Posts Tagged ‘trick pony
Hands-free Target Stick
One of my top items on my Christmas List this year was a retractable key chain for my target stick. When I’m performing with the ponies I’m constantly scrambling to keep my target stick with me. Stuffing it through my belt loops, holding it under my arm, sometimes sprinting across the arena to grab it after it was left behind. It really was becoming quite difficult to perform with it. So the solution for me was a heavy duty retractable key chain – but the next problem was how to get the stick to stay on the key chain.
So I was all ready to rig something up to attach the stick to the key chain – I had snaps and elastic and I even set up my sewing machine.
But then my little sidekick Ammo heard the click of my camera shutter and he came sprinting from across the house to help.
We played with the target stick.
And I took pictures of Ammo, always the camera hog.
I’m pretty sure Ammo thinks he’s a famous super model.
Then Ammo convinced me to take a break on the bed with him – although pretty much the only thing I had done was take a photo of said target stick and retractable key chain. But in the end, Ammo was right, I had plenty of time to play with him because I was completely over thinking my engineering efforts – when all I really needed was a hair tie.
Now we’re ready for some serious clicker training! Let the fun begin!
A Piece of the Island
These two tomato sauce jars filled with sand might not look like much to you, but to me they hold much significance. See back when I visited Assateague Island at the end of October (2011) with all three of my Chincoteague Ponies – I took a little piece of the island with me. I collected these jars of sand from the beach – as a way to always keep a little part of the island with me.
My little jars of sand weren’t much to look at these past few months, but a little visit to the antique shop, and $5 later they had a pretty (beach worthy) glass jar to call home.
Now my Assateague sand sits happily on my shelf at home with my jars of sand from Belize and Nicaragua and everytime I look at it I’m reminded of the special trip I took with all three of my boys!
Painting in the Winter
Typically during the cold winters here in PA we don’t get to paint much. The temperatures drop to record lows making the paint freeze and it nearly impossible for the ponies to put their brushes to canvas. But, sometimes we luck out and get a day that isn’t too unbearable and that’s just what happened yesterday. With temperatures in the mid 40’s on Sunday, Minnow was so ecstatic when he saw me lugging his easel out of storage.
We dusted off the brushes and Minnow set to work creating a bunch of mini paintings to bring with us to the Horse World Expo this February.
Minnow has no problem letting the creative brush strokes flow in the winter, in fact he’d paint everyday and all day if I let him.
No, instead what sets the schedule for our winter painting sessions are my hands. We paint as long as I can bare it before my fingers feel like I might be getting frostbite.
In the end I’m happy to let my wonderful little pony wield his magical brush so that I get to see his finest creations.
And sometimes the “aftermath” is just as beautiful too.
And as if my approval of Minnow’s beautiful work weren’t enough – he always seems to draw his own little fan club when he paints…
You can check out Minnow’s new mini paintings in the shop!
Giving Back
Each year the ponies and Ammo the Dachshund make contributions to some of their favorite Charitable Organizations. It makes us feel good to be able to support groups that care for other animals in need. Minnow himself was a past victim of neglect and I think it’s a very special thing that with the money he earns through his amazing paintings we are able to help other animals in need.
This year we selected three special organizations to donate to. The newly formed organization, The Chincoteague Pony Rescue, is very near and dear to our hearts – who’s mission is to provide quality care and treatment of the Chincoteague ponies through intervention, education, proper placement into forever homes and to prevent over breeding. We are proud to be able to support their efforts in protecting and saving this very special breed.
We also chose to support our local L.A.P.S. (Large Animal Protection Society) group who’s mission is to stop cruelty to large animals in the community.
And lastly we decided to support the Main Line Animal Rescue, which has helped thousands of animals find new homes while launching one of the most successful anti-puppy mill campaigns in the history of animal welfare. MLAR celebrates the special bond between companion animals and the people who love them – through rescue, adoption, education and community outreach.
It’s important to do our part to support the groups who dedicate so much time to helping animals in need. With our support perhaps they will be able to rescue one more animal or save one more starving pet. For more information on how to make a donation to these groups, follow these links:
2012 Trick Pony Goals
Happy New Year Everyone!
