Newbie Checking In

[hoofservant]

Hi, I am hoofservant. I signed up (read was dragged here by The RedHayflinger) a couple of days ago and I haven't had time to put together an intro until just now. I know TRH from The Mane Street horse forum where I met her something like seven years ago (holy crap has it been that long?!). We co-own Sadie, a lovely air-fern disguised as a Haflinger with pig-like tendencies towards wallowing and over-eating whenever possible, and a very bold, very smooth-gaited Spotted Saddle Pony named Gypsy-pony, who is the third Gypsy I have had in my horse-owning life. Both mares are in OH with TRH and I am bossed and owned by two wonderful cats up here in MI.

And as I am currently supposed to be getting myself squared away to set up as a vendor at a horse show tomorrow, this isn't going to be too overly long. LOL

I am 32, live in Southeast Michigan about an hour west of Detroit, near Ann Arbor, MI presently. A move to Southern Indiana and ultimately Kentucky is in the works for me. I am unmarried, have and desire no children and have a part-time boyfriend who is a pilot currently residing in Dubai.

I have been around horses nearly all of my life and my family has been involved with them for generations as breeders, trainers, riders in multiple capacities, farming with them, farriers and traders. My mom quit riding two weeks before I was born and I was on a pony as soon as I could hold my head up. I haven't stopped being horse obsessed since.

I am predominantly a trail rider, although I have taken formal dressage lessons at one point in my life, and a smattering of jumping lessons. Mostly enough to get to the point of enjoying jumping on a lower scale and to take trail riding to a new level. I recently took some Fluidity riding lessons on a trip to California a month ago, which were awesome and really helped my riding to evolve further. My riding goals are to 1. have fun, 2. stay on and 3. not interfere with my horse as I plan to have the best one for the job at hand under me. I have also been riding out a bit as of late with a couple of clients who are foxhunters and whom I think have designs on getting me to join the local Hunt. Little do they know that I am 1. not that insane and 2. enjoying all of my body parts intact way too much. One horse-related reconstruction surgery was enough for my lifetime.

I've owned young horses, middle-aged horses and older horses in my life time. For the most part, I like them best at about 12 and up. And I think that the oldie-but goodies are the greatest horses ever. Indeed my great horse was my Paint mare that passed away almost two years ago at the age of 28. She taught me more than I can ever thank her for. And it was in learning how to be a good owner to a senior horse with arthritis problems (as well as her OTTB pal) that prompted me to be an educated, informed horse owner who didn't settle for just whatever. I spent a lot of time working to better understand nutrition, hoof care, and over-all care.

My horses have taken me through lots of journeys, on horseback, on the ground, life lessons and teaching me to be more patient, broad-minded, kind and helping me get further onto my life path. Gypsy-mare, Paint Horse, was the one who ultimately pushed me into realising my current career as a professional bodyworker for horses, dogs and people. I occassionally free-lance write for equine publications and also really enjoy that.

I believe that every horse that I come in contact with, whether they are my own or a client horse, has something valuable to teach me. As I travel through life, I look forward to many more life learnings at the hoof, paw or hand of the current guide.

[peace_baby]

Welcome to the forum, hoofservant! http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-forum/nicethread.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) :D

Make yourself at home. We're a lively bunch. :)

[hoofservant]

Thank you, peace baby. It seems like a pretty nice forum. Lively bunch is always good. Esp when I don't have to moderate the liveliness of it all. Heh!

[WashingtonBay]

Hi hoofservant... I don't like actually moderating very much either, so I try to stay out of things as much as possible! Unless the fight is a fun one, then I'm not there to stop it, exactly. ;)

You're welcome to our forum, I hope you like it here very much.

I mostly trail ride too, these days, and very much appreciate my older horse. I'm with you on their worth, and the worth of my limbs as well. My riding horse is 27 or 28 this year (I have trouble keeping up with the math) and is still my best horse. :)

[hoofservant]

Well, thank you, WashingtonBay, its lovely to be here.

