HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Dear Mom,

Just a note to say sorry for:

Those ulcers you’re working on; don’t worry about me so much I’ll be fine

Stomping on your foot; it was those darn flies

Ditto on the wet tail stinging across your face

The bumps and bruises from your fall; I really thought there was a monster in the bushes!

Staying out in the rain while you called and called

I know you ruined your best shoes when you had to tromp through the mud to get me, but the grass was awfully tasty

Blowing horsey 'boogies' on your dress just as you were about to leave for work; my nose was itchy, allergies you know

Oh well, I will try to be good but after all I am a horse and accidents do happen

Thanks for :

caring for me when I am sick or injured

feeding me

grooming me

scratching all of my itchy spots when I can't reach them

swatting my flies

always being there, like a giant treat-dispensing scratching post and handkerchief all rolled into one!

giving me nose-kisses even though yucky hair gets stuck in your lip balm...

not getting mad when I slobber on your shirt

cleaning my house better than you clean your own

putting the vet on speed-dial

not minding about all the poop...

still giving me carrots even after that time I ditched you on the trail and ran back to the barn because I thought I saw a saber-toothed squirrel, and you had to walk 3 miles on your own to get back. Is that unconditional love, or what? Mom, you're the best!

Most of all thanks for loving me and making me feel special !

I Love You Too Mom

Love,

Your Horse

' Dusty and the Back Paddock Boys '

The ‘Carnival of the Horses’, hosted by Hoofbeats is taking submissions, the last entry date is April 3o, below is our submission to the blog carnival. I hope that this light-hearted play will help bring the plight of the unfortunate horses in this country to the attention of more people. These sometimes forgotten abused horses deserve better.

‘Dusty and the Back Paddock Boys ‘

Cast

Mellon (aka Mission Impossible) – Director

Dusty (aka Moon’s Stardust) – Star in her own mind

Donnie (aka Donegal) – Backup singer

Nate (aka Ex Animo) – Backup singer

Blue (aka Biloxi Blue) – Backup singer

Mellon: “Everyone gather round, some interesting news has just arrived”.

Hoof beats clip clop in the barn aisle, all the horses surround Mellon to hear the news. Everyone except Dusty, of course, she is in her stall sulking with her door tightly closed to keep the riffraff at bay.

Mellon: “It seems we are to be part of a blog carnival, and have been asked to perform a group song as our contribution.”

Dusty flings her door open: “You’ll be needing a lead singer, won’t you? I will be right there. I’ll need a dressing room, of course, and a new wardrobe. And a personal assistant. And someone to groom my gorgeous mane and polish my hooves. Plain or twinkle shine, I can never decide… sigh. Where is my groom!” Stomp!

Mellon: “If you want to be part of this performance get out here right now.”

Dusty: “Well, I never…! Is that any way to treat your STAR?”

Mellon: “One…two…three…f…

Dusty: Oh, if you insist, I’ll have time to primp properly before the show, anyway. This is just my dress rehearsal”.

Donnie: “Can I pleeeease do a duet with Dusty, please, please? I know just the right song!”

Mellon: “No Donnie, you’ll be singing backup with the others.”

Nate: “I should be in the middle, I’m tall. And handsome,” wink, wink. “Tee hee.”

Dusty: “Yes put Nate in the middle he can stand behind me and his chestnut color will bring out my golden coat. As long as he doesn’t block my light…”

Blue: “Whatever. Who cares? All the world’s a stage, blah, blah, blah.”

Mellon: “This is what I have to work with? Great. Just great.”

‘We Are the Herd’

(Sung to the tune “We are the World”)

There comes a time when we hear a certain whinny
When the herd must come together as one
There are horses dying
and it’s time to lend a hand to life
They’re the greatest gift of all

We can’t go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of a great big family
And the truth, you know,
Love and care is all we need

[Chorus:]
We are the herd, we are the yearlings
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
its true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As they have shown us by turning lives around
So we all must lend a helping hand

[Chorus:]
We are the herd, we are the yearlings
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
its true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there’s no way we can fall
Let us realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one

[Chorus:]
We are the herd, we are the yearlings
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
its true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Mellon: “That was great! Dusty what are you doing!?!”

