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
Fun Lessons
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.
Getting Down to the Nitty “Gritty”
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!
Heels down
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 Already
August 7, 2014
Horseback riding august, horseback riding, lessons, summer Leave a comment
Where has the summer gone? Someone told me today it has been a cold summer. I don’t think cold is right, cooler than normal though, however the horses and I are not complaining about that. They can spend more time outside and the bugs are not AS Bad compared to when it is hot.
I was thinking I haven’t posted any lesson pictures in a while so enjoy the slide show.
My goddaughter’s first ride in over a year!
May 2013
July 2014
Hay – How are you doin’?
Even Warlock is getting back into the swing of things.
Strength in Balance
July 16, 2014
Horseback riding balance, horseback riding, lesson, student Leave a comment
Found this fun video today.
I think it has some great exercises that will really help my students.
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.
Get up. Stand up.
May 23, 2014
Horseback riding heels down, horseback riding, riding lessons, stand up Leave a comment
This post started at standing up in the saddle but then I found this great article on heals down (← click to go there). A good read for my students that consistently hear from me “get your heels down”.
The article says this about the exercise I have my students do: “Stand Up – (stretch calves, find balance) stand in stirrup straight up, holding mane or grab strap, letting weight sink into heels, knees bent slightly to absorb shock, seat above heels not leaning over pommel, at the walk and trot”
Not an easy task to perform. Now let me know from the pictures by number which ones have it right?
#1 
#2
#3 
#4
Lessons are picking up
April 21, 2014
Farm Animals, Farm Horses, Horseback riding animals, barn cats, equine, farm dog, farm horse, horse farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, riding Leave a comment
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.
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.
Can you see her mom saying hello to Warlock in the back ground?
These are my helpers Shadow (dog) and Elvis (cat).
Found another one
March 31, 2014
Farm Horses childhood, dreams, horse, horseback riding, pony, ride Leave a comment
Actually this picture was found by a childhood friend. Funny thing is that I don’t recognize where the picture was taken.
Golden Spike Farm's Plog 
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