tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76324747437068993362024-03-17T23:03:59.785-04:00honeysuckle faireRetraining Thoroughbreds after they retire from racing.juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-22595289491668427812016-04-05T10:38:00.001-04:002016-04-06T06:34:00.691-04:00Looking for Beautiful Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEnpHgveNFgXYwXbxT-l7p4TLoXFdQgoVp5475nUZ_oqc83wxcRlwax4F_NQJZXcuPll_VTbubbzd-xYGHfo69Fp7z8gYKNrBdg5Lj37QE4E2S_NLhoEdNvCZxxC5Q2v6wjtkwGuGJJI/s1600/889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEnpHgveNFgXYwXbxT-l7p4TLoXFdQgoVp5475nUZ_oqc83wxcRlwax4F_NQJZXcuPll_VTbubbzd-xYGHfo69Fp7z8gYKNrBdg5Lj37QE4E2S_NLhoEdNvCZxxC5Q2v6wjtkwGuGJJI/s400/889.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey there long lost blogging friends! I hope you are all well! I've sure been gone a long time without checking in! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are all happy and healthy at Honeysuckle Faire. The boys are just perfect. I love them so much and still just can't get enough of them. Today is chilly for April so I'm delaying my ride till noon. Winter was gone, but it came back to visit today. Darn!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here (above) is a photo of the three of them grazing from last November. I still ride every single day in all weather. Bitless and usually bareback the hilarious adventures continue!!!! You can follow all my riding fun on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/julietteober/" target="_blank">Instagram page</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you click the photo below you can see a fun video of our huge Pie making his way through the 31" of snow we got on Foggy's birthday (January 22, 2016)!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BA8WSppi-bX/?taken-by=julietteober" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVPbuXtu5sTph4mqE6p5LF35uFhNB51KscKQnVmlL1vT546m30CBqKxlP1IFeSt5HVNTrggCRsh6yT0Zd0MJZn99qaWcg_XkiHyX9gT2gP30T1PRR-fRR4zN_JhohpbBbm-zn24az8N0/s640/snowboys.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">If you are new to my blog - Hi and welcome! If you want to learn about riding and retraining horses using only kindness and patience as your "aids" then you are at the right place. My name is Juliette Ober and I rescue and retrain off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) to be riding horses. No bits, lunging, or round pens are used in any training or riding yet safe, daily rides on young, sweet Thoroughbreds are happening at Honeysuckle Faire because my boys are happy, sane, and sound. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">Although after 400 posts (!) I am no longer writing this blog, I am still riding and playing with my silly Thoroughbreds - just click the photo above to see a quick video of Pie's silly antics! This blog is archived chronologically (top right) and is a good resource to trace the process I used to retrain my three young Thoroughbreds. Additionally, there is a formal presentation of my training philosophy on my <a href="http://www.foundinthefog.com/" target="_blank">Found in the Fog site.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">I've had the honor of writing articles for <a href="http://www.equitrekking.com/" target="_blank">Equitrekking</a>, the Emmy award-winning equestrian themed travel television show on PBS. My articles for Equitrekking are <a href="http://www.honeysucklefaire.com/p/equitrekking-articles.html" target="_blank">indexed and linked here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">My <a href="https://instagram.com/julietteober/" target="_blank">Instagram account is julietteober</a> - definitely pop on over to see what I am doing with my horses each day. If you are on Instagram just follow me and I will follow back so I can see your horsey adventures too!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">And, of course, I love hearing from you so please never hesitate to use good, ol' fashioned email to say "Hey!" at<a href="mailto:juliette@julietteober.com" target="_blank"> juliette@julietteober.com</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">Hope this information helps keep you safe and your horses happy and eager for the daily ride! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">Take care,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">Juliette Ober</span></span></div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-27369520894429872592015-06-25T21:04:00.000-04:002015-06-25T21:08:25.667-04:00Honeysuckle Faire - The Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTFH_0f8dCA" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysIUmf3pp8oS7V4Kmu42jkdAVGzXocH_ewqM29g75zO90Rc1iiEVkYG7PPMDJCwW9TsxhiwzaPDIbE8zArYJjIY45VjUzhjqX3iBqWrGFJGe2hyphenhyphenMfcSF4QYkGGJet-WsjIMljXwJrzvY/s400/hatpie.JPG" width="397" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">Hi and welcome to Honeysuckle Faire! If you stopped by here to learn about riding and retraining horses using only kindness and patience as your "aids" then you are at the right place. My name is Juliette Ober and I rescue and retrain off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) to be riding horses. No bits, lunging, or round pens are used in any training or riding yet safe, daily rides on young, sweet Thoroughbreds are happening at Honeysuckle Faire because my boys are happy, sane, and sound. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">Although after 400 posts (!) I am no longer writing this blog, I am still riding and playing with my silly Thoroughbreds - just click the photo above to see a quick video of Pie's silly antics! This blog is archived chronologically (top right) and is a good resource to trace the process I used to retrain my three young Thoroughbreds. Additionally, there is a formal presentation of my training philosophy on my <a href="http://www.foundinthefog.com/" target="_blank">Found in the Fog site.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">I've had the honor of writing articles for <a href="http://www.equitrekking.com/" target="_blank">Equitrekking</a>, the Emmy award-winning equestrian themed travel television show on PBS. My articles for Equitrekking are <a href="http://www.honeysucklefaire.com/p/equitrekking-articles.html" target="_blank">indexed and linked here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">My <a href="https://instagram.com/julietteober/" target="_blank">Instagram account is julietteober</a> - definitely pop on over to see what I am doing with my horses each day. If you are on Instagram just follow me and I will follow back so I can see your horsey adventures too!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">And, of course, I love hearing from you so please never hesitate to use good, ol' fashioned email to say "Hey!" at<a href="mailto:juliette@julietteober.com" target="_blank"> juliette@julietteober.com</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">Hope this information helps keep you safe and your horses happy and eager for the daily ride! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">Take care,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a3552e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">Juliette Ober</span></span></div>
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juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-33226014671136539532015-01-09T13:13:00.000-05:002015-01-09T13:16:10.090-05:00Honeysuckle Faire - The Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/xhhWBGC-Tn/?modal=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVg0VS2M1jxg9jXWhlAWpeRt-prbzw445veFT0Fa4orPnCSmZINsD38sNJQeS9OUElB3GOsoX1jbRQ4v92o7W__xV3yoakjY0ysrU5oNd9keaenS7su9GecsLouFHyfctnDmVdpQJrWc/s1600/foggy+and+deer.JPG" height="395" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hi and welcome to Honeysuckle Faire! If you stopped by here to learn about riding and retraining horses using only kindness and patience as your "aids" then you are at the right place. My name is Juliette Ober and I rescue and retrain off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) to be riding horses. No bits, lunging, or round pens are used in any training or riding yet safe, daily rides on young, sweet Thoroughbreds are happening at Honeysuckle Faire because my boys are happy, sane, and sound. </div>
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Although after 400 posts (!) I am no longer writing this blog, I am still riding - just click the photo above to see a quick video of Tuesday's snowy ride on sweet Foggy when we met up with three deer! This blog is archived chronologically (top right) and is a good resource to trace the process I used to retrain my three young Thoroughbreds. Additionally, there is a formal presentation of my training philosophy on my <a href="http://www.foundinthefog.com/" target="_blank">Found in the Fog site</a>.</div>
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I've had the honor of writing articles for <a href="http://www.equitrekking.com/" target="_blank">Equitrekking</a>, the Emmy award-winning equestrian themed travel television show on PBS. My articles for Equitrekking are<a href="http://www.honeysucklefaire.com/p/equitrekking-articles.html" target="_blank"> indexed and linked here.</a></div>
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My<a href="http://instagram.com/julietteober" target="_blank"> Instagram account is julietteober</a> - definitely pop on over to see what I am doing with my horses each day. If you are on Instagram just follow me and I will follow back so I can see your horsey adventures too!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And, of course, I love hearing from you so please never hesitate to use good, ol' fashioned email to say "Hey!" <a href="mailto:juliette@julietteober.com">juliette@julietteober.com</a></div>
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Hope this information helps keep you safe and your horses happy and eager for the daily ride! </div>
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Take care,</div>
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Juliette Ober</div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-9924284408176409162014-12-24T18:37:00.000-05:002014-12-24T23:43:26.812-05:00We drank a toast to time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijM_BiQYLYRpReQMmuFbfDEmJ8fAHZmaP6GWJG84U4hXvBuQdnXm-QaX7qH5AUeMPoxzZgLK4yrtnZk8Cicn2QV10o-ADZZcDYbo7qe2Bl1jRQLOHjQVHz92CgX15I7Ug0mUAK9q3UbnM/s1600/finalsmaller+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijM_BiQYLYRpReQMmuFbfDEmJ8fAHZmaP6GWJG84U4hXvBuQdnXm-QaX7qH5AUeMPoxzZgLK4yrtnZk8Cicn2QV10o-ADZZcDYbo7qe2Bl1jRQLOHjQVHz92CgX15I7Ug0mUAK9q3UbnM/s1600/finalsmaller+copy.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></div>
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Happiest Christmas wishes to all my blogger friends! I miss you all bunches! A sweet comment appeared in my inbox this morning from <a href="http://ranchgirldiaries.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ranch Girl at Ranch Girl Diaries</a> (formerly and forever to me, Pony Girl) and an old familiar twinge of blogging love washed over me and I thought I might take a stab at a quick post.</div>
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I hope you all had a fantastic 2014 filled with much horsey joy! I can happily report life at Honeysuckle Faire remained blissfully similar to other years. Any horseperson knows that this isn't a bad thing at all! Calm, quiet days filled with no drama and no illness and no injuries are a horseperson's dream and we got that! Yay!</div>
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Pie, Sovey, and little Foggy are just as round and silly and content as they were when I left the blogging world. They spoiled me with great rides all year. I don't think I rode <i>every</i> single day but very close. Below, Foggy takes me out through the fields on a very windy day in November. We are in Florida again this year for Christmas so I am without them briefly and my heart aches. The time I spend with them each day is still the glue that holds my days together. Their breath is the air I live to breathe. Their space in my life is the answer "YES" to the everlasting Why. I am thankful beyond words that these three horses are in my life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Iok6C7h-G1DvLgJGcrtSUbJH8lNHcZAKXJVvZQia6ct2ani4hGCqCgnjayPFHusy5plIphgKLt1MqRFOoGUIWYeLNKyG51hh7loWDYilTncKJUOOxSBce832ruPKVp5qOMbHuguW4J4/s1600/foggy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Iok6C7h-G1DvLgJGcrtSUbJH8lNHcZAKXJVvZQia6ct2ani4hGCqCgnjayPFHusy5plIphgKLt1MqRFOoGUIWYeLNKyG51hh7loWDYilTncKJUOOxSBce832ruPKVp5qOMbHuguW4J4/s1600/foggy.JPG" height="400" width="396" /></a></div>
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Love to you all during this holiday season and all through the year! Please don't forget to let me know if you are on Instagram so I can follow all your horsey adventures. My Instagram account is <a href="http://instagram.com/julietteober/" target="_blank">julietteober</a> for horse stories and more from Honeysuckle Faire and also non-horsey life with Brian and Maizie and little Noodlebug at Nutmeg Cottage. </div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-81153418036120262562014-05-29T14:46:00.001-04:002014-07-22T08:46:39.736-04:00Honeysuckle Faire - The Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi and welcome to Honeysuckle Faire! If you stopped by here to learn about riding and retraining horses using only kindness and patience as your "aids" then you are at the right place. My name is Juliette Ober and I rescue and retrain off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) to be riding horses. No bits, lunging, or round pens are used in any training or riding yet safe, daily rides on young, sweet Thoroughbreds are happening at Honeysuckle Faire because my boys are happy, sane, and sound. </div>
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Although after 400(!) posts I am no longer writing this blog, it is archived and still a good resource to trace the process I used to retrain three young Thoroughbreds. There is a handy search bar in the very top left corner of this page. (If you are reading this on a phone you will have to click on "View web version" to use the search bar.) The search works super well to index any topic I discussed over the years. Just enter the word or words you want to know more about and - presto - all the applicable posts will appear. I still use this feature all the time to revisit what has happened in the last five years at the barn with regard to horse behavior, horsekeeping questions, weather events, etc. Could not live without the search bar!</div>
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If you want to meander through the retraining information from the beginning (December 2008) you can use the Archive that is located at the top of the column to the right. Additionally, there is a formal presentation of my training philosophy on my<a href="http://www.foundinthefog.com/" target="_blank"> Found in the Fog site</a>. </div>
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I've had the honor of writing articles for <a href="http://www.equitrekking.com/" target="_blank">Equitrekking,</a> the Emmy award-winning equestrian themed travel television show on PBS. My articles for Equitrekking are <a href="http://www.honeysucklefaire.com/p/equitrekking-articles.html" target="_blank">indexed and linked here.</a></div>
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My <a href="http://instagram.com/julietteober" target="_blank">Instagram account is julietteober </a>- definitely pop on over to see what I am doing with my horses each day! New and exciting adventures (<a href="http://instagram.com/p/oJRjTTC-dN/" target="_blank">like my recent fall off of Pie!</a>) is always captured on Instagram so definitely follow me!</div>
