Farm Life
A Day at the Beach
My husband and I with the Bride and Groom
Ok so I know I’ve sort of disappeared this past week, but for good reason. One of my good friends got married to my husband’s best friend last Friday. I was a bridesmaid and my husband was the best man – needless to say we were very busy last week. I had to get a spray on tan to get rid of my blinding farmers tan (what can I say, I spend too much time at the farm) and we had to arrange “day care” for the Dachshund – he got to spend 2 days at my parents romping with his partner in crime, Trooper. So now that I’m recovered and back from a hectic week its time to get back to posting! And I have a lot to share! You might think that I wouldn’t have much given the busy state of last week, but I actually have tons to report on about the Trick Ponies as well as the Dachshund – I also have some fantastic news to announce! But the announcement will have to wait (I need some time to prepare the videos) so I will leave it to speculation right now and you will just have to check back in this week.
Grandma's Beach House
So onto the post for today. This is semi old news as it happened on Saturday, October 17th. And unfortunately it does not involve the Trick Ponies (but oh how I wish it did). On the 17th my family and I took a trip to Ocean City, NJ for the day. The real agenda for the trip was to pack up my grandmother’s decaying beach house as it was sold and settlement is happening this week. My grandmother lived there for decades and it has been in my mother’s family for generations. Sadly the house is in pretty bad shape and beyond repair at this point in its life. So without being able to afford a rebuild – and in desperate need of money – my grandmother has reluctantly agreed to sell. Its sad to see it go, as I remember beach trips there as a child, walking to the corner shop for candy, and taking the dogs for a hike on the beach.
Saying Goodbye to the Past
So last Saturday we went down for one last jaunt as we packed up my grandmothers left behind belongings. I secretly was excited to make the trip because I wanted to take the Dachshund on the beach. This would be the first time he was to see the ocean – and I was excited to see what he would think. Sadly on Saturday it was pouring rain (not ideal beach weather) – but I bundled the dog up anyway and headed to the beach with him. Below you can watch a video of his first encounter in the sea…I think he was a bit surprised by it.
Trooper and Ammo at the Beach
Trooper, my parent’s Lab/Australian Shepherd Mix (and Ammo’s best friend) had great fun running in and out of the ocean and chasing seagulls with Ammo. We eventually had to pull them away because Ammo got a bit cold, but I bundled him up in dry clothes and he quickly became warm again. My only regret was I couldn’t bring the ponies. I have dreamed of the day that I can ride Minnow on the beach. I’ve always wanted to gallop him through the water – and hopefully someday it will come true, as you are allowed to ride horses on Assateague Island (Minnow’s birthplace) in the fall and winter months. I haven’t been able to make the trip yet, but it is certainly on my to-do list.
Ammo a little cold from all the wind
I’m glad Ammo got to experience his first visit to the ocean, I strongly believe in acclimating my animals to new environments and surroundings (the horses are included in this as well). Socializing your animals and taking them with you places makes them much more adaptable and happier. The Dachshund goes with me everywhere – and he is one of the most well adjusted dogs I have ever had. Now grant it I know its not always possible to take your dog (or horse) everywhere – but take your dog to the dog park, bring him in the pet store to buy dog food – let him ride around in the car with you when you run errands (as long as its not too hot or cold in the car), take him to a friend’s house. I even practice this methodology with my horses. Take them to horse shows just to watch, drive them around in the trailer without actually going anywhere, I take them swimming at the local lake, mine have even been to tack shops (for appearances), and I take them on walks…much like you would a dog. Anywhere you can take your horse/dog that is new and different helps them to become well adjusted. I also believe it helps with their confidence. Confidence can go a long way when it comes to despooking a horse or keeping a dog from being nervous or aggressive in new situations. Dachshunds are notorious for being snappy and aggressive with other dogs and small children – but thankfully my Ammo has never displayed any of this – and I believe its thanks to the fact that I have taken him places since he was 8 weeks old.
So I’m giving everyone some homework, this week think of somewhere you haven’t taken you dog or horse (or any pet) and make an effort to take him/her there sometime soon. If you take me up on my challenge be sure to post a comment and give us a report of how it went! I’d love to hear!
They Grow Up Fast
Its a rainy miserable day here in Eastern Pa. Thats why today I decided to share a “warm your heart” video – of the Dachshund none-the-less. Because lets face it, he’s super adorable and I know you all love him. He just might have to start his own blog like Burger from Young House Love . If you have no idea what I’m talking about go check it out. But until then Ammo is more than happy to make guest appearances on the Trick Ponies of Chincoteague Blog (of course if no one minds – which I’m sure you don’t).
Anyway, I took this video today after our rainy walk into my shop in town. Ammo got his cute sweater all wet in the rain, which didn’t make him very happy. So rather than wait for me to take the sweater off for him (I’m sorry Ammo I was a bit pre-occupied with checking e-mails and of course facebook) Ammo took matters into his own hands paws. Luckily I have a camera glued to me at all times – so I was able to capture his cute attempt to de-robe himself. Oh they grow up so fast – my boy can undress himself now.
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
The Husband Horse
So I promised my husband I wouldn’t post these photos on facebook….but he forgot to mention not to post them on the blog. So don’t tell him, but I’m sharing them anyway!
