These frigid nights have caused some water line freezing problems, frozen hoses, foot thick ice in the troughs. It's been a nightmare quite honestly. Not laughing till today. The ice was broken-metaphorically speaking.

In my attempt to fill empty troughs with 14 horses waiting patiently, I fire up the generator and find not a drop of water coming out of the hose. ARGHHHH. I spoke a few choice words under my breath and sighed. Off I go to town to purchase a blower/heater to defrost the line, figuring it's a repeat of last Sunday's watering experience. I spend an hour in town explaining my needs to the local farm supply store. They lent a sympathetic ear but had nothing I could use.

Defeated, I go back up the Center and thought I'd try my little propane torch-hoping not to melt the plastic water line. As I ignite the torch and spend half an hour sitting in the snow defrosting things, I look over and notice the plug to the generator laying in the snow. My clue that I never even plugged the pump into the generator!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I couldn't believe it. Well..yes I could actually. How stupid could I be?! Duh. No wonder there wasn't water coming out.

As I confess my embarrasing error, I realize I was the only one who knew what I did. However, I did have a dozen horses looking over the fence at me! Happy that I keep them entertained.

Short version of 2010

Looking back on 2010 there sure was a lot of developing, goal setting and progress that occurred for us at The Center.. Let's take a little walk down memory lane...

January- An 8 member board of directors were formed.
February-I spent many hours with a professional in the field of "branding" our organization, coming up with a name and mission statement and much, much more.
March- Begin to make plans for relocating 11 horses to the new property which had not one strand of fencing on the 70 acres.
April 10th- moved the horses to Johnson! April 13- Thirty volunteers show up on a snowy day to help out!
May-spent two great weeks in Switzerland training and teaching! Followed by a grand promo event at Belmont Race Track.
June-Reality sets in. We have a lot of land and need a lot of help.
July-volunteers come out of the woodwork. Horses coming and going for training, lots of lessons, visitors and MORE HELP comes!
August- The height of the season and I'm teaching, training and out promoting the horses full time +.
September- We become officially incorporated in the state of Vermont! Plans for indoor arena begin, thanks to a generous donation.
October-Winter right around the corner and we continue to nail down our programs, goals and short and long term plans.
November- New website is up and running with Paypal!
December-Continue to haul, lug, drag, carry and shovel our way into the new year as we not so patiently await the delivery of the indoor arena.

We're gonna ROCK 2011!

half full, or half empty?

It's been that kind of a day. Or week, or month, however I want to look at it. Looking at the glass as half full is always a good thing, too. Maybe it's because of the rare occurance of the winter solstice, full moon and eclipse all on the same day but something is going on beyond my control.

Truck breakdown, new fencer battery dead, horses playing Houdini, generator not working, hoses frozen on watering day, etc. etc. etc.

Many people I've spoken with in the last few days are experiencing multiple headaches (not literal headaches in some cases, but major inconveniences we can call them.) I'm just trying to stay afloat physically, mentally and spiritually. And humorously. It's hard to laugh at myself when in the midst of "inconveniences". Looking at it from, "it could always be worse" perspective or, "there are those with much worse problems and I -should -count -my-blessings -this- is- all- I- have- to -deal -with" train of thought is helpful. Perspective is important. Continuing to be grateful for all that I DO have and grateful to those that reach out to help in so many ways.

Thank goodness for good health, good friends, and goodness of people that are known, and unknown. In these challenging financial times many have reached out to support our work and with out their generosity The Center for America's First Horse would not be where we are today, both literally, and figuratively speaking.

In the spirit of the season,

Stephanie

Minko's lucky day!

The Center for America's First Horse has a special friend in Pennsylvania. She has fallen for Minko, a young Choctaw colt she first met when he was only months old. Now Minko is three years old and they've reunited over the internet.

Annie sent Minko a generous care package today. He can hardly wait to try on his new halters, eat his treats, and wear the beautiful mane decorations. Christmas came early for him!

Annie signed her note to him, "From your foster family. xoxoxo"! We are very lucky to have Annie and her husband Ralph part of The Center. Thank you!!!!

A taste of humble pie

Mmmmmm, good!

Working with horses can be a humbling experience. Caring for them can be a humbling experience. Caring for them in an environment which is not really even suitable for the human to be exposed to can be humbling.

That pretty much sums up my week so far! Our lovely Vermont weather has been in full swing. Big snow, followed by big rain, followed by ice, wind, then more rain and finally snow again today. We went from 40+ degrees to about 15 degrees in less than 12 hours. No problem if one has an office job and a short commute home.

No need to go into details of what fun I've had. I've been rescued more than a few times in the last week by my peers, friends, and volunteers. Thank goodness is all I can say because if it wasn't for their help I'd have lost my sense of humor a long time ago.

Each day is certainly a new adventure--counting the weeks till the arena is delivered and installed. Can she persevere?!!!! Stay tuned for tomorrows blog to find out!

Holiday Festival

Join us on Saturday, December 11 for the annual Johnson Holiday Festival from 11-4 at Johnson Elementary school.

Oscar and Montego will be on hand to greet the community and we'll have a table set up inside selling our merchandise! Should be a fun time and let's hope not too cold since I'll be standing outside with the horses while Jo and Joanne tend to the table inside. Where it'll be warm. And cozy. And they'll probably be sipping hot cider!

Thanks goes out to two Johnson State College students, John and Lucas, who put in some volunteer hours today! Awesome job with the shovels, guys! AND...they're coming back tomorrow to help move hay. I felt like a queen not having to break my back shoveling the trailer out and making paths.

Please continue to spread our message by sharing our website with your friends! Our sponsorship program, buy-a-bale for $5, gift certificates and more are all available at our online store. New items coming up soon! http://centerforamericasfirsthorse.org/e-store.html

The storm left us with almost 2 feet of snow. oh joy. Not to sound like sour grapes but it really wasn't what I needed right now. Still struggling with frozen water source, trying to avoid spending big bucks on plowing the monster of a driveway, and to top things off my round bale delivery was postponed due to the storm so that means some serious shlepping of hay.

Thank goodness for volunteers!

It has stopped snowing. Will dig out today, get the driveway plowed and hope hay comes Thursday. It's all about one thing at a time.

a White Christmas?

A lot of white stuff falling out of the sky. I'm expecting close to 2 feet once all is said and done with this storm. Makes for some creative watering, feeding, cleaning, driving.

Good news...we've had great response to our new site! Thank you everyone for you kind comments and encouragement.

The paypal button is working great! We've already sold half of the first printing of our Holiday greeting card. A one of a kind card featuring Iktinike, the Choctaw stallion who sired Little Creek and Minko. 6 for $15 or $3 each http://centerforamericasfirsthorse.org/e-store.html
There's still time to order yours now!

Or consider gifting a horse sponsorship for one month . A great idea for that person on your list that already has everything. They'll receive a sponsorship packet and a special gift!

Happy Holidays!

work smarter, not harder

I'm always looking for ways to work more efficiently, save money and spend more quality time with the horses.

Round bales are my current answer! Was fortunate to find a supplier of good quality rounds for a good price-about 50 miles away but worth it. Got a sample bale for the 4 boys and Maya living together to see if they liked it before I purchased a months worth. They looked at me this morning like, "I'm stuffed!"

If it works out like I plan where all three groups of horses can be served a free choice round bale, then I may cut my hay bill in half. That's significant. It's a win win situation since they'll be able to eat all day during the cold weather we're coming into now. May have some plump ponies by the end of the winter but that's okay since we get 5 months of cold, wet, windy weather. I'll not have to worry about them as much. There is always something I'm worried about with them though!

Destiny will most likely use the hay for a nest. If Shy allows her too. Shy rules that roost although I was spying on them the other day and noticed them standing very close to each other napping. Once Shy saw me, she glared at Destiny who took orders and moved over about 15 feet!

A friend in VA has had good luck with a large bale hay net for her Spanish Mustangs. Wasted hay is not an issue any longer for her since she's used the nets. They are pricey but in the long run would save even more money. Maybe Santa will bring one for the ponies?!

Watching Eliza (all 70 lbs of her) and I pushing a 700 lb round bale out of the back of the truck must have given the horses a giggle. It almost got away and rolled down the hill. She went chasing after it, with me hoping it wouldn't crush her flat. hehehehe like in the cartoons!!!!!!!!! I had to laugh out loud. oh, right, that's lol.

Always an adventure at The Center. The next one is probably unloading 10 bales off a flatbead. A tractor is on our wish list, too!

Get your Holiday Greeting cards

A beautiful Holiday card has been designed by Wingspan arts, Intl. www.wingspanartsintl.com to benefit the Center. The photo used is of Iktinike, the Choctaw stallion belonging to Dr. Sponenberg, who spent two years at Red Road Farm when I was working with that preservation program. I took the photo on a wintery day and the photo has been digitally enhanced to look just magical. You can view it on The Center's Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Americas-First-Horse/10150104999335094 My apologies for not being able to upload it here. Until I get high speed internet, I'm limited.

Cards are available for $15 for 6, or $3 each. We will have them in our e-store on our site next week. A limited number has been printed and they are going fast. We may have time to print more before the Holidays.

All proceeds from the sale of the card go directly to The Center. Thank you for your support!

New Website is up!

If you haven't heard...our newly designed website is up and running and it's just FANTASTIC!!! ! www.centerforamericasfirsthorse.org

Many many thanks to MaryAnne the webmistress, and Elsie as the assistant and note taker. To Brie Hoblin for her technical assistance, and Brenda for helping out when needed.

We still have a few minor things to work on but Paypal is ready, links work, and we're rollin'! This is really exciting for all of us.

THANK YOU for visiting our site!

Wha'sup with this weather? Sunny this morning, down to one layer on while trimming feet, then a snow squall came through and everything is white and slippery. How many more days till the indoor arena will be up?!

