So it has been a while since my last post. I am so crazy busy with trying to go from a 10 acre farm full of stuff to a 2 bedroom condo. That is a lot of stuff to find a new home for.
I grateful for my Saturday morning rides. At least I am getting on once or twice a week to clear my head. I seem to be taking more pictures lately. I think I am trying to capture memories as my next life will be quite different.
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Recently I proclaimed my personal hash tag to be #neveradullmoment. The Farm never lets me down on that one. So I go out to the barn to feed after work to fine George and Heather in the wrong pasture by the main barn. The gate was busted open into George and heather’s pasture.
Warlock was in Heather’s stall. Strange scenario. Not sure how or why one of the three main barn horses broke the gate latch and opened the gate between them.
My Parents are in town for Easter and to help with the packing and sorting. This past Saturday was another beautiful day for horsie selfies and my mom came out to say hi.
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Other good news… Otis found a great home! He is going to be a spoiled rotten fur baby for a wonderful couple.
We were telling them about Piper and how she is doing great but has basically lost her vision and hearing from old age. I had made the hard decision that it would not be fair to take her across country. I was thinking she maybe too old to find a new home for and there are not many people willing to take on an old lady. Otis’ new family asked to meet her and said they would be willing to take her if I can’t find a local home for her. I feel such a sense of relief. Of all the good I have done fostering dogs this past year has come back to me 10 fold. Karma!
I really wanted to get to tell you about the track around the back field, but alas I ran out of time. I will try to create that post next week. I am on vacation the whole week!
In the mean time Paddock Paradise has an article in Horseback Magazine. Check it out by clicking here. Then go to page 33.
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.
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.
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.
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).
On Facebook I started a post a day about things I am thankful for during the month of Thanksgiving. this is today’s post.
#8 Today I am thankful that I have the facility and ability to share my horse world with others. My colleagues enjoy hearing my tales of farm life (from throwing bales of hay to rolling study horses over). My lesson kids and adults enjoy experiencing it first hand. I get the joy of watching them grown in strength and courage as they learn to trust and communicate with a 1000 lb beast.
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.
How are your Pastures?
Hard to think about pastures when all I have is a soppy mess, but taking care of your horses pastures is like grown a crop of vegetables. I don’t have a green thumb but am trying to give the Farm horses the best quality grass. Here is where you start.
The gate was busted open into George and heather’s pasture.
Not sure how or why one of the three main barn horses broke the gate latch and opened the gate between them.
Golden Spike Farm's Plog 
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