Sadie and horses

I just love the fact that we have horses for the kids to enjoy. We have gone on the "shore to shore" ride a few times. That is crossing Michigan from Empire to Otsego on horse back. We did it with the buggy. What an experience for the kids. Talk about a history lesson.

One thing we all noticed is that Sadie talks a lot more after every crossing. So a couple years ago we asked Laura Steenrod of Fieldstone farm to give Sadie riding lessons. Laura is an absolute angel! Sadie spit on her and acted like a crazed child for the first few lessons, but Laura stuck with it. Now 2 years later Sadie is as good as any girl can be, she rides her pony at a trot and talks up a storm.

This particular picture is of Glenn's pony Summer that he broke to the cart himself. What a good pony! She obviously is willing to haul as many people as he can squeeze on his cart.

Daniel

Daniel is the ex-Amish young man that lives with us. This is his team of Half lingers pulling the sleigh. Quick before we have 40 degrees again.

I like to tease him about using horses so much, he hasn't really let his past life go. It's fun to watch him and his team run around the neighborhood giving rides or working hard.
Daniel and his team, Toby and Bob get all our firewood to heat the house and our water. He also supplies my 80 year old father-in-law with wood. It's a good way to keep the woods and fence rows cleaned up, as well as amuse the neighbors.

Just horsing around

This weekend we went to a schooling show.  That means it was a small show run fairly casual, kind of a practice run for what is yet to come this summer.  A year ago I brought Glenn to Fieldstone Farm to learn a bit more about riding.  I have always enjoyed horses in my back yard, trail riding and buggying with my kids is a great pass time.  We have even taken our horse and buggy all the way across our state twice.  That is a history lesson like no other.

I know that it seems like a waste of time, and too expensive.  "I can afford it and still pay my bills" has always been my defense to my hobby.  Now I have discovered an entirely new defense.

Last year Glenn was afraid to trot on a horse.  Last summer he learned to canter over jumps 18 inches high.  He did so well (better than me) that he won his way out of my division.  This year he is jumping 2 foot jumps.  Glenn is a bit of a runt, and because of his fused back he really can't run correctly.  We have found a sport that takes patients, a steady mind, and dedication to win, not speed, strength, or height.  A sport he can compete at without a disadvantage.

Then there is Sadie who struggles with pretty severe autism.  She was bad tempered, easily frustrated, and struggled to communicate.  A year of consistent riding, every week, not just when I have time and the weather is good, and she has blossomed.  Sadie can still have her tempered moments, but they are so much milder and growing farther apart all the time.  But more than anything, she can speak in full sentences, she can actually carry on a conversation!  Unless you know someone who can't communicate, you can not imagine how frustrating it is for that person as well as the people around them.

I am so grateful to God for leading us in yet another most unlikely direction.  And, yes it was most unlikely, because I had the mind set that people who show horses mistreat them.  I thought that for good reason, I know some who do.  So here we are, in a show barn with a great riding coach, Laura Steenrod of Fieldstone Farm. My kids are learning great life skills: patients, responsibility, and good sportsmanship, just to name a couple.  Obviously there are many other benefits as Sadie is demonstrating.

Pony Fun

Today my kids hooked up their miniature horse, Summer so they can take their friend Abby for a cart ride.  I love the fact that they can do all this without any help.  Summer is such a good sport about it all, we love and appreciate her a ton.

They are in the new hay field across the road from our house.  You can't see her in this picture, but our loyal Australian Shepherd, Molly is jogging along beside the cart.  No other dog can get close to that pony and cart with her on guard.  No strangers either, for that matter.  Also on the ride is Glenn's new pal, Tucker the Chihuahua.  What great memories for these kids.  I love all our animal friends.  We are so blessed to spend our lives surrounded by all these cows, horses, and dogs.   Okay, the cats are fun too.

Horse show

Glenn had yet another great weekend at the horse show.  He is such a good little rider.  It is amazing to me when he can compete against 20 or so riders that have been doing this for years, and bring home ribbons. 

He is on his first year of showing and has taught his Amish cart pony to jump.  Not to say his trainer shouldn't get tons of credit for guiding him through every step, she is great at this.  But even the best trainer (and we believe she is) needs a good student. 

But the best part of the show for Glenn was when I lost my mind and let him have a new dog.  Here is Glenn's new best buddy, Tucker the Chihuahua.  I will say that he is no ordinary Chihuahua or we wouldn't have him.  He is calm, quiet, and house broke, not the usual yappy, nervous dog like most in his breed.  I did some research and found out good training is all it takes.  Babying a little dog makes them fear they have a weak leader and they get yappy, aggressive, and over protective.  Thank you to his original owners.

Turning into a great rider!

Horses are also a big part of our life. Ok, they are a big part of mine and the children's life. Not so much for the dairy farmer. I do have pictures to proove that my husband did enjoyed a great weekend on horseback along the AuSable River back 11 years ago. More recently, my son and I went to a Hunter Jumper show. He has turned out to be a great rider. I am very proud of what he has accomplished this last year in jumping his pony.