The bulldozer got fired up this morning and when I left there was already a huge topsoil pile. The indoor arena could be up by late Dec. - early January. Another great reason why a fabric covered truss arch building is the way to go...they go up quick and excavation work is minimal. Oh yay, I can't wait. The next month will be all about hauling hay and water through snow till we are moved into the indoor. Can't wait Can't wait Can't wait.

Looking for donation of free to inexpensive building lumber to construct 10'x12' run in shed. Utility poles, beams, framing, siding, roofing materials needed. Thanks!

Giving thanks.

That's such a cliche' but it works. There are many things to be thankful for. The obvious ones are my family, good health and the blessing of friends. Then there are the horses and all that surrounds them.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Steph and the ponies

The Center is now on Twitter. Tweet, Tweet! Look for us @ America1sthorse.

Not only that, our renovated website will be up and running very soon. Hundreds of combined hours between us all to create an amazing site! I'll post AS SOON AS it's live and ready for the world!

Big news is there are two excavating machines in the field waiting to move dirt around for the new building. Woo-hoo! I am getting a little excited now in comparison the immense overwhelming feeling that I've been plagued with. Pretty much walking around glazed over lately. It's lifting.

Monday morning is our ribbon cutting publicity photo. It's supposed to rain but it rarely slows us down around here.

check list

New winter pasture fencing up and ready. Check.
Rearranged barn to make two run in sheds for half the horses. Check.
Last revisions to new website. Check.
Confirmation of Dancing with Horses Workshop in March. Check.
FINANCING APPROVED FOR INDOOR ARENA!!!! Check.

We're moving forward! Couldn't have done it without all The Center fairies tending to their tasks!

I was warned

omg.

I was warned by a professional financial consultant about a year ago that starting up a non profit organization was going to be the hardest thing I'd done. She said I would put in long hours, do things I didn't think I could do, and sacrifice some things along the way. Well, I'd pretty much been doing that already so I took on the task.

She's right.

It's still not THE hardest thing, but it's been a LONG and winding road for sure. And we're not there yet...but alot closer.

These last few weeks have been kinda tough. "It's all good" as the younger generation says. We, as in those who are the backbone of the organization and development of The Center (the board of directors and I) are doing some really big stuff which will lead us to the next level. New website, getting a barn up, paperwork galore, bank accounts, meetings with NRCS, VSBA,FSA, board meetings, getting hay, fundraising, planning for the future, new fencing, AND tending to the horses needs, since they are the ones this is all for.

Will it slow down? Will there be a time when I can sit back and say, WOW, look at what we've done and then go out and ride my horses? Hmmm, I'm not sure if this is a reality or not. I guess I'll keep moving forward and see if that time comes. I know, I know, "we make our own reality"! This is mine for right now and God willing I can hang in there a little bit longer.

I could never have done this by myself, by the way. On my own, I would have thrown in the towel a while ago I bet. You all came along at JUST the right time to save me from myself! Thanks :)

Over half way done with fencing project. It takes longer than I think, even with helpful volunteers. Thanks to Ashley and Ashley from Johnson State College, and Alicia, dedicated weekend volunteer, for their time and energy to get the task done!

I'll be able to finish up in a day or two if the weather holds. Not like I've never put up fence in the rain before, but it's sure more enjoyable when it's dry and mild. The horses are going to enjoy the new space.

Next on the list is the run-in shed project. We are looking for donated lumber /materials to construct a 10'x 12' shelter for one of the new pastures. Little Creek and Minko will most likely be living out all winter and they'll need a place to get out of the elements. A local family makes small wooden sheds at a good price, and can deliver them, but it's still an expense we can't cover right now.

So if you have any building lumber sitting in your yard that we could use...please contact me!

progess

Along with being so busy all day and a really slow computer, blogging has been difficult. Things seem to progress and change everyday it's even hard for me to keep up!

On Friday 100 cedar posts were put in for winter pasture down in the lower field parellel to the driveway. I felt very spoiled not having to pound even one post! It was money well spent to have a strong young man do it and Steph2 came from Burlington to help out. She's strong like bull! Saturday is being spent stringing fencing and burning the huge brush pile. Volunteers coming to participate in the fun :)

With the most recent news that financing is being approved for a small indoor arena/barn which will be constructed soon, we have a lot in store for the winter. These plans and initiatives we've been hanging on to for a while are able to come to fruition once the structure is up. I'm still holding my breath till I see the construction starting though. I'll be doing the happy dance then!

The horses are enjoying our unseasonably warm weather and I'm grateful for the sun. Hunting season opened this morning and 8 yards of blaze orange fabric sit on my table awaiting my sewing machine. Making neck covers for them to keep them safe. Little Destiny looks just like a deer with her light dun coloration and white streaks in her mane and tail. She prances around like one too. Tonight I'll have them all done so they can wear them for the next two weeks.

I look so forward to having some time to spend with the horses instead of the continuing fence projects. After this, the last big project is perimeter fencing of about 20 acres next spring. Woo-hooo!

The horses now live a gated community! After the theft of our generator on Thursday we got buttoned up today. Huntin' season opens Saturday morning at dawn and I'm sure there will be a few suprised hunters who drive up to see a locked gate. I don't have anything against hunters, or hunting, just too much risk with the horses living out in their pastured round the clock.

MaryAnne, Elsie, Cherise and Jo deserve a big thanks for helping with the gate and posting the property task. It was kinda chilly out later in the afternoon, and WAY too dark too early.

Little Creek is settling in well and prompting Thunder to play the nippy face game. Thunder is 19, LC 3, so the game gets old after a while and he let LC know. But then he comes back for more and initiates the game so I figure if he was tired of it he'd go find something else to do. They'll work it out.

This week will be about gathering materials to put up another big fencing job. Saturday will be volunteer work day if anyone can make it! Weather dependent, maybe burning the big brush pile the JSC students made.

Little Creek

The Center has a revolving door. Just as soon at two horses leave, another one appears! I brought Little Creek, my three year old Choctaw colt home today. He's been at Joanne's house since May keeping Gavilan company. Many thanks to Joanne and Andy for watching after him, I know he brought a lot of joy to their lives.

LC is stunning! He's grown up a lot over the summer and the resemblance to his sire Iktinike is remarkable. He has the same quiet demeanor and like and dislikes as his sire too. It's pretty amazing actually to see how similar they are. Pictures to follow on Facebook soon!

For those of you reading this who don't know LC's history, he was one of the offspring from the Choctaw Indian Pony Conservation Program I managed at Red Road Farm. He is 100% full Choctaw pony. Eliza and I watched LC be brought into this world. His dam is Red Creek, a lovely bay mare and his sire is Iktinike, owned by world reknowned equine geneticist Dr. Philip Sponenberg who spearheaded the Choctaw Program. The herd of Choctaws I cared for and trained hold a special place in my heart. They now live at Return to Freedom in California.

Minko comes from the same herd and he and Little Creek were born 32 days apart. Today was the first time they've seen each other since they were weanlings. Minko sure made a big fuss about that! All 12.2 hands of him puffed up and he was going to take Little Creek on from over the fence. LC stands about 13.2 but has a very big presense about him, as does Minko but LC finally turned away from him, after some squealing and striking. Interesting dynamics and I'm not sure now that they are going to be pasture mates until they work it out over the fence. I don't need any accidents or broken fences. So for now LC and Thunder, who is a distant cousin, will be roomies beginning tomorrow.

What amazes me most about LC is his coloring. He appears white, or grey, but you can see the tobiano pattern he boldly displayed as a foal by his grey skin when he's wet. He was a dark brown and white tobiano when he was born. He's now a varnished roan tobiano with sabino markings on his legs. Pretty amazing. And his ears are very darkly roaned, plus his one blue eye and mottling around his eyes and lips makes for a real visual treat!

He's our homegrown boy and I look forward to spending more time with him now.

Galan and Logan left today and are back with their moms. I'll miss their cute faces! I was really fortunate to have them for training and learned from each one of them. They learned a lot too.

Putting my energy into tightening up the Center and ordering a good, user friendly gate. For now, all valuables are stored safely. Kara suggested I get a guard dog...but we've got Oscar and Destiny! Actually, they are safely pastured these days now that hunting season is approaching.

Stay tuned for our new website soon! MaryAnne and Elsie have been working full time on it the past number of weeks. I'm just about done with my homework assignments writing content and finding photos. I'm very excited for when we go live--we have lots of information and ways people can get involved.

My big dissapointing news is that our generator was stolen last night. This is our only source for pumping water out of the well to water the horses. I've been putting the word out locally, but I really doubt it'll show up. The sheriff's office has all the pertinent info. What really stinks is that now I'm worried that they will be back for other things. A locked gate is going to be installed ASAP but still, if someone wants to get in, I'm sure they could.

The generator was only 6 months old, still paying it off. Really a bummer. Of course most of the troughs were near empty so to get them watered for the night I had to haul water in my truck from the neighbors house. This is one time I'm glad it's raining...they won't drink much over night.

Just feeling really sad about all this. For many reasons. Nothing like a good cry to get the morning started.

Looking on the bright side though I have some free help 3 days a week now for a few hours a day and making progress on getting a day off in the near future.

Logan and Galan have been here for training for almost a month and both are leaving tomorrow for their homes. I've learned alot from them and look forward to working with them and their owners again next year.

Moving on...

Spanish Mustang owner in need after fire

Monique Sheaffer and her family from PA have lost their historic 1860's barn, outbuidlings and a car in a fire on Tuesday. Fortunately, no animals or people were injured.

They have a small herd of Choctaw Indian ponies and work closely with the preservation project to save the horse from her heritage. Although I have never met the Sheaffer family in person, we've corresponded about our Choctaw horses for a number of years now. Monique is Choctaw. They have already sacrificed alot to have their breeding herd, and now a fire that destroyed their barn. How tragic. My own troubles seem not so bad.

They are in need of EVERYTHING horse related. The very basics such as halters and lead ropes, to tack and barn equipment, first aid supplies, buckets, blankets, etc. They possibly need hay for the winter as well. They will have to construct some quick shelter for their horses before winter sets in.