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And, of course, I love hearing from you so please never hesitate to use good, ol' fashioned email to say "Hey!" <a href="mailto:juliette@julietteober.com">juliette@julietteober.com</a></div>
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Hope this information helps keep you safe and your horses happy and eager for the daily ride! </div>
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Take care,</div>
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Juliette Ober<br />
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juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-76423953334106805622014-04-09T09:27:00.000-04:002014-04-29T17:36:05.090-04:00A Pattern Language...and Farewell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEe5paMNvrrqcpQM5MYetUOxVlyMDXFCuVFqCqbWRzD8buuT6ceQjFyxi4MCJdyjgixs1zYQRO0mhkEYTy7BFLl_lW2IPx2058ffotbZUIH7p1zQ72v-kejM3oZRvZHzemccDsIO68KQ/s1600/carousel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEe5paMNvrrqcpQM5MYetUOxVlyMDXFCuVFqCqbWRzD8buuT6ceQjFyxi4MCJdyjgixs1zYQRO0mhkEYTy7BFLl_lW2IPx2058ffotbZUIH7p1zQ72v-kejM3oZRvZHzemccDsIO68KQ/s1600/carousel.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Paradise living is <i>way</i> too easy here in warm (77°F) Florida. Above is an untouched, no-filter snap of the typical sky and vivid colors captured at a random street fair that sprung up over night in an empty lot opposite our grocery store. Adding to the magic are the ever present dolphins and compulsory slow pace that comes when living and biking around a sleepy beach town with two draw bridges. You just can't be in a hurry - there is always a sailboat waiting for the bridge to open so they can dawdle through the pass. Dolphins and draw bridges - both a must in my perfect world.</div>
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The sun seems strange this trip - it is at a very different angle than our normal November visits, and that, combined with the Daylight Savings Time change on the exact hour we arrived, has happily encouraged us to ignore our clocks and wristwatches. They just don't agree with what our internal sundials are saying about time and daylight.</div>
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Today was rainy - pouring buckets and thundering as if it is already summer. For me it was a welcomed chance to write my promised après-riding post. Grab a cuppa or two if you can stand some horsey inspired daydreaming...<br />
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Actually, as promised (threatened) this post has turned into my manifesto. And, probably my Swan Song for the blog. Hopefully its sincere enthusiasm will keep it from being too tiresome! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuANRdLM9QDGr1Yy2Isliao1GneUWmKwFAmazwu-H85uXkIcnbdkGJGQ5j8khsd59MoxUm7FAe1f2RIJCb7RbYOsuoHSpwc5pu-p6bmWgte1Dh5G5Bnz_cWc57ou7OeVLz8nJpH7bXWc/s1600/farmerpie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuANRdLM9QDGr1Yy2Isliao1GneUWmKwFAmazwu-H85uXkIcnbdkGJGQ5j8khsd59MoxUm7FAe1f2RIJCb7RbYOsuoHSpwc5pu-p6bmWgte1Dh5G5Bnz_cWc57ou7OeVLz8nJpH7bXWc/s1600/farmerpie.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A daydream that actually manifested - Pie takes me out through the field during hay<br />
cutting, September 2013. My farmer's small, quiet machinery, off in the distance of this<br />
photo, is the very thing for my future plans. Oh, no, Farmer Ron, I've got my eye<br />
on you - run for the hills!</td></tr>
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In my previous incarnation as a Humanities professor (2004-2010), at the conclusion of the non-western art section and immediately before our architecture study, I'd encourage my students to buy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Language-Buildings-Construction-Environmental/dp/0195019199" target="_blank"><i>A Pattern Language</i> (Christopher Alexander, et al., 1977)</a>. As I explained to them, this book is important to the study of architecture, but its value reaches far beyond a short semester. Good design practices within any field, within any life, are essential in order to live with quality. I like to think of <i>A Pattern Language</i>, the book, as a psychological study of architecture - the why behind good design, and a pattern language, the concept, as the why behind good _______(fill in the blank) - good living, good riding, good horses...good.<br />
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Our copy of <i>A Pattern Language</i> was bought in 1987 and the well-worn cover and dog-eared pages tell the role it played in Brian's restoration of the little 1874 folk house we live in and call Nutmeg Cottage. I used it when designing the garden and quickly realized that this book held the key to much more than utilizing light and planning efficient traffic patterns.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v3Y4WQ7WV1y83Qa06fXuvSA5iGVJTM2y0Nnhyphenhyphen_q0pmlRzA6RaR5woxIWwCRVALg2PRPcpMl2rVuJPyQ30qPQHfMhTkI0Pk_X66bL2bul2uoyxD6h9-ho6nDqgkv11W5FuMQIsLpFpKU/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v3Y4WQ7WV1y83Qa06fXuvSA5iGVJTM2y0Nnhyphenhyphen_q0pmlRzA6RaR5woxIWwCRVALg2PRPcpMl2rVuJPyQ30qPQHfMhTkI0Pk_X66bL2bul2uoyxD6h9-ho6nDqgkv11W5FuMQIsLpFpKU/s1600/garden.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our garden in its last spring before three silly Thoroughbred<br />
horsey-boys took over my life.</td></tr>
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In the seven years I lived without horses I spent many hours figuring out my own pattern language for the "problem" of how I wanted to work with and ride horses. I just now spent half a day recreating that journey on this post and then erased it because of its redundancy. It has all been said before on this blog and on my <a href="http://www.foundinthefog.com/" target="_blank">Found in the Fog </a> site.<br />
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Suffice to say that my new patterns with horses solved the problem of what the phrases "I love horses" "I ride horses" "I am an equestrian" meant to me. So often we repeat statements like "I love horses" until they become a mantra in our life, but we might allow the associated images, those accepted and understood by others, to change our own images and our own intentions. I wanted to eliminate the concepts and words that did not match my honest, true, essential image of "I ride horses" - ring, indoor, arena, show, lunge, lunge whip, round pen, clinic, spurs, crop, pinned, number, clock, calendar, points, ribbon, schooling area, worked down, he needs a job, mane pulling, clip, braid, adrenaline, off, issues, nails, bombproof, scopey, groceries, hurry, trainer, too windy - and replace them with words that did match - throaty nicker greeting, whiskers, fragrant muzzle, munching, hand-walk, hand-graze, calm, alert, bareback, bitless, barefoot, safe, woods, farm track, daily ride.<br />
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In no way am I saying that the former words and concepts were bad or wrong or that the two lists are mutually exclusive to other people. The first list is just not what I pictured when I thought about being with a horse therefore I replaced the former pattern language with the one I originally, in childhood, visualized. Then I devised a plan to make the image real.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkxsE3SABrSEk0bb5hvN2Tz9ag2nJG0N35Fx-kbYtaUMQq1O9B0jRkyiUWDVuXbMScv0mk-nFRCqpryAdLJ_f6l2M7Ai2dU3g_MOPtkaEEHKIjFn0y4lRtNR4vr8IucU6i1pyltcx9q8/s1600/soveyfield2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkxsE3SABrSEk0bb5hvN2Tz9ag2nJG0N35Fx-kbYtaUMQq1O9B0jRkyiUWDVuXbMScv0mk-nFRCqpryAdLJ_f6l2M7Ai2dU3g_MOPtkaEEHKIjFn0y4lRtNR4vr8IucU6i1pyltcx9q8/s1600/soveyfield2.jpg" height="640" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calm yet alert, my Sovereign takes me out on a typical ramble,<br />
bareback and in just his halter, August 2012.</td></tr>
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Happily, and in an amazingly short amount of time, the new language developed. I am able to ride all three Thoroughbreds without fuss or fighting or fear - for me or, more importantly, for them. They remain calm and interested each day for an hour long ramble - even in winter's wind - always without a bit and usually bareback. I never lunge or do ring work first. I wallow in the joy of finding a good solution, a good design that works for me and my horses within our large and varied equestrian world.<br />
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Yet there is one pattern in the language that hasn't been resolved - venue. Because, as hoped, this style of riding strips away the non-essential elements (those time consuming peripheral tasks I wasn't interested in) and allows an abundance of quality hours spent <i>actually riding a relaxed, happy horse,</i> I find myself daydreaming about riding in a suitable equestrian park and gardens - full of bridle paths and relevant, horse-friendly amenities that actually cater to the type of riding we are doing.<br />
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I've "traversed" the globe many times in the last five years on the internet looking for THE equestrian park, municipal or private, that fully utilizes the benefits this style of riding affords, but I can say with certainty it doesn't exist. I've found snippets here and there - in fact, I've been fortunate enough to experience first hand a magical equestrian park in Florida that comes very, very close, but even there, the focus is on a different ideal.<br />
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What does exist in great numbers are venues catering to other equestrian visions - those of training, performance, showing, competition, or day-long/weekend trail riding. Googling "equestrian park" "equestrian center" "equestrian community" unearths fabulous locations with too many amenities to list. Some typical ones include:<br />
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Stadium jump arena w/competition level footing<br />
Full size dressage arena w/competition level footing<br />
Adjacent schooling arena area with grass footing and rolltop schooling jumps<br />
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80' x 200' bright mirrored indoor riding arena with sand/rubber flake mix riding surface.</div>
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2 official size outdoor dressage arenas with sand/rubber flake mix riding surface.</div>
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2 inside heated wash / grooming stalls with sink and central grooming vac.</div>
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Loft level fully furnished private club room with kitchen and arena viewing area. </div>
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Over 6 acre fenced schooling area with natural footing designed to accommodate multiple disciplines. </div>
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X-Country schooling complex designed by licensed FEI course designer.</div>
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Separately fenced area with improved footing for dressage and flat work training.</div>
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A search of "horse trails" or "horse campgrounds" elicits:</div>
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200 miles of trails, a large equestrian staging area with horse trailer parking, campsites, corrals, hitching posts, picnic shelter, fire rings, tables, water, electricity and toilets.</div>
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While these popular equestrian centers and parks are surely amazing and well-designed (probably most horse people are drooling after reading) they do not align with my idea of what "state of the art" equestrian facilities means to the horse experience I am enjoying now. So, I thought for fun, I'd use this blog, a selfish platform anyway, to brainstorm my own vision. Although the design that follows is not new to me - it has been in my mind's eye since childhood as the idyllic location where people ride horses - it is still raw. Raw does not necessarily mean vague in this instance because, as you will see below, I am aware of, and full of intense passion for, the details. But, my presentation is in its raw form as in this is the first time I've tried to write the concept out, complete with photographs. (Usually I am fervently describing my plan in person to poor friends and family members who have to endure my enthusiastic arm waving and jubilant, half-finished sentences.) The photos and examples here are helpful to buoy my belief that every part of the whole actually exists somewhere. In other words, I am not talking about riding on the moon!</div>
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As I outline each pattern of my horse dream park/community/après-riding experience, I will give the background information, the psychology, the "why" behind my glee (total giddy thrill, really) for that specific piece of the puzzle and how its inclusion lends itself to this style of riding. The photos enlarge if you click on them - especially helpful for the horizontally aligned photos.</div>
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Ok, ready? Oh, boy, I'm nervous...this is quite a glimpse into my soul and I feel vulnerable! We all hear the call of our own siren's song. This is mine. (Siren's Song, Swan Song - wow, I'm doing lots of singing!) And, if you have a short attention span and get annoyed with my long-winded luxuriating in all the yummy minutia (Mom) then just scroll down to the<b> Itchycoo Park</b> heading for the short version.<br />
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<b>1. The Golf Course Pattern for Equestrian Gardens</b></div>
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I've mentioned on other posts that I believe golf courses are absolutely the most perfect place to ride a horse. Obviously, I have no interest in riding on an operational golf course where people are actually playing golf because of the inherent danger of getting hit by a golf ball. In addition, I've been told the chemicals are horrific so the framework of the golf course design is my main focus as a starting point. Cart paths and fairways <i><b>scream</b></i> for riders and runners and cross-country skiers. The gently rolling hills, groves of trees, ponds, bridges, stone walls and flowering shrubs are unique. There are few other sports that take the time to flower and beautify large expanses of land that are completely incidental to the actual action. These very typical scenes, above and below, are only for golfers to enjoy. Why is that? Given the opportunity to stroll on my barefoot horse around the groves of trees and fairways, circling the ponds and walking over the bridges of Augusta, or any golf course really, I can promise I would look around and enjoy the beauty with just as much awe and grateful wonder as a golfer.<br />
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When I look at that cart path to the right of the Redbud below, I long to run there or ride there. And the autumn trees, in the photo above with large areas of open land carved out, is to be enjoyed by equestrians and runners alike, surely. Obviously the tightly manicured grass, silly bunkers, and fake green color is over-the-top and not to be emulated, but the space and traffic pattern and woodland borders and paths - all a good starting framework. </div>
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Truly what I am after has nothing to do with golfing or golf courses. I am all about the idea of a community equestrian space, much like a village or community green but on a larger scale. The fact that we do not really have village greens (or villages for that matter) in this country makes discussion of them difficult. England and Europe both boast public bridle paths and foot paths that converge in villages. Although tempting, I am not going to move the boys across the pond.<br />
