A Step Closer!

Today I have purchased a truck, it is big enough to pull the horse trailer and it's going to look good doing it! I can't wait for show season. Pictures will be here soon!

Whats New

So what is new since my last post..quite a bit! First of all let me apoligize for not updating the website often enough, it turns out I need to be sick on a rainy day for me to actually sit my butt down and update, but I hope you like the changes I've done today and I will attempt to get some more recent pictures of the students, the pony posseys, and of course of the horses!

New Stuff:
1. Dolly has been sold to a loving home with a young lady who is very much in love with her new horse.
2. Zeus has mastered the liberty off the line at walk and trot (and is thinking about doing it at a canter)
3. Akasha has learned to find her distances to jumps at a canter, she's is really inspiring to be a show pony! Look out all you other hunter ponies! Akasha also went on her first hack alone and was an angel.
4. It looks like we aren't moving any where any time soon, but keep your eyes open for an indoor arena to rent as winter is going to be very cold!
5. I am working on getting myself a truck, so every penny from every lesson is going into the savings account.
6. I have a new cell phone number and I use it! I also have discovered the joys of texting, much fun! 519-702-5671. This is a great way to get a hold of me even when I'm working I can reply to a text on down time or between jobs :)
7. 3 out of 4 of my horses do bridleless with ease, Akasha is not one of them.
8. I am thinking of hosting a few clinics for next year anyone interested? I have a great instructor who would come out for a hunter/jumper clinic, I also would like to run a de-sensitizing clinic as the one in the spring went so well, this time we'll allow outside horses as well.

Ok that's my thoughts, my updates and my news. If you haven't got your lessons booked call moi :)

We're Running a Horse Show!!

Horse Show
August 16th (2009)
First Ever Pony Possey's Club Show.
This is a fun show suitable for beginner /novice riders, or green horses who need to gain experience, or for people who just want to get together for a fun time!
Prizes will be awarded. Ribbons from 1st-5th. Trailer parking. Outside stables welcome but we'd like to know your coming so we know how many stables to expect. English and Western with the idea of fun in mind! And of course decent food will be served.
Call for more information.
519-229-6904

We are also looking for vollenteers for set up of different classes, to help in the food booth, ring, and office. All helpers will recieve a complementry lunch.
Sponsors also wanted, if your company wants free advertising and wants to support the horse community in Woodham/St Marys please contact us.

Class list, show rules, and a flyer are all available on the website. Fire Fly Stables

I'm very excited about this and I know my students are as well!

No More Cars For Me

I'm switching back to horses.

So now the challenge..how can I make a living with the horses?

Wow It's Been Over a Month!

That seems so unreal but I haven't written here for over a full month!

New stuff with me..I started selling cars, I don't know how good I'll be at it but so far I've sold one and the boss hasn't fired me so all is good just have to get a few more under my belt so that I understand the whole system better! You'd be amazed at how much there is to learn, I'd take horse anatomy over it any day!

The pony club is doing very well we have quite a few people participating and we hope to run our own horse show this summer!

Dolly is still here I had one person come out and that was it! Everyone who wants her wants to trail ride and I don't think she'll be any good on trails she's a very happy horse near the barn so that's turns away a lot of prospects. No big deal though like I said in my last post no hurry to sell she can hang out and do a few lessons here and there, she seems content doing that.


Also check out the local St Marys paper the Journal Argus, they came out to the farm and interviewed me, a picture of me and Pnut working on bareback-bridleless should appear in the next edition.

I am still working on getting more students in the lesson programs, I do take friend referals, if you refer someone to the stable and they ride a full month with me ( 4 lessons minimum) I will give you a free private lesson on a horse of your choice (within reason of course, I will not put a total beginner on Eddy sorry folks lol!)

Showing opportunities are coming up I haven't worked out the exact figures but the standardbred show in Milton in September is one we are attending for sure. There are a few others before that which I'd like to make it to but we'll have to see about transportation.

Life is grand, have a good rest of the weekend! Smile!

Miss Dolly

I have some new news. I've decided to put Miss Dolly up for sale. She's getting older and wont be able to handle as many beginners as she has in the past. I wanted to make sure I wrote a blog about it so that my students can read about it before they see a classified ad.

Dolly is a great sweet girl but she isn't going to be able to work the same because she is just getting older. I put a weight limit on her last year of 130, I currently weight 150 (I know I know). This year I dropped her limit down to 100 pounds so it just isn't fair for me to ride her. Typically most horses will need tune ups every once and a while. Dolly is no exception, last year I had to ride her twice (just for things like popping her shoulder around corners or sloppy transitions). This happens to almost every horse who is ridden consistently by beginners. They just need a refresher once and a while to remember what is what. This year I will not be able to ride her at all so if she does need this little refresher I will have to find someone else to do it.

I have thought long and hard about this but I think she'll be much happier with just one rider who can love her and ride her often. I am also going to be very selective and picky about who she is sold to. I do not want her to send up at an auction or sale so I will do everything in my power to find her the perfect owner. (in other words she may remain here for quite some time haha!)

I know everyone is going to miss her but I know she will have a much nicer retirement (or semi-retirement) elsewhere. I will be keeping my eyes open for another beginner horse so that Peanut isn't swamped this year. But we will have Akasha and Zeus in lessons shortly, and of course Eddy for the more advanced students.

If anyone has any concerns about Dolly please feel free to talk to me. I know what it's like when your instructor sells the horse you've learned to ride on, it can be really hard, so please don't feel shy, come talk to me. Dolly's been very good to us the past few years she's only had two students fall off during her entire stay! I wish Dolly a happy future, thanks girlie!

Nelson Bilyea

For those who aren't aware there was a tragic fire in the area at Nelson's barn. He lost many horses including his wonderful stud Ginnin Cowboy. My heart goes out to Nelson and also to Kathy his wife who lost her beautiful mare as well.
I sincerely hope that this wasn't a fire set by someone. Everyone is thinking it but no one wants to say anything, and I don't blame you, it's too awful to think of.

I used to work for Nelson, just mucking stalls when I was younger. Once I remember Ginnin Cowboy getting cast in his stall and being completely upside down. He thrashed around a bit then just stayed put and glared at me to go get help. I ran up to the house but no one was there so I called my father and waited for him. I was younger and was told strictly not to touch the stallions, insurance just doesn't cover that lol! Once my dad came (to spot me - he knows absolutely nothing about horses..no offence pa)I went into his stall and pulled his tail so he away from the wall enough to turn over and get up. The look on that horses face when he got up was so funny, if he had been a person he would have smacked me for taking so long to come to his rescue. This horse was a beautiful athletic horse who made for a great stud, hopefully he will live on through his foals.

Nelson and his family are great people and I just wanted to say that there is a silent auction, and dinner/dance coming up (I'll get the facts posted of when and where when I know) and if you'd like to support him and get him back on his way this would be a great way to do it.

Our pony club is doing great and I will be organizing a fire safety meeting for sometime next month, parents are welcome as well as friends and neighbours, as you are welcome to any other meeting. The fire safety meeting will help us to learn how to prevent fires, and to learn how easily they can be started. I'm currently in the process of getting a guest speaker from the fire station.

The unimaginable can happen, and I am deeply sorry that it happened to such great people and great horses.