Dusty: “I’m practicing my Miss America wave. I am the star of the show, after all. Do you have any Vaseline for my teeth?”

Mellon: “This isn’t about you; it is about the starving and abused horses in the world.”

Dusty: “What do you mean, it’s not about me? It’s always about me! I’m being starved and abused right now!”

Mellon: “Being starved of attention doesn’t count! You sure don’t look like you’ve missed too many meals…”

Dusty: Stomp! “What are you implying, hmmm? Are you saying I’m fat? Because if you’re saying…”

Mellon: “I’m saying there are horses all over the world who have nothing to eat; who are abused; who are suffering. There are horses that are being abandoned or sent to slaughterhouses. The worst thing that’s ever happened to you is your polo wraps didn’t match your saddle pad. There are REAL problems in the world, you know.”

Dusty: Oh. I had no idea. The horror! I didn’t realize, but, of course, I will give a speech following my performance and we can hold a telethon and take donations. I will even answer the phone myself! Everyone will want to talk to me. We will raise a lot of money and no one will ever have to wear mismatched polo wraps again! Do you think they’ll give me a Nobel Prize?

Mellon: “Sigh...” He shakes his head. “Never mind. Okay guys, one more time from the top...”

Until next time

Quote for Today

In the steady gaze of the horse shines a silent eloquence that speaks of love and loyalty, strength and courage. It is the window that reveals to us how willing is his spirit, how generous his heart.

Riding Etiquette

Riding Etiquette

It is that time of year again when more of us will be taking lessons and competing at shows, local or otherwise. If you are new to the sport, perhaps you are not aware of riding etiquette policies. If you are already a rider, a quick refresher course may help you remember the rules you learned at the beginning of your riding career. Sometimes I wonder if trainers have not done their job of educating their students in the basics of riding etiquette and instilling a sense of courtesy, safety and discipline in riders. Too often, it seems the trainers themselves breach these rules of etiquette, either because they lack the knowledge or discipline to serve as proper role models for their students, or simply feel they are above such courtesy to other riders. Either way, the problem needs to be addressed. Safety is the key concern; the moment we board a horse our duty is to take care of our horses, ourselves and others at all times, and to keep our riding as safe and stress-free as possible.

In General

A person entering an indoor arena should call out whatever the barn suggests the code word be. I have been at many barns over the years and some of the code words were simply, “door” or “coming in” or “heads up”. This is a simple courtesy to other riders so as not to spook their horses or have a collision at the in-gate.

The first rule followed at all times when traffic is moving in opposite directions is to pass left shoulder to left shoulder. Always leave at least one horse’s length in front of you when following, and one horse’s width between you when passing. Young or excitable horses may require more space, so be conscientious. It is also rude and unsafe to run up behind another horse (this can set-off the horse in front,) or cross a diagonal directly at another horse (the horse will feel cornered and may panic.)

Passing riders in the same direction should elicit a call (not a shout) of “inside” or “outside,” alerting the rider on which side you intend to pass. If jumping is taking place, the jumping rider takes the inside, and those riding on the flat will take the outside. During a particularly intense jumping lesson with an excitable horse, you might want to stop in a corner and let the horse and rider finish their round (after which, it is courteous for the jumping rider to take a short break before any more jumping to allow other riders to work.)

Another consideration to your fellow riders is not to practice your dressage movements with total disregard for the other horses in the arena, particularly those who may be schooling over a jump course. Bottom line: it is rude to cross another rider’s jumping line, circle continually, etc. or otherwise monopolize the arena. The same goes for riders who may be jumping or doing any other kind of exercise that may be disruptive to others. We once boarded at a stable where English and Western riders shared the same arena, and I can tell you from experience that dressage tests and barrel racing drills are not necessarily compatible. If your facility does not have a policy or scheduling regarding use of the arena, try to work out a compromise with others using the space so that all can be accommodated.

Longeing

When longeing, quietly take the inside circle at one end of the arena, leaving other riders the outside rail. Do not make the cardinal sin of longeing an undisciplined or excitable horse, or cracking the whip as if he were a circus act. It is never appropriate to have him bucking and running amok. Forgetting for the moment that uncontrolled running and playing on the longe reflects poor training and horsemanship, such behavior is a danger to the horse, the handler and other horses and riders in the vicinity. If you cannot longe in a controlled manner, do not longe at all. If your horse needs to run and buck, turn him out.

