On Sunday we had a visit from my college roommate and long time friend and her family. It was the first time meeting her 2 girls and we had a blast! We did everything we could on the farm in a few hours time: Met the horses, climbed on the hay, met the goats and donkeys, gave the donkey’s carrots, brought the donkeys back to the barn from the goat’s pasture, tacked up Heather for a pony ride, rode Heather around the riding ring, gave the horses and donkeys treats, gave the goats stale crackers, played hide and seek and scavenger hunt in the house, had tuna fish sandwiches for lunch, colored in the coloring book, went on an ATV ride and collected rocks. Phew busy day but we had so much fun and the girls loved every minute of it.
Sunday Farm-Fun day
September 15, 2014
Farm Activities, Farm Animals, Farm Horses, Horseback riding donkey, Fall, farm, goat, hay, hay loft, horseback riding, pony rides, Sunday funday Leave a comment
Selfies and Portraits
September 9, 2014
Farm Horses ACA, barn, equine, ferrier, horse, Selfie Leave a comment
Nash’s Portrait. The sun is bleaching his coat. He was black now he is turning brown. He is standing in the area before we took down the fence last week to open up the ACA for more shade and access to the shed.
The Three Amigos. Seriously guys how many horses can you fit in one stall. They all came to check out what we were doing.
Selfie #1 me and Piper
Selfie #2 me and Heather
Warlock resting on our Ferrier’s shoulder while getting his manicure
Operation more shade successfully completed
September 4, 2014
Farm Activities, Farm Horses ACA, animal concentration area, horse, pasture, shade Leave a comment
It is interesting how the lay out of the whole farm is evolving. What was initially intended as the ACA (Animal Concentration Area) now has a grassy pasture in the middle of it and a paddock paradise like track around it. What was originally intended as shelter for the back pasture has been now included in the ACA. When we extended the riding ring to it’s original intended size the horses lost that part of their ACA which provided shade in the late afternoon and evening. We decided to extend the ACA on the opposite side to incorporate the shed (at the back of George and Heather’s stalls) and the 2 shade trees. The result is some very happy horses.
Hanging out with the boys
August 25, 2014
Farm Horses elvis, farm cat, fly mask, horse Leave a comment
The quiet of the evenings is a great time just to hang out with the herd. They tend to be a little more in your face because they know it is dinner time.
So maybe they need a little work on personal space…
Apple Jacks new lease on life
August 25, 2014
Farm Horses, Uncategorized partial lease Leave a comment
Apple Jacks has been partially leased to one of my lesson students. She with the help of her family decided to take the first step towards horse ownership by sharing Apple with me.
“You may find a horse offered on a partial lease, usually half but sometimes less, and in these cases you get use of the horse for a specified percentage of the week in exchange for half (or less) of the costs of keeping the horse. If you find a suitable horse and come to a verbal understanding with the owner, be sure to get all the details in writing. The Lease Contract should cover the following: length of the lease, terms of payment, terms of use of the horse, insurance, liability, boarding, tack use, showing, treatment of the horse, farrier, vet, and any other personal specifics related to your agreement with the owner.”
I was remembering back to when I got my first horse and brought her home. Her name was Lilly of the Fields and I was in 7th grade. I couldn’t even eat dinner that night I was so excited. I just wanted go out and hang out with her.
Congrats to Apple and his new 1/2 owner!
Smile!
My first father daughter lesson
“Riding Off Into the Sunset Years”
August 20, 2014
These are nice articles, that makes me feel like I am doing the right thing for my old men.
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/improve-older-horse-1733.aspx
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/senior-horse-care-24341.aspx
Click to access pubs-HR24-3-bkm-sec.pdf
Okay… so the grass did grow
August 1, 2014
Farm Horses grass, green, herd, horses, paddock paradise, pasture Leave a comment
I haven’t updated you in a while on the grass growing, probably because it is not very exciting. The small square pasture that we built back in April – May is growing very nicely. The horses acclimated to the track system very quickly. They enjoy running around it and sometimes we spread their hay out in it. The horses at the lower end of the pecking order of the herd sometimes get stuck between two “bosses” but they work it out. Yesterday I went out to get Casey unstuck and ending up having Apple, Cuervo and Izzy follow us around.
Check out this video showing horses in confinement vs. horses living together – primarily on track. Horses in the AANHCP Paddock Paradise show up at 2.00 into the video.
I am looking forward to Phase 2 of our pasture paradise but there are a few projects ahead of it.
Horse in Boots
July 25, 2014
Farm Horses equine, farm, farm horse, fly boots, horse, horse farm, horses Leave a comment
So you all have seen the funny cat videos of them trying to walk in shoe or socks. Here is a good one if you haven’t.
That got me thinking how did they decide to make a cartoon Puss in Boots if the cats can’t walk. Well some how Puss figured out how to walk, run, dance and sword fight.
But I digress… I got Cuervo a pair of fly boots. They are basically mesh leg wraps that go from the hoof to below the knee. I was noticing he had a lot of bug bites and blood spots left from the bites because he didn’t stop his feet to get the bugs off. Did mention he is old and lazy? Well this video is the second time putting the boots on. The first time was even more dramatic but he still walked funny this time. Enjoy!
Liberty Training
July 16, 2014
Farm Activities, Farm Horses liberty Leave a comment
It is amazing what you can do with stillness in your heart and patience in your body.
My Senior Horses are Amazing
July 10, 2014
Farm Horses, Horseback riding bareback, farm horse, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, senior Leave a comment
I came across this blog today: Reasons why senior horse are amazing. I couldn’t agree more. My 4 horses are getting up there and they are so trust worthy, reliable and healthy.
Cuervo – He is just an ornery old man. His best friend is Apple Jacks but he whinnies when any of the horses leave the barn area. He is stubborn, doesn’t like to make turns in the riding ring; Clumsy, stumbles when he forgets to pick up his feet, and best of all he is so rock solid as in nothing spooks him.
Apple Jack – He is my little rocket. In the riding ring he is hot, just wants to go as fast as he can. On the trails he is the leader and nothing bothers him. He loves to be ridden and doesn’t run away from me when I try to catch him. He loves water, when I take him in the creek he splashes around.
Nash – He is probably 15 years old so almost a senior. He has completely recovered from his hernia surgery. I find myself getting on him bare back a lot these days. (I got the best friend bareback pad! It is great!) He is comfortable to ride with out a saddle because of his Tennessee Walking horse gait the running walk. He is calming down a lot, used to be super sensitive and slightly spooky but has been doing great recently.
Casey – He is just great all around. Awesome with the kids and lessons. Okay he is a little lazy and will take advantage of the kids if they are not confident enough. But he never does anything wrong and is so patient. He is always last to come in for anything, because he is at the bottom of the herd hierarchy. He whinnies for grain. He loves his scratches especially on the chest and neck.
Golden Spike Farm's Plog 
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