If you can offer any assistance please contact me by email for their address. Vtblackpony@aol.com

Anli, (sincerely in choctaw)

Stephanie

It was 70 degrees today!! Didn't it snow last week? Typical VT weather.

MaryAnne and Elsie (feeding and fencing fairies) came to ride today. I had the pleasure of getting them back in the saddle after their hiatus from riding. Elsie was on Oscar and Mary Anne on Maya. They did great and the horse seemed to enjoy some leisurely walks around the field.

I had the chance to spend some good hang out time with Logan while spending time with friends. Hard to believe that hanging out on a horse would be training time but it's just what Logan needs. He's got some anxiety about being ridden and total relaxation isn't his game right now but he's catching on.

Had a few good rides again on Galan lately. We're venturing out along the driveway more with each ride. He's pretty happy and I can tell he feels smart and proud of himself!

A tiny pebble

Less is more. That's a hard concept in this day and age but one that I try to live by...when I remember.

Working with horses keeps this concept at the forefront of my brain though. If I applied the theory, principles and concepts of natural horsemanship in ALL of my daily affairs and relationships, I'd be a better person. Not that I'm a bad person now, but there is always room for self-improvement!

Today Logan had a temper tantrum about being tied in the barn. Typical green horse with no patience issue so I ignored him. As I watched him paw and dance around I remember watching a short video with Bill Dorrance, granddaddy of natural horsemanship. He was before natural horsemanship...a master and founding father.

So in this video Bill, (at 90 years old) sat on a bucket and watched a horse dance around as it was tied to a trailer. Bill picked up some pebbles from the ground and gently tossed one towards the horses hind legs each time it got antsy. Within a very short time the horse stopped pawing and dancing around. Bill never said a word, never even touched the horse.

I am fortunate that I recently shoveled a literal ton of Stay-Mat onto my little barn floor. Many pebbles to choose from. I chose about a dozen and sat comfortbly on the hay pile with barn kitty, Paco. As Logan did his thing, I did Bill's thing. Less than 5 minutes and Logan was quiet and licking and chewing repeatedly.

Less is more in action!

Galan acted like a big boy today! We had our first ride out of the arena. He was much more inclined to move freely than the last day I rode him. I also used the halter today instead of attaching reins to the bit and I think that made a big difference. He's a sensitive horse.

We started at the "beach" (sandy area near the barn) just walking in a small circle then spiraled out into the driveway and around the "yard". We walked and trotted a little bit. Getting him out of the arena seemed to change his attitude about things. This was only the third time he's been ridden this year. As a three year old he was ridden maybe 4 times. Now that I found what makes him happy, we'll be doing more of that. I've always felt like he's a horse that's up for an adventure. His adventure today was a ride around the driveway!

Logan impressed me today with his general respect for me and his ability to focus. Tomorrow I'll plan on riding him. He'll be going home in a week or so--I think his owner will see a big change in him. I know I have. His neck isn't tight all the time now. He's learned to relax and is working with me now, not against me. That's so much more fun for everyone!

Good Boy, Logan

I had two tag- a -longs down come to the arena with me the other day. Oscar and his little friend Destiny saw me going with Logan so they followed. It was good practice for Logan since he wanted to belong to the herd of two but had to focus on me instead. No more running out of the arena or being obnoxious. He did hesitate and thought about going with them, but respectfully listened to me instead. good progress there.

Walking back up the driveway I send Oscar and Destiny ahead and turned Logan to walk the other direction. He wanted to spin around and run to be with them. I could just tell. But a gentle reminder he's to stay with me and that was all he needed. Now that he's showing this level of respect on the ground, we are working towards mounted work.

Thanks to my fencing fairies Mary Anne and Elsie, we've got some juice running through it now. Playing musical pasture today!

Between that crazy fall storm over the weekend and life in general, I've been 2bizee2blog. I think that's how the younger generation writes things now!!!!

All the ponies, except Shy and Coyote had their rain coats on this weekend. Shy's not worn a blanket to my knowledge and I wanted to take my time putting it on her but when they are cold, hungry and cranky first thing in the morning, that is NOT the time to be taking time introducing a blanket to a horse like Shy. Even my own old reliables were doing the blanket dance--they just wanted to eat. It's amazing how quickly they warm up once they get hay in their bellies. All's well, but now have the mud to contend with. Ick. It's a hard time of year transitioning from fall to the W word. (winter).

Took Logan out for some play time today. He's much more honest than the other day when he was exiting the arena on his own. He's following me in the circling game now and using the 45' rope has helped tremendously. Today was the first day I saw him drop his head and relax on his own after having him trot and canter around me. I see him making changes each day.

Galan is staying for another two weeks. I got on him on Thursday and after getting the stickyness out of his "go" he did pretty well and was more confident about moving forward.

And Destiny actually looked to me yesterday with a question when she had herself in a little predicament with her stall gate. It was the first time I saw her realize she didn't know what to do. She's always strutting around like she KNOWS EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME (sounds like a teenager) but after trying to escape through the gate before it was open fully, she found herself asking me what should she do. I helped her back up and get free so now I'm her hero!!!! She comes running to my whistle most of the time, always if there is a little handful of grain to go with the whistle. She's put on a lot of weight and is looking good. I know she's happy. Her and Ringo bonded the other day over some good grass. Uncle Oscar and she are still pretty tight though. It's cute cuz he usually doesn't get too attached to anyone.

So that's the latest from "As the World Turns" at The Center.

Today's session with Logan reinforced the importance of relaxation. After his owner and I talked yesterday it was pretty clear that Logan never really lets down. He's either on adrenaline moving his feet, or he's gone introverted and standing very still while skepticism of humans takes over his brain. Makes for a complicated horse. Because of his lack of confidence, he acts dominant to protect himself. As I'm learning more about him, I find him really fascinating to work with and continue to learn from him.

It took less than an ounce of pressure to cause him to yield to the pressure from his poll today. He likes hanging his head down and getting rubs on his forehead. I can see the change in his eye when he's relaxed. I made a point to get his energy up, then have him stand on the platform and lower his head to relax. We did this numerous times, very methodically. He started to look for the answer.

It all wasn't quite that pretty though! I purposely keep the arena gate open. This tells me how honest he is. It got better. Started off with some circling game and first trip around I know he's going out the gate. No problem, let's go out the gate then! BUT....when you run out and then you hit the end of the rope and there is some strong pressure, it won't be THAT fun anymore. I would actually send him with some intent out the gate and after a few times of that, leaving wasn't so much fun. Reverse psychology is a wonderful thing!

Then we got creative exploring how many different ways we can go out the gate---backwards, sideways, one step at a time forward and backward, driving from zone 4 and 5, at a walk, at a trot. You should have seen the look on his face!

We ended the session standing on the platform, head down and licking. Played a gentle sideways game all the way back to his pasture.

Logan has Ringo for a new roommate. They both are chestnuts with white blazes but Ringo only stands 14 hands and weighs 750 lbs. They seem to happy together, sharing hay piles and venturing off together. Ringo can be a rascal, a mischievous little guy. They should get a long fine.

Logan and I got connected today. I learned alot about him. Realizing that he is running on adrenaline and tension most of the time I focused on relaxation with him. He can't learn, doesn't even want to learn when he's tight. His neck gets hard like a rock, his body stiffens and all he's thinking is LEAVING NOW.

First, I took care of the leaving part by using my 45' lariat rope as a halter on him. Direct pressure is applied to his poll and nose, not a tool to use on many horses, but makes a significant difference if used properly. He responded just as I had hoped. We then could move on to softening his head and body once I had more respect.

Logan found his happy place when he learned to give to pressure and really drop his head, stretch his neck down and relax. His eyes softened, he sighed, licked and chewed. After a while he went to this place on his own. We walked back to the barn down the driveway with his mind at rest.

Tomorrow's session we'll try to start where we left off. I love seeing progress and really being able to pinpoint what is at his core.

Welcome to Boot Camp, Logan!

There have a been a few horses who have come to The Center for some type of reform/training. There was Summer, Shy, Galan, and now the most recent, Logan. Then of course there are the ones that have come to me unexpectedly that are part of my herd now that needed some re-programming.

Today a new gelding arrived. Logan has already challenged me. I have worked with him and his owner on and off over the summer. You could say we have a "repoire" of some type! Logan doesn't like to be told what to do. He uses the strength of his well developed neck to brace and pull away. (among some other tricks.) He's a big boy. Humans are no match and he knows it. And it doesn't get a whole lot better when he's ridden (no surprise there!)

So...I can't wait for tomorrow when I get to pull some tools of my trade out of my box for horses this "special"! The trick is staying one step ahead of this fellow and not running out of tools. The difference with him in comparison to say, Summer, is that Logan weighs about 1,200 lbs and stands about 15.2. Not that big in the horse world, but compared to my little Colonial Spanish Horses he's BIG.

Tomorrow I'll enter Logans world with confidence that I have the tools I'll need to make him look at humans differently. Not as weak specimans that he can bully around, but trusting partners to work with. It'll be a good learning experience all around. He's going to be a tough cookie, he's build up some good resistance from his past experiences. Getting that opposition reflex out of his system will make him the type of horse his owner is looking for. Stay tuned for the adventures of---Logan goes to boot camp!

Thanks to Cherise for helping me today with getting hay! What a bonus that was for me. Because I don't have much hay storage area yet I have to load up the truck about every 10 days. Good thing my hay supplier lives only two miles away. We did two loads in less than an hour. Would have taken me half a day. Mucho gracias, Cherise!!!

New student Galan is settling into work. He's just four, with only about three rides on him a year ago. Yesterday he was pretty sure he wanted that saddle off his back. Today he was more sure it was okay to have it on. I did end up getting on him after I played with him online for about 45 minutes. Just sat on him, laterally flexed him, rubbed him all over. Got off, got on, sat there, got off. He was all good with that. He's a lot of fun, a perky little guy that loves to move. He's going to make a great trail/endurance horse. I even see how he could excel in reining because he's super quick and agile. Also would be a lot of fun to jump-he's very light on his feet. That's what I love about these CS horses...they can do everything and be good at it!

