Figuring out something new...

[wjminwi]

Me, I'm figuring out how to start a new thread here.

And Scout?....
She figured out how to cross a river today! I was so proud

Deer hunting ended yesterday (YAY!), so we were able to ride on our neighbor's land again today. Someone left open a gate that goes to his summer cattle pasture, so we decided to go in and tour around. This pasture is essentially one big downhill with a river at the bottom, so we went down the hill and then decided to go across.
We go across another, smaller creek all the time. It takes about 3-4 horse steps. But this one today was more like 15-20 steps across, so I wasn't sure what kind of reaction we'd get from either Tango or Scout. But they both just went through with no issues at all.
We didn't ride that side of the river, as we don't really have permission for that, so we just turned and came back through the other way. Again, no issues or refusals! It's always fun to try something new and see what happens (especially if it doesn't end in a mess ).
SO -- this thread is for posting something NEW that you tried with your horse, and if you had success, failure, or whatever! Tell about it!

[ghostrider]

I've learned something new too. You know the old adage, "you can lead a horse to water..."
Yesterday I plugged in the heater in the trough and Buddy went over and tried to get a drink from it and jumped back. So I thought HMM wonder if it shocked him? stuck my finger in it, nope! must have been the ice sliding around the metal tank? So got home from work last night and put in the grounding rod and wire to the tank to ground it just in case but they had not touched the two apples floating in the water.
This morn I tried to coax them with two more apples quartered but they won't have anything to do with it. So now I'm having to bucket water into a plastic barrel halve and wait till they start drinking before giving them anymore hay or grain.
I did take off my shoes and stick my finger in the water this morn just to make sure it's not shocking them so??? It's definitely a new one for me.
And being boys they've ALWAYS been enticed by food.

[MaryS]

www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=10150392490303127

I loped Amigo for the 1st time. I am attempting to post the video link above. Let's see if it works

That's my something new. I was scared he was going to buck, so it freaked me out at first and I was bracing ready for it to happen. It also began dropping 10 degrees an hour, so considering how crazy they get in the cold, that also made me nervous.

[ghostrider]

Last night after work, I pulled the 3/4 top to the trough off and took everything out (heater & 2x4 to keep squirrels from drowning) Still they hadn't touched the water so when I fed them their grain I hung each hang over bucket on the sides of the trough. Boomer went right to his but Buddy waited till Boomer was almost done before braving the trough. This morn after they ate, again with bucket on the side of the trough, Buddy decided floating apples would make a fine dessert and dove in. By tomorrow I should be able to put the heater in, and put the top on it.
I learned something new too....GROUND THE TANK before letting the horses in.

[Deleted]

You know, Denise....I must be really lucky. I've never grounded my heater!!! I guess I dodged a bullet on that one! ;-/

This year...my husband worked out the cattle/horse situation so that the horses can have access to an automatic, heated waterer! We've got several on the farm, but in order to feed the cattle corn sileage, ( and not feed the horses corn sileage!), we had to put out a tank with a heater for the horses. This year we only have a handful of cattle, so YAY!!! This winter will be so much easier than in the past. I HATE water tanks with heaters.

Sorry to go off topic! I haven't been doing anything with my horse.....but soon they'll be down at the buildings eating hay, and I will. My horse was recently described to me as "That big fat paint", so I have some work to do. ;-/

[Devin]

WOW Wendy! ! That is so awesome to have your horses cross a river for the first time!!! GO you!

And Mary, you and Amigo did GREAT! I loved the video! you were brave to take a video lol!

[wjminwi]

I think Scout has crossed rivers before....but not in over 5 years, because that's how long we've had her! It was new to me and a refresher for her....though it is possible it was her first time too.

Yes, Mary...I liked the video too!...good for you!

I don't ground my tank...I just have one of those heaters that plugs in and sits on the bottom....am I missing something?

[Devin]

you probably have a rubbermaid? I think that metal tanks have to be grounded? I don't know for sure. I have a rubbermaid tank, with a bottom heater that screws into the plug hole. I do not ground either, but it is on a GFCI outlet that will trip if there is a problem.

[ghostrider]

If lightning strikes your metal tank it can electrocute your horses if they are drinking out of them or standing near enough therefore I err on the side of safety.
I did find out that my tank heater's cord had gotten stuck between the heater body and the burner and melted the protective tubing and some of the wiring. No wonder they acted like they'd been shocked. When I put my hand in the water though it didn't shock me so either it was my tennis shoes or they are a lot more sensitive than humans. I've heard they can feel the electric in the air too where as we can't.
My new heater is made different, the cord comes up from the middle on top instead of on the side between the burners so it must be an improvement from the old model.

Nana, when I was married my DH put in two automatic heated waterers, one was a nelson, LOVED IT! the second was a spring, it was great too but not as easy to clean. They are wonderful and you never have to mess with watering. I wish I knew someone cheap to put in one here for me.

[wjminwi]

I've got a steel tank....but it's kind of under an overhang of the barn, so I've never even thought about lightning hitting it.

[ghostrider]

I know that when I googled how to ground to find out if I could use a galvanized rod instead of a copper one there was almost nothing on grounding and nothing on grounding a horse trough. WEIRD! I thought everyone grounded their tanks but no one I know does it? they ground their electric fence but not their trough.