Open House January 24, 2008 1:00 - 4:00

There were several folks who contacted me in 2008 expressing a keen interest in learning about horses. I completely understand how the serious business of life can get in the way of doing fun things, especially when you don't know what the fun is all about. So, we decided to host an Open House next Saturday, January 24th and invite folks to come out and see what the program is all about and meet the horses. Initially, I only invited folks who haven't been out before, but then thought it would be a great opportunity to invite past participants to stop by and say hi to us, and the "boys" of course. Because our sessions are one-on-one, it is easy to form great relationships with our students and I miss them when they move on to the next phase of their adventure (some take riding lessons, others purchase a beloved first horse, and others are satisfied to have learned just for satisfaction of knowing more about what makes horses tick). I have sadly discovered there isn't enough time in a day to keep in touch with each and every student or I would be on the computer all the time instead of out in the barn "Horsing Around".

Hope to meet you or catch up with you next week!
Tovie, Gord and the "Boys"

Horse Breeders & Owners Conference

The Horse Industry Association of Alberta hosted the annual Horse Breeders & Owners Conference in Red Deer last weekend. If you are at all interested in horses, this is a must attend event. The line up of speakers were all leaders in their fields. It was a weekend of education, networking and socializing. The organizers did a fantastic job and I am sure they were pleased with attendance. It was terrific to meet new people, and socialize with friends. For newbies just getting started with horses, it can be a confusing and frustrating world with the variety of opinions and expertise. This conference presented several top DVM's (doctor of veterinary medicine) who shared their latest research findings in various fields from dentistry, hoof care, parasite control, and the effects of strength and flexibility on a horse's bio-mechanics. I have always believed in gathering as much information as possible and forming my own opinions with regard to the care of our horses.

To learn more about the Horse Industry Association of Alberta and what they offer, click on the title to get to their web-site.

Kind regards,

Happy New Year

We at Just Horsing Around would like to wish all our participants a wonderful 2009 because you sure made our 2008 a very special year.

I made a big change in 2008 by leaving my downtown corporate job to Horse Around full time. Rush hour has a whole new meaning for me now and instead of making me cranky, it makes me smile. Getting cut off means our big old German Shepherd, Shilo is playing and jumping in front of me on the way to the barn or feed shed. Getting stuck in traffic means there is a horse in front of me that won't move out of my way. Merging is awesome because it means my horse and I are connecting beautifully, and I always get the best parking spot when my horse parks at the mounting block for me to get on his back.

The day after I left my job, I was offered my first training opportunity. Honey is a lovely 3 year old mare who had had some mishandling episodes previously and was quite mistrustful. Honey is the youngest horse I have worked with and now that I have earned her trust, she is turning out to be a very willing partner and a joy to work with.

What many folks starting out with horses don't realize, is that every time we handle a horse, we are teaching it; good or bad. By improving our handling skills and confidence, we can create more good than bad. This improves our relationship with any horse we are lucky enough to encounter.

Have fun and be safe Horsing Around in 2009,
Tovie, Gord, and the "Boys"

Christmas Gift Idea

Christmas is right around the corner and Just Horsing Around has the perfect gift idea for that "horse crazy" person in your life - a personalized gift certificate. This is the perfect gift for the young at heart who may have thought their dream of being with horses had passed them by. The sessions are private and the focus is on what one needs to know prior to getting in the saddle. The program can be tailored for those looking for a recreational experience to those who may be contemplating horse ownership. Since all interaction with our well-mannered horses is on the ground, age and/or physical limitation are a non-issue.



We will help you make that special someone's Christmas wish come true!
Tovie

Happy participant...

I wanted to share a lovely message received today from a recent participant. Since starting Just Horsing Around, the feedback has been wonderful and this beautifully written note expresses the joy I strive to share.

I've been tied up a bit as of late and haven't had time to write since my last lesson, but that certainly doesn't mean it hasn't been on my mind to send you a very big thank you!

As you know, having had some background from growing up with horses, I was a bit concerned at first that I might not get to learn anything new, or worse yet, end up taking a lesson that was completely against my beliefs and experience on how horses should be treated (i.e. with understanding, not force). You, however, put these concerns to rest, right from the start as your approach, experience, passion, compassion and the knowledge that you shared were wonderful. You not only reassured me about the things I had learned from my past experience, but also went above and beyond in teaching me theory and hands on techniques that I had not even realized existed or understood very well before. I was looking for a practical and solid, all-around background in working with horses and you definitely gave me this.

Thank you also for your patience and understanding while I learned new concepts. I have been around horse people who are incredibly knowledgeable, but have not known how to pass this skill and information on to others. You, however had no problem doing this and at the same time shared so many pointers and tips along the way (e.g. hoof care, training options, clinics, and horse health). You also impressed me with being able to answer all of my questions, either directly or by finding out the answer and getting back to me. You are a really great teacher and I'm so happy to have taken lessons from you.

I have already recommended you to a couple of my friends and if anyone asks for a reference from one of your past students, I will be happy to give them one. Also, I hope that in the Spring I might be able to bring my husband by for a couple of lessons too.

Thank you so very much!

Take care,
Shauna

PS. Please pass on a nice petting to each of your horses for me as a very special thank you to them! They were each, with their own individual personalities, such great examples and guinea pigs for me to work with. It made everything that much easier. You can tell by their good behaviour and comfort around people that they've had great owners taking care of them. That too says a lot.


A big thanks to Shauna for sharing these lovely thoughts. I look forward to sharing the experience with more Horse Crazy folks.
Tovie

Where Did Summer Go?

It is hard to believe September is already here. This past weekend a few of us ladies took our horses out to the Lazy M Ranch and participated in Lane Moore's natural horsemanship clinic. As every horse person knows, there are nearly as many training methods as there are horse people and not everyone will agree as to the best method. What I tell my students is that you will learn something from every teacher and it is up to you to decide what feels right for you and your horse. As long as basic manners and mutual respect are a priority, I believe there are different ways to achieve your training goals. Once again, Lane and his wife Margie were the ultimate hosts and we all came away feeling more knowledgeable about handling our horses. I also discovered that Lane will be demonstrating barefoot trimming at the Health, Harmony & Horses Conference at the Okotoks Agriplex. For more details about the Conference, including registration, please click on the title and it will take you to their web-site.

Wishing you a beautiful Indian Summer,
Tovie

Article in June Issue of Pacific & Prairie Horse Journal

Wendy Dudley submitted a well-written article that appeared in the June issue of Pacific & Prairie Horse Journal. Wendy captured the essence of what we are teaching and I am grateful for her interest in what we are doing. In fact during our interview, Wendy admitted that she could have used a program like this prior to acquiring her first equine friend. Wendy bought her acreage and with very little experience and knowledge, she purchased the wrong horse and was badly hurt. I have heard so many stories like that over the years. Unfortunately folks don't know what they don't know. Just Horsing Around has been designed to give folks enough information to make safe and knowledgeable decisions with regard to horse ownership. That could also mean that they decide horse ownership isn't for them and that is OK too. Better they are making an informed decision rather than jumping into something blindly and ending up injured or with another neglected horse in the pasture.

Many thanks to Wendy,
Tovie