It was really hard to get used to riding Sadie on the trails after having my do-anything, go-anywhere, point-me-and-I-will-take-you-through-fire horse passed away. I started having to be more of an active guiding rider instead of knowing that Gypsy would get me through if I asked it of her. The older ones are also my favorite to rehome. They have been through a lot, they know a lot and they are so thankful for the chance somewhere that treats them well.

I just started moderating on another forum. And its... well, sometimes looking at the petty fights from that angle takes things to a whole new level of irritation.

[SedonaThunder]

Welcome Hoofservant - great to have you here!

I am unfortunately not around here as often as I'd like to be, and used to be! I also am a trail rider that has rescued horses and loves to read everything I can get my hands on about horse health. I tend to go with the more "alternative" choices when I can - homeopathy, herbals, reiki...

[WashingtonBay]

Bay's my snorting Arab horse, but he's smart and has a lot of miles behind him, so while he's not easy, he's ultimately predictable. He and I are in a groove, and I dread the day I have to actually retire him and ride somebody new. He's still doing good, we just aren't as ambitious about long distances and mountain climbing as I might be if he were still 19 :)

Hubby's been riding since he met me... 6 years now... and he has a near 10 year old Arab/Mustang cross we bought a few years ago. She's been a gem for him.

[WashingtonBay]

Welcome Hoofservant - great to have you here!

I am unfortunately not around here as often as I'd like to be, and used to be! I also am a trail rider that has rescued horses and loves to read everything I can get my hands on about horse health. I tend to go with the more "alternative" choices when I can - homeopathy, herbals, reiki...

^She's a hippy :cool:

[SedonaThunder]

^She's a hippy :cool:
I like to think of that as a term of endearment!;)

[WashingtonBay]

Very much so :)

[hoofservant]

SedonaThunder, being a professional bodyworker for horses, dogs and people, and using homeopathics, herbals, supplements and stuff, I probably fall into that category as well. Heh!

I am a hit or miss person on forums. One week I am on all the time, the next month I am barely there.

[WashingtonBay]

Great, more hippies :D

[TheRedHayflinger]

*is the hippy in disguise!*

I taught the hoofie some massage and acupressure for ponies and such and we toss ideas back and forth...so I suppose I fall into hippy catagory as well! :D

[TheRedHayflinger]

aaaaaaaand...it double posted on me..blah!

[peace_baby]

Great, more hippies :D

Hehe. Peace, baby. :cool: http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u253/southerncowgirl08/Random/peace.gif :D

[WashingtonBay]

kumbaya :D

I tease, because I'm a skeptic about ~some~ of the new-age type of herbal remedies and supplements. I think thinking about digestion too much, either yours or your animals' is unhealthy ;)

I think many of them have merit, but I'm also a believer in real, veterinary medicine, and hippy remedies that are intended to be in concert with that. So I give Sedona a hard time, but always seek her advice too, where hippy remedies and the knowledge behind them may be exactly what's needed. :)

[TheRedHayflinger]

Hoofservant sent me some EXCELLENT hippy remedies when I broke my foot to help it heal..lol....my ortho was extremely surprised and happy at how quickly it healed as was I(less than half the time he told me it would originally...lol).

she also worked on my foot not long after it healed when she was down here to visit...it felt like there were rocks in my heel and she worked on it for a bit and no more rocks under skin feeling when I walked!!!!

[Gypsy Rose]

Great, more hippies :D

Are you picking on us again, WB?:)

Welcome, Hoofservant! Nice to have another one of us who isn't scared to go out of the norm!

I also have a mare named Gypsy, lol! She's a half Arab Senior citizen at the ripe young age of 30.

My interests lie more in the area of nutraceuticals, mainly pre/probiotics, digestive enzymes, joint supplements, and natural anti-inflamtories and pain relief.

When Gypsy was diagnosed with hock arthritis, I didn't want to have her on bute, especially long term, because of the side effects.