I convinced my non-horsey husband to take a ride on Blitz over the weekend. Mike doesn’t have anything against horses, infact I think he enjoys coming to the farm with me sometimes, he just isn’t interested in riding them. He’s tolerated me teaching him the basics of riding but he’s still very much a beginner. Although I have to say for a beginner he really has no fear. He’ll willingly canter around the arena despite the fact that his reins are too long (causing him to really have no control over this 800lb animal) and his heels are up as he bounces around in the saddle.
This was the first time that Mike has ridden Blitz. Before this weekend he had always ridden Minnow – who was his favorite (mine too). Minnow (after his re-training with the clicker) seemed to know when to take care of his rider – as most horses do. Infact while in college Mike and I used to ride Minnow double out on the trails. Mike I think figured out pretty quickly that he could trust Minnow to keep him from falling off. Not to mention at 13.1 hands tall he really wasn’t far from the ground. So when Minnow was diagnosed with ringbone in 2008 and pronounced unrideable that pretty much put an end to Mike’s riding. For most of last year I really didn’t have anything suitable for a beginner to ride.
My sister’s horse, Jet, could definitely carry a man but her need for speed scares most beginners. And my 16.3 hand horse, Nitro, well frankly scares people with his size, not to mention his explosive and untrustworthy behavior. I never feel comfortable putting people on him.
When I purchased Blitz last summer I knew he’d make a nice man’s horse someday. His size was perfect at 14.1 hands and he’s definitely sturdy enough. Not only that, but he was ridden by a man at the farm he came from. Not just any man – a beginner rider who I watched catch him in the mouth over a fence while Blitz continued on in his steady pace. So when Blitz came home with us naturally we gave him time to adjust – getting his bucks over with, but now that its been over a year I really felt comfortable putting a beginner on him.
I really wasn’t surprised when Mike commented “I can’t get him to go faster” because Blitz is for sure a kick ride and if you don’t know the right button to push he will continue around the arena in his molasses pace. But I can say he took care of my husband. He walked the bridge with him, he even did a few cross rails and let us mess around with the Polocrosse rackets. I laughed when Mike gave him the wrong signal and Blitz proceeded to do his little back up and 180 spin maneuver that we have been teaching him. Mike is now convinced that he’s an expert rider because he make the horse do what we do. I beg to differ.
But in the end I was impressed that I even got my husband to ride…and that Blitz really proved to me that he’s a pony anyone can ride. Boomer will be there someday too I’m sure – but we need to eliminate the bronco buck once and for all first. 🙂
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
The Dachshund gets a Pony
Ammo
Its really fall…and I love it! But sadly that also means that I will have less and less time to do new posts because as we near the holiday season my store begins to get busier – leaving less time for the things I love. Also the days begin to darken earlier, which means I won’t be riding during the week much – so the Trick Ponies will become a little fatter and a lot lazier. So don’t hate on me too much for not posting as regularly. I will try my best!
Ammo
That being said, I’m a little late in giving a weekend recap of my October celebrations. October 4th I celebrated my 1 year wedding Anniversary and little Ammo celebrated his 1st Birthday on October 5th. So I’d like to share some of the photos and videos with you from these milestones. Ammo had a spectacular Birthday, I spoil him way too much, but what can I say he’s my special little sidekick who spends every second of the day with me – I don’t know what I’d do without him. We mostly thought the birthday cake and gift wrapped present would make for some really funny photos. What can I say – I’m a sucker for photos. So anyway, enjoy the photos and videos – and kiss your pup when you get home.
Family Picture
Photos from Ammo’s Birthday and our Anniversary.
Sweet Baby Blitz
Young Chesapeake Lightning "Blitz"
This weekend marks a lot of big milestones for me. October 4th is my one year wedding anniversary and October 5th is Ammo’s (my dachshund) first Birthday. As the week continues on I’ll share with you some great “look backs” into my wedding (which one of the trick ponies attended!) and Ammo’s first year with us. But while we are on the topic of looking back I thought it would be a great time to share some baby photos of one of the trick ponies.
Blitz and his mom, L'Eggs
Sadly its not Minnow – my only island born Chincoteague pony, because he was born in 1993, one year before they started keeping detailed records on all of the Chincoteague Ponies from the Island. But I am lucky enough to know exactly where Boomerang and Blitz were born. Which means I have their baby pictures too!!
A young Blitz, destined to be a trick pony
Boomer and Blitz were both born on a small breeding farm in North Carolina called 1000 Welcomes Farm. Boomer spend 5 years of his life living on the farm until I purchased him last summer. Blitz was auctioned off at a Sport Horse Auction as a yearling and spent 5 years of his life living on a small farm in Maryland. Lucky for Blitz (his name was actually Lucky ironically) he had a wonderful life on this small Maryland farm. When I purchased Blitz last summer as well I made a point to track down where he came from originally. After I located the farm I contacted the owners to let them know I now owned one of their offspring.
Interestingly I found out that Blitz was actually the first foal that they had ever bred and they had always wondered what had happened to him. Thrilled to know that Blitz was happy and healthy I eventually received LOTS of baby pictures of him. So enjoy a look back at Blitz’s adorable baby pictures. He was teasingly known as the lap dog at his birth farm – because he’d crawl in your lap if you let him. I could definitely see him still doing that today.
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
Blitz (and Boomer's) father, Chesapeake Powhattan's Promise "Squat"