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New York's Central Park of today is a mediocre example although I think it was probably very close to my ideal sometime during the last century. Here, just for fun, are four stills from my favorite scene in the movie <i>Hair</i>. I fell in love with the idea of riding in Central Park when I saw this in the theater in 1979. When <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claremont_Riding_Academy" target="_blank">Claremont </a>closed in April of 2007 it was all over for that park in my opinion - not that Manhattan is good for a horse-lover's soul anyway. If you click the top photo you can watch the video. Warning: Not for children!!!!<br />
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Locally back home in Pennsylvania, most suburban community and municipal parks are full to the hilt with soccer fields and portable toilets. They are either too large to be quaint or completely devoid of flowering trees and small groves set among rolling hills.<br />
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Linear parks like many "Rails to Trails" that allow equestrians, runners, and bikers are excellent. This sign above, is the type displayed on one of our family's favorite bike trails, The York Heritage Trail. (As an aside, I totally LOVE that this sign tells everyone to yield to horses. I like it not because I am some power hungry control freak who likes to boss people around while riding, but it makes me smile because the people who designed these park signs understand that horses are the least predictable of the group. So funny and true!) Anyway, while linear parks are fabulous and important, I think they need to be adjacent to, or terminate into, a larger equestrian/running/skiing park space.<br />
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Riding and running over the same out and back course, even if trailering to different trail heads, gets monotonous. I know. I run small sections of a twelve-mile stretch of the scenic Appalachian Trail daily. And while I consider myself exceptionally lucky to have such a gem in my backyard, the linear nature of the AT does not provide the open green space that allows for a village hub of horse-related, non-competitive recreation and the associated après-activities.<br />
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The Appalachian Trail (horses not allowed anyway) and other linear rails to trails systems do not promote gathering because they are a point A to point B design scheme. Bridle path networks and happy jumbles of linear trails gone circular like those found in our national parks and in pockets of horse communities like Tryon, Asheville/Biltmore, Wellington, and of course the Bedford Riding Lanes in New York, among others, are very close to perfect. However, there still is a lack of the kernel space that caters to my type of riding.<br />
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Again, without golfers present, golf courses look exactly like a space where strolling should occur. Strolling. This is the thing. Walking, jogging, or running quietly among the trees, not racing. Biking with a basket and flowers, not aerodynamic helmets and sponsored jerseys. Cross-country skiing for fresh air and exercise. And riding a horse around the grounds. Not to a ring, after the show, outside the arena, for twenty miles, or for a cool down, but as the intended destination - the hour long stroll in a large, lovely, park full of horse friendly amenities. Amenities that are not typical in equestrian circles (yet) but oh, so, desirable. More on them in a bit...<br />
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How Large? Urban golf courses average 110-120 acres and courses at resorts are generally 170-190 acres.<br />
Most golfers walk 4-6 miles in an average round of golf. Riding at the walk on a perimeter trail or through winding paths for one to two hours would be optimal to promote healthy (for horse) rides for both the daily rider or for riders who can only get out to the barn on weekends. No more lameness from sporadic overwork - hooray!<br />
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<b>2. The Theme Park Pattern </b><br />
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Like most people I've been to a zillion different amusement parks over the years and I guess they are ok, but I do not find them to be super thrilling. Loud and gaudy, they aren't exactly my thing. Comically, the last time I was to Walt Disney World was when I was five years old (1972) and Maizie has never been, although we vacation each year in Florida.<br />
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But, the design - well, that is something altogether different. I have always been very much inspired by the layout and design of a good theme park. Obviously, Disney offers an over-the-top flashy aesthetic in its colors and characters, but at the core, there is something to be learned and admired.<br />
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Walt Disney visited <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tivoli_Gardens,_Copenhagen" target="_blank">Tivoli Gardens in Denmark</a> to get ideas for his original (160 acre) Disneyland concept. Tivoli holds many secrets to the pattern of a horse friendly garden/equestrian park. Specifically, <a href="http://www.tivoli.dk/" target="_blank">Tivoli </a>and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasure_garden" target="_blank">Pleasure Garden</a> model, primarily a European concept, is almost exactly what my ideal riding venue would offer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuhaxpUHg3GRldQ70wrPwhwKMzcwu-R5sBgOZwOw_qRXpSXMazTtXYenghbMM7P5nokVMO3BQdG6dWwIVWS8Ws8py_qb25YusNA3TO9NyJ2IfABMVSJ_5iwkxg4RS-HizwheoH9JjHE0/s1600/tivoli.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuhaxpUHg3GRldQ70wrPwhwKMzcwu-R5sBgOZwOw_qRXpSXMazTtXYenghbMM7P5nokVMO3BQdG6dWwIVWS8Ws8py_qb25YusNA3TO9NyJ2IfABMVSJ_5iwkxg4RS-HizwheoH9JjHE0/s1600/tivoli.JPG" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ignore the "rides" - it is the paths and gardens and bistros that are important.</td></tr>
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I know you are thoroughly confused. No, I am not advocating riding a horse around an amusement park!!! The design, the paths, the bistros, the gardens (albeit much less tidy) are just another pattern I'm drawn to as the skeleton, the backbone of my ideal equestrian park.<br />
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I've mentioned on past posts that I rarely do anything without thinking about riding. I do not know if that sentence conveys what I mean. <i>Literally</i>, I am always thinking about riding. As I go about my day, in suburban areas, country, or urban, I often see interesting places to ride or run. I want to ride or run where I am looking. I do not picture myself riding in a ring. I do not think about riding in an indoor arena. Ever. Neither place comes to my mind as in "I wish I was riding now...in a ring" - neither makes my heart race with anticipation. When I think about riding a horse, I think of riding...through a garden. I am not being affected or dramatic. I do. When I am at an amusement park, or golf course, or cemetery, or city park or any open place that is well designed with paths and flowering trees, I imagine riding there or running there or cross-country skiing there. Landscaping can be tight and neat or wild and prairie-like, but the time and design ideas that are thrown at beautifying these types of spaces scream for running and riding and skiing to take place there - in my opinion. I get all adrenaline-y just thinking about it!<br />
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That said, I am totally NOT interested in riding in any of these spaces that are not designated for horses or animals. I do not like when people bring animals into non-animal safe venues to be showy. Hellishly hot street fairs where people bring dogs or boa constrictors(!) to get attention drive me insane. Beaches where pets are not permitted and therefore do not have proper watering stations makes me worry and fret - (oh, they don't have shade, oh, it is too hot, oh, poor puppy only has salt water). Riding through our local cemetery is sub-par, even though I have permission, because I do not enjoy being showy. If I knew no one was around, I would love it. So I would not enjoy riding in an amusement park or other public place if it was specifically not set up for horses.<br />
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Lovely landscaped areas and bridle paths are everywhere I look <i>except</i> in an "equestrian center" or in an "equestrian park" - why?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVG7HajfhPk83usuTPfxL-WnuvYqWSMPMi7FqvGdtRcXkqRxnXroljbE5zX7qvfVWlLgSMtxYn339ltvff1T_2AZy-e01uRq9ZvfeCGmdqQLXW_bQSQYCEutzPFzdU-qz8QEG-4IpaYg/s1600/disney1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVG7HajfhPk83usuTPfxL-WnuvYqWSMPMi7FqvGdtRcXkqRxnXroljbE5zX7qvfVWlLgSMtxYn339ltvff1T_2AZy-e01uRq9ZvfeCGmdqQLXW_bQSQYCEutzPFzdU-qz8QEG-4IpaYg/s1600/disney1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would like to ride here if permitted.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZzTF57_ToE9LHzZugCuzsTci6QRbd_VeDhVxG3Y9lbqj1rqL-UtRDSz1MXf2xfShuZEN7bAbVh9BAP-jlc-Zku1QQJoTvBMoXOdy6gWlCmTg5eCUwi05zV0f2jATWyA0RKyST3M3jTU/s1600/Lancaster2fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZzTF57_ToE9LHzZugCuzsTci6QRbd_VeDhVxG3Y9lbqj1rqL-UtRDSz1MXf2xfShuZEN7bAbVh9BAP-jlc-Zku1QQJoTvBMoXOdy6gWlCmTg5eCUwi05zV0f2jATWyA0RKyST3M3jTU/s1600/Lancaster2fb.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUD3qRNix1SvLIG8qshwFOy_GkQLwBy_eIFraDqdgxHfmgjdXjPsPdrFLlpEh7xyh4SmNlArguXxZhAYldIocioXWQjkmIjVhrkUu3bxnB4pWYMkYFb6oW2fH5Q4PmW7tSSc-APBZC0g/s1600/sidewalk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUD3qRNix1SvLIG8qshwFOy_GkQLwBy_eIFraDqdgxHfmgjdXjPsPdrFLlpEh7xyh4SmNlArguXxZhAYldIocioXWQjkmIjVhrkUu3bxnB4pWYMkYFb6oW2fH5Q4PmW7tSSc-APBZC0g/s1600/sidewalk.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why not here too?</td></tr>
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<b>3. Castles and Estates Grounds Pattern</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPF5HsEyuzlJHEjRvudy-OTEuSd3sUSw2lG3gF9iM4qlbNeQ9pDjGELezS_sIAu9o1qkUyOjs0BbbGlLFuIhpiiCjLAz4IbYQ57aeYVfkurAz5u-T4V-jXTPvPPdNC8J9WNR_H2sqIZo/s1600/france.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPF5HsEyuzlJHEjRvudy-OTEuSd3sUSw2lG3gF9iM4qlbNeQ9pDjGELezS_sIAu9o1qkUyOjs0BbbGlLFuIhpiiCjLAz4IbYQ57aeYVfkurAz5u-T4V-jXTPvPPdNC8J9WNR_H2sqIZo/s1600/france.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only in France...right?</td></tr>
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The grounds and bridle paths through gardens and hedgerows of castles in Europe and grand estates here in the U.S. are obviously superb! Shriek! How much fun would this be? Answer: VERY!!!!!!! Especially if riding was permitted around all spaces - gardens, walkways, bridges, mazes, woods and groves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO3WQAtXyWHkw-ZLqOXQMHQCuFKmAQrci7q3n17_vgudS2oNH5Jf6WUy_Kru4R-NDVmHEd7Q2iSP13WkMNuEctW0yL3M-EO2A0LbJ5v82rj5q5CKiHI1iMXD-b-XOnaRma4YHYX5zJbg/s1600/more.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO3WQAtXyWHkw-ZLqOXQMHQCuFKmAQrci7q3n17_vgudS2oNH5Jf6WUy_Kru4R-NDVmHEd7Q2iSP13WkMNuEctW0yL3M-EO2A0LbJ5v82rj5q5CKiHI1iMXD-b-XOnaRma4YHYX5zJbg/s1600/more.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...so lucky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn96-RPs7IoEbTGkBCDYGztWvYbXlFDRgzpbDA5yPGIGtU9U9ISAKGNNxkrqCISHw-vvjDwLgWz7gQcL0nLBZ4MfcaTornCcgsSsqHALLNMXHIAJrK5VDR8LZNqQHdJ8cX-NHLHBj0Vfo/s1600/disney3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn96-RPs7IoEbTGkBCDYGztWvYbXlFDRgzpbDA5yPGIGtU9U9ISAKGNNxkrqCISHw-vvjDwLgWz7gQcL0nLBZ4MfcaTornCcgsSsqHALLNMXHIAJrK5VDR8LZNqQHdJ8cX-NHLHBj0Vfo/s1600/disney3.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly American "castle" back at Disney, German inspired, but how about those lighted walkways with the tiny little Mary Poppins Cherry Tree Lane fences? Sigh. I want to ride on those walkways.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1cTSCA7hzEXt4HrnIGMwO6dT50O9n0P4gicEWLD3Tiqgr_Iai4Tx_zmDRIqYx9oqm3uLHkEeb0cfIeIG5f6X6KB8vHTibmEN4KJSOJrsNYou6goLWoxNMH1cHVS0LkwgmamUNM8z4Gs/s1600/frenchcastle.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1cTSCA7hzEXt4HrnIGMwO6dT50O9n0P4gicEWLD3Tiqgr_Iai4Tx_zmDRIqYx9oqm3uLHkEeb0cfIeIG5f6X6KB8vHTibmEN4KJSOJrsNYou6goLWoxNMH1cHVS0LkwgmamUNM8z4Gs/s1600/frenchcastle.PNG" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
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A wonderful instagram friend from France rides her OTSB around the Chateau De La Batisse, above. Seriously, her photos always make me consider moving, but for me, it isn't about the castles - it's the grounds. She rides in sublime places.<br />
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In our own country we have estates like Biltmore, below, that offer lovely manicured grounds and miles of trails.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walkers, human and puppy on a Biltmore farm track path.</td></tr>
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North Carolina's <a href="https://www.biltmore.com/" target="_blank">Biltmore</a> has 80 miles of estate trails to enjoy on foot or on horse. The day pass to ride your own horse is $25 and the annual pass is $220. Definitely a pattern to emulate. The grounds are lovely, the riding, by all accounts, amazing. The time, money, and focus on the estate's main house and tours tells me that equestrian activities are incidental. I am looking for a place where outdoor recreation is the primary use but not gigantic on a national park scale. Quaint. Village-y. Charming and manageable.<br />
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<b>4. Resorts and Country Clubs - getting closer to the Equestrian Park Pattern?</b><br />
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Numerous resorts exist in our country where riding is offered as an outdoor recreational activity in addition to swimming, golf, and tennis. Totally great and fabulous if you wish to ride a rental horse and additionally can afford to <i>live at the resort!!! </i>So, clearly not in my future, but when I was younger, my mom and I rode horses for a week around the grounds of Pinehurst while my dad golfed. We had a fabulous time riding over the pine-covered trails, but, in my opinion, my father's views on the golf course with sunlight and long shadows, bridges and azaleas, were better than ours.<br />
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Country clubs are super interesting to me as a possible pattern, especially now, since I believe locally they are a groaning, over-stuffed sausage of an antiquated dinosaur in need of some serious re-thinking.<br />
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My mom's country club is a perfect example. There is a huge golf course with flowering trees and rarely used "roughs" and golf cart paths. There are tennis courts and a swimming pool. But, memberships are down because all the old people are dying off and the entire system is dated. They built a giant, new clubhouse and serve the typical country club dinners nightly created by award winning chefs, but it isn't a happening place. The building is new and big. Big lacks character. Big is never quaint or inviting. Honestly, the clubhouse looks like a retirement home from the outside. No one attends their events except for the oldest members. Young, active people want small, well-designed eating spaces where they can pop in for a fresh bite after one activity and on the way to another. They don't eat big, elaborate dinners anymore. The coolest little building is the "Tee Bar" out on the course - popular and very close to my ideal equestrian park après- outbuilding. <br />
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Maizie plays tennis out of Hershey Country Club. The space there is a little more attractive - I love the smaller pool house buildings, architecturally at least. But, there is no running or riding on the gorgeous perimeter. Why not? I happen to run on a public bike path around and through another golf course in Hershey and it is the very best. Streams, trees, shade, ducks - quaint. If only I could ride there too, but horses are not permitted.<br />
