I had promised some of you a report on the Side Saddles and Portugese saddles at
the Turlock Saddle shop.

I had a chance to pop by yeasterday and sit on and handle both.

The Side-Saddles come in black.  The one I sat on was a hair short for me.  It
has a nice wide gullet and appears to be built on bascially and English all
purpose tree.  It was stable on the saddle rack with no girth or stirrups.  I
would change the angle of the leaping horn a little (which is fairly easy to do)
to fit me better.  The leather was descent quality.  Probably not something I
would want to hunt all day on, but at $195, not a bad option for a saddle to
hack around on a little.

The Portuguese saddles were very comfortable and encouraged a really straight
leg position.  The gullet was wide and shallow.  I suspect the saddle would tend
to roll or rest on the spine with the wrong horse-rider combination.  Descent
quality leather.  The $195 price tag is hard to argue with, recognizing that it
is not the same quality as some of the European produced saddles.

Else

Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
WestKingdomEQ group:

Will you be attending the Spring Equestrium on April 23-25th at Skyline Park in
Napa?  Please select all that apply:

   o Yes, and I am willing to help groundcrew/set up/marshal
   o Yes, and I will be bringing horse(s)
   o Yes, and I am willing to trailerpool/have trailer space
   o Yes, and I might be willing to lend a horse (contact me in advance to
discuss helping with horse costs/care/labor, etc)
   o Yes, and I would like to borrow  a horse (if available, I will contact  an
owner from above in advance)
   o Yes, and I will be camping
   o Yes, and I will be day-tripping
   o No, I cannot attend


To vote, please visit the following web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WestKingdomEQ/surveys?id=2953094

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.

Thanks!

Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
WestKingdomEQ group:

If you are planning to attend and participate in Spring Equestrium's Arts of War
Saturday morning 9:00-noon, what order would you like the activities in? (we are
trying to schedule to suit your interests/arrival time ;-)

   o Mounted combat 1st
   o Moving pig sticking 1st
   o Jousting 1st
   o Mounted combat 2nd
   o Moving pig sticking 2nd
   o Jousting  2nd
   o Mounted combat 3rd
   o Moving pig sticking 3rd
   o Jousting 3rd


To vote, please visit the following web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WestKingdomEQ/surveys?id=2953115

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.

Thanks!

I would like to encourage all our new folks to come - even without a
horse, even for just a few hours.

I encourage _everyone_ to bring their friends - riders or not!!!!.

The only thing that will stop Connor and I is a spring blizzard on the
pass.  Keep your fingers crossed - warm weather _is_ coming - the ponies
started shedding this week despite the new snowfall!!!

Siobhan

Welcome Annis and Poppy, Mary and Peanut and welcome back Byron and Arvack!!

I am so glad to hear that Byron is not only 'back' but has brought two
more equestrians with him!!!!  We have missed him greatly!


I hope that we see you at Equestrium - with or without horses.  Please go
to the Cyanagua website where you will find  equestrian information -
including the new set of rules published in Dec 2007.


Byron will be delighted to see they have strunk down to only 13 pages and
that we have done away with the beginner/intermediate/advanced rider
categories.


Siobhan
West KEO

For those who would like an ASTM riding helmet but don't like the English
style with a brim, there is something out there called a 'scull cap'.

Unfortunately, they have always been pricey.  Like $100 - $200 pricey

Aegis has now come out with the Aegis Lancaster skull cap which is only
$79.95 from, of all pricey places, Dover.  The only other site I found
selling it was $89.

So, if you want a riding helmet but don't want the brim, try looking at
this one. Easier to disguise too!

Siobhan

I have a Pro-Lite with a removable rim.  (Better to have the rim pop off if I
get it caught on a branch than get lifted out of the saddle by it).  At events I
just take the rim off and put a headrail with roll over it.  The helmet has
velcro patches to help keep things attached too.

