't you be off somewhere fapping to Parelli videos?
>>2085175
>Horse is unattended with a lead chain
Triggered.
>Tfw you just want to keep the peace but humans keep yelling at you.
I have a friend that has a 9 year old mare. This mare has never been ridden in her entire life. She was a rescue, came from a place where she was severely abused, is terrified of men (a man abused her), and can barely even be handled on a lead line. I've known this horse since my friend got her as a yearling. She's about as fucking skittish and flighty as they come.She's fucking terrified of everything and spooks at the SLIGHTEST noise or movement. Not "spook" as in "jumps to the side slightly and snorts," I mean "spook" as in "fucking bolts and will run down anyone or anything that gets in her way and drag you along with her." Recently she started having a trainer work with her. I'd never heard of the guy but she said he's someone she used to know years ago that's really good with horses.
She told me he's been doing some kind of desensitization training with her and not only is he now riding her, he's exposing her to shit like tarps and plastic bags while riding her and she hasn't killed him. I was skeptical, and then she posted this video on her facebook page.
https://video-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xap1/v/t43.1792-2/12128889_1693463544235000_1522542310_n.mp4?efg=eyJxZSI6IndlYl9kYXNoX2JhY2t0ZXN0XzIwMTZoMSxkZWZhdWx0X2Rhc2gyIiwicmxyIjoxNTAwLCJybGEiOjQwOTYsInZlbmNvZGVfdGFnIjoic3ZlX2hkIn0%3D&rl=1500&vabr=601&oh=7abb316d1281845331687f6a45777be4&oe=56EF34A3
He's been working with her for two weeks. TWO FUCKING WEEKS. How the actual fuck is this possible? How do you go from "never worn a saddle and literally terrified of own shadow" to THIS in two fucking weeks? Someone explain this shit, I'm begging you, my brain is about to fucking explode. Is there some secret here I don't fucking know about? Because I'd kill to know what it is.
>>2085751
That's pretty goddamned impressive for two weeks worth of work with a totally green horse. Looks like a confident rider, doesn't get scared when the horse spooks a little bit. That confidence transfers to the horse. Also guy's got more balls than I do. Probably patience of a saint as well.
I'm assuming he's a professional trainer? Do you know what she's paying him for his services?
>>2085751
amount of time isn't a consideration. psychological blocks are the consideration. once the psychological block is broken, behavior can change.
I know he's not favored here, but it's a great example: on caesar milan there was a dog that could not ignore pine cones and spent like 9 years obsessively staring at pine cones. he basically got the dog's attention somehow while it was staring at the pine cone, and it broke the behavior.
it was life-long behavior and he completely broke it in 30 seconds. never returned.
>>2085799
I wonder if there'd be any interest in a TV show like that but for horses. With an actual horse-whisperer type person (i.e. not some hack like Parelli, Monty Roberts, Clinton Anderson, et al) that just uses good horsemanship and psychology to fix "problem" horses instead of relying on stupid gimmicks and expensive equipment.
>>2085813
Downunder Horsemanship is likely as close as you're going to get, unfortunately. The sort of thing you want isn't nearly as quick or flashy as the abuse those you've listed put out. Same reason "puched a lab in the throat" Milan is still on TV while saner trainers fade away.
>>2085666
What the hell, I'd cuddle the horse, had I been there.
>>2085751
I love horses but I don't know much about them. I have no idea what's going on in this video... can someone explain?
If I masturbate a mare in heat will it help her to calm the fuck down?
>>2086969
Momentarily, yes.
But things might start getting awkward around people eventually, when that one mare starts thrusting and winking her pussy at you whenever she's in heat.
I mean, say what you want about consent and spoken language, but when it comes to horses, some things really don't need any words.
>>2086986
>when that one mare starts thrusting and winking her pussy at you whenever she's in heat.
unf
>>2087028
Yes. Oh boy can they ever.
Do ungulates like horses stumble more than animals with paws like the ones of dogs and lions?
>>2087678
We've got a horse that characteristically trips herself up. Not full on wipe out, just kind of like a quick stumble. A mis-step.
Only horse of ours like that though. So it's definitely possible, but I don't know how much it affects horses in general. Might be one of those things that depends on the horse itself.
>>2086969
uuhhhh
And how would you do this exactly?
>>2087950
I'm sure there are several informative videos on the subject from reputable sites with names like 'gaybeast' and 'beasttracker'.
>>2087959
I'd rather not end up on some kind of list
>>2087962
Then the best I can offer is to use your imagination. A vagina is still a vagina, after all.
>>2087965
I imagine you'd shove your arm in there same way vets do for artificial insemination, is there a gspot or something?
>>2087966
No g-spot that I'm aware of, but I don't think horse anatomy has undergone the in-depth probing human anatomy has. They still have a clitoris though, I just don't know if it folds around the interior vagina.
>>2087966
>shove your arm
that's quite rude desu
>>2087972
That's why you've got to woo her first, you know, buy her dinner, bring some flowers (but not roses), pat her nose and call her pretty...
Mares are superior to human women in every way. Prove me wrong. Protip: you can't.
>>2088728
A horse can never truly love you.
>>2088750
Neither can a human woman. What's your point?
