Farm Life
Minnow back in the day
I recently recieved a few old photos from one of Minnow’s previous owners before me. I just thought they would be fun to share with all of you.
Minnow at the Chincoteague Pony Centre in 2001
Minnow at the Chincoteague Pony Centre 2001
July 29, 2002 Minnow during an adult mounted games competition with previous owner Mike Nelson
July 29, 2002 Minnow during an adult mounted games competition with previous owner Mike Nelson
Minnow at home with the Nelsons in 2003
Minnow at home with the Nelsons in 2003
Be sure to check out Minnow’s life story here!
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
Equine Massage
So my hulk muscles have come with a price it seems. While stretching my aching muscles yesterday (yes just stretching) I seem to have pulled or torn a muscle in my shoulders/back. Oh it was horrible, I felt like someone had stabbed me. I somehow managed to get myself and the dogs to work (while hobbling down the street to my store very hunched over). I spent pretty much the entire day sitting at my desk in agonizing pain. When it was finally time to leave I went straight home and slept until my husband was very kindly able to give me a very long massage, which actually helped some. I am definitely much better today (I can atleast stand up straight) but I still can’t turn my head without agonizing pain. I guess it was bound to happen with all the heavy (man) lifting I have been doing lately – but stretching? What am I 50 years old? Hardly, atleast not yet…..this should not be happening to me at 25.
But anyway, my sore muscles got me thinking about my ponies sore muscles – which I’m sure they have. So I searched youtube and came across a video that goes into a pretty good short description of message techniques that you can use on your own horse at home. Maybe I can talk someone into using these techniques on me later tonight. 🙂
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
New Home for the Boys
Its official – all 3 Chincoteague’s are now moved into my parent’s new farm, Iron Horse Farm. (not to mention their 4 other horsey friends).
Boomer and Kyley place a flag in the cone
Saturday actually started off with a mounted games competition, in which Boomer and Blitz competed in the training division at a local show. We had a few little episodes – Boomer began rearing when the music got turned up – and both ponies thought it was such a blast to be competing again that they wanted to buck all the way to the finish line. Boomer eventually settled (as I clicked and rewarded him when he didn’t buck all the way home) but Blitz had some anxiety. As the day went on he got more and more agitated with my mom – and we knew it was time to take a step back with him. I think part of his anxiety stemmed from the fact that my mom had been riding him in the hackamore for the last few months and for the competition she decided to put him back in his snaffle bit. I could tell he was not very thrilled to have a bit in his mouth again – so I have since convinced my mom to try the bitless bridle I have been using (and its great I might add!). Below are two videos from the competition.
Boomer and Blitz are the first to arrive on the farm
So after the competition we drove the boys over to their new home – and then went back to pick up Minnow. It was such a uneventful move, which I knew it would be, the boys seemed perfectly happy at their new home. I think they all really enjoy their big dutch doors that have a view of the neighboring vineyard. Its such a peaceful and happy place.
The 3 Chincoteague Ponies look out over the vineyard
On Sunday we brought over the rest of the horses, which included my Dressage horse, Nitro and my sister’s gaming pony Jet as well as 2 borders. Nitro notoriously has trouble adapting to moves (as he sees himself as “herd leader” and takes on the burden on making sure the other horses are safe). And after having his 23rd Birthday on Saturday I think he’s actually starting to grow up a little. He was surprisingly calm (aside from his ear piercing whinny’s everytime he hears a sound in the barn – I’m hoping this will pass). I think Iron Horse Farm just has such a relaxing atmosphere that it instantly calmed all of the horses.
Later on Sunday I decided to show Minnow the new Tuff Ball I had bought for my horses. He instantly took to it, and I can’t wait to put the ball in the ring with all 3 of my ponies. I think they will have such a blast playing with it! I could watch the video I took of Minnow playing with his ball over and over again – I just love seeing him enjoy it. It makes me smile to think of how far he’s come. 2 years ago I would never of dreamed of showing Minnow this ball. It would of sent him running for the hills! Now he’s perfectly at peace as he plays with the ball and my dogs run around him like crazed animals wrestling on the ground. I love my little Minnow.
Anyway so that was my very eventful weekend. I’m now recovering from a pulled shoulder muscle and a bout of poison ivy – but I’m happy that my horses are happy at their new home!
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
So I think I’m becoming the Hulk
Still lots of fencing to be done at Iron Horse Farm
Ok so as I’m sitting here at my computer at work, trying to muster the energy to actually get up and do some work. I decided to write another post today (gives me a good excuse not to get up). The main reason I’m having trouble getting up is that I’m so unbelievably sore. For the past few days we (my family and I) have been scrambling to finish everything at Iron Horse Farm before our big move in day on Saturday. Most of this involves fence building, which means loading up the tractor with boards (very very heavy boards – that have been waterlogged from all the rain), driving them over to the fence line, unloading them again, and then helping to hold them up while they are screwed in. But on top of that over the weekend we had 100 bales of hay delivered (which I had to stack) and a few days before that we have to pick up over 100 bags of woody pellets (bedding for the horses) which we loaded into the trailer, then unloaded into the barn as well as carrying them up the stairs to the loft. So all this ontop of my normal stall mucking routine – which if you didn’t already know is an extremely good work out for your abs!
Now for some reason when I’m doing all this heavy lifting I feel the need to match the strength of the boys (my husband and my father mostly). So I carry 2 bags of woody pellets (for a total of about 70 lbs.) and I lift 2 boards at a time (again about 70 lbs.) – only to have it all catch up with me later. (Hence why I feel like I can’t lift my arms today). And while I’m not complaining too much, because honestly I’ve never felt stronger and more fit, I do feel like I’m becoming the hulk. And I’m not entirely sure that this is a really good thing – afterall I don’t want to look like one of those body building women (just not for me). But this is what happens when you have horses (or live on a farm). I actually sort of enjoy the physical work, you get a really good work out without feeling like you are working out – maybe I should make a “farm” work out video, haha.
Anyway I dug out these funny photos from my October 2008 wedding that a lake garda wedding photographer had taken, I think I scared the wedding party with my “hulk” muscles. And now that I’m done with this post I guess I actually have to get some work done. Hopefully my muscles aren’t too sore to frame some pictures today!
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
The Most Beautiful Chincoteague
Last night I went out after work to feed the horses. It was such a nice night (despite being somewhat cold) that I took some time to work with Minnow. We practiced “drinking out of a bottle” and I even began worked on the beginning steps to having Minnow stand on his pedestal with all 4 feet. I took some videos that I fully intended to post this morning – that is until Blitz happened!
Blitz or Chesapeake Lightning was purchased by me last May and several months later I ended up selling him to my Mom. I still consider him “one of my own” even if I don’t technically own him. Now when I say “Blitz Happened” I mean he pretty much stole me away from Minnow with his quirky antics and his beautiful face. That beautiful face of his is what made me buy him in the first place. As soon as I saw him I fell inlove instantly – something about him is just memorizing, and I’ve never had a horse quite like him. I think he thinks he’s human. Just see for yourself……
-KD