Destiny continues to run around like she owns the place. She and Uncle Oscar cruise around grazing freely during the day. Yesterday she galloped down the hill when she saw me putting up some fencing. She probably thought there was food in the plastic bag I had and much to her dismay found only fencing insulators! But she followed me around for while anyways- quite curious as to what I was doing. It really suprised me when I called her in for the day and she came running! Although her internal clock recognized it was feeding time, I was still impressed of her enthusiasm to get haltered and put back in her corral.

Visitors

It's been so nice to have the doors to The Center open to all. Yesterday, a young woman who did volunteer work back in Sept. with the Johnson State College crew came by to say hello. She'd been thinking about the horses since then and finally just drove up to "touch a horse".

We got talking and she shared about a 4 year old girl in her life who is in the hospital after surgery for her cystic fibrosis. Tears welled up in her eyes as she asked if she could bring her to The Center to visit the horses. Then I got all teary sharing about a little girl that came to Red Road Farm about 4 years ago who also had CF. Her wish was to work with my vet for the day and they brought her over to meet Oscar and get his autograph. I was choked up with tears the whole time she was there.

I look foward to giving this child the opportunity to get to know my horses. I will have a tissue tucked in my pocket.

destinys photo

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Americas-First-Horse/10150104999335094?ref=ts#!/photo.php?pid=14895274&fbid=10150276936430094&id=10150104999335094

I posted a new photo of Destiny on facebook. She's looking just gorgeous in it. The way she was moving and carrying herself gives me an accurate glimpse into what sort of potential she has as a sport horse. I already knew from seeing her sire but this picture confirms it. Destiny has really made some great progress with her attitude towards me. She softly accepts the halter and waits patiently for me to take it off. She whinnies when she sees me in the morning and puts her head over the fence to greet me. We still have a ways to go to bring her up to speed like working with her feet and brushing her thick tail out. But she's come a long way from the sassy little filly that stepped off the trailer two weeks ago.

A new four legged friend is coming to The Center today for a few weeks of training. Galan, a young Colonial Spanish gelding I sold a few years ago is ready to get started. I did ride him a few times last year as a three year old and he'll get a refresher course again this month. He'll love seeing his buddies again and I'm sure will engage in some play time. I look forward to seeing how he has developed. What an athletic little horse he is, very light on his feet and has an inquiring mind. It's kind of like getting a new toy to play with when new horses come for any length of time!

Hoping this nice weather continues through the month. Our benefit trail ride is scheduled for October 16th. Still selling raffle tickets for the photo, too.

Crazy. All this rain. Not looking forward to seeing how bad the barn flooded last night. Luckily, most everything is on pallets since this isn't the first time we've had a small river running through it.

I kept Destiny in her stall last night since she doesn't have any shelter in her corral. I left the barn door open so Oscar could come in and out on his own, although that means he probably made a mess of the hay but it's a small price to pay to know he was dry and happy last night.

Destiny is being very obedient with the halter now. She is acting more like a partner each day and waiting patiently for it to go on and off. She whinnies when she sees my truck in the morning. So cute.

Off to Charlotte today to teach at an indoor-what a gift to have that available with the weather we're having. Saturday is the Waitsfield riding club horse show and I'm taking a students big Paint horse in a few classes for her. Riding western! A small, fun show with no pressure.

The raffle tickets for the beautiful framed photo are selling slow. I'm hoping to sell 80 more by our benefit trail ride October 16th. Thanks to those who have purchased a ticket. 100% of the money will go towards winter hay. Let me know if you need me to send you the flyer so you can help spread the word! Thanks!

Little Destiny is very confident. She thinks a lot of herself! She dreams of ruling every horse on the property! Today, Oscar snapped at her when I led her by him and she actually moved quick enough to get out of the way of his teeth. That was a first. She gave me the evil eye when she was eating and I drove her away firmly, then she came back looking a little sweeter. I laugh at her little antics. I will out persist her. She doesn't think so, but I will. I have as many little tricks as she does. She's in the testing mode right now as she should be. New environment and claiming her territory.

Her eye is softening up and she's getting more comfortable with me touching her. She did go for a little free romp around the yard today which was a little unexpected but I was able to halter her fairly easily. It was the first time I saw her really trot around and move. A pretty mover and very light on her feet.

After a marathon day at Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival on Saturday, I took the day to recooperate at home. What that means is I only spent about 4 hours at the barn catching up on some corral cleaning, refilling water troughs, feeding and spending time with Shy and Destiny. The big boy herd got some lovin' on too from Eliza and I because they gave us that sad puppy dog eye when we walked by with Shy and Destiny! My boys have been very patient with me as they watch me divide my time between them and the horses that get played with everyday.

Destiny is coming around. Enough that I felt turning her out in a small corral with grass would be okay. Didn't take too long for her to catch me when it was time to go in. It was nice to see Eliza leading her all the way down the driveway to her little spot. Destiny was good, followed Eliza on a loose rope. These little outings to her grassy place will go a long way in causing Destiny to be more eager to be haltered. Each time it gets better and she is starting to understand the routine.

There have been comments that Destiny looks like deer! During hunting season she will have to stay VERY close to the barn and wear a lot of orange. She's about the same size as a good buck, the same color. I have a few dun colored horses that could look a lot like deer.

Off to bed to finish my relaxing day.

Day two

I got another nicker from Destiny when I arrived at the barn this morning. Okay, maybe it's just because she's very passionate about her food, but she does recognize me as the hay provider so that's a good thing.

Before I fed her I entered her corral to see if we would pick up where we left off yesterday. She was much softer in the eye as she stood and looked at me right away. I walked up to her and petted her neck and face. Much better than our intro to handling yesterday morning.

I was gone most of the day teaching today so I didn't get a chance to do much except pet her, which is probably all she needed anyways. I did learn that I need to tie her water bucket to the fence. And the loose salt that was also in a bucket is now part of the earth. She has a ball to play with but the buckets are much more interesting it seems.

I noticed that she has not done the submissive baby mouth thing when she meets the othe horses across the fence. I've never seen a youngster NOT do that. She is very self confident and I know will stand up for herself quite well when she gets to have pasture mates. I'm not sure who she'll be living with yet. Maybe Augustine who's just 3-he's super mellow, and likes to play. He and Thunder live together now so that may be a good match once she's more people oriented.

Haven't blogged much about Shy lately, who is becoming quite the star. She's wearing a saddle each time we play and I'm ready to start ponying her off of Thunder, if they're still friends. She's not fond of other horses near her unless it's her idea so ponying her with a buddy will be good. I did lay over her back with all my weight on her and she was fine. Still have a lot of work to do desensitizing her hindquarters and back legs before I think about mounting up.

She is one athletic gal!! Wow, quick as lightening when startled. I'd have no chance whatsoever staying on that. She can bounce on all fours about 20 feet sideways before you know what happened. No bucking, but leaps like she's got springs on her feet. That short back would eject you out of the drivers seat in no time flat. So for now, she'll be ponied alot and we'll continue to work on keeping her feet on the ground!

I can trim all four of her feet while the lead rope is dropped to the ground. She allows me to brush her tail (even touching her tail was frightening for her not too long ago) as long as I ask her permission first. Shy appreciates being asked permission first- just part of being respectful and polite. She really is a pleasure to work with. I can see how far she's come, even though it may appear slow to those who don't know her. She's a work in progress.

Destiny's first day

I've certainly had my share of fiesty yearlings, 2 and 3 year olds, and even 5 and 6 year olds that had minimal handling before they stepped off the trailer in VT. I like to think that I've seen pretty much everything a horse can offer in regards to resistance and drama. I'll keep my eyes open though. There's always more to learn and experience.

Our new Sulphur yearling, Destiny, had her first day of getting to know me. She lost weight on the trailer ride, but is eating and drinking just fine and already is looking better. She got her dread locks brushed out of her forelock, mane combed and her body brushed. I had a little work to do with her before all of this though.

I kept her in a stall overnight. This morning she whinnied when I opened the barn doors. Head over the gate, ready to eat. I went in with her to say HI before I fed her and then she tried to push me into the wall with her shoulder. Then she tried to push her way out of the gate. Okay I thought, can't have this and "whispering" is not the strategy. She needs some good leadership.

I tossed a rope around her neck, and brought her near me, haltering her with a yearling sized rope halter and long line attached. She tried to pull me off my feet and I flicked her hiney with the rope and she turned around at looked at me. Good answer.

I took her out in the corral, about 40'x40'. Her strategy was pulling hard enough that I'd let go. With the tail of the rope in hand, she got popped again on the hip and faced me. After two or three additional attempts at pulling me off my feet, she figured it out and softened immediately. Licking and chewing taking place. Now I had something to work with. Her next trick was trying to dominate me with her head. That didn't work out for her either. Next trick...backing up. Tail end of the rope right behind her got her moving forward. With no other tricks up her sleeve she stood there looking at me with those big brown eyes and precious face.

She resisted me petting her forehead so I hugged her head gently, and didn't let go till she put her head down. Then I stepped back and walked away from her. Next time I petted her head she stood and enjoyed it for many minutes.

Now that she knew how to yield to me and the rope, we could go for a walk around the yard. She followed me like a puppy for the most part. I let her graze, walked her to the next patch of good grass, graze, walk, graze, walk, graze, walk. Incentive for leading!

She really loved the attention. She met all the other horses over the fence and even gave Oscar a friendly kick in the chest! He knows where he stands with her now! He's not very assertive.

Destiny got to stay out in her corral tonight. She likes her new home!

