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!
Sunshine on this Cloudy Day
Day 2 of the Nor’easter here in Eastern Pa. Its not really riding weather and the Trick Ponies have been a bit chilly during this sudden change in weather – but have no fear, they are bundled up in the barn keeping warm. But there is some sunshine on this very dreary day.
Minnow has received another fan letter today. It always makes me so happy to receive letters from people who have met and fallen in love with Minnow just like I have. My whole goal in traveling, performing and painting with Minnow is to be able to touch people. Perhaps Minnow will spark a lifelong love of horses in a child or even just brighten someone’s day. As I’ve said before, what I do with Minnow and the other trick ponies has never been about making money. Its always been about spreading the joy of horses, Chincoteague Ponies something special. Horses are amazing creatures and sometimes we get lost in the need to pursue a goal instead of just having fun with them. I hope that when people watch Minnow and I perform they can see how much fun we are having together, and how much Minnow enjoys it. He wouldn’t stand by my side if he didn’t love it.
So when I received this letter today it really touched me. I’d like to share some of it with you.
Its hard to believe that Pony Swim has been 3 months ago. As a first time visitor to Chincoteague, and a 50 year old fan of “Misty” I can’t find words to express what a delight the Pony Show was. Minnow (and you) ruled! The show was the highlight of the week, hands down!
A strange thing happened on this vacation. Its the first joy I experienced since my husband passed away a year ago. I felt his spirit so close in Chincoteague (we had planned an anniversary trip someday). Its as if I left part of my heart there. I shall return next year.
Minnow’s painting that I brought home, “All the Pretty Horses of Chincoteague” has caused quite a buzz around here – especially with the children. It is like a rainbow that shines in my life every day.
I think thats one of the best letters I’ve ever gotten! I could have never imagined that Minnow would touch so many people’s lives. It seems that Minnow really has found his calling – he may have been an exceptional mounted games pony back in the day- but I think that he was always meant to be a trick pony. It makes me so happy that I get to be the one to share this with him. Minnow could have ended up anywhere in the world, but I was the lucky one to have him fall into my lap. To think that at one point in his life Minnow was an unwanted/neglected pony living in a forgotten pasture. Now he’s King of the Barn and my best friend. Tonight he will get a very big hug from his #1 fan, me!
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
Bridge to the Future
Blitz on the bridge with my mom
Just had to share a few photos of Blitz today. A few days ago Blitz mastered the “Bridge”. Its just a simple walking bridge that by dad had built for the horses and for part of our skillathon. Blitz has always been a bit cautious when it comes to strange objects – as most horses would be. But in the last few weeks he’s really changed. I think he’s finally made a connection with my mom (who now owns and rides him). They have been working together since I sold Blitz to my mom in September 2008.
In the past year Blitz has taken to our clicker training method tremendously. From the very beginning I knew he was a food oriented horse (thats part of the reason I bought him). In fact, Blitz loves food so much that I think it helps his ability to learn skills faster.
In the beginning we struggled with keeping him from mugging us for food, as well as warding off his aggressive attitude in an effort to get his reward. We spent a long time working on keeping his ears forward when we work with him, and teaching him that grabbing for food would not get him anything. He has improved with this greatly, but he still tends to get a little aggressive when other horses get too close to “his” food. Funny because he’s not the “head horse”. Minnow is. And what is odd about that is that Minnow is the LEAST aggressive when it comes to the food – he would patiently wait his turn for a treat no matter how long I make him wait. I really don’t know how Minnow ended up as the boss pony. Before Blitz and Boomer he was always the lowest horse in the herd. But somehow when the two youngsters came along he took on the role of leader – a nice leader. I never see him kick or bite – and I’m really not sure how he bosses the other two around – he just does.
Anyway so back to the bridge. It took Blitz 2 days to get up enough courage to walk on the bridge. 2 days is a tremendous achievement for my mom too, because she has struggled with being patient with Blitz. My mom is a recently converted clicker trainer. I’ve been using the clicker since 2005 but my mom was always just happy to watch me work with the ponies and my clicker system. It wasn’t until 6 months ago that I really convinced her that it was the right tool for working with Blitz. See she hasn’t really had a horse of her own for several years. The last horse she had was her home-bred Throughbred Cross who passed away in 2002. Since then she just rode my sister and mine’s hand me down horses or exercised ours while we were in school – no real “training” involved. So taking the leap into owning a horse again was a big change for my mom.
I watched as she struggled to work with Blitz in her traditional methods. I knew from the beginning it wasn’t the path for Blitz. So I would work with clicker training Blitz on the ground, and occasionally I would ride him. Finally one day after my mom was getting frustrated with Blitz’s desire to jig home after our cross country runs I convinced her to try the clicker on him. After we galloped the horses up a big hill I told her to ask Blitz to stand. When he stopped moving his feet I had her click and reward him. Instantly Blitz relaxed and became a completely different horse. Thats all it took to convince my mom that clicker training was something special – I thought it was cute that she told everyone she talked to that this clicker made her jigging horse walk quietly home. I think it was her aha moment.
So to see my mom patiently take her time and allow Blitz to choose when he was ready for the bridge was really neat. My mom is not one to take her time and wait for the horse (and she will admit this)- this is partially due to the way she was trained to ride. She grew up through the old school pony club teachings (as did I but I chose to take it with a grain of salt) and she spend much of her youth galloping race horses. Racetracks especially have a go go go mentality – which my mom developed as well. Makes me proud to see that she is finally breaking free from this, and I love seeing her being able to take her time now and enjoy learning with Blitz.
I can’t wait to see what the future brings for both of them. I knew Blitz was a special pony from the beginning – thats why I brought him home.
-Kd
www.ponypaintings.com
