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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > 'Tails' From the Trails > Off Topic Forum > Funny horse tales |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > 'Tails' From the Trails > Off Topic Forum > Funny horse tales |
| Moderated by: sdlepal | Page:   1 2 3 4   |
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| Funny horse tales | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Tue Jul 27th, 2010 07:24 pm |
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21st Post |
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Brenda Im Pasture Boss 
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Here she's moved off. . .but not too far. . . Attachment: Watering2LR.jpg (Downloaded 89 times)
____________________ It's not always about trying to fix something that's broken. Maybe it's about starting over and creating something better. |
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| Posted: Tue Jul 27th, 2010 07:23 pm |
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22nd Post |
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Brenda Im Pasture Boss
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Here's a funny horse story, in pictures. It's a very hot day here, and my oldest son Charlie came up to muck out a few horse stalls (bless his heart!). My 20 yr. old mare, Moriah, is babysitting a couple of young fillies in the paddock attached to the barn and had to be shut out while he did the stalls. I looked out the window to see he had taken pity on her and stuck a hose out the top of the dutch door to cool her off - she and one of the young ones were eating it up! My intrusion with a camera caused her to walk off, but he just kept the spray available and pretty soon she moseyed on back to the cooling mist, and soon the babies followed. Here's the first pic when I caught them unawares: Attachment: Watering-Moriah.jpg (Downloaded 90 times)
____________________ It's not always about trying to fix something that's broken. Maybe it's about starting over and creating something better. |
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| Posted: Tue Jul 27th, 2010 05:44 pm |
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23rd Post |
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crs trail rider Ranch Hand 
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When I have been sick and miss going out to feed for a few days (Lindsay will do it then) I get the once over by Jamie with her nose. She is checking to make sure I am ok. Another time Jamie protected me after my then gelding (also an appy) made my buckskin appy run overtop of me (he did it on purpose because he was mad I didnt let him graze in the yard after the farrier finished- my farrier witnessed this whole thing- and he had been abused by a prior owner and had some residual issues) I fell down beside and half under Jamie (now in a fetal position) she didnt move a muscle even when the gelding was trying to make her move. I would have been very very hurt (instead of just a few bruises) if she had obeyed him instead of watching out for me. She then gave me the once over with her very talented nose- while I kept telling her I was ok. My buckskin- Dream- bless her I have had her since she was 18months -she was 17 then actually tried to jump over my head to avoid me I turned just in time to see her attempting to launch her self overtop of me- what a pleasant sight- NOT! I was thrown in the presence of my Buckskin appy ( she was in the paddock as a babysitter for a nervous horse I was retraining after she had been abused by another trainer) and she went bananas nickering and checking me out laying there on the ground. It wasnt until I dusted myself off and told her I was ok and to go to the panicked horse at the other end of the arena that she left me and went to console the other horse. I have heard of an accidental breeding of a RMH and an Appy and the resulting horse was suppose to be something special- so special the woman refused to part with him. Maybe I should explore that combo a little further. 