Now the details

Everyone has arrived safely from Wisconsin. I picked up the truck and trailer and Destiny this morning from Kara's. The little filly had sea legs getting off, didn't even wait for her hind legs to get out of the trailer before she started eating grass. We slowly walked down to the barn, with Oscar nipping at her from behind. It's nice to have help! Destiny doesn't really lead yet. Thankfully it was her idea to go down the hill to the barn.

She settled right into her stall and wanted food. She loves her food. Destiny is going to grow up to be a beautiful mare. She's a very light dun and already has a great mane and tail for her age. Her doe like eyes are stunning. She's got a lovely Iberian head and fine muzzle.

I look forward to turning her out in her corral and letting her stretch her legs. I'm sure she's a lovely mover and light on her feet. Pictures coming soon.

It's Destiny

Our newest addition! Destiny, a Sulphur filly is on her way from Wisconsin! Thanks to Kara and Jordan for driving, and Pam for use of the trailer. Jane and Wes too for trailer driving that first leg. And to a loyal supporter of The Center for purchasing Destiny and entrusting her in my care. Thanks to Duane and Lisa for dedicating themselves to the Sulphur horses-and taking care of her.

Kara and Jordan will be pulling into Vermont around 1 a.m. I'll be picking up my truck, trailer and Destiny tomorrow morning at their place. Sounds like she's a good traveler, eating and drinking well. That's a long trip for a little filly.

More details tomorrow.

Events and Raffle!

Some fun event's coming up:

Join us at the beautiful and historic Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival in Shelburne, Vermont on Saturday, September 25th! This will be the second year that we've brought horses to this one day family event. Last year was a great success with having our horses on display. The awesome back drop of the "castle" and surroundings is magnificent. Over 6,000 people attended last year and I think every one of them stopped to visit the horses. Nan will be bringing Frio and I'll bring Maya and Augustine most likely. The event will provide us with our own tent and demo area. We are the only horses invited to participate, except for the draft horses giving carriage rides.

Then, October 16th is the first benefit Trail Ride at The Center. Chili lunch and bonfire to follow the ride. Fee is $25 per person. I hope to have 20 riders come and enjoy the great trails and dirt roads around our area. Should be a nice way to end the riding season as snow could be coming right around the corner.

Also, a stunning piece of photographic art has been donated as a fundraiser. We are raffling off an image taken by photographer Lauren Stagnitti. It will be professionally matted and framed by Coco's Frame Shop in Stowe. The retail value of the photo is $350. It's a picture of two of our Colonial Spanish Horses in enhanced black and white. Follow the facebook link to see a picture of the picture. The size of the photo is appx. 20"x 14".
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Americas-First-Horse/10150104999335094?v=app_2344061033&ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=154559294567993&index=1

Tickets are $10 each or 6 for $50. Only 100 tickets will be sold. Make checks payable to The Center for America's First Horse, PO Box 274, Morrisville, VT 05661. We also take credit cards over the phone. 505-340-8376.

Thanks for your continued support!

Stephanie

Like a good neighbor...

Dumped out water troughs yesterday so they could get a scrub. Then learned the generator which pumps the water out of the well wouldn't start. Humph. "Now what?" I said to myself. Ponies without water for a day...not good. Nobody around to help me load the generator into the back of Kara's SUV. (More on that later.) No water source, empty troughs. Not good. Humph. I pondered. Feeling helpless. Alone. It's only 9 a.m. Humph.

Finally conceded I would need to ask for help. argh. Not my favorite thing to do. Knowing the nice retired neighbors across the road as good folks I wandered over to see if Al could troubleshoot perhaps. He drove his tractor over and helped me load it up to take to the repair shop. Then he filled \pails of water and carried them back in the bucket loader to the horses. Enought to get them through the day. Fortunately, it was wet and rainy so they weren't too thirsty.

Picked up the generator this morning and it's fixed. The gas had a lot of water in it, that's why it wouldn't start. Back in action! Saved by the neighbors. Good people!

So about why I have Kara's SUV. Kara is my future assistant barn manager when there is money to hire her in earnest. Until then, she's volunteered for some really important tasks! This time it's driving my truck to Wisconsin to pick up Destiny, a 100% Sulphur filly bred by Duane White. Uh, I mean bred by Duanes stallion, Dragon! Sorry, Duane!!! AND not only is Kara picking up Destiny, she's also picking up Pam's trailer so I'll have horsey wheels again!! Kara was going to Wisconsin anyhow for her sisters wedding so it worked out great.

Getting the trailer was major choreography. And if not for Jane and Wes from Minnesota, Pam from Switzerland for allowing me to use the trailer for as long as I need, Lucy at Windcross for even having Pam's trailer in South Dakota,Kara and hubby Jordan for picking it up with Destiny, I'd still be sitting in Vermont trailerless and Destiny-less. Jane and Wes drove it from SD to Minnesota. Jane drove all day to take it to Duanes, Kara is driving up on Sunday to pick it up with the filly then heading back home. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

Looks like my Charlotte clinic is all full for Friday! yay. And plans to come back and teach more regularly so that's all good news. Too bad it's already mid Sept. but we can keep going till the snow falls then hopefully I'll be indoors by then. Also have connected with more Johnson State College students interested in horse activities at The Center. Young, fresh, energetic young woman that love horses. How cool is that?

Lastly, a beautiful photo of Gavilan and Augustine has been donated by professional photographer Lauren Stagnitti. Coco's Frame Shop in Stowe is matting and framing this piece of art as a contribution! The retail value is $350. We are selling 100 raffle tickets at $10 each (6 for $50). With a few more events coming up this year we hope to have all 100 tickets sold by October 16th. Contact me via email if you would like to purchase a ticket. Vtblackpony@aol.com I'll try to post a picture of the photo somewhere for all to see. It's AMAZING. Lauren has captured the horses remarkably!

Pieces of the Puzzle

I'ts been a busy, short week. And looking ahead the next four weeks are going to fly by as well. Some events coming up: Sept. 17th clinic in Charlotte, Sept. 25 Shelburne Farms harvest Festival, October 16th benefit trail ride at The Center. Between these events I have weekly lessons in Waitsfield, a 4 hour lesson in Colchester, Kara taking my truck to Wisconsin to pick up Pam's trailer and Destiny, our Sulphur filly. Add on some tours I have scheduled, catching up on trimming feet, and getting Shy played with daily, there's little time left in the day.

However, some exciting long term plans are falling into place! Future barn/indoor arena, the incorporation papers for The Center being filed next week, and our non profit status paperwork getting in place. Administratively speaking, progress is happening. That will be a HUGE step in the right direction, thanks to Brenda who is making it all happen.

Almost everyday this week I've recieved a phone call or email from someone interested in volunteering, internship, lessons, tours, college level projects about the Colonial Spanish horses, and more. That keeps me going each day. If nothing else, it keeps me hoping that in the near future we will be self sustaining and financially more secure. It only takes one person to make a difference and many "one persons" have shown up in the last 18 months. I could not be doing this myself and am grateful to everyone who has supported me, the horses and The Center in all ways.

My trip to SD

South Dakota is a place where you can get lost. Buffalo Gap, SD is a dirt road with a little general store and post office, a few houses, and the nearest neighbor is at least 5,000 acres away. A Spanish Mustang is the only horse that could take you from point A to point B.

After Delta Airlines lost my Parelli equipment that I brought for my demo and training I gave up even thinking that they would try to deliver it to Windcross Conservancy where I was. Worked out they had plenty of carrot sticks and rope halters for me to use at Windcross.

I met a herd of Sorraia mares and babies that are related to Maya. Beautiful grulla's and roans. They run on a few hundred acres and we had to drive out to find them. A very friendly herd that enjoyed being scratched.

I judged an obstacle for the ACTHA trail ride that went on during the open house. Pam and I were dropped off in the middle of a zillion acres with an ice chest and walkie talkie. We judged about 20 riders at a downhill section of the ride. Possibly The Center will host a ACTHA ride next year as a fundraiser. We were the only obstacle that had shade. The organizers must have had pity on us fair skinned, blonde judges!

It was great to meet some folks that I've known only on the message boards in the Colonial Spanish horse community. Putting names to faces is a good thing. Was great to spend time with my Switzerland host Pam who flew out to SD to be at the open house. We had some good laughs along the way!

Travel back to VT was no fun. Between being air sick, lost luggage, missing a connection in NY, hotel that night, no sleep, bad food, etc. I was pretty happy to come home to my people. Felt good to get back into the swing of things today.

Many thanks to Steph O. and Katie for feeding on Thursday, Mary Anne and Elsie for being there for the Johnson students volunteer day at The Center (details coming up in another blog), and for taking care of the ponies so well all the other days. The place looks awesome! Thanks PJ for getting Eliza to school on short notice. And thanks to James for letting me go run all over the countryside chasing horses. (he doesn't read my blog but deserves a public thanks!)

Glad to be home!

Fair time.

I've gotten behind in my blogging. We got home from the Caledonia Fair Sunday night, Tor and Lize started school Monday morning. I leave Thursday morning for South Dakota, returning Monday night.

The Fair was good! I'd be happy to be invited back next year. I met Gino, one of the acrobats who's a 5th generation circus performer. He's of Spanish heritage and I enjoyed telling him about the Colonial Spanish Horses. He was very appreciative.

Each public event we go to there are always a few people that stand out that I'll remember for a long time. He'll be one of them. The other was an older woman who told me a hundred times how much she loved the movie Hidalgo. She was there the whole weekend helping with the Haflinger horses that did driving demo's. She heard my speil about the CS horses over a hundred times too. Then there was a little girl about 8 years old that cried when she had to leave Augustine. I let her lead him around and she kissed his nose many times and hugged him. He loves that. And a 13 year old boy named Tyler that was around all weekend too. He was such a natural with Augustine. He watched me work with him on the ground, then I gave him a few pointers and let him figure it out. He handled Augustine with such confidence and leadership. I'd welcome Tyler as an apprentice any day.