>>2088728
Male horses are better than male humans too.
>>2089205
their stamina kinda sucks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnYNmGMsU18
>>2082618
This is bull. Drafts can hold over 225
>>2089233
Wait what?
>>2089233
What the fuck. Can horses even diggest meat though? Won't they get sick? I heard their stomachs are kind fragile and they sometimes even die from intestinal/stomach problems.
>>2089488
Icelandic horses used to be fed dried fish in the winter. Don't know if they still do. Also, many explorers ended up having to feed their horses meat when they took them into environments where there were no plants to feed them.
Here's some fascinating information about feeding meat to horses:
http://thehorseaholic.com/the-forgotten-story-of-meat-eating-horses/
>>2089579
>http://thehorseaholic.com/the-forgotten-story-of-meat-eating-horses/
>6) Lisette a French mare, killed and consumed a Russian Officer during the Napoleonic Campaign.
Holy fuck.
>>2083147
In the UK, horses are often seen as an upper class hobby. The thing is, I'm from a village in the North that is surrounded by horses. There is literally no escaping them, they're everywhere. In every fucking field there's a horse. You can't piss for hitting a horse. And everyone who rides these horses are between upper-working and middle class; the stereotype is absolute bullshit (horse shit?)
The trouble with hobbies stereotyped as "upper class" is that people think "those evil rich people have lots of money, so it's perfectly fine to make everything in their hobby more expensive".
>>2083611
High-heeled shoes were originally men's fashion, used for keeping your feet in the stirrups of your horse. In the C16th/C17th, women started copying this particular aspect of men's fashion (amongst others).
>>2089648
As for me I either associate horses with very rich people or people who live in rural areas.
>>2089322
Heavy horses often aren't great weight carriers as they've been bred for pulling rather than riding. The ability to carry weight relates to bone, back length and loin width (plus generally sound conformation, fitness, etc) rather than just sheer size, and the ratio of weight that can be carried actually decreases as height increases.
Having said that, over 225 pounds isn't impossible for many fit healthy horses, including drafts. It depends on the rider (an obese 5'0 225 pound rider is much harder on the horse's back than a tall, physically fit 225 pound rider) and the demands being placed on the horse. It's difficult to put an absolute limit on the weight, it depends on the breed and then that particular horse's fitness and conformation. Though as a general rule, you probably shouldn't be riding if you're an obese adult and taking care over what you do ride if you're a fit but tall/heavy rider.
>>2089648
Mr Hands
>>2089838
hahahaha epic
>>2089488
lot of vegetarian animals will eat small amounts of meat incidentally
>>2089649
Really? Do you have a source for that?
>>2089994
"The high heel was worn for centuries throughout the near east as a form of riding footwear," says Elizabeth Semmelhack of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. Good horsemanship was essential to the fighting styles of Persia - the historical name for modern-day Iran. "When the soldier stood up in his stirrups, the heel helped him to secure his stance so that he could shoot his bow and arrow more effectively."
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21151350
>>2089998
>shoot his bow and arrow
How does that even work while riding a horse? You need both your hands to use a bow, so who will control the horse? What if the horse decides to change directions on his own, who will stir him back to the right direction?
>>2090044
You control the horse with your knees. It is difficult but possible.
>been riding horses for 20 years and training for 18
>have probably been on over 1000 different horses
>16 year old novice rider that's been in the saddle maybe six months on a DEAD-broke 18 year old lesson horse trying to give me unsolicited (and incorrect) horsemanship advice about a completely green, untrained horse I'm working with today
>have to be polite to the kid because it's the kid of the owners of the barn where I'm currently training most of my horses at
>mfw wanted to verbally assault him so bad he'd be afraid to speak to anyone ever again in his life
Why is literally every single horse person in existence a know-it-all twit that thinks a month of lessons makes them an expert horse trainer?
>>2090109
This is why I don't talk to people that don't worship me as the very god of horsemanship himself.
>>2090109
I don't understand that sort of people yet. I've been riding for like a year and a half, I never try to correct anyone that's unless they're greener than me and doing something terribly wrong that everyone else already knows is wrong. With the remaining people I just shut the fuck up and thank them whenever they correct me on something because I know they're more experienced and I don't know jack.
>>2033823
Or get a chicken and toss it in there with the horse. They'll be besties.
>>2090044
Being able to control a horse with the seat and legs is a mandatory skill a lot of equestrians completely blow off. You can't just shrug your shoulders if something happens to your bridle, maintaining control is even more important in a situation like that.
That's the good thing about tack-free riding becoming more popular, people who otherwise might not are learning these valuable skills.
>>2090109
>Getting angry at people like that.
Learn some inner peace grandpa.
>>2049081
Those horses are wild.
>>2090044
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOpOqgotJZc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0opKAKbyJw
>>2090109
2bh you guys are teaching that stuff.
it makes sense to some extent- confidence in your techniques is often just as important as the technique itself. So you teach motherfuckers to be overly confident in what they know.
the other reason it's taught is just culture.
Horse people are proud and hateful assholes and they hand this down the line. They teach it directly, and if you're not a proud and hateful asshole you'll probably quit messing around with horses. Or at the very least stop hanging out with other horse people.
