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
September 9, 2014
Horseback riding equine, farm, farm dog, farm horse, horseback, horseback riding, lessons, trail ride Leave a comment
So the object of horse back riding lessons here at GSF is fun. We don’t train you to get ready for horse shows, we don’t look for the most perfect form. We learn the basics and have fun. I love to watch the confidence grow in my students. We learn at their pace. We are safe with helmets and heels down but I try to do fun things as well. In this video is one of my students cantering for the second time. Casey is such a good boy, he tries to get away with a lot but once he knows he can’t then he will do as you ask.
After lessons during the cool down sometimes we go on a a trail ride. It is a great way for the horses and students to unwind.
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.
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…
August 25, 2014
Farm Activities, Horseback riding, Uncategorized grit, horseback riding, horses, riding arena, screenings, shed row, truck Leave a comment
The farm has received 8 tri-axle loads of screenings over the past month.
The grit was used in 2 major projects. The first one was to provide footing in the shed row. The horses had been standing in mud for the first half of the summer. The grit provides now a solid foundation that the water can drain through.
Shed Row
The the most exciting project of all was completed in a day! 7 loads of grit was delivered to the unfinished half of the riding ring. Then the BF spread it that night. So in less that 24 hours we had a full riding arena!
Before
After
Special Thanks goes out to the BF who makes these things happen!
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
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
August 19, 2014
Horseback riding heels down, horseback, horseback riding, lessons Leave a comment
The BF and I were riding yesterday and I was trying to explain to him the importance of keeping your heels down and how to do it. I can across a couple of articles today and thought I would share with all.
Heels Down: 5 Tips to Help by Classic Equine Equipment
Keeping your Heels Down while riding by Katherine Blocksdorf
August 11, 2014
Farm Animals farm dog 2 Comments
Two years is too short. Less than 2 years ago I rescued Shadow. (Click here to see his welcome home post.) He quickly became one of the best dogs I have ever owned. He truly was my Shadow. He followed me everywhere. He was always keeping an eye on me. He barked alerting me of visitors to the farm. He went on trail rides with me. He slept by my bed every night.
Recently when we would go out to the barn he started checking out the parameter of the property. I called doing surveillance or making his rounds. Well this past Thursday, I guess he went to a neighbors house and somehow ingested ethylene glycol, the ingredient in antifreeze for cars. You can read about it here.
Since we had no idea he ingested it we did not catch it in time. His condition worsened all of Friday. By Saturday morning he was having seizures. We took him to the local emergency animal hospital where they admitted him and ran blood test. It was the kidney function tests that enabled the vets to figure out what had happened. My that time he was in complete kidney failure. We gave him 24 hours in the hospital to see if the IV fluids and diuretic medications would help kick start his kidneys. It didn’t.
On Sunday morning we made the incredibly sad decision to let him go. We picked up his body later that afternoon and buried him on the property. He will be just off the path between the house and the barn.
I miss him so much. I have had animals almost all of my life and have never been this upset by a passing.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
August 8, 2014
Farm Activities bond, horse Leave a comment
I enjoyed reading this so thought I would share.
http://royalgrovestables.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-bond-deeply-with-your-horse.html
Golden Spike Farm's Plog 
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