____________________ Its rarely the horses fault- Its usually a failure of the rider to communicate their requests in a manner that the horse can understand. Lisa |
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| Posted: Tue Jul 27th, 2010 03:24 pm |
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24th Post |
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Brenda Im Pasture Boss
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Love the Appy stories. What I've discovered about them is that you have to have more sensitivity and tact to work with them because if you ever try to "strong arm" one, you'll have a problem with that horse thru the rest of eternity. They don't forgive, and they don't forget! On the other hand, if you listen to what they're trying to tell you, and respond appropriately (or at least try), they will go to the mat for you. I'm stunned by how intelligent Lucky, my "Ghost Wind" foundation Appy stallion is. . .no, not just intelligent, but intuitive. He reads me like a book. When I wasn't permitted in the barn for a couple of months b/c of my broken arm, it took me a week to get him to warm back up to me - he was furious! (Solved the problem with lots of hand grazing on great grass!) I sent him off to get some trail miles on him two years ago and when I went up to check on him was horrified to discover he was acting all doped up. The trainer evidently had him, and the other stallions on the premises, on something to keep them quiet. So I went home, got my trailer, and brought him home asap. A year later I had Lucky at my Amish friends' being trimmed, and that trainer pulled in with a load of horses. She walked up to Lucky, and he pinned his ears and acted as though he was seriously going to do her harm if she got any closer - this from a horse who NEVER acts this way. I can put children on his back. PB 
____________________ It's not always about trying to fix something that's broken. Maybe it's about starting over and creating something better. |
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26th, 2010 11:32 am |
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25th Post |
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crs trail rider Ranch Hand
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I have a friend who says "I will not fall off my horse today" before everyride. She rides a horse we say looks like Tigger going down the trail sometimes. She says its mind over matter. LOL
____________________ Its rarely the horses fault- Its usually a failure of the rider to communicate their requests in a manner that the horse can understand. Lisa |
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26th, 2010 01:46 am |
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26th Post |
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goranbockman G.O.G Community Member 
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crs trail rider wrote:
Crs, It's all about convincing the horses they can't throw you, then they stop trying. Please regard this thread as your new barn and have a glass on me.w2
____________________ Racking rocks!! |
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26th, 2010 01:41 am |
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27th Post |
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goranbockman G.O.G Community Member
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stormzgaitzrgr8 wrote: Wow, crs, I do love these Appy stories! Some days I feel so all alone with an Appy X that has an excess of 'personality' which drives me almost to distraction.. Just imagine the kind of respect you'll get if you too get the "whoa damn it" T-shirt, in addition to the crop. Even a sazzy Appy will bow and scrape and curtsy to you. -|-
____________________ Racking rocks!! |
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26th, 2010 01:37 am |
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28th Post |
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goranbockman G.O.G Community Member
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sdlepal wrote: Goran. your story made me feel like I was at the movies and heading up and down the hill with you! What a ride that must have been and you must be a very good rider to stay with him. Thanks for the vote of confidence Pam, but at that time I was simply clinging on for dear life, very little skill involved ;). We should all have one of those T-shirts just to get some respect from them Appys lol.
____________________ Racking rocks!! |
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26th, 2010 12:03 am |
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29th Post |
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crs trail rider Ranch Hand
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Pam- I have seen those tshirts and have thought about it. I can try all kinds of corrections but she seems to respond the quickest to being cursed at. I guess its my tone of voice- kind of like when you Mom called you by all three names.  Stormgazier- I carry a crop now every time I ride for the same reason. I usally just end up using it to get rid of those dang spider webs, but it amazing how they behave when they know it is hanging on the horn. Which is why I need a horn on my saddle - have to have something to hang things on. LOL Goranbockman- You must really bounce well. LOL But then again I use to be able to hang on more confidently when I was younger than I feel now when the ride goes to hell in a handbasket. Fortunately they dont happen very often at all. : ) The only thing I miss about boarding my horse is having pals around every day to chat with and ride with. I love having my guys at home and being able to control their environment (natural) and feed not to mention being able to see them all day long any time I want but I do miss the companionship of others. We use to sit in the wash rack w/wine in dixie cups (paper cups) and talk about upcoming shows, or rides or just anything horsey.
____________________ Its rarely the horses fault- Its usually a failure of the rider to communicate their requests in a manner that the horse can understand. Lisa |
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25th, 2010 11:52 pm |
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30th Post |
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stormzgaitzrgr8 G.O.G Community Member 
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Wow, crs, I do love these Appy stories! Some days I feel so all alone with an Appy X that has an excess of 'personality' which drives me almost to distraction.. One day I was headed out to ride with friends and I realized that I'd forgotten my crop.. had to go back for it. Once I rejoined the group with it tucked in my boot one of my good friends asked with a laugh "Why do you carry that crop? You never use it!" "True" I said, "But if I don't carry it, he KNOWS it.. and acts up the whole time just because he thinks he can..." Too stinking smart for his own good, that's my boy! Never a dull moment..
____________________ Tracey (Stormzgaitzrgr8) |
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25th, 2010 10:55 pm |
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31st Post |
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sdlepal Ranch Hand 
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Goran. your story made me feel like I was at the movies and heading up and down the hill with you! What a ride that must have been and you must be a very good rider to stay with him. My second pony, about 13.2 hands had a habit of running off with me every chance she got. Most of the time that I didn't fall off, I bailed off. Needless to say, I put up with her for a couple of years before I found my App. Black Sheik. I think that is why I turn away from a mare today. By the way, her name was Georgie Girl and yes, it was in the 70's! crs - you need one of those tee shirts that has that saying on it: "What's your name? Whoa D..... it"!