One of my friends had to put her mare down, not because of her chronic leg injury, but because of what the bute did to her gastrointestinal tract long term. So I started looking for alternatives.

Today, Gypsy is happy and healthy. She's ridden several times a week at walk, trot, and once in a blue moon, the occasional canter.

What WB needs is a vet like mine, who has no problem incorporating natural remedies along with proper veterinary treatment.:) I was fighting a no win battle with vets until two years ago, lol!

And at least, she's no longer calling it "hippie witch" stuff!:D

[offgridgirl]

Great, more hippies :D
Canadian hippy checking in!! (waving frantically);)

Hello and welcome from BC Canada.....
We hippies here grow a lot of "herbs" for all sorts of things!!:rolleyes::innocent:

[WashingtonBay]

The hippy witchcraft stuff is just a subset of the wider hippy thing.... there's a lot of subgroups; the tree huggers, the giggling stoner hippies, the drum circle hippies... all are mostly harmless. ;) The college know-it-all hippies are the only ones that can be a real problem! :D

[TheRedHayflinger]

The hippy witchcraft stuff is just a subset of the wider hippy thing.... there's a lot of subgroups; the tree huggers, the giggling stoner hippies, the drum circle hippies... all are mostly harmless.


but but..what if you fall into more than one of those subgroups of hippies??????

[WashingtonBay]

That happens pretty frequently I think :D

[Gypsy Rose]

The hippy witchcraft stuff is just a subset of the wider hippy thing.... there's a lot of subgroups; the tree huggers, the giggling stoner hippies, the drum circle hippies... all are mostly harmless. ;) The college know-it-all hippies are the only ones that can be a real problem! :D

:hysterical:I'm pretty safe, then! I never went to college!

[FoxFireEMT]

welcome welcome

[WashingtonBay]

:hysterical:I'm pretty safe, then! I never went to college!

That's actually South Park's description ;) Rather than 'college' know it all hippies... I'd probably call them 'urban know it all hippies'... You know... the ones that haven't stepped off concrete most of their lives, but think they know more about the environment than loggers, farmers, and country people do. :)

[lacyloo]

Welcome :cowboy:

[hoofservant]

Thanks, all, for the welcome.

I am not so much of a "hippie" that I don't eat meat (I am a serious carnivore), that I go on weird colon cleansing fasts and remedies for months at a time, and exclusively wear hemp with vegan sandals on my feet. *cackles* Nor do I demand that all the animals in the world be set free in one last glorious leap for freedom until a car hits them. :rolleyes:

And come ON, WBay! The digestive tract is the KEY to SOOOOO many problems!!!! :hysterical:

Well, my hippie-dippie witchy-weirdo stuff for bodywork is what I learned from an osteopathic physician that I worked for and trained under for 3.5 years. So, its based in science. I just learned exclusively on humans, then transfered the concepts to animals. ;)

I use homeopathics and other stuff in conjunction with the pressure release therapy that I have seen work and are proven to me. Each new one gets taken with a grain of salt and a lot of research. I work predominantly, homeopathic-wise, with Heel and Reckweg products, which are from Germany, and the Germans are light-years ahead of us Staties in that area. I have specific companies that I work with for nutraceuticals and herbals because I trust what they produce.

We used a fair number of supplements, nutraceuticals, herbals and homeopathics at the doctor's office that I worked at. What did get used we spent a lot of time looking into the company, its practices, the efficacy and whatnot before we ever offered it to the patients. We also spent time researching side-effects, intereactions and possible problems that people might run into.

I try to stay away from as much of the airy-fairy woo-woo stuff, as I call it, as possible. The really far out people (esoteric healers and such) with the chanting and the other things, while I am not saying they don't work and I am not saying that they do, give the rest of the more legitimate/mainstream alternative practitioners, who are still thinking outside of the box, fighting against the airy-fairy woo-woo label a bad name. We have a couple of vets and other practitioners up here that I'd like to have quietly dissappear because they make my job SO much harder. A couple were in some of my classes and I just had to grit my teeth and put my fingers in my ears whenever they were talking to keep from telling them they were full of poo.

