Doing things the old school way...what do you remember, and still do?

A

Agent XXX999

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 October 2006
Messages
5,082
Visit site
Old old old school!
I am at a yard which is run by two 70 year old horse ‘experts’. They do things the ‘old school’ way….which includes
Tying the horse up from the second you go in the stable
Brushing correctly, daily
Doing everything from the near side (EVERYTHING! Even all four feet!)
Using blankets and rollers

What other ‘old school’ ways of horsemanship can you think of?
I still tie up in a stable, and pick out feet from the near side.
grin.gif
 
was thinking that the other day how things have changed sooo much
have been out of horses for a while now setting up a business and would love to get back into the horse scene again

but think am too far behind all this new stuff

went to my friends yard the other day and felt very uncomfortable as i always ride in my jeans they all running around in their posh stuff
 
Erm, brushing properly daily. I was taught you do not ride until you have satisfactorily groomed and feel guilty if I don't. Most people on the yard tease me for it...
 
Always stuff rugs after hunting
I have kineton nosebands- plural!
My mum always bandages- I try to follow suit wherever I have time
Hosing legs, instead of using those "water boots"
Straw beds with massive banks- I have never mucked out onto shavings or anything of the sort
blush.gif

Chin strap on one of my hats I hack out in!!!
Mounting at the wrong side- pony club likes.
Baler twine as a substitute for everything.
 
I'm dead old school, but Im dead old so it comes natural
grin.gif


I do feet from the near side, use jutes, fold rugs (although not like you Chocolate log - shoulders first). groom daily, boiled barley and bran mashes, Coachaline tack that's not used. Frigging hell, probably the only 'new' things I do is feed hay from the floor when they're in and I dont tie up in the stable.
 
Friend made me a hay wisp and I used to strap the mare regularly. She just loved it and would fall asleep.
My new lad is far too sensitive - I tried it and he looked at me like he thought I was beating him up, bless him!!
If you want old old school, try to find a copy of a book called The Horseman by Capt J Howard Marshall. Divine! I have just finished it and could quite happily start reading it all over again!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I pick out all 4 feet from the nearside.

[/ QUOTE ]

Excuse my ignorance but why is this? The farrier doesn't shoe all 4 feet from the nearside.

(Can you imagine the response if you asked him to!!!)
 
That would be feeding straights and according to condition and work DONE then?

Time moves on, but a lot of the 'old' ways are plain old common (horse) sense and don't need changing ('If it ain't broke...') but there have been a lot of technical changes that make life better and easier too.

smile.gif
Rosiie, ah yes, baler twine. I plait mine and it gets used for all kinds of things.

I still ride out with a knife and baler twine in my pocket, at PC (Dear Lord, 30 years ago!) our DC used to do 'pocket' checks, the 10p for a phone call doesn't apply now though.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I pick out all 4 feet from the nearside.

[/ QUOTE ]

Excuse my ignorance but why is this? The farrier doesn't shoe all 4 feet from the nearside.

(Can you imagine the response if you asked him to!!!)

[/ QUOTE ]

You werent asking me, but ill answer anyway, hope thats ok.

Its quicker to do all 4 from the same side. that's all. You dont need the hoof between your legs to pick it out either.
 
I have had some wonderful old-school teachers in my time. One fantastic lady whose horses are some of the best managed I have ever met, is a huge baler twine fan. At pony club camp she had us making leadropes, haynets, halters and fly fringes out of baler twine!
 
no more than 11 plaits even for dressage,
I still boil linseed on tha aga at home,
Tails level with chesnuts, not as long as todays dressage divas!
No bling anywhere in sight.
still use porter boots and bandages for xc.
drop nosebands (although these seem to be making a comeback)

I'm sure theres lots more i do without reaslising it makes me old!
 
I judge and have to admit I still like the 'old school' juniors in jod boots and long hair in haynets!!!
I open bales with baler twine-one of the 'kids' on the yard thinks its a magic trick
I have jute rugs and surcingles still in use.
 
I fold rugs before I put them on, but always shoulders first, front clips done up, rug unfolded and then slid back into postion. Makes me cringe when people sling rugs over or pull them forward!
blush.gif
 
All brown/havanna tack.
No bling or glitter anywhere
Everything tidy and clean
Every horse/pony fed twice daily 365 days a year
Hanging bridles up with reins through throat latch.
Lead ropes wrapped and tied properly on headcollar after use
Beds and feeds prepared every morning ready for evening
I visit my horses at least twice a day - in the morning and in the early evening.

I thought some of these were just common sense but may be I am just old.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top