October 30, 2013
Farm Horses, Horseback riding equine, Fall, Golden Spike Farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, nature, trail ride, trail rides Leave a comment
This is the only season we can see those 2 words in a statement with out thinking: Oh No!
It sure is beautiful though. The fresh crisp air, the beautiful colors all around you. Even the horses like it and have a spring in their step.
Yes another shot of me while riding. Trying to capture my trial mate and myself.
I can’t believe I am still gaining new lessons. This is our first mother daughter team!
October 7, 2013
Farm Horses, Horseback riding Autumn, equine, Fall, farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, nature, trail ride, trail rides Leave a comment
Autumn is truly beautiful here. I am trying to enjoy it with out thinking of the impending doom of winter.
It was a great weekend for road rides. Since it is hunting season we are back to using the roads for our rides but my horses are “bomb proof”. Nothing seems to bother or spook them, well except for the falling leaves.
It was surprisingly warm on Saturday but Sunday evening was cool. Well, cold when we got caught in the passing rain shower.
September 9, 2013
Farm Activities, Farm Animals, Horseback riding animals, equine, farm, farm dog, farm horse, horse farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, nature, riding, trail ride, trail rides 1 Comment
The weather is saying yes. The days are cooler the nights are cold. The Calendar is saying yes. It is September! Where did the summer go? It has been non stop and I am truly grateful for that. I am still getting inquiries from new students wanting lessons. Below you will see Nash doing a great job with one of the newbies. He is so patient and gentle, he makes the best first timer experience.
But it is not all about work. Labor day weekend we made it to green lane again. This time we had a tag team group. 2 horses (Apple and Casey), 6 friends , and 4 dogs. When we weren’t riding we were hanging out at the picnic table on the edge of the trail overlooking the lake. It made for a very relaxing day out!
So the dog days of summer are over but you have to admit they have the life here at the farm!
August 25, 2013
Horseback riding equine, farm horse, Golden Spike Farm, horseback, horseback riding, nature, trail ride, trail rides Leave a comment
We recently discovered dirt bike trails and paths in the farm’s neighboring woods and fields. Before we could only do road rides and not all the horses are road safe. Now we all can enjoy the great outdoors on the back of a horse.
August 2, 2013
Horseback riding equine, horse, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, nature, trail ride, trail rides Leave a comment
The link above is a post by a fellow equine blogger. I enjoyed reading it and it got me thinking of riding in my youth.
After a couple years of lessons I got my own horse (Lilly of the fields). She was a beautiful chestnut mare. I had friends in the area and we would go trail riding. During the summer it would be all day trail rides to the park or convenience store. We didn’t wear helmets and we had 100% trust in our horses. We never fell off even when we race around the avocado groves. We were young and free but not careless or risk takers.
July 16, 2013
Farm Horses, Horseback riding equine, farm, farm horse, Golden Spike Farm, horse, horse farm, horse training, horseback, horseback riding, horses, nature, riding, SaveNash, trail ride, trail rides 2 Comments
This week during our regularly scheduled Saturday morning trail ride Rachael decided to take Chex on his first trail ride since joining the farm.
He was joined by Apple, Cuervo and Nash.
Chex’s mom joined us on Nash. Her first time on him.
The weather was good to us. It wasn’t too hot and we stuck the the cut part of our neighboring fields. The horse flys and bugs were out and bothering the horses despite being doused in fly spray
July 8, 2013
Farm Activities, Farm Animals, Farm Horses, Horseback riding equine, farm, farm horse, Golden Spike Farm, horse, horse farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, hugs and kisses, lessons, trail ride, trail rides Leave a comment
Summer is in full swing here at the farm. It is keeping me busy so this update is going to be full and all over the the place.
It is not all about work though, a couple of weeks ago the extended farm family went to a country concert. It was a great break from the farm work and a good time was had by all!
Lessons are continuing I am now scheduling them for early morning or late evening to beat the heat. This is my youngest rider, she is coming along by leaps and bounds. Last week we were trotting with out a saddle!
We are also taking on new riders and beginners. I got Nash out for this lesson, he was great and is such a sweet horse for first timers. The other day, I was telling folks about how much of a lover he is and then I recieved a big lick up the middle of my face!
July 4th was a fun filled day OFF too. We went for another trail ride around green lane. I got Casey to jump a log for me. I think he liked that.
Lastly some shots of when the ferrier was here. Nash didn’t think it was fair to bring apples to the barn and not share.
The donkeys were brought up to have their hooves trimmed too. Frodo said hello to Izzy. It was funny after they were done and brought back to their pasture with the goats Cuervo kept whinnying and calling for them to come back. It is amazing the bonds they share.
June 17, 2013
Farm Horses equine, farm horse, field, Golden Spike Farm, green lane park, horse, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lake, love, nature, trail ride, trail rides 4 Comments
On Sunday we decided not to take care of the long list of things to do and instead go for a trail ride. Green Lane Park is about a 20 min drive from the farm. It has many trails for 2 legs, 4 legs and wheels. We opted to go around the lake, which was a 15 mile adventure that took us a little less than 5 hours. Before we left we brushed them and applied fly spray. My 2 seasoned geldings loaded the trailer like champs. I rarely take them off the property so it is great to see that they remember and are ok with being trailered.
Getting tacked up at the trailer.
Are ya coming? Casey is a much slower walker than Apple so we were often trotting to catch up.
I was told that there are not enough pics of me in the blog (because i am always the one taking them). So here ya go.
Put your ears forward Casey – Pretend like you like it.
Through the open areas
Across the bridge, past the fishermen, to the other side of the lake.
Through the forest. This part was only for advanced riders. As we had to go down and up many steep embankments with a stream at the bottom. A fun adrenalin rush as you are putting all your trust in to the horse. They did great!
Around the lake. It was such a pretty day, not too hot with a cool breeze.
Smile for the Camera. I love that Apple and Casey’s ears are pricked forward for this pic. They were checking out the other horses approaching us.
Stopped at the bridge by the gas station for a break. We needed to re-hydrate. The nice man at the shop behind Casey, offered the horses some water.
Almost there. The last hour of the ride my bum started to hurt so I decided to ride side saddle. Look ma no hands. Casey was such a good boy that for the most part I didn’t have to do much, no steering and no stirrups. The only thing I had to watch for was when he walked to close to the tree and tried to constantly take out my left leg.
It was a great day out! So much better than working.
May 30, 2013
Horseback riding forest, horse, horseback riding, trail ride Leave a comment
The Memorial Day trail ride took us through a forest. It is actually a local wildlife preserve, probably made just for people but don’t tell anyone. We went down the mail path and Apple noticed a trail marked by colored bands around the trees. He decided to go off roading and take us on a real trail. I really think Apple Jacks was a trail horse in his previous life (before he was rescued and came to his forever farm). He loves it and I just give him his head. He is a great trail leader and will go over/through anything I ask him too.
March 19, 2013
Uncategorized farm, horse, snow, trail ride Leave a comment
More snow? When will this winter end? I took these pictures on Sunday thinking was going to be the last snow of the year. But nooooooo it snowed on Monday and Tuesday as well. Come on spring get here already.
Golden Spike Farm's Plog 
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