First snow today

  We woke up to some light snow this morning.  It looked pretty for awhile and then the sun came out and it started to melt.  By the afternoon it was all gone and that to me is the best kind of snow.

1st Annual Horse Fundraiser for M.A.R.S of southern Illinois

Midwest Animal Rescue Service of Southern Illinois (M.A.R.S) hosted their first annual fundraiser on
November 6, 2011.

It was as good way to learn about the Equine Rescue program and learn about taking care of horse's also.  Amy gave a short demo of  training techniques similar to "natural horsemanship".  From lunging the horse using only body language, halting, drawing in, lowering and relaxing the head.  She also showed us the proper way to hold the reins and about using leg cues.

Amy runs an not for profit animal rescue for dogs and horses.  This Horse fundraiser was to help feed and take care of her 8 horse that are currently in her rescue program.  They are costly to feed and maintain but they deserve this second chance that she is providing them.  Besides feeding and grooming the horses she also trains them and works through any disciplinary issues that they may have arrived with.
This take a lot of patience, consistency, devotion, and above all else...love of what you do.

Pokey

All but one of the horses in the pictures are horse's in her rescue program.  Pokey is one of her boarder horse's that is currently in training along with the owner.

Fiona and friends

Fred with Big Mac

I brought my own horse to Amy last year.  She thinned down my fat haflinger and put both of us through training.  I started as a beginner since I hadn't ridden in so many years.  I highly recommend her to anyone who needs a tune up, horse needs a tune up or a complete introduction to horses, like I did.  She teaches all levels of horseback riding in both Western or English disciplines.

All donations went to the Equine rescue program at MARS of southern Illinois.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYN-9eUYajs

http://www.dogsfrommars.net/
http://www.equinenow.com/farm/midwest_animal_rescue_service.htm