CONE_PORTANT

November 4, 2010Posted inMiscellaneous
Cones...those orange things that lay around the perimeter of most any arena. We think of them as arena cone-litter. People with horses have invented a lot of things to do with cones. We do cone-weaving, cone-circles, cone-sidepassing. Some horses even have perfected cone-squishing and don't forget cone-eating! In the versatility challenges, cones assume many a different role. Cones become cone-portant because they mark transition spots or patterns. In the last Pine Dell Natural Versatility Challenge, we had cones to mark the transition from walk to trot/center and another cone to…

SADDLE YOUR HORSE RULES!

November 2, 2010Posted inMiscellaneous
Sue the "How Do You Do" Horse. It took Sue nearly three years to not flinch when I saddled her. I'm not talking about a slight shudder, either. I'm talking about a 1" rolling oceanic tsumni flinch along her back. That's one inch of rolling fear. She was triple T terrified of the saddle. Sue must have been saddled by a grizzly bear.  Pat Parelli has taught us the safe way to saddle, bridle and mount horse. He does things to ensure our safety and end up so we can live our…

Nova’s Notebook – Trailride with Velvet and Nathan

October 30, 2010Posted inNOVA, Velvet
It's not often that I get to go trail riding with my son.  For a long long time early in my beginning adult riderhood, I realized that I didn't have a safe horse for a beginner to ride.  I now think I underestimated Nathan's riding ability, but you just never know. So, I have been-there-done -that horses now and safe for my son to ride!Nathan came out to James A Reed and rode with Hope and I. Velvet and Nathan led the way around the park.  Occasionally Velvet and Nathan…

2010 Pine Dell Farm Versatility Challenge

October 30, 2010Posted inMiscellaneous
Pine Dell Farm 2010 Versatility Challenges Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion awards in the foreground donated by Pat Harris of No-Frills Embroidery left to right:  Karen Moulins, Pine Dell Farm owner and Challenge committee; Susan Engle, judge and Challenge committee; Belle;  Roger Emile, Grand Champion; Hope Robinson, challenge committe;  Jewel;  Patty Miller, Reserve Grand Champion I had a grand idea in 2009 and that was to have Versatility Challenges at Pine Dell Farm.  This is our second year and we added a High Point Championand Reserve Champion to the mix.…

Powder’s Progress – Pony Horse Day

October 29, 2010Posted inPowder
Powder and I took part in the first day of a Colt Start clinic today. She is in colt start training with Jenny, but this is a Colt Start clinic with Tony Vaught.  I love Colt Start Clinics.  You can learn just about everything you should know about horses when you participate in or watch a Colt Start Clinic with Tony Vaught. Tony was in the Pat Parelli professional program for many a year and he took two Young Horse Development courses from Pat Parelli and Pat's mentor, Ronnie Willus. …

SAMSON Sitcom

October 28, 2010Posted inMiscellaneous
He's four months old.  Sampson is Velvet's baby and JJ's baby.  He's a gold champagn Missouri Fox Trotter.  His personality is extreme left brain. Jenny is getting the foals together today for the vet to give him their coggins test and to get their health certificates for the big winter move to Florida.  Jenny's orders were that the foals were to be in the round pen.  Upon arriving home, the foals and mares were all out running around, having a blast. Finally Jenny gets the foals into the round pen. …