Ellen

<snippage>
> So, if you want a riding helmet but don't want the brim, try looking at
> this one. Easier to disguise too!
>
> Siobhan
>

Greetings all,

I'm thinking of picking up some electric fencing to use in spots of the property
where I can't use permanant fencing (blankety-blank CCID easement), but I don't
want to mow.  I figure I may as well pick up stuff I can use at events too.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Else

I like the 2 inch wide tape rather than the narrower stuff. It seems to
last longer - and I have experimented with everything from 1/2 inch to 2
inch..  A solar panel charger works well for charging. (If you want a
charger, I have one that is electric with a battery option I'll sell you
real cheap if you want to plug it in at home plus take it to events)

All are reasonable from Country Supply.

As for events, we use a battery powered charger we got from Country
Supply for around $40.  Get a short surveyors post (the round iron ones
with the little holes in them and a point at one end) for a grounding
post.

We have a set of the plastic push in posts and one inch electric tape but
the posts tend to lean.

Last year we bought 12 portable holes. We cut closet rod into 4 foot
lengths and drilled a hole half way up each one.  We put eyebolts on the
tops.

We run that pretty climber's rope you can get at Home Depot through the
holes and electric tape through the eye bolts.  NO sag and it looks much
less modern.

Siobhan


> Greetings all,
>
> I'm thinking of picking up some electric fencing to use in spots of the
> property where I can't use permanant fencing (blankety-blank CCID
> easement), but I don't want to mow.  I figure I may as well pick up stuff
> I can use at events too.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions?
>
> Else
>
>

Went and dug up the Country Supply catalog I just tossed.

The charger I use for events is the Havahart for $42.99.  runs on 2 D
cells and will charge a mile long fence.  The batteies last a LONG time.

The one I use on my pasture is 5 years old and is the FL-shock 4 volt for
$114.99.  5 mile range  works great


Don't know if you are using wood post or Tpost but I use Tposts so......

From experience, I recommend the extended (long) Tpost insulators rather
that the shorter ones - less likely to short out by touching the t post.
Buy lots - they will break eventually (wind, sun, wind.....) but are easy
to replace.

Country Supply only carries the insulators for the thin rope like
electric line but you can get them for wooden or Tposts in other places.
I get mine from Greens Feed here in Reno and can ask them where else they
are sold, if you'd like.


I DO NOT like the ones from England (I think - can't remember the name
but they send you a catalog with samples and with pictures of horses
injured by using metal wire) as the stuff they send you to attach the
electric line to the posts - wood or Tposts - is hard to install and
breaks _fast_.

Siobhan

For electric fencing we use Horseguard.  It is a wide tape that you can get in
both regular and self-grounding.  (If you are using t-posts I would suggest
t-post caps if not whole post covers).  There is some that Kristin installed at
the ranch that has been going for 7 years now.

We are using a battery powered charger, (12 volt deep cycle marine battery),
with a solar panel trickle charger to keep it topped up.  This is being used on
the 10 acre and and another for the top line for the 40 acre pastures.  Usually
puts out 7000v.  With batteries you will need to check the water levels every
few months.  We try to check the fence charge itself every week to make sure
nothing has grown into or fallen on it to short it out.

Ellen

Hey Else,

I have similar information. I originally started camping with the battery
operated Havahart zapper. In the first year, a rainy Coronet killed the zapper.
We got another Havahart. Two years and a half dozen camp set ups, the Havahart
failed again. I noted that it began to exhibit moisture issues in the rain so we
always covered the second one if it was raining. Eventually began to corrode
from enviromental moisture.

If you use the Havahart, set it up higher on a ground stake/rod so that morning
dew does not touch the unit. Store it in a dry place.

Now we are using the battery operated Yellow Jacket zapper. I've had this one
for a few years now. It is $50 more but I seem to be getting a lot more pop for
the buck. It is easier to ground and a bit heartier out in the moist elements.
It clamps onto a ground rod and sits well out of the grass.

