Yes, we got a new dog. She came with the name Jetta, but we aren't sure if we are going to keep the name....Jetta and Ginger are too similar.
She is black with white paws and all legs, tail, and slobbery mouth. She was a stray picked up by the pound in November. Someone must have cared for her at some time as she was already spayed and tattooed when she came in. It turned out that at a little over a month she was there second longest of all the dogs they had. Not sure why, but maybe because she is quite tall?
Ginger isn't sure what to think other than to make sure her ball is protected. The cats are still in hiding. Rolo has been poked in the bum by her nose, but that was it.
Now the horses are of more excitement to Jetta. She feared she was going to be eaten by Magnus. A healthy fear is a good thing I think. Rob will have his work cut out for him to get her barn safe before he goes back to work next week!
Pictures coming soon!
Oh, and if you have room for another cat...the SPCA has a special price on kitties. And there are so many cute ones. I must say the kitty houses look pretty good; lots of toys, beds, and some even have water features, but I am sure they miss laps to sit in, and black pants to shed on...
Karen
Monday, December 26, 2011
The after Christmas nap day
Rob and I hope everyone had a great Christmas, hopefully surrounded by family, friends and pets.
Rob and I had a lovely Christmas eve with his family, and then a loud one with mine. I got a little teary when mom said grace as that was dad's role and tradition, but it was a good day overall. My sister's three kids are a lot to take in when you aren't used to young, Christmas filled children though! Poor Rob got a lecture from my 7 year old neice about excusing himself from the table...Ginger on the other hand got a plate full of Turkey left over from my nephew.
Rob's mom does the traditional Ukrainian type dinner, and it is nice to have this new set of traditions to look forward to each year. Both his brothers and nephews were present which was also nice...but Rose and I were the only girls...making for a much quieter dinner.
The next time you are in the barn look for a red clothe binder...it is a scrap book that Amelia and Mirande made of most of the horses. You have to forgive some of the spelling, but it is an entertaining book and has some very cool pictures!
Once we get outside for lessons you will appreciate Rob's gift to me; a voice amplifier so the neighbours (and riders) can better hear what I am saying without me having to yell. It is pretty cool. I might try it indoors too, but not sure I want you to hear all that I whisper to the cat....
For Christmas day Rob and I went for a walk with Ginger out back. It really is beautiful back there this time of year and there isn't so much snow that it is hard to walk. Of course the horses were all on high alert as we headed back to the horse feilds...they weren't sure what we were, but apparently we were going to eat them, and even gingerbread cookies weren't enough to convince them otherwise.
Hope you all have a restful Boxing Day!
Karen
Rob and I had a lovely Christmas eve with his family, and then a loud one with mine. I got a little teary when mom said grace as that was dad's role and tradition, but it was a good day overall. My sister's three kids are a lot to take in when you aren't used to young, Christmas filled children though! Poor Rob got a lecture from my 7 year old neice about excusing himself from the table...Ginger on the other hand got a plate full of Turkey left over from my nephew.
Rob's mom does the traditional Ukrainian type dinner, and it is nice to have this new set of traditions to look forward to each year. Both his brothers and nephews were present which was also nice...but Rose and I were the only girls...making for a much quieter dinner.
The next time you are in the barn look for a red clothe binder...it is a scrap book that Amelia and Mirande made of most of the horses. You have to forgive some of the spelling, but it is an entertaining book and has some very cool pictures!
Once we get outside for lessons you will appreciate Rob's gift to me; a voice amplifier so the neighbours (and riders) can better hear what I am saying without me having to yell. It is pretty cool. I might try it indoors too, but not sure I want you to hear all that I whisper to the cat....
For Christmas day Rob and I went for a walk with Ginger out back. It really is beautiful back there this time of year and there isn't so much snow that it is hard to walk. Of course the horses were all on high alert as we headed back to the horse feilds...they weren't sure what we were, but apparently we were going to eat them, and even gingerbread cookies weren't enough to convince them otherwise.
Hope you all have a restful Boxing Day!
Karen
Friday, December 23, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Still waiting for confirmation from Shelley, but it looks like she will be up the 14th and 15th for a dressage clinic. I am excited as I really like Shelley!
Make sure to talk to me this week if you want to adjust your riding over the holidays I would like to take some evenings off early if I can move enough lessons to the day times. If you have extra time to ride, let me know as well as I can do extra lessons too.
I am teaching on Christmas eve from 9:30 - 11:30. Changes to the holiday schedule will be posted in the barn.
This week in lessons we are going to be working on some counter bending. Not sure for jumping yet, but a small grid will be involved.
Karen
Make sure to talk to me this week if you want to adjust your riding over the holidays I would like to take some evenings off early if I can move enough lessons to the day times. If you have extra time to ride, let me know as well as I can do extra lessons too.
I am teaching on Christmas eve from 9:30 - 11:30. Changes to the holiday schedule will be posted in the barn.
This week in lessons we are going to be working on some counter bending. Not sure for jumping yet, but a small grid will be involved.
