Hello, All--again. Have you ever had a lifestyle that just kept on 'giving'?
Well, that is how this year has been so far. Ha! Tornadoes and Floods and politicians who WERE committed and now AREN'T--so far, batting about 1000.
So, on to happier thoughts: Spring sprang and Summer is knocking at the door, loudly...very hot in the TN valley! And muggy because of the Mississippe rising over its floodgates and going down so slowly. Horses are suffering and there are some fairly bad outbreaks of flus and viruses.
Oh, poohey...there I go again. I am thinking that maybe I will say: I have missed all of you and am looking forward to communications starting up again; I hope to stay with it from now on...lots of news to share. So, comment back,
I should have the ebay store loaded with newer horse clothes and some really nice summer show jackets; buty them from Consortium-eb-Seven 7 and save some dollars.
Thanks, Ph F.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
RESURRECTED!!!
HELLO, HELLO. No I haven't gone to the great pasture in the sky! I did get sick; I healed, then my bones rattled together and then I healed; then I got into the 'WILD HORSE CHRONICLE"; then I got angry, just seemed to be the same old battles; people who didn't care, people who didn't care enough, hitting brick walls , suffering for the horses, then...disasters in the world in other places; I TELL YOU WHAT.
The world caught up and stomped all over me.
Then I healed.
And here I am catching up; riding hellforleather!
So, I have some news on the current situation as I understand it to be; what we can each do to save the wild horse of the USA and how life just goes on and on...
I have missed you and don't think I have to get that confused again...hope, hope. PhF
The world caught up and stomped all over me.
Then I healed.
And here I am catching up; riding hellforleather!
So, I have some news on the current situation as I understand it to be; what we can each do to save the wild horse of the USA and how life just goes on and on...
I have missed you and don't think I have to get that confused again...hope, hope. PhF
Monday, March 8, 2010
A NEW WEEK
I have had the crud. Everything slowed down because I wasn't at my top level. Everyone gave me well-wishes and that always helps.
The sun is shining outside (where I want to be) and I drink hot drinks while thinking of REAL illnesses. I know about some of those so can look forward, during this little 'suffering', to healing quickly and, actually, rather easily.
I guess I am being Pollyannaish; counting my blessings.
I dislike that trait. I don't want to count my blessings; I want to count my trials. That way I know I have Faith that God doesn't need me to 'run things'--that running in my peak times is a wonderful gift...and so should be running in my difficulties.
Glad to be alive and knowing the difference between BIG deals and LITTLE deals! Keeping my whinewhinewhine to myself and appreciating the time and space I am allowed to heal.
When we see our Horses taking that one more stride; going the extra mile ; reaching for the extra lift over a jump; building muscle with the exercise increased from day to day, we talk about: increasing their 'bottom'.
So, when I am sick, I try to accept that I am increasing my endurance...reaching my new 'bottom'.
I hope this note today finds all of you well. Happy trails today, wfh
The sun is shining outside (where I want to be) and I drink hot drinks while thinking of REAL illnesses. I know about some of those so can look forward, during this little 'suffering', to healing quickly and, actually, rather easily.
I guess I am being Pollyannaish; counting my blessings.
I dislike that trait. I don't want to count my blessings; I want to count my trials. That way I know I have Faith that God doesn't need me to 'run things'--that running in my peak times is a wonderful gift...and so should be running in my difficulties.
Glad to be alive and knowing the difference between BIG deals and LITTLE deals! Keeping my whinewhinewhine to myself and appreciating the time and space I am allowed to heal.
When we see our Horses taking that one more stride; going the extra mile ; reaching for the extra lift over a jump; building muscle with the exercise increased from day to day, we talk about: increasing their 'bottom'.
So, when I am sick, I try to accept that I am increasing my endurance...reaching my new 'bottom'.
I hope this note today finds all of you well. Happy trails today, wfh
Monday, March 1, 2010
RIDING THE BALANCED SEAT
WHY DO IT?
If you want to make your Coach happy--TRY TO DO IT! If you want to have a 'happy' horse--ASK IT TO TRY TO ACHIEVE IT!
The balanced seat is the beginning of mounted co-operation between the Horse and the Rider.
Think about this: the Horse can shiver a fly or bug off its coat/skin; how sensitive is that? Yet some people seem proud of "de-sensitizing" their Horse! Why would any animal or human want to be entered into "dead" actions? (Futz on that I say!)
Oh, I think I understand what they mean to imply but training a Horse to trust the human's judgement in a frightening situation is not the same as sensitive responses to the Rider's requests.