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<b>5. Helen Howarth Equestrian Park Pattern</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.pinellas-park.com/government/departments/public_works/city_parks/pinellas_park_equestrian_center.php" target="_blank">Helen Howarth Equestrian Park</a> is the magical horse park in St. Petersburg, Florida that I mentioned at the beginning of this post and talked about at length on <a href="http://www.honeysucklefaire.com/2012/12/brown-paper-packages-tied-up-with.html" target="_blank">this post</a> and in this <a href="http://www.equitrekking.com/articles/entry/pinellas_park_-_st._petersburg_floridas_hidden_equestrian_community/" target="_blank">Equitrekking Article</a>. This park is close to <a href="http://www.equitrekking.com/articles/entry/pinellas_park_-_st._petersburg_floridas_hidden_equestrian_community/" target="_blank">perfect</a> in its fit for the style of riding I am doing now. That area of Pinellas County is teeming with equestrians and the park is the center of the action.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on Appendix gelding, Chaunson, with my friend Barb on Titan (ears).</td></tr>
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Every morning, a group of about 6-8 women and three men gather at the barn and together head out to ride to the Helen Howarth Park and to another equestrian friendly park that is adjacent. The group, which I join when visiting, is made up of riders who are age 16 - 76. The municipality supports and promotes equestrian activities by providing horse crossing zones, signs, flashing lights and manure pick-up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqPuSluMJRLUu1QCSnj-SKgyR7sAZTRpWkSNGiXU53kq05sjAyh2fKIWYcysDEvUP5eCavBCyS9ko4HPk1Npp96Gvw4kHUzNv2Zbqd026zm8FGlqOPVTFlWa6AiLneB4ELXrrFujFfDk/s1600/horsecrossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqPuSluMJRLUu1QCSnj-SKgyR7sAZTRpWkSNGiXU53kq05sjAyh2fKIWYcysDEvUP5eCavBCyS9ko4HPk1Npp96Gvw4kHUzNv2Zbqd026zm8FGlqOPVTFlWa6AiLneB4ELXrrFujFfDk/s1600/horsecrossing.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical group ride to park using horse crossing, Black Friday, 2011.</td></tr>
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Real estate in the vicinity draws in horse people and tack shops and boarding barns naturally follow and prosper around the park perimeter. This park is as close to my ideal as anything I've seen. It is a little small (60 acres) but when we add in the second private park and the time riding on horse-friendly sidewalks getting to the park, riding time is just about right - 1-2 hours for the entire loop.<br />
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The only thing lacking in this little equestrian hamlet are amenities that promote an après-riding experience. We all just hop on and ride for an hour or so and laugh and talk, and then scramble to finish up because we are starving. Often, after our barn work, the horses get put away and we drive far from the barn to meet for lunch at a local restaurant. What if the restaurant was on the equestrian park perimeter and welcomed us to eat outside with our horses safely munching nearby?<br />
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<b>6. Après-Pattern Defined</b><br />
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The French prefix <i>après-</i> means <i>after - </i>specifically the time period of socializing following an activity. Après-ski is the most common use of the popular custom of going out for dancing and drinks following skiing in the Alps.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, so this is <i>so</i> me...fondue pot...1960's...totally want to climb into this photo!</td></tr>
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The term is now frequently used in our country in ski circles, but the concept has long been understood in the world of golf as the 19th Hole.<br />
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My fixation with the après-riding, the après-run, après-anything experience is actually not about the food, but about the time spent discussing the activity in an attractive, aesthetically pleasing space.<br />
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Après-activity is the glue that holds the whole together. Sometimes I get tired of our nation being obsessed with food, but when I sit back and think about the time and aesthetic considerations thrown at eating spaces all over the world, it seems logical that food obsession happened. Quaint bistros are inviting. Outdoor dining is lovely. Spending time in attractive spaces is just as addictive as the food.<br />
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People are drawn to places like Aspen, Telluride, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc to ski, but the idea and experience of the après-ski in little cafes on the slopes is unique to their sport. Reliving the ski run and enjoying the gathering in an attractive setting is important.<br />
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Shopping mall developers know this and have created fake "village" spaces with outdoor dining and shopping centered around pretend "streets" and flower-bedecked lanes and alleys. Even shoppers get to relive their "sport" in an inviting après-setting.<br />
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I'd like to have little cafes on my riding "slopes"! I would enjoy riding in a park as beautiful as a golf course. It would be great to picnic with my horse - not at a campground that is brown and woodsy and miles away - but in a suburban/country horse park. I live to ride on flower-bedecked lanes and quaint bridges.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Anthropologie is getting into the horse picnic dream, above to right.</td></tr>
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Sounds spoiled doesn't it?<br />
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Really? Didn't other equestrian sports want:<br />
Stadium jump arena w/competition level footing, full size dressage arena w/competition level footing, adjacent schooling arena area with grass footing and rolltop schooling jumps, 80' x 200' bright mirrored indoor riding arena with sand/rubber flake mix riding surface, 2 official size outdoor dressage arenas with sand/rubber flake mix riding surface, 2 inside heated wash / grooming stalls with sink and central grooming vac, loft level fully furnished private club room with kitchen and arena viewing area, over 6 acre fenced schooling area with natural footing designed to accommodate multiple disciplines, X-Country schooling complex designed by licensed FEI course designer, separately fenced area with improved footing for dressage and flat work training?<br />
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My desired amenities are just different from current offerings in Equestrian Centers and planned Equestrian Communities. The type of riding I enjoy with a group of friends in Florida tells me that I am not alone. The money and time and effort to maintain arenas and rings and show grounds could be spent on relevant (to us) features in a garden-like facility.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>7. Itchycoo Park - The Equestrian Garden Language</b><br />
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As a quick aside: I don't actually imagine calling my dream equestrian garden, Itchycoo Park. This is a temporary name for reference only. <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14ViwvgtvbA" target="_blank">Itchycoo Park</a></i> is a 1967 song by the Small Faces. When I was young and heard the lead singer, Steve Marriott's haunting voice describe a place so beautiful it would make you cry, I adopted the song as my all time favorite. Before moving to Nutmeg Cottage I owned a 1787 log farmhouse with a yard and garden so lovely that I called it Itchycoo Park. It's all too beautiful.<br />
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Ok - back to the plan: By pulling all the previous patterns together you can imagine a language that celebrates the perfect symbiotic relationship of riding, running, walking, cross-country skiing, leisurely biking, and perhaps tennis and swimming all combined with their associated après-activities in one location. In addition, the open space (not used by a golf course or amusement park) encourages an orchard, a flower farm, and the raising of organic vegetables for farm-to-table produce in the on-site vegan luncheonette and French patisserie.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqoNj5NNpWsWN3tBpmi6hP3flIwRF87MqE0g_-6gSKgb4BmOZ6FgZr6tUu9tGp93hMNPt_Ag_J9PW6UEIstlQ9zETWso8Csk2OW5Sx-IiCfBDMbvKe6UfUKa2DKKk0n1LiM0jlGEQ2O0/s1600/gardenmap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqoNj5NNpWsWN3tBpmi6hP3flIwRF87MqE0g_-6gSKgb4BmOZ6FgZr6tUu9tGp93hMNPt_Ag_J9PW6UEIstlQ9zETWso8Csk2OW5Sx-IiCfBDMbvKe6UfUKa2DKKk0n1LiM0jlGEQ2O0/s1600/gardenmap.jpg" height="640" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I borrowed then altered this flower garden map to use as an example for discussion.</td></tr>
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Unlike a resort, traditional equestrian center, or historic estate, there is zero focus or expenditure in maintaining an estate building, resort hotel, golf course or show grounds/indoor arena. Instead, like a suburban amusement park, this "garden/park" is focused on the use of the land - and yes, in all weather. My rambles on my horses in winter may be shorter, but they are just as beautiful and could do with a quick stop for a cup of hot chocolate and an apple for my horse just as easily as on a summer day. Tennis, swimming, and x-country skiing are seasonal, but running, walking, riding, and nearby post-sport gathering are fun activities all year round.<br />
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<b>8. Details:</b><br />
- A perimeter fence around the entire equestrian garden park will keep horses from straying in cases when a rider falls off.<br />
- Small parking area outside fence. Ideally, like in St. Petersburg, the majority of riders will live and ride from private farms and boarding barns located near the park. The equestrian park draws the supporting businesses and riders choose to live nearby. Access can be gained through horse-safe perimeter gates.<br />
- No motorized vehicles inside except for maintenance.<br />
- A day pass or season's pass allows access and ensures proper equine health certificates for all horses.<br />
127 acres (arbitrary for discussion) partially wooded and preferably with hills and a stream or pond. The various paths need to allow for a six mile, non-repetitive run to ensure a 1-2 hour ride. Using the golf course pattern of switchbacks, that mileage is fairly easy to get in a relatively small space.<br />
- Adjacent to a linear Rail Trail where equestrians are permitted to ride.<br />
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Three free standing, independently leased (tiny shops) i.e. bistro, vegan luncheonette, and/or patisserie located on the perimeter fence and open on the inside for visitors and outside of the park to the public for business sustainability during the off-season.<br />
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Like the horse-friendly (human) restroom in Helen Howarth Equestrian Park, all eating shops, restrooms, and picnic areas will be flanked by small, shaded turnout spaces for horses. These outdoor "stalls" will have pea gravel for drainage and offer water and hay. It will be the rider's responsibility to remove manure from the space after using. Muck buckets and forks provided at each station. Four or more horse holding stalls per restaurant. This system works super well in the horse park in St. Petersburg.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public access from outside the park keeps the restaurants in business all year round.</td></tr>
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Al fresco dining with your horse in a Public House garden is nothing new in England. Even now I see threads on the UK Horse and Hound site with people asking other equestrians which pubs in their county allow riders to tie up and grab a shandy or sandwich.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mahogany all-weather tables hold hot chocolate for the intrepid winter rider!</td></tr>
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Picnics, rest, and reflection can take place anywhere along the paths - not just at the luncheonettes.</div>
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The property will be posted with no hunting signs!</div>
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And outbuildings and bathrooms will be kept quaint, crisp and clean with...</div>
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<a href="http://www.mrsmeyers.com/" target="_blank">Mrs. Meyers on wheels!</a></div>
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Riding through the orchard will be encouraged.</div>
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Riding in and around cutting flowers will also be allowed. Hopefully, manure gathered from paths and composted into well-rotted (Black Gold) soil can be used on flowers, orchard, and vegetables.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherdkYq06yErAKf_JG2qRzANJJ77lom2EYa2K5EI3kOIiLvatCSpe0i8TVb8X89N6Y-Da5_LBk_GVuOid1EOrXRjwj-j4nD19WG6TsnJ7vYj2rY9pmkFZRynzYn2rpjFVh0fSPu-2BYQg/s1600/floret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherdkYq06yErAKf_JG2qRzANJJ77lom2EYa2K5EI3kOIiLvatCSpe0i8TVb8X89N6Y-Da5_LBk_GVuOid1EOrXRjwj-j4nD19WG6TsnJ7vYj2rY9pmkFZRynzYn2rpjFVh0fSPu-2BYQg/s1600/floret.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My idol in the Skagit Valley, <a href="http://www.floretflowers.com/" target="_blank">Floret Flower Farm</a>! Oh, to have her as our flower farmer!</td></tr>
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Definitely riding is permitted here!</div>
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The open land that is not planted can be left wild as free hand-grazing areas and for meandering farm tracks (below) for riding and running. I have had a lot of success with allowing large areas of land to grow wild (above) and then my farmer, Ron, uses his small equipment to cut the weedy grass into cattle hay twice a year. His equipment is old fashioned and tiny and gets into little spaces and around trees and groves of trees which would be perfect to keep the park setting without getting too tidy.<br />
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Farm tracks for running, riding...</div>
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and skiing!</div>
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Inside the park there can be a horse friendly snack bar - with treats for humans and horses.</div>
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Naturalized bluebells on the woodland trails, above and below. Small and manageable spaces allow for some whimsy - especially when show grounds and their accompanying structures are not needed to be built or maintained.</div>
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Riding through the woods and popping out at the...</div>
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Horse-welcoming general store that sells...</div>
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...for thirsty boys like Sovereign! Slurp!</div>
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Organic produce grown on site by someone like the insanely talented <a href="http://www.thefirstmess.com/" target="_blank">Laura</a>...</div>
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to keep us healthy with all this après-ing we'd be doing! Her vegan creations are just amazing!<br />
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Geocaching with horses in the gardens and riding through the wildflower fields...all permitted and encouraged. Horses are permitted everywhere you would want to ride actually - hooray!</div>
