This summer has been busy and I’ve not been able to ride as much as I’d like. Between kayak tours and my regular job, I’ve been working a lot! I’ve also been letting a couple of my daughter’s friends come over and ride as well. They’re homeschooled, and great kids. I have gotten a couple… Continue reading Just some beautiful riding pictures…
The barn where I board used to have about 20 horses on the property that took tourists out on rides to the beach. When that business closed, the barn sat for a while with a few horses until eventually they were down to one. When I came, the barn hadn’t been a boarding barn in… Continue reading Projects around the barn…
The thing I’m into lately is how to change my thought patterns when interacting with horses. I’ve been listening to Warwick Shiller’s podcast where he interviews guests who have what I call “next level” horsemanship. These people have had a ton of success in the equestrian world, but they’ve done it by being kind to… Continue reading Practicing Mindfulness with My Horse
I just have to give my horse some credit for being amazing. We moved to the island 7 months ago and when we first started riding on the beach, I feared for my life every time. It wasn’t that Baron was out of control, but he stayed just under that fear threshold where things can… Continue reading Just braggin’ on my horse…
I’ve been riding Baron on the beach at least once a week since I moved to Hatteras Island 7 months ago. At first, I rode alone because I hadn’t met any riding buddies. Baron was amped about going out alone, and I wondered whether I would survive the initial breaking in period until he calmed… Continue reading Helping Horses Conquer Fear without Force
My 18 year old thoroughbred is my only riding horse these days. Before I moved, I always had a project horse around, a horse that needed to get healthier or needed training or exposure to become a better riding horse. When I moved, Baron was the only horse I brought with me to the island.… Continue reading Baron isn’t quite ready to retire…
My donkey was invited to be the mascot for a virtual 5k here on the island (virtual meaning you run it on your own time instead of doing it as a group because of social distancing), and he was supposed to make an appearance on the evening when they handed out t-shirts and race bibs.… Continue reading The donkey redeems himself…
One thing I believe wholeheartedly is that everyone (human and animal) benefits from having a job. Meaningful work is what gives our life purpose. Some of us find that in careers; some of our life’s work happens outside of our paid jobs. I have found that work is good for animals as well. It gives… Continue reading Putting my donkey to work…
Yesterday I took Rusty the Donkey to the beach for the first time. I should start by saying that when I took my thoroughbred to the beach for the first time, I ended up underwater, soaking wet, and covered in sand. (He was afraid of the water.) This was not like that! Rusty is so… Continue reading I took my burro to the beach…
I think at this point you could call me a donkey or burro enthusiast (burro is the Spanish word and is more commonly used out west; donkey is common on the East Coast). I got into donkeys because I was already into horses, but I’m learning that there is a whole community of donkey fans… Continue reading Horse People vs. Donkey People
