Moving time again

Grady left today, Jerry leaves Friday to his new home, Amanda's new horse comes Friday, and so does Chance weather permitting...so with all this coming and going I am moving some of my geldings around. Triton and Zander are going to play with the big boys in the hay field & Tommy and YJ are going to be on the south side. I am going to start working YJ again, and perhaps starting using him in lessons in February. I think he is happy to not be with S'Argent any more...for some reason S'Argent hated him. Perhaps he is jealous of how fuzzy and cute YJ is.

I introduced Bliss to a grid and an oxer today. She has so much more jump than the other horses I ride and really makes me realize how much I have let my jumping skills slide!

Here is the video: http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd89/HillsideStable/Bliss/?action=view&current=Bliss_Grid.flv

Karen

In case you were wondering

A few people have commented on my disturbingly rosy red cheeks...no it is not that I have taken up drinking whisky on my way to the barn, or have been experimenting with blush...I have frost nipped/bitten my cheeks looking after YOUR silly horses. It happened when it was really cold and snowy, and the snow/frost would build on my ski mask, but then melt when I popped into the barn to put a horse in or out, and then when I would go back out...the mask would freeze to my face. Now that the skin has started to heal, it is red and blotchy and quite painful when out in any sort of cold. I need some super moisturizer or something to help with the healing process!

I posted a want ad for horses yesterday, and as always it is entertaining to read some of the replies. Typically people try to talk me into something that is outside the parameters I set out, and they almost always ask what our budget is rather than just tell me their price! "What are you willing to pay for the horse I have told you pretty much nothing about?". "Gee, it so happens that amount is exactly what we were going to ask for our horse' (as they scramble to edit all their ads to up the price).

Jeepers.

Karen

Don't forget board is due this week!

Lessons are running on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Karen

Bye Ri...

Ri went to his new home yesterday. We dropped him off in the afternoon at an acreage not too far away. His paddock mates are an Appaloosa mare and two tiny donkeys. Ri only seemed interested in the hay, so the mares advances towards him were met with indifference, or an angry swish of a tail when she threatened to disturb his eating...so she passively stayed back.

But then the mini Donkeys became inquisitive of the new horse; and Ri gave them an angry "don't disturb my eating you mutant rabbit horses" look and shook his head at them...well that brought out the mothering instincts in the mare...and she let Ri know that the Donkeys were her babies and that he best stay away from them! She put on quite a show....Ri just went back to eating.

Poor Amanda struggled to leave her "baby". They came so far together...from an unstarted half starved gelding desperately in need of baby oil, so the show champion he became. Ri did not share the sentimentality though...on his part he just kept eating.

Karen

Hillside Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas from Karen, Rob and all the critters at Hillside!

I bought some "Stud Muffins" for an equine Christmas snack...most of the horses were appreciative, but Triton looked at me like I was trying to feed him a ball of horse poo...until he saw Tommy eating one and could smell it! Coregel and Carma couldn't quite wrap their little mouths around the treat, but Piper was happy to clean up the treats they dropped!

Karen

Add another one to the list

We have officially added Rosa to the list of horses for sale at Hillside. She is definately a jumper, and we want a hunter type instead. In order to market her I rode her today for some video...silly me accidently deleted the last round where the yellow jump was 3'0", but I think Shinaya got it on her camera so I can post it later.
This oxer is about 2'9".




I have to say, I had a BLAST jumping her! I don't jump much, and it has been a while since I have booted around a jumper type course...and Rosa hasn't done much bigger than 2'0 for a while...but I seriously felt ready to enter a show on her!





Rosa's sales portfolio so far: http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd89/HillsideStable/Rosa/

Have a great Christmas Eve everyone!

Karen

Lesson schedule

I am still teaching over the holidays, but I am taking Christmas Eve and New Years Eve off. I am teaching Boxing day. Day time lessons may be possible, so let me know if you would rather ride during the day for the next two weeks.

We will also have a new schedule for lessons from January to March. The availability is pretty much the same, but let me know if you would like to switch days/times at all. I may consider adding lessons to Saturday if you would rather ride on the weekend. This new schedule will take effect January 4rth. I am considering adding western lessons too if anyone wants to try western.

I will post the theory clinic schedule soon.

Karen

Well this morning was...hmmm...well, it required too much thought. Too much going on in too many different ways. So after teaching I decided that the great outdoors was calling me, so i tacked up young Grady in my western saddle and Rocket's bitless bridle and we headed outside. What better to take my mind off things than to take a young horse out in the great outdoors for the first time?

I had planned just to tour the yard, but we ended up heading down the road to the hay field. The first time traffic approached, the pickup truck driver slowed right down and gave the car trying to pass him a rude gesture...did he know I was on a young horse? Did he watch The Horse Whisperer too many times? No idea, but it worked well to make sure the boy was ok with cars, and later on when cars passed at normal speeds, he didn't care. The only things that bothered him were the neighbours big red bows blowing in the wind, and when a tree branch would brush my jacket and snap back. I wasn't keen on the snow covered branches hitting me either, but I wanted to let him pick his path in the deep snow.

I got a little cold, but otherwise had a lot of fun, so i think I have to break free of the arena more often! Anyone want to join me :)

Karen

Ah, to be warm again! It is so nice to have a break from the cold, although I wish it could have been a more moderate switch. I hope it isn't going to be crazy like last year...cold - hot -frigid - hot .... spent way too much time swapping blankets. The horses seem to be relieved by the warmer weather; I rode 6 horses today and all of them were great!

Too bad the weather wasn't as nice on Sunday, but the Christmas Party was still fun, with Christine T winning the match the dirty stall to the horse contest, and the "team teenager" winning the name the training horse contest...and they could only name 10!

Still some goodies and pop left over in the barn, so help yourselves!

Karen

Online tack sale!

Terri-Leigh (Grady's owner) informed me that Greenhawk has 15% off online orders this weekend! http://www.greenhawk.com/

she bought a western bit from them that looked like it may be a good introductory curb bit for western showing...and the new horses do need new halters....hmm....

karen

All right, so here is the Christmas Party Contest advance notice;

Name as many of the training/sales horses that Hillside worked with in 2009. This only includes horses sent for full training and horses that were here specifically to be sold. There were 17 in total (I think). You get 2 points for each name you remember, and 1 point if you can only describe them!

There is a second contest too...but it will be unveiled at the party as advance notice won't help you. The winner of the first contest won't be eligible to win the second.

Ties will either be broken by a draw or by a tie breaking question...

It is supposed to be nice and sunny for tomorrow, so be brave and come on out!

Karen

It's not THAT cold...

So it looks like it will be chilly for a while now...so I think I am going to go ahead and cancel most lessons likely until Wednesday. Call or email to reschedule! If you are a boarder with an inside horse you can still have a lesson if you want during the cold snap...and if the Clares are too whimpy to come out there is also the possibility of borrowing a morgan if you really must ride...but otherwise I think lessons will be cancelled.

The inside boarded horses WILL still be turned out, but they may end up being brought in early if they need to be. I will be double blanketing as needed for those of you that have suitable blankets.

Speaking of blankets...I think the rain sheets can be put away now! I cleaned up all the extra blankets on the stalls and moved them to hooks along the entrance. Ideally all the horses should have a spare winter blanket easily accessible at the barn, so I can exchange blankets if one gets ripped or something.

It is supposed to be crazy hot this time next week....so if that holds true, I will be clipping horses starting on Wednesday. I need to get the lesson horses done first, with boarders to follow, so let me know if you want your horse done! Clipping costs: $25.00 "Set up" fee, plus $50.00 per hour. A simple clip like the lesson horses get takes about 30 minutes total....less if the horse is really quiet. You can save money by arranging to be there to bring your horse in and brushed.

Remember to check back tomorrow for the hint to one of the Christmas Party contests! There will be two contests; one for the loyal Hillsidenite, and one that anyone at the party could win...even non horse people! I hope the cold weather doesn't discourage too many people from coming...I am getting lonely out here with the cold weather keeping people home and no Rob around!

And if anyone wants to stay behind and help bring horses in I won't complain....

Karen

Winter Marketing

Why do fuzzy winter pyjamas tend to be decorated with winter scenes; snow flakes, snowmen and the such? Is this supposed to make the wearer feel warmer? Or is it to remind them why they need to purchase the fuzzy winter PJs in the first place?

