What do ya'll make of this advice...

[Jump The Moon]

(on a small, lump, pretty much only noticed when felt... barely visible)
"If you can squeeze it, poke it and touch it and it does not hurt them (or they do not display any behaviour change) then don't worry about it"

(for a bolting horse)
"Make it gallop through plough." (I personally disagree strongly, as to that. I've seen many a horse stumble on the uneven farmed ground and just galloping through the plough to bust their tendons and land them with 6 months box rest!

What do y'all make of these ''rules'', 'cause I hear them so often out showing, or visiting other yards...:innocent::innocent:

[cloedoll]

I disagree with the both of 'em. ;)

[Vibe]

Mhm,.. what Cloedoll said..

[WashingtonBay]

I'd probably agree on the first one.

I wouldn't want to be on a runaway horse in plowed ground, but I guess the landing would be softer than some. :rolleyes:

[Dakota Sunrise]

I'd probably agree on the first one.

I wouldn't want to be on a runaway horse in plowed ground, but I guess the landing would be softer than some. :rolleyes:

Ditto. The first one is iffy, it depends. I definately don't agree with the second.

[Tatesgram]

I agree with the majority :rolleyes:, Oh, wait, it was 2 and 2, I go with... I don't agree with either.

[JetLagaside]

I would more than likely agree with the first but not the second.

[zoel_222]

I don't agree with either of those. If I find a lump on my horse, I'm getting it checked by a vet. Even if it turns out not to be serious, I think the $200 vet check is worth my peace of mind.

[cheval]

Some horses don't react when you poke and prod, even if it's sore. So I wouldn't go by that one.

I'm not sure what the second one is about? I haven't heard of that before. Can someone enlighten me?

[Ms Eddi]

The first I would keep a sharp eye on for more growth or sensitivity.
The second, no way, ground hurts soft or not and pulling a tendon takes along time to heal. I guess if it wants to bolt I circle him till he's too dizzy to bolt (or I am, LOL)

[HoustonFarrier]

Well, as for bolting horse...having been in that situation a few times under harness, if I saw a plowed field, you can bet for sure I'd head there......less chance for human injury, mine or anyone elses. I've dona allot of training in plowed fields.....nothing takes the "get up and go" out of a draft horse better than sinking a plow into the dirt !

Steve

[mandisue]

Cheval the 2nd is meaning I guess, by old timer standards that if you had an unbroke or wiry horse, it's harder for them to buck on plowed up land as well as if they knock you off it's softer, I've heard many old men say that.........:huh:

[Ms Eddi]

My old trainer said that too and his son my trainer now (who by the way can ride just about anything) will do it if all else fails.

[WashingtonBay]

Cheval the 2nd is meaning I guess, by old timer standards that if you had an unbroke or wiry horse, it's harder for them to buck on plowed up land as well as if they knock you off it's softer, I've heard many old men say that.........:huh:

You know what I've always thought was a darn good idea is the Native American method of leading them into deep water such as a lake for the first mounting, because they can't buck or bolt in deep water. They just keep them out there and make big circles till the horse is desensitized to the rider. Sounds pretty safe for everyone.

If only we all had a lake. :rolleyes:

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

The first I would keep a sharp eye on for more growth or sensitivity.
The second, no way, ground hurts soft or not and pulling a tendon takes along time to heal. I guess if it wants to bolt I circle him till he's too dizzy to bolt (or I am, LOL)


Ditto.

[mandisue]

I always liked the water idea too, no deep water here though.....poo!

[Jump The Moon]

Thanks everyone, you've basically summed up my thoughts.
The lumps 'n' bumps one - I'll keep a close eye on it, for growth, iritation etc. but they mainly turn out to be where he's rolled in nettles, escaped from the field and been playing in / rolling in somehting spikey xD

[Mercury]

I used to use plowed fields for training. I always took horses along a plowed field for their first trail ride. If they got too excited or tried to take off, it was safer for me to take them into the field then have them boltiing through the woods.