____________________ Pam and Cowboy Casey |
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25th, 2010 06:29 pm |
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32nd Post |
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goranbockman G.O.G Community Member
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crs trail rider I loved that story; hilarious! I also love that turn of phrase "what part of xxxxxx don't you understand. My 3rd grade teacher used it all the time; made me slam to a halt as well.l1 I was retraining a horse once. She seemed like the sweetest mare, so well behaved you wouldn't believe it. Except for one peculiarity that I was soon to discover, to the grief of my bum, during my first (very) short ride on her. She walked off, ears pricked forward, her body swinging from side to side as relaxed as you please; really put me at ease. Trotting was fine too, no probs, so set her gaiting nice and easy. Then; out of nowhere, she magically disappeared from under me. Like in a cartoon I was sitting on thin air, for a split second before crashing to the ground and landing on my unpadded bum. Man that hurt! Next time I tied myself to the saddle, but even so I experienced a slight suspension in the air before touch down in the saddle. This irked her apparently and she started bucking, until she realized that nothing she could think of would throw me. After that she was always the sweetest best behaved horse, which I believe was her true nature.
____________________ Racking rocks!! |
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25th, 2010 04:34 pm |
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33rd Post |
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crs trail rider Ranch Hand
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Our beloved Appy's have a bad reputation among those who dont really understand them. Many call them Crappy Appy's. All of the Appaloosas I have ever encountered are thinking horses. They are always thinking and working on ways to entertain themselves. They tend to portray a stubborn streak wider and stronger than most breeds I have encountered. My Rocky - in contrast- she is a steady reliable horse. She is always trying to please me, she is always affectionate and kind and even caring about us two legged creatures. But because she is a pleaser she doesnt push the envelop. And trust me sometimes that is a huge relief. After having horses that untie themselves because they can (stupid noses are like fingers) rummage through my brush box, grabbing my drinks, stealing my food on the trail, and just plain deciding sometimes that they know best (even when being ridden- we fix that notion pretty quick lol) a calm, easy going horse is a relief. LOL. The joke w/my friends is that Jamie thinks her name is DAMN IT JAMIE. Because if she decides to ignore my hands, seat and legs a loud DAMN IT JAMIE will usuallyget her to pay attention. l1 A friend and I were trail riding and her horse likes to race when cantering and she doesnt always have the best control of her. So we picked up an easy canter- and I heard her behind me (it was her idea in the first place to canter btw) Whoa- Whoa- and I turned my head to see if she was in trouble, and she is trying with all her strength to stop her horse so she said Maybe Jamie will whoa (not a subtle hint at all huh) and I said Whoa-sat back in the saddle, gave all the right cues and ....nothing. Seems Jamie had joined the race (but still wasnt going all that fast) so I said DAMN IT JAMIE WHAT PART OF WHOA DONT YOU UNDERSTAND and both horses slammed to a stop. (I wasnt in a good spot w/where my friend was to do a one reined stop)
____________________ Its rarely the horses fault- Its usually a failure of the rider to communicate their requests in a manner that the horse can understand. Lisa |
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25th, 2010 03:48 pm |
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34th Post |
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goranbockman G.O.G Community Member
