Posts Tagged ‘painting
Equine Massage
So my hulk muscles have come with a price it seems. While stretching my aching muscles yesterday (yes just stretching) I seem to have pulled or torn a muscle in my shoulders/back. Oh it was horrible, I felt like someone had stabbed me. I somehow managed to get myself and the dogs to work (while hobbling down the street to my store very hunched over). I spent pretty much the entire day sitting at my desk in agonizing pain. When it was finally time to leave I went straight home and slept until my husband was very kindly able to give me a very long massage, which actually helped some. I am definitely much better today (I can atleast stand up straight) but I still can’t turn my head without agonizing pain. I guess it was bound to happen with all the heavy (man) lifting I have been doing lately – but stretching? What am I 50 years old? Hardly, atleast not yet…..this should not be happening to me at 25.
But anyway, my sore muscles got me thinking about my ponies sore muscles – which I’m sure they have. So I searched youtube and came across a video that goes into a pretty good short description of message techniques that you can use on your own horse at home. Maybe I can talk someone into using these techniques on me later tonight. 🙂
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
New Home for the Boys
Its official – all 3 Chincoteague’s are now moved into my parent’s new farm, Iron Horse Farm. (not to mention their 4 other horsey friends).
Boomer and Kyley place a flag in the cone
Saturday actually started off with a mounted games competition, in which Boomer and Blitz competed in the training division at a local show. We had a few little episodes – Boomer began rearing when the music got turned up – and both ponies thought it was such a blast to be competing again that they wanted to buck all the way to the finish line. Boomer eventually settled (as I clicked and rewarded him when he didn’t buck all the way home) but Blitz had some anxiety. As the day went on he got more and more agitated with my mom – and we knew it was time to take a step back with him. I think part of his anxiety stemmed from the fact that my mom had been riding him in the hackamore for the last few months and for the competition she decided to put him back in his snaffle bit. I could tell he was not very thrilled to have a bit in his mouth again – so I have since convinced my mom to try the bitless bridle I have been using (and its great I might add!). Below are two videos from the competition.
Boomer and Blitz are the first to arrive on the farm
So after the competition we drove the boys over to their new home – and then went back to pick up Minnow. It was such a uneventful move, which I knew it would be, the boys seemed perfectly happy at their new home. I think they all really enjoy their big dutch doors that have a view of the neighboring vineyard. Its such a peaceful and happy place.
The 3 Chincoteague Ponies look out over the vineyard
On Sunday we brought over the rest of the horses, which included my Dressage horse, Nitro and my sister’s gaming pony Jet as well as 2 borders. Nitro notoriously has trouble adapting to moves (as he sees himself as “herd leader” and takes on the burden on making sure the other horses are safe). And after having his 23rd Birthday on Saturday I think he’s actually starting to grow up a little. He was surprisingly calm (aside from his ear piercing whinny’s everytime he hears a sound in the barn – I’m hoping this will pass). I think Iron Horse Farm just has such a relaxing atmosphere that it instantly calmed all of the horses.
Later on Sunday I decided to show Minnow the new Tuff Ball I had bought for my horses. He instantly took to it, and I can’t wait to put the ball in the ring with all 3 of my ponies. I think they will have such a blast playing with it! I could watch the video I took of Minnow playing with his ball over and over again – I just love seeing him enjoy it. It makes me smile to think of how far he’s come. 2 years ago I would never of dreamed of showing Minnow this ball. It would of sent him running for the hills! Now he’s perfectly at peace as he plays with the ball and my dogs run around him like crazed animals wrestling on the ground. I love my little Minnow.
Anyway so that was my very eventful weekend. I’m now recovering from a pulled shoulder muscle and a bout of poison ivy – but I’m happy that my horses are happy at their new home!
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
Chincoteague Ponies on the Farm
A few days ago I was enjoying the company of my 3 boys (Minnow, Blitz and Boomer) so I decided to take a little video while I was observing them.
The two ponies in this video are Boomer and Blitz. They come from the same farm in North Carolina and have the same father, Chesapeake Powhattan’s Promise. Near the end of the video I decided to call Boomer over, he’s such a good boy he came right away (all that clicker training helped).
Anyway enjoy the video, just watching it makes me feel like I’m out on the peaceful farm.
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
Christening the Ring
Blitz and Boomer take a visit to Iron Horse Farm
Yesterday my mom and I trailered out two ponies (Blitz and Boomer) to our new farm, Iron Horse Farm. We plan to move the horses in this coming weekend, but we just couldn’t wait any longer to try out the ring (we’ve gone for so long without one its like a brand new toy). So we practiced some of our games for an upcoming show we have on Saturday. I then introduced Blitz and Boomer to the new Tuff Ball that I had purchased for them. Anyway I won’t go into much detail about it – because you can see for yourself by watching the videos below. Its funny even though Blitz and Boomer have the same father, and they are both left brained horses, they both reacted differently to seeing the ball for the first time. Blitz was very nervous about it and Boomer walked right up to it and began biting and kicking it.
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
Interview about Minnow
Check out the recent interview I gave about Chincoteague Minnow to The Equineist. I think it turned out really great. For a full store on Minnow’s life, and how he learned to paint please check out my page, How it Began.
I have since been researching Minnow’s past, trying to find out more about where he came from/etc. – so in the interview please note that my facts were a tad off. I had some slightly wrong information before (a whisper down the lane effect) and in fact Minnow was not locked in a stall – he was kept in a dirt paddock with some cows, and although he was not “starving” his condition was not that of a healthy horse. With the research I am doing now I hope to uncover more of what happened to Minnow when he left Assateague Island in 1993 as a colt. His story is becoming more and more fascinating to me as I learn new and interesting facts about him. For example at one point in his life he was living on an Amish farm in a field with nearly 100 goats. I think this perhaps contributes to Minnow’s love of small animals.
Anyway enjoy the article!
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
