Beautiful Fall and Not so Beautiful Fall

Now that Fonzi has moved along, its me and Dexter again and with the fantastic fall weather, we've been enjoying some beautiful rides. A couple of weeks ago, Dexter and I were cantering in the field when he stumbled on some uneven ground and fell to his knees. There I was catapulting through the air over his head. Thankfully I was wearing my helmet and got up relatively unharmed so I decided to get back on and finish the ride on a good note. While the potential for injury is the same whether the horse stumbles, spooks, bucks, bolts, or rears, a horse falling doesn't seem to take the same emotional toll.

Last weekend, my friend Lena invited Gord and I to ride with her and some of her friends down at Waldron Ranch. The Ranch is located south of Claresholm in the gorgeous Porcupine Hills and riding these hills has long been on my bucket list. The colours were spectacular, the weather fantastic, and the people we rode with was one of the best groups of folks we have ever ridden with. Connie and her husband Mike are the Managers of the Waldron Ranch and Connie and her gorgeous buckskin, Valentine, were terrific guides.

Can`t thank Lena enough for inviting us along for the ride with Ken & Peggy, Sandy and Connie. Hope we can do it again.

Happy Fall!
Tovie, Dexter, Gord and Magic

The Fonz is Soooo Cool

Fonzie has been reliable and consistent so I felt the time was right to start advertising to find his perfect person. Fonzie will give you his heart and soul if he trusts you but he is not an easily trusting horse so not for everybody - definitely the sort of horse that needs a relationship with his person.

Last weekend we were invited to join Rob Kroeger for a ride at Wareabouts Ranch - near Mesa Butte. Rob is one of my favourite horse people - he is a professional horse trainer and all around nice guy.

I decided to take The Fonz on the ride to see what he would be like in a group, around mares and on the trails and he definitely didn't disappoint. It all starts with loading into the trailer and even without a lead rope, I just point at the trailer and Fonz jumps right in. In my books that is a great start.

Despite the chaos of showing up at a training facility where there are a bunch of anxious youngsters and horses out of their element, Fonz was brilliant. I was a bit worried about going with a group, especially because there were mares going with us. All my worry was for naught - Fonz wasn't just OK - he was exceptional. If nobody knew his past, they'd never thought he was anything but a gorgeous, well mannered boy. We did a grueling and challenging 3 hour mountain ride and I can honestly say, I've never felt more comfortable riding any horse. He was sure footed and completely focused on the terrain. We came across some cattle and so I decided to see how he would be and just like everything I've asked of him - he was confident and trusting.

At Wareabouts, they have what I call, the bridge from hell. The bridge crosses Wareabouts Creek and is a steel grate bridge that you can see through. Aside from being quite high with no sides and terribly noisy, the horses can see the creek flowing underneath the bridge. It is not a bridge for the faint of heart and Fonz went across that bridge without hesitation. I couldn't have been prouder of him than I was in that moment. At one point I was about 1/3 of the way across the bridge when Gord announced he wanted to video us so I backed him off just as easily as that. I LOVE THIS HORSE!

Needless to say, I was a little more than skeptical when I came home that evening to several messages from a gal named "Tina" who was very interested in meeting The Fonz. We arranged a meeting for Sunday and it is with mixed feelings that I have to say, she was his perfect person. Everyone falls in love with a black horse so I didn't really care how she felt about the horse. Instead, I was watching how The Fonz responded to her and it was magical. I ended up telling Tina that I would cry if she took him and cry if she didn't. She left telling me she had a couple more horse to meet that afternoon and would let me know by the end of the day.

She came back twice that day and the deal was made. To my delight, she loves what I am teaching and asked if they could stay until the end of September so she could learn some of the "moves" Fonz already knows. If you don't already know how I sell a horse; I sell him with a money back guarantee. The horse leaves me happy, sound and healthy. If it doesn't work out for any reason (could be a cranky pasture mate you have no control over), you bring him back sound and healthy - I can always make him happy again. Happy Person = Happy Horse and Happy Horse = Happy Person!

Talk about six degrees of separation, Tina will be boarding Fonz at a facility where our good friends, Chris & Uli, keep their horses. Gord bought Magic from Chris and we often tease him that he sold the best horse he ever owned. Chris admits that for some reason, he and Magic simply didn't click. Another great reminder that just because a horse doesn't work out well for you, doesn't make him a bad horse. I whole heartedly thought Uli and Fonz would make a wonderful pair and Uli's horse Hank is having stifle issues. However, I completely respect the fact that Uli isn't ready to give up on Hank just yet by replacing him.