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<b>9. The Plantation Inn </b><br />
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My grand scheme is a little daunting. Certainly, I would much prefer to find out that a similar model exists in this country so I wouldn't have to pine and plan for a possible future dream equestrian garden. I am inspired and driven to move forward by two separate forces, however.<br />
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First, my original plan to ride horses using a new, unorthodox style was amazingly easy to realize. In a relatively short amount of time the goal was attained which inspires me to keep moving forward and establish the appropriate venue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywUF9tWm9_cj4kWl0hmxWOLzrJYkVh5bUikhGBs481yXlGaOb8VAUypJ7cbdmZ8118eng9IQ41Rns8uCDRvYtfE-1GR1wRd7LeWY06GsHjWmE_eNwnCemvZSeo2xuZ_6HhtT6YinuimU/s1600/pap-pap-chaplin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywUF9tWm9_cj4kWl0hmxWOLzrJYkVh5bUikhGBs481yXlGaOb8VAUypJ7cbdmZ8118eng9IQ41Rns8uCDRvYtfE-1GR1wRd7LeWY06GsHjWmE_eNwnCemvZSeo2xuZ_6HhtT6YinuimU/s1600/pap-pap-chaplin.jpg" height="327" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandfather holding Chaplain.</td></tr>
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Second, my grandfather, a Renaissance Man - (architect, pilot, businessman, visionary) followed his own siren's song and built an unusual (for the time) project, The Plantation Inn. After successfully establishing local Drive-In restaurants in the 1950's complete with "curb service" my grandfather decided to change directions and built a Best Western motel on land near our turnpike exit.<br />
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And then he added the amenities.<br />
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He designed a Par 3, pitch and putt golf course on site. Pitch and putt is not miniature golf. The fairways are long enough to use irons to "drive" which actually is just really long chipping, but still, at 100 yards, it is quite a distance from tee to green. Without the benefit of the internet my grandfather had to travel, photograph, research and teach himself how to build a fully operational 18 hole golf course on a smaller scale.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro68YOI-U6jY2VkBlrUY7QuN5dtLQUiw26NjJldgbGRlXucJBcTZCT5nTOAz-UHwrvdTEQhQXT7muWfVYvPt6mBXE688l9sXN1RAayetYzW92-gUxISX8Rhef-uzKiQ48So8F3hKrIfs/s1600/motel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro68YOI-U6jY2VkBlrUY7QuN5dtLQUiw26NjJldgbGRlXucJBcTZCT5nTOAz-UHwrvdTEQhQXT7muWfVYvPt6mBXE688l9sXN1RAayetYzW92-gUxISX8Rhef-uzKiQ48So8F3hKrIfs/s1600/motel.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad in red putting on 18th hole, circa 1969.</td></tr>
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But the beauty of the project was in his details. He added a pool, picnic gazebo, coffee shoppe and tennis court. The golf course, which was open to motel guests and to the public, had organic shaped bunkers, a stream, two bridges, flowering trees and adorable hand-painted signs at every tee.<br />
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People would come from all over to stay at the motel, returning year after year to this modest "resort" - a "country club" for the common man. My grandfather never joined our local country club. He felt at peace, so alive in his own small golf course. You could just tell how much he loved his creation. He would walk around the property replacing divots and picking up trash, whistling and smiling all the time.<br />
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I spent many hours in a huge tree that was planted beside the stream. Golfers would cross a bridge right under me and never know I was there. My friends and I would swim and play tennis all day and when we were tired of that we would head to the golf course - a huge, open landscaped playland. So many hours we "cantered" our imaginary horses all over the grounds. We circled around shrubbery and "had picnics" with our "horses" under the trees and by the stream. I am certain my current affinity for riding around trees and landscaped areas comes directly from this time.<br />
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There are photos he took of the project as it was being built, complete with his shadow. I wonder, was his heart racing? Was he nervous about what he was creating? It really was just this side of folly for that time period.<br />
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My grandfather passed away in 1990 but I think he would like my vision for an equestrian park. He never had horses at the motel - our farm is two miles away - but on our farm he carved out groves and small vistas of fruit trees like he was redesigning a golf course over there. We always had beautiful places to ride our real horses because of his designs in the woods.<br />
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<b>A Farewell</b><br />
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So now it is time for me to say so long. I am going to give the blog a rest. Writing (400 posts!) about Pie, Sovey, and Foggy over the years has been rewarding on so many levels. I've "met" all of you and your sweet horses which has been the very best part. I learned so much about horses and horsekeeping from you, my friends. Thank you!<br />
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I did finally finish "the book" and had a practice copy sent to me for my birthday in January. I am sad to report that it was a complete flop! It sounded so preachy and annoying - I couldn't read it myself. What a good lesson I learned. I love horses and riding and blogging in little snippets is pleasantly uplifting, but writing a bigger essay can lead to too much soapbox preaching. Yuck.<br />
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So, now I will finally tackle the trails in my woods that have been in need of trimming and I will dream daily of forging new paths - perhaps in a magical equestrian garden.<br />
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Maybe someday I will return to tell you that we moved into a little gatekeeper's house plopped down in the middle of an equestrian park...<br />
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With a bright and airy tack room that overlooks the pastures. </div>
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You can stop by for an espresso...</div>
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or an Izze's...<br />
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...or a ride with me and the boys through the hayfields and gardens!<br />
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Take care! Love you all!</div>
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juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-68612641021180380482014-03-08T09:21:00.000-05:002014-03-08T09:21:05.626-05:00But I'm thinking about eternity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Under bluebird skies and the promise of spring I leave my horsey boys... </div>
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We are flying out for an extended getaway to our beloved Shambala. </div>
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My horses and sweet Noodlebug will get their proper spoiling from my intrepid mom. Although born to a globetrotting father, my mom has never enjoyed travel so she stays behind and kindly allows me to leave without worry about horse or kitty care. She taught me everything I know about horses so they are in good hands and Noodlebug is already happily ensconced at her house, snuggling in like she owns the place.<br />
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This year, I think my three fuzzy chocolate-y geldings might be glad to see me go. The short rides and silly ambles in the driveway are getting old. Pie is positively beside himself with worry about <a href="http://www.honeysucklefaire.com/2011/02/we-are-three-together-we-are-for-each.html" target="_blank">the barstool apples</a> ("Who in the world could be eating them, Julwee?" he asks daily) but we just can't get out there through the ice pack to see, although we've tried. (The poor honey took me out in a belly high drift a day ago. He was so brave and good through the whole kooky ordeal.)<br />
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During one ride this week I looked down and saw this adorableness! I know nothing about wildlife tracks like which animals make what design, but this is the cutest thing I've ever seen! I'm guessing this is from one of our resident fox families because recently I've heard little tiny yelping coming from a nearby den and there has been some baby-sounding, high pitched "barking" at night. Then on my Pie-ride, I saw these two sets of tracks winding in the exact same path. The tracks go together completely synchronized in their direction turning and curving together this way and that, side by side. One set is normal, "Mommy sized" and the other is a tiny, exact replica of the bigger set.<br />
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I've been working on an important (important to me, at least!) blog post about après-riding. This post has consumed my thoughts and writing for the last month (Brian teasingly refers to it as my manifesto). Actually the idea has consumed my thoughts for my entire life, but I couldn't name it before. Age has a way of helping you shape and understand what you really want, what you really mean.<br />
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Now, I'm going to let time and sunshine flush out the concept fully into a coherent package and post when I get it all together. Until then, I will be absent from the blogs - <a href="http://instagram.com/julietteober" target="_blank">instagram</a> only for my bitless, bareback adventures in Florida. Here are a few lovelies to pique your après-riding curiosity...<br />
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Some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me.</div>
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juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-91941990222217222742014-02-21T09:21:00.000-05:002014-02-21T09:21:23.596-05:00Pull together, your neighbors and your friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXgFL0Xk8_n-YE6T3O8W28ZieWaY832nY-G6yWKGogVupBw4c6ElHvG-32uKjMA6K0lfR5vUiCZEoz6eqhobIm0M1o6Xq-aEvD7vzspHBdCQ0issnEKa172Ariia3BIkf_LNdD71peg0/s1600/barebackrides+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXgFL0Xk8_n-YE6T3O8W28ZieWaY832nY-G6yWKGogVupBw4c6ElHvG-32uKjMA6K0lfR5vUiCZEoz6eqhobIm0M1o6Xq-aEvD7vzspHBdCQ0issnEKa172Ariia3BIkf_LNdD71peg0/s1600/barebackrides+copy.png" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
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Yesterday was sunny and warm enough for three bareback rides on the boys. We couldn't go far because the snow is still too deep. I rode Pie first around the driveway and on the packed track over to my mom's house. There she gave him carrots and apples and convinced me to take him out through the woods, but the snow was very deep so we turned around.</div>
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Next up was Sovey boy. If you click the photos below you can see three very short video clips of our ride. The noise in the background of the third video is the gurgling of the auctioneer at the auto auction. </div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H26s_um_OF8" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2J_4SxdgyhBl3Z6xdpBbN6_OVIZyn_aOXXQLxxGkh5xdxjDxM0QZL6rJDvNLn926DBwpn1xNwyzhuKIZcBNjDBFRuC4-qHas-2hYivImOw6QN58QjcBSMQmxocSS53ehA_DajdiaAjU/s1600/soveyearsnow.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Poor Sovey Van Gogh - in the photo above you can see where Foggy took a bite out of crime on that left ear tip one day last summer. </div>
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I rode Foggy last. No videos of his ride or Pie's ride. Foggy was a little wiggly. He seems very antsy to me lately. I know he is bothered by the snow more than the other two. Foggy needs his grassy pastures back as soon as possible please! Actually, he wants to come into the house.</div>
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While I was riding Sovey a truck went by and the people were waving like crazy at us. It ended up being my friends from the company that <a href="http://www.honeysucklefaire.com/2013/10/pea-gravel.html" target="_blank">dug out and installed our fabulous pea gravel.</a> Then, later, as I was finishing up my barn chores my fence company arrived to fix the fences that were smashed in the ice storm. I hadn't seen them for a year or so and it was just like old times catching up with all their phone photos of kids and stories about this winter and fence repair. They even told how they had a fence project in Wellington, FL and how they were blown away by the equestrian communities down there. </div>
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Back at home over coffee with Brian and Maizie I was telling of seeing and talking to my "old friends" today. They always laugh about my "other life" at the barn and how rich and diverse it is, full of social interactions and adventures. I recounted that in the morning, while I was filling water buckets, I had talked about riding in the snow to my friend Anita, the lady at the feed store, and in the afternoon we had to phone Darwin, our friend who owns a tree trimming company because we have another down limb to remove. Then there was the pea gravel friends who went by while I was riding and finally the fence company visit. And that was just one day!</div>
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These people weren't our "friends" before this current horse venture on our farm. But, all of them - fence men, pea gravel company, hay farmer, hayfield cutting farmer, apple barstool neighbors, feed store operators, tree trimmers, shed builders, farrier, veterinarian, and of course, all my blogger "friends" - all have come together in my life to make this horse joy possible. It really is magical when you think about it!</div>
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I have very big goals/dreams of building a perfect equestrian community some day. The funny thing is that in my daydreams I always knew the cornerstone, the foundation of ever getting anything started would be to find people whom I trust and like and who feel about horses and quality work the same way I do. Unbelievably, everyone I've met are the very people who can help my goals come to fruition. And, now, they are my friends.</div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-19499062275910952312014-02-15T12:57:00.000-05:002014-02-15T15:23:59.744-05:00Pollyanna or just tremendously grateful?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lyzdzte-DOJkRdrQc8xP_neK0USQGMQzL5tKZY0I7lYW2Nm-vBwfFK4vULZUymrvReSvlznbfrcEU-X8ZH_9C4QQXpYn9bS5gPZG4c5wotaS0gsqta3PyrUTdGHoEOnw-ljab8IedsM/s1600/snow2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lyzdzte-DOJkRdrQc8xP_neK0USQGMQzL5tKZY0I7lYW2Nm-vBwfFK4vULZUymrvReSvlznbfrcEU-X8ZH_9C4QQXpYn9bS5gPZG4c5wotaS0gsqta3PyrUTdGHoEOnw-ljab8IedsM/s1600/snow2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I rode Pie at nine o'clock this morning in a blizzard and we had a ball! He was clearly enjoying himself and did not want to go back to the barn when it was time to quit. This is a photo of our tracks. The depth around the path is probably about eleven inches, but this track is compact and easier to walk in for Pie.</div>