Same with Calendars; in the summer when you are trying to beat the heat, the calendars show scenes of hot weather places...in the winter they show snowing landscapes. If I wanted to see snowy landscapes I could easily look out the window! Is it to remind city folks what unpolluted snow looks like? Is it for the benefit of those that live in places without snow?

I would rather have a calendar where the snowy scenes are in the months of summer; scenes to help you think cool thoughts...and to make you grateful for the summer sun. In the winter they could have the beach scenes to help you think warm thoughts, or to have something to look forward too...or they could have a photo of a sunbather being attacked by mosquitoes to remind us that there is some good that comes with winter...

So when you go out into the cold next time, think; hey, at least there are no mosquitoes!

Karen

As cold as it seems outside, this is nothing like last year, when we had all this snow, and closer to 35 below temperatures...followed by temperatures close to zero...I hope this year we have a more moderate winter, where the horses can just setting in to a comfy zone, and I don't have to be switching and adjusting blankets every week.

Apparently Pilgrim finally gave up, and realized he was not getting a blanket and that winter was in fact here and sprouted a winter coat in the last 3 days. He looks like a different horse!

Mike, Ginger and Milo all seem content to be in hibernation mode. Milo has already packed on some winter weight...yet he still tries to convince all who will listen that he is starving!

We are going to have two contests with prizes at the party on Sunday; one that even non-riders can possibly win. I hope the cold doesn't discourage too many people from coming...more fun with more people!

If anyone has a folding table they can bring out to use for Sunday, that would be great too. Something tall enough that Ginger cannot steal off of...

Karen

This week

It is supposed to be on the chilly side this week, but I am still planning to teach, we will just work on less physically demanding things (for the horse) like working without stirrups.

This weekend is supposed to be very chilly...why is it always cold for our Christmas Party/ Still, not an excuse to not show up! I am hoping the weather forecasters are wrong though, and the weather will be better than forecasted for the weekend.

Horses are still doing well...even tonight when the windchill froze my cheeks.

I hope you are all staying warm, and are safe on the roads.

Karen

Christine....quick! There is a horse on Kijiji listed as a "drisage" prospect for only $350.00! You were looking for a drisage horse weren't you? You have to look past the fact she is reining/cow horse bred, has a super sloped illium, and a low set neck...

I think people see their horse trot pretty and think "dressage!". Or a horse that trots slow and think "Western pleasure!". My favourite is the untrained horse that jumps out of its pen and so is then labeled "jumper prospect; has jumped 4 feet!")

It is funny sometimes to read what people list as their untrained horse's best future careers. Recently there was a 15 hand, unstarted 7 year old pinto/arabian listed primarily as a jumper prospect...yes it may be able to jump (as Tommy can), but I highly doubt that is the market you should be aiming for, and they are likely loosing out on potential buyers looking for an endurance/show prospect which is what this horse would better suite.

I wonder if western people look at my ad/videos of Tommy and see my breeches and helmet and think I am similarly crazy....

Karen

So no one took me up on my stall cleaning therapy this morning?!? I am shocked.

It was a BEAUTIFUL morning and you likely all missed it tucked safely in your stuffy houses.

I decided to air out the stalls and bleach the stall mattresses today, so the barn smells reminiscent of a swimming pool right now.

The horses are all silly today and are prancing in the snow. I should have had my camera with me, but I worried about its safety in the cold air.

Driveway and parking lot are rated "E" for everyone. Even Clare's wimpy car would be fine.

Karen

In case you were wondering...

Your horses are all doing great and seem to actually be enjoying the snow! I fed them a little extra today when the wind picked up and they seemed to enjoy the midday snack.

I've been too chicken to head out at all...so no idea how the roads are beyond my driveway, but the people that did make it out today said it was ok.

The driveway/parking lot condition is good to fair, with some slightly deep/soft spots right behind the blue truck, but otherwise it is good, so be brave and come on out!

I am finding this snow envigorating! Plowing through the snow pulling my hay sleigh is quite the thigh workout...I will sleep well tonight!

Karen

What an up and down day. Mostly down.

I need to shake this stupid sinus thing i have going on before my eyeballs pop out.

The horses really came through for me though, with Pilgrim, Dexter and Zander all deserving Kudos for how great they were today...they really saved today for me! Janines email today was also a pick me up...sometimes little things can salvage a day.

Buddy is now back in full work mode too...he seemed pretty happy to be back in lessons after just light duties the last two weeks.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I appreciate and value all my customers, you all make my life better and I really appreciate the positive and supportive atmosphere that we have at the barn! Even when I am having a poopy day, someone manages to cheer me up, even perhaps without knowing I need cheering up. You are a great group of people.

I know a few of your are going through a tough time; my thoughts are with you, and please let me know if there is anything I can do to help....even if it is just to provide added diversion from "the real world!". (Cleaning stalls is very theraputic....honest....and I won't charge you for the privilege....)

Karen

Look at the pretty jumping horse: Bliss Free jumping

If you wanted to see exciting action, the barn was the place to be today! Not only did we jump Bliss, but we also got to see Larry fly!

It started with me in the tack room talking to Amanda...i could hear scratching overhead. I was worried that it was mice; Amanda figured it was Ginger. Ginger however was laying in the barn...then we thought it could be Milo...but he was being a pillow for Mike. So up the stairs I went fully expecting to see a herd of rabid mice...what I did not expect was to see Larry the duck up there!

How on earth he got up all those stairs I do not know! And what he was after on the floor baffles me too. I did not want him to stay up there though...so the next step was to get him down, so I herded him to the landing...where upon he start to flap and FLEW down the stairs! He flew well enough to clear all the steps but not enough to do a light landing though...belly flop!

Poor Larry...I hope he learned not to go up there anymore!

As an aside: If anyone wants to purchase a winter Blanket like the one Zander and Carma are wearing we are putting together a second order to save on shipping. A good quality winter blanket for under $120! Let me know if you are interested and I will place the order later this week!

Karen

People...

So I got this in my inbox today:

"As a previous client who still follows you professionally; I was wondering, after all your disappointment with dishonest/unscrupulous sellers; how you could advertise a horse whom you found personally unsuitable for jumping due to a medical condition as a horse who is trained and suitable for jumping?! I also wonder when/if you intend to reveal the medical condition that made him so unattractive to your program. After someone calls? After they drive out to see you? When they look at the vet check? As he is loaded in the trailer? I admit, I was a little disappointed to see your ethical standards in practice."

I am pretty sure they used a bogus email address so I can't even email them back.

If they were smart, then they would have signed up for a fake email account and made a fake enquiry. Then they would have known that anyone who emails about Tommy is told about his mild club foot and is offered both the xrays and the vet report via email in my initial response to them, so they can make their own informed decision. This is unlike the person who sold me the horse who lied about his height and didn't inform me about his hooves. It is not as though Tommy isn't a great horse, just higher maintenance than I wanted for a jumping lesson horse, and I bought him to be able to jump some bigger jumps.

Interestingly I recently also had someone on a forum I was on attack me for very odd reasons...basically putting words in my mouth making it sound like I jumped my lesson horses 3' high 7 days a week...and that I was horrible for doing so...anyone who knows my program, knows my horses don't work nearly that hard!

I guess that is the flip side of being outspoken...and of success. People are keen to attack those that appear to be succeeding.

So...I am going to take the email regarding my ad for Tommy as a compliment of some jealous unhappy git jumping to conclusions so they can feel better about themselves...so common@sense.ca.... thanks for the ego boost!

Karen

Good News!

Hey, Clare, Amanda, Christine! I have good news! Brittany left a blank cheque for her mom's horse's board (silly girl), so I figure board for December will be $38,000 USD, so we can bring Artreyou home for us to ride at FEI levels. Of course this boy would also work....

And to pay for hauling, there will be a $1000.00 late fee for board not paid by tomorrow....

Amazing how things just seem to work out...which one do you want?

Karen

Bye Pill!

Grey Gelding/Dillion/Pill left today for his new home in "The Land of the Linving Skies" (Saskatchewan) where he is going to persue a career as a pony club horse. He loaded great and looked quite special in his new winter blanket and shipping boots. I am happy for his owners that he sold, but in some ways wish I had more time with him, as I was just starting to figure him out and I think he would be a fun bridless horse with some time.

