Too Young? Too Old? Baahumbug!

Jan 20, 2011

Is anyone too young or too old to have a friend? We all know that is a silly question, and certainly is not the case here at Blue Rock Horses.

We just started our youngest student, 5-year-old Peter. Our first cowboy! Our goal is to begin a friendship between him and horses that will last a lifetime. It matters little if he ever becomes a great horseman. Our idea is to create a bond with him and these beautiful animals. There is something beyond words that happens between man and animal. Man knows it and so do the animals we care for. God called man to care for animals. This, we are sure, is where the bond began.

So, back to Peter. We will take it one lesson at a time according to his desire. He enjoyed touching High Hope’s velvety muzzle, and feeling her warm breathe on his hand. He wanted to ride with me, so we rode bareback. All our students ride bareback every now and then. It teaches great balance, and on cold days the horse’s furry, warm coat feels great!

Peter will set the pace for us, and we will have rich lessons together—all 3 of us!

Our oldest student is my mother. You must never tell her this though, as those are “fightin'” words! “You!”, she reminds me always,”are the one I taught!”

This is very true. My mother is an outstanding horsewoman. She will soon turn 86 years old, and up until this year we did get her up on High Hope, and she rode around the paddock. It is something to see her loose her age when she is on a horse. She has lost much of her immediate memory, but she has never lost her love of the horse.

It is so funny to hear her say every time she sees High Hope, “Damn! That’s a nice looking dun!” You have to know my mother!

It is our goal to find a way to get Mom back in the saddle, her legs just don’t want to swing over the saddle anymore. But I know this much, she does not have to ride to “feel” that beautiful rhythm of the walk, for it is in her very being.

Peter enjoyed petting High Hope's velvety muzzle

All our students ride bareback every so often. It teaches great balance.

"I want to go out to see the horses." My Mom

Brrrr–It is Cold. Wrangling with the Horses in Cold Weather

Dec 13, 2010

It is cold. Finding a warm, preferably sunny, spot seems to be on the mind of both man and beast in weather like this.
Our cat has her nose tucked under her furry paws, and our dog goes outside only when he MUST! As for the horses, they find a spot out of the wind, and rest with their backs to the sharp breeze.

What? you may be asking me, those horses are not in the barn to stay warm? The answer is no. This must sound odd coming from a Virginia horsewoman. Wherever one goes, it seems, every horse in Virginia is blanketed and pity those poor animals that are not.

A little history and background information might be helpful. I grew up on a 1,300 acre farm/tourist attraction. We had over 26 head of horses for service to our tourists. Keeping track of just halters was a big job for my twin sister and me! We had a beautiful, big bank barn with standing stalls on one side and a run-in on the other. Because horses are herd animals and definitely have a pecking order, it is not a great idea to leave that many in a run-in area. Those at the bottom of the pecking order would never be “allowed” into the shelter. So, we would tie the horses in their standing stalls. This will only be tolerated by a big, healthy animal so long before they are suffering “cabin fever.”

This wasn’t the only reason though. Horses are very adaptable to cold weather. They know where to get out of it, given the chance. In other words cedar tree groves make excellent protection from wind and weather. Also, natural dips in the land is a place where horses can be found resting and soaking up the sun. One final thought, horses’ winter coats are said to be able to grow 1/4″ overnight in cold, bad weather.

For us, wet, rainy, icy weather was what we saved the barn for. When your horses come into the barn for evening feedings and they have ice on their backs and whiskers, it IS a great time to warm them up with plenty of hay (very little extra grain, please), a quick rubdown with a fluffy towel, and handfuls of fresh, crunchy carrots!

Do not forget the water and mineral salt! My mother always had us put our mineral salt blocks beside the water trough. So this is where they are. Keep the water fresh and heated. Cold, broken-up frozen water is hard on horses and can cause colic. I have seen horses not even drink water that is too cold! Check it daily.

Then after you have enjoyed and fed your warm, fuzzy and very grateful horses the next best place to be is in your favorite chair with a cup of hot coffee. Not to forget your dog warming your toes, and the cat warming your lap!

By the way, the blanketed horses in Virginia are mostly show horses that are in the show ring all year. Forgive the pun, but they are a “horse of a different color” and have altogether different requirements.

For those of us who wrangle with their horses in cold weather for the simple joy of them, may this be of some insight to you.

On wet, snowy days, our horses get their hay inside the open barn.

Ten Reasons why riding lessons with Blue Rock Horses are worth it

Nov 19, 2010

Our Lessons:

1. Are private

2. Build confidence.

3. Teach responsibility.

4. Develop students as an athlete.

5. Teaches animal husbandry.

6. Teaches control of students’ body.

7. Teaches students how to handle fear.

8. Teaches the joy of working with animals and their thought processes.

9. Teaches students to think and anticipate.

10. It is downright FUN!!!

Ready to mount up for a beautiful fall lesson.

Rainy Day in the stable

Nov 16, 2010

A rainy day in the stable is a most wonderful place to be. Even the horses agree with this.

The lights are on, casting a welcoming call to enter. It is warm to the sense of sight and smell and has a comforting feel not only to me, but the horses as well. As I spread out their hay in the mangers, I lolly gag around so as to hear them munching joyfully. They are warming their bellies, and wet coats while the entire scene warms my heart. Must I leave and go into a house where the dust and cobwebs must be cleaned?

Ahhhhh! To be in a barn on a rainy day!

Good things come in little packages

Nov 15, 2010

These little guys are so much fun and a perfect alternative to those of us with few acres, less time, and does it bear mentioning, less strain on the back picking hooves!

Animals listen to our Creator. They rest!

I have gone with a friend of mine who takes her mini’s to nursing homes. Both the mini’s AND the residents enjoy the time visiting together!

Mini's are always ready for BIG attention!

Riding Recital

Nov 4, 2010

Riding Recital? What is that? It was an idea my daughter gave me! She has several piano recitals throughout the school year, and since I do not take my riding students to show horses (for many reasons), I thought a Riding Recital would be a great way for the girls to show their riding skills. It was a great hit!! The girls loved it, the horses enjoyed themselves, and the parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, etc, etc., had fun as well.