What Are The "DUMB" Horse Things You've Done

[Jill]

If many people participate in this, I hope there will be stories that can make us laugh and also ones we can learn from.

Over the years, I've learned a lot about the horses but not nearly as much as there is to learn, that is for sure. Looking back at some of the things I have done over the years, I just can't believe I was ever that stupid.

The dumbest horse thing I have ever done (to date) is that in 2000, I fed plums right straight off the tree in my yard to all my minis. Just like you'd feed apples. The next day, Eclipse had TERRIBLE gas colic. It was my first experience with colic. He was nearly out of it when I got home. My husband had been trying to help him. Really, I thought something neurological was wrong with him because it was like he couldn't get up, his lips were parted (stiffly) and teeth clenched. It wasn't even until after the vet left that I began to suspect what must have happened. The pits had fermented inside him. It's a wonder he was the only one who got sick. Thank goodness, he ended up being okay but it really scared me.

 

[NMMack]

You mean in addition to leaving gates/barn doors open? Thinking, "Oh he won't bite me, he loves me" with a yearling stallion dealing with hormones, and the good ol' "Well, it was just one little treat, and I didn't see anything wrong with that"??? I am going through an entire new learning experience going from Traditional sized horses to Minis.

But one of my more stupid things lately, has been letting Hubby pick up tiny horses and tote them around... (Men!) And although it is fun to watch, and cute as the dickens, until you have been bowled over by a tiny terror all of almost 27" tall trying to get away from Dad and his grasping arms, you won't understand how they can tip over a 5'8" tall woman (of significant gravitational earth pull), like a bowling pin at the end of a lane! LOL!!! Both horse and woman went head over heels and I ended up with humongous bruises all over my body, a scared horse sitting in my lap, and a hubby feeling REALLY guilty for starting the entire episode... LOL!!! Ok, it was funny, stupid, but funny!

Lesson Learned: Don't pick up horses, they are NOT cats, and generally do not appreciate it!

:

Nancy

 

[CyndiD]

[SIZE=10pt]One of the hardest lessons I was taught was by our first mini...he was a 2 yr. old and still a stallion. We had 2 full size horses, one was a mare...that...well...Nugget got the raging hormones.[/SIZE]

We were too afraid we would "hurt" him if we corrected him too much...so we let him get away with nipping, rearing, kicking and finally he took off with my younger son and actually drug him down our lane.

Then we finally realized we were not doing him any favors, but in reality were creating a demon. SO...every night, and I mean EVERY NIGHT...we lunged him, walked him and tolerated NOTHING. It took a few weeks, but he finally realized we were serious and became the mini he should have been all along. Sweet, loving and in the fall...a gelding...

:

 

[MiniHoofBeats]

Well i'm still new at this but my stupid thing, and believe me, lesson learned, was not having an electric fence! I brought my first mini home and put her in her pasture with just wood fencing. First week went fine, we played daily and had a blast! Then one day I came home from work and...there was a hole in my fence...and there was my filly happily chowing down grass in my front yard!!! Now, this was 3 acres of land on a corner lot, had a 2 lane highway on one side and a country road (but still somewhat busy) around the front of the property and this girl was the dickens chasing around the yard as I was freaking out she'd run into the road!!

Caught her...fixed fence...all was well =)

Well...this happened 3 more times...last time it happened I came home to the hole in the fence, and no horses (I had my gelding by this time) to be found! I literally FREAKED out and ran around my entire property...no horses...I looked up and down the road for any lumps on the side of the road, fearing the worst...no lumps...ok well, looked across the fields around me, nothing...nothing!! So I ran into the barn to grab a few supplies, and there the 2 little stinkers were, taking a nap inside the stall!!! :new_shocked: SO after each one got a BIG hug and mutliple smooches, they were locked into the stall and I finally decided to put a hot wire along the inside of the fence.

Enough was enough! Lesson learned

:

 

[JO~*]

Never put air in your carts tires while hooked up to the horse :new_shocked:

No matter how careful you are slim happens--- yap my tires were the kind full of the green stuff and it flew everywhere :new_shocked: not to mention the loud kaaaapow :no:

 

[AppyLover2]

My biggest mistake was with a riding horse. Hot shot, know it all teenage that I was, I thought it would be really cool to have a horse that would rear on command. Big Mistake!! He learned to rear both on (and off) command. If he didn't want to go somewhere he would rear; again and again and again. Finally had to sell him because he became totally uncontrollable. I ruined a nice horse doing it.

