Dover Photography Contest

Dover is having their 2011 Photo Contest: The Photo Contest begins August 16, 2011. The uploading and voting period will be open until September 30, 2011 (12 noon EST). Beginning September 30, 2011 - after 12 noon EST - we will no longer accept photos for the contest. The final voting period will be open until October 14, 2011. The contest officially ends on October 14, 2011. 

I have submitted these nine photos and hope to go back tomorrow and get a better halter photo above (It is a break-a-way halter that I bought from Dover and will use when he trailers places.  Oberon wouldn't cooperate with me and put his ears forward... he was too busy munching down on the green grass. There are eight different categories to enter.

I encourage you to go to the site and enjoy the photos and click away on the ones you like.  Mine are by no means the best and I am not begging for votes.  But the beautiful photography of others has given me lots of ideas for next year!

"Buck Brannaman" seminar this weekend in nearby Reidsville, NC

Buck Brannaman?  Hmm, I think we'll stay here and keep an eye on the place while you're gone

Well, these two mares could use a bit of work and they are for lease with "a bit of work needed" in mind.  The horse is a bit shy and needs lots of handling and the pony has been riderless for a few years and is fat and a bit head strong (as a pony tends to be!)  But both are naturally sweet mares.  My two girls will soon be doing ground work with the pony as they take turns on our QH Oberon.

Buck Brannaman Horsemanship & Cow Working Clinc will be at Flintrock Farm from Friday September 30 - October 3, 2011.  Dotti & Larry Davis are sponsoring this event and I called them. Larry is a real charming man and encouraged me to bring my daughters.  I have decided to take them out of school on Friday to enjoy the day.  It begins at 9:00 am and we will bring our lawn chairs and a picnic basket, although food will be available to purchase.  The cost is $25 a day.

Below is a great interview with Buck:



Larry shared with me a few other names he enjoys in the horse world, however, I could tell he hesitated when I used the term "Natural Horsemanship".  He went on to say there is nothing "natural" that we do with horses as humans and that he can tell more about a person in a few minutes by watching how their horse behaves, and I have to agree with him.

One name he mentioned was Bryan Neubert and I can't remember the rest he mentioned.

I will, of course, bring my camera and will share what we see and learn this weekend!

The Morgan Horse - a horse of childhood dreams

If I hadn't vacationed in MI and found my QH gelding, Oberon, this is the Morgan horse I would have bought for my girls.  He is still for sale and most likely further along in his training.  He was green when we rode him, but so gentle, so sweet.  I have linked him HERE and he is also on dreamhorse come.  His asking price is $4,500.00 obo.   I considered keeping Oberon for myself and buying this guy for my girls, but made the hard choice of wanting a taller horse and a part Friesian for myself.

Below is an 1888 drawing of a Morgan horse - I'd say the above fellow is true to type...

from "Dunton's Spirit of the Turf", September 15, 1888 issue

I fell in love with the Morgan horse reading Marguerite Henry's "Justin Morgan Had a Horse", and enjoyed many other books written by her as well.  Another series of horse books I loved were "Billy and Blaze".  C.W. Anderson's illustrations still enthrall me.

Another series of horse books I loved were "Billy and Blaze". What horse books did you love as a child?

Watch This VIDEO!! And Read the Book "The Eighty Dollar Champion" by Elizabeth Letts

Book Cover for "Eighty Dollar Champion by Elizabeth Letts

I was planning on finishing the book and then giving my reaction and thoughts to it here on my blog, but I am on the third chapter and I am spellbound.  The author does a wonderful job below sharing what this book is about...  It is the best read I have had in a long time...  Maybe the best due to the fact I love horses and an underdog...  

The Pedicure...

Two years ago I had my first pedicure and I loved it!  40+ years were shaved off my heels and they were actually pretty!  But now, in the name of love,  I have opted to forgo such spa treatment in order for my horse's feet to look great.   I am hoping to keep Oberon barefoot.  The ferrier said his feet looked great but perhaps a tad dry.  So off to the store I went...

and based on advice I received, I selected Pro-Care plus.  It's easy - I just brush it under and over every bit of Oberon's hooves.  I plan to alternate every few days with Bag Balm - or at least I think I will... the brush that comes with Pro-Care is so EASY to use and the Bag Balm is more like a moist paste and I need to find a rag to apply it.   I also purchased Thrush Buster - getting ready for the wet and rainy season.   But REALLY, there are so many products - it's like standing at the cosmetic counter at Macy's!


What do you use for your horses hooves?

This is how relaxed I used to look in my massage chair while getting my wonderful pedicure - I hope he appreciates my sacrifice. 

Danger lurks around every corner...

The beautiful scene below was not the danger.  Oberon did look twice at a dark crevice and snorted at it before deciding it wouldn't eat him...  I stood at a top of a small hill to get the two photos below.  The red version of the water surface was played with in PhotoShop and is for "Photo Art Friday".   I think it looks a bit like Modern Art...

Do you like this scene better in color or b@w?  The photo above is for Weekend Reflections #104 which I will link up to tonight.

The logging tractors were VERY loud, but Oberon seemed to not mind them so much as long as they kept their distance...

The danger came from the water faucet above.   I have given Oberon a drink from this bucket a number of times.  But as he raised his head from the bucket, his bridle got caught on the blue spout and he PANICKED, backed up and I really didn't have much time to respond before it was all over.  Thank goodness his bridle came off easily and he stopped immediately as soon as the pressure was gone.  In the blink of an eye, disaster could have taken place!  HERE are a few experiences and comments about leaving a halter on while in the paddock or barn.  (I never keep a halter on Oberon in the pasture)  If I ever use this again, I will pick the bucket up and move it well away.

So, my question is do you keep a halter on your horse in the pasture?  Do you feel it is OK to keep a break-a-way halter on in the pasture or paddock?  I have read instances when even these types of halters don't work, but I know people who do release them outside with them on.   I believe it will be wise for me to send a break-a-way halter to my horse Rudy when he is transported from Illinois to North Carolina.

Safe in his own pasture drinking from the big tank... don't the reflections look like diamonds?  

Horse Portrait: Mystic

Above is Oberon's "roommate", Mystic.  (I am participating in "The Creative Exchange" with the b&w photo).  He is so lucky to be with two sweet geldings.  My 3-1/2 year old Friesian/QH will be added to the mix in a couple of weeks.  His name is Rudy (Rudolph Valentino) and I can only hope he fits in well with these guys.

Oberon really loves Buddy too.  He follows him around like a puppy.  Buddy is Clydesdale and Friesian, but obviously the Clydesdale gene is dominant!  Doesn't Buddy have the sweetest eyes?