Now that The Fonz is moving on, I will finally have some time to get back to Nevar and Dexter. Nevar is starting out so well and my beloved Dexter has been terribly neglected this year. That alone makes the sadness of Fonz leaving bearable; as does the joy I see in Tina's face - she was absolutely vibrating with excitement.

Another Happy Ending - Tovie & Fonz

Nevar's First Rides

Nobody will dispute that I am not a breed or colour snob and that I absolutely adore every horse that crosses my path.

As a young girl, I used to go to my then, best friend's, Auntie Sis's farm and she had this old grulla mare named Topsy. By the time we were done grooming and pampering Topsy she shone like a fancy schmancy show horse. We doubled her bareback until at least one of us fell off - usually landing in a cow patty; and then laughed so hard we nearly peed our pants.

It must have been the joy of being with Topsy that I developed a love for the colour grullo (male) and grulla (female). After many years of learning and practice, I finally felt I wouldn't mess up a youngster too badly so I announced to my husband that I wanted to have a baby. He quickly reminded me that in my 50s it was highly unlikely to happen. I persisted and told him that if the baby lived to 30 I would be 80 and my biological clock was ticking. He was so relieved I meant a baby horse, he quickly agreed. While browsing Kijiji in 2012, there he was - my perfect little yearling and I called him Nevar - the hero in my favourite movie Ladyhawk.

I finally started riding Nevar this past week and I know some folks think starting a horse at 4 is too late. However, after making the painful decision to put down my beloved Nugget at 12 due to unmanageable arthritis, I chose to wait until Nevar was at least 4 before starting to ride him. I wanted to make absolutely sure his joints and ligaments were good and strong and would stay that way throughout his life.

Recalling my first rides on Dexter; after the 4th ride we were riding in the mountains crossing bridges and creeks. Just like my first rides on Dexter, riding Nevar this week has been rather uneventful - exactly the way I like it. This is why I am such a strong advocate for effective ground work. By the time you put your bum in the saddle, the horse has been well prepared for the saddle and bit, and already knows lateral and vertical flexion, one rein emergency stop, moving off leg pressure for lateral work, transitions, and halt.

Good preparation on the ground prepares young horses and rehabilitates older horses by developing mutual respect and trust. Trust is so important when riding a young or rehabilitated horse for the first time because trust translates into confidence and horses feel your confidence or lack thereof.

Folks often feel if their horse could just get more miles, or if they were better riders; they wouldn't keep falling off. I am definitely not the best rider nor am I the bravest rider but effective ground work has changed my riding experience completely. If you are coming off your horse, I encourage you to improve your ground work.

Fall is the best time of year for riding - bringing cooler temperatures, no bugs and spectacular colours. This year make fall about the red, orange and yellow; not the black and blue - improve your ground work!

Tovie and Nevar

Calgary Stampede Heavy Horse Pull

This year I had an opportunity to be involved with the Heavy Horse Pull competition in a very surprising way. Earlier in the week I agreed to help out with the sponsorship auction. The heavy horse pull competition runs the lightweights Friday (keeping in mind these are draft horse lightweights and not puny in the least), the middle weights on Saturday, and the heavy weights compete Sunday. Due to the slump in the local economy, attendance of registered bidders was way down from the past couple of years. I learned that in previous years, the bids are upwards of $4,000.00 to sponsor a team; however, this year they were having a hard time garnering $500.00 for a team.

My impulsive nature took over and I soon found myself with a bid card and visualizing my "Just Horsing Around" banner displayed for all to see. By the time I got organized with a bid card, the light weights had all been sponsored. I really didn't think I had a chance once the really big horses started coming up for auction but it was so much fun bidding on everything until they went past $500.00. It was funny to see the relief on tourists' faces when you explained the horses weren't being auctioned off for these ridiculously low prices; but rather sponsorship.

Then 10 teams of heavy weights came into the ring. The first highest bidder had their choice of all the teams and then each team was auctioned off separately. There was a beautiful team of percherons that I simply couldn't take my eyes off. Bubba and Jake looked happy and relaxed, had gorgeous draft horse feet (not something I see enough of), and shone with good health. I accidentally bid past my $500.00 limit and paid $700.00 but it was worth every penny to support this beautiful team. Ron Martinson was the Teamster and he was so appreciative for my support of what I considered to be a measly bid; considering the half he receives doesn't even pay the cost of special traction shoeing required to compete.

With my winning bid, Gord and I were invited to the VIP lounge for dinner and drinks prior to the event; VIP seating to watch the spectacle; and then a VIP Award Reception afterwards to celebrate with our Teamster.

