Charlie
Meet Charlie!
Charlie is a pony who likes to march to the beat of his own drummer! He likes to explore when he escapes from the paddock! Charlie was a former petting zoo pony, so you can trust that his good nature never fails! I have been working a lot with Charlie‘s manners. Because a lot of children fed him treats he tended to be a bit nippy! This is not something I want to encourage in a pony. But he really likes to be brushed, and is good to clean out his feet now. I am amazed how he stays so white, even in muddy conditions. He is learning to drive. I drive him without a bit right now as his forelock is too thick for the bridle. During the winter, he and I skijored…that means he pulled me while I was skiing. He was so patient when I fell! Just stood there as I struggled to my feet. I bought a cart for him and I know he is will enjoy being hitched exploring the country. He is so brave!
Noir
- Meet Noir!I bought Noir to be company for Lola when I first bought the property! Noir is black in French however he can’t seem to make up his mind what colour he wants to be. He was black all winter, but then his coat turned white as his winter coat shed out, but his summer coat is dark now. He is learning to stand quietly while being brushed and to pick up his feet nicely too. He will be all ready for people once my program starts! He has also started to learn to drive. He is not as brave as Charlie, but he is a lot younger. As he gains more experience, he will get braver.
Julien
Meet Julien!
Julien is my 27 year old dressage horse (born in 1994).I bought him in 2008 and he was going to be my horse that would take me into the higher levels of national level competitions. We never made it. As I got busier coaching and training, my time to train with Julien always took a lower priority. My tours to Afghanistan put my training on hold. It was impossible for me to find the coaching I wanted close to Pembroke, the location of my other stable.After I sold my farm and business, Julien was boarded out at several different stables. He developed some lameness and health issues and became very quiet. I could ride him bareback with a halter and lead rope.
Lola
- Meet Lola!Lola is about 8 years old. She is a Thoroughbred and ex race horse. She started her second career with me when she was ready to retire from racing when she was 5 years old. I was on the lookout for a younger horse because of Julien‘s age and health issues at that time. Lola is a bit different than many ex race horses. She is an easy keeper, which means she doesn’t need a lot of grain to keep her at a good weight, and she loves to be outside. When I first got her, she had lampas, which means the roof of her mouth was swollen.
While treating that, I got into the habit of riding her in a halter and lead rope, and I have never got out of that habit. I find Lola doesn’t believe that people are the source of all good things so I do a lot of relationship building groundwork with her as well as ride her. Lola is being aimed for dressage and jumper. As I have gotten older, and spending less time jumping, I have found that I am not as confident as I used to be when I was younger. Now that I have the opportunity to ride more, I am hoping to rediscover that confidence and have some fun jumping again! Lola is available to half lease for the right rider. While she doesn’t want to be your friend, she is friendly and gentle. The right rider will want to build a partnership, understanding that even younger horses don’t need to be drilled through exercises. The right rider will want to commit to working with Lola 3 times per week and lessons. Over the winter, I started clicker training with Lola. She was never relaxed while I was brushing her, nor did she consider pets as reward. The clicker training has been a great tool for positive reinforcement with Lola. She is much more relaxed and enjoys being brushed. I rode her bridle less one time last fall and am really looking forward to trying more of that this year!
Goats
Meet The Goats!
Meet Abby, Tessa, Tucker and Midge! At Spruce Ridge, my previous farm, it was a very tightly controlled environment. There was a lesson program, including beginners, and it was never the right time to introduce other large animals. It takes time for animals to become accustomed to each other and sometimes horses can have a quick reaction….not conducive to safe lessons. As long as the horses were at the farm or at a horse show, you would never know their education was ‘lacking’. Along my self discovery journey, I said that if I was ever going to get another farm, there would be goats, and sheep and llamas and chickens, oh my!
It was off to a shaky start, but now, the horses are very comfortable with the goats. Meanwhile, the goats are more fun than the horses! They always have something to say to you.
And they follow me like little shadows..unless I want them to go somewhere and then they make a break for it! I finally got tired of the goats making a break for freedom… I got halters for them and now they lead!
They are very friendly and love to have their withers scratched. Tucker gets his hind leg going like a dog and Midge makes faces with her nose. Abby was not very friendly until she discovered scratches and now she pushes her way into line (I only have 2 hands so scratching 4 goats takes a little coordination.
Tessa is the easiest to lead so she is always my chosen oneOne of the benefits to getting the goats was supposed to be their eating habits. I heard that they would eat a lot of the weeds. Unfortunately, my goats didn’t get that memo….weeds still abound at my place! I am planning to get a couple of pet sheep, cows and alpacas in the future, maybe even some chickens! The horses here are getting some professional development!