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We had ten inches on Thursday and another five are expected this morning. The deepness is getting crazy silly, but an amazing thing has happened - my horses can finally move around safely, freely. This enormous batch of snow was actually a welcome to our pastures because it covered up the dangerous ice tundra that was keeping them inside for too many hours a day or completely immobile when they were outside. Now, they are able to frolic and run and play and move! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqDNUdoT1KHooXozAtqWfpXErtf1o7ghbE9wIBBHaEbyJsbm0NvZytH4QuNzxPea_hm2xpj8pcpXoF2msswjQ00hkSn4ahWn0jnFS3gPbbbaVS2u6S6FEXt4PwhcHJvkeCdD0Xmdpcos/s1600/snow1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqDNUdoT1KHooXozAtqWfpXErtf1o7ghbE9wIBBHaEbyJsbm0NvZytH4QuNzxPea_hm2xpj8pcpXoF2msswjQ00hkSn4ahWn0jnFS3gPbbbaVS2u6S6FEXt4PwhcHJvkeCdD0Xmdpcos/s1600/snow1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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This morning I was able to ride Pie in a track over to my mom's driveway and back again to the barn driveway, above. We circled many times in each driveway, but he kept wanting to go through the woods and fields. I just didn't think that was such a great idea. He would "dive" off the track into the deep parts and plow through like a snowplow. It felt like my feet were touching the snow! He would have been drenched if I had allowed him to go where he wanted through the fields and around the farm so I made him get back on the shallow (relatively speaking - not actually too shallow) tracks and driveway. But, the best part was how much he wanted to GO! I love when my horse is just as eager as me for a ride. The snow was coming fast and furious and yet I was able to ride him on the buckle. It was sooooo beautiful and I truly felt like I was in a movie (Jeremiah Johnson actually was playing in my mind the whole time - see photo below). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSAe5em_N_gaM94Lz7S_ivko-rR6adGXDodzYZenIVAZz-XaTvMUl4k_O6qC8mp-yLdm6sLYC1PooyLS9bMkHATgMynDSLoGrYqQg4liP-oFxKpYyf0eKBVxmPclDjEaF43cSBGc5wm4/s1600/jeremiah+johnson.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSAe5em_N_gaM94Lz7S_ivko-rR6adGXDodzYZenIVAZz-XaTvMUl4k_O6qC8mp-yLdm6sLYC1PooyLS9bMkHATgMynDSLoGrYqQg4liP-oFxKpYyf0eKBVxmPclDjEaF43cSBGc5wm4/s1600/jeremiah+johnson.jpeg" height="170" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggblFp9yrqRLe77GpnzQjbEvX2kJ-Zspfb23F_DzZwgfsioLk6VUcxVJmsOlmX23h-qpkcSCHHyRVLFS-pFmKYyTMPY4zYXzl39OwOWFEnZ119q27ZARbKasPdTJa-YwU9tc9ofOGrJ0o/s1600/snow4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggblFp9yrqRLe77GpnzQjbEvX2kJ-Zspfb23F_DzZwgfsioLk6VUcxVJmsOlmX23h-qpkcSCHHyRVLFS-pFmKYyTMPY4zYXzl39OwOWFEnZ119q27ZARbKasPdTJa-YwU9tc9ofOGrJ0o/s1600/snow4.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here is the good boy after our ride munching some hay. And the brothers are below. Last night was the first night in a long time I could leave them outside without fear of them slipping on ice. They were so happy to be out and I was so happy for them! I brought them inside this morning to groom and check them over and I realized I could safely ride! Wow - riding - now that's a novel idea! I was going to ride Foggy, but Pie was so fussy and nervous - lip-flipping and head bobbing with such fury I knew he needed it more than Foggy. </div>
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After our ride all three were glad I put them back out - even though the snow was still coming down quickly and it is a windy, vicious white out. But they are tired of being in the barn! I checked their sheds and they are warm and clean and cozy and I always scrub their outside heated water troughs daily so they are steamy and perfect. The only problem is the falling snow covers the hay, but I've seen them dig and nudge and find the fresh so I think outside is where they should be.</div>
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As I made my way home through the empty streets I was giddy with the afterglow of riding a sweet horse through a deep snowstorm. I was grinning from ear to ear like a lunatic. I started thinking how annoying I must be to you, my intrepid blog readers if any of you are left. Everyone is (rightly) annoyed with this winter, this weather, and yet I am usually posting about how happy I am and how much fun I am having.</div>
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I suppose some clarification is in order. I've mentioned before that I philosophically believe in Pollyanna's Glad Game on many levels, but this is especially true where horses are concerned. I do not ride and take care of horses for money. They are not my livelihood. They are my recreation. I do this for fun and relaxation. Therefore, it seems ridiculous to me to grumble about anything to do with the barn and the horses. They make me feel optimistic, grateful, and glad.</div>
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In my regular life, I can bitch and piss and moan with the best of them. Just ask my family. But, the barn, the horses, they are my sanctuary. There, all things are good. Truly. Yes, even this winter. </div>
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I am so amazingly fortunate to have three horses at all. Our barn is old and rickety and in need of some TLC but it still is safe enough to give the boys shelter overnight when the ice is too dangerous. The sheds are wonderful and we have good hay and heated water buckets outside that have only stopped working once. </div>
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We do not have a skid loader or any farm equipment at all. We have a snow blower but for some reason it doesn't want to shoot the snow. I see the auger turning and it isn't jammed but nothing shoots out. I turn it on and drag it around the farm until my clothes are wet straight through from sweating and my body aches and I realize that was a huge waste time.</div>
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I shovel what I can and then drag the wheelbarrows through knee deep snow and ice to get the hay out to the horses. Sometimes the sweat on my hat freezes and there are icicles hanging down all over my head.</div>
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And, honestly almost every single day, through the icicles and sweat I start cracking up laughing thinking what I must look like. Seriously, if someone were watching me from the road, from the auto auction, from the sky, from heaven they would say - Who in the world would do all that? The answer is: Someone who is crazy in love with horses and who is incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to do all this, that's who. I am someone who appreciates days like this morning. I am luckier than most people. I ride almost every day of the year. </div>
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I remember a hot June day in 2009 unloading 200 bales of hay upstairs in our barn. My dad appeared in the doorway and shook his head with a confused look as he said, "You must really love horses." He is gone, but I think of that all the time now. I do. I. Really. Love. Horses. </div>
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We all love something. I love horses and to spend time with them means to be subjected to less than ideal conditions sometimes. I love horses in winter when it is horrid and in summer with the bugs and in lovely spring and in perfect fall. I love the work. I love that we don't have a skid loader, not because I am a masochist but if I wasn't dragging the wheelbarrows through the deep snow my ass would be so big and wide from sitting around inside eating that I would be a poor rider and have to join a gym.</div>
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I feel the pain of this winter. It sucks. It really sucks. But, the horses find a way to enjoy it all and through them, I do too. And, most importantly, sometimes I take their joy, their bliss, that Pollyanna-all-is-right-with-the-world-feeling home with me and let it bleed over into my everyday life. </div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-86075325666614144202014-02-08T21:57:00.000-05:002014-02-08T22:08:14.030-05:00Please Mr. Postman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUbkJmNymKkowIIVfaDCzqJp7VTGXdi9hWM__TJ5S4HYSGEvGu8RwbbfraPKcYVjChLaxK9wfEpwgw1JrUybIM9kYIm4xl8yH0HU4BwpMFXqQmfi7uUJFnXRGiA2jqnUoVebJPYN4bho/s1600/foggy2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUbkJmNymKkowIIVfaDCzqJp7VTGXdi9hWM__TJ5S4HYSGEvGu8RwbbfraPKcYVjChLaxK9wfEpwgw1JrUybIM9kYIm4xl8yH0HU4BwpMFXqQmfi7uUJFnXRGiA2jqnUoVebJPYN4bho/s1600/foggy2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Look what sweet little Foggy found in the mailbox this afternoon! Oh, the silly games we play when we are grounded and surrounded by a dangerous polar ice tundra. Even my post title is a bit staged. On this blog when I use lyrics for post titles they are from songs I heard that day. I did not hear "Please Mr. Postman" today or probably any day in the past twenty years, but it was too cute to pass up.</div>
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The thick layer of ice that covers the deep snow has kept me from riding so I've been leading each horse on the driveway for fun and exercise. Today to spice things up a bit, I hid carrots and apples inside the mailbox. The mailbox is safely located on our horseshoe shaped driveway so the horses can investigate it freely without worry about traffic. </div>
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The mailbox was obviously a huge hit with all three boys, but I only thought to bring the camera for Foggy's turn.</div>
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Because of the ice storm we were without power briefly and had to move over to the mid-century ranch house on our farm. Oh what a tragedy - I hate it when that happens! You mean I have to move to the house right in the middle of the pastures where my horses live?!?! I do feel sorry for Brian and Maizie being displaced from our little Nutmeg Cottage, but Noodlebug and I made ourselves right at home! Noodle thinks it is a big adventure going over there. Here she is snuggling in Maizie's bed in our getaway house. Thank goodness our farm is serviced by a different power company than our normal house - it was a luxury to have heat and electric and hot water.</div>
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We lost many tree limbs and some of our fence got smashed, but all in all, we were very lucky!</div>
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I've been turning the boys out in the pastures from 10 am to 5 pm. The temperature doesn't get above freezing, but they can break through a little during the middle of the day. They don't move around too much because it is an arduous process to walk. Their fetlocks are not ripped even though the ice is razor sharp. They can't stand being inside, but they don't seem too happy outside either. </div>
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Before the ice storm Sovereign was having a big time worrying about a giant snowman that appeared one evening in our hayfield. Every once in awhile a few people would straggle out to the snowman, but they were either very tiny or the snowman is seven feet tall. Their play and singing (think Whoville people circling snowman) was more than Sovey could take. We are going to have an interesting ride out there when the ice tundra melts. Sovey will be on high alert and I wonder what Pie will think of a snowman taller than he is!</div>
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The photo below was taken the night before the ice storm and it tells so much about my my horses and their unique personalities. Sovey is far out in the center pasture, on duty as the herd's policeman and sentry watching for the snowman people. Pie has stopped eating to see if Sovereign needs assistance. Yet, Pie is torn - there is much hay that needs to be gobbled and he is not going to get too far away from those piles. Foggy rarely worries about anything and thinks it is a fine opportunity to eat without being pushed around.</div>
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I am going to try to ride the boys at the walk on the driveway on Monday. It may be short, but we all have cabin fever. Everyone except Noodlebug, that is!</div>
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juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-56738741844788652412014-02-04T21:18:00.000-05:002014-02-04T21:18:13.679-05:00Periwinkle ponies <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Amid all the worry, and all the complaining, and all the work...if I'm honest I have to admit that this winter has been simply...beautiful. </div>
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The blues and periwinkle of today - all day - from early morning until dusk were just like nothing else I've ever seen in real life. Yesterday, as the inches of snow piled up I took this picture of our periwinkle bedroom...</div>
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...and then today, the periwinkle was outside in the sky - in all directions and made more vivid because of three adorable bay boys punctuating each view. With the stalls and sheds cleaned and buckets of ice broken and scrubbed, I finally took the time to really look around.</div>
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If you click on this one, above, you can see a funny video of Pie trying to roll in the deep snow. He was sleepy and seems ridiculously chubby and slow and lethargic. Of course, my Foggy-boy had to stand tight against me as I made the video so you can hear him breathing heavily into the microphone. </div>
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Tomorrow, with the ice storm arriving, and Sunday with the supposed (_?) inches I will probably eat these words, but...thank you Mother Nature for this lovely winter. It has been hellish and horrible and peaceful and serene and periwinkle all at the same time.</div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-5767311473088638082014-02-01T22:06:00.002-05:002014-02-01T22:12:14.180-05:00I don't have to fear it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVF8Vz6Ch3VKSs1yvXCX73mCCevJILLIGadwOt5eHVcwOcCfIZr0-BLCaqyNStNWhQbhILGJep_Fbx24kedSOyUWk5COCZzkGn6pGF060AuQizVH8jHd7z7uknuN7cQ5dw2cGIuapRpI/s1600/soveygoodboy+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVF8Vz6Ch3VKSs1yvXCX73mCCevJILLIGadwOt5eHVcwOcCfIZr0-BLCaqyNStNWhQbhILGJep_Fbx24kedSOyUWk5COCZzkGn6pGF060AuQizVH8jHd7z7uknuN7cQ5dw2cGIuapRpI/s1600/soveygoodboy+copy.jpg" height="640" width="482" /></a></div>
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If there was any doubt, our Sovey boy proved once again that he is a stellar riding partner. A large cherry tree had to be cut down very close to the pastures and on Thursday, while I was out riding Sovereign bareback, the tree service arrived with three huge trucks - one had a cherry picker bucket and one was pulling the limb grinder.</div>
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To get back to the barn we had to walk near all the commotion. As we approached, a limb fell and Sovey skittered and acted like he might not be safe to ride any closer. My mom was walking with us and she walked ahead and asked the guys to just stop for a second so I could get back to the barn. I knew I could slide off and lead him by if necessary. </div>
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But, just then, ol' Sovey started marching right down to the machinery all proud and not a bit spooky. I thought we could easily go around to the far side of their trucks, but he had other ideas. He was so funny! It was like he had to show everyone how he wasn't scared. It was kind of embarrassing actually - I didn't think we needed to go right through the area where they had been working, but he was determined. He walked through the middle, stepping around and over larger limbs. He even stepped over fairly big pieces of the trunk. I dropped the reins and leaned forward and basically shut my eyes. I didn't want him to get hurt and I figured he probably knew what he was doing and would end up better off than if I tried to help. </div>