The snow today seems fitting for the transition into December, but I hope the roads are still ok for you guys to make it to the barn!

Karen

November 30.

Board is due tomorrow!

Yippy!

And before you complain about the board bill...read the November issue of Horse Sport; they have an article called "Those @#$%#@ Boarding Fees Explained / A Labour of Love, Not Money". The barn they study charges $750.00 a month for inside board and that only includes hay and complete feed...and an indoor arena that is a lot smaller than ours!

The article also contains quotes and comments from yours truly! When I was originally interviewed I was told the article was about what people wanting to run a boarding stable should know, so my comments were more to that end. They got one important thing somewhat wrong though...it implies that I am the one who is the construction expert who designed the barn and not Rob! I would be afraid to ride in an arena I built!

I think I have about 10 or so quotes in the article, and I think I sound ok. It is kind of neat to read about our barn in a national publication!

Karen

Pretty horse alert...

Michelle's Mother in Law brought her mare in for training today. I knew she was a draft cross, which I tend to like, and had seem some photos, but I wasn't prepared for how much I would like this mare! She is a Canadian crossed with a Percheron/Arab, about 15.2 hands, black, with an amazing mane and tail. She moves great and is built like a very nice riding horse with a pretty face to top it off. Her name is Xena, and I can't wait to start riding her.

It made me think that maybe Christine should start perusing the Arab/Percheron ads...seems like it may be a promising cross for dressage, which an easier looking trot than the average Friesian.

Karen

Blind Dates

Recently one of our Hillsidenites had a successful blind date...this brought back my memories of my two not so successful experiences of the blind date type...

I was a focused youth, so while in school and working at Freelance Farm, I did not date; my time, money and energy was spent on either my classes or my horses...which is exactly how it should be by the way. When I finally quit working at the barn and got a "real job", my co-workers felt that I needed a boyfriend; I was the only one at work who was not married and for some reason this was an issue.

Now I hadn't been at this job long, but I was highly motivated, so it didn't take me long to work up from data entry to assistant accountant and then to office manager/assistant accountant. Anyone with sense would have seen I was ambitious and keen. One day the Payroll Clerk decided it made sense to set me up with her son. He was younger than me, but not by much, so I agreed; I figured the Payroll clerk knew me well enough by this time. I was wrong.

Payroll Clerk's son picked me up at my condo, in his ancient sedan and we went to a movie...I think...I don't actually remember what we did. He looked like he was too young to even need to shave. It was creepy. I remember feeling like I was this kids mother. He may only have been 3 or 4 years younger than me...but he was as Christine K would say "daft". He was content to live in his parent's basement and to work at the grocery store...not that there is anything wrong with that when you are young...but he had no ambition to move beyond this, and key goals included buying a new video game. Seriously, I was trying hard to find some ray of hope or ambition in this kid, but nada. Not a clever brain cell in his grey matter. Couldn't hold a conversation that wasn't about video games or his job. I swear his mom set us up to try to help motivate him, otherwise I have no idea what she was thinking. At least that date ended very obviously with no chance of a second. Seeing mom the next day was awkward...but then she was about as daft as the son.

Blind date number two was set up by the people in the office next door. He was a former employee that was now self employed. This one sounded good on paper: smart, ambitious, nice, lived in his own townhouse and made very good money and picked his own work hours.

He picked me up and my place, and we likely went for dinner...maybe a movie? I used to wear skirts a lot back then, and I remember i was wearing something somewhat short (above the knees, but safe to sit down in short...something I would feel ok wearing to the office), and I think it made him very uncomfortable! I remember he was decent looking, and he didn't do anything wrong...he just lacked any interesting qualities or spark. Trying to make conversation was exhausting which seemed odd as he was obviously a somewhat worldly person. I thought maybe he was nervous, and I figured he was a nice, successful guy, so I SHOULD like him...so I went on date #2. He invited me to his place and made dinner. I dressed more conservatively. I just remember sitting on the edge of his sofa, in his insanely clean house, feeling SOOO out of place as he talked about wanting to buy a house with someone, have kids, go to church on Sundays and live a normal average life. He thought that I owned a horse was "cute"....likely figuring it was a phase I would move past when I started popping out babies. My mom would have liked him, but can you imagine me in that role? He attempted a good night kiss...it was awkward and sloppy and sealed the door that there would be no date #3. I just wanted to get back to my happy little condo! Money definitely cannot buy charisma, and being smart doesn't guarantee someone a personality.

Blind dates are such an odd concept...really they should be a good idea of the setter upper knows both people, but I think sometimes people just want to play match maker and figure the right age and right gender is enough...or maybe it is just some cruel joke played by unhappy married people on their carefree single friends...

Karen

Questions...

Does anyone have a dog whistle? I want to see if Mike can hear one. It is hard to keep track of him in the dark, and if I lose site of him it can take a while to find him again...and he can't hear me calling him, so it can be a little worrying. Usually he is over at the fence flirting with the neighbours two young female dogs though...dirty old man dog!

I am also looking for some stackable rubbermaid bins that open at the front like the bulk bins in the grocery store. Does anyone know where I can find them?

Reminder about the Christmas Party on the 13th of December too; 1:00 pm.
We are going to have a $20.00 Secret Santa gift exchange (gifts don't have to be horsey, as non riding family members can also come and participate), a snack potluck, beverages, Hillside Trivia, and other games. All Hillside clients, friends and their families are welcome to come, just bring something for the snack table!

Karen

Certifiable...

Certified. A term meant to legitimize the skills of the holder. People seem to take for granted that if you are "certified" you know what you are doing over someone who isn't.

The problem is, that ANYONE can issue a certificate. They sell them for a dollar and the Dollar Store. But if you are running a program, you can just add the $1.00 certificate to the end of a course and suddenly people end your course claiming to be professionals.

The biggest "certification" to hit the horse industry is the Certified Equine Massage Course. I know people who have taken some of these courses, and they do sound good, but I don't know if they all are. The main thing that worries me about these courses though, is that the people running the course, and teaching, are also the ones testing! Is it really in their best interest to fail their students? Massage is something that can do a lot of good, but it can also do damage...or just use up money without benefit. A certificate without standardized testing or independent testing is of questionable value.

There are also the coaching/teaching certificates. The Equine Canada program is good; to get our level 1 coaches certificate you are taught and tested by multiple people. You have to take numerous courses, work with a mentor, and show you can do the job. This does make it an expensive certificate though...thousands of dollars, but i do think it is a legitimate standardized program and is good for the industry. A level 1 EC coach can do basic dressage, jumping, and has good barn and management skills. A level 2 coach has shown to have the skills to coach to a high level. Level 3 means you are a national level coach! EC coaches have to keep up their skills and learning through clinics and mentoring.

But there are other coaching certificates...where level 1 means you can help a beginner rider walk and trot. Level 2...you can teach canter. Level 3 you can teach aids and start over fences.

So...you see someone saying they are a Certified Level 2 coach...and you may think EC which means, WOW, you have lots of skills and experience and are a high level coach...when really, you just know how to tell someone how to kick a horse into a canter.

And some of these coaching programs have the program instructors also grade and pass the students...not sure how legit that is.

It is not that I think these programs are BAD, just misleading....good money makers for the program holders though!

So....to that end, I am going to run a How to Sell your Horse Certification course!

We will cover such topics as:

1) how to take photos that make your horse's head look gigantic
2) How to take photos to hide your horse's club foot
3) How to borrow children to place between your unbroke horse's feet to show how quiet it is.
4) How to borrow children to put on your unbroke horse's back to show how quiet it is.
5) The many ways tarps can be used to show how well trained your horse is.
6) How to spell words like "lunge" and "exercise".
7) How to measure your horse to make it a full 1 inch to 1 hand taller than it really is!
8) How to successfully show your horse to potential buyers even though you don't have any sort of arena and the horse hasn't been ridden in weeks!
9) How to distract potential buyers while the horse acts up.
10) How to subtly discourage try outs and vet checks while still selling your horse.
11) and finally, how to avoid law suites when selling your horse! (who am i kidding...horse people are oddly reluctant to pursue evil sellers...if they weren't, then J.N. wouldn't still be in business...

