Black and white mares, it's time to meet the red, black and white poles....
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Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
A Tale of Two Pintos
Yesterday was about as perfect a riding day as we’ll get in
the Twin Tiers. It was sunny and cool,
but warm enough to ride without a jacket.
The breeze was still, yet it’s too early for flies.
I took advantage of it with outings on the two mares I ride,
Starlight and Hudson. Starlight went for
over an hour, walk, trot and canter, on a hilly dirt road nearby. When we were done, she looked like this:
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| "Ho-hum. What's next?" |
Hudson went for a mere half-hour to the top of our property
and back, and when we were done, she looked like this:
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| "I can run like the wind, jump like an antelope, pull like a ... phew, I'm tired." |
The back story: Starlight is obviously in better condition,
naturally smaller and while fat, not as bulbous as Hudson. She and I have been conditioning since the
beginning of April and she is a mare who conserves her energy. True to her stock horse ancestry, when she
sets out, she seems to have the expectation that we are going to be out on the
range for the day, mending fence and chasing steer, and she uses just the right
amount of energy to accomplish what needs to get done.
Hudson, on the other hand, was on her second ride of the
year. She seemed to set out with the attitude
that she was wearing her PF Flyers and was determined to run faster and jump
higher. (The Baby Boomers will recognize that reference, anyway). If there was a six-inch trickle of a stream,
she gave it a good three feet on either side.
If there was 10-inch log, she gave it the three feet on either side and
an extra two feet up. If a trot was
called for, it was a big, boingy trot.
If we flushed a deer, her spook was a super-charged, off-track locomotive. You get the idea.
Ten minutes in, and she was huffing and puffing like a steam
engine, but this did not diminish her enthusiasm. All this from a 1300-pound half-draft pinto who is grossly
overweight but thinks she’s Zenyatta.
And that’s why I waited to ride her until my knee was further along in
it healing process.
Lucky for me, I now know the secret to keep my saddle from
slipping while riding a rubbery, witherless barrel, so the Freefrom stayed put
on her, as it did on Starlight. The
secret, by the way, is having long billets and a short girth that buckles just
a couple inches above the elbow. More
info can be found here: http://treelesssaddle.com/fitting/
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| With my constant goal of dropping stuff that doesn't help and maybe impedes the horse, I have ditched nosebands (unless required for competition.) |
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Random Notes Saturday
Q: What is one of the first
things you learned to do around horses?
A: Move your toes quickly so they
don’t get crushed.
I failed this most basic lesson
in horse management this week when tight quarters and two creatures with different
opinions on which way they should be going met at the foot. Unfortunately, at this particular meeting
point, MY foot was under the pony’s, and this colorful appendage is the result. Sorry for the gross-out photo.
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| Hey, if my only fracture this season is a toe, I'm good. |
In other news, I have
been busily using craigslist this morning to post things for sale. Craigslist is one of the most useful inventions for buyers and sellers on the planet, despite it being the
brunt of a huge number of (well-deserved) jokes.
Whenever I post something on it,
I remember the painful and expensive days of trying to cram a sensible
description of something for sale into a three-line classified ad in the local
paper that ended up costing half-a-month’s rent, then waiting a week for it to be published.
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| Hudson models how amply our hay has filled her belly. |
One of these ads includes some
hay for sale, so if anyone needs some to carry them over, we have some up available. Hudson was my model this morning
for the hay ad, naturally, since, if I put out a single bale, the other two
have no chance of getting near it – not when the Queen is
guarding it with every intention of not sharing a single stem.
It's going to be a great riding weekend in the Twin Tiers, so I hope you all get out there and enjoy! .
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Twin Tiers Horse Activities, April 24-28, 2013
Horse shows and clinics are popping up all over the Twin Tiers this weekend. Look down the list and pick something out. Whatever you do, just make sure you have fun with your horse!
Syracuse PHA Horse Show
Heavenbound Farm Clinic with Charles de Kunffy and lecture by Sports Psychologist Dr. Kathy Kelly.