For the most part, a lot of practitioners try to stay on the science-based side of the coin (if you can't prove it somehow, people won't come to you), and some things aren't completely on that side of the coin. Homeopathics and muscle energy testing certainly isn't, and acupuncture and acupressure certainly are on the boarderline as well, being on both sides of the coin. Reiki is being proven. We have a hospital here in MI that has a section that is dedicated solely to alternative health practices and Reiki is used openly on patients with proven benefit. They've even managed to get Insurance companies to pay for it as a viable treatment option.

No matter the treatment or remedy, you still have to believe that its going to work in some fashion or another. And sometimes things are going to happen that have no explaination.

I believe that a blend of Eastern and Western medicines, treatments and therapies is very beneficial, both for humans and animals. I tend to stick with more of the natural medicine than the conventional for myself both due to preference and also because I have had nasty reactions to a lot of drugs on the market that I've taken for whatever reason. That being said, if I have a broken arm or am having a heart attack, I am going to the nearest emergency room at the highest speed possible. Forget looking for a flower to rub on it or smell and hope that it makes it all better.

[hoofservant]

:hysterical:I'm pretty safe, then! I never went to college!

I dropped out and went to trade school instead! Nun o'that haher larning stuf 4 mEE. Mayks my brian hert n'stuff.

*nods* An evrythin I lanred was Off the NterNet!

Hippes of the World, Unite! Hemp Power!

[SedonaThunder]

I believe that a blend of Eastern and Western medicines, treatments and therapies is very beneficial, both for humans and animals. I tend to stick with more of the natural medicine than the conventional for myself both due to preference and also because I have had nasty reactions to a lot of drugs on the market. That being said, if I have a broken arm or am having a heart attack, I am going to the nearest emergency room at the highest speed possible. Forget looking for a flower to rub on it or smell and hope that it makes it all better.

Hear, hear! Perfectly put... think I might steal it for future use!

[MontysGirl]

Well hello neighbor, I live like 20 mins from ann arbor. we should meet up sometime,Im going to be camping at farmlane next weekend and ill be bringing both my horses if you like to come for a ride?

[hoofservant]

Hear, hear! Perfectly put... think I might steal it for future use!

Please do!

[elevenelevenxo]

Hoofservant! I'm "SweetMelody" from TMS wayyy back in the day. :) It's good to see you over here!

[Gypsy Rose]

That's actually South Park's description ;) Rather than 'college' know it all hippies... I'd probably call them 'urban know it all hippies'... You know... the ones that haven't stepped off concrete most of their lives, but think they know more about the environment than loggers, farmers, and country people do. :)

Now that I can understand. People that go to the extreme who don't even have a clue can be very dangerous, for many reasons.

I dropped out and went to trade school instead! Nun o'that haher larning stuf 4 mEE. Mayks my brian hert n'stuff.

*nods* An evrythin I lanred was Off the NterNet!

Hippes of the World, Unite! Hemp Power!

:hysterical:I've had to learn what little I know the hard way, lol! Books and magazines first- I didn't even have a computer, or know how to use one until a little over a year and a half ago.

Means I know just enought to keep myself out of trouble- or is it in trouble?:p

[hoofservant]

Hey, MontysGirl!

Wow! Neighbors it is! What side of A2? I am smack in the middle of Saline and Clinton just north off of US12. I would totally dig meeting up with you! I am setting up as a vendor at Waterloo for the dressage show this weekend, be there Friday through Sunday.