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After I dismounted at the barn, I hugged Sovey around the neck. He would never allow such affection under normal situations, but he knew he had been extremely good so he allowed a hug. What a funny horse he is!</div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-56461614205747890412014-01-27T10:32:00.001-05:002014-01-27T10:36:27.020-05:00We're oldest of friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIwJ8zJAoah6xkYjD4ytJa9rrD3ormNe4fyk_WXBz0H-ZlttEU5LKmbdTOAj08eq0dnL5fnDaQ_Wv2dDoy4DrNpA5UOlvBS1pIIl-vUdJI_sNOCAX3lwzapugbVbOCChSIlMTP2hM1fc/s1600/foggy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIwJ8zJAoah6xkYjD4ytJa9rrD3ormNe4fyk_WXBz0H-ZlttEU5LKmbdTOAj08eq0dnL5fnDaQ_Wv2dDoy4DrNpA5UOlvBS1pIIl-vUdJI_sNOCAX3lwzapugbVbOCChSIlMTP2hM1fc/s1600/foggy3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This picture of Foggy is from January 26, 2011, his first day at our farm - which happened to be my birthday. What a wonderful present on that day and every day since. He has filled out and become a little rotund lovebug. I can't say enough good things about this horse! Foggy is amazingly friendly and willing. He just melts my heart when I am around him. </div>
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Yesterday was my 47th birthday and I rode the little Foggy all over the farm on the buckle. Our temperatures continue to be horrid, but my horses are sure sweet about it all. As we went up one hill, something scared him and he bucked a huge, rounded buck just like this photo. It hit right at the perfect time as I was leaning forward to reassure him so I was completely safe, thank goodness! Boy, I got lucky! He went back to his normal calm self in the next second. Foggy is very bouncy in spirit. He "boxes" with his front legs when he is turned out and pops around like a puppy. He is nine now, but he has very foal-like antics. I think his easy-going personality is a treasure in our life.</div>
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Next, I rode the sweet Pie, and Pie was equally adorable in his big, gentle giant way, but our ride was shorter. I just couldn't hack the cold. Our farm is covered in snow and the winds and air are frigid. I know it is the same for everyone. In 1967 when I was born it was a record warm week - temperatures around 71 degrees. We would be lucky if our temperatures were around 17 this year. Horsekeeping sucks in this weather, but I tell myself how fortunate I am to have them. So many days of the year are brighter because of horses. </div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-61234991497639334592014-01-22T14:31:00.000-05:002014-01-22T14:47:01.802-05:00Another January Birthday Boy - Foggy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxbk_Jg_kowlwyU-AEghWXgvQcV66ZB9R_r9sZPS0Ev4t2F2EmBHuGPfWuNuA8HRDcH9QrADxc6pQJkb5jyiIn2ofuiwddCyEU_wdmtu7T6kh-2PXRARVa7M3z0JNDydUzmNxkfKkMQY/s1600/birthdayboyfoggy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxbk_Jg_kowlwyU-AEghWXgvQcV66ZB9R_r9sZPS0Ev4t2F2EmBHuGPfWuNuA8HRDcH9QrADxc6pQJkb5jyiIn2ofuiwddCyEU_wdmtu7T6kh-2PXRARVa7M3z0JNDydUzmNxkfKkMQY/s1600/birthdayboyfoggy.png" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Today is our Foggy's ninth birthday! He is the sweetest angel ever. Here he is on the right looking up from hay he was sharing with brother, Sovereign. Pie is in the background. I took this photo at 10 am this morning with our new snow and bluebird skies. It was 5 degrees, but no wind, thankfully!<br />
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By the way...this photo is untouched except for the added words - we really do have skies that blue. I have to remember this when I start grumbling!</div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-49344520157835588372014-01-19T11:17:00.001-05:002014-01-19T11:42:06.208-05:00Happy 10th Birthday, Sovereign!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is our Sovey-boy's tenth birthday! I visited him this morning and gave him juicy birthday apples. It was 19 degrees. When he was born I'm sure it wasn't that cold - he was foaled in Ocala, Florida!</div>
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I will ride the sweet birthday boy later today. </div>
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My friend, Barbara, from the Florida barn came up to visit me the last few days. She rode Sovey all over the farm on Friday. I was on Foggy and they were perfect horsey brothers for our ride. Barb didn't seem to mind the cold temperatures - I think she is crazy to come up here to visit in January!</div>
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Pie stayed behind in the small paddock and my mom kindly stayed with him and told him stories. My horses are not used to me riding with someone else so the third wheel gets all worked up about being left out. Pie loves my mom and enjoys her talking when she keeps him company. He can see us for some of the ride and whinnies at a high volume in my mom's ear the rest of the time to explain his displeasure about the situation.</div>
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Our ride was punctuated by the appearance of three deer at different locations. I am sure they were the same three, although I believe we have nine now in "our herd" that live on the farm. They thrive with our heated water buckets. Luckily, Sovey and Foggy didn't mind the deer joining in so Barb and I had a wonderful ride. </div>
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I had to use our biggest girths on both horses! I rarely ride with a saddle so Barb's visit made it painfully obvious how chubby my horses are these days when I tacked up with saddles. Really, they are perfectly round - just right. I was so surprised though!</div>
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That Sovereign - ten years old and round and silly and just perfect. We sure do love him!</div>
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juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-61952499976899871932014-01-09T19:39:00.002-05:002014-01-09T19:39:21.460-05:00Still crazy after all these years...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I raced back home from Maizie's tennis clinic in Hershey this evening all I could think of was talking to my mom. She goes to sleep with the chickens so I can't phone or text to discuss today's ride. Nothing much happened other than it was my first ride in three days which is why I am so giddy.</div>
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Missing a day of riding messes up my head. I live to ride. I am so horse nuts and honestly, all I do is think and talk about horses. That wicked cold snap kept me grounded, but today I was back on Piedy! At Maizie's clinic I kept talking to the other parents about my ride today. I know they could care less, but they were stuck with me for two hours. Luckily, they are my friends. Poor people.</div>
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Now, I am home and mom is asleep. Our conversations are silly anyway. They are always the same. I say, "Aren't the boys just so adorable?" And she says, "Yes, I love them." Then I say, "So do I!" And then I say, "Didn't Pie go good today?" And she says, "Yes, he did. They always go good." And then I say, "They are the best!" And then we repeat this conversation 1000 times.</div>
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So many stories to tell here on the blog from the past three cold days - all probably the same as yours. No riding. Ugh. Frozen buckets and hands. Ugh. I found out a bank barn without hay upstairs isn't so warm. UGH!!!! Worry. Double Ugh. But, all is fine now - hooray!</div>
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And, my book got a shot in the arm over the three day period because I had lots of time to write. Yay! Above and below are three sneak peeks. The top is the title page and middle is an infographic spread I designed about the full circle journey the indie rider takes. The bottom is page 40 and 41. </div>
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I'm having a blast writing. The only thing I don't like about it is the sitting! I need a treadmill with my computer attached!</div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-22300975950793416432014-01-02T22:29:00.000-05:002014-01-03T08:24:16.322-05:00'cause we believe in you<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another snowy ride on my Foggy boy this afternoon. I rarely ride him bareback because of his unusually high withers but today's cold temperatures demanded bareback for warmth. He was just adorable and we had a great ride over hill and dale.</div>
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Maizie's school got the brilliant idea that they should start back on January 2nd this year. Ick. So she went today, but then Mother Nature's powdery gift that arrived during my Foggy ride has made our Friday morning happier - the school just sent a text - two hour delay tomorrow!!!! Hooray! <br />
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Update - Friday morning - 8:23am - No School!!! La, la, la...</div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-21586454897647517312013-12-24T07:43:00.002-05:002013-12-24T07:43:29.457-05:00Holiday wishes from Honeysuckle Faire!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Holidays from everyone here at Honeysuckle Faire! </div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-72667788945982418442013-12-21T20:20:00.002-05:002013-12-21T20:22:16.062-05:00Sunrise to Sunset - then sick!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I saw the sun rise as I walked Maizie to the school bus and then saw the sun set as I ran in the slushy snow at the farm while the horses munched their evening hay in the pastures. </div>
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At midday, I rode this little implet above, sweet Foggy boy. He is always perfect and he was yesterday, demanding to go through the neighborhood. One family banged on their bay window and waved, holding up their cute kitties to us. Another friend opened the gate for me to get back into our farm. Foggy loved all the Christmas decorations in the yards and on mailboxes. What a horse - what a ride!</div>
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It was a special day - one I must have lived to the fullest because last night as Maizie and I watched our perennial favorite, Barbie Nutcracker (VHS from the dark ages that we LOVE!), I felt body aches and fever coming on.</div>
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I haven't been sick in a long time - forgot how horrid it is! Thank you, Mom, for taking care of the boys for me today! </div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-26211304053171678512013-12-19T06:34:00.001-05:002013-12-19T06:34:13.190-05:00Pie-Pie, you are something else!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uVtANGVxsfFtjswi7R2XhlqndO7L6hTrOw7oaeQIL9wTsD_GUT_Y2kZ6dfj9EQWoyT3jZ5WF1iFMOaON2pEPBMjbVY_GYj19H5Wrn6qiqIXRt-w-Y_n6wudewTC2f6g8rHvQkow8C6Q/s1600/piesnowface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uVtANGVxsfFtjswi7R2XhlqndO7L6hTrOw7oaeQIL9wTsD_GUT_Y2kZ6dfj9EQWoyT3jZ5WF1iFMOaON2pEPBMjbVY_GYj19H5Wrn6qiqIXRt-w-Y_n6wudewTC2f6g8rHvQkow8C6Q/s640/piesnowface.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Yesterday this snow bunny took me through the sunny, snow covered fields on the most fun ride ever!<br />
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As we crossed over the tennis court and down a hill, I leaned far forward to hug him up and he moved into the sweetest, light and airy trot. Pie is a good mover which means he looks good at the trot and canter, but he feels even better! My body was just transported across the snow without one jiggle or jolt!<br />
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He moved lightly the entire ride, lifting his feet out of the snow, effortlessly lilting into a trot every so often on his own. He was clearly having as much fun as me. What a perfect ride. I love this horse!juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-14177369178198441262013-12-15T09:03:00.000-05:002013-12-15T21:02:15.330-05:00Listening to Sovey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday afternoon brought a snowstorm that was a little more fierce than <a href="http://www.honeysucklefaire.com/2013/12/itll-be-perfect-ending-of-perfect-day.html" target="_blank">the one I rode Pie in on my last post.</a> This new storm had more aggressive pelting snow crystals and made me think it would not be fun for me or the horses to go for a ride.</div>
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I did bring the boys inside for a snack and some grooming. Pie was jumping straight up in the air like a spring before I brought him in and also inside his stall. He does this when a storm is in town. That is why I was so proud of him last post because he was good for our ride. </div>
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Once, in a storm back in December of 2010, Pie got so wound up and springy and then he started rearing and walking on his back legs. My mom and I both saw him fall over in the deep snow backwards! I never saw anything like that before - I thought horses would die if they did that. He did not turn out to be a big rearing horse, luckily, so that was a one time snowstorm occurrence. But the springs straight up from a standstill are still his favorite move and he was springy yesterday!</div>
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It was Foggy's turn to go for a ride, but I just couldn't tell if the conditions were too bad. Foggy is such a sweet, kind horse that I can't trust him to tell me if he is unhappy. He would take me all over the farm even if he was uncomfortable. </div>
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I really had no intention of riding. I told Brian earlier that I was just going to groom. But, I am seriously addicted to riding. I had my running clothes along and knew a run in the snow would be perfect (which I did later and it was so lovely!!!) but a quick ride might be fun too. So after I brought the boys inside, I looked at Sovey and asked if he wanted to go out for a ride. I told him the whole story. I explained, holding the bridle, that I thought it was pretty out and I would love to go for a ride. But, I didn't know if it was unpleasant for a horse. I promised to listen to him and if he didn't want to go at any point, even in the beginning as I was tacking up, he could just tell me. I know him well enough to know that even out on the trail, if he is unhappy he will make that clear straightaway. I like that about him.</div>
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He was all ears and eyes and definitely seemed like he was game. So I slipped on his bridle. No problems - no resistance. Next we made our way to the forebay. Still, no reaction. Then we went into the wagonshed to the mounting block and I slipped on. He took two steps forward and backed into the mounting block! </div>
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I jumped off and checked his back legs - they were not cut - the mounting block is wooden and I was worried he banged them badly. He was fine. I dropped the reins and he just stood there in the snow like he wanted to go. I started to double think his behavior. Had he heard something that made him back up and I didn't hear it because of all my layers? Or was he saying "no ride"? </div>
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I lined him up again at the mounting block and got on. This time he walked out of the wagonshed and around the corner. As soon as he got out in the snow and clear of all obstacles he slowly and methodically backed up and stopped and would not move forward. Of course, this is very unusual behavior.</div>
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"Ok, Sovey, I hear you. I promised to listen and I hear you loud and clear now. I am just a stupid human who didn't get it at first, but you do not want to go out in this horizontal pelting snow for a ride. Thank you for your patience with me."</div>