Jumps

This may not qualify as riding etiquette, but anyone who has to move or set jumps will thank you to insert all jump pins in the same direction so that they don’t fall out when the standards are moved. Additionally, do not leave the jump cups and pins on the ground, as a horse could step on them and be injured; likewise, do not leave cups on standards without a rail in them, as these pose a potential threat to both horses and fallen riders; reset a jump if your horse knocks it down.

Please think of the others using the arena besides you. You may be a paying customer who feels it is not your job to restore these items, but remember everyone should work for the harmony and safety of all. We boarded at a barn years ago and the owner had a sign that read: “Clean up after yourself! Your mother doesn’t work here.” It is up to everyone who uses a facility to take responsibility for keeping the barn areas neat, clean and safe.

At Shows

When you decide to compete at any show, there are some additional rules to observe. In the warm-up ring, call “heads up” followed by a brief description of the jump you are heading for (i.e., “heads up oxer” or “outside line,” etc.) to alert other riders of your intentions, or if you are coming down a line and someone is blocking your way.

As soon as your schooling is completed, leave the ring. Schooling areas are usually overcrowded and the quicker you get in and out the better for all concerned. This is not social time where you get to hold court, and it is unfair to your horse to make him stand in a busy, high traffic area while you socialize.

In almost every show I have been to over the years, it seems some trainers feel they own the warm-up area and will never offer others a chance at the jumps. This is plainly rude, and seems there is no likely solution, and you will just have to deal with the situation. You may have to be prepared to assert yourself and make the most of it.

Being Prepared

As for myself, I would rather forgo the schooling ring, as it is disorganized chaos, potentially dangerous, and often upsetting to the horse (and sometimes the rider.) The schooling ring is not the place to train your horse or student for the show. If you have not come prepared enough to do a basic warm-up and enter the arena, you do not belong there. At any given show, you can witness trainers trying to put month’s worth of training into a student or horse 15 minutes before the class, which any sensible person will see is absurd and futile. Frankly, I feel embarrassed for these trainers, but more than that, I am annoyed by them. There is simply no excuse for disrupting a show and inconveniencing the other competitors just because you have come unprepared.

The last suggestion concerns both trainers and students. If you are planning to compete in a popular recognized show, make sure you can justify being there. If you are not comfortable with your present riding skills, do not let anyone – not your trainer, your fellow riders, or your own ego – pressure you into competing. A lack of confidence in your skills to participate at a certain level is a debilitating feeling, and if you are not properly skilled, or not confident in those skills, you could become the accident waiting to happen and put yourself, other riders, and the horses in jeopardy. Similarly, if you do not feel your horse is ready, try a lower-level show or ship-into a neighboring facility for some “away from home” practice first. There is absolutely no benefit in rushing unprepared horses or riders to a competition where they may have a negative experience, lose control and disrupt the show, or put other horses and riders in danger.

As for the trainers, we all appreciate you would like to bring students to shows and see them do well at competitions, but at what cost? Isn’t it better to have confident, competent riders and well schooled horses representing you and your barn, rather than just entering the whole barn into classes where they may or may not be equipped to compete successfully? Or are the fees that important to you? Be honest with yourself and with your students about their preparedness and find competitions and environments that are suitable for all involved.

Until next time

Quote for today

There are no problem horses, just problem riders.

Product Review - iGallop

iGallop™

This is a product review for the exercise machine, the iGallop™.

My first introduction to this particular piece of exercise equipment came about one day when I was visiting my daughter. I noticed this apparatus in a corner with her saddle perched on the seat. Intrigued I sat in the saddle and located the on/off switch, then hit the trot button. Almost immediately, the saddle flew off the back end and I bailed off the side. After fifteen years of riding “Sir-Spooks-A-Lot”, it was refreshing to know that I still had my self-preservation skills intact. Feeling a little foolish, I immediately checked my surroundings. Thank goodness, no one had witnessed this rather amusing dismount or I would never have heard the end of it.