Unf, I cannot go to Farm Lane. I am headed to Madison, IN and Louisville, KY for a working/family visiting weekend on the 16th, gone through Monday. So, next time?

elevenelevenxo, awesome! The RedHayflinger said you were over here, I just couldn't remember what your online name is. Now I feel better about wanting to post in your BF thread. Wait, I'll do it here: RUN AWAY FROM BOTH OF THEM!!!! There, all better. :)

Gypsy Rose, I have to tell you that both my first and second horses named Gypsy were in fact Gypsy Roses, so I have a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart for that name.

And yeah, lots of books, magazines, trial and error, and learning from a friend of mine who is a veritable gold mine of information when it comes to natural medicines, and heck the previous three mostly for pretty much life in general. Then at the clinic I got a lot more info both on natural medicines and such, and the hands on training for bodywork. And I'll tell yah what, the stuff we learn from experience and such STICKS with us in ways that college never did for me. Most of all, realizing that I am predominantly a kinetic (kinesthetic)/visual learner was what helped me the most. Auditory learning situations don't stick well with me, I have to write everything down that the prof is saying, then go back and review it a million times and maybe then it will stick with me and I get it. College is more auditory learning and I didn't do well unless it was as subject I excelled at. I got bored with those classes, frustrated with the ones that I didn't understand and that was the end of that. Working world there I was! And the trade schools combined with the weekend classes, or an online class here and there, have been the best way for me to learn.

Unfortunately, most of school is geared towards auditory learners, which is about 30% of the population. And while I am not saying that there isn't a lot of room for higher learning (heck, I WANT my doc, lawyer and accountant to have higher learning), such an emphasis has been placed on it that people think they are failures for not going or finishing when their life paths are taking them elsewhere. And they are looked down on for NOT going. There are lots of paths in life that don't need it at all, experience is a better teacher.

[JackieB]

Welcome, hoofservant! We're so glad you joined. I've enjoyed reading your posts.

[hoofservant]

THanks, JackieB. AAwww, very kind that you are enjoying reading my posts. There are so few right now, and I am certain that there will soon be so many! LOL Lookie! Another Michigander!

[Gypsy Rose]

Hoofservant, you are so right!

I myself do not do well with auditory learning. Hands on and visual work best for me. Though a lot of times, I have to have the written word there for reference- eveidently my mind only wants to store just so much info for long term use, lol!

I'm fairly good at memorization, so joint neutraceuticals, their usages and dosages aren't hard for me to remember.

I'm lousy at explaining what I'm talking about most of the time, though, and would never be able to actually get into in depth study. I'm good at copying and pasting articles that back up what I'm trying to say, though!
:)

[JackieB]

LOL Lookie! Another Michigander!

Yes, I'm from Battle Creek. I now live in Oceana County near the Silver Lake sand dunes if you are familiar. My wife grew up here and we met at WMU in 1981.

I love your part of the state too, though. Ann Arbor is a beautiful area and has a cool vibe to it being a college town and all. I also used to fly sailplanes near Pinckney. I mentioned that because you said that your boyfriend is a pilot. There is another glider club in Adrian as well.

Anyway, nice to meet you.

[MontysGirl]

Hey, MontysGirl!

Wow! Neighbors it is! What side of A2? I am smack in the middle of Saline and Clinton just north off of US12. I would totally dig meeting up with you! I am setting up as a vendor at Waterloo for the dressage show this weekend, be there Friday through Sunday.

Unf, I cannot go to Farm Lane. I am headed to Madison, IN and Louisville, KY for a working/family visiting weekend on the 16th, gone through Monday. So, next time?



I live in whitmore lake, right off of exit 52. Oh I didnt know there was a show this weekend, sounds like alot of fun! what kind of booth do you have?

Yep , you can take a rain check for another time:) Or if u ever have a few hours of free time, you can come over and we can hit the trails my house. we have DQ and a coffee place that we ride too often.