The goal of keeping the Horse sensitive to the Rider's requests, to form the two into a co-active unit with the least amount of spent energy, should be a major goal. The Rider should always be aware of the Horse's natural instinct to flee from fearful encounters.
A Rider should not want to 'make' a Horse "light"; a Rider should want to NOT interfere in the Horse's natural Lightness!
A balanced seat produces a balanced load for the Horse to carry. The Horse learns to trust that the Rider will not unbalance its carriage or its ground-concussion, thereby gaining the freedom to go forward in a regulated and cadenced manner.
CONCLUSION ONE: the Horse cannot become athletically balanced until the Rider is athletically balanced--and--vice versus.
So, it follows that while a Horse is being schooled to respond to aids and cues and to physically develop its rate, stride, suspension and suppleness, the Rider should also be developing his/her skills--on a TRAINED Horse. (The trained, schooler Horse is the Coach's best friend, these wonderful animals have learned to EXCUSE the struggling Rider and just continue along their way, trusting the Coach!).
Thus the old saying: "green Horse/green Rider= failure" proves to be true.
CONCLUSION TWO: the Horse and the Rider must be capable of mounted work BEFORE being put to it together. This conclusion demands both physical and mental training and conditioning. This is why the art of Horsemastery (willing co-operation) takes time and consistency.
Next point: about degree of training: most Riders just pile onto the saddle (which may or maynot fit and/or be placed in the proper position upon the Horse) then they bounce about until they land in a heap of some stability, whereupon the Horse learns to balance them and carry their bunden,as they are best able.
Over time the Rider and the Horse find an agreed-to balance between themselves.
THIS DOES NOT MEAN THEY HAVE REACHED THE BEST BALANCE POSSIBLE.
AND IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY WILL ADVANCE BEYOND THIS ACHIEVED LEVEL.
However: all Riders do not seek discipline beyond basic levels of contentment! In other words: not everyone wants to be a trained member of the Ballet. Many are content to Dance for joy and pleasure (immediate expression)!
For those Riders who want more training, precise timing and mental/physical ability--they must understand technique and must train their muscles/nerves and must include patience in their disciplines.
Think of the hours a skater spends learning to glide without effort, learning to leap at the just-right moment, trusting her partner to do his best when she is thrown out over the ice...just pause and see that mentally. Hours and hours, why does she do it? (and him too, why does he?) And those Olympians have Coaches, very able, highly disciplined Coaches.
Move over (mentally) to the Dressage performance pair or to the horse/rider combo approaching the jump or to the rider setting up for reining patterns demonstrations. The same long hours in the saddle were spent, the same disciplines of muscle/mental controls were established...all...for the love of the work! All for the love of the goal and the possibility of the achievement.
And--if the competition is medium to upper levels--they PROBABLY had an educated Coach to lead them to this point!
They probably did NOT teach themselves or train their Horses alone.
So.
As we go forward in these "Lessons" set your goals firmly in your mind; take no more discipline than you desire, NEVER lose your pleasure in being with the Horse; and remember that your goals (dreams) can prove to be beyond your talents or your horse's talents, so acceptance of the highest level of achievement must always be the ULTIMATE goal!
If you 'want it' and your horse 'likes it' then you can try to 'do it'. If you can't reach the goal, after you have accepted the work and discipline and talent involved; perhaps you should find happiness with the highest level actually achieved.
PLEASE...do not blame your Horse...or quit too soon and blame yourself ! I have seen instances where adjusting the placement of the saddle or developing a specific exercise has made the difference in the solution to a problem.
There is NEVER a moment, in training, for anger or cruelty or overt force--if the Rider cannot Love the Horse's condition then s/he SHOULD not be engaged in this Art!
Remember: 'going for the gold' can bring on tears and frustrations and sadnesses as well as successes.
This blending of the Horse and Rider into a partnership has its challenges. But this goal is ALWAYS correct to people who just plain love horses! Coach
If you want to make your Coach happy--TRY TO DO IT! If you want to have a 'happy' horse--ASK IT TO TRY TO ACHIEVE IT!
The balanced seat is the beginning of mounted co-operation between the Horse and the Rider.
Think about this: the Horse can shiver a fly or bug off its coat/skin; how sensitive is that? Yet some people seem proud of "de-sensitizing" their Horse! Why would any animal or human want to be entered into "dead" actions? (Futz on that I say!)
Oh, I think I understand what they mean to imply but training a Horse to trust the human's judgement in a frightening situation is not the same as sensitive responses to the Rider's requests.
