I’ll be doing a longer post soon about the logistics of owning a horse on an island, but I wanted to share these pictures of Baron’s first time visiting the beach. I trailered about 10 minutes from my barn and walked him over the dune onto the beach. We walked until we found an empty… Continue reading Baron’s 1st Trip to the Beach!
I read a book a while back that said the main indicator of success in any venture is perseverance. People can have jaw-dropping talent or innovative ideas, but only a few of them have the persistence needed to hone the talent or develop the idea into a business. The book called it “grit.” It got… Continue reading Do you have grit?
On Sunday I trailered Olaf to an obstacle practice day at a farm nearby. These obstacle challenges have become popular in my area and I’m a big fan of them. They allow horses to learn how to approach scary objects in a safe, calm way. Obstacles force you to think differently as a trainer, to… Continue reading Olaf’s First Obstacle Challenge
I did one thing that made me a better trail rider and horse owner in general. It wasn’t following any particular trainer or method, it wasn’t watching any particular video or reading any particular book, and it wasn’t even taking lessons. It was learning about endurance riding. I had never heard of endurance riding until… Continue reading The One Thing I Did That Made Me a Better Trail Rider
Spring is on its way, the time when horse shows, trail rides and obstacle challenges get going for the season. I finally have a sane, safe horse and I want to do a lot with him this year, hopefully some short competitive trail rides and obstacle challenges to start. I’ve got to build up his… Continue reading Olaf Goes on a Solo Trail Ride
You can read the story of my little donkey here but, if you’re short on time I’ll recap it for you. I got my donkey off Craigslist in Alabama for $75. He was supposed to be a pet for my daughter, but she quickly lost interest and he became mine. My daughter named him Rusty.… Continue reading Project Pack Donkey Update…
I really enjoy walking alongside my horses, as much as, if not more than riding them. It’s unusual, I know, but to me it feels like a different kind of partnership when we’re both walking. When I ride, the horse is lending me so many things- his back, his strength, his agility and his speed.… Continue reading Hiking with Horses
My draft horse, Olaf, has become extremely attached to my half blind mule, Ellie. More accurately, she is attached to him, and he is more than happy to comply. Ellie still has one perfectly good eye but, since going blind in the other, she’s let Olaf become her security blanket in life. They are sweet… Continue reading Night Walk with Olaf
For my 40th birthday, I bought myself an expensive piece of outdoor gear, an Arctic Horse riding skirt. I spend a lot of time outdoors caring for the horses in all kinds of weather, and I usually wear a combination of flannel pajama pants, waterproof boots, and some form of rain jacket or winter coat… Continue reading My riding skirt came… and it’s wonderful!
As you know, Miss Mule went mysteriously blind in one eye this summer. What started as a cloudy film over half her eye now covers the entire thing, and has left her with no vision on her left side. She may see shadows. It’s hard to tell exactly what she sees, but she is most… Continue reading Lessons from a Mule #12- Going Blind is Scary.