Bubba and Jake came in a respectable 3rd place; pulling 11,000 lbs 22 inches. Ron said that was the most weight Bubba and Jake had ever pulled and he was so very proud of them. The second place team was disqualified for stepping out of boundary at 12,000 lbs. The winning Belgian team were from the Airdrie area, and pulled an impressive 12,000 lbs - 14 feet.

Given that Bubba and Jack lost nearly 100 lbs during their 3 days of travel from Oregon, combined with the altitude difference, I was bursting with pride to be associated with them in such a small way.

Our friends Mark & Sherri and Lena also came to cheer on Bubba and Jake. Not knowing there is such a thing as competition etiquette, I was shushed a couple of times for cheering. Then I learned that you are not to distract the team by cheering until the team is completely unhitched after their allotted two tries. The ladies who educated me were most helpful and it turned out their two teams were my competition and we had a great time cheering for each other's teams.

Teamster Ron Martinson and his daughter Shanah were so gracious and made an already special experience that much better for Gord and I. We traded contact information so Gord can put our footage of their pulls; together with Mark and Sherri's footage, on a DVD that we will send to Oregon.

At the reception after the event, awards were presented to all the winners and Ron Martinson was awarded Class of the Class; recognizing his exceptional horsemanship and sportsmanship throughout the competition. Ron was presented with a beautiful 2015 Stampede buckel, as well as a monetary reward; and we were delighted to celebrate with him.

53 Stampedes now and they just keep getting more fun!

Jack, Bubba, Ron, Shanah, Gord and Tovie
Ya Hoo!

Fonzie is so Brave

About a week ago, Fonzie got into some trouble over the fence while visiting with the nieghbours mares and scratched up his front left fetlock. Nothing serious and mending nicely but it was a bit swollen and tender for a few days.

It is Stampede week here and last Monday Gord and I went to watch the Cowboy Up Challenge - one of our favourite events. Jim Anderson from Strathmore took first place with a beautiful palomino mare. It definitely got us inspired to create some more scary obstacles around the property.

After giving Fonzie a few days off I decided to use the opportunity to set up my playground of higher learning in the arena to see how Fonzie would handle "scary" stuff like small jumps, a pile of pool noodles, large horseman's ball, bag of tin cans, large orange tarp and the dreaded hoola hoop. Must say for all the work it took me to set everything up, Fonzie's response to everything was boring - just the way I like it. At first he tried to jump the noodle pile but once he realized nothing was going to hurt, he trotted through them confidently. He jumped the small jumps with the large orange tarp and pool noodles on the other side and even jumped with the large tarp on his back blowing in the wind. I set the horseman's ball between two black barrels and had him push through it with his body. Couldn't find one single thing to worry him so Tuesday night I saddled him up and rode him through all the obstacles; again boring - just the way I like it.

I do find he is OK leaving the herd but then starts to get anxious at a certain spot. That's when I start moving his feet very intentionally and purposefully. It really doesn't take him long before he relaxes and starts to focus all his attention on me.

Care is obviously a huge consideration and so as his leg heals, I am careful not to ask too much of him.

This summer has been amazing, albeit a bit too hot for my liking. Fonzie always enjoys a nice cool shower after his workouts. The silver lining to our drought conditions is the lack of mosquitoes this year. It has been wonderful to spend so much time outdoors without those irritating little bugs.

Happy Stampede!
Ya Hoo from Tovie & Fonzie

Not Always About Horses

Near the end of October last year, Sherri was out walking the trails around our property with her horse Magnum, when a beautiful tabby cat walked onto the path in front of her and started rolling over on her back. Turned out there were 4 cats dumped near our place. Two adult females and one of the females had 2 kittens we guessed to be around 8 months.

Since my daughter has moved to Italy and I will have to go there every year to visit, I decided to learn Italian through Rosetta Stone. When we found the kitties, I decided to give them appropriate Italian names; Boccia and Pippa are the two adults and Tino and Tenero are the two kittens.

Pippa and Boccia were people friendly but Tino and Tenero were completely feral. Since October, and much effort, I have been able to partially socialize (and only recently) Tino, the male kitten, however I have never been able to get near Tenero, even with the yummiest food.

This morning I went out to the kitty shed to check on their food and lo and behold, there was Tenero with her one orange kitten that appears to be approximately 7-10 days old. I know for a fact that kitten wasn't there yesterday so I'm guessing Tenero moved it. I have no idea if there are more and can't wait to check again later. Hopefully she won't hide it again because I would really like to socialize the kitten to people.

