March 10, 2014
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Activities, Horseback riding
melt, mud, snow, spring
As I have been plogging and complaining about… this has been a difficult winter and we keep saying spring is coming. So should I dare to say that winter is over? Will we have anymore major snow storms? Will the weather temperatures continue to rise? Looking at the trending weather forecasts I might say things are looking good. BUT you know what that means 12 + inches of snow needs to melt.
On Friday evening I got on Apple Jacks to test the riding ring. I wanted to know how the melt was coming along and if we could do lessons this weekend. Unfortunately the snow was too deep still, so once again the lessons were cancelled. He was a good boy though. A little hyper but that is to be expected in the ring. We cantered around for a bit till he got winded due to the extra effort he had to put out to get through the snow. That and we are both out of shape having taken the last month off due to the cold temps and snow.
So now we have mud. The snow is successfully melting and the ground is completely drenched and soaked. I have been making water channels for days to make sure the water flows away from the barn and out of the pastures.
Princess Isabelle is a big fan of the mud. In fact she likes to roll her body in every inch of it.
Nash on the other hand wanted to see what it was like to have a blaze.
He is so funny. I am not sure how he only got mud on his face.
January 21, 2014
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses, Horseback riding
horseback riding, lessons, SaveNash
So this weekend I decided that it was time to ride Nash again. His first time out and I decided to use him in a lesson. So I got on him first and we rode around a bit to see how he was feeling.
He seemed to be fine and happy so we got on with our lesson. About half way through the lesson Nash decides to roll. The student on his back got her foot stuck as she was trying to get off of him as he was going down to the ground. So Rachael and I ran to help her. Well the process of us running up to Nash spooked him. He jumped up too fast and off went his student, landing right on her bum. Then Nash proceeded to run around like a nut cause everything was exciting then. We calmed him down and got the girls back on him for some pony rides. After the lesson I ran him around a bit.
Then he got tired and posed for some pictures.
January 3, 2014
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses, Horseback riding
horse farm, horseback riding, lessons, snow, trail ride, winter
Since being back from vacation things have been a whirl wind (hence the absence of posts). Cuervo’s half mom said she keeps checking there is nothing new, so here I am finally having time to write a little bit and catch you all up.
The Saturday I got back it was like a normal farm day. Trial ride followed by lessons.
This is Apple headed our for the road ride with Cuervo. Things change and happen so quickly. On the way back we are passed by a large noisy truck. Cuervo’s 1/2 mom looses her balance and is unable to stay on. Long story short we were very fortunate to have 2 good Samaritans stop to help us out and the emergency services arrive take her away with a broken arm. As I start to walk the horses back home Cuervo sends out a loud Whinny. There were no horses around for him to talk to, I am sure the whinny was for his 1/2 mom as he noticed she was missing. So this post is for you and for a speedy recovery! Cant wait till you get back out to see your old man (Cuervo) and eventually back in the saddle. He misses you too. Makes you realize no matter how good of a rider you are horses are still animals and accidents happen.
I get back to the farm 1/2 late for the next lesson. Luckily Rachael was there to fill in for me.
A few days later another snow storm hits. It sure is pretty but such a pain to deal with on the farm.
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November 17, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Horseback riding
equine, Fall, farm, field, Golden Spike Farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, nature, sunset, trail ride, trail rides
What a great way to end a long Saturday of lessons.
November 8, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Horseback riding
equine, Fall, farm, farm horse, horse farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, nature, pasture, riding, trail ride, trail rides
I still can’t believe and am very grateful for how strong the lesson program is going even though the temperatures are dropping my students are still hanging in there and I am starting new ones almost every week. With it getting dark at 5 pm I am even contemplating having lights installed around the riding arena. BUT lets find out how much it costs first.
I have started doing Gymkhana exercises with some of my lesson girls. They love it! I get on Apple and do it with them. Then I discovered how much Apple loves to do it too. It is a lot of fun and teaches them balance, quick reactions and confidence.
Sometimes at the end of lessons we go on “trail rides”. It is just a walk around the front pasture but the kids love it. They can relax. Not have to go in constant circles and enjoy a bit of nature from the back of a horse. The parents and dogs enjoy the walk as well.
October 30, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses, Horseback riding
equine, Fall, Golden Spike Farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, nature, trail ride, trail rides
Fall Riding
This is the only season we can see those 2 words in a statement with out thinking: Oh No!
It sure is beautiful though. The fresh crisp air, the beautiful colors all around you. Even the horses like it and have a spring in their step.
Yes another shot of me while riding. Trying to capture my trial mate and myself.
I can’t believe I am still gaining new lessons. This is our first mother daughter team!
October 7, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses, Horseback riding
Autumn, equine, Fall, farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, nature, trail ride, trail rides
Autumn is truly beautiful here. I am trying to enjoy it with out thinking of the impending doom of winter.
It was a great weekend for road rides. Since it is hunting season we are back to using the roads for our rides but my horses are “bomb proof”. Nothing seems to bother or spook them, well except for the falling leaves.
It was surprisingly warm on Saturday but Sunday evening was cool. Well, cold when we got caught in the passing rain shower.
September 9, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Activities, Farm Animals, Horseback riding
animals, equine, farm, farm dog, farm horse, horse farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, nature, riding, trail ride, trail rides
The weather is saying yes. The days are cooler the nights are cold. The Calendar is saying yes. It is September! Where did the summer go? It has been non stop and I am truly grateful for that. I am still getting inquiries from new students wanting lessons. Below you will see Nash doing a great job with one of the newbies. He is so patient and gentle, he makes the best first timer experience.
But it is not all about work. Labor day weekend we made it to green lane again. This time we had a tag team group. 2 horses (Apple and Casey), 6 friends , and 4 dogs. When we weren’t riding we were hanging out at the picnic table on the edge of the trail overlooking the lake. It made for a very relaxing day out!
So the dog days of summer are over but you have to admit they have the life here at the farm!
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August 25, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Horseback riding
equine, farm horse, Golden Spike Farm, horseback, horseback riding, nature, trail ride, trail rides
We recently discovered dirt bike trails and paths in the farm’s neighboring woods and fields. Before we could only do road rides and not all the horses are road safe. Now we all can enjoy the great outdoors on the back of a horse.
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Princess Isabelle is a big fan of the mud. In fact she likes to roll her body in every inch of it.
He is so funny. I am not sure how he only got mud on his face.
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