Last year we made a list of goals for 2011, so it’s come that time where we look back and see how close we came to accomplishing all of them. We’ve also whipped up a whole new set of goals for 2012.
2011 Goals:
1. Take some western riding lessons with Boomerang. It seems writing out my 2011 goals really started a fire under me, because in January of 2011 I took Boomerang to his very first western lesson with a local trainer.
2. Push myself past my comfort zone and compete in something I’ve never done before. In February of 2011 I took Boomerang to the Horse World Expo to compete in Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race. This was one of the most nerve racking/intense things I have ever done on horseback. I was never so nervous in my life, but I’m so glad that Boomer and I pushed past the scary stuff and tried something new. It has made us both so much stronger, and we even made it to the finals – placing 6th! Boomer and I also tried a whole bunch of new things this past year, like riding on the beach, trail challenges, mounted shooting, and even some cowboy events.
3. Teach Minnow to sit or lay down. Well, this is one of those things that I didn’t quite accomplish. I started to teach Minnow how to lean onto his bean bag chair this year, but eventually the summer craziness happened and things got pushed to the back burner. However, I did begin to capture Boomerang’s “sit” when he begins to get up from the laydown. Hopefully this year we will be able to perfect the cue even more!
4. Fine tune Boomerang’s cues for bow and lay down. Recently I just started perfecting Boomer’s cue for bow, and he’s finally started to go down to the ground without my help. He probably would have mastered this a lot sooner had I found the time to work with him, but better late than never!
5. Train some more tricks using the pedestal. This year I began training Boomerang to stand with all 4 feet on the pedestal. Admittedly I haven’t been good about documenting his progress, mostly because we’ve been training in the dark! But hopefully soon I’ll be able to get his progress on video to share.
6. Teach Minnow a brand-new trick skit for Pony Penning 2011. This past year Minnow performed his new “Super Pony Picnic” skit during Pony Penning. I thought it was one of his best skits to date. We’re hoping soon to put all of Minnow’s skits on DVD, just as soon as my filmmaker brother has some more availability! Perhaps this coming Summer.
7. Teach Ammo the Dachshund a skit he can perform alone. Ammo performed his new skit with his pal, Trooper at the 2011 Keystone Dachshund Races. Super Ammo vs. Super Trooper was a big hit, and I still laugh when I see Ammo in his cute little super helmet and cape.
8. Take Blitz on an outing (Dressage, Paperchase, Mounted Games, Tricks, etc). My mom really stepped up Blitz’s training this year and took him on a bunch of new adventures, like mounted shooting, cowboy events and riding on the beach. We’re both looking forward to trying even more with the boys in 2012!
9. Paint with the boys more often. To date the boys have painted over 180 paintings, and this year Minnow painted even more during outings like the Ludwigs Corner Horse Show and The Dog Days of Summer event. Hopefully the boys will get to spend lots more enjoyable time painting in 2012.
10. Read a training book (or video) and teach one skill from it. Ok, so I sorta failed on my reading list goal – but it was much more tempting to spend time with the boys on the farm just having fun.
11. Teach Boomerang flying lead changes, rollbacks, and a better sidepass. Boomerang mastered all three of these skills in a matter of 6 weeks as we were training for the Extreme Cowboy Race. He’s such an amazing pony, and so smart!
12. Read Misty of Chincoteague…again! Right before I took Minnow to visit the Renaissance School Academy I re-read Misty of Chincoteague, always the classic!
2012 Goals:
1. Teach the ponies how to Spanish Walk.
2. Begin taking steps towards writing a book. (Something that has been on my mind for a while now).
3. Introduce Boomerang to cows.
4. Take one picture a month for the ponies’ 2013 Calendar!
5. Teach Minnow a fun new “party” trick he can use at expos and fairs.
6. Take the ponies swimming at Marsh Creek more often.
7. Ride on the beach again.
8. Become more regular at posting on the blog and to our facebook page.
9. Teach the ponies how to pull/drive.
10. Build a new obstacle for the ponies to play with out on the trail.
So what about you? Any new goals to strive for this year? Anyone know where I can introduce Boomerang to cattle in the Chester County, PA area?