Syracuse PHA Horse Show
When: April 24 - Apr 28, 2013
Where: Syracuse (map)
Description: Syracuse
PHA Horse Show.
The 62nd Annual Syracuse Chapter PHA Horse Show with "A" Rated Hunter
and Jumper competitions for riders of all ages. Competitions each day
with an evening performance each day except Sunday. Daily start time:
Wed. 1:30pm, Thurs. and Fri. 8am, Sat. and Sun. 7:30am
Heavenbound Farm Clinic with Charles de Kunffy and lecture by Sports Psychologist Dr. Kathy Kelly.
When: Friday, Apr 26, 2013
Where: Rome (map)
Description: Heavenbound
Farm Clinic with Charles de Kunffy and lecture by Sports Psychologist
Dr. Kathy Kelly. Call our office at 410-885-3824 to register
Equine Light Therapy with Phil Alfiere at Meadowgate Equine Rescue
When: Saturday, Apr 27, 2013
Where: Newfield
Description: Meadowgate
Equine Rescue would like to introduce to you Equine Light Therapy with
Phil Alfiere.
On Saturday- April 27th at 10am Phil will be demonstrating Infra Red
Light Therapy for horses…an amazing new therapy treatment! This is thought to promote cell regeneration, speed up healing process,
relieve pain in nerves, and detoxify systems. Your $10 donation may be given at the door. Bring a bag of carrots or
apples and receive free coffee!
Clinic located at 145 Chaffee Creek Rd. in Newfield. See website to
register.
Twin Tiers Classic Horse Show Series
When: Saturday, Apr 27, 2013
Where: Chemung County Fairgrounds (map)
Description: Contact: Laurie Baker (627)738-0695 April Halm (607) 425-1382
WGA Annual Equine Sale and Colt Starting
When: Sat, April 27, 9am – 3pm
Where: Freeville (map)
Description: WGA Annual Equine Sale
Open House
April 27, 2013 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Featuring Guest Colt Starter Dan Bruce,
from Colorado Springs, CO.
Special one day demonstration event with Dan starting
WGA horses! You won’t want to miss this!
10:30 am Dan Bruce Starts.
Donations greatly appreciated!
The William George Agency for Children’s Services
380 Freeville Road
Freeville, NY 13068
607.844.6354
719.651.7920
troxlerm@gjrmai
Chemung County 4-H Sponsored Open Horse Show
Obedience Clinic at Foxtale Farm
When: Sunday, Apr 28, 2013
Where: Chemung County Fairgrounds (map)
Description CHEMUNG CO. 4-H SPONSORED OPEN HORSE SHOW
CONTACT: Bernadette Raupers, 425 Pennsylvania Ave., NY 14904
(607) 734-4453 E-mail: bir2@cornell.ed
When: Sun, April 28, 12pm – 3pm
Where: Horseheads (map)
Description: The
OBEDIENCE CLINIC new date has been set. April 28th
12~3pm $25 each horse/handler pair/outside horses are WELCOME (Great for
babies who need a quiet experience away from home) Must have current
Rabies/Coggins certificates MAILED in advance!!)
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Rites of Spring
Yes, this is normally a horse blog, but since most horse people also own dogs, I thought I would present you with a photo essay of an annual spring ritual occurring here at Toad Song.
Meet Rita, the giant schnauzer.
Meet Rita, the giant schnauzer.
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| Before: Large hairy mammalian. Probably yeti. Potentially yak. Possibly canine. |
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| During: Highly pathetic amid her former pounds of hair. |
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| As shocked as the rest of us. |
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Twin Tiers Horse Events, April 20-21, 2013
We have a couple of juicy activities this weekend, horse fans!
If you loved Pony Club and want to be involved again, here's your chance. The Southern Tier Puddle Jumpers are hosting a Pony Club judge training seminar in Greene.
And if you and your horse are ready to show (unlike my fluffy fatties) head up to If Only Farms for their first 2013 show. Or just get your horse fix by going up as a spectator and scope out this year's competition.
Whatever you choose to do, have a great time with your pony!