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Thanks people for your Appy stories; they seem like great guys to knowl1. Time I told you now about how I met my most beloved horses Bleikur. I was still rather new to Iceies back in the mid 70ies, but I had a friend Peter who had a couple more years of experience on him. We used to exchange some friendly banter and practical jokes whenever we met, and this time was no different. Peter was working as a farrier and trainer at a large stud in Denmark, just to the south of Sweden. The ranch had some 250 Icelandics and, as I was looking to take my riding to the next step, I asked him, over the phone, if he knew of a very willing and well-gaited young horse for me to buy. He replied in the affirmative, but a note of mischief in his voice warned me to be on my guard. I just knew something was afoot. Forewarned is forearmed they say, but that's not always true to a T, as you will soon see. Having arrived at the ranch and settled in, we went to check out the horses, and he picked out this little yellowish horse and brought it to me. I could see Peter's conscience was lecturing him, but in the end mischief won out. Having saddled Bleikur without mishap I got ready to mount him and I glanced at Peter out of the corner of my eye. His expression of apprehension coupled with glee told me that this was not going to be an easy ride. Being a man you cannot be seen to be weak or afraid, so I proceeded to mount the horse, although I could feel him trembling. As I sat there in the saddle I could feel him rising from a slight 13hh to 16 or 17hh, or so it felt. I knew that, with a highstrung horse like that you don't wanna press your legs against his sides, so I tried to relax but to no avail. As soon as I gave him the all clear he shot off like a rocket. Bolting doesn't even begin to describe what he was doing! I soon found out that reins meant nothing but a minor inconvenience to him. As he was racing against time I was praying that I would be able to stay on his back, no matter what. Approaching a sturdy corrall that held some 50 young colts I began to get my hopes up. Surely that high fence would stop him. No such luck! He just crashed through it, like it was made of plastic, causing a major stir among the frisky and excitable colts inside. Undeterred he bolted on, crashing through the far side of the fence, and now we were followed by every single one of the young colts, who were having the time of their life. I made a last attemt to stop him as we approached the nearby highway, but he would have none of it. Shaking his head like he was plowing through a cloud of flies he stormed onto the highway, causing cars to slide this way and that, trying to avoid hitting this flock of apocalyptic feral horses, led by some crazy long-haired Viking. All I could do was to focus on staying on Bleikur's back and hope for the best. We had been going at full speed for more than 10 kms now and I thought to myself; he must be getting tired soon. Having turned off the highway we'd crossed a meadow and were going uphill now. I thought I could sense a weakening in his powerful strides, wasn't he slowing down ever so slightly? As we reached the lip of the hill I had full view of the valley below, and my heart lodged itself in my boots. What I saw was truly terrifying. Right at the end of the steep slope stood a huge net fence, the kind you use to fence in deer. He was actually going faster now down-hill and I knew that going through that steel fence, we would both be sliced to small cubes of meat, and I just gave up. Leaning against his neck for shelter I just relaxed, didn't even pull on the reins as the fence loomed large before us. I must have closed my eyes as we crashed into the impregnable steel net and were thrown back, like a ball bouncing off a wall. Finding we had stopped, I looked down and found Bleikurs face imprinted with squares, where it had pressed against the fence. His whole body was quaking as I quietly slid off him. I cautiously slipped the reins over his ears, whilst stroking his neck. Coming back toward the stable I met Peter and a party from the ranch, who were out looking for us. Peter had obviously had a sharp telling off from the owner and he was looking quite shame-faced, quite out of character for him. I gave him a stern look and said 'You'll pay for this one day, but that's one damned good horse, just needs a bit of discipline. I'll buy him.' The damned guy just laughed at that; gotta love his cheek.  Ten months later, after some serious training, Bleikur and I won the Nordic Dressage Championships for Icelandics but that, as they say, is a different story.l1
____________________ Racking rocks!! |
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25th, 2010 01:35 am |
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35th Post |
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sdlepal Ranch Hand
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Thanks CRS, never underestimate the personality of an Appaloosa!