Apparently, my daughter had recently bought this exercise machine from www.brookstone.com to help get fit for riding before the spring. It boasts being a core and abs exerciser. Surprisingly enough, most reviewers, horse people included, really like this machine. Some customers even use the iGallop for their autistic or handicapped children who cannot take more than one lesson a week with horses. They use it to keep the children’s muscles in shape and for balance.

The DVD that is included has a range of warm–up exercises--beginner and advanced—that you can do while riding this machine. The exercises are designed to promote balance and flexibility while tightening your core muscle groups. I have done the warm-up and beginner sets and can attest to the fact they are not easy; I can see how they would strengthen your core while improving balance and flexibility. The hardest exercise, I find, is bending your knee and pulling it up to your chest. The scissor exercise is also a little tricky. Don’t forget, you’re doing this while the machine is doing a “trot” and you must keep your balance. These are exactly the kind of exercises the classical riding schools used to put students through as part of their weekly regimen. For those of us who don’t have the benefit of good old-fashioned longe lessons in which these kinds of exercises are used, this can be a practical alternative.

While the iGallop™ labels the different settings with the names of horse gaits, it does not accurately duplicate the gaits of a real horse. Below are how the gaits feel to me, you can be your own judge. If you are interested in this piece of equipment, try it out at your nearest Brookstone stores, which are located in most malls.

The Trot – This unbelievably feels like a good, active walk on a real horse

The Gallop – This is nowhere near what a real gallop or canter feels like, especially on one of my horses. I would compare it to an active sitting trot on a horse. One reviewer felt it was like a pace.

The Race – feels like the Gallop, only a little faster.

The Circuit - which incorporates all of the above at intervals, which is a bit like hacking over varied terrain, and is a nice change of pace.

The Stop – (Ok, this isn’t an actual setting, but the machine shuts off automatically after fifteen minutes, and if you don’t know this is coming, it can feel just like a real horse stopping for no apparent reason. This nifty feature allows you to practice staying on when your horse refuses a fence or slams on the brakes in front of a puddle, etc. It can also provide some entertainment for anyone who may be observing you.)

(Note: if you happen to lose your balance, you may want to avoid grabbing the handle on the front of the machine, as this is where all of the buttons for changing the settings are, and it’s all too easy to accidentally hit the “go faster” button at the least opportune moment. I speak from experience… It’s a little like losing your balance on your horse and simultaneously poking him with your spur!)

There is a similar machine that is available from, Hammacher Schlemmer, www.hammacherschlemmer.com , called The Mechanical Core Muscle Trainer. It actually has a saddle shaped seat and stirrups, but it is pricey at $1,500. I have owned horses that cost less than that. The iGallop is on sale right now for $299. Below is the actual ad from the Brookstone site:

Zero-impact, tri-axial action
Your body automatically responds to multidirectional movements to maintain balance. This constant balancing engages muscle groups in your abs, back, hips, seat and legs—and may help improve balance, coordination and posture.

Three levels of speed and intensity
Choose the Trot program to warm up, Gallop for extended toning and shaping, or Race for a truly invigorating workout.

Circuit program
Switches between the three speeds at random intervals, enhancing the shaping and toning effects of iGallop™ as muscle groups respond to continual changes in motion.

Sturdy construction
iGallop™ is built to last—and its attractive contemporary design looks good in any room of your home.

Any individual who may be pregnant or who has preexisting medical conditions that could be negatively impacted by the rocking motion associated with horseback riding should consult with their physician prior to using iGallop. Anyone who has suffered a neck or back injury or who suffers from chronic neck or back pain should avoid using the product.

Some reviewers have said they put their saddle on the machine, sometimes over a saddle pad, both with and without stirrups, to get the feel of riding. I have tried this and it does make a difference. In addition to strengthening your core, it works your inner thighs and helps you practice good posture for riding. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits is that you can work on improving your “following seat” both at the walk (the machine’s “trot” setting) and at a sitting trot (the machine’s “gallop” setting) without subjecting your horse to any unnecessary agony. Unlike a horse, there really isn’t anything to grip onto on this machine, so it is impossible to balance on the reins or grip with your knees, etc. – you have no choice but to relax and learn to balance and follow the motion or you are in for a seriously uncomfortable ride. The one advantage of the machine over a live horse is that you can work all of this out in our own time without the worrying about trying your horse’s patience or possibly getting bucked off for doing it wrong! And, of course, there is always the added bonus of being able to “ride” while watching TV.