I'll always regret it. :no:

 

[Sterling]

In general I don't like using corner buckets....I've owned 2 horses so far that love to dump their feed. I tried just about everything to keep my first feed dumper from turning over the hanging bucket and eating off the ground. From screwing it onto the post which in turn all she did was rip it off....was a strong fortiflex bucket to using flat ground pans, which was even sillier because she'd take it, dump the food out, eat the grain off the ground and take the pan all over the corral and play with it. So when the next feeding time came around, I had to go dish hunting in her corral

: . Anyway one day it dawned on me....I can "tie" the thing...yes let it still hang but rig it so that it's tied easy to unhook if I need to and easy to clip back. Problem solved!!

 

[wade3504]

When I had big horses one of the other boarders insisted her small pony that ran barrels could beat my quarter horse mare who did western pleasure. Now, I've never raced, and never wanted to, but I was tired of her saying this so we went out to the large pasture behind the barn and raced from the opposite end toward the barn. DUMB! I was way in the lead until we got near the barn and was about to pass it. My horse took a sharp right hand turn toward the barn and of course I went left. It was almost like slow motion and I landed on my feet, laughing at my stupidity. I laughed even harder when the girl on the pony was ridden into some tall bushes by er pony and also came out on her feet. That was the one and only time I raced and she never bugged me about it again.

Amanda

I have another I'll post seperately. It's the same girl I raced who did something stupid with one of my other horses later on.

 

[wade3504]

I had a friend who boarded with me and I had a thoroughbred I was trying to sell because I was going to college and couldn't take him. I had to go look for apartments one weekend with my mother so I ased my friend to ride him while I was gone as people were coming to look at him on Monday. So, over the weekend I am looking for apartments with my mother and sister and the whole time I keep thinking something happened to my horse. I didn't say anything though because I figured my mom would think it stupid so I didn't. We got home and was not there 5 minutes when my friend called and said my horse was hurt. She said she had tied him to a metal gate to groom him and he spooked, ripped the gate off, knocked her down, and ran down the driveway with the gate trailing after him still attached to the leadrope. He ran across the road into a neighbors yard and took out their clothes line then turned around to come back. My friend was now at the end of the driveway and was trying to catch him, so he swerved out of the way and ended up in a deep ditch on the side of the road where she finally caught him. He had a gash all the way through the skiin below his lower lip where you could see all the way through and a major cut above one hoof, plus various other scrapes and bruises all over.

I automatically assumed she knew not to tie a horse to something that coulc move, but I guess not. Very expensive lesson learned for me

Amanda

 

[Hosscrazy]

Don't keep pitted fruit trees in your horses' area. Especially not loquat trees. The seeds have cyanide in them (colic over and over and over) - took me quite a while to figure this one out.

Also, if your vet is telling you something that doesn't sound right or feel right, get a second opinion.

Liz R.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

OK now I have been in horses all my life so I have had plenty of time to do the most stupid things you have ever heard of.

Harnessing a two year old Sec A colt to a sled with no-one there to help me was not too bright.

We did stop eventually!!!

:

Taking the bridle off Rabbits father before he was unhitched- I am told every driver does this at least once in their career and at least he was not a 15.00hh Welsh Cob as my friends horse was- that wrecked a very nice cart.

You think you would never do it- try having an intense conversation whilst unharnessing- that is what my friend with the Welsh Cob and I both did.

I do not usually use blinders, but Fred was blind in one eye and pulled to that side. Putting blinders on him stopped this so I did it.

NEVER take the bridle off first, for future reference!! He was not hitched to a cart, thank goodness, but he was hauling water in 5 Gallon containers and he kicked the three he was pulling all over the field and very nearly collided with two fences before he stopped!!

I think from the horses point of view though, the prize for dumbest owner of the year has to go to me, about fifteen years ago.

I had two maiden mares in foal that year and got down to one flat out on her side and the other standing over her.

