PENZANCE HORSEMANSHIP

10/07/2024

ATTN: FLORIDA HORSE OWNERS I saw this in a horse group and wanted to share. I don't know these horses or the owner - just using the photo as an example for what should be done to ID your horses. Of course, the best thing is to GET THE HECK OUT OF FLORIDA but, having gone through IRMA I know the difficulties of dealing with that AND the horrors of getting stuck on I-95 or I-75 with a trailer load of horses during the storm. Do what you can. If you have to stay - Turn 'em out and make sure their ID'd up the ying-yang.

My prayers are with you all. We serve a MIGHTY GOD and we, personally, experienced God's miracles during IRMA - defied 'science' all the way ... I am expecting to hear of miracles from y'all ... 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

06/15/2024

Hey everyone! 🌟

Are you a busy professional, a dedicated horse owner, or a supermom juggling a thousand things? Life can be hectic, and finding the perfect balance is challenging. That's why I'm excited to share an amazing opportunity for a flexible, part-time job you can do from the comfort of your home!

Imagine having the freedom to set your own hours and work around your busy schedule. Whether you’re managing your professional career, taking care of your beloved horses, or running a household full of kids, this job adapts to your lifestyle.

✅ Work from Anywhere: Your home, the barn, or wherever you need to be!
✅ Flexible Hours: Perfect for early birds or night owls.
✅ Extra Income: Earn while managing your daily responsibilities.
✅ Community Support: Connect with like-minded individuals who understand your busy life.

I’ve found this to be a game-changer, and I know it could be for you too. If you’re interested in learning more, drop a comment or send me a message. Let’s chat about how this opportunity can fit into your life and bring you the flexibility you need.

Looking forward to connecting with you! 💬✨

03/19/2024

Spring is a crucial time for horse owners to focus on natural conditioning and groundwork with their horses. After a long winter, horses may have lost some of their fitness and muscle tone, making it essential to ease them back into work carefully to prevent injuries and ensure they regain strength and flexibility.

**Natural Conditioning**
Natural conditioning during spring involves a gradual increase in exercise intensity and duration to help horses regain their fitness. It's important to start with low-impact activities, such as walking and trotting, before moving on to more strenuous exercises. This approach helps to rebuild muscle enzymes, capillaries, and plasma volumes, which are vital for the horse's overall health and performance.

**Groundwork Importance**
Groundwork plays a significant role in a horse's spring conditioning. It helps improve movement patterns and develops a full range of joint motion. Groundwork exercises are a direct way to ask your horse to coordinate, flex, and engage his body without the stress of a rider's weight. This can be especially beneficial for horses that have been confined or have had limited movement during the winter months.

**Developing a Spring Conditioning Plan**
Creating a dedicated and consistent spring conditioning plan is key to bringing your horse back to fitness. The plan should include a mix of cardiovascular exercises and calisthenics-type routines to engage the horse's postural muscles. Monitoring the horse's heart rate during exercise can ensure that the workouts provide the right amount of stress without overexertion.

In summary, natural conditioning and groundwork in spring are essential for preparing horses for the active months ahead. By following a strategic plan that includes a variety of exercises and careful monitoring, horse owners can help their horses transition smoothly from winter rest to peak fitness. Remember to consult with an Equine specialist/Trainer for a tailored plan, especially if your horse is recovering from an injury or has been idle for several months.

AND REMEMBER always -- You ride what you lead!

03/19/2024

03/14/2024

WOW ... just found a handout that I had given out to attendees at a clinic I did way-back-when "Countryside Farm & Garden" was still in business in Uxbridge, MA ... anyone remember that place? It was the best farm and garden place EVER!!! But I thought I'd post this since I have limited spaces this spring to help YOU with your horses! CT makes teaching horses sooooo much FUN! And the horses understand what their humans are asking soooo much more quickly and clearly! Wanna know more? Let's get you ready for those agility and extreme trail shows!!! Or, maybe just a few quick refreshers for a horse that seemingly has 'forgotten' his or her 'manners'! 🤣😃

02/27/2024

This is an older clip of me teaching Jessica Agel down in FL how to teach a horse to do something 'scary' using clicker training.

Notice that there are no histrionics, no crazy pulling back, no extreme reactions on behalf of Cheyenne (horse) but simple aversions when getting uncomfortable and needing time to 'process' what is being asked of her.

Jessica did an excellent job without causing Cheyenne any extreme reactions.

Had we tried to FORCE Cheyenne, well, I can assure you it would have been a completely different outcome!

And, a very dangerous one since Cheyenne is a mustang and retains those strong feral/wild reactions to scary things! (as she does even today!)

If you would like to learn clicker training for your horse, either locally or at distance, give me a shout ... you'll be amazed at how easily you can teach liberty work or agility ... extreme trails and more!