____________________ Pam and Cowboy Casey |
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25th, 2010 01:29 am |
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36th Post |
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crs trail rider Ranch Hand
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I have 3 appys now in addition to my RMH. Jamie is my only spotted one. The others are No Characteristics. I bought Jamie from a friend. She was his wifes horse and she wanted something shorter so Jamie had just been sitting in the field. I had some background on her already- she flunked as a school horse- actually got really nasty w/some girls in a stall (which knowing her now- I want to know what those girls are doing- I can climb all over her and she prefers us in the stall with her when we have to stall her) She had given Marsha a run for her money. It seems she learned that when she was done- she could just turn around and go home. You would be ambling down the trail and she would just reverse and head back. She pulled this stunt twice with me. The first time I tried some non agressive correction- which worked after a couple of minutes. Then she pulled it again. But this time when I asked her to bend and circle, she just bent, and refused to move her feet. I finally got her moving and went home and introduced her to my crop- Took all of about 30 seconds. I have never ever had a problem since. But anyway- she is a real gem and I love her dearly. She was the first horse I rode after my big crash when my confidence was really battered. She was the first horse I even tried out. We rode her in an open field for the "test ride" she hadnt had a saddle on in a year and rode like she did it every day. After we put her back in the pasture she left her herd and followed me around the place while I talked to her then owner, begging for attention. I brought her home that next weekend. I tell people she picked me. The only reason she is not my primary ride (well there are two) is that she is in her upper teens and I wanted something for some harder rides and she is rough as crap and my knees, back and head would hurt after a long ride. I fell in love with the RMH's and Jenny's movement is much kinder to my joints and back. She gave me back my confidence in the saddle. I was scared that if I pushed one that I was going to end up back on the ground, but she was always predicable with her reactions to correction and pretty much everything. Which is why my daughter rides her now. Her gelding has thrown her once or twice and she is scared of him but she rides Jamie like she is fearless. She is priceless. : ) She got herself caught one year in the windbreak (trees running through the middle of our pasture) I came out to feed and she was missing (heart attack time) I called her and heard her nicker- called again she called back I started just yelling MARCO and she would nicker until I found her trapped in a clearing surrounded by briars. She got in but couldnt figure out how to get out. LOL. She waited until I retrieved a pruning anvil and then calmly followed me out of the brush. I have a bunch of stories about her. She is a real character- and you never ever have to guess what her mood is or what she is feeling. She always lets you know.
____________________ Its rarely the horses fault- Its usually a failure of the rider to communicate their requests in a manner that the horse can understand. Lisa |
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25th, 2010 12:06 am |
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37th Post |
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sdlepal Ranch Hand
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This is my lst real horse. We were pretty good pals, but man did he have the Appaloosa personality!. It was love at first sight when I went and looked at him, he was pawing and carrying on. The owner, looked at me and said, he isn't a girls horse. Well, I knew he was mine. I remember my dad went and borrowed the $300 for him and I didn't think I could wait a few days to get him home. He climbed right in the back of the truck that had cattle racks on it and turned around and rode backwards all the way home. We went thru 4-H together and showing up against big time App.'s back in the 70's and once in a while, when he was in a good mood, we would win. He taught my kids to ride and all the relatives. His name was Black Shiek and he was really coal black with a blanket and spots when he was born until he was two. When I got married I moved a mile up the road and took him with me. I always let him out to eat in the yard and one day the neighbor called and said , your horse is going down the road. Yep, he walked back home! That is where I took him back to bury him when he died at 29 years old. You can tell in the picture he was pistol. Attachment: shrunk n.jpg (Downloaded 52 times)
____________________ Pam and Cowboy Casey |
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| Posted: Sat Jul 24th, 2010 11:23 pm |
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38th Post |
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stormzgaitzrgr8 G.O.G Community Member
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I have to agree about the personality of an Appy... my Walkaloosa has no spots (except one flea bite on his Bay haunch) but his personality is all Appy! He is fun loving and mischivous.. always getting into something. We often ride with a pair of dobermans who consider it their job to accompany us on trail rides, clearing the way for riders through any cattle that might be grazing the meadows in our path. They run back and forth, often very near the horses legs. For any new horse, this takes getting used to, but my Buddy boy never bats an eye. One day, a dog was walking in front of us and, in Buddy's view, was moving too slow. As Buddy walked, he reached out with his muzzle and butted the dog hard in the backside as if to say "Move it, slowpoke!" Well, you never saw such a surprised dog.. she raced off instantly, and I swear my horse was laughing with the rest of us! What a clown...
____________________ Tracey (Stormzgaitzrgr8) |
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| Posted: Sat Jul 24th, 2010 07:05 pm |
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39th Post |
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crs trail rider Ranch Hand
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Pam I LOVE my Appy's. And I love that picture. Appaloosas always seem to have a strong personality. The more Appy in them (meanin less QH and TB) the more personality. Last edited on Sat Jul 24th, 2010 07:05 pm by crs trail rider ____________________ Its rarely the horses fault- Its usually a failure of the rider to communicate their requests in a manner that the horse can understand. Lisa |
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| Posted: Sat Jul 24th, 2010 06:48 pm |
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40th Post |
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liteshodwalkers G.O.G Community Member 
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Pam, That picture is priceless 1l Thanks for sharing it with us.
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| Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > 'Tails' From the Trails > Off Topic Forum > Funny horse tales | Top |
