A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall The Critter Corner A good trade, ya think?????

The farmers are having a hard go this year and many have lost their fields and hay. That means downsizing for most. Today a farmer was making trades. This is what 500 square bales gets ya....a 25 month old male named Bill. Yup that's really his name.


He's a little lean but we'll fatten him up well. So today I just became the proud mom to a new boy.

I almost feel weird asking this, but Tam--will you be riding Bill?

Nice looking horse. Hopefully times get easier for the farmers of North America.

that sounds funny, doesn't it????

He is saddle broken Loz. Not sure if I'll be the first to try it out though.

...riding bill..??? ok, you guys crack me up!

what's with the feet? clidesdale?

he sure is pretty!

nice fencing too. cedar, right?

We are so lucky to have our land and many fields. This year we have given the use of fields for free to two farmers. They just come and cut, bale and take it....I wish we had more fields to help more of them.

You should go for it!

Very cool Tam! We want to see a pic of you up on that horse! I was going to use his name but it seems weird!

Well, I'll get you a pic but it'll take time. He's not used to us yet. I've got no intention on getting myself thrown over the fence til he knows me well enough.

I don't blame you one bit! I would wait too! Make someone else try it out first!

That's the plan

He's a Palomino isn't he? Bring him down here. I'll ride him for ye. I've had Three horses and have boarded others. I broke one of mine, and one I boarded. Never had a bit of trouble breaking one. You become their best friend first, and then they trust you and don't mind what you do.

good trade. i'd ride him any day! is he stallion or gelding?

Hmm, not quite sure of his breed. I never thought to ask. DH knows though...

He's been gelded. The owner had 3 for sale or trade. He is giving up farming at the end of the summer and moving away to work on the oil rigs out west.

DH's friend bought the matching brother to this horse last year. They are thinking of putting the two together for the winter and setting up a little sleigh ride business. We've got the snow and land for it

He is so quiet Thorny. Our little 4 year old niece had him on a rope and was taking him for a walk around the yard last night just like he was her puppy, it was too cute.

very nice looking horse, tamara.--but the name--kinda weird.--have you considered changing it??? Glad to hear of his sweet temperment--that means a lot.
and as a bonus......
now you have 'someone' to help you 'mow' down the pastures---good for you.--- Now you have multi-tasking 'yard help'.--

great trade

A sled riding business sounds great! I think that you and your DH should dress up as the Clauses as it gets close to Christmas.

You could do a special Christmas package and decorate some of the land outside and maybe get a big bag and let the kids pick out a toy at the end....something from the dollar tree. Maybe when it's over have a thermos of cocoa or coffee and let them have a warm drink.

I know, I know, I'm just a big kid eh?

Slow down 'big kid Loz' it'll be for church outings mostly. Seems to be something the elders love but haven't been able to do in past years. In fact DH's father use to run it when he was alive. It's not really to make money...more exercise for the horses really.

We'd never change the name, DH's fathers name was "Bill" DH said it was a nice co-incidence.

AND......Free fertilizer and fertilize spreader for your yard, garden, and flower beds, too!

Loz has it all planned out for you Tam! You would do that if you had horses and land wouldn't you Loz?!? You would love that I bet!!

Oh yeah I would do it! It would be so magical!

I think that's great Tam though, that you want to do something like that...People will love it. I've never taken an honest to goodness sleigh ride before and I think that would be so neat.

My cousin in law(is there such a term?), owns 4 horses that they ride. Big horses. Mark was talking about getting some of the droppings for fertilizer, I'd never even thought about it before. Dad was saying that when we lived in England that the police horse would go up the street and if it left behind droppings all the men would be running out in the street with their buckets and shovel to get it for their garden! The funny thing is that where we lived everyone had a TINY garden. Like 15 feet by 8 feet.

Thorny, I have lots of free fertilizer from my cows already. it breaks up easier than horse manure as well.

I asked DH and he said the horse is a Belgian breed. I'm glad, I know they are a tough breed.

That's a beautiful horse, Tamara!
It's wonderful that you can help the other farmers out by letting them use your fields also - very generous and kind.

Sleigh rides sound like so much fun. I've never done that in the snow, but I have been in a horse-drawn cart through Central Park in NYC - a very long time ago. I always felt so sorry for those horses though - they are out on the streets all day long - on the asphalt, and then boarded up at night in small stables - doesn't seem right...

When I looked at it again I thought Belgian, too. Those feet, and that build; an unbelievably POWERFUL breed of horse. I believe they are descended from the horses used by knights and warriors in ancient Europe.

Bill is a nice looking horse, Tamara!

I have never been on a sleigh ride! And it sounds like a good time!

Good trade.

Thank you! :wink:

You're welcome Bill!!

Oh my, I can count on you all to put a smile on my face and a laugh in my voice!!!!

Bless you all!!!!

OH MAN, OH MAN, OH MAN, OH MAN! Tam, what a jackpot! I hate that the farmers are having a hard time, BUT BOY DID YOU LUCK OUT! Me and my mom have been looking at horses all summer, she wants a gypsy vanner or a drum horse and hopefully will have one soon. They are very expensive but she figures they are no more than a vehicle and she is driving the last truck she will ever have..............so NOW A HORSE! I will be happy will almost anything as long as it is dead broke and thunder proof. I LOVE HIM AND HAVE FUN!