Cheyenne clicker training

02/17/2024

THIS WEEKEND/WEEK ONLY -- Get a head start on your horse's rebound from winter stressors! 1/2 PRICE this weekend and coming week only! Leave me a 👍 and I'll get right back with you! Have an awesome day! 🌞💕

01/25/2024

🐴✨ Did you know that for decades I worked full time with horses? 🌈 I've 'trained' dozens of Mustangs right off the range, (in fact, the 1st one I ever worked with was when I was 18 years old! ... that's 52 years ago! lol) 🕰️ Thousands of 'regular' horses, trimmed thousands of hooves, gotten bucked off, thrown off, fallen off horses of all sizes and shapes and breeds? (Yep, at least 7 times! lol) 🤠 I've ridden ponies, drafts, standard-sized horses in several different disciplines including dressage to cutting to jumping to even brideless. 🌍 I've worked with healing horses for decades with all sorts of different 'ailments' from fx'd coffin bones to COPD, IR, DSLD, Cushings, Lyme, EPSM.

🌿 Yeah, I've been around the block a few times or more. 🌟

I taught thousands of equine enthusiasts from 18 different countries. 🌎

I guess what I'm trying to say is, Horses have been my passion and my 'work' for most of my life. 🌈 I've had other jobs in between, and the ones that came closest to passions were managing a nursery (plants) back in the early-mid 90's and beyond) and, even more so, working in the position of Surgical Assistant and Supervisor in a small animal hospital (2 hospitals actually) and tech in an Equine hospital ... 🌿

I am blessed. 🙏 I am blessed to be able to have worked most of my life in careers that I loved! ❤️ "If you love what you do, you'll never have to work a day in your life." 🌟 Such a truer statement from an old adage was never spoken. 🗣️

But now, there's a little sadness when I think 'back to the day' as I am unable, physically, to do what I used to do BUT ... 🌼

Remember I said I worked at a Nursery Mgr? (No, NOT kids - GARDENS!) ... and now I can spend more time tending that passion than what's been afforded to me the past 70 decades. 🌿

I still have my small herd o'guys ... Cheyenne, Tamilyn, Rusty, and the two little adopted donks, Mona and Newton (they add a daily dose of laugh medicine! Such funny little guys!) 🐴🐾 BUT -- get this -- we use their manure along with the chicken and bunnies' manure -- to make AWESOME organic earth in which to grow all those yummy herbs and delicious veggies and beautiful flowers! 🌻🌿

See? It all comes 'round full circle somehow. 🔄

And, I am blessed. 🙌

MORAL OF ALL THIS? Find something you LOVE to do and DO IT! Spend your life in your passion. Because, simply? Your passion is your God-given GIFT! 🎁

He gave you life and he gives you the desire in your heart, your passion, your gift. Now YOU get to choose what to do with it. 🌈

Be blessed!

01/21/2024

Hey Y'all ... would love your support!💖 And in return I've got lots of goodies planned for you! Follow my NEW endeavor: The HERB BARN ... here I am, brand new, in FB:🌿 https://www.facebook.com/TheHERBBARN/

Suggestions for content is ALWAYS welcomed! And, tell me what you'd love to see The HERB BARN carry in real time! I'll take all suggestions into serious consideration. Thanks!

Hey there, 😊welcome to The Herb Barn!🌱 We are all about herbs here. You name it, we have it - Live plants, dried herbs, fresh herbs, and more. We also have tons of yummy and healthy herbs for cooking and healing. Come on over to The Herb Barn and check out our awesome growing herb collection. 🌞

01/16/2024

I remember the days when we had 17 horses at the farm and every Saturday we'd have to go get at least 2 or 3 truckloads of hay to last the week. Didn't matter the weather. We didn't have storage for a season's worth of hay but, more importantly, I didn't have the funds to pay for a season's delivery of hay. But that was then and this is now -- when I decided to say 'yes' to becoming a Pampered Chef consultant it finally gave me the means to purchase a year's worth of hay all at once. Delivered and stacked.

If you struggle to make ends meet you don't have to struggle alone. There *IS* another way!

12/15/2023

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” - Matthew 5:5

What is a war horse that is “meeked” (Greek: “praus”)?

“The Greek word praus (prah-oos) was used to define a horse trained for battle. Wild stallions were brought down from the mountains and broken for riding. Some were used to pull wagons, some were raced, and the best were trained for warfare. They retained their fierce spirit, courage, and power, but were disciplined to respond to the slightest nudge or pressure of the rider’s leg. They could gallop into battle at 35 miles per hour and come to a sliding stop at a word. They were not frightened by arrows, spears, or torches. Then they were said to be meeked. … To be meeked was to be taken from a state of wild rebellion and made completely loyal to, and dependent upon, one’s master.”

How do you feel about being ‘meek’, now? Will you be inheriting the earth?