All things i am learning while trying out horses...

I am charging a mere $1500.00 for this 2 day CERTIFICATE course! Then you can advertise your horse as being sold by a Certified seller!

More Western!

Pill the western Horse!

I should have put my chaps on to complete the image. I seem to be getting back into the western riding again, I just wish the horses I have to ride western fit my new saddle...the old wide one puts me in such a chair seat! Anyway...Pill would make such an awesome western horse with some training! I great all around show mount. I hope he finds a good home.

For lessons this week, we are getting back to basics and working on the fundamentals of keeping a straight horse, even rhythm, and maintaining pace in (and out of) the corners. I am also going to start using Zander and Tommy a bit in the lesson rotation, so keeping things simple will let those two start to get the hang of things.

Karen

Video of Pill!

Even though we decided not to add Grey Gelding to our lesson string, he is a nice horse, so we are going to try to help his owner find him a new home. To that end he is going to stay with us for one more week and I am working on getting some nice photos and video of him. Of course it would snow last night to make sure that the grey horse would roll and get muddy...

tamara helped me do a little english video of him today:

And pictures:

He is out of shape which I think is why he is having trouble holding himself steady, but is a nice gelding and will do well for someone. I hope to do a western video of him as well.

All this videoing lately is really showing me how much I need to work on my position! I have gotten lazy. You can't really tell my arm is in a splint though can you? I didn't think that would look good on video, but didn't want to risk taking it off, so I just left my hoody on to hide it.

Karen

http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-pets-livestock-for-sale-Quiet-Mare-for-sale-well-started-W0QQAdIdZ169509654

Oh my...this "mare" is the same age as Coregel and Piper....my two little yearling babies. The "Rider" is 7 years old...the same age as...well....someone in grade school. Is the logic that the child is young and light weight so perfectly ok to sit on baby horse's kidneys?

And who needs a helmet, corral, reins or any sort of safety...kids bounce right?

Maybe this is why so many saddlebreds are sway backed at an early age...

But calling her a mare rather than a filly makes it ok...

Did I mention I hate horse shopping?

Karen

Tommy the western horse!

So as we have decided to not keep Tommy for jumping, we are going to sell him. In order to market him I need to test out what he can do...apparently he can do western! Ok, it is a little rough, he hated the bit I had on him and my Eq is awkward at best...but he can neckrein...and if you watch the end of it, he can spin!

He is a really fun horse, and so sensible...just not a 3'6" jumper, so I am confident we will find him a good home. We will use him in lessons until he is sold; you guys will love him!

I like chestnuts. You cannot have too many chestnuts in a barn (or sorrels of you prefer). To add to our chestnut numbers, we have Grady. Grady is an extremely cute paint/appy cross. Yes...he is a paint appy cross....with no spots of any kind! Very nice looking horse though. He is here for training. Based on how easily he settled in, I am thinking he will be easy to work with. I really have been lucky this year with the training horses I have been sent. Even the supposed bay bucking bronco has been simple and sweet.

Karen

The Nerve!

Amanda actually had the nerve today to say her horse was cuter than Tommy! I think her recent fall has affected her judgement...

I can't believe it is already mid November, yet it was 13 degrees out today! Crazy. Only what, 6 weeks until Christmas?

Hard to get in the Christmas spirit without snow on the ground, but the stores are sure trying to get us in the shopping mood. Chocolates and tinsel everywhere.

So...what do you guys want for Christmas this year? I need to start organizing the barn party!

Karen

So I rode Tommy today as I decided I might as well see what he is like...and I really liked him. He is on the peppy side, but light in the mouth, and very light off the leg (laterally). A little fresh, but not spooky or overly silly....so now I am not sure what to do with him. Darn Cute Horses!

I also rode Grey Gelding...."Dillon". He is not at all in shape, so we just did walk/trot....and he was ok. Sitting on him was like sitting on a big overstuffed couch. He may need his teeth done as he would occasionally flip his head up, but when he was relaxed, he felt good. Needs some retraining though...didn't seem to get the idea of listening to seat aids, or understanding lateral work....but then it was his first time really being ridden in a while, so perhaps I should cut him some slack!

The new horses are all so friendly though. I really like their personalities; they make Rocket look bad in that respect! (don't worry Rocket, I still love you best). It will be interesting to see how they do this week...hopefully at least one of them will be in the lesson rotation starting next week!

Karen

A public service announcement...

Back in the summer, a training client explained that they were running late as they had been behind an erratic vehicle on their way out. They opted to hang back and keep an eye on the vehicle to see if they need to call the police. It wasn't long before the vehicle caught the edge of the range road, and the car was pulled into the ditch. Fortunately the driver was not hurt, and the car just needed to be towed out...it could have been a lot worse if the car had hit something or flipped. The reason for the incident? Teenage driver was texted while driving.

More recently there was a local incident were a van driver collided with another vehicle that made a left turn right in front of them. The driver and passenger of the left turn vehicle both died on scene. The van showed no signs of having attempted to swerve or break. The reason? driver was texting. Sure the left turn vehicle may have been in the wrong, but the texting driver will forever have the image of two dead women and know that it may have been avoided had he been paying attention to driving rather than texting. he will have to live with those two deaths forever.

I can't call either of the above events accidents...they aren't...they could have been avoided or minimized with an attentive driver.

Cars go fast, and all it takes is a moment of inattention to cause a wreck; fishing for something in the back seat, answering a cell phone, eating....but what takes even more attention is texting.

Heck, I can't even text and walk!

So...think about the possible consequence of taking your eyes of the road....is it worth it?

All in all, I think texting has almost become an addiction for some people...they seem to get anxious knowing a text is waiting for them...but how often are texts actually anything of long term consequence? Maybe we need to organize a texting intervention for the barn teenagers...

I think a certain teenager's anti texting parents may have been on the right track when they refused to get their daughter a texting phone.

Karen

Kokanee's Back

My little chestnut rabicano quarter horse friend is back for more training! He is almost 5 and looks grown up enough to start jumping this spring! Koke may be available to lease/part lease in the spring if anyone wants a very nice hunter/open show horse for 2010.

Karen

Jumping Saddlebred!

I jumped Zander today! Ok, it was just small; the little boxes and a tiny yellow crosspole...but he was awesome! Cantered right up and over without changing his rythm. According to Christine he looked super tight and cute with his little chestnut knees. At the same time he didn't pop me out of the tack at all, so the best of both worlds! Then I dropped the reins to see what he would do and he cantered pretty much into Triton who didn't bat an eye...lesson horse of the future?

Shouldn't be too long before Zander is ready to be a lesson horse...i think he is going to be a barn favourite in no time (after Rocket of course...no one can replace Rocket). Come to think of it if I just had a barn of Rockets and Zanders teaching (and learning) would be so much easier.

Now...to bad all sellers couldn't be like Zanders owner! She was honest and easy to work with.

Karen

Friday the 13th

Normally I don't even think about Friday the 13th...but today is proving to be an annoying day, so maybe there is something to it. To make a long story short it looks likely that Tommy won't be cutting it as a lesson horse for jumping, so now I have to decide what to do with him. He is so sweet and cute, so I am very dissappointed but I am sure he will make someone a lovely mount. We will likely use him in lessons until sold unless his owner takes him back.

On a slightly more positive note, a grey gelding came in for us on trial. He is a decent sized horse, likely around 16 hands...but FAT! And out of shape. I have him for 2 weeks to see how he does. Fingers crossed he is as nice as Zander as horse shopping is not any fun. Please don't make fun of his tail...it should grow back!

Karen

Meet Tommy!

Tommy is the next lesson horse prospect; a 7 year old registered 1/2 Arab (supposedly crossed with a Warmblood, but I haven't seen his papers yet so who knows!). He has show experience in jumpers. He came of the trailer like he was an old pro at moving around and was very well mannered. His face markings are really cool...the black spot around his right eye is roanish and looks really neat. He needs a hair cut though!


Tommy (aka Hail Storm) arrived late this afternoon...I was beginning to wonder if he would get here at all: The hauler ran into some unexpected problems, so called to let me know he would be about 2 hours late...he had tried to call the seller, but her vmail was full and couldn't reach her...not only that but the hauler was having trouble with his own cell phone. So...I tried calling the seller and sure enough, no answer and no room in the vmail...so I called a number the seller had called me on once before; turns out it was gramma's house in Calgary! Gramma figured the seller would call me when she got cold enough waiting.