Karen
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Dressage Clinic anyone?
Would anyone be interested in participating in a Shelley Malbeuf clinic in January? I have ridden with her before when she lived in Edmonton, but then she moved down south to the US to compete and I lost touch. Now she is based out of Calgary and is willing to come to Sherwood Park to teach if I can get enough people interested. I would likely want her up for 2-3 days, and it would be about $90 for a private lesson depending on how many took part, and something less for a semi-private.
May consider sharing her fee with another local barn to get enough people, but will also consider allowing people to haul in for a lesson if they want.
So, if you are interested, let me know!
Karen
May consider sharing her fee with another local barn to get enough people, but will also consider allowing people to haul in for a lesson if they want.
So, if you are interested, let me know!
Karen
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Christmas Party went well yesterday. Finally decent weather for it! Always hard to try to schedule it so as many people as possible can make it so tried to go earlier in the month...I also find it helps to get me in the Christmas spirit. Thank you to everyone who came.
I am willing to teach during the day over the holidays if I can then teach less at night, so if you are interested in day time weekday lessons OR if you are going to be away over the holidays please let me know so I can do up a lesson schedule.
Also, starting in 2012, all the lesson horses will have their own set of brush boots. Right now all but Kokanee has a pair, so if you are riding one of the other horses, please come talk to me about how to put the brush boots on. I will try to do up a diagram that explains it too. Zander, Rocket and Roxy all have the same kind, Gody has a different kind but they go on similarly.
In lessons this week I am not sure yet what I will be doing, but I have bought a book "50 ways to torture your lesson students" that I will be putting to use soon. It will be fun. For me.
Karen
I am willing to teach during the day over the holidays if I can then teach less at night, so if you are interested in day time weekday lessons OR if you are going to be away over the holidays please let me know so I can do up a lesson schedule.
Also, starting in 2012, all the lesson horses will have their own set of brush boots. Right now all but Kokanee has a pair, so if you are riding one of the other horses, please come talk to me about how to put the brush boots on. I will try to do up a diagram that explains it too. Zander, Rocket and Roxy all have the same kind, Gody has a different kind but they go on similarly.
In lessons this week I am not sure yet what I will be doing, but I have bought a book "50 ways to torture your lesson students" that I will be putting to use soon. It will be fun. For me.
Karen
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
winter...it is winter right?
I go out to the barn this morning to find rivers of melting water. Nothing like 8 above in winter to make life at the barn a slippery mess. Be very careful when leading horses, and try to stick to the paths others have taken. I have put down some sand/shavings where I have to lead the horses to bring in and out which helps, but if you try to walk on the fresh snow, you may find ice underneath!
Another note, is to watch out for Ginger a bit. She is supposed to be on limited exercise due to a paw injury, so I would prefer she stayed in the barn, or on supervised outings. It is hard to limit her though, as now she is on some medication she feels so much better and doesn't want to be stuck close to me!
Lessons this week will focus on things similar to last week; riding broken lines and using jumping at an angle to make the lines easier to ride.
Karen
Another note, is to watch out for Ginger a bit. She is supposed to be on limited exercise due to a paw injury, so I would prefer she stayed in the barn, or on supervised outings. It is hard to limit her though, as now she is on some medication she feels so much better and doesn't want to be stuck close to me!
Lessons this week will focus on things similar to last week; riding broken lines and using jumping at an angle to make the lines easier to ride.
Karen
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Our Internet has been very flaky this week. Amazing how dependent I am on it for communication and entertainment!
Wanted to remind everyone that it is the Hillside Christmas Party next weekend (the 11th). Information is posted at the barn; we are once again doing a secret Santa ($22 value) and potluck snacks.
If anyone should feel the need to buy Rob or I anything for Christmas...we enjoy eating, herbal tea (and sometimes non-herbal), Rob likes wine, I like books or all varieties, Coregel would like a new Warmblood sized halter for her giant head, the lesson horses would like cookies, carrots and apples...and possibly new brushes, Charlie would like a cat toy, and Ginger would just like for people to eat sloppily at the Christmas party so she can help "clean up".
A new, non dollar store clock for the barn would also be nice so I don't have to fix the time every month as it falls further and further behind.
Just remember it will likely be -35 for the party...we seem to cause cold temperatures!
Karen
Wanted to remind everyone that it is the Hillside Christmas Party next weekend (the 11th). Information is posted at the barn; we are once again doing a secret Santa ($22 value) and potluck snacks.
If anyone should feel the need to buy Rob or I anything for Christmas...we enjoy eating, herbal tea (and sometimes non-herbal), Rob likes wine, I like books or all varieties, Coregel would like a new Warmblood sized halter for her giant head, the lesson horses would like cookies, carrots and apples...and possibly new brushes, Charlie would like a cat toy, and Ginger would just like for people to eat sloppily at the Christmas party so she can help "clean up".
A new, non dollar store clock for the barn would also be nice so I don't have to fix the time every month as it falls further and further behind.
Just remember it will likely be -35 for the party...we seem to cause cold temperatures!
Karen
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