One of our lesson girls asked me to post these pictures and photos from their lessons.
A video of one of our students jumping with Casey.
Pictures from Lessons
June 20, 2015
Horseback riding Golden Spike Farm, horse, horseback, horses, jump, lesson, pony rides, riding lessons Leave a comment
Tie Me Up | The Chronicle of the Horse
June 16, 2015
Tie Me Up | The Chronicle of the Horse.
An interesting article about tips and tricks for a better seat and hand position.
Warlock the Wonder Horse
May 27, 2015
Farm Horses Arabian, horse, lesson, park, trail ride, water Leave a comment
Well he does leave us wondering sometimes!
Warlock came to the farm completely unbroke, he was the baby. Ok he still is a baby but he has come along by leaps and bounds thanks to the farm’s two trainers.
Last weekend after a few weeks of ground training with her lesson student. Rachael got her on him. He did so good with her lesson student. I have to say I was proud of them both!
On Sunday we went to Green Lane park for a 5 horse trail ride. Casey, Apple, Chex and Warlock went from the farm. It was a perfect day, not too hot yet the sun was out and a cool breeze was blowing. Chex and Warlock had never been to the park before or seen a bike. We had several that we went past on our trails. At first they were freaked out but by the 5th time they took it all in stride. Rachael wanted to introduce Warlock to water. Through a lot of patience and kissing noises (we use that instead of clucking) she got him up to the water’s edge. Then she had to go into the lake in her boots to get him to take that next step. When he finally went in he loved it and was playing in the water! Oh Warlock your such a ham!
Looking for an on farm free lease
May 27, 2015
Farm Horses beginner, free, horse, lease, lesson Leave a comment
ISO a small horse or larger pony (holds up to 150 lbs) for free lease (month to month) at my farm in Quakertown. I would prefer a gelding. Horse will be used for beginner/easy lessons (no strenuous work outs) and trial rides. Would consider older horse if sound and up for it. Do you have a horse that is not being used, I can give him a great home.
Here is a website that has a discussion about free leases:
Riley the happiest dog on the planet
May 20, 2015
Farm Animals dog, farm dog, field, grass, rescue, trail ride 2 Comments
Riley is the official ‘welcome wagging’ of the farm. He greets everyone with the same enthusiasm and love. He runs up to them, starts the happy whining, flops on his back and doesn’t want the attention to stop.
Usually he stays at the farm during my trail rides. Last week I brought him along. He loved it! Now I have to admit he wasn’t the best trail dog. He wandered off too far into the woods, then when he went to find and catch up with us he took a wrong turn. I told him to use your nose buddy. Shadow my previous trial dog would always find me. But I digress… all was well with Riley we saw him running the wrong way and he came right back to us when we shouted to him. “Wrong way Riley we are over here!”
The next trial ride he didn’t want to go through the gate right away but I could hear him barking as we were leaving “what about mee?”. So we went on the trial ride. About 3/4 of the way through he come bound up behind us. I guess his nose worked this time. He was so overheated from this run around the field that he jumped into the horses water trough when we got back.
I entered one of these photos into the dirty dog contest. If you get a chance click on this link and like his photo so he can win. Click here to like Riley’s photo! It should open with this picture in a pop up window and all you have to do is click like and share if you are so inclined.
Thanks!
Trail Rides
May 20, 2015
Simple fact, riding horses makes me feel good. So I thought why am I not doing it more often? Usually my excuse is there is not enough time. Starting this week I am making the time and decided I am going to get on every day. AND you know what I feel better for it.
After the horrible winter this spring has been very nice to us. Not much rain so the mud dried up, not too hot yet so it is comfortable most days to ride. I started trail riding again with my lessons, friends and boarders. Here are some shots of us having fun.
Calming Signals: Are You Listening?
April 22, 2015
Farm Horses connection, ears, equine, horse, listen Leave a comment
Great article. I really need to stop, listen and observe more. “Calming signals in horses are somewhat similar and include looking away, having lateral ears, yawning, stretching down, licking lips or eating to calm themselves. Can you recognize them? Calming cues communicate stress, and at the same time, release stress. It is modeling behavior for us; they want us to drop our stress level, or aggressiveness as well.” Next time your with your horse look for these calming signals.
If you are standing next to your horse and he looks away, do you think he’s distracted or even disrespectful? When your horse yawns, is he sleepy or bored? If he moves slowly, is he lazy? These are important cues from your horse, are you hearing him correctly?
When it comes to communicating with horses, some humans are a bit like a self-obsessed rock star who throws a temper tantrum and trashes the room, but then assumes everyone wants his autograph. By equine standards, we ignore those around us and begin by screaming bloody-murder and escalate from there. Part of respecting a horse is remembering that their senses are much keener than ours. We can whisper.
It is just like man’s vanity and impertinence to call an animal dumb because it is dumb to his dull perceptions. ~Mark Twain.
Horses give us calming signals, just like dogs. Norwegian dog…
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Snowy lesson in February
April 7, 2015
Horseback riding horseback riding, lessons, riding lessons Leave a comment
Now that the winter is over I can post this plog knowing it will be a while before we see snow again. The girls and I had a great lesson in the snow with lots of fun picture taking.
Happy Easter
April 5, 2015
Farm Animals, Farm Horses Arabian, canter, equine, horse, trot Leave a comment
A few shots of Casey and Riley kicking up their heels. They had a little run around before I went for a ride.
Golden Spike Farm's Plog 
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