Wise Land Use Decisions

My white ancestors have been living near my horse lot since the mid 1600's. The farm has been in my immediate family line for well over 100 years.

A few years ago one of my uncles said, "Your Granddaddy Horace would have loved seeing all these kids and horses back here."

He was right.

I am in the middle of what is always the heaviest time of the year. Heavy enough so that yesterday when court was completed I went home and went to bed. As darkness approached I woke up and headed out to the horse lot.

Before my vehicle reached the tack shed I could see Chloe in the round pen working her new horse, Max, as her mother sat bundled in covers watching her progress. Barb was coming out of the pasture from being with Queen Jane. Jen had all ready left--trimmed a few horses and headed back to Portsmouth.

A small truck came up the path and Ethan and Ashley got out. Ethan caught Joseph and saddled up and Ashley tacked up our new mule, Belle. I got Holland and we headed out in total darkness for the young mule's first night ride.

Yes, this is a good use of this farm.

And there are thousands of farms all over America that could be used the same way--to make better kids, better horses and better communities. We will provide all the consulting services that we can at no cost to help farmers turn a little bit of their land into a place that their grand fathers would have loved to have seen.

Send this out to every farmer that you know.

They will love planting a program like ours on their land.

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I often surpise myself when I bump into old posts--I had forgotten this post from a few years ago. Hit this link to see it : Mill Swamp Indian Horse Views: Yesterday, When I Was Young So Many Happy Songs W...: Death is predictable. Life is not. Life today was filled with surprises. I got drenched during the morning riding and cancelled the after...

Whatever Bitter Brew you Are Drinking: Be Careful Where You Seek Knowledge

Recently, I have been dipping my toe into pages and forums dedicated spreading knowledge about all things equine. As a result I have a strong need to wash my feet. I am shocked at how much misinformation and rank, raw hostility permeates these places.

The person who yells the loudest is generally the one who knows the least.

To everyone seeking to learn, consider your sources. Go to established voices of natural horsemanship and avoid vulgar hatemongers.

Read Dorrence, Anderson, Brannamen, Miller, and Hunt. Then you will have a solid enough base to separate wheat from chaff.

Don't seek a glass of cold water from a sewer.

Learn lyrics from those who sing, not from those who scream.

You Gonna Reap Just What You Sow

Are you satisfied with the values of this world? Then why are you teaching your children to conform to those values?

A child who learns and practices natural horsemanship will become more courageous, more generous, more  honest, and more compassionate.

Natural horsemanship makes good horses but it makes much better people. Take the step to make your child a better person.

Parade Time Coming

Saturday we will set out before the sun comes up and ride through the woods and down the highway about eight miles to Smithfield. We will then line up and move out in the Smithfield Christmas parade.

We have been training hard for it. We have been leading and then riding the horses through a gauntlet of wild noises and sights. Riders and parents have been standing along the rive way beating buckets, waiving blankets, jumping up and down and yelling as we rode through.

The horses are ready.

After we arrive the confused whispering starts. "Weren't most of these wild horses? Did kids really train them? Can they really ride fifty miles in a day with no problem? Wow-is that a stallion? A horse that small can carry an adult? But they are all so beautiful--and gentle--how can that be?"

That is why we are in the parade. We will show several thousand people Saturday what these horses can do and I hope that we will leave many of them with other questions on their minds.

"How can we possibly allow such amazing creatures to go extinct? What can I do to help? Where can I get a horse like that?"


(Picture shown above is a rare photo of Lefty splitting for Ohio on the very day they laid poor Poncho low.)