Our New Pony?

This is Caviar and called "Cavy" for short.  She has a sweet nature and is about 12'3"... maybe bigger.  She hasn't been ridden for two years, but used to show, I believe.  My girls have sat on her bareback and are having fun brushing her and doing some groundwork with her.  We plan on taking a few lessons with James Cooler of "Cooler Horsemanship".  (Click if you love horses! - you won't be disappointed)

We will decide in a few weeks if all goes well - and I really have a wonderful feeling that everything will.  We will board her here at the farm she is currently at as it is close by our home and it has trails, beautiful pastures and is under wonderful management.  Obviously, we will have a veterinarian visit her as well.

How do you decide to purchase a horse?  Do you ask for a trial period or do you buy on the spot?

Wordless Wednesday #2

...not a corgi...

... a Goldendoodle.  This is Mackinaw and he is not a typical "barn" dog.  It seems horse people are dog people, too!  I see a TON of Corgis around horses.  What type of dogs do you have?

Mac did a great job watching and waiting, but I couldn't let him loose.  He barked a few times while he sat in the shade (with a bowl of water), but I think he will stay at home as the new barn we will be at doesn't allow people to bring their dogs along.  And that's OK... I'm not sure how much Mac liked the horses, anyway.

I entered the above photo in "The Creative Exchange".   A challenge where there ARE (in my opinion) a lot of perfect photos, but it is more about capturing the moment, a look, a feeling.  Click on the challenge name to be transported to Lisa Gordon's welcoming blog.

Sunday Stills - Black & White or Sepia Challenge

I had a hard time selecting which one I liked better ... but I think I like the slight detail on the Paint horse and his profile is better in the second photo, although the man is a bit more clear in the top one.  Thanks to various challenges, silhouettes and reflections are something I find myself keeping an eye out for.

This is for "Sunday Stills", Adventures in Photography.

A Pony of Their Own?

We currently are leasing this sweet pony but are looking at a pony or two next week as we are considering buying one.  I love the idea of the bonding that can occur with a pony because of its size.  I know children grow so fast, but I have two younger ones who might be interested and I really do think it will make them better riders in the long run.  

How many of you like the idea of ponies for children... or, if you have children, did they start out riding on a horse right away?

In The Barn "Horse Portraits"

These are not  my horses but I have enjoyed taking photos of them.  The big guy on the left is over 17 hands and very friendly.  The lady on the right just found out she was pregnant.

A horses gestation period is 11 months, 11 days.  Wow.   I have a while to wait for this baby to arrive.

I just adore the inside of a barn even though I prefer pasture boarding a horse, myself.  These stalls are rather roomy and these two get outside quite often.  I found him laying done in his stall in a deep sleep the other day curled up like a baby.  It was so sweet.  Of course, that's the time I don't have my camera on me!  

Wordless Wednesday #1

Bareback Beginnings - Is it a Good Thing?

Icy is a sweet girl, a 7 year old pony with a bit of barn sourness in her.  She is quickly overcoming that with almost daily handling and a plucky girl who is just about as stubborn as a pony!

I began my horseback riding experience as a young girl riding bareback.  My mom felt it was the best way to learn to have excellent balance and coordination while riding a horse.  I'm not worried about injury as my girls wear a helmet (something I never did) and they really don't have far to fall.  My girls are not pulling on her mouth to overcompensate as initially they did take riding lessons with a saddle and they learned the reining then.   I remind them to keep their heels lower than their toes - this is something I do even when they are in a saddle.

I was reading that bareback riding is not easier on a horses back and they prefer a saddle.  Hmm.  I usually always rode my horse bareback as a girl (I was light weight) and I think he preferred that during the hot summer months.

My plan is to alternate between the saddle and bareback.  Does anyone have any thoughts on the subject?

The Mini "Black Stallion"

 

Two of my daughters and I went to an open horse show this weekend.  My thoughts and photos of that will be posted in the next few days.  This stallion and mare miniature horse stopped us with their adorable looks and personalities.   I had a bit of photoshop fun - this reminds me of the scratch art I used to do as a kid... but a bit more detailed!

HERE is a website if you want to learn more about these horses.

Isn't she a sweetie?  I just love her fluffy mane ... Why does she remind me of "Lady Gaga"!?  LOL

My sister took on two "rescue" minis a few years back for a time and found the pair a forever home in Illinois.  I only saw them "fat and happy", but the two below were in terrible shape when my sister took them on.   The went to a home that already had a few minis and these two are very happy pulling a cart as well.   Some stories do have a happy ever after!

An Early American Saddle Horse?

This is a statue that resides in a nearby park commemorating the American victory in the Revolutionary War.   It is of Southern Army General Nathanael Greene atop his horse.  In the 1700's Thoroughbreds were bred with the Narraganset Pacer and the foundation for the American Saddlebred was laid.  I have been reading many books on horses and I read that the Saddlebred was the preferred mount for many generals during the civil war.  Take a look at this magnificent horse...do you think he was an early American Saddle Horse?

If you are interested in reading more history on the American Saddlebred, please click "HERE".

"Buck", the movie, "The Soul of a Horse", a book, & the Blocker Tie Ring

I really like this photo I took - it reminds me of a scene out of an old west movie.  Speaking of movies, I'm excited to see the movie "Buck" a movie that was created to "move people to make changes in how they deal with horses and life's challenges.  "HERE" is a website if you are looking for more information.  I love the b&w photos that are on the page I linked.

A book I am reading and enjoying now is "The Soul of a Horse" by Joe Camp.  He also has a blog HERE.  I find it very interesting that the common hitching post is really quite dangerous - and a simple solution could be done to correct this!  Just  saw off the ends that stick out - the horses rope or rein often gets looped around and the horse becomes fearful when he finds he has a very short rope.  In his book, Joe Camp describes how his horse pulled back in sheer panic and took out the entire post, concrete and all...

The solution... a Blocker Tie Ring.  Does anyone reading this have one or ever heard of one?  I know there are break-a-way halters, but this ring seems even better.  I can only imagine if my horse got away, it would be easier to catch him if he had a halter on...  

"Buddies"

Two "lovebirds" from across the street, and a more playful moment earlier this spring:

I am really excited as my girls and I are visiting a farm today to check out a pony and a few horses that are for lease.  We currently are half leasing a wonderful pony for the next month or so.  I just need to find a horse that is the right fit. 

The "Fabio" of Biltmore Estates

And here he is with a little Photoshop "touchup":

I posted this "big boy" on my "Art Happens 365" blog, but thought it would be fun to revisit a few photos for  this "Just Horses" blog.  So here are a few more photos of Belgians that grace this beautiful place in the mountains of Asheville, NC.

Sunset Profile

This image was snapped a few days ago and I gave it to my friend.  She loves her big horse and he is a gentle, kind soul.  My girls and I are leasing a pony in this big boy's barn and riding lessons are coming along real nicely.