Step-in stakes, gate handles and simple polywire complete the small field
paddocks. It is not period looking at all. But it transports good and the horses
have a nice sized paddock to relax in. I prefer this over 12x12 stabling.

YIS,

Juliana


--- In WestKingdomEQ@yahoogroups.com, "DIANNE KARP" <diannekarp@...> wrote:
>
> Went and dug up the Country Supply catalog I just tossed.
>
> The charger I use for events is the Havahart for $42.99.  runs on 2 D
> cells and will charge a mile long fence.  The batteies last a LONG time.
>
> The one I use on my pasture is 5 years old and is the FL-shock 4 volt for
> $114.99.  5 mile range  works great
>
>
> Don't know if you are using wood post or Tpost but I use Tposts so......
>
> From experience, I recommend the extended (long) Tpost insulators rather
> that the shorter ones - less likely to short out by touching the t post.
> Buy lots - they will break eventually (wind, sun, wind.....) but are easy
> to replace.
>
> Country Supply only carries the insulators for the thin rope like
> electric line but you can get them for wooden or Tposts in other places.
> I get mine from Greens Feed here in Reno and can ask them where else they
> are sold, if you'd like.
>
>
> I DO NOT like the ones from England (I think - can't remember the name
> but they send you a catalog with samples and with pictures of horses
> injured by using metal wire) as the stuff they send you to attach the
> electric line to the posts - wood or Tposts - is hard to install and
> breaks _fast_.
>
> Siobhan
>

Julianna said

> I have similar information. I originally started camping with the battery
> operated Havahart zapper. In the first year, a rainy Coronet killed the
> zapper. We got another Havahart. Two years and a half dozen camp set ups,
> the Havahart failed again. I noted that it began to exhibit moisture
> issues in the rain so we always covered the second one if it was raining.
>

Could be that we live in a dryer climate so the only damp it gets is at
events in Ca.  I also take the batteries out at the end of the event and
it lives with other eq tourney stuff in a plastic box in the tack room
when not in use.  I have used a plactic bag to cover it from dew at
events.

S

Yup .. keeping it out of the wet is important. Removing the batteries between
uses is excellent. The unit does work best with a moist area to ground into. So
if it is dry out, watering the ground rod seems to improve the performance of
the unit.

YIS,

Juliana

--- In WestKingdomEQ@yahoogroups.com, "DIANNE KARP" <diannekarp@...> wrote:

> Could be that we live in a dryer climate so the only damp it gets is at
> events in Ca.  I also take the batteries out at the end of the event and
> it lives with other eq tourney stuff in a plastic box in the tack room
> when not in use.  I have used a plactic bag to cover it from dew at
> events.
>
> S
>

Agreed. However, you do have to be diligent about making sure the unit is
charged before the event. If you show up in the evening with a dead solar cell
and set up camp - the horses will not have a zappy fence until the next day.
Looses horses at 3 am kinda sucks. (seen it, lived it, caught a few in my
p.j.'s)

I have avoided the solar for this reason. I know it will be me at 3 am chasing
horses and having to tie them to the trailer.

YIS,

Juliana

--- In WestKingdomEQ@yahoogroups.com, "jean terry" <riverrockcobs@...> wrote:
>
>
> You could also use a solar charger. We have had several of them over the years
to augment our regular large plug in charger. The one we have now that is New
Zealand made has never quit in constant use for over five years. Got it at Live
Wire Products in Marysville- (one of the first importers of NZ fencing)
> Our solar charger works even in low light but you would need to remember to
put it outside a day before you needed it if you weren't already using it.
> jean
>

I'm a big fan of electro-braid. Check it out: http://www.electrobraid.com
Yaasamiin
Artemisia

The unit does work best with a moist area to
> ground into. So if it is dry out, watering the ground rod seems to
> improve the performance of the unit.
>
> YIS,
>
> Juliana


I noticed that myself at W/A in Yreka one year.

Siobhan

Thanks for posting this Juliana.