[hoofservant]

JackieB, I don't know much of the west part of the state other than to wave at it when I fly over on my way to or from somewhere. I've been to Battle Creek with my old boss who is a vet that specializes in teeth, and to Fruitport, but other than driving to Chicago, that is as close as I've been to the west side of Michigan. Sailplanes, eh? I don't know anything about them. I have always wanted to try hang gliding. And at some point in my life, I'd like to learn how to fly bug smashers. Jim flies a Gulfstream III in Dubai for the private section of Emerites Air.

MontysGirl, yep! Good old Waterloo Dressage weekend! It will be hot, sticky and probably rain cats and dogs at some point. I just got my new vest that you put in cold water, let it soak for 3-5 minutes, then wring the water out of it, and its supposed to keep you cool for almost 6 hours. This is a good weekend to test it out and then I am going to write a review on it. :)

Well, this time I will have a blue larger pavillion in the back and probably my horse topped one in front. Depends on if they let me set up both this time. I am going to try to be next to the Trilogy saddle dealer, she is in a black pavillion with sides. And we are right by the food dude.

Well, I am either insanely busy with the business or I have nothing, feast or famine. We will have to get something scheduled! Ok, my compatriot for the weekend has arrived and I need to get scampering.

[Gypsy Rose]

Let us know how everything went when you get back!

[hoofservant]

Gypsy Rose, will do!

MontysGirl, I am up past the rings in the vendor area sandwiched in between Sporthorse Saddlery and Impluse Design. :) Blue pavillion set back a bit, no horse pavillion this time. My banner for White Willow Therapies is out front on the fence. I cannot WAIT to get my new pavillion ordered. 10x20, enclosed so there is more privacy and if I can figure it out, I am going to get an airconditioner going in there! Wheee!

I am up printing off brochures. I hope that I don't manage to forget much in the AM in my sleep fog. LOL

[MontysGirl]

Gypsy Rose, will do!

MontysGirl, I am up past the rings in the vendor area sandwiched in between Sporthorse Saddlery and Impluse Design. :) Blue pavillion set back a bit, no horse pavillion this time. My banner for White Willow Therapies is out front on the fence. I cannot WAIT to get my new pavillion ordered. 10x20, enclosed so there is more privacy and if I can figure it out, I am going to get an airconditioner going in there! Wheee!

I am up printing off brochures. I hope that I don't manage to forget much in the AM in my sleep fog. LOL


I Sure which I could come and check it out. might go look at a new horse this weekend or i have to help with our garage sale haha

Are you an equine massager/chiropractor? I could use one for my horses..

[hoofservant]

MontysGirl, I do pressure release therapy on horses, dogs and people. I look for hard spots (abnormal tissue tension) in muscle, connective tissue and bone, apply just enough pressure (very gentle) to start the tension releasing from the tissues and then help it get to its point of completion. Nothing high velocity, no grinding out knots, its gentle and I haven't met a horse or dog or person yet that doesn't love it. They recieve a great deal of benefit from the therapy, are much more comfortable, happy, naturally functional and able to do their jobs. I also teach classes on how to do lymphatic therapy and diaphragm releases to owners, along with stretches for the horse and the rider.

I was trained by an osteopath, worked with him in training for 3.5 years and have been doing this type of bodywork professionally on humans for 4 years, horses for 2.5 and bodywork in general for 5.5 years. I LOVE what I do!

The show was great! I ran my tail end off working on horses and people, AND a dog. :) Met some great contacts, made money and had a great time. Presently, I am recovering. LOL

[MontysGirl]

That sounds very interesting, Im trying to get as much knowledge about horses and id love to learn sometime so i could use it on my horses & dogs.When you come over to ride sometime , would you mind showing me how?:)

[hoofservant]

MontysGirl, I will teach owners how to do some muscle work, but nothing beyond that. Fascial (connective tissue) work is too easy to miss the release, not to mention is more difficult and boney work can really screw someone/thing up if done wrong. However, I'd be happy to show you the lymphatic work and the diaphragm releases. They are pretty easy and also are a great way to bond more with your animals.

[MontysGirl]

That would be Great ,Thank you :) i would love to find something my horse might actually like lol