The goal of keeping the Horse sensitive to the Rider's requests, to form the two into a co-active unit with the least amount of spent energy, should be a major goal. The Rider should always be aware of the Horse's natural instinct to flee from fearful encounters.
A Rider should not want to 'make' a Horse "light"; a Rider should want to NOT interfere in the Horse's natural Lightness!
A balanced seat produces a balanced load for the Horse to carry. The Horse learns to trust that the Rider will not unbalance its carriage or its ground-concussion, thereby gaining the freedom to go forward in a regulated and cadenced manner.
CONCLUSION ONE: the Horse cannot become athletically balanced until the Rider is athletically balanced--and--vice versus.
So, it follows that while a Horse is being schooled to respond to aids and cues and to physically develop its rate, stride, suspension and suppleness, the Rider should also be developing his/her skills--on a TRAINED Horse. (The trained, schooler Horse is the Coach's best friend, these wonderful animals have learned to EXCUSE the struggling Rider and just continue along their way, trusting the Coach!).
Thus the old saying: "green Horse/green Rider= failure" proves to be true.
CONCLUSION TWO: the Horse and the Rider must be capable of mounted work BEFORE being put to it together. This conclusion demands both physical and mental training and conditioning. This is why the art of Horsemastery (willing co-operation) takes time and consistency.
Next point: about degree of training: most Riders just pile onto the saddle (which may or maynot fit and/or be placed in the proper position upon the Horse) then they bounce about until they land in a heap of some stability, whereupon the Horse learns to balance them and carry their bunden,as they are best able.
Over time the Rider and the Horse find an agreed-to balance between themselves.
THIS DOES NOT MEAN THEY HAVE REACHED THE BEST BALANCE POSSIBLE.
AND IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY WILL ADVANCE BEYOND THIS ACHIEVED LEVEL.
However: all Riders do not seek discipline beyond basic levels of contentment! In other words: not everyone wants to be a trained member of the Ballet. Many are content to Dance for joy and pleasure (immediate expression)!
For those Riders who want more training, precise timing and mental/physical ability--they must understand technique and must train their muscles/nerves and must include patience in their disciplines.
Think of the hours a skater spends learning to glide without effort, learning to leap at the just-right moment, trusting her partner to do his best when she is thrown out over the ice...just pause and see that mentally. Hours and hours, why does she do it? (and him too, why does he?) And those Olympians have Coaches, very able, highly disciplined Coaches.
Move over (mentally) to the Dressage performance pair or to the horse/rider combo approaching the jump or to the rider setting up for reining patterns demonstrations. The same long hours in the saddle were spent, the same disciplines of muscle/mental controls were established...all...for the love of the work! All for the love of the goal and the possibility of the achievement.
And--if the competition is medium to upper levels--they PROBABLY had an educated Coach to lead them to this point!
They probably did NOT teach themselves or train their Horses alone.
So.
As we go forward in these "Lessons" set your goals firmly in your mind; take no more discipline than you desire, NEVER lose your pleasure in being with the Horse; and remember that your goals (dreams) can prove to be beyond your talents or your horse's talents, so acceptance of the highest level of achievement must always be the ULTIMATE goal!
If you 'want it' and your horse 'likes it' then you can try to 'do it'. If you can't reach the goal, after you have accepted the work and discipline and talent involved; perhaps you should find happiness with the highest level actually achieved.
PLEASE...do not blame your Horse...or quit too soon and blame yourself ! I have seen instances where adjusting the placement of the saddle or developing a specific exercise has made the difference in the solution to a problem.
There is NEVER a moment, in training, for anger or cruelty or overt force--if the Rider cannot Love the Horse's condition then s/he SHOULD not be engaged in this Art!
Remember: 'going for the gold' can bring on tears and frustrations and sadnesses as well as successes.
This blending of the Horse and Rider into a partnership has its challenges. But this goal is ALWAYS correct to people who just plain love horses! Coach
Friday, February 26, 2010
FARRIER CHECK LIST
Over the years; starting with six horses and "growing" a herd to over one hundred horses I have learned how to co-operate with Farriers, so they will actually return for more!
Standing on their heads, under horses, whacking away at them with hammer and nails just truly needs all the appreciation and assistance a Cowhand can offer! A cup of coffee and a few chuckles goes a long way on 'points' too!
The first Farrier I learned from was a fellow named James; he was about 5'5" and STRONG. He roamed around the pack ranches shoeing strings of pack horses and hunting rentals; he could cold-shoe 25 head in a long day. He had zero tolerance, if the horse 'fussed' he simply pulled the shoes, trimmed and quit on that one.
