Nova’s Notebook – First Clinic!

July 16, 2005Posted inNOVA
Nova and I attended a clinic called Young Horse Development. Both Jenny and Tony Vaught were the clinicians. The clinic could be called Extreme Desensitizing & Bonding! Before a horse is ready to ride, can you: Bounce an exercise ball on horse's back? (Tony told us that he doesn't start riding a young horse until he can bounce a ball off the horse!) Play goal as you and a friend roll a big exercise ball back and forth between the horse's legs? Have your horse carry two tied-together garbage bags filled with…

Nova’s Notebook – Wretched Baby Horse!

January 8, 2005Posted inNOVA
 I guess it had to happen.  I've been very careful.  When amoung horses that are eating, I watch out.  When taking horses into or out of the pasture with lots of other horses, I've been very careful.  I've been careful riding with other riders too.  I've seen some people get kicked by other rider's horses.  I try and not get my leg in that position.  Careful, though I was, I got kicked today.   I was among my own herd.  They were all eating hay peacefully.  Everyone had their own…

Nova’s Notebook – Birth Event 2004!

September 16, 2004Posted inNOVA
Nova was born in 2004.  I was attached to her legs when she came out.  I've been attached to her ever since in many ways! I slept in the barn for two weeks.  I slept in the tack room hiding from Sage.  I had a camera and the TV was at my bed in the tack room.  It was cold at night. That's when God whispered to me these words, "electric blanket."  Oh how wonderful that was!  I was teaching a class at work.  I would come in shined up…

Nova’s Notebook – Daddy!

September 14, 2004Posted inNOVA
I didn't own Nova's sire then.  I own part of him now (I won't tell you which part!).  Nova was one of the tests we used to determine that he might just be a homozygous champagne stallion.  Since 2004,  scientists invented DNA tests to prove the same thing. Let me tell you about champagne horses!  They have a metallic glint in their hair. They shine in the sun and even in moonlight. Their eyes are amazing.  Nova and JJ have green gold eyes.  The best part about champagne horses is that their…

Nova’s Notebook- “Bossa Nova” Trailer Loading

August 25, 2004Posted inNOVA
We have a L1 Beginning clinic this weekend and it's 11 month old Isabel's turn to start her first step in the journey to saddle horse.  Jenny loaded her twice when she was 4 months old and then she came home soaking wet with fear.  She did get to ride with Sage, whom she had just met. So, today my husband and I took Sage, Isabel and Bossy Nova out to the trailer.  I fed Sage in the trailer and put another pan for Isabel.  It took her about 5…

Nova’s Notebook – Bossy Nova!

August 23, 2004Posted inNOVA
Little Miss Nova is the ruler of all she sees, except her mom.  Nova doesn't try to boss around her mom...but she does everyone else. Her favorite playmates are the two year old black geldings.  She doesn't much care for 9 month Isabell, because Isabel doesn't play. Last night, the two geldings and Nova got out into our back pasture which is being rented by the turf farmer.  As the turf guy drove through the gate, he was assured by my husband that the horses were under control...and there went Salty,…