Sure enough she called a little later and told me she had to go to work...so she was going to leave him in a paddock with his halter on and a lead rope...she was also supposed to leave the signed Bill of Sale and a note...so the hauler would know he wasn't stealing a horse! So a couple hours later the hauler gets there and sees the horse but no person and no note. To make matters worse, his cell phone was working again, but only if he drove back down the road. Fortunately the sellers dad came home a little later and found the note the seller left...which said "Sorry, I couldn't stay". No number, no explanation, nothing. At least he was able to talk to the dad to know the horse could go with him!

Fortunately the hauler had patience and the horse was easy to load and he arrived here safe and sound in a nicely sized box stall.

I would definitely use this hauler again; it was Braeden Transport booked through www.barnkrescue.com Not only were they very well priced, had a decent/safe stock trailer, but they also were very good at communication and letting me know what was going on. Much appreciated!

Karen

Not all tissues are made equally...

I have a cold.

I am very whiny when I have a stuffed nose. Rob is lucky to be away.

Thank you Wyn for the muffins. they made my throat feel better.

I am however not impressed with the bulk buy stash of Kleenex Rob bought a while ago. Now that my nose has had the pleasure of Kleenex with lotion, the regular kind is just not up to par.

And despite the commercials trying to say otherwise...toilet paper is not a good substitute for proper lotiony tissue.

Tissue technology has spoiled me.

Zander trotted and cantered poles today like he has done it a million times before. So...if my phlegm clogged brain can handle it...I plan to try jumping him tomorrow! I am so excited.

And...we need a name for a black and white pinto that is coming tomorrow. He has more white than black...so more white on him than Triton, but similar pattern. Must be a two syllable name. So far the best I have come up with is Wally. I don't know why. Or Tommy.

We might have Lana or Meagan out on Friday, so if you want your horse checked by the vet, let me know!

Karen

Things I did today

Today (Monday) I finally got to ride Zander! I was ready to kill him in the barn and when I tried to get on him...but once on him he was great! His walk is a little quick, but his trot felt so big strided and long, and his canter was very controlled and balanced. Not only can be canter out nicely, but he can also collect extremely well. I can't wait to jump him! Tomorrow I will introduce him to the idea of poles and see how he does.

I also went grocery shopping; in the past when Rob has gone away it was an excuse to buy junk food...but this time I resisted! Rob's attempts at having us eat healthier are rubbing off on me! My granola bar addiction is still there though...

And....I reset the arena clock! Climbing on a ladder is not something I enjoy doing so it took a while to muster the courage. It is set about 2 minutes fast, but I am NOT going back up there to fix it, so we will have to cope.

What excitement awaits me for tomorrow?

Karen

So Christine finally got around to reading the instruction manual for her Brendrup trailer and found out that it doubles as an automatic horse washing machine! She figured she would try it out on Hans first as he is so mellow, and with the long black hair, every spec of dust shows up. So in we loaded Hans to the horse washing machine, and Christine set the dials:



She should have read the instructions better though...apparently she should not have used hot water or bleach...because this is what came out of the trailer when the cycle was done:
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Just like anything that shrinks in the wash, he is now much shorter (14.3 hands), but just as wide. He is all spotted from the bleach, and his mane seems to have unravelled in the wash and is now about a foot long. He also seems to have regressed a year. To make things less confusing, we have decided to name the shrunken horse "Triton". Along with his change in size comes with amazingly impressive knee action and presence at the trot.

This weekend also saw the arrival of the new potential lesson horse! Michelle tried him out and hauled him in for us. She tried him out amidst shooting next door and he handled it all well, so she figured he might make a good lesson horse! He has settled in very well, and is a friendly and social equine. I am really excited to try riding him tomorrow!

He came with the name Alexander (Alex), but as I teach an "Alex", I decided to change his name, so he is now "Zander". Thanks to Jessie for the name suggestion!

He is just over 15.2 hands, 7 years old, and a saddlebred arab cross. He has a dressage and trail riding background, so the test will be to see if he can jump too, but we will give him some time to settle in before introducing him to jumps.

Zander and Triton are both in the bottom paddock to the south of the barn.

Karen

Do you know how on TV or on the order board, fast food always looks big and juicy? Then when you get the burger in your hands, it is flat and would fit neatly in your pocket? Somehow from the ad, to the reality, it shrinks.

The same is true when horse shopping it seems.

karen

Is anyone else tired and confused by the pissing match between the EC and AEF?

I can see that the AEF feels that their organization is threatened by a stronger national organization, and the EC wants more money to establish more national programs so it wants to get bigger. It seems one can't get bigger without one getting smaller.

I found EC's email interesting, in particular that they are trying to create standards for commercial boarding and lesson programs. That is interesting and due, but I really haven't seen any evidence of that being done/worked on.

I do kind of see that it makes sense that provincial members are included in the National organization, as certain programs such as trails and horse ID programs should be run nationally (in my opinion) but they affect the more casual provincial members.

On the other hand I think the AEF does a great job and I appreciate their presence...I do not think a national organization would do as good a job at coordinating local show schedules and member clinics/programs, or be as good at passing along local interest information. So I am torn...but I do not think the current pissing match is good for ANYONE and I think that the AEF is going about it the wrong way...they should be talking about what they DO, and where our fees to them go, and not about legal technicalities. Tell me WHY you are better than the EC, not why the EC is evil.

Karen

But what does it mean?!?

As you know I am spending a lot of time going through horse ads, and every once and a while I come across an ad for a horse where it is "guaranteed sound". Usually done so in bold, and over misspelled.

But what does that mean? Does it mean the horse is as far as the owner knows sound, so they are willing to stake their reputation on the horse's general soundness at the time of sale? That they will return all money paid if the horse is lame, or refund the cost of a vet check if the horse doesn't pass?

Maybe they have x-ray vision and know exactly what is going on inside the horse and can see that arthritic changes aren't taking place internally.

Or does it mean "please God, don't let them vet check my horse or I will never get it sold. With enough bute it should stay sound a day or two...or at least be lame on both sides enough to even it out so it looks sound..."

Or perhaps "Yep, it's sound...all 4 legs have been nerved so many times the horse can't feel anything so it could have a nail in its ankle and still wouldn't limp".

I am not sure what people mean when they say "negotiable to a good home" either. Does that mean the horse can go to a bad home for full price, but if the home is good, you can get a deal?

And I am really tired of all the photos of helmetless children sitting bareback on the unbroke colt to show how quiet it is...

Karen

Is there a time when a person looks more stupid than an adult trying to catch a rambunctious little dog?

Today after chores I went looking for Mike and Ginger, only to find them running around our yard after a scurrying dustmop. As I got closer I could indentify the dust mop as our neighbour's girlfriend's little dog Amy...a possible Shitzu crossed with a Yorkie? Cute dog, and just went crazy playing with our two...but not sure a little dog is safe with Ginger as every once and a while she looks at it like it may be a prarie dog... Plus, I don't want to be picking little Amy out of a horse's hoof, so I thought I should send her back home.

Do you know how hard it is to catch an ankle high fur ball up and down hills and around hay bales? The chase was driving Ginger crazy too as the little dog would run under things that Ginger couldn't Then its owner starts to call for her...so she runs for the fence..and crashes into it (we have mesh up to keep their other dog out from crawling over). But she doesn't learn...she just tries again and keeps running full tilt into the fence!

Perhaps the breeders bred these dogs so small the brain no longer fits?

Finally she dazed herself enough I could catch her and lift her over the fence safetly...and along with her went any desire I ever had to have a little dog...I will stick with cats for small cute pets!

Karen

I HATE horse shopping!

Rob and I left this morning with high hopes that we would find a decent lesson horse prospect; a little small, but child ridden, jumped, and a good age and breed.

So we get there...to a boarding stable that will remain unnamed...to find the horse in a smallish pen. Muddy of course, but everywhere is muddy. She looked cute, and as her owner went to catch her, I casually looked in her water tub...completely EMPTY! Not a drop of water. Hay cubes in a tiny bucket nailed to the rail that somehow the horse must wedge its head into eat out of...so the horse has hay cubes (which are dried/compressed hay) and no water. Oh, and NO shelter either (and she was on outside board).