Tori and Oscar were really the stars of Lawrence Arena over the weekend. Tor signed autographs, and not always Oscars! She handles it all so well and with maturity. It was her 16th birthday on Monday. I'm very proud of her. Eliza works hard behind the scenes, enjoying that role.

We did three presentations. I talked about HIDALGO, the CS horses then seamlessly ( ha ha !) went into natural horsemanship. It's like show and tell. People were interested I think. Or they were just being polite! I'm getting much better at the public speaking thing now. I'm more confident about the information I'm sharing than I was in the past. After almost 6 years of this, it's about time I suppose. Being able to make jokes and smiling is a good thing. It's not the amount of people that bother me. I could talk in front of a coliseum full of people as long as I had a horse next to me to work with.

Augustine isn't the most exciting demo horse because he's so laid back. Nothing bothers him, there is no drama. People like drama and excitement. He really represents the CS horses well though and everyone falls in love with him.

Kinda funny

After our presentation at Johnson State College yesterday Jo and I headed back to The Center along the nicely mowed paths. Jo was riding Maya who was enjoying an outing, and I was on Ringo. Feeling good about the contacts I made at the college, I loped Ringo along with a smile on my face. Next thing I knew I was pitched over Ringo's shoulder and found myself laying in a field deep of ferns! Jo was right behind me and saw the whole thing. With out losing any rhythm, I got up, asked Jo what the
@$%)! just happened, mounted back up and continued on like nothing happened. It was more like a hiccup in my ride! Still don't know what made Ringo scoot sideways. He wasn't phased by my lack of ability to stay on. Neither was I.

Later in the evening, I was carrying two bowls of Rocky Road ice cream to the couch to sit down with my husband. I tripped over a stupid TV tray (we don't even have a TV so why is it here?!) and fell knees first hard on the wood floor! OUCH. I didn't even have a chance to catch myself with my hands since I was carrying precious ice cream. The bowl broke, the dog ate the ice cream, I sat on the kitchen floor speechless and wimpering. Knowing immediately nothing was broken, I just sat there and felt the pain, silently cursing the TV tray.

After I got up off the floor I went and laid down, my body did not feel good. What ran through my mind was my little trip into the ferns with Ringo just a few hours earlier and how painless that was compared to the Rocky Road incident. I wanted to laugh at myself but was too mad. Today, I'm a little stiff, but not bad. Walking more carefully around the house now.

Then to top it off.. after telling the story to Tori today, in all of her 16 years of wisdom she said, " You know what mom? They say when you fall it's the Universe knocking stress out of you. You must be REALLY stressed!". Thanks Tor!

But it got me thinking. Yes, I know I've been wound a little tight lately and my trip off Ringo was a wake up fall. I laughed it off and gave it no thought. After the Rocky Road, I cried for a half hour. Not so much about over the physical pain really.

Kinda funny!

Off to College

No, not the two legged kids! But the four-legged, fur covered ones! Wednesday we are bringing Oscar and two Colonial Spanish horses to Johnson State College for the first ever horse appearance on the campus!

The Center is located just one mile up the hill from JSC. Our presentation is the first of what we hope to be an ongoing collaboration with the school. A volunteer program through the school called Serve Fridays will bring students to The Center on Sept 3 for a day of community service. Tomorrows presentation will raise awareness of the work we are doing at The Center and it will get students psyched up to sign up for the volunteer day. They will be showing the movie HIDALGO to get kids familiar with who will be on their campus!

I'm really looking forward to making this great connection. Thanks so much to Krista Swann and Ellen Hill at the school for the support and coordination of this all!!! It's exciting to think of the doors this can open for the future!

Logo Tshirts!

Today I picked up the new Tshirts from the printers! The logo looks fantastic, thanks to an incredibly fast moving and talented artist, Adrienne Neary! www.wingspanartsintl.com They are for sale for $20 each. I have small, medium, large and XL and they run a little bit big. The shirts are a nice color--cardinal red (not really red, but not as dark as burgundy) with the black and tan logo that Adrienne designed.

To order a shirt, just email me! Vtblackpony@aol.com

Today's schedule

Feed ponies, meet with Johnson State College about presentation on August 25th, meet to begin budget and projections for The Center, teach 4 1/2 hours of lessons in Waitsfield, pick up some hay, feed ponies, go home, cook dinner, check email and all my social networking. And it's only 10:30 pm now. The night is young!!!! (joke.)

Summer fun is over

Two months ago a little Morgan mare came for training. Today, her owner took her home. Summer made some huge progress. It was so rewarding to see Jenny load up her horse by herself in just a few patient minutes. Remember, two months ago, loading took over four hours! We won't soon forget that day. One month ago Jenny sat on her for the first time. Yesterday, Jenny rode Summer on a trail ride with me and Coyote.

What made this such a success? Jenny has been totally committed to her horse. She's come to watch and participate in Summer's training since day one. She's watched the progression of her horse going from unconfident to brave. She's learned some technique and philosophy. This is the way it should be.

I know I'll see more Summer to help them transition back to being home together if needed. Thanks for the memories---see you soon!

About our Open House

Saturday was the big day. It was great! The weather cooperated, it couldn't have been nicer. A group of volunteers worked all day greeting guests, the KARAVAN was shuttling people from the parking area to the party area all day. Thank you to EVERYONE who pitched in to help out in so many ways. I could not have done any of this without you all.

We had alot of people come who I had never met before. That's good news. Means that just that many more people know what a Colonial Spanish horse is. I met a group of artists from the studio school who were fascinated by the horses and asked a lot of good questions. The demo's I did were a success. I played with Morado at liberty for the first one. He was his usual wonderful self and people said they were very inspired by watching us work together. I don't know that I'm trying to inspire any one really, just trying to show them how willing the horses are to work with humans.

Lots of kids played with Ringo and Thunder. Getting pony rides, painting hand prints on them, brushing them, hugs and kisses. Oscar gave out autographs and Tori spent time with our guests answering questions about Hidalgo.

We are all very tired. I meant to take the day off (besides feeding the ponies of course) but ended up spending most of the day at the barn putting a third and fourth strand of wire on the fence due to Coyote and Maya being smarter than I am!

Our next event is our presentation at Johnson State College August 25th.
going to bed-finally.

I want to share a story about something that happened today. I just wrote a page worth and accidentally deleted it...so this is the short version.

A family from Massachusetts called me at the barn this morning, asking if they could come see the horses. They wondered if it was imposing too much! Oh my, nothing more I like to do than share my horses.

They arrived shortly after the phone call and I was still walking Shy around. Out of the van comes three girls who look teen aged, and the mom and the dad. Before I could introduce myself, or Shy, the mother tells the girls to go slow and be gentle. Then she tells me her children are special needs. My response, as I was a bit suprised right off, was that Shy has special needs too. We'll all get along fine.

Shy Shy still has some shy left in her. She's so much more friendly and outgoing but 6 hands reaching to pet her soft nose may have worried her. She handled it great! The girls had a very gentle and caring touch to them. You could see how they absolutely loved the horses and their concern for the flies on her face was so kind.

I put Shy away and brought Thunder out. I told the girls and the parents that Thunder could handle anything-go ahead and do all the petting, kissing and hugging they wanted to do-it was fine with Thunder. So they did! He got his nose kissed, arms wrapped around him tightly, petting and flies got swished off his face.

We went to each pasture and visited each horse. As we went to see "the boys" (7 geldings and one mare in a herd) they were still eating their breakfast hay and didn't pay too much attention to the guests. I went in and one by one brought each horse over to the fence where the girls were standing. Cherokee was the first one to come over on his own. He planted himself in front of the sisters and took advantage of their gentleness and fly swatting. I led Maya over, then Ringo, then Adelantado. The girls wanted to know all of their names!

As we stood there I explained about the breed and The Center and how herd dynamics work . I noticed the horses were beginning to come over to the fence on their own now. They slowly left their hay and formed a circle next to where we stood. One by one they started getting sleepy in the warm sun. Then something really interesting happened. Coyote went inside the circle of horses and laid down! Then Maya went down. It was the first time I've seen her lay down and sleep. Then Cherokee, Augustine next and Adelantado followed. Within a few minutes more than half the herd was laying down. Some of them flat out in a deep sleep. Oscar, Morado and Montego stood, yet they were asleep too.

The family knew that they had witnessed some real quality herd dynamics at work as the horses lay around us sleeping. We all stood there and watched them sleep and rotate positions. What an honor it is to know they trust us enough to do that. The love and good energy these girls gave off to the horses was enough to make me feel like shedding a tear on the spot.

Many minutes went by before the horses started to rouse themselves. They got up and walked back to their hay as we walked back to the familys van. I asked the mom what sort of medical condition her children have. They were very bright, engaging, and funny, although they did have speech challenges. She told me they have a very rare condition called Sanfilippo Syndrome. As we exchanged contact information, I invited them all back anytime they were in Vermont again. And the girls could spend more time with the horses.

All day today I've had my mind on those three wonderful girls who loved my horses. Really loved them, you could tell by the way they stroked their face and looked at them. It was a moving experience for me to see that.

When I got home tonight I googled Sanfilippo Syndrome and learned that many of the children with this do not live past their early twenties. The girls I met today were ages 16 to 22. I also learned that the parents have a foundation to raise money and awareness of this condition. There is no cure, or treatment discovered yet.

When the father left me with a small donation to The Center as they were leaving, I gratefully accepted it. Now that I know more than I did earlier today I wish I could give it back. It's not too late.

Please visit their website: http://www.jlksanfilippofoundation.com

To add a more enriching ending to this story which demonstrates to me how powerful the good energy of these girls were: As I drove away only a few minutes behind my guests, a deer lept over the driveway a safe distance ahead of me. Then seconds later I notice her two baby fawns (with spots still) nibbling grass in the arena! They were totally at ease and I got to watch them for quite awhile. They finally bounced their way back to the woods where they found mama!