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I crack up reflecting on it this morning. He first backed up quickly, dramatically, exaggerating his emotions for me so I could understand, but instead I thought he might have meant something else (what a fool I am)! So then, he slowly backed up out in the clear, dragging each foot back ridiculously slow like he was pronouncing words s-l-o-w-l-y for a daft person. Which he was. </div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-29323806918984441572013-12-08T21:48:00.000-05:002013-12-25T19:17:13.539-05:00It'll be the perfect ending of a perfect day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Pie and I had a hysterical adventure bareback and bitless in a snowstorm this afternoon. It was 26 degrees and I didn't plan on riding but it was gorgeous and blinding and white - I just couldn't pass it up!</div>
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I didn't get to the barn till 2pm after spending the entire morning in a chair in the living room opposite Maizie. We were decadently lingering over multiple cups of coffee as I worked on our Christmas card design (very late this year!) and Maizie worked on homework. Brian was on a long mountain run that normally would include Maizie, but she twisted her ankle at tennis practice on Thursday night so the weekend has been sadly one of no running for her. </div>
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More than anything, she and I were happily enjoying our little house dressed up for Christmas. We bought and decorated our tree last night and this morning we weren't too eager to leave. </div>
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After lunch with the holiday card design (finally) off to the printer and Maizie's homework done, we headed over to the barn. Maizie planned to help decorate my mom's tree and I was going to just groom inside the barn since a small snowstorm was churning out a few wet inches. But, when I got there, the snow was so lovely and Pie seemed eager to go, pawing as usual since it was "his turn". </div>
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I took these photos when I was collecting the boys to go inside. I wasn't able to take any pictures on the ride - I didn't even take the phone along. Pie isn't the best horse usually in storms - he feels the change in weather conditions more than the other two horses. </div>
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I knew he needed the exercise - he needs a ride every other day to be fully calm. It seemed to make more sense to ride bareback than with a saddle because of the snow on his back, but I knew that picture taking was out of the question. </div>
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This one of Sovey and Foggy shows how the snow was falling fast and furiously when I arrived. </div>
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Pie and I made our way around the farm with little problems. I talked to him the whole way. He was a tiny bit more spooky than on a perfectly sunny day, but way better than I expected. I made sure to keep my mind empty, prattling on to him with stories about Christmases past. I also relaxed my legs which was difficult because my winter riding pants have a faux leather full seat for extra grip which is amazing in a saddle, but kind of weird bareback. It grips a little too well and feels like I am attached to the horse with Stickum. I know, what am I complaining about?!! It's just that my legs have trouble moving naturally.</div>
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We wondered around through the woods and I was beaming the whole time. The snowflakes were coming horizontal - one hit me square in the back of my throat and I started coughing which made him shy! Still, it was like riding in a snow globe. Last winter I finally got all the proper riding gear so I was warm as toast and able to look around and enjoy a snowy ride without freezing! The woods were quiet, allowing us to observe many woodland creatures running here and there - it was amazing. The cardinals were darting on branches with their red incredibly vibrant in the snow. </div>
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Then I saw footprints and first thought they were my mother's from earlier today. But, they went on trails I knew she wouldn't take. My next guess was that they belonged to our neighbor, Chris, who seems to live in our woods. He is the leprechaun-esque guy I mentioned <a href="http://www.honeysucklefaire.com/2013/05/weve-got-line-in-sky.html" target="_blank">last May</a> who wanders around out there and is completely harmless in a woodland sprite/Stevie Winwood in Traffic/Canned Heat Goin' Up The Country sort of way. </div>
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At the end of one trail I spied a figure standing in the brush and I yelled, "Chris" but the person just bent down, as if to hide. Even though it clearly wasn't Chris I started laughing because there is little foliage this time of year and with the snow, I could see the person perfectly well. Pie could too and in typical "I'm going to look in your windows" Pie fashion, my horse started marching right toward the crouched figure. </div>
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I called out a warning in case he thought he was actually hiding from us - "I can totally see you!" I yelled, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m0VnzPFxew" target="_blank">taking a line from one of my favorite commercials EVER.</a> The kid stood up and walked out. He didn't have anything with him and looked scared to death as Pie frisked him by completely nuzzling him up from top to bottom. </div>
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He said he was tracking a fox. Of course, my horrible hearing from years of too loud music through headphones made me hear, "I am trapping a fox." I went nutty, screaming about how we don't harm animals! "No one can harm animals!" I repeat fanatically. My fury made it completely clear that I would have little problem harming <i>him</i>, but nobody better harm animals. Just then he whispered, "I said, I was <i>tracking</i> a fox. I'm really interested in photography." "Oh...Nevermind," I said in my sweetest Emily Litella voice.</div>
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Pie was so involved in the conversation that he never shied or acted silly throughout the entire exchange, proving once again that your horse is always perfect when your mind is on something other than how your horse is going to fling you off. </div>
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I rode back to the barn with the stupidest grin on my face. I doubt I will see that boy in the woods again, but I sure gave him a story to tell of the kooky lady who lives on the farm. I did learn where he lives and I've met his parents before so I'm not too worried. Poor kid seemed nice enough after I stopped screaming at him.</div>
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Here is a photo of the boys when I turned them back out after our ride. The snow had stopped but was followed by sleet. Just this second we got a text message from the school - two hour delay tomorrow!!!! Yippee!!!!!!</div>
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juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-75882309498883024022013-12-07T07:44:00.000-05:002013-12-07T10:27:45.758-05:00peace on earth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXWZfDX0gwbFn20619NGWLXKh64gcCHzIKBndWANtOnaFhF8xmtu3YhHBF9mer_5omW3Yhh-qhg5rve_SL0lSIOe9oedn6tcujoJ9KUIc_liAAQ_fpOFOEYIi69rm_VsRfpHwRAIYOiE/s1600/horseyjingle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXWZfDX0gwbFn20619NGWLXKh64gcCHzIKBndWANtOnaFhF8xmtu3YhHBF9mer_5omW3Yhh-qhg5rve_SL0lSIOe9oedn6tcujoJ9KUIc_liAAQ_fpOFOEYIi69rm_VsRfpHwRAIYOiE/s400/horseyjingle.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Or at least peace at Honeysuckle Faire. The commingling of Instagram and Blogger was a fail so to keep the peace and the fun horsey posts on this blog readable, for now I will observe the separation of church and state, um, Blogger and Instagram.</div>
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Last night Brian, Maizie, and I started to decorate for Christmas in our house. We are usually in Florida for Christmas (we are planning to go a little later this year) so our Pennsylvania decorations haven't been pulled out for seven years! </div>
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This one above is my favorite. I bought this horsey door jingle bell ringer at a tack shop during the time I didn't have horses. Like now, I was crazy, horse obsessed, but I just didn't have time to be a horse person because Maizie was little and needed a good mommy (as opposed to one who is only thinking about how to get to the barn to ride her horsey boys). This purchase was my promise to myself that I would have horses again one day and every jingle made me smile with the dream that I am actually living right now! (Insert happy shriek!) </div>
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Our sweet Schpanken Danken kitty cat, who is now in peaceful kitty cat heaven, used to ring this ornament every time she wanted outside during the holidays. I kept it on the front door long after Christmas just for her. </div>
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Happy December holiday bustling! I am living proof that the the sweet sugar plum horsey visions that dance in your head during this season really do come to be! Just look at my adorable Sovey Plum Fairy.</div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-62693158822693543892013-12-05T07:53:00.001-05:002013-12-05T10:02:33.846-05:00Something new!<a href="http://%3Ciframe%20src%3D%22//instagram.com/p/hikZCoC-Yh/embed/%22%20width=%22612%22%20height=%22710%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20allowtransparency=%22true%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="710" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/hikZCoC-Yh/embed/" width="612"></iframe></a><br />
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As we head into the holiday season, happily hurried with all the bustling around, I am commingling my blog posts and my Instagram feed. I think this might simplify life a little while still sharing all the photos and fun! But this change is going to totally wig out my mom so...time out for instructions for her: Mom, look up above this photo - see the cute little "Instagram" in retro font? If you hover over that it will say "view on Instagram" click and then you can pop on over and read the photo descriptions. Or, if you really want to see all the photos - horsey and otherwise just click on the blue "julietteober" at the top left of this photo. After you see all the photos as a group you can click on any of them and they will enlarge. Enjoy! (Love you Mom!)</div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632474743706899336.post-56754653910508786372013-12-01T22:26:00.000-05:002013-12-01T22:56:00.237-05:00Kooks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkljmeB4L_QX8XseKxnlcxyuRERNQ983py_40vUS2mAn_ZNAR63B1ds0KUx-FdrUpZ-WkJN254FrBIqpY6ulb4nQ2mGvmVZt0FERoquaoYIT1Z5ZWABgb8WpB9NDWaY1OvUrob-CsHQ8c/s1600/sovey7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkljmeB4L_QX8XseKxnlcxyuRERNQ983py_40vUS2mAn_ZNAR63B1ds0KUx-FdrUpZ-WkJN254FrBIqpY6ulb4nQ2mGvmVZt0FERoquaoYIT1Z5ZWABgb8WpB9NDWaY1OvUrob-CsHQ8c/s400/sovey7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sovereign reluctantly endures my hug, shooting a sideways glance at my mom as she snaps our photo on Saturday's ride. Poor Sovey despises being touched but allows affection when I am on his back. He would completely flatten me if I attempted to love him up from the ground. His silent motto is "I love you. Don't touch me!"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU53FKk38Y5xibb3EpzLekhdb6ExAjC1eFK73r1Pi1eeaokwbAZb1FcIw3wbWCSBfKsig2NDmbvMyYUfUtxad1OdAzCJZZysnmu4J_FJBdv7Sdja3uPE1g6ecNxBQifOGTrGqDj3sBZk/s1600/foggy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU53FKk38Y5xibb3EpzLekhdb6ExAjC1eFK73r1Pi1eeaokwbAZb1FcIw3wbWCSBfKsig2NDmbvMyYUfUtxad1OdAzCJZZysnmu4J_FJBdv7Sdja3uPE1g6ecNxBQifOGTrGqDj3sBZk/s640/foggy.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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This one is of Foggy grazing on Black Friday after our ride. The day was as sunny as Foggy's disposition. I can hug and kiss him without any worry. He is a happy, free spirit full of fun and mischief.</div>
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My shadow in this picture cracks me up because I look like a Pilgrim! My winter riding gear is so perfect and warm so I am not complaining one bit but the shadow outline reminds me of the Pilgrim women we had to color in elementary school around this time of year. Oh, what a joyful Black Friday! I am a lucky Pilgrim in the fresh air and sunshine after a great horsey ride!</div>
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Finding both of these photos in my phone this evening made me laugh out loud and also reminded me of something Maizie told us on a run recently.</div>
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Brian and I run with Maizie on days she has off school. Our family conversations are diverse. We discuss anything that pops in our heads - politics, sports, music, spirituality, school subjects, and philosophy. On one run a few days ago Maizie told us that she's been listening to a song by David Bowie and the lyrics remind her of Brian and me as parents. She started by saying that the song is similar to Crackerbox Palace, but Bowie's lyrics are more to the point. </div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwStmG2B0-w" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitfYHE26Us7jsNbk-PE4VOpdf7_GjkGkykoJdekndi-t_jFQ66tPuJsDiXQKPhGV2GjrbhJnYME_-Aw7WR2qyuk2IZfR4bccJpEbTlVH9kZ38m4Rf0ic7LiWpvOpHRVrCPKOYAfDfugs/s400/bowie.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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When we got back to the van she played the song for us. The song title is "Kooks" so, of course, she had our attention. When your 15 year old daughter tells you that a song called Kooks reminds her of you, you sit up and take notice. Click photo above for song.</div>
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I don't consider myself a "kook" really at all, but I do think some of the philosophies I share with Brian might be unusual now - or not necessarily popular - YET! But stay tuned...</div>
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That is at the heart of what propels me forward in my horse life with this blog and the horse writing I've been doing lately. I feel an urgency to celebrate this style which safely allows the daily rides and hopefully inspires others to find their horsey bliss. Too many times I meet women with a faraway look in their eyes because the horsey love they imagined is not what is happening in reality. </div>
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I spent some time talking to "traditional riders" over the holiday and I realized midway through my description of my Thanksgiving morning ride that nothing I am doing with horses is understood or in any way respected. I attempted to share how funny Pie was when a neighbor threw open her upstairs bathroom window, water dripping off her showered hair, to yell "Happy Thanksgiving!" at 8:30 Thursday morning. Pie was determined to figure out which window she was in. I told my listeners of his unwillingness to budge as he studied each window in the rear of their house till he looked up and finally saw her waving. His need to find her was just adorable and something I will remember forever but it sounds like a stupid juvenile story to "serious" riders.</div>
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Their own Thanksgiving morning ride was called off because the schooling ring was too frozen and hard.</div>
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Oh, I am so grateful to be a kook!</div>
juliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.com13