The horse gets closer and suddenly I start to doubt her age, but her teeth showed the owner was likely accurate about her age...she was just a very skinny horse; ribs and spine sticking up. A skin pinch showed she was indeed dehydrated as well.

So we get her to the barn and Rob goes searching for a bucket and the poor girl sucks down two buckets of water without lifting her head. That is when i noticed her feet...hinds looked good, but fronts obviously hadn't been done for months...apparently the "barn arranges all farrier work", so the owner (who hadn't been out much) had no idea when she was last done, or even who the farrier was. This poor horse's heels were well over an inch longer than they should be.

At this point I was really hoping that this horse would be great and we could take her home and fatten her up...but not surprisingly she had a limp and an attitude that goes with a horse that is in pain. Poor girl. Nice horse though, but we can't buy horses out of pity anymore...so another bucket of water for the horse, and brushing off, and we left with a heavy heart. (still no water in her pen!)

I am absolutely SHOCKED that this well established boarding stable allows horses to go without water for long enough that they show signs of dehydration, and would allow a horse to get that skinny without discussing it with the owner. and leave a skinny horse without a blanket or shelter. The hoof issue...well to me that should be on the owner, but if the barn manages that to an extent that the owners don't even know who the farrier is, well, the they should also be accountable for the neglect. There isn't even a place for owners to write that the horse needs its feet done as far as the owner knew or we could see...and she looked!

And this is why I hate looking at horses...it can be so hard to leave them behind.

Karen

Hey, Joan's mom is on TV again! Part of a "Your City" thing and famous people's gravestones in Edmonton.

Well I don't think we have any H1N1 patients yet, but it does seem that there is something going around with lots of kids staying home sick. The horses are liking the break, and I am glad you are choosing to not share your germs, but I hope you all get better soon.

I am planning to get my H1N1 vaccination as soon as the wait times shorten...I think it is a good idea, but wow, is there ever a lot of misinformation out there regarding the vaccine!

On another note...it looks like Beamer will be hanging out with us for a little while longer...his owner is in Cuba enjoying the sun. At the rate he is learning he will be a 1rst level dressage horse by the time he leaves! He is such a clever little horse. I am not sure why arabs tend to have a bad reputation...I love them! Too bad they don't tend to come in 16+ hand versions so I actually fit them well enough to show them in dressage...

All the boarded horses have been dewormed as of today. I have to finish the last two Hillside horses tomorrow. THey aren't that happy with the taste of the Quest Plus...I can't blame them as I managed to taste some too...it is bitter!

Karen

Monthly reminder...

The end of the month is fast approaching, so that means board is due! October was a very expensive month for us, with new shelters needing to be built, as well as round bales being bought and prepaid, so timely payment is especially appreciated this month.

Karen

In my search for a potential lesson horse, I have found some interesting ads:

Luke is a very friendly 3 yr old palomino qh stud, blaze & 4 socks. Hes been saddled, longed, ties well, good for the farrier, and is a very calm horse. Would excel in any direction you take him. Very quiet and well mannered. For sale as an unregistered stud, he is from reg stock but no papers. Luke also has a belly nut so I would not recommend him for any breeding program. Thanks.

A belly nut?!? Took me a while to realize she meant that he has a retained testicle. Poor horse, sounds cute, but not many people are going to want a horse that needs an expensive surgery right off the bat. At least they knew how to spell longed. That has to be one of the most widely misspelled words in horse ads. It can also be "lunged", but people often write it "lounged" as in the horse knows how to lounge....yes, I am sure it does.

Of course if you want spelling errors, then buysell.com is the place to look:

BEAUTIFUL GREAT MOVING 6 YEAR OLD BAYRONE MAIR ROAD ENGLISGH AND WESTERN BY 6 AND 8 YEAR OLD GIRLS WAS SHOWN AS...

Maybe the ad was written by the 6 and 8 year old girls? Actually I think many of the ads are phoned in and typed out by someone who has no clue about horses...or spell check.

Pony Harness For A TeenComplete

I could think of a few teens that should have harnesses....

Horse shopping is so much fun.

Animal Cruelty!

I got a desperate call last night...all I could hear was frantic meows and barking. Thinking it was a crank call I ignored it...a decision that will haunt me and these sad creatures for a long time...

I will make sure to warn Bliss tonight lest there is a costume awaiting her too....

Karen

Surprise!

Anyone that came to the barn last night was in for a few surprises; #1 was the huge truck with the 40 round bales we had been eagerly awaiting. I was nervous buying sight unseen, but it is nice grass hay...just what we want to have for the horses to munch on to stay warm over the winter! #2 was Larry duck sitting at the entrance way acting liked he owned the place. I think his summer home is making him feel he is better than the rest of us. #3 was the new light in the tack room...it is so bright in there that I think it motivated Clare and Amanda to clean their tack!

karen

I have been blog lazy...

I will be deworming horses next week; Hillside horses as well as those of you who signed up for me to deworm your horses. It would be great if all the horses could be dewormed by the end of the month. Remember to use a product that addresses Tapeworms if you are deworming your own.

Amanda came up with a brilliant motivational saying today to cheer up someone whose school team keeps not winning (aka loosing). "Failing gives you the strength to succeed"

??? Huh...I thought failing meant you didn't have the strength to succeed...

But anyway, from this we got the idea of putting together a Hillside motivational calendar with candid photos of horses and students of Hillside...so we need more brilliant sayings; twelve in total.

Things along the lines of:
"Even when you compete against yourself, you can still loose" (we were thinking of a photo of Ri and his 3rd place in a class where he was the only entry...hey it was their first dressage show, give them a break!)

And this one Milo inspired when he went to jump through the opening in the deck door to get into the deck...only to find that Rob had replaced the glass...kitty went head first "thump!" so: "Using your head isn't always the best idea". Not sure of a picture for that though as I don't think throwing Milo at the door would be very ethical...maybe a photo of someone going head first into a jump? Anyone have a photo of that? If not I am sure Tango can help with that...I will just tell a new student to lean at a jump and grease the saddle...

Karen

Duck Wrangling 2009

With the cool weather appearing to be here to stay, it is time again...to bring Larry home. We have a few students, and more than a few horses that have yet to meet Larry, so that should be interesting. I wonder if Larry and Milo will get along better this year?

Remember to not let Larry outside unless you plan to watch him and herd him back into the barn; once caught we don't want him going back across the road until next year as he isn't easy to catch the second time!

Karen

I learned something new yesterday...

For a while now I have been wondering why the leaves on some of the trees have remained green despite the snow and time of year. I guess it is because we had a late spring and an early fall, so the trees didn't get enough "heat units"...or in other words they didn't get enough days of 5 degree or more temperatures. Hopefully this warm break in the weather will be enough to allow the trees to go into dormancy as well as give the horse's a second chance to grow a real winter coat!

Karen

Equine Massage Therapist

I think we are getting Cathy back out to do some body work on Diesel, so if anyone would like their horse assessed/massaged, let me know. I can't recall what the cost was last time...it isn't cheap, but she does good work and it is interesting to watch.

Her website: http://www.w4therapy.com/

Karen

Helping horses in need

An acquaintance of mine has a horse rescue down in Alabama. You can vote for her rescue (or one of your choosing!) at http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

The votes help allocate available funds to the different rescues.

the rescue I am voting for is Dusty trails horse rescue.

If you look at the new arrivals page, scroll to the bottom...how sad is that little yearling, with the "bed sores" and bony protrusions. There are many sad stories on her page, and Monica looks after all the horses pretty much by herself.

It is a tough situation in the US with high hay prices in many regions, high unemployment, and no "buyer of last resort" with slaughter no longer available in the US, so it is good that there are people like this to help the horses.

I worry that we will see more skinny horses around Edmonton with hay prices what they are this year. I am slightly relieved that our neighbours seem to be feeding their horses hay this year, so hopefully hillside won't have to feed them again this year.