I've become obsessed with clearing brush! It's such an immediate gratification type of work. It's right up there with vacumming a shag carpet! I've taken out two very large chokecherry trees that had choked out some lovely old wild rose bushes along the driveway. Two truck loads of brush into the burn pile. Gotta love it!

I'm taming the property and thinking it's sort of metaphorical with development of the Center. As I get more clear on the vision I've had over the past number of years I've got to get rid of the things that have "choked" me out and let the beauty of my ideas (the roses) grow strong again.

Gosh, it feels good!

\I'd be writing a novel if I recapped all that has happened over the last week. Things are moving along with planning and events.

First off, our OPEN HOUSE is less than two weeks away. The property is getting a face lift. Today, the brush hogging warrior from Three Mountain Landscape came back and spent 8 hours on the tractor. AMAZING how nice things are looking and he'll be finishing up by noon tomorrow. Eliza spent the morning with the loppers taking down brush and trimming around the trees. Tomorrow, cheap kid labor (free!) coming to do some more yard work. Reclaiming 70 acres one pair of loppers at time will keep kids busy!! hehehe

Did manage to get another trail ride in today with Tory and Eliza and a friend. The horses are so good and happy to cruise around the trails. I rode Maya who was just perfect.

Yesterday, Summer had her first outing on the trails. Considering where we were at a month ago, she's been a real star and poster horse for the Lockhart School of Equine Reform! Summer had a nice time and handled herself quite well. We did come across a 4 wheeler, a few cars, mud, ledge to cross and a small trickeling stream. Her owner has been so committed to being part of Summers training that the transition home in a few weeks should be pretty easy.

Minko, the little Choctaw, has really come around the last few weeks. He's such a character! He hangs out at the fence waiting for someone to come pet him. He's irresistable to walk by and not call him some sappy name and pet on him a few minutes.

The month ahead is full of fun and adventures with the open house, presentation at Johnson State College, the Caledonia County fair, and then preparing to leave for South Dakota on Sept. 2nd. I've picked up a few new adult students and the activity around the Center lately is really good!

We had a successful weekend at the Lamoille County Field Days. Since it's held in Johnson, the same town where The Center is, we met a lot of our rural neighbors. I am always suprised when someone says, "Oh, yes, I've heard you and your horses are in Johnson now." Also heard from a few people that they've been following our progress. Sounds like the word is continuing to get out.

Gave out over 150 brochures, more than any other year we've attended. I think this was the best year at the Field Days as far as contacts that I made. Our painted pony kids activity was a huge hit as always.

I can't say enough good things about Maya and Oscar and how they greeted everyone. This was Maya's first time at something like this. She couldn't have been any better. What a great ambassador she's become in a short time. The girls rode the horses back home after the fair. Maya bonded with Oscar over the weekend and was whinnying for him when she went back into the pasture.

I bonded with Maya over the weekend, too. I've found that sitting with the horses in their stalls during events like this really make a difference. People tend to feel more like asking questions about the horses. Maya and I spent a total of about 16 hours together in her stall. When she was tired she would put her head behind me and press her face against my back as I sat in the chair. I just love this horse!

The next two weeks are going to be super busy getting the place ready for the open house. I've got more fields to get brush hogged and fencing to get up soon. The day that I don't have to put up any more fencing will be a day to celebrate!

It was really really busy at Field Days Saturday. We did our Painted Pony thing with the kids coming by and we counted almost 100 hand prints on Maya!! She's been a gem and is so gentle with everyone. The Caledonia Fair organizer came by to see our activities and invited us to their event late August. They will PAY us for our appearance!

These events are exhausting with 12 hour days, the heat, all the people to talk to. But you never know who you're going to meet and how they can help. Or who you may help along the way.

It's worth it.

Going to the Fair.

Friday through Sunday we're taking two horses to the Lamoille County Field Days. A small town county fair that we've attended the last number of years. Just about everyone in town will be there, a good place to hand out information on The Center, see old friends and meet new ones.

We are going to take Oscar (crowd favorite!) and Maya who will be new to this type of thing. She's such a lovely mare and we think she'll enjoy all the attention.

Being that I'm still with out a trailer Tory and Eliza are going to ride the horses there. It's only about 2 miles down the dirt road from The Center. How lucky!

Starting to get organized for our OPEN HOUSE August 14th. Hope the message is spreading, would love to have a big turnout of course. We're putting a lot of work into getting things spiffed up around the property. Spiffed up means some mowing, more fencing, and maybe even some transplanting of bushes and perennials to make things real purty!

Rode Summer on her first little outing today. Through the field, around the property, across a big puddle. She was great. Quite bold and not worried about too much. Oscar came along to keep her company but I don't think she needed him.

It's already practically Wednesday. So much seems to happen everyday I can't keep it all straight. Good thing I'm blogging!

Minko is settling in well. He's living in the small corral getting used to be being talked to and petted and oohed and ahhhed at. I've spent some time getting him "de-bratted" as Eliza and I call it! He was a brat the first time I asked him to anything other than what he wanted. But that didn't last long. He's still a little shy but walks up to me and is getting more snuggly. Priority for a kids pony!

Summer, the mare in training, is coming along really well. So great to see the transition happening. Her owner has been so committed to coming when I work with her and is learning more about her horse. She's been riding her and all is going really well. Glad to have her until mid August. She'll be a pretty solid citizen for a four year old by the time she leaves The Center.

Shy Shy continues to be a gem! I just love her delicateness and I'm finding she has sense of humor. Yesterday I took her out for a walk in the field with a friend of mine and her horse. We stood and just chatted for a while and Shy was nibbling on the back of my coat, tugging at it like she was a little kid trying to get my attention. Then she'd put the leadrope in her mouth and carry it, like a dog. This is the first time I've seen her be silly, like I would totally expect from my horses. She and Thunder are really cute together too. He's thrilled to have a girl!

This weekend we have the Lamoille County Field Days to attend with two horses. It's a real local event so it'll be good exposure for us.

Friday I have a group of teenagers coming from Johnson State College to do volunteer work. I'm grateful for their help and hope to get a lot done.

Stay tuned and check back in a few days. I should have some good news to share!!!

When Plans Change

Things have a funny way of working out for me!

Ended up that I did not bring back the 4 year old Choctaw gelding. En route to picking up the borrowed trailer I recieved a phone call that they had a buyer for the horse. Uh, hmmm, uh....okay...mmm, uh. Was a little caught off guard there, and dissapointed.

But....there's a silver lining to this story...

They offered me the same deal for Minko, one of the offspring that we bred and raised during the Choctaw Program at Red Road Farm! So essentially, Minko has come back to me and I couldn't be happier.

When the girls and I went to visit HRBF about 6 weeks ago I was wondering if there was a way Minko could come back. When they offered the other horse I was okay with that so let go of the Minko idea, sort of.

It's great to see the little fella again! He's just adorable. He is very petite, not in the girth size though (over fed) but only stands 12.3 ish. Eliza will help me post pics on Facebook tonight. He hasn't had much handling since he left me in 2008, but he hopped right in the trailer and rode quietly. I'm sure he'll warm up quickly to us. Tonight he was getting acquainted with new buddies over the fence. Can't wait to see him tomorrow and comb out his wind knots in his mane. He's got a pretty tail too! Oh, and his face is beautiful.

"Can we keep him?"

If you have kids, you know how it goes. "Why can't we keep him? He's so cute! I promise I'll walk him and feed him and pick up his poop. I promise!!!!!!

No, not a puppy, or a kitten. It's a Choctaw Indian pony. Yes, he's cute. All 650 lbs of him. Tomorrow I'll be driving to the Woodstock, Vermont area to pick up a gelding from Hamilton Rare Breeds Farm. This 4 year old tri-colored tobiano gelding is a half brother to Little Creek. Iktinike is the sire. HRBF is giving him to me in trade for a breeding to Little Creek next year. They purchased two Choctaw youngsters when John Fusco and I were doing the Choctaw preservation program, and they have two other mares that they've been breeding for a while. So I know where the horse has come from and he's a beauty. I'll have to post pics on Facebook. I can't post here since I'm on dial up.

He'll be an immediate sales project. He's had handling since birth, well taken care of (overfed by the looks of him) and was saddled I think last year, but I'll start from scratch with him. I've learned never to make assumptions about a horses training. He doesn't have a name that I want to use so we'll be renaming him as soon as we get to know him.

"So CAN we keep him?"

"Well, we'll see. For a little while at least!"

Summer is coming along really well. Yesterday I rode her on my own, walk and trot in the arena. She's actually feeling alot softer than I thought she would. She settled right into wearing a bit and she's following the feel of the rein nicely now. Worked on her one rein stop and yeilding to pressure of my leg, her whoa and go are getting more equal.

Looks like her owner has decided to leave her with me for one more month which I'm really happy about. The extra time will allow us to all work together so Summer continues to progress, or at least coast for a while when she goes home. There's nothing wrong with coasting. Summer is just four years old so she doesn't need to know everything this year. The foundation she'll have when she leaves me with be with her for ever.

On another note, The Center has a young friend from Bermuda who is turning 5 years old on Saturday. In lieu of gifts, his guests (over 40 of them!) will be making a contribution to The Center. We have sent him a token of our appreciation, a Breyer horse model of Rain from "Spirit", and each guest is recieving an autographed photo of Oscar!

By the time of our OPEN HOUSE August 14th, the property is going to be looking incredible. Lots of volunteers on board in the coming week. It's just amazing to me how many people are willing to step in and sweat and labor for our project.

Raise your hand if you're tired of hot and sticky, bug infested days? The deer flies are brutal. Relentless little creatures that are driving me crazy. If it's not the bugs, it's the snow. I don't want to sound whiny.

The newly mowed field is great! I can see the lay of the land a little better and it's going to make a fantastic pasture when we can get it plowed and seeded. There's a VT ag program that may be able to help us with funding to get our fields reclaimed. Wouldn't that be great!?

