Gemstone

Meet Gemstone   Some of you have heard of Gemstone.  While I was horse hunting I looked at her and almost purchased her.  Then I received a last minute note from Stryker's previous owner and decided on him instead.  Stryker had been a lesson horse and knew the routine.  Gemstone was great, but she'd not been worked really at all in the past year and had never done lessons.  So I purchased Stryker.  Gemmy's owner asked if I'd  help sell her and I agreed.  5 months later they had no luck with selling her.  They are not well and can not ride, and they also wished for Gemmy to have a loving family with children around.  So they offered to give her to us.  I have my hands full & couldn't take on another horse but really wanted to help.  My dear friend, Cara, said we could keep her at her barn (with the ring) and that she would help me.  Gemstone is a sweetheart.  She is 17 years old and is an Appaloosa mixed with Plantation Walker and Andalusian (think Royal Lippizaner).  She greats us at the gate and follows us around.  We can completely groom her from head to toe and tack her up, in the field, without tying her.  Sweet!  My daughter and I have both ridden her.  She is a little unsure of how she feels about getting back to work (after a year off can't say I blame her!)  She is quite responsive to the aids and has a canter to die for. (Notice that Lauren's shoulder/elbow/hip/heel are in almost perfect alignment.)

Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Gemstone

Meet Gemstone   Some of you have heard of Gemstone.  While I was horse hunting I looked at her and almost purchased her.  Then I received a last minute note from Stryker's previous owner and decided on him instead.  Stryker had been a lesson horse and knew the routine.  Gemstone was great, but she'd not been worked really at all in the past year and had never done lessons.  So I purchased Stryker.  Gemmy's owner asked if I'd  help sell her and I agreed.  5 months later they had no luck with selling her.  They are not well and can not ride, and they also wished for Gemmy to have a loving family with children around.  So they offered to give her to us.  I have my hands full & couldn't take on another horse but really wanted to help.  My dear friend, Cara, said we could keep her at her barn (with the ring) and that she would help me.  Gemstone is a sweetheart.  She is 17 years old and is an Appaloosa mixed with Plantation Walker and Andalusian (think Royal Lippizaner).  She greats us at the gate and follows us around.  We can completely groom her from head to toe and tack her up, in the field, without tying her.  Sweet!  My daughter and I have both ridden her.  She is a little unsure of how she feels about getting back to work (after a year off can't say I blame her!)  She is quite responsive to the aids and has a canter to die for. (Notice that Lauren's shoulder/elbow/hip/heel are in almost perfect alignment.)

Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

What are you doing this summer?

Going to 20/20 Horsemanship's camp! That's right, we are having our first ever summer camp!  Mark the dates:  July 19-23 and July 26-30.   Small groups of 5-7 year olds, 8-10 and 11 + 9am-1pm daily Join us for the entire week, or come one day! Hands on ground work Riding Horsey games mounted & grounded Washing dirty ponies Braiding manes & tails Swimming Trail riding Those are just some of the things I am planning.  I will keep you posted as to when I have an actual plan for each day. I am only taking up to 5 per day.  My daughter will be helping with the older kids. Pricing If you are here for: One day/$100. Two days/$200. Three days/$275. Four days/$340. Five days/$390. When you're here all five days it's like getting the 5th day FREE! Let me know as soon as possible.  I am asking for a $100 deposit to hold your space.

Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

What are you doing this summer?

Going to 20/20 Horsemanship's camp! That's right, we are having our first ever summer camp!  Mark the dates:  July 19-23 and July 26-30.   Small groups of 5-7 year olds, 8-10 and 11 + 9am-1pm daily Join us for the entire week, or come one day! Hands on ground work Riding Horsey games mounted & grounded Washing dirty ponies Braiding manes & tails Swimming Trail riding Those are just some of the things I am planning.  I will keep you posted as to when I have an actual plan for each day. I am only taking up to 5 per day.  My daughter will be helping with the older kids. Pricing If you are here for: One day/$100. Two days/$200. Three days/$275. Four days/$340. Five days/$390. When you're here all five days it's like getting the 5th day FREE! Let me know as soon as possible.  I am asking for a $100 deposit to hold your space.

Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Stryker's Status

Stryker's Status Good news!  The vet visited Stryker on Tuesday.  She actually had us walk him from the stall to the truck. (We hadn't done that yet.)  The ultrasound shows that the fibrous tissues have reconnected.  Yippee!  They are weak, so it's not over yet, but they're already there and that is great.  He's 2-3 months ahead of where we thought he'd be in the healing process.  I am putting a door on the open run in area and will be moving Stryker into that space over spring break.  He is quite eager to get out.  Last weekend when the temps went into the mid 70s I found Stryker pointing to the field with his nose.  You think he was trying to tell me something? He has been taking an herbal mix of marigold & cleavers which is supposed to help his circulation and lymphatic system.  It is recommended for horses on stall rest.  I've also been giving him Reiki on a regular basis.  Whatever it is, it is working for him and we are all very happy about that.

Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Stryker's Status

Stryker's Status Good news!  The vet visited Stryker on Tuesday.  She actually had us walk him from the stall to the truck. (We hadn't done that yet.)  The ultrasound shows that the fibrous tissues have reconnected.  Yippee!  They are weak, so it's not over yet, but they're already there and that is great.  He's 2-3 months ahead of where we thought he'd be in the healing process.  I am putting a door on the open run in area and will be moving Stryker into that space over spring break.  He is quite eager to get out.  Last weekend when the temps went into the mid 70s I found Stryker pointing to the field with his nose.  You think he was trying to tell me something? He has been taking an herbal mix of marigold & cleavers which is supposed to help his circulation and lymphatic system.  It is recommended for horses on stall rest.  I've also been giving him Reiki on a regular basis.  Whatever it is, it is working for him and we are all very happy about that.

Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Mucking Mania

I have had a bad cold and was not feeling well enough to finish all of my chores on Monday.  Today came and I was feeling better so I set off to complete my chores.  After feeding my guys here and next door I left to feed and care for a neighbor's horses and for a friend who is out of town.  What began as regular moving of horse manure ended 1 1/2 hours later, and I even went back for more at their dinner feeding time.


What I found was quite exciting.  My friend's barn had a rather large pile of mush.  Manure pile from the winter storm, plus melted snow from the roof, etc...you get the messy picture.  I know the lady that originally had the barn built and I was pretty sure there was bluestone present at one time.  As I walked around I had noticed some, no, quite a bit of bluestone coming up through the mud and mush.  So began my messy mission: to uncover the lost bluestone.


If that sounds rather dramatic, it's because it was.  Bluestone is great.  It's awesome.  To find it there, well, it means there will be much less mess in the future, and saves money from having to buy more!  I'm a bluestone fanatic.  It was as if I was digging for buried treasure and once I started I couldn't stop.  I worked on the front side of the barn till my muscles were shaking.  When I went back to feed them dinner I did more-this time on the back side.  WOW!  What a difference it makes. Your feet don't get muddy and it looks neater too.  I can't wait for tomorrow so I can go back and uncover more!  I spent a total of about 3 hours at this one barn mucking today.  And did I just say I couldn't wait to do more?  Is there something wrong with this picture?




 Loretta


the mucking maniac