Being very versatile, the iGallop™ can be personalized to fit your particular needs. Nothing is as satisfying as being on a real horse, but this could help to get you in shape for riding when you are otherwise not able to ride. The fact that the iGallop™ exercise system accommodates bad knees and other conditions with a low impact exercise is a plus for some of us.

Overall, it’s a good machine and, while it can never replace the benefits gained by actual riding, it can help get you in shape during those hours you are not able to ride. The only thing I might suggest if you decide to give the iGallop a ride, is to avoid using it in front of a window. Taken out of context, it can look a little freaky to bystanders, and you could wind up being the talk of the neighborhood…

Until next time

Quote for Today

A horse is an animal not a machine, and is only as good as it's rider.

EXCELLENCE in EQUINE CARE AWARD

I would like to thank Callie over at Midwest Horse for giving me this award. I'm pleased that she would think of me. Now, I would like to pass it along to a few more people that I think are deserving of "The Excellence in Equine Care Award", and they can then pass it along to whomever they would like too.

And the award goes to :
Victoria at - Teachings of the Horse
Billie at - camera-obscura
MiKael at - Rising Rainbow
Jackie at - Regarding Horses

I hope everyone enjoys receiving this award as much as I did. Thanks again Callie.

Series Finale - A Farm of Your Own

A Farm of Your Own

Series Finale

The general knowledge and information you have read about here and gleaned from other sources should have you somewhat prepared to start the search for your horse farm. I should point out that what I have written is only general advice and suggestions, should you need a reference point to start at. Ultimately, what appeals to you and what satisfies your particular needs will be your guide.

Real Estates & Their Agents

As real estates and their agents go, I have, in general, not been impressed by their practices, which I would deem to be just this side of devious and self-serving. During many years of searching for the perfect place, and numerous trips to properties that never even came close to resembling a potential horse farm, I can help you analyze some misleading ads.

• Be wary of ads that boast “cozy” or “charming,” translated that means very small. “Rustic” could mean it is possibly lacking electricity, running water, and/or or a navigable driveway.

• “Potential horse farm” could mean just about anything. Having been to quite a few of these, I would say if you own mountain goats or big horn sheep, the rocky mountainous cliffs of this type of property might be just what you have been looking for, but if rolling grassy meadows are dancing across your daydreams you might be disappointed.

• Another of my favorites is “Gentleman’s mini-estate.” When they say “mini” they mean minute - maybe an acre if you are lucky. In addition, let’s see how many horses you can cram into a 10 x 10 paddock.

The phrase “buyers beware” really comes into play when dealing with real estates.

It would be wise to contact a real estate that deals exclusively in farm properties, or an agent who is a knowledgeable horse person. Tell the agent exactly what you are in the market for, and exactly how much you are willing to spend, or you may be disappointed with what you are shown. Worse yet, as has often happened to me, you will be held captive in the agent’s car for an entire day, because there is just one more property that they feel is the one you are looking for (and they are desperate to unload for the commission). Always insist on taking your own car and meeting at the property.

That said, there are also agents who are willing to work with you and who can be trusted. I have personally met two women who were unusually trustworthy and helpful agents in the real estate industry. The woman we eventually bought our place from was a horse person herself and lived in the area. She was very knowledgeable and helped us a great deal locating plumbers, electricians, and water/well services. Even now, after a year in our place, we still call her occasionally for a name of someone we need to do a service. If you stumble upon an agent like this, you can consider yourself very fortunate.

Once you find the property of your dreams, there are a few facts you should be aware of before any money changes hands. Always have a certified inspector that you hire do an inspection of the house, barns and land. It will add to the cost of the farm but the extra money for the inspection can save you thousands of dollars and could save you from making a colossal blunder. Our house inspector, saved us from a costly mistake with a farm we were weeks away from purchasing. Here is a quick synopsis of the tale:

After searching for years, we finally found the right place for our horses and ourselves… or so we thought. The property was 20 acres… or was it 15? Well, the real estate agent said the boundary was ‘back by that line of bushes or there about’. That was fine; it was still enough for someone with stars in their eyes. The house was small but could be expanded… well not really; as it turns out it was an historical home that could not be touched. Where it sat on the property was the only approved building envelope on the entire farm. Okay. The indoor arena was small but it would still be nice to get work done out of the weather. The outdoor ring needed to be enlarged and new footing was necessary. Not a problem. The barn and the stalls were on the small side, but would still work out for now. One selling feature that it had was a huge open field of protected property abutting it. Fantastic! We were shown this feature on a weekday, and informed no one ever used it, so it was practically part of the farm. Even better, it was maintained by the town. Wow! Except on the weekend, we drove by ‘our farm’ and the field was overrun with people, picnics, dogs, ATV’s etc. Hmm…. None of this deterred me from my purpose of having a horse farm. There was also a pristine river winding peacefully along the front of the farm. How exquisitely charming. The flowered walk to the barn from the house crossed a wooden bridge. How extraordinarily quaint.

Then the inspector came. It seems the river not only ran through it, but at one time it had also run over it, flooding the house (and barns) about four feet up the walls, leaving in its wake water damage, mold and mildew festering inside the walls. Hmmm… now that I think about it, I guess that’s why the owners were always burning incense and candles…. With freshly painted walls and refinished wood floors, I never would have suspected. The foundation was undermined and caving in on itself. Such a shame not to be able to see the foundation with all the plantings hiding that wonderful stone. The owners seemed such friendly, outgoing horse people; it was hard to believe they were really a couple of sharpshooters. Live and learn. The real estate agent was an accomplished liar; any question we asked her seemed to have a legitimate answer, only to find out later she had been less than forthcoming. Oh well. We were disappointed, but were also relieved not to have wasted a fortune on this particular money pit.

The moral of the story is; have an inspector check out your future purchase before you sign anything.

Paradise Found

After the disappointment of that particular property, I stopped looking for a few months, assuming I would never find anything worthwhile. The bug hit me again. I focused on different areas that were further away than where I wanted to be, because there was not anything closer. We saw one more place that was very nice and we made an offer, they came back with a counter offer raising the price by almost a half million dollars. Seems that the heirs got wind of what Mom was doing and wanted more for themselves. It is still for sale with the inflated price.

Our real estate agent had one more place and it was just a little further away. On our way to this property, we passed a beautiful farm with white fencing, manicured paddocks, freshly painted barns and sheds. I remember saying to my husband, wouldn’t it be nice if this were the place we were on our way to see. He said - and I remember this distinctly – “In your dreams! You wish it was this place.” But it was! We double-checked that we had the right address, and this was the farm for sale. To make a long story short we bought it and the same inspector did the inspection. A few minor things needed fixing, which the owner did.

We moved in a year ago two weeks before Christmas. I love our farm, but even though it is ‘Paradise Found’, there were still some problems that needed to be addressed. The first month the water pipes froze and burst in the tack room, but we have fixed that problem. The heaters in the wash stall and grooming stall needed repairs. There are a few steep cliffs at the back of the property that our herd could have fallen from and killed them or us, so fencing was installed for safety, and we continued the fence along the small creek, which borders the property, which could be easily jumped. Now if a horse gets loose they will be safe and unable to escape into neighbor’s yards or the road.

Our pond partially freezes, because one end has an aerator and remains unfrozen in even the coldest weather. Taking the horses in at dusk one winter evening Erik & Blue got loose and decided to skate across the pond, it was sheer luck they did not fall in the open end or through the ice and drown. The pond is now also fenced. Along one side of the barn are beautiful rose bushes, but, of course, when you need to open and shut the windows, you will be scratched up as if you were in a fight with a bobcat. They are being removed this spring and replanted.

One night during the summer, Dusty and her pasture mate Devon were let loose from their paddock; luckily, the gate to the road was padlocked. Apparently there were teenagers (I hope it was teenagers) whose mission of fun that night was to let all the neighborhood’s horses loose to run the roads. We have since dismantled that paddock and used the fencing around the pond. The remainder of the fencing was used to separate the front paddock in two. Devon went home, and Dusty was causing a lot of trouble with the boys, so she needed her own paddock. The boys’ side of the paddock had a gate installed at either end, and we built a culvert over the stream between the two paddocks. Turnout in the morning takes much less time and they can come and go as they please and spread out between the two run-in sheds in case of bad weather.