Karen

Arab Empowerment Secret

I don't care that it is only a few degrees below zero...it is freaking cold out! This morning was particularly bad as it was warm enough that the snow was melting on their backs , and then the wind picked up. Poor Beamer seemed cold even after finishing his morning hay so I decided to bring him in first for training. Once in the barn I dried him off and decided it was a good day to try him out in his arab practice costume; basically a cooler that hangs to his knees and has an angled sequined strap to go around his hindquarters...and his full name spelt out in glitter. I figured his outfit would help him to dry and be warmup up quickly.

It took me a bit to figure out if it should go over or under the saddle, so I opted for over the saddle pad and under the saddle.

He lunged well in, so I got on...and he was brilliant! Suddenly straight lines and 20 meter circles at trot were possible! And what a trot...he is a powerful mover. But then...he cantered! Right lead first, and it felt good so we tried for left and he managed to that too. Pretty good for his fifth ride.

Maybe if Michelle sends me tassels for his reins he can learn to stretch out his neck a bit and do lead changes...he just wanted to be recognized as the beautiful arabian he is.

By the time we were done riding, and he had eaten his krunchies, he was all nice and dry, so it seemed a shame to send him back out into the snow and wind, so I decided to put a rain sheet on him, so I looked for a sheet to fit...guess whose fit? Bugsy's old rain sheet...13.1 hand pony mare's rain sheet fit 15.1+ hand arab gelding. He is one compact horse.

Pilgrim is going to have to lope tomorrow to catch up to Beamer...he won't want to fall behind the young whippersnapper!

Karen

A tuesday Parable

I was told a Parable a long time ago, which had appreciable wisdom, and as I age I can see how that same wisdom can transfer to other aspects of being a decent human being. The original Parable is about anger:

"A young family move to the grandparent's farm so the kids can grow up in the clean country air. The grandfather notices the young grandson playing out back with his sister. The boy is making a toy fort, but makes a mistake and takes out his frustration on his younger sister. The grandfather notices the young boy doing this again and again; every time something frustrates the boy, he gets angry with his sister, mother, or father.

One day the grandfather sees the young boy getting mad, so he goes over to him with a bucket of nails and a hammer. He shows the boy a brand new post, and tells the boy that when he is angry, he is to vent his anger by hammering nails into the post. The first time the boy hammers many nails, but as time goes on he is finding he has to do less hammering to feel his anger dissipate, until one day he realizes he is able to control his anger and no longer needs to vent it at someone or by hammering nails in the post.

He excitedly tells his grandfather that it has been two weeks since he last put a nail in the post! Grandfather tells him he is proud of him, and to mark each day that he is not venting his anger, he can pull one nail out of the post to mark the occasion. The grandson finds that taking the nails out takes much longer than putting the nails in, and that it is many months later before the post is free of nails.

The young boy takes his grandfather over to show him how he has removed all the nails from the post as a symbol of being able to control his anger. He is quite proud of himself! The grandfather takes the boy by the shoulder and asks him to look at the post. "I am proud of you for learning to control your anger, but can you see how that even though you removed all the nails from the post it is still not the same post as it was before? It is full of nail holes and no longer is as strong as it was. The same is true of angry outbursts: despite apologies and good intentions you can never completely undo the damage that an angry outburst causes to another person."

This same parable applies also to lying. Even if you apologize for the lie, the damage to the relationship is done, and the level of trust or respect will never be the same. Of course there are different levels of lies; some are "little white lies", some are meant to protect the feelings of another, but most are more selfish. If you stick with my parable, you can think of the small lies as thumb tacks, and the big ones as fencing nails. Even the thumb tack will do damage just not as much.

Kids lie as part of their developmental process, and some people just don't seem to outgrow it. Teenagers are funny in that they often seem to use lying as a power struggle and then act shocked when the adults around them no longer trust them or extend to them the same privileges and respect. The truth is that most lies are found out, and most people can sense dishonesty without knowing the precise lie. Most kids/teenagers lack the ability to keep a lie straight anyway.

Plus, even if the lie is never found out, it will still damage the relationship as there will be this guilt between you and the person you lied to.

Occassionally you know someone is lying to you, but they don't know you know. In these cases it can be fun to run with the lie and torture them until they confess.

One of our boarders is having big trouble with a coworker who is regularly lying about work related matters...things easily found out. Makes no sense and jeopardizes the company and other employees as well as customers. Why she is lying is unclear...it seems like it is to make the lives of those around her difficult.

Some lies are meant to spare feelings, but usually tact is the better way to go in the long run.

Some lies are done so someone can get their own way despite what is in their (or others) best interests...such as lying so they can go to a party or so they can avoid studying for an exam their parents don't know about. These lies are stupid as they usually just end up hurting the liar as well as damaging the trust.

People lie to avoid awkwardness (grow up), or to avoid jail. Some people lie to avoid conflict or out of fear; this kind of lie reflects badly on both parties.

And people lie to show someone else up...kind of a power struggle. Bad kind of lie.

And that is my lesson in morality for the month... anyone have anything they think they should tell me?

Karen

Thanksgiving

Either I have been raking the arena in my sleep or Amanda once again did it for me...thanks Amanda!

Rob and I went for Turkey dinner last night at my parents house. Our traditional Thanksgiving dinner means Turkey with stuffing, gravy, cranberries, mashed potatoes, Yams with Apricots and Pecans (YUMMY), buns, green beans and the dreaded mini cabbage looking things whose name escapes me right now.

I like to coat half my turkey in the sauce from the Yams and the other half in cranberries.

Mike and Ginger came along and were very well behaved earning them some Turkey. I completely forgot to bring some home for the cats though!

Things to be Thankful for this year:
My Dad's health seems to be improving and hopefully the doctors have come up with a solution. Mom is still doing great. Robs parents are doing well too, and their health seems improved from last year. I am thankful for a great bunch of boarders, lesson students and friends. I am thankful for my horses and for having a warm place to ride them this winter. I am thankful for the outdoor arena and for how many days we were able to use it this year! I am thankful for having a husband who likes the horses and is skilled and motivated to build things like an indoor arena and to repair the shelters and fencing the wind (and the horses) seems determined to destroy.

Karen

If we are so smart...

It humans are the smarter half of the horse/rider partnership, why is it that we are so quick to get after and/or punish our horses for dropping a shoulder, or being slow with a transition, yet we seem so quick to forgive ourselves for a forgotten half halt, a dropped shoulder or a tipped pelvis?

Karen

Boaders are like Cockroaches

One goes, and five more are there to take their place!



Our good friend Sailor came back for the winter, and a gorgeous warmblood filly named Tia also arrived. Someone needs to tell Tia to grow a winter coat!



Still a couple more horses to come in the beginning of November and then we will be very much full, with one very nice sounding lady and her new horse on our waiting list...so you boarders better watch your step and scoop your poop...you are replaceable!



Just kidding...I love you all and would be sad to see any of you go!



And now on a lighter note:


I am not sure who made this, but it wasn't me, so don't give me the credit! Maybe I should come up with a dressage version though...

Karen

So how many of you woke up today and though "wow, this would be a great day to do some work outside! Perhaps some post pounding!" And then realized with profound regret that you had to go to work, and so couldn't enjoy the winter wonderland outside.

No one?

Just my husband?

I think about half the post pounding we have ever done has been in the snow...it sure brings back memories of when we built the place and we were working hard to get the fencing up for boarders to be able to come for December!

Today Rob put some new posts out back so horses can go out there in November, and in the geldings field so we can put in some gates between paddocks. Watch...as soon as we get the new fencing done, and the shelters built the weather will warm up again...

Karen

Boobies

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer awareness month? I thought all summer was breast cancer awareness month as it seems to be featured on so many campaigns and fundraisers and pink ribbons are everywhere. Why is it that breast cancer gets so much publicity? You would think that breast cancer was the leading cancer in Canada, yet it is number 3 for new cases, and number 2 for deaths (in Canada). Do you know what number one is for new cases and for deaths? Anyone? Anyone at all?

If you guessed lung cancer you would be half right; lung cancer is number two for new cases and by far number one for deaths...so smokers PAY attention! Lung cancer is by FAR the most likely cancer to KILL you, yet people aren't as keen to raise money for it...there is no yellow stained ribbon on sale for lung cancer.

Number one for new cases though is prostate cancer. A cancer that only affects men. A cancer that is hard to self diagnose, although a blood test (PSA test) may help with early diagnoses...but you have to pay for it....although I don't think it is expensive. You would think the number ONE cancer in Canada would get more publicity, research and testing.

