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Golden Spike Farm is For Sale

October 6, 2015

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So this time it is for real…  I have my eye set on the goal and fate is telling me the time is now.

I am moving to just outside of San Francisco, California to be closer to my family.

I am using this amazing Equestrian Realtor located in beautiful Bucks County, PA. Margot McKenna specializes in Equestrian, Farm and Country Property.  She turned my home upside down during the staging process but the end results are amazing.

In the following pictures before is on the left and after is on the right

Bathroom B&A kitchen B&A Bedroom B&A Living Room B&A

Here is the listing description:

Nestled beneath the trees on a private 10+ acre flag lot sits the ultra-cozy log cabin at Golden Spike Farm. This 28 year young custom log home boasts a huge open great room and kitchen and dining area, 2 beds, 1 bath, and a full size partially finished basement. Stone fireplaces stretch from floor to vaulted ceiling in both the living and dining spaces. The very large, wide open floor plan is ideal for entertaining. Master bedroom is conveniently located on the first floor adjacent to a full bathroom. Descend the stairs to a partially finished basement that has been updated with built in closets and cabinets. Ideal for a work space, “man cave”, and perfectly spacious for a private extra living space for your guests. Find a wood stove in the basement as well. Ascend the beautiful open staircase to a loft landing overlooking the first floor living spaces where the second bedroom awaits. Plenty of closet and storage space flanks the cozy second bedroom that is currently operating as a home office. The covered front porch runs the length of the cabin. In the mornings, enjoy your morning coffee overlooking animals grazing just a stone’s throw away, or on a crisp fall evening have a glass of wine sitting by a roaring fire in your built in stone fire pit. Newly built 1770 sq ft garage with large second floor loft space allows for plenty of vehicle and machine parking as well as extra storage space. A wooded brick stone laid pathway leads you to the second half of this delightful property. Here you will find a newly refurbished 8 stall barn complete with feed room, extended overhang for machine storage, water, electric, huge tack and hay loft, and an opposite side overhang serving as a run out for 4 of the stalls. Separate 2 stall run in barn is located in one of the many paddocks, as well as a separate building for dedicated shavings storage, and a 180×80 outdoor riding arena. Are you interested in operating a facility? Ask us about maintaining the client’s horses that currently reside on the property. If you are looking to have your own private cabin retreat and have your horses conveniently located just steps from your back door, then look no further. This quaint gentleman’s farmette truly has it all. Visit Golden Spike Farm today, you will be enchanted. **Private showings begin 9/28/15 by appointment only.

You can view the complete listing here.

A little about me that I submitted for my work’s newsletter

June 30, 2015

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Employee Spotlight- Jen Frasier; Project Manager 2

I currently live in Quakertown, PA where I am fulfilling my lifelong dream of owning and managing a small horse farm. I didn’t start out here though. I am originally from Miami, FL where I had my first pony in the front yard by 7th grade. After college I became an Au Par to my cousin who lived just outside of London. After my 6 month contract with them was up I ended up staying in England for another 2 ½ years. It was there that “by accident” I discovered clinical research. My first job in the field was with a CRO that is also based in Radnor, PA. When I got home sick they paid for my transfer to that office.

Several jobs, homes and “manfriends” later I am running my own 10 acre farm called Golden Spike Farm. I teach riding lesson to kids and adults just for fun. I really love to watch their confidence grow as they gain the skills needed to handle these gentle giants. I also board other people’s horses. My favorite thing to do is trail ride. Right now my furry friends consist of 3 horses, 2 miniatures spotted donkeys, 2 goats, 2 rescued dogs, 1 foster dog (looking for a home) and 4 barn cats. I have a picture blog where I post pictures and stories of the farm for my friends and family to keep up to date. Feel free to check it out at http://www.goldenspikefarm.com.

I am very fortunate to have a work from home job that allows me to take care of the horses in the morning and evening instead of commuting to and from work. For 2 ½ years now I have been working with a small group in Janssen responsible for piloting innovation in clinical trials. Research & Development Operations Innovation (or RDO-I & formerly known as CTI) collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to evaluate innovative solutions that have the potential to reduce cost and cycle times for clinical trials. From my perspective it is a “cool little niche” to be part of. I have the opportunity to explore many technical advances and manage the process to pilot these innovations in clinical trials.

Pictured with me is Nash a Tennessee Walking Horse I rescued. A professional photographer volunteered her time and services to a fund raising campaign for his surgery. Sadly Nash is no longer with me, he survived the surgery just fine and passed away last fall from an unrelated illness. Life is fragile for even the most resilient.

