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

Haflinger and Jersey antics

Our beloved haffie Meika and jersey cow (her best buddy) Josie decided it would be great fun rolling a square bale of hall down the hill.  My husband witnessed this and couldn't get to his camera fast enough.  Otherwise we would have pictures.
  Josie the cow is the Alpha horse when it comes to the water trough....Meika is Alpha when it comes to food.  Gotta love 'em.

New saddle for my fatty hafie

I just purchased this from my trainer/friend for my fatty hafie.  Yes, she has once again managed to put on the weight.  All I can say is she found the right family.  We understand....really we do.  But we know it's not healthy for her so we are dry stalling her a part of the day.  I already told my trainer/friend my next ride will be with her present.  I was reading on my Yahoo haflinger group about some of their horses doing the "haflinger statue".  I read that and my jaw dropped.  My hafie has done this same thing to me and not once.  I've never had a horse that just planted its feet and refused to move....never!  I will get past this and so will my horse.

Fred's birthday/Memorial weekend party

  This year we had a bbq and horseback riding party for Fred's birthday which fell on the Memorial weekend.  We started out with drinks, a nice BBQ and followed that up with horseback riding and many more drinks. I think everyone had a good time especially the birthday boy..:)

Lesson's resuming

Ok, lesson's should be starting back up after a hotter than normal summer.  It's been way too hot and humid to do anything but try and stay cool.

I can't wait and I'm eager to do some refreshers with Meika and figure out what I've been doing wrong.  Amy says it's my "mental frame of mind".  Nah, that can't be it...lol

Dirty girl and boy

  Bath time!  It's hot here so I got out the bathing suit and flip flops and grabbed the hose.  Now our dirty girl isn't so dirty anymore.

They clean up well don't you think?