Another serious cancer in Canada? Colorectal cancer; a cancer that is evenly spread between men and women, and that is estimated to have almost as many new cases as there will be breast cancer, and almost double the deaths...but no brown ribbons for colorectal cancer.

So why is it that breast cancer gets so many more fund raisers and so much more publicity?

Is it because it seems like one of the more treatable/hopeful cancers, with the possibility of curing patients more likely? Everyone likes to back a winner...

Or is it because everyone likes boobies?

Is it human nature to want to save the women over the men? (Breast Cancer is the number 2 killer of women in Canada after lung cancer)

Or is it that the people that have the other types of cancer would rather not talk about it? That I can get too.

I personally would rather have a colon and lungs than a boob....and I am sure Rob would prefer a prostate, lungs and a colon over boobs too (they estimate 50 men will die of breast cancer in 2009 in Canada). Plus boobs can be rebuilt...not sure if the other three organs can be.

Perhaps the colon and prostate people need to come up with a cute mascot for their cause...so people won't feel they need to think about the body part itself.

We can have Colin Colon and Prostate Pete! And they can have large chested girl friends! That will get attention...it always comes back to the boobs.

Karen

It may come as a suprise to you...

But the roads are a tad on the icey side...

The first snow fall of winter always seems to bring out the most accidents. I don't think it is only because we aren't used to driving in the snow, I think it is also because the roads are still so warm that the snow hits them and causes a layer of water and ice. On our way back home today we witnessed a truck pulling a small trailer fishtailing; its trailer got caught in the berm and spun the truck around before the two parted company. I was amazed the fellow kept as much control of his truck as he did. Fortunately the big trucks that were behind him were able to stop in time to avoid a casualty.

I imagine it will only get worse as the temperature drops for the night and the water on the road freezes under the still falling snow, so if anyone feels unsafe coming out tonight, make up lessons are available on Saturday or next Wednesday at 7....just let me know.

Also ....
This is my one hundreth blog post! go me!

Karen

New Freestyles!

So I am determined to do better at Freestyle next year, and Equine Canada is helping! They have new guidelines for what is allowed and not allowed that will be written right on the tests. I think Clare should also do a Freestyle with Sunny or with Whisper. These clearly set up rules and allowed movements would have been nice to know this year! I think I have my test planned for next year...I am going for a much higher difficulty so lots of work this winter.

karen

Here's a shock...

After spending two days really cold I am sick today! Shocking! Not sure if it is the flu though...more likely a migrain. Janine was kind enough to text me to let me know we are in for another windstorm tomorrow. ENOUGH OF THE WIND! Snow in the forecast too, so time to make sure the winter blankets are in the barn and ready to go.

Karen

Well Sunday of the show was again cold...but this time it was also wet! Yippy. Footing was good in the dressage ring, but a few horses slipped in the jumpers. I don't think it was so much a problem with the footing as a problem with the riders not riding for the conditions. I felt extra sorry for the horses in tight standing martingales who couldn't use their necks to balance.

The Hillside team wasn't as stellar as yesterday; Fancy and Sara were tired (but were reserve champion of the 2'9" division!), Ri was good, but I think he was getting tired/frazzled too, as just before Amanda's second last class he decided her jacket was a harbinger of death to be spooked at. Whisper had good moments punctuated by anxiety...but still much better than last year.

I kept myself warm by looking after the gate for the dressage ring when I was free...for some reason I like looking after the in gate and helping the riders know where they are at and keeping things running smoothly.

I have also learned that getting out and helping, even in an unofficial capacity, is appreciated and is as good advertising/networking as anything; people get to know who you are and feel like they can approach you when you are helping out.

And now a trip down memory lane....When I was a teenager I knew that deep down I wanted a career with horses, although I really didn't see how it would be possible, as I didn't want to muck stalls or groom for the rest of my life...and all the trainers I knew got their start from parents in the business of through independent wealth. That didn't stop me from still working hard towards this apparently unattainable goal; I groomed for kids with their own horses (sometimes for pay, sometimes for lunch, and sometimes just for a sharing of knowledge), I assisted with lessons, and I hung out helping when I could. Eventually I became the official groom to a trainer, and teaching, but still cleaned stalls, volunteering to help on Holidays if needed. I figured the more things I did, not only the more money I would make, but the more doors I might open. At shows I didn't just help my trainers, but I also helped other trainers if needed by holding horses, setting jumps if I was standing there anyway and so on. Sometimes the pompousness of the people I worked for would wear off on me, but for the most part I tried to stay true to myself.

I think this is why I felt welcomed by the trainers from "the good old days" even though I am not at the jumping shows much anymore, and I think my past actions, from back before I ever saw Hillside as a possibility, are carrying me in good stead now.

That doesn't mean I was or am nice to everyone though...sometimes picking your enemies wisely is also important; knowing what or who you stand against can help define you, and can help motivate. I cannot watch cruelty idly, or poor ethics.

I like this better than how it was with my old trainers. I like that I feel a mutual respect with the trainers i know and respect from the old days. I like that I don't feel it is an "us against them" thing, and that I can go to them for advice or trust them not to steal clients....it definitely wasn't like that at the barn I used to be at! I am happy having Hillside be a farm team for bigger barns if I have students that wish to move on and be more focused on showing and do bigger and better things, and I think it would be good for the industry if barns worked together to help clients be with a program that best suites them; either depending on their focus or depending on the teaching style & system.

Karen

Apparently Milo agrees

So as I sat typing the last blog...I saw a big blur and heard a thump on a big living room window. it seems Milo was trying to jump on the back of the sofa and under estimated the strength of the window.

Poor guy really wants to be an indoor house cat now that is starting to get cold out, but he is just too mean to Fluffy little Kit Kat and she came her first.

Poor kitty.

karen

To summerize:cold

Today was day 1 of the Amberlea show. Overcast, windy and COLD. Fortunately very little rain fell, and it waited until all but Clare were done. I had planned to wait until Clare rode her second test...but coldness and tiredness won out. I was pretty happy to come home to find Rob had supper ready!

Ri was once again a steady little dressage horse, and placed in all 4 of his classes, with Amanda breaking into the 60's today! The ribbons are SO pretty. The real start of the day though was Sara and Fancy; they won their 2'9" jumper class posting a double clear, and then were 4th in the 2'9" jumper medal! Hopefully she can repeat the magic for stake day!

Ironically Ri's old owner is stabled next to us.

Also stabled next to us is a barn that thinks it is a good idea to tack their three horses up in the alley making it extremely difficult to get horses past them. I am not talking putting finishing touches together either...I am talking three horses tied up for over 30 minutes...in a narrow alley with tack boxes and such. Last thing I want to do when I am hurrying for a class is to dodge behind three horses I don't know who are tied so close together that it doesn't feel safe to push them over into each other. I really do not get what is so hard about tacking up in ones stall!

Also interesting was the warm up ring for Sara's medal class...four horses also in the jumpers with their heads tied to their chest via a overly tight standing martingale. Two were attached to cavessons, so although disturbingly tight, not what I consider cruel over little jumps, but the other two...yikes. There was the uber tight standing done up to the stiff, and very tight rope noseband (OUCH!), but even worse? Someone had a standing martingale done up to a figure-8 noseband! A figure 8 noseband loops high on the horse's face, and then down around the jaw...so a pull on the martingale would cause the thin straps to pull the fragile bones of the horse's lower jaw up into its upper jaw. The trainer was someone I more or less respect and should know better. What happened to training? What happened to actually learning to ride? And this was an equitation class! Horsemanship people!

The best part for me about this show is the nice chats I have had with some of the other trainers. I don't go to a lot of jumping shows, and on Friday I kind of felt out of my element and missed the familiar faces at the dressage shows, but it didn't take long to feel welcome by some of the other trainers that I know from my past, and from recent transactions. It was nice to talk to Linda about her transformations over the years and how she figured out how to balance riding and home life, and to listen to her words of experience. It was good to catch up with Kris, and with Cheryl too, both trainers I like to have a good relationship with and support. I had a fair number of trainers ask if I had horses for sale too...maybe I am missing a possible niche for Hillside?

So...for tomorrow....I am going to dress warmer! And hopefully the horses do as well or better tomorrow!

Karen