This tiny orange kitten makes me smile even more because it reminds me of my beloved Clover that died suddenly and mysteriously on New Years Eve a couple of years ago. The Italian word for surprise is Sorpresa and typically I don't like words with r's because I simply can't roll my r's - suppose it will force me to practice.

Tovie, Tenero and Sorpresa (maybe there will be others when I check later)

Feeling a Bit Like a Horse Theif

What can I say - I adore The Fonze. Last Sunday, between bouts of rain, I decided I simply had to saddle Fonzie up and go for a ride. Obviously, I did some ground work first to make sure he was relaxed and that I had his undivided attention. Then we went into the barn and he stood quietly for saddling. To me this is a very important first step for my safety. If my horse won't stand still and relaxed for saddling or mounting, those are clues that he isn't ready for me to get on his back.

I chose to use my orthoflex endurance type saddle with English style billets and girth; the moveable panels readily adjust for a variety of backs and Fonzie has a lovely broad back. Next, I decided to use the TTouch lindell sidepull with joined rope reins. I didn't want to use a bit until Fonzie's vet visit next week where he will have a good check up and get his teeth checked to make absolute sure his mouth is comfortable.

Fonzie took on everything like a pro. It is considerate to tighten the cinch/girth incrementally; initially, I tighten it only snug enough to prevent it from slipping if he jumps and then I check it once more before leaving the barn and then once more before mounting. I never tighten the saddle completely in one go.

Fonzie was a perfect gentleman and parked at the mounting block for me to mount. Some folks see using a mounting block, log, or rock as a sign of weakness, however I see it as an act of consideration. I am not an agile spring chicken anymore and heaving my carcass up there creates twist and torque on the saddle, making the horse have to brace for balance. Perhaps that is why all our horses are happy to park at anything for mounting.

Once mounted, I asked Fonzie to walk, trot and canter, halt and back up and he did everything very well. In fact, he had the most beautiful rocking chair canter that I could have cantered forever. If my recollection is correct, Fonzie hasn't been ridden much if at all for at least 6 years so I was pleasantly surprised how relaxed and willing he was.

Fonzie's head carriage is perpetually up in the air and because of this, his neck muscles are extremely stiff and I'm certain this stiffness transfers throughout his body, which I believe is a contributing factor to his previously explosive reactions under saddle. Currently, it is nearly impossible to bend Fonzie's neck for lateral flexion or even to bend his head and body around a corner. I am doing lots of TTouch on him, and wrapped him with tensor bandages to give him a new awareness of his neck. He is gradually starting to lower that head to a more relaxed position which I believe will improve his movement under saddle tremendously. I am also going to ask Janina Zabel of TLC Equine Body Work to work on him; and my vet, Dennis Rach is an equine chiropractor so I'll have him check Fonzie next week.

My girlfriend's Sherri and Lisa were out on Sunday with their horses so after my ride in the outdoor arena, I asked them if they'd like to come with me for a ride through the trails to see how Fonzie would be outside of the arena. We tried him behind Jack and Magnum, between them, and then leading them - he never took one misstep - even with deer wandering about.

I admit to not being an overly confident rider which is why I believe so strongly in effective ground work. Fonzie's lack of suppleness throughout his neck and body restrict my ability to disengage his hind end if something were to happen so won't feel completely confident with him until I find a way to teach him how to carry himself in a relaxed manner. Having said that - couldn't be happier with the changes I am seeing in him so far.

Reflecting on the horse Wendy dropped off to the horse he is quickly becoming - this is my current evaluation of what I know. Fonzie's previous pasture mate was a mare and some geldings still have stud behaviour that make it very challenging to take them away for a ride. I think it is definitely helping him to be in a herd of geldings only. After a few painful falls, it became difficult for Wendy to trust him and then it is nearly impossible to sell a horse you don't trust. I tell all my students not to ever get on a horse if the owner of the horse won't get on first. If Wendy had wanted to sell Fonzie - selling him cheap could mean a one-way ticket to the meat plant. She kept him all these years because at least she knew he was safe and cared for.

This experience with Fonzie has been so rewarding that I can't thank Wendy enough for trusting me with him. My agreement with Wendy is that she surrendered her horse to me and I will take whatever time it takes to turn Fonzie into a happy, safe, reliable riding companion. Whenever I feel the time is right, he will be sold with a full money-back guarantee that he leaves my place happy and sound. If, for any reason, things don't work out the buyer is welcome to bring him back - no questions asked. Sometimes, it simply isn't a good fit and that doesn't make anyone wrong - not the horse, the seller, or the buyer.

Thank you Wendy and Fonzie for another wonderful horse experience!
Tovie