Posts Tagged ‘chincoteague minnow

Toys For Horses – Aluminum Pedestal

If you follow us on our Facebook Page, then you might have already heard that Painting Pony recently picked up a new Sponsor, Toys For Horses.

Toys for Horses makes Tuff Balls (which the boys have been a fan of for years) and a pretty sweet Aluminum Pedestal.

Blitz enjoying his Tuff Ball from Toys For Horses

The boys have certainly put their Tuff Ball through the rigors (biting, kicking, and jumping on it) and it has been a fantastic way to work on desensitizing them.

Minnow, Blitz, and Boomer were in for a treat when their new aluminum pedestal arrived last week. Unfortunately we’ve had some nasty winter weather lately (making it difficult to train) – but that didn’t stop the boys from breaking in their new toy!

Boomerang and Blitz testing out the new toy.

Blitz of course was the first to show everyone that he knew exactly what to do with the new pedestal

Boomerang just couldn't wait to steal the spotlight from Blitz.

Incase you were wondering where Minnow was during all this fun.....he had decided he was having a bad hair day, and didn't really want his picture taken!

Don’t worry though, Minnow will have lots of time to practice on the new pedestal….we have our fingers crossed for Spring!

The thing I really like about the new pedestal is that it is a lot safer. It has a pad on top (similar to a rubber mat in a stall), not to mention the entire thing is round, making there no sharp edges. And lets not forget portability, not only can I roll it to move it, but I can also pick it up and carry it on one of my shoulders. I’m REALLY not going to miss lugging around our old wooden box pedestal!

So if you are in the market for some great toys for your horses be sure to head on over to Toys For Horses.com. Be sure to tell them Painting Pony sent you! πŸ™‚

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2011 Trick Pony Goals

Last year I made a list of goals I wanted to accomplish with the trick ponies, hoping that by writing them down it would really help me to complete them. My plan worked! Because I completed all but one of my ten goals last year, I think I can pat myself on the back for that one!

Here’s a little recap of last year’s goals:

1. Teach Minnow to rear CHECK

2. Teach Blitz and Boomer to lay down on command CHECK for Boomer

3. Finish teaching Ammo and Boomer to paint CHECK (Ammo learned to make scratch art)

4. Come up with a new skit for Minnow to perform CHECK a performance of dueling super hero’s with Ammo

5. Make a new video of all of the trick ponies (and the Dachshund) performing CHECK thanks to my talented brother

6. Move Boomer up to compete in the Masters Division in Mounted Games CHECK we competed this past year in masters

7. Take Blitz to a bombproofing clinic/and or some Dressage events

8. Teach Ammo and Minnow some tricks together CHECK seen in their super hero performance

9. Find more venues/performances for Minnow to do – events that raise money for charities would be great. CHECK we attended the Equine Extravaganza, MGAA Nationals, and did several new camp performances.

10. Spend more time doing β€œnothing” with the boys CHECK

The only thing I didn’t get to do was take Blitz on an outing. Blitz is owned by my mom now, so she spent a lot of last year training him – hopefully this year I will find some time to take him somewhere.

So in keeping with my tradition, I thought I should come up with some new goals for this year. I’m so excited to get started and I have BIG plans for the boys this year.

2011 TRICK PONY GOALS

1. Take some western riding lessons with Boomerang

2. Push myself past my comfort zone and compete in something I’ve never done before

3. Teach Minnow to sit or lay down

4. Fine tune Boomerang’s cues for bow and lay down

5. Train some more tricks using the pedestal

6. Teach Minnow a brand-new trick skit for Pony Penning 2011

7. Teach Ammo the Dachshund a skit he can perform alone

8. Take Blitz on an outing (Dressage, Paperchase, Mounted Games, Tricks, etc)

9. Paint with the boys more often

10. Read a training book (or video) and teach one skill from it

11. Teach Boomerang flying lead changes, rollbacks, and a better sidepass

12. Read Misty of Chincoteague…again! πŸ™‚

Sounds doable right? What are your goals for 2011? Anything I should add?

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Helping Others

After the first of the year Painting Pony starts looking into where we want to send out charitable contributions that the ponies have raised throughout the previous year.

As stated on our website, we typically donate 10% of all canvas sales to the Chincoteague Pony Association – to help feed and care for the wild ponies on Assateague Island. Any extra we raise we like to help out other organizations such as the Main Line Animal Rescue, Large Animal Protection Society, SPCA, The Feather Fund, etc.

When I was down on Chincoteague Island this past year for pony penning I had heard that recently the Chincoteague Pony Association made some administrative changes. Thinking nothing much of it at the time (other than the fact that in 2010 you could no longer “really” register a foal bought at the auction for the time being) – I am now finding it increasingly difficult to contact someone about where I should send my donation. The Chincoteague Pony Association website is no longer functioning (I don’t know why!) – and even with trying to go through The Chincoteague Volunter Fire Company I am not having luck. Although, they do have a strange link up on their site now that says you can register your Chincoteague Pony Online. The Fire Company is the group who actually cares for the ponies on the island – so I thought sending a donation to them would still serve the same purpose, but alas no one will get back to me.

"Sea Foam" by Chincoteague Minnow

Well anyway, I fear if I just send my donation into the abyss it will end up in the wrong hands, and ultimately not end up going to the ponies I am trying to help at all.

So I have decided to divide my donation up this year, and pass it out to as many charitable groups as I can. Below is a list of organizations that we have decided to help this year.

Main Line Animal Rescue

The Feather Fund

Chester County SPCA

Large Animal Protection Society

Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines

Thanks to all the rescue groups & non-profits out there that do their part to help animals.

Much Love,
Kyley, Chincoteague Minnow, Chesapeake Lightning, Chesapeake Boomerang and Ammo the Dachshund

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Fuzzy Ponies & Slow Feeder Bags

I know I’ve kinda been missing for a while. Sorry! Things have gotten insanely busy at my shop for Christmas, much more than I anticipated. Meanwhile the ponies were busy selling paintings for Christmas all over the World! It makes me smile to think of all the people out there that will be unwrapping a fun little surprise from one of the boys on Christmas morning.

And speaking of the ponies, the boys have been busy growing hefty winter coats (hopefully not in anticipation for as much snow as we had last year), and cursing me for buying them slow feeder bags to keep their rolly polly tummies under control! hehe. It’s because I love you boys, please don’t hate me. πŸ™‚

The slow feeder bags are designed to make the ponies eat their hay ration at a slower pace. It helps makes their 2-Flake allowance of hay last much longer – thus keeping them from thinking they are STARVING to death when their hay runs out….which trust me, they are not!

Hopefully the Holiday craziness will settle down soon and I’ll be able to get back to enjoying some time with my boys! I know they are anxiously waiting to find out what tricks they will be learning in 2011!! Woohoo!

 

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CYBER MONDAY SALE!

Don’t forget to head over to the Painting Pony Online Shop today to save 10% off all items on 5AM to 12AM on Tuesday. And as a special thank you to all our loyal blog readers use the coupon code CYBERSALE10 at checkout to receive an additional 10% off!

Painting Pony DVD's make "kids" of all ages smile!

Every Princess needs a pretty little painting by a magical Chincoteague Pony

You don't have to be a Dachshund Lover to appreciate the detail Ammo the Dachshund puts into his artwork!

Holiday Cards made by ponies make everyone smile!

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