Starting to get the word out now about our August 14th open house. We are taking part in the Lamoille Valley Chamber Route 15 Summer Festival. Opening our doors to visitors from 10-4. Planning on a BBQ, demos, kids activities, meeting our herd and showing people the facility and our plans for the future. We joined the Chamber of Commerce in the spring, this is the 2nd year for the Route 15 festival. Last year we had about a hundred people stop by, so lets hope for more this year now that we are settling into our new location.

Truck working out well, hauled my first load of hay in it today. Feels good to close the door on the situation where the guy owed me a hundred bales since last October. Can't believe he came through really. I was going to just give up a few months ago but was too angry about it and persevered. Glad I did. Giving up doesn't come easy for me. In certain situations maybe it would do me good, but not when it comes to my horses.

This is Summer's last week with me. Her owner is planning on coming daily to work with her. We want to make the transition to going home a positive one and they can continue to progress at their own rate. I feel like I've just been able to get through Summer's wall. We've made more progress over the last week than the first two combined. If I could keep her one more month, I think she'd be a completely different horse to work with by the end. She's a good horse now but still has some ways to go until her opposition reflex doesn't exist anymore. Fortunately, Summer lives a short drive away (from Vermont standards) so I can go over and help if needed.

Progress

Oh yea, oh yea, doin' the happy dance!!! Big field on the left of the driveway getting brush hogged first thing tomorrow morning!!! Can't wait to see what it looks like. Thanks to Eric Boozan from Waterville, owner of Three Mountains landscaping and site work, he gave me a great deal on this big job.

For those of you reading this who haven't been to The Center, there's a 5-6 acre rectangle shaped field that hasn't been attended to in quite a few years. Up to 2 inch saplings growing like crazy. I've found out from farming neighbors it was a corn field, a hay field and prime hunting ground at one point. Brush hogging isn't going to bring this field back to grazing though, but it's a step in the right direction. Ideally, it will be plowed, fertilized and reseeded by next year.

So one thing at a time it's coming together up there. I love to see the progress.

Out with the old...In with the new

I'm tired of talking about my truck saga. I think I have a few friends tired of listening to it, too. It's over though, folks. I've severed the relationship with my F-250 diesel. This evening I drove home in a 2005 F150 Lariat. Had to downsize due to finances but am confident it'll tow fine. I'm not all excited about a new vehicle. Maybe tomorrow when the shock of it all wears off. I couldn't continue the pattern though with my black truck. I get nauseous thinking about the $$$ I've put into repairs in the short time I've owned it. So it's over...moving on to a happier and more trustworthy relationship with new burgundy truck.

It's a nice color and fits into the scheme of The Center. Our colors are burgundy, white and black. A sign reading THE CENTER FOR AMERICA'S FIRST HORSE will look nice on the door. It has a sun roof. That's sort of cool. It has a Tonneau cover on the bed. That's cool too, but I'll have to remove it to haul stuff. It has four doors so I don't have to hear the girls complain as much when one has to ride in the back. Really cool.

It's not cool in Vermont this week though--92 degrees and high humidity. Good for hay farmers. Lots of biting flies out. No fun. Horse time is early morning, late evening and at a minimum.

Cool shower, fans on, open windows, going to bed.

For Pete's Sake!

Pete left yesterday morning with a friend who is taking him for the summer to put miles on him. Not only did he load like a champ after a session with him the day before, but she put a long ride on him yesterday. She said he was, "awesome". Willing, forward thinking, didn't care about the rought terrain, traffic, water, etc. So this is good news for Pete as I'm hoping this friend will decide he'll be a perfect addition to her family.

Pete and Summer must have been talking over the fence because she had a breakthrough yesterday as well. No more 4 hour trailer loading issues. Within 10 minutes Summer was self-loading. I can sit on the fender of the trailer with a 22' rope and send her in. Even at a trot! She's hard to keep out of the trailer now!!!!

The issue hasn't been with the trailer itself as I may have mentioned in an earlier blog post. This issue was her lack of respect and a lack of confidence. All of her same tricks of resistance were seen with many of the new obstacles or idea I presented to her. The barging, pushing her shoulder into you, looking away, not watching where she put her feet, all signs that point in the same direction. Summer now has accepted some leadership from me so we are making progress more quickly now. She put her feet on the pedestal yesterday, too which was a big deal for her. It's not about the pedestal either. It's not about anything except respect, trust and leadership. Once those things are in place, they'll try to please you.

Shy loves the pedestal! She feels very glamorous up there. Shy has let me pick up her hind feet. I laid over her back yesterday. My intention is not to ride her soon, but only help her have a positive reaction to pressure. Pressure comes in all forms. While standing next to her I wrapped my arms around her neck and hugged her tightly, then released, hugged, held, released, hugged, released. It took a few minutes for her to relax into it. I wrapped my arms around her back and did the same thing. She thought that was odd but softened and relaxed into that as well. She can be jumpy about things around her rear end and hind legs so we continue with success to work back there. I saw the other day that stick had gotten caught in her tail while she was in the pasture. She was frightened as it dragged behind her. It finally let go and she looked relieved.

I love my facility because I can use the natural environment to help the horses. I walked her through a field of saplings and tall grass which helped her get used to things on her belly, in her tail, and between her hind legs. I think she's over self about that now!

"You were Born to Blog." That's what my friend Jo said to me! I've enjoyed sharing my adventures with readers. I'm not sure how many people read this, but I do have friends who've mentioned they do. It's a good way for me to journal what happens in my days. I wasn't sure if anyone was actually reading it, so thanks for letting me know you stop by here occasionally.

Between 4 new horses at the barn in the last month, I've been able to keep the plates juggling! Shy, Summer, Pete and now Maya are all getting played with almost daily. Eliza has been a big help and has ridden Augustine two or three days now, his first rides. She's been riding Maya too and taking care of her. Pete has come to an understanding about things, and today we revisited trailer loading with much success. I don't need to go into what day 1 looked like! It wasn't pretty. He'll be leaving this weekend to go to a friends nearby so she can put miles on him. Lots of nice sweaty miles hopefully as he needs to shed a few pounds. (Understatement). He's a joint sales project and by winter I hope he will be finding his partner for life. He's on the road to becoming a great horse.

Summer has been coming along nicely. Her owner got on her and I led her around for the first time. I'm glad she was able to be the first one to "ride" her. It wasn't much of a ride, just a slow walk around the arena. Summer has definitely pushed me to some interesting places in my head about horse psychology. I've had to approach her in a much more mental way than physical since she just didn't seem to be getting it for a few days.

The biggest breakthrough was when I realized the majority of the issues were around her lack of yielding to physical pressure. Once I caused her to lower her head by applying pressure to areas of her face, it all changed. So I've learned alot. I knew this stuff, though, but it wasn't until Summer came I realized just HOW IMPORTANT it is, especially with a horse like her. So here comes Pushy Pete and the first place we visited was his head and causing him to yield to pressure. Things changed.

Pete and I had another visit with the trailer today. Glad to say he's a champ now getting in and out. Was able to stand by the fender and send him in from about 12 feet away. Walks in, turns around and stands. He gave me a little bit of drama in the beginning, but saw I wasn't impressed so moved on to getting in the trailer when asked. Good boy, Pete.

Maya is just an amazing horse and we've all decided that she will be staying with us!!!!!! Her "sponsor" and I both feel that Maya needs to be at The Center with people that love, honor and appreciate her on a daily basis. I'm not sure if it was Morado or Maya who decided they would pasture together, but the morning after we got her, I found Morado had gone under the fence to get in with her. It's a great match and he really has helped Maya acclimate I think.

Before this gets too much longer, I 'll close with saying that the former house site rubble and pile of junk has been removed! It looks great! Big thanks to Gilbert, the Benoits, and John for gettin' er done! We also chose the site for the future barn/arena and am starting to move forward with those plans, contingent on creative financing.

Headed to Ford dealer tomorrow to see about trading my broken truck in. After 3 tows in the last 4 weeks, I'M DONE. This last breakdown could cost me more than the one before. May the black truck find happiness with another owner.

Making Progress

We got a lot done today. Picked up a trailer load of hay that's been owed to me for 9 months. That's good to get that off my plate. Eliza rode Maya today and what a super little horse she is. Eliza felt really confident on her and Maya just trucked around the arena so willing. We noticed today that Maya seems sort of unemotional. I think it's because she's been a school horse and hasn't been able to bond with anyone.

Summer has made some really good changes. She was relaxed and quiet today, we saddled her and I sat on her. Her owner came to watch our session and she ended up sitting on her, too. That was nice to see. Will do more tomorrow with her.

Then there's Pete. Pete is a CS gelding I have for a few days of evaluation as as sales project. He's not had a job for a few years. He's well-fed, sassy, and up until mid-morning, pretty disrespectful of my space. I'd had Pete for training a few years ago so I know what he knows. And he knows what I know! After some "discussion" with him about what I know and what he forgot, he dropped his head, licked and chewed, and finally gave up dominating me. Then Eliza the guinea pig got on him while I stayed attached to the line and she walked and trotted him around with no problems at all. Tomorrow I'll ride him in earnest.

Augustine, a three year old, who is the sweetest thing, had his first day of riding. Eliza has spent her time preparing him (it didn't take much) for today. She walked and trotted on him. Then we put a bridle on him and turned him out into the arena to get used to that. It took him about 15 minutes to stop chewing on it. I don't plan to use a bit for riding him this year, but he is sales project and it's only fair he gets a good introduction to the bit now while I have him.

And the big news...the excavator is parked in the driveway to begin clean up of the house site!!! For those who haven't been to The Center, the house that was on the property was donated to the fire station about 5 years ago for a training. But the mess was never cleaned up. By the weekend, I think it'll be done and we'll have a site for the future indoor arena. The views are incredible, it's the highest point on the property and not inclined to flooding due to our heavy rain. A perfect place for the indoor!!!

And I can't forget to mention Shy who continues to be a pleasure to work with each day. I just adore her!