Went over, checked her quietly. She made no attempt to get up . Checked her front between her legs- she was damp...oh-oh!! Checked breathing- quite fast and deep. OK we are in business. Moved the tail gently to one side- nothing. Zilch, nada- I'd have been happier to see a hoof, but no, nothing.

Went to the barn, washed up, put on gloves, brought bucket, lubigel etc.

Speaking quietly I approached the little mare, got down behind her and gelled up my hand and arm and slipped in to see what was going on. I got up to my elbow before she shot to her feet.

The look on her face had to be seen to be believed- if she had had a cell phone she'd have called the Police!!

Swinging her head back in disgust she stomped off down the field leaving me sitting there, and muttering under her breathe about how a horse couldn't even get a few minutes of shuteye without being violated anymore!!!

A full month later she gave birth to a bonny bay baby boy- but she made sure she did it all on her own!!

:

 

[Frankie]

The dumbest???

Well, I talk often and sure you have already heard most,,,,,,,,but the dumest,,,,,,,

well,,,,,,,,

there was the time with the bucket,,,,I put,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,uhhh, no, it would be when,

I didn't know a colt, so I ,,,,,,,,,,oops, another dumber,,,,,,

for sure would have to be with I asked about hand breeding, but asked,,,,,,,,,nah, that wasn't all that dumb,,,,,,,,,,,

It might have been when I fed,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,nah, they liked it,,,,,,,,

Can it be this question??????? Or can I just say a number of "dumb" things????? About 40!

 

[ILoveMyGelding]

The only one I can think of right now was when my non-horsey friend and I showed my mare Fletch in liberty class. I was a youth at the time and didn't realize that if you corner a horse and scare it with shakers, she will jump the gate! My grandma was standing right there and she went straight to her as if to say "Grandma why are they trying to scare me?" My poor little girl.

 

[Miniv]

MY dumbest thing -- I got Marty's "Doufus of the Month" award for!

: (Not letting go of the lead!)

Larry's dumbest? He STILL has to learn to NOT put his face down at the hind-end of a mare in labor until AFTER her water has broken! :lol:

MA

 

[Jill]

These are good!!!

And I thought of another thing that demonstrates my level of intelligence...

When I bought my first cart, just a used EE cart, I repainted it, etc. It looked good! I balanced the shafts on the little brick wall of my carport and had a seat. Of course, the cart dumped me right over backwards not being strapped down to anything just set the shafts on the carport wall (like 2.5')... first thing I had to do though was look around to see who saw my backwards summersault.

 

[slaneyrose]

Larry's dumbest? He STILL has to learn to NOT put his face down at the hind-end of a mare in labor until AFTER her water has broken!

This REALLY made me laugh out loud!! brilliant thread!! Well, done a lot of silly things over the years but a few years ago I had a whole day of stupid!! Took my 14.2hh connemara and 30" 2yr old filly to a show...by myself

: I undid the horsebox then got in thru the jockey door to put the connemara`s show bridle on (dont ask me why I undid the door first!) Almost have the bridle on and one shove from her and the door/ramp opens and we both tumble out onto the grass in front of EVERYONE!! Neither of us hurt thank goodness but very embarrassing.....then to make it worse she grabbed some branches which happened to be part of a jump for the next class (it was her first time and pulled part of the jump out as we left the arena. THEN (same show) in my now very flustered state I locked my car keys in my car 10 mins before the minis class.....had to leave a stranger with a coat hanger to "break in" to my car while i went to my class... Then, as I stand their letting my little angel sneak a bit of grass while waiting for the judge to get to me, I suddenly realise that when her head was down, the darn halter slipped right off and she is walking and grazing away from me!!! Desperately grab her and re-halter her before the judge gets down to me in the line....my advise.....NEVER go to a show alone!!!! :lol:

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

Mine was riding my semi broke almost 3YO Arabian gelding. With nothing but two leads. In his pasture. With his LOOSE buddies. BAREBACK.

They ran UP the hill and stopped. I SHOULD have gotten off. Nope. They ran back DOWN the hill. When he hit the bottom he stopped. I didn't. I remember seeing his ears around my knees, then his hooves above my face. Then nothing. That was 26 years ago.

I still feel it.

Lucy

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Like many dumb things, if you live to tell about it!, this story has gotten my unhorsey husband lots of humorous mileage.

