Icelandic Horses

Recently Ive been interested in Icelandic horses and had an oportunity to take lessons for a great faciliy here in Santa Cruz called Centaur City - Icelandic Riding School. What a treat! First of all they are gated horses so that means they have 5 speeds. Tolt is one of the most amazing gates and so smooth. Its like a really fast walk so its smoother then a trot. Another great thing about these horses are that they have a very sweet and cool headed demeaner. Super willing and agile. They are smaller but that just means that there is less height to fall from. ;) I would have to say that my next horse just might have to be an icelandic.

Read more…

Horse Camp

Its that time of year again...

Horse Camp 2014 at Horse and Heart! 

Read more…

Throwback Thursdays: Santa Barbara Ranch House

I was digging trough family photos and found these gems of my childhood home. My parents built the house in 1980 and started a small horse farm called Rocking Horse Ranch. We had so much fun riding in the back country and exploring the hills in Los Padres National Forest. 

Tucked away in the mountains above Santa Barbara

'Saratoga' and 'Mama Horse'

My mother with "Mama Horse"

My father with "Baby Horse" 

( not the most originial names )

My dad training with Shante´ 

He was full of heart.

 Shante´ was my best friend/babysitter. 

I miss him.

Read more…

Buck Brannaman - Horse Clinic - Thorson's Arena, Morgan Hill, CA

So .. Buck Brannaman is holding horsemanship and colt starting clinics this weekend at Thorson's Arena in Morgan Hill, CA. I had stars in my eyes and went to just observe with the lovely Lori Halliday from Horse & Heart and good friend Yesenia. 

Here one of Bucks students practicing yielding the lateral flection.

Lori is deeply focused on colt starting..at the edge of our seats.

We were keeping an eye on this young man representing Bucks team. 

seriously talented.

Signature chaps...got to get me a pair.

Buck and his red chaps fielding questions and directing the students. 

Full class under the covered arena at Thorson's Arena

Read more…

Throwback Thursdays: Cheap Thrill

We all had to start somewhere with horsemanship..and like many I fell in love as a young child.

My parents picked up Cheap Thrill at a horse auction after he retired as a polo horse. He was so good to us and was just another member of the family.

xoxo

Read more…

Spring Fever @ WIlder Ranch

Here in Santa Cruz we are so lucky to have such a beutiful landscape to play in. One of the most recent adventures was a day trip to Wilder Ranch at the north end of town. Its a huge perserve that was once a dairy farm at the turn of the century. The family was famous for thier butter. The farm house and barns are still there and now run by the state parks. 

The farm is a time capsule of typical Californias ranch life. Everything on the ranch had to be made since it would take weeks for something to be shiped from the east cost. Below is an axample of a stool compleate with the many who had graced perch. 

In addition there is plenty of  domestic and wildlife abound.

A heard of clydesdales where just begging for some atention...

....and some tasty grass

Just outside of the farm there is a cowboy bunk/cabin that has been out of commision for quite a while. 

If you go through the farm and up into the hills there are lots of winding trails that take you deep into the back country. There were plenty of bikers, horse riders, and hikers ...yet you felt as if you were all alone once you were on the trail. 

What an amazing place! Cant wait to go back and explore some more! 

Happy Trails!

Read more…

Horse and Heart - Valentines Affaire Fundraiser

Horse and Heart is having a Valentines Affaire Champagne Brunch as a fundraiser for 2014 summer camp. All proceeds go to a child's scholarship to participate in horsemanship summer camp. Buy your tickets!

Read more…