Back in the Saddle

Its been 3 months since the birth of my LO and im ready to get back in the saddle. Its been almost a year since I last rode.. but its time. Now that I live in SLV im going to have to start looking for something local. Im sure there are some good facilities in the area..just going to take some research.

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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.

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Horse Camp

Its that time of year again...

Horse Camp 2014 at Horse and Heart! 

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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.

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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

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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

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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!

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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!

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Horse Rebound

Right before thanksgiving I recieved a call from a horse trader about some gaited horses he had available for sale. I had emailed him back in September when I was horse hunting. I went out to see him and his horses out of curiosity. Ive never really have ridden gaited horses except a peruvian paso that a friend allowed me to ride on the beach back in June.

So I went thinking I will just look and see. Still feeling raw about Corona...I didnt think I would be able to connect with another horse so soon. But of course that wasnt the case. I met a great gelding TWH with a flaxen mane and soft big eyes. He was finished and smooth. But the gate felt foreign to me and there was a little hesitation that I might not be good enough as a rider for this particular horse. Well the seller was very carismatic and this was too good to pass up. So I put down a deposit and left to sleep on it.

There was a problem. Something wasnt right. I begin feeling regretful and nasious and fearfull. This might sound strange but I felt like I had just cheated on my significant other. This is what I call a rebound. There was nothing wrong with the horse..he was perfect. But I wasnt ready to move on.

The next day I went back to the ranch and broke the news to the guy. He was actually very understanding and to my surprise refunded my deposit. What a releif. I felt so much better imeadiatly.

This is a very big desision and it should feel right. There should be no second thoughts when it comes to horse ownership. Ive gotten lots of critism from people over the past few years that "im not serious about riding" or "I dont know what im doing" but the truth is that no one really knows your situation better then you do. Go with your guts.

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Vet Checks

So I'm sad to say that I won't be able to continue with the purchase of Corona. Just before we were going to move him to his new home, I had asked our vet to come and perform a pre purchase vet check. It was pretty extensive and they gave him a clean bill of health. Just before we finished up the vet asked if we wanted a blood test to see a snapshot of what his health before we move him. I figured since I would have it done anyways after the move then what could it hurt.

Well his Blood Urea Nitrogen  (BUN) test came back with some abnormalities. It appears that he has 2x the levels of a normal horse his age as well as elevated creatinine & calcium. The doctor explained to me that this means he has decreased kidney function and could lead to kidney and renal failure as well as  dehydration or worse. So this would rule him out for any endurance rides or long workouts in the future.

This just broke my heart. I can handle training issues but this is something I could never fix. Theres a chance he would need dialysis in the near future and I can't sign up for that. Im going to stop by tomorrow and give him my goodbyes. I don't think he is in any danger of not being sold.. he would make a great horse for arena and short trail rides.

Im so glad we got this test...le sigh.

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