The second farm Farrier was a guy name Charles (all the Farriers I have worked with had really classical cowboy names, odd but true). He was also not too tall and could have pumped iron really easily, or throw a horse if he chose. His discipline manner was unique; he actually tied up a front leg and then held up the leg he was shoeing! He was completely silent at his work except for small 'kissy' sounds to the horse if it moved about. If the horse contined to 'fuss' he just stepped back and let it fall down, if it chose. Most of them became really quiet for him.
The next man in line was Robert (see?) who was the tallest Farrier of the whole group of these smiths. He walked about with the horse on a lead, checking and looking at the legs and feet, then he asked his apprentice to trot the horse and finally to canter it on a long line. If the horse had more energy than he wanted to work with, the Apprentice leaped on bareback and rode about in the corral until Robert finished another horse.
There were more farriers, of course: hot-shoers, cold-shoers, trimmers of foals, half shoers and even corrective veterinarian/farriers--the one common thing they required was: a quiet horse. Of course, not one of them expected to chase a horse to catch!
They also expected clean and not-wet legs and feet. If the horse wasn't trained to handle, they rejected it until it was trained; if the horse wouldn't lunge, rejected; got rough, you got it--later, Dude!
Not one of them refused to work on the first horse without charge to show me how he worked and what he knew and if we could form a partnership. If they had a temper which showed up we agreed to pay and dismiss him from more service.
There was one woman Farrier who did nothing but Foals (the most dangerous horses on the ranch in my opinion) and she worked for over six years before moving away to her own smithing shop.
Most of the Farriers we worked with were trained by an older Farrier and had served Apprenticeships; they were decent and polite; they wanted my check to clear that night and they were Angels in Disguise! PHF
Standing on their heads, under horses, whacking away at them with hammer and nails just truly needs all the appreciation and assistance a Cowhand can offer! A cup of coffee and a few chuckles goes a long way on 'points' too!
The first Farrier I learned from was a fellow named James; he was about 5'5" and STRONG. He roamed around the pack ranches shoeing strings of pack horses and hunting rentals; he could cold-shoe 25 head in a long day. He had zero tolerance, if the horse 'fussed' he simply pulled the shoes, trimmed and quit on that one.
The second farm Farrier was a guy name Charles (all the Farriers I have worked with had really classical cowboy names, odd but true). He was also not too tall and could have pumped iron really easily, or throw a horse if he chose. His discipline manner was unique; he actually tied up a front leg and then held up the leg he was shoeing! He was completely silent at his work except for small 'kissy' sounds to the horse if it moved about. If the horse contined to 'fuss' he just stepped back and let it fall down, if it chose. Most of them became really quiet for him.
The next man in line was Robert (see?) who was the tallest Farrier of the whole group of these smiths. He walked about with the horse on a lead, checking and looking at the legs and feet, then he asked his apprentice to trot the horse and finally to canter it on a long line. If the horse had more energy than he wanted to work with, the Apprentice leaped on bareback and rode about in the corral until Robert finished another horse.
There were more farriers, of course: hot-shoers, cold-shoers, trimmers of foals, half shoers and even corrective veterinarian/farriers--the one common thing they required was: a quiet horse. Of course, not one of them expected to chase a horse to catch!
They also expected clean and not-wet legs and feet. If the horse wasn't trained to handle, they rejected it until it was trained; if the horse wouldn't lunge, rejected; got rough, you got it--later, Dude!
Not one of them refused to work on the first horse without charge to show me how he worked and what he knew and if we could form a partnership. If they had a temper which showed up we agreed to pay and dismiss him from more service.
There was one woman Farrier who did nothing but Foals (the most dangerous horses on the ranch in my opinion) and she worked for over six years before moving away to her own smithing shop.
Most of the Farriers we worked with were trained by an older Farrier and had served Apprenticeships; they were decent and polite; they wanted my check to clear that night and they were Angels in Disguise! PHF
Thursday, February 25, 2010
GUIDE TO STAYING WARM
In below-freezing weather: ice in the buckets, frost on the nostrils, fingers turning blue, away from the stove, gotta work outside today...
checking the hay bales left for sale; checking hooves and shoes, for the Farrier's next trip; moving the manure small loads to the main pile; checking oil in the feed cart and the farm truck...stuff to do in the cold.
So:
DRESS ACCORDINGLY: long john bottoms and top; undershirt, long sleeves; undershirt, short sleeves; soft, warm long sleeved sweater; socks, short cotton, long woollies, toe warmers; wool pants; heavy stomper-boots; lamblined vest; ski-temp coat and overpants; two hats, muffler; inside then outside gloves...now....just like a kid, guess what?