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Good Bye, My Sweet Boy: Nash

October 10, 2014

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It is with a heavy heart I write this post.  Nash’s condition did not improve over night. Despite all of our efforts last night which included a broad spectrum of Antibiotics, Anti-inflammatories, and fluids through the nasogastric tube I found him in worse condition this morning.  The neurological condition/disease/infection that he had was starting to effect his muscular function.  He was using all his might to stay up right all night.  By this morning, we confirmed his bowels had completely shut down and there was nothing else we could do.

I took the morning off to be with him for the last hour before the vet came. I found him this time laying down and struggling unsuccessfully to get up.  I sat with him, talked to him and cried. It was a peaceful time in his stall.  Thankfully Rachael came over to support me through this process and say her goodbyes.  We were with him through the passing and it was the best way for a loved horse to go;  I held his head the petted him and was there for him the whole time.

These are the last pictures I have of him from the past 2 days.

These some of my favorite pictures of him. The professional photographs are the work of Judy Reinford.

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Fun Lessons

September 9, 2014

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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.

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Horse in Boots

July 25, 2014

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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!

 

My Senior Horses are Amazing

July 10, 2014

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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.

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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.

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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.

Nash

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.

 

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Love is…

May 6, 2014

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One of my lesson students took this picture of Nash before her lesson on him.

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Pasture renovation and Paddock Paradise in one foul swoop

April 22, 2014

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We just completed the Equine Environmental Stewardship program with Penn State Extension’s  Equine Program.  In this course we learned about best management practices of pasture management.

Right now the horse are being kept in an Animal Concentration Area (ACA ). This area is also known as a sacrifice lot or a dry lot.  This is the area right behind the barn that the horses are out in when I am trying to preserve the pastures form over use, over eating and hoof damage. Now, after the winter snows and spring rains it has no grass and is all dirt and mud. See before pictures below.WP_20140420_11_06_02_Pro WP_20140420_11_09_19_Pro WP_20140420_11_11_03_Pro

As shown in the picture below the ACA consisted of the whole area within the blue lines.  This was a large area for the horses and donkeys and would never grow any decent grass due to over grazing. ACA

Last year we had members of the Equine Program (Donna and Sarah) out to evaluate our pastures and determine if the farm could be part of their pasture rejuvenation project.  See the post from August 2013.  We were invited to participate but it fell through due to the fact that we didn’t have the right kind of tractor.  Their recommendation was to fence off part of the ACA and plant grass seeds so that it may grow to a lush pasture by next year. Their only requirement was that we had to keep the horses off of it an only allow them limited access to prevent over grazing.

The good news is that Donna and Sarah were running the course we just took.  Donna told us we are still considered to be part of the pasture rejuvenation program and we are eligible for a  bag of grass seed.  We could use our on methods to seed the pasture and did not have to use their no till drill.  We received the grass seed mix on the last day of class.

Originally we were going to just fence off part of the pasture (like cut it in half) then I came across the paddock paradise concept.

“Paddock Paradise is an exciting new natural boarding concept based on Jaime Jackson’s research into how horses live in the wild. It is a ground-breaking idea which has many benefits including:

  • provides a more stimulating environment for the horse which discourages vices
  • encourages more movement which benefits overall health of the horse
  • enables easier grazing management”

So I decided to start my paddock paradise in the ACA area and create the pasture in the middle.  See yellow box in the above picture.

This weekend we completed phase I putting up the fence.  See below the pictures of the work in progress.

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After it was completed the horse got to try it out.  They actually enjoyed running around the parameter.

The next day we leveled out the field.  Now all we have to do is drag it to loosen up the dirt and plant the seeds.  Then hope our timing is right for rain and sun.  Be on the look out for more posts as we continue our progress.

Lessons are picking up

April 21, 2014

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I am excited that the weather is behaving and the lesson program is starting to ramp up again.  I have had a few new inquiries and some new students.  I am excited to see my students from last year coming back.

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Cuervo gets out for a lesson.  It has been a while and some times he can be a big oaf.  But this time he seemed to enjoy himself and was good for her.

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Can you see her mom saying hello to Warlock in the back ground?

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These are my helpers Shadow (dog) and Elvis (cat).

They had a good run around

April 21, 2014

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Some times they get a wild hair have to run around for a bit to let it out.  It makes for some great pictures.

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