Guest guest Posted April 19, 2005 Report Share Posted April 19, 2005 ----- Original Message ----- From: tandarat > Does anyone here have pets/animals, particularly large animals/livestock? If so, how do you compensate for lack of mobility/weakness? I don't have an answer for you, but I'll be interested to see the responses. I have 9 dogs, 2 donkeys, 2 goats, 6 turkeys, 7 geese, 8 ducks and about 50 chickens. It is getting harder and harder for me to care for them. I may have to start taking my dogs to a groomer and I really hate to do that, not because of the money, but because I don't trust any of the groomers in my area. I've seen too many of them be unkind to animals in their care. As far as the donkeys, gaining weight with prednisone (yes, there is an upside to this weight gain) has helped. I can put myself against them and push and move them a bit. Then they get the drift that I want them to get out of the way so they can be fed, etc. I can't imagine trying to hold onto reins with these hands. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2005 Report Share Posted April 19, 2005 ----- Original Message ----- From: tandarat > Does anyone here have pets/animals, particularly large animals/livestock? If so, how do you compensate for lack of mobility/weakness? I don't have an answer for you, but I'll be interested to see the responses. I have 9 dogs, 2 donkeys, 2 goats, 6 turkeys, 7 geese, 8 ducks and about 50 chickens. It is getting harder and harder for me to care for them. I may have to start taking my dogs to a groomer and I really hate to do that, not because of the money, but because I don't trust any of the groomers in my area. I've seen too many of them be unkind to animals in their care. As far as the donkeys, gaining weight with prednisone (yes, there is an upside to this weight gain) has helped. I can put myself against them and push and move them a bit. Then they get the drift that I want them to get out of the way so they can be fed, etc. I can't imagine trying to hold onto reins with these hands. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2005 Report Share Posted April 19, 2005 , you will never, ever be strong enough to control even a small horse, and certainly not the draft horses. They can only be encouraged to do what you ask. I have never owned a horse but did have a plow mule. Now those are STUBBORN and need constant reinforcement like any other animal. There are also a herd of draft horses near us, but they are Clydesdales. The tallest horse in the world is near me, also. Lack of flexibility is always a problem, especially if we become inactive because of pain or other symptoms. I've been suffering from RA since 1990, and wasn't able to get out at all for a couple of years. I'm better enough now because I pick projects that I really want to do. My companion of the last 5 years died last month, so I need to find another little doggie to take his place. I tried German Shepards since I used to raise and train them, but now I can't do it. My opinion is that whatever I want to do can be done hard and fast with lots of suffering afterwards, or I can get it done as I can, which makes it easier. Maybe you should set your mind to do the thing that is your goal and do it, no matter how long it takes. It took me 6 months to replace the engine in my daughter's truck, something that I used to be able to do in less than a day. The hardest thing I had to do is realize I just cannot do what I was able to do. I wish you luck in your endeavors and certainly hope the best for you, and everyone else that's struggling with these diseases. Dennis [ ] Odd question... > > > > OK, I had time to think of some questions while on the plane, and > came up with some really odd ones. This is one of them. > > Does anyone here have pets/animals, particularly large > animals/livestock? If so, how do you compensate for lack of > mobility/weakness? Over the last 4-5 of years, my flexibility has > been steadily getting worse. It is starting to make sense, now that > I seem to have some kind of autoimmune disorder going on. HOWEVER, > since my last 2-3 months of pregnancy (I'd say 1 1/2 years, now), my > hand strength has been deteriorating, as well. In the last 4-6 > months, it has gotten REALLY bad. There are days it is difficult > for me to lift a glass of water. I originally thought it had to do > with my pregnancy, but it is getting worse instead of better. I've > tried some hand strengthening exercises, but they aren't working. > > I'm probably getting a percheron stallion in a few months (for those > who don't know what that is, it is a VERY large draft horse). He's > fairly gentle, but I need to be able to handle him if he gets > unruly, and I'm not sure how to compensate for my lack of strength > at the moment. I also ride/train arabians (not > professionally...just my own), and I was wondering whether anyone > was able to compensate lack of flexibility to continue riding. I'm > so stiff right now, I'm afraid to get on even my " babysitter " mare. > I haven't ridden in over a year, and I've been depressed about it > for awhile, now. > > Thanks. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2005 Report Share Posted April 19, 2005 , you will never, ever be strong enough to control even a small horse, and certainly not the draft horses. They can only be encouraged to do what you ask. I have never owned a horse but did have a plow mule. Now those are STUBBORN and need constant reinforcement like any other animal. There are also a herd of draft horses near us, but they are Clydesdales. The tallest horse in the world is near me, also. Lack of flexibility is always a problem, especially if we become inactive because of pain or other symptoms. I've been suffering from RA since 1990, and wasn't able to get out at all for a couple of years. I'm better enough now because I pick projects that I really want to do. My companion of the last 5 years died last month, so I need to find another little doggie to take his place. I tried German Shepards since I used to raise and train them, but now I can't do it. My opinion is that whatever I want to do can be done hard and fast with lots of suffering afterwards, or I can get it done as I can, which makes it easier. Maybe you should set your mind to do the thing that is your goal and do it, no matter how long it takes. It took me 6 months to replace the engine in my daughter's truck, something that I used to be able to do in less than a day. The hardest thing I had to do is realize I just cannot do what I was able to do. I wish you luck in your endeavors and certainly hope the best for you, and everyone else that's struggling with these diseases. Dennis [ ] Odd question... > > > > OK, I had time to think of some questions while on the plane, and > came up with some really odd ones. This is one of them. > > Does anyone here have pets/animals, particularly large > animals/livestock? If so, how do you compensate for lack of > mobility/weakness? Over the last 4-5 of years, my flexibility has > been steadily getting worse. It is starting to make sense, now that > I seem to have some kind of autoimmune disorder going on. HOWEVER, > since my last 2-3 months of pregnancy (I'd say 1 1/2 years, now), my > hand strength has been deteriorating, as well. In the last 4-6 > months, it has gotten REALLY bad. There are days it is difficult > for me to lift a glass of water. I originally thought it had to do > with my pregnancy, but it is getting worse instead of better. I've > tried some hand strengthening exercises, but they aren't working. > > I'm probably getting a percheron stallion in a few months (for those > who don't know what that is, it is a VERY large draft horse). He's > fairly gentle, but I need to be able to handle him if he gets > unruly, and I'm not sure how to compensate for my lack of strength > at the moment. I also ride/train arabians (not > professionally...just my own), and I was wondering whether anyone > was able to compensate lack of flexibility to continue riding. I'm > so stiff right now, I'm afraid to get on even my " babysitter " mare. > I haven't ridden in over a year, and I've been depressed about it > for awhile, now. > > Thanks. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2005 Report Share Posted April 19, 2005 Thanks Dennis. I know I can't use strength to control a horse (I have had to body- slam a couple of weanlings into walls to get them to behave for shots...they can be a handful!), but I do need enough strength to have a firm hold on the lead, which lately I don't think I can do. Also, when lunging, you need to have the strength to " coax " a horse back into a circle, or snap the whip, or hang on long enough to get a runaway's head turned back into you. Also, my horses live in my backyard (literally...we are in a tract of 1/2 acre lots set up for horses). You also need strength to hold brushes to groom, or to pick up feet and clean them. I discovered the hard way that I can't even worm anymore...I don't have enough strength in my hands to push the plunger. You get the idea. As for dogs, have you considered a greyhound? They are bigger dogs (50-90 lbs), but are very easy to handle. They heel very well, and even the ones that pull don't pull hard...they don't have enough torque in those long legs. They need surprisingly little exercise, and are pretty loving. On top of that, you are saving a life if you go through the rescue, AND most rescues go out of their way to match you with just the right dog. My family has rescued greyhounds since the 1980's...before official rescue groups and WAY before they were " stylish " to own. I don't have one now because my ACD tends to bite first, ask questions later, and my last one ended up at the vet almost once a week. Once my daughter is a little older, we'll probably adopt another one. Nina....donkeys, eh? We don't have QUITE as many animals as you...just two dogs, two (maybe soon-to-be three) horses, two cats, a conure, and a rabbit who may or may not stay with us. Oh, and the mosquito fish...if you can consider those pets . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2005 Report Share Posted April 19, 2005 Thanks Dennis. I know I can't use strength to control a horse (I have had to body- slam a couple of weanlings into walls to get them to behave for shots...they can be a handful!), but I do need enough strength to have a firm hold on the lead, which lately I don't think I can do. Also, when lunging, you need to have the strength to " coax " a horse back into a circle, or snap the whip, or hang on long enough to get a runaway's head turned back into you. Also, my horses live in my backyard (literally...we are in a tract of 1/2 acre lots set up for horses). You also need strength to hold brushes to groom, or to pick up feet and clean them. I discovered the hard way that I can't even worm anymore...I don't have enough strength in my hands to push the plunger. You get the idea. As for dogs, have you considered a greyhound? They are bigger dogs (50-90 lbs), but are very easy to handle. They heel very well, and even the ones that pull don't pull hard...they don't have enough torque in those long legs. They need surprisingly little exercise, and are pretty loving. On top of that, you are saving a life if you go through the rescue, AND most rescues go out of their way to match you with just the right dog. My family has rescued greyhounds since the 1980's...before official rescue groups and WAY before they were " stylish " to own. I don't have one now because my ACD tends to bite first, ask questions later, and my last one ended up at the vet almost once a week. Once my daughter is a little older, we'll probably adopt another one. Nina....donkeys, eh? We don't have QUITE as many animals as you...just two dogs, two (maybe soon-to-be three) horses, two cats, a conure, and a rabbit who may or may not stay with us. Oh, and the mosquito fish...if you can consider those pets . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2005 Report Share Posted April 20, 2005 Reading the emails about horsed brings back memories for me...... I had three quarter horses and since being diagnosed with RA I had to sell them. I could not take care of them properly anymore and it wasn't fair to them. It broke my heart but they all went to good homes. I have a few sheep still and some chickens and to just feed those littlf fellows somedays can be a huge task. Hope everybody is having a painfree day. hugs, Corinne tandarat wrote: > > > Thanks Dennis. > > I know I can't use strength to control a horse (I have had to body- > slam a couple of weanlings into walls to get them to behave for > shots...they can be a handful!), but I do need enough strength to > have a firm hold on the lead, which lately I don't think I can do. > Also, when lunging, you need to have the strength to " coax " a horse > back into a circle, or snap the whip, or hang on long enough to get > a runaway's head turned back into you. Also, my horses live in my > backyard (literally...we are in a tract of 1/2 acre lots set up for > horses). You also need strength to hold brushes to groom, or to > pick up feet and clean them. I discovered the hard way that I can't > even worm anymore...I don't have enough strength in my hands to push > the plunger. You get the idea. > > As for dogs, have you considered a greyhound? They are bigger dogs > (50-90 lbs), but are very easy to handle. They heel very well, and > even the ones that pull don't pull hard...they don't have enough > torque in those long legs. They need surprisingly little exercise, > and are pretty loving. On top of that, you are saving a life if you > go through the rescue, AND most rescues go out of their way to match > you with just the right dog. My family has rescued greyhounds since > the 1980's...before official rescue groups and WAY before they > were " stylish " to own. I don't have one now because my ACD tends to > bite first, ask questions later, and my last one ended up at the vet > almost once a week. Once my daughter is a little older, we'll > probably adopt another one. > > Nina....donkeys, eh? We don't have QUITE as many animals as > you...just two dogs, two (maybe soon-to-be three) horses, two cats, > a conure, and a rabbit who may or may not stay with us. Oh, and the > mosquito fish...if you can consider those pets . > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2005 Report Share Posted April 20, 2005 Reading the emails about horsed brings back memories for me...... I had three quarter horses and since being diagnosed with RA I had to sell them. I could not take care of them properly anymore and it wasn't fair to them. It broke my heart but they all went to good homes. I have a few sheep still and some chickens and to just feed those littlf fellows somedays can be a huge task. Hope everybody is having a painfree day. hugs, Corinne tandarat wrote: > > > Thanks Dennis. > > I know I can't use strength to control a horse (I have had to body- > slam a couple of weanlings into walls to get them to behave for > shots...they can be a handful!), but I do need enough strength to > have a firm hold on the lead, which lately I don't think I can do. > Also, when lunging, you need to have the strength to " coax " a horse > back into a circle, or snap the whip, or hang on long enough to get > a runaway's head turned back into you. Also, my horses live in my > backyard (literally...we are in a tract of 1/2 acre lots set up for > horses). You also need strength to hold brushes to groom, or to > pick up feet and clean them. I discovered the hard way that I can't > even worm anymore...I don't have enough strength in my hands to push > the plunger. You get the idea. > > As for dogs, have you considered a greyhound? They are bigger dogs > (50-90 lbs), but are very easy to handle. They heel very well, and > even the ones that pull don't pull hard...they don't have enough > torque in those long legs. They need surprisingly little exercise, > and are pretty loving. On top of that, you are saving a life if you > go through the rescue, AND most rescues go out of their way to match > you with just the right dog. My family has rescued greyhounds since > the 1980's...before official rescue groups and WAY before they > were " stylish " to own. I don't have one now because my ACD tends to > bite first, ask questions later, and my last one ended up at the vet > almost once a week. Once my daughter is a little older, we'll > probably adopt another one. > > Nina....donkeys, eh? We don't have QUITE as many animals as > you...just two dogs, two (maybe soon-to-be three) horses, two cats, > a conure, and a rabbit who may or may not stay with us. Oh, and the > mosquito fish...if you can consider those pets . > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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