He was taking care of my horses one evening for me. Besides feeding, he had to move them to their night corral. I had told him to never let go because if you did, the horse would know he could escape from you. He was using the mane to lead a young and fiesty little stallion--no halter. I do that sometimes, but I am on the alert for bolting. Jim had watched me and thought it was easy--Little Horse~Big Man~No Problem! The 150 pound horse took off with Jim hanging onto the mane. The horse dragged him about 100 feet, sometimes Jim was on top and sometimes the horse was on top. All Jim could think about was not letting go so that horse wouldn't find out it was boss! Finnally, he grabbed the horse around the neck and wrestled him to the ground, both their hearts pounding like mad. They laid there awhile, resting, then got up and finally made it to the corral. He never did night chores without using a halter after that.

Marsha

 

[NMMack]

LOL!!!! These are a Hoot!!!! Excellent Thread Jill!!!

Have another one to add, but NO FLAMES, this happened years and years ago, and we all know things like this just happen, even to the most experienced of us...

My Dad had gone out to worm our Lead Mare, Daisy, she was a stunningly beautiful King bred QH Mare that was smart, savy, and liked things to go her way. He was going to paste worm her, and she decided there was NO way he was going to get that thing in her mouth. Dad tried lots of things to get the job done, and was getting madder and madder by the minute (so was Daisy by this time) and he ended up popping her in the jaw and splitting his hand wide open. Mom rushed him to the Emergency Room where he ended up in Surgery with a ripped tendon in his hand and tons of stitches. He felt SO dumb for having lost his temper with a horse.

Daisy still needed wormed, so he sent me out to do it, I walked out, put my hand over her nose, gently squeezed her nostrils closed, and when she opened her mouth to breathe, I shot the wormer down her throat! LOL!!! Took all of 3 seconds! LOL!!! Boy Howdy did Dad feel REALLY bad then! LOL!!!! I got one up on Dad, and Dad had to HAND WASH the dishes for a couple of months as physical therapy for his hand! LOL!!! I can still see my Dad standing at the Kitchen sink doing dishes for 9 kids! LOL!!!!

:

Nancy

 

[Triggy&Blue&Daisy Too]

Lately it's been a succession of dumb things. Must be old age setting in. But first hee hee Jo that made me laugh about putting air in the tires while the cart was hitched--sorry. That is something I'd do. :lol:

Well last night I ended up topless getting off my horse. :new_shocked: See the Back Porch for the gory details.

And last weekend I left the door open to my house and Triggy got in because I forgot to put the clip on his latch. I was out getting the mail and came back to find the little goof checking stuff out and having a great time. He made all the way to my rear bedroom (the computer room) and then was afraid to walk back out on the Pergo floor. We could have had quite a wreck but I finally convinced him to gingerly walk back out but he wanted to stop every few feet and look at stuff. Oh and he tracked his dirty manure feet all over my light beige carpet so I'm spending part of my weekend shampooing it.

:

The first time I rode Daisy when I dismounted I'd forgotten what a loooonnnng way down it was from a 16hh horse's back. I'm not as limber as I used to be and ended up flat on my back with Daisy looking back at me like, Oh great what an ***** I've got for an owner now.

A few summers ago I decided to test the electric fence so I got under the mini's little 4' or so high shelter becuase it was raining. I hooked the end of the tester on the wire and grabbed the testing end by the metal probe. Of course I got a MAJOR zapp and dang did it hurt--it's a brush cutter model! I jumped up, cracked my head on the underside of the shelter and fell backwards scaring the minis into a bucking frenzy. You know how minis are they are right in your business whenever you are with them. Now the really dumb part is that I went and did the exact same thing again like an *****. And of course the little busy bodies where back in my hair but they did keep a few more feet away. I should have just as well peed on the dang wire to test the fence if I was going to be that stupid anyway.

:

Another time, and I don't know what possessed me but I stuck my finger in Triggy's ear. When I pulled it out there was a huge gob of ear wax and I yelled aaaack which obviously scared him. He turned to run away thinking he'd done something wrong but first stepped on my foot and spun on it breaking bones and giving me an enormous swollen bruise that took months to heal.

There is more but this is all I'm going to admit to for now

: Thankfully I do the dumb things to myself and not to my animals. I really don't know how I keep from earning myself that Darwin Award sometimes.