Oh,
I do so look forward to sun long enough to warm up a spot here and there...
I remind myself:
All for the love of a Horse...I am a crazy person. Acceptance equals peace. PhF
checking the hay bales left for sale; checking hooves and shoes, for the Farrier's next trip; moving the manure small loads to the main pile; checking oil in the feed cart and the farm truck...stuff to do in the cold.
So:
DRESS ACCORDINGLY: long john bottoms and top; undershirt, long sleeves; undershirt, short sleeves; soft, warm long sleeved sweater; socks, short cotton, long woollies, toe warmers; wool pants; heavy stomper-boots; lamblined vest; ski-temp coat and overpants; two hats, muffler; inside then outside gloves...now....just like a kid, guess what?
Oh,
I do so look forward to sun long enough to warm up a spot here and there...
I remind myself:
All for the love of a Horse...I am a crazy person. Acceptance equals peace. PhF
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
POT-LICKER SPAGETTI
Here's another pot-pan dinner for COLD/WET days!
When it is sooo cold and really quite nasty outside we don't want to come inside to cook--we want to come inside to EAT! So here is a very tasty casserole for the ranch-hands:
Get out the black iron deep pot with a lid; dribble in about 2 teaspoons of oil, heat to popping and pour in 2/3 cups of 'pulled' beef (pre-cook to falling apart then use two forks to shred), stirring fast, then cut down to simmer---
If you want a veggie dish, instead of the meat, take 2/3 medium size turnips , cube and use, clean them don't peel---
Chop together: 1 cup celery, smaller and center sections are best in this dish, with the leaves; 1 onion , rough sliced; 1 mild bell pepper, without the skins or stems, chopped to cubes and about 2 cups of fresh tomatoes, skinned and chopped; stir into the pot, cover over a spoon to vent
open a small can of Mexican tomatos/ peppers sausa, combine with a small can of tomato paste, stir in 1/2 cup parmesan or romano grated cheese and 1 can of water; stir this combination into the pot and lid it closed, on lowest heat
Grate 1 cup of extra sharp cheddar, stir with 1/2 cup sugar, add 2 teaspoons of fresh garlic; add this to the pot and simmer covered until the cheese has melted
Stir it up, add in 1 cup of water (more if it is sticking) and 2/3 cups of wheat short, thick pasta pieces; cover it over the spoon again and raise the heat to a very low boil, stir often
When the pasta has softened and changed color, add salt and pepper to taste; drop the heat to warming, cover and it is ready to dip up to .... EAT!
Serve with soda flat bread or toasted tortillas, some salad of thin sliced celery, apple, romain and black olives and some peppered small carrots as a side dish
Everyone should feel better after dinner! Cookie
When it is sooo cold and really quite nasty outside we don't want to come inside to cook--we want to come inside to EAT! So here is a very tasty casserole for the ranch-hands:
Get out the black iron deep pot with a lid; dribble in about 2 teaspoons of oil, heat to popping and pour in 2/3 cups of 'pulled' beef (pre-cook to falling apart then use two forks to shred), stirring fast, then cut down to simmer---
If you want a veggie dish, instead of the meat, take 2/3 medium size turnips , cube and use, clean them don't peel---
Chop together: 1 cup celery, smaller and center sections are best in this dish, with the leaves; 1 onion , rough sliced; 1 mild bell pepper, without the skins or stems, chopped to cubes and about 2 cups of fresh tomatoes, skinned and chopped; stir into the pot, cover over a spoon to vent
open a small can of Mexican tomatos/ peppers sausa, combine with a small can of tomato paste, stir in 1/2 cup parmesan or romano grated cheese and 1 can of water; stir this combination into the pot and lid it closed, on lowest heat
Grate 1 cup of extra sharp cheddar, stir with 1/2 cup sugar, add 2 teaspoons of fresh garlic; add this to the pot and simmer covered until the cheese has melted
Stir it up, add in 1 cup of water (more if it is sticking) and 2/3 cups of wheat short, thick pasta pieces; cover it over the spoon again and raise the heat to a very low boil, stir often
When the pasta has softened and changed color, add salt and pepper to taste; drop the heat to warming, cover and it is ready to dip up to .... EAT!
Serve with soda flat bread or toasted tortillas, some salad of thin sliced celery, apple, romain and black olives and some peppered small carrots as a side dish
Everyone should feel better after dinner! Cookie
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