Assistant Horse Management Pony Club Judge Training Seminar w/ Eva Haraty
If you loved Pony Club and want to be involved again, here's your chance. The Southern Tier Puddle Jumpers are hosting a Pony Club judge training seminar in Greene.
And if you and your horse are ready to show (unlike my fluffy fatties) head up to If Only Farms for their first 2013 show. Or just get your horse fix by going up as a spectator and scope out this year's competition.
Whatever you choose to do, have a great time with your pony!
Assistant Horse Management Pony Club Judge Training Seminar w/ Eva Haraty
When: Sunday, Apr 21, 2013
Where: Greene (map)
Description: Southern
Tier Puddle Jumpers Pony Club is pleased to announce an Assistant Horse
Management Judge Training Seminar with Eva Haraty on Sunday April 21st
from 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Windancer Farm in Greene, NY.
We highly encourage all sponsors, volunteers, parents, interested
members of Pony Club and Horsemasters to attend this event. This is a
great way to develop an understanding of Pony Club/Horsemaste
The morning portion of this seminar is focused towards teaching current
and future volunteers to become Assistant Horse Management Judges. We
need qualified individuals that have participated in this event in order
to support our Pony Club at mounted and unmounted meetings.
If you are an interested adult volunteer, this is a great way to learn
how you can help our club.
This event will be geared to both kids and adults.
Everyone is welcome
to attend.
Topics of Discussion Include:
· Safety Checks
· Formal Inspection
· Informal vs. Formal Attire (demonstrated by Pony Club members)
· Pony Club Ratings/Certifi
If Only Farm Equestrian Center Spring 2013 Horse Shows
When: Sunday, Apr 21, 2013
Where: Freeville, (map)
Description:If Only Farm Equestrian Center Spring 2013 Horse Shows
March 24, April 21, May 18
Entry Fees: $10 per class – Hunters & Equitation
Jumpers: $20 per class - Pay Back - $20, $15, $10, $5, $5
NEW!! “Marshall & Sterling League” Classes - $15 for Classics
Indoor Ring Start Time: 9:00 am
Information: 607-347-4615, 607-227-4635
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Break out the backhoe, honey! I have a plan.
I took Hudson for a walk yesterday to a part of our property
that, while fairly close to the house, we had not fully explored. It’s an overgrown area between our best hay
field and the creek. I call it the
orchard, because it is full of ancient apple trees. Clever, aren’t I?
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| Maxing the tape at 1300+ lbs, Hudson weighs in on her need for exercise. |
And even though I haven’t really spent time with the details,
I have big plans for those four or five overgrown acres. The are going to be transformed into a riding path and
jump course.
So yesterday, with both Hudson and I needing some exercise,
I hand-walked her to that field of daydreams.
After this week’s torrential rains, the orchard is a soggy place, with
what might be a vernal spring running diagonally across it. It is heavily weeded with little grass, and a
few deer paths meander randomly through it.
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| A view of the orchard |
However, I spotted a couple of jumps already waiting to be
developed, and that vernal stream could make an excellent water obstacle, if
properly corralled.
Mwah-ha-ha! This year, I learn to use large
construction equipment.
On a related note, it seems like Starlight is ready for some cross-country action.
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| Ancient stone wall = future jump |
Yesterday we were in the final 15-minutes of a conditioning ride when Pete (of Pete of the Cows) came up behind us with his big white truck and trailer. Pete is always very considerate when he passes us, and he slowed down.
However, it was Starlight's first time being passed by a truck pulling a big aluminum stock trailer. I knew she was tense, but I didn't expect what she did next: She used that big, stockhorse arse of hers to leap from a near standstill over the roadside ditch and up into the neighbor's dormant hayfield.
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| A fallen hemlock offers both high and low jumps |
She threw me off balance a bit, but good girl that she is, she didn't attempt to dump me after that action, and we stopped on the other side, and likely both of us were thinking, "What the hell just happened?"
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| A dust mask is now part of my regular stablewear, both when I feed hay and when I groom muddy critters. Achoo! |
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