We also discovered this fall when the leaves turned that all the beautiful mature trees lining the street, the front paddock and the road along the pond are red maples. These are highly toxic to horses if they ingest the wilted leaves. Obviously, I cannot cut all of these down, so we are having the four by the paddock removed and switching them for something less dangerous. One side of the barn is planted with hydrangeas, which are very pretty, but also deadly. We will leave these; the horses are not allowed to graze there and Dusty cannot reach them from her window. When you find a place you like be sure and check for poisonous trees and plants. If you are not sure of something growing there, contact your local agriculture extension.

My wish list includes automatic waterers, an indoor arena, and a hedge along the side with road frontage. If anyone knows of a fast growing, dense hedge that is not poisonous, I would welcome all suggestions. We need it for privacy, to cut down on the noise from the road, and to deal with the wonderful people who throw beer cans, Styrofoam cups and any other garbage from their cars onto the farm as they pass. We are always on rubbish patrol.

Even though I love my place, and I would not trade it for anything, no place is perfect and there are bound to be problems. It will take time, but sooner or later the farm will be the way I want it to be and hopefully I will be more organized after all the jobs that need doing are finished.
Then we can finally sit back, relax and enjoy our long awaited paradise.

Until next time

Quote of the Day

The warmest feeling arrives when you know the horse you love is all cozy and snug, and it's all because of you.
- Fiona-Louise Miller

A Farm of Your Own - Part 3

A Farm of Your Own – Part 3

A Few More Items

There are a few more things to be on the lookout for when purchasing a farm. Billie from camera-obscura suggested searching out if there are water lines going to the paddocks. This is a very good observation that I completely forgot about. Dragging water buckets and connected hoses around the farm is a huge inconvenience. We have heated automatic waterers in three of our paddocks but the furthest one in the back has none, so in the summer when the girls lived outside, I loaded up the mule with many 5-gallon jugs to fill the trough. Not a lot of fun, but horses need fresh water almost everyday. Mrs. Mom informed us about cement board fencing that is being used in her area in Southland. Do you know anyone who has this type of fencing; let us know how they like it and if it would be suitable for a colder climate. Thanks to everyone who left a comment, we welcome everyone’s opinions and their helpful suggestions.

Searching for ‘The Area’

Once you are armed with sufficient information concerning what you want included in your farm it is time to decide what area will work best for you.

Naturally, you will want to be close enough to commute to work if you already have a job. Gas prices being what they are these days will likely contribute to your decision. Perhaps your preference is to live on the farm and work from there, if that is the case, make it as simple and convenient for everyone involved in this venture.

Before you can make a definite decision on the area your farm is to be located, do some research on the veterinarians in your preferred area. Amelia commented on the fact there are no vets within 50 miles of her, and the nearest vets cannot find assistants willing to travel. Not having a vet within a reasonable distance will make emergency treatment almost impossible. Therefore, if you are not capable of handling a situation on your own (think colic, wounds needing sutures, tendon/ligament injuries, broken bones, etc.), or at least getting it under control until the vet arrives, you need to rethink your farm’s location. This scenario also applies to farriers in rural areas, there is sometimes such a shortage of farriers that it could be considered a humane issue. Horses who cannot be shod and those who must go an extremely long time without being trimmed add the risk of injury, lameness, etc. as a result of improper care. Consequently, make sure there is a good farrier within range or if you are desperate to have your horses on a schedule, be prepared to go to school and learn to do it properly yourself. These reasons alone would be a serious point to consider the further you go from ‘horsey’ areas, you must do the legwork where horse care providers are concerned.

Check out the local hay, feed and shavings suppliers and their delivery policies. We buy our feed from a local Agway that is no more than five minutes from us, they require a $45.00 delivery fee, and we pick it up at the store to save the fee.

Decide beforehand if you will continue taking lessons from your current trainer or if you are willing to switch to another. Ask if they will come to you or if you can trailer in. If trail riding is your ultimate goal, make sure there are trails close enough to the farm area for you to access easily by horseback or trailer. Do you still compete; the distance you are willing to travel to “local” shows could be a factor in your decision.

