I do not promote 'unsafe' riding. I promote trainers like Clinton Anderson and Craig Cameran and I still get bashed for that stuff as being 'dangerous.' Everything is just a matter of opinion.
I merly put those pictures up to help Marylin get an idea as to what a 6ft person looks like on a 13hh haflinger.
And what is the point of wearing all that get up, 'proper clothing' if one is wanting to ride at the beach on a hot day? it is miserable getting wet in riding clothes. and swimming in the lakes with the horses! How fun is that? you cant do that with a saddle, fully clothed and such without enjoying yourself. I ride bareback yes, ALOT at the beach in the water with shorts and barefoot, if I fall off it is in water or sand. which has happened here or there. Just because I do it doesn't mean I tell someone else they should do it. We all make our own choices and should be responsible for them. and not put the blame on someone else.
And yes that story with Christopher Reeve, how horrible that was. He had all the protective gear and 'still had a brain' as Kiola put it. What kind of life is that? IMO I would rather have died than have someone take care of me like that. Driving a car can be just as dangerous.
Well I am going to stop before I get into more trouble. lol.
"Ride Smart" as Craig Cameron Says. Or is he bad because he is promoting the Extreme Cowboy races, and 'Cowboy clothing' which includes a cowboy hat? I have seen a few people wear helmets, but for the most part no. hmmmmm......
Jennifer in cali
Who is stuck at home today because my driveway washed out :(
--- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, sylviasmiskoe@... wrote:
>
>
> While I agree that many things associated with horses are dangerous, the danger can be lessened with just a few safety precautions; namely closed top shoes and helmets. Most horse activities such as showing, 4-H, pony club, racing, bronc riding require a helmet that meets astm requirements. Most recreational riding establishments require a written release and a helmet. In this litigious world lawsuits to recoup medical expenses reach out to everyone involved, including the horse owner.
>
> Even the gentlest quietest horse can cause an accident:
> The horse turned her head to scratch a bug, caught her bit in the stirrup, lost her balance and fell over on her rider. Result: broken leg, surgery and 6 weeks in bed.
> The horse dozed in the cross tie while being groomed. A cat jumped against him, startling him and making him scramble. Result: the young boy grooming him was stepped on. Fortunately he had his riding boots on and he only had a very bruised foot. Without the boots he would have sustained a fracture.
>
> It is your choice to ride unsafely but don't promote unsafe practices.
>
> Sylvia in NH
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: wapirose <riatafaline@...>
> To: haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thu, Jan 21, 2010 5:15 pm
> Subject: [haflingerfriends] Re: How big will she get?
>
>
>
>
> Kiola,
>
> I knew there would be some people out there who would freak out over those pictures of michelle riding rosie bareback, 9 months prego, no helemt and flipflops. Especially you. But hey, the doctors say if you ride on a regualar basis your body is used to it then you can continue to do so. I'd never give up my riding just because I got pregnant UNLESS I had some sort of high risk pregnancy. One reason I don't have kids, I am too selfish to give up my horses, at least for the time being :)
>
> For one, my 13hh Rosie doesn't carry michille on a reg. basis. So her riding her for 20 minutes isn't going to kill her. I am her main rider.
>
> Safey yes is a great thing with horses, but heck, if your going to be a 'kill joy' as you put it, anything to do with horses is dangerous, no matter how safe you are.
>
> Life is too short to worry about everything. have fun while your at it. I work with a doctor, a vet, who is always doing that 'What if' stuff. he is in his 50's and good grief, he is so worried about everything he is miserable. what is the point? He is not married and he makes life miserable for everyone around him because of that OCD and 'what if's' stuff. But long story. not going there. lol
>
> Tina...good luck in whatever you decide. You'll do the right thing and most likely end up with your dream haffy! If you do please do post pictures for us to see her! then in a couple years post some more and you'll be able to really see a difference. Like Kiola said, haffy's are built just a little different. and they are late bloomers in growing. Rosie seemed to stop growing when she was 5ish...width wise anyways.
>
> Now I just can't wait till my stallion fills out! He'll be 3 in april so he has a few years of growin up. He is about 13.3hh now, his sire is 14hh but WIDE!
>
> Cheers!!
>
> Jennifer in cali
> Where is it SILL POURING!! I have cabin fever so bad! I wanna ride and practice for the cowboy race but...not happening.
>
> --- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, "kiolak" <kiolak@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Tina,
> >
> > If she hits 14 hands, at your weight and given that you are an experianced (balanced) rider, all should be fine. She may not grow much taller, but she will broaden in girth. She will be able to take up more leg. Mostly, I would check her cannon size and take a serious look at how she is put together. If she is short backed, with a good loin coupling, as well as having thicker cannons, you are good to go - as long as you take your time in conditioning her for the activity that you want to participate in.
> >
> > Rule of thumb for regular riding horses has been that the horse can carry comfortably 20% of it's weight. So, a 1,000 pound *regular* riding horse could carry 200# of tack and rider. I venture to say that Haflingers are put together a little differently than regular riding horses, and should be able to carry a little more weight due to a thicker, shorter cannon and a shorter, broader back.
> >
> > I may very well get in trouble for saying this, but I do not think a 13 hand horse should be carrying a 240 - 290 pound woman. I found the photos and the story quite disturbing, and not funny at all. There are so many dangerous things going on in those photos that it is disturbing. To me, riding is about being responsible and looking after the well being of both the rider and the horse.
> >
> > Maybe I am just a kill joy... but mostly I am a person who puts safety above carefree fun. There is nothing fun about an accident that results in an aborted baby, or a mother who is brain dead from not wearing a helmet, or in having a broken foot from wearing flip flops around horses. There is nothing fun about caring for a young horse for the rest of it's life who has sustained physical damage from carrying too much weight at too fast of a gait. Resulting in lameness - due to stress fractures, bucked shins, OCD and a zillion other things. A swayed back. Permanant back damage due to compressed disks, misalignment, muscle atrophy... The list goes on and on...
> >
> > I would ask of all of you out there who profess to love their Haflingers: Please do take safety precautions. Think it out!! Take it slow, no matter what. Do things with thoughtfullness and caring. Always consider the horse first. They aren't going to tell us that they cannot do it - especially the really good ones out there who will give thier all, no matter what (which is what I think Rosie is).
> >
> > This is how I feel, and I back my statements with all sincerity and conviction.
> >
> > Your Haffiefriend,
> > ~Kiola~
> > Brier, WA
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, "horseygirl422000" <horseygirl422000@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi All,
> > >
> > > I think I have found my dream Haflinger mare, I'm just concerned she isn't going to be big enough. She will be 4 in April and is between 13.3 and 14 hands. Her parents are 14.1 and 14.3. Her mother is very drafty and her dad is a more modern type. Can I expect her to reach at least 14.1 or is she finished growing in height? My gelding I ride is 14.2 and drafty. I feel comfortable on him but don't know about anything smaller. I am between 5'7 and 5'8" 155 pounds. Thanks so much for being here to answer all or our questions. Tina in VA
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
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>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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