Its great to see the horse community offering this type of support.

LZO!

--- In WestKingdomEQ@yahoogroups.com, "Patti L." <la3luna@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> A tremendous idea. Please share this with those who have horses ready to make
this step in their life.
>  
> ~J
>  
>
> Low Cost Equine Euth Clinic 03/18/10 - $100 (Elk Grove)
> Date: 2010-03-09, 11:51AM PST
> Reply to: sale-djewf-1636205898@... [Errors when replying to ads?]
>
> Low Cost Euthanasia Clinic
>
> Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010
> Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
> Location: Elk Grove
>
> March 18th will be the date for our 2nd low cost euthanasia clinic in Elk
Grove. The cost to euthanize and render will be $100 per horse which we are
hoping will ease the financial burden most horse owners are experiencing today.
As job loss and foreclosure rates continue to rise, horse owners are having to
choose between paying Cobra payments to keep their families insured and paying
to put down elderly and injured horses.
>
> The usual cost to euthanize and render a horse is around $300-$500. BITS is
hoping with the low cost option we will be able to assist horse owners and their
horses in doing what is right for the horse. We have seen many a horse sitting
in fields that are in pain and suffering only because their owner is unable to
afford the cost of euthanasia.
>
> Please help us spread the word that the assistance is available and help us to
keep those horses who need the relief from suffering one more day.
>
> If you know of anyone who might be interested in hearing more about our
clinics or know of a horse owner in need of our services, please have them
contact us at 916.849.7953 or jamie@...
>
> http://www.backinthesaddleproject.com/euthclinic.html
>

I agree.  I was so impressed when I first heard about rescue groups doing
this last year.  Hurrah for the vets and rendering services who are
willing to help horse owners with this difficult decision.

Siobhan
>
> A tremendous idea. Please share this with those who have horses ready to
> make this step in their life.
>  
> ~J
>

Hi All,

I will be bringing our birjas set down for you all to curse at. We will also be
bringing down a red hairy "Yak" and a black hairy "ball". I assure you these are
actually horses.

See you at practice.

Juliana

Greetings Equestrians!

Cynagua's Spring Coronet is traditionally becoming a "very horsey" event and
runs over the LONG Memorial weekend. The extra day gives us time to stretch our
legs and really enjoy this lovely setting in BEAUTIFUL Northern California...
and this year promises to be exceptional! The site is under 3 hours from
Sacramento and you can BET there will a full weekend of activities to do with
your horses.  This is a fabulous EQ camping opportunity for West Equestrians to
relax and really enjoy themselves for the long holiday weekend.

The Mounted Pas d'Armes: A few of us are tending to Their Highness's mounted Pas
on Saturday. Many details are still in the works, but we'd like to give you some
notice of what to practice for. The Pas will consist of Venans (the Known World)
challenging Tenans (Tribe Rot Mahne) to the following activities of the lance:

Rings

Birjas

Pig sticking or tent pegging

Javelin (at 10') distance

Speed Quintain

Their Highness's have also expressed intrest in seeing skills of the sword and
bow:

Mounted Combat (singles and/or melee)

Mounted Archery (off eric)

Besides the highlighted mounted Pas on the eric, there are plans for challenge
courses, mock hunting, higher riding and trails.

The fabulous Helga is your EQ autocrat - she will surely have more information
to come, so dust off your boots and pray attend to your skills. Spring is nearly
here and the Coronet is but 7 weeks away.

YIS,

Juliana

Looks like the weather will once again keep us from coming over the pass
- even without horses.  Snow predicted Fri and Sat.

Eentually, the weather will warm up a bit and we will be coming over the
mtn to practice

Siobhan

> Hi All,
>
> I will be bringing our birjas set down for you all to curse at. We will
> also be bringing down a red hairy "Yak" and a black hairy "ball". I
> assure you these are actually horses.
>
> See you at practice.
>
> Juliana
>
>

March 14th

spring forward!!