Only you know what your goals are for your horses and yourself. The area you choose should reflect your interests and goals, as you will likely be there for a long time. However, even before you buy a farm, you must also think of resale value. Buying a farm in a horsey area and reselling, may not be difficult as there is always someone looking for a place to house his or her horses. The dwindling land in this country and further restrictions on what can and cannot be used as agricultural land may make reselling a profitable option in the right area. On the other hand, maybe not, you never know how the economic situation may change in any given year, so reselling could be a long time in the coming. One other point to consider and research is the zoning laws of the particular area you have chosen. Could someone buy the farm or vacant land next to you and develop it into tract homes, build a factory or a shopping mall, etc. Usually areas that are zoned 5 acres or more will alleviate this problem.

Once the dream of a farm is realized, we usually stay put, so make sure the area you decide on is right for you now and will be right for you in the future. What I am trying to say here is you never know what will happen from one year to the next, so be absolutely sure you love the area where your farm is located, you are likely going to be there a long time.

Purchasing in an area of like-minded horse people is an intelligent decision. The advantages of having a ‘community’ of horse people around, either for riding buddies, training, advice, emergency help, or horse sitting, suggests it may be sensible to look for an area that has people with common interests. We horse people are a great asset to one another, and we in particular need to stick together for the good of all …

Equipment

While not being a fun subject it is necessary to have at least some knowledge beforehand about farm equipment, which is needed to keep things rolling along smoothly.

• Generators - a small generator should be purchased that will keep your water running in the barn when the power goes out. If your farm is in a rural area, there will be electricity outages and a small generator will ensure water for the horses. Our boarding stable was fairly large and we had outages many times, once the local fire department had to bring water for the horses. The fire department was wonderful, but still with a generator it would have been much easier.

• Tractors – if your farm is big enough to warrant a tractor do the research and find the one that is right for your acreage. You may need a smaller tractor to mow the paddocks with a few attachments for snow removal and a bucket for digging. Obviously, the larger tractors would be overkill. A large farm will require a bigger tractor; we researched different models and decided on the Kubota, which was right for us as it has one of the better reputations for being reliable. When you purchase the tractor, ask the dealer if classes are available that will instruct you on how to operate the tractor. I can personally offer two tips on tractor operation; do not drive with the bucket up because it can cause the tractor to tip over. Thanks to a helpful neighbor, we learned about this before any accidents occurred. Locate the brakes, as this could be important the first time you drive it out of the garage and are heading for the pond. It seems our brakes are not on the floor next to the gas pedal but on a stick next to the seat. We did not know where the brakes were, but found out, shall we say just in the nick of time.

• Mule - a small vehicle with a cab and a small bed in the rear. Our mule is a Kawasaki, and I consider this one of the most indispensable vehicles on the property. We transport hay, shavings, water, and feed and just about anything else, that fits in the bed. It is small and fits into areas that the pick-up truck cannot. It is also great for taking into the back paddocks to check on things when you do not feel like walking. It is also useful for attaching the drag for dragging the riding arenas, the manure spreader, the seeder attachment, we even attach a weed whacking machine that weed whacks around the fence posts. In addition, it is nice to have Molly one of our Aussie’s riding shotgun in the cab. She’s an old gal (15) and it saves her legwork and lets her still be a vital part of making sure her herd is behaving.

Of course, you will find that you need some machinery that I haven’t mentioned in detail here. A ride on mower, leaf blowers, rakes, shovels, pitchforks, wheelbarrows and an assortment of brooms are just a few. I am sure you can figure out the required smaller equipment as you go along.

One more recommendation, when it comes to farm vehicles try to stay with all diesel. Our Kawasaki mule runs on diesel as well as the tractor and if you pull a trailer look for a diesel engine in the towing truck. You can usually buy agricultural diesel at a lower price than the diesel at a gas station. We buy our fuel from our home heating oil company. They also installed a 275-gallon diesel storage tank inside our equipment garage. It is equipped with a hose and filler nozzle. This is a more convenient solution for keeping your equipment filled than by using 5-gallon cans of gasoline and running back and forth to the gas station.

I hope these suggestions are helpful to you when you decide to look for your farm. In the next installment of this series, we will discuss how to find the farm of your dreams.

Until next time

Quote for Today

If horses were wishes, we’d all own stables!