Me and My Best Friend

This is a picture of me and my dear hubby recently while out on our weekly walk through the Wertheim Nature Sanctuary in Brookhaven, New York.
It's a lovely stretch of wilderness along the south shore of Long Island. The preserve is part of the National Wildlife Refuge system, and accommodates migratory birds along the eastern flyway that runs from the southern U.S and Mexico, straight up through Canada and beyond. It's a truly blessed place, and we love walking the 3 mile loop through the preserve. It reminds us of another of our favorite places- Assateague island, Virginia. The terrain is much the same, comprised of marshland, tidal plains, thick coastal forests, and sandy beaches.
Hundreds of different species of birds frequent the preserve, as do many other types of animals.
The peace and serenity that abound in places such as Wertheim are worth our efforts to protect and preserve them for future generations of plants,birds, fish, animals and humans.

Wonderful Link To All Things Classical [Riding, that is!]

Please check out this great website chock full of informative information to help you along your horsemanship journey!

http://www.classicaldressage.co.uk/index.html

Enjoy!

I Am Now A Fjord Breed Ambassador!

I am proud to have been accepted as a Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry breed ambassador! I am ready to help new or aspiring Fjordhorse owners.
Check it out:
http://www.nfhr.org/index.php?option=com_contact&catid=66&Itemid=63

A New Adventure

I am about to start trimming my own horses' feet. I have been reading and watching all that is available on the subject, have purchased the tools and a fancy new hoofstand and am ready to start! I am scared of making mistakes and inadvertently hurting my boys, so I will be proceeding VERY cautiously.
I feel that anything we can do to add to our rich and dynamic relationships with our horses is certainly worth the effort. They do so much for us; we can at least TRY to repay the kindness. And that involves trying our best to understand what it is they truly need to live as natural and healthy a life as possible.
I particularly like the trimming ideas and styles of Paige Poss and Kim Cassidy. Both have wonderful online resources. I would like to take clinics in the future and really learn as much as I can.
I will post pics of my endeavors as I take them.
Wish me luck!
IN case you also have an interest, here are the links to what I have found exceptionally helpful:
Kim Cassidy http://www.clickandtrim.com/
Paige Poss http://www.ironfreehoof.com/top.htm

It's Raining Cats and Dogs Today!

Here's picture of my sweet boy Samsun taken on a lovely summer day. But today it's pouring rain, with thunder and lightning!
The horses are resting in their sheds peering out at the rain, waiting for a break so they may return to playing with and grooming each other.
I love thunder storms. The world scurries for shelter and all becomes quiet, except for the sounds of nature. It's such a great time to sit out in the barn with the horses, listening to them chew their hay and ponder the 'meaning of life'.
It is so important for us to take the time to reflect, and to evaluate all that is right in our worlds and figure out ways to eliminate what is not right for us, and figure out ways to get closer to the paths we are meant to walk. Easier said that done, I know, but so well worth a try!

Samsun and Orion Chilling Out

Here is a recent picture of my two beautiful boys.
Samsun is a 4 year old Norwegian Fjordhorse gelding, and Orion is a 5 year old Shetland cross gelding. Not the most complimentary of Orion, I know!

It's Been A While

So much has happened in the last few months that it's been difficult to write.
So much I still have to accomplish. Chores, bills, school, responsibilities.
But my horses carry me through. They are the eternal thread that stretches along through the course of my life, holding it all together. They inhabit my heart and soul, like some sort of spirit guides. They let me know when I'm off course. They reflect back to me whatever it is I'm experiencing emotionally, spiritually, good or bad. I am learning that I must be true to my emotions and to be present in every sense of the word when I' m around my horses. They live in the 'here and now' and I must learn to adopt this way of being to be successful with my interactions with them, and the world. We only have this moment, and it can be gone in a flash. We must learn to embrace every second as the precious gift it truly is, and revel in it. Reunite yourself with your 'childish innocence and enthusiasm'. Let go of the trivialities of this world. Embrace the wonder and magic that it this earthly existence. I know this is all easier said than done...or is it?
Next time you are with your horses, simply enjoy being with them. Stand with them, breathe as they breathe. Inhale the fragrant scent of contented horses; feel the warmth they exude, the power just beneath their skin.
Just BE...don't do, don't think. Allow yourself to FEEL what it's like to just be with them and experience for a while the joy of peaceful non-striving, non-achievement. Reconnect with the gratitude in your heart for all you have been given, all the gifts that are yours and yours alone. And moments like this are among those gifts. We just have to slow ourselves down long enough to notice them and appreciate them.