Cold weather classes

Winter is here. -29 makes us look very round with all ther layers of clothing.
When the weather gets to cold for riders, we have ground lessons in the barn. So Dec 9, tonight's classes will be held in the barn, lessons are unmounted. Still dress warm, students will be warmer in the barn with the horses. there is so much more to horses and horsemanship then just riding.

Hoof it for the Cure October 4 trail ride

Polo - Starts again

Polo or as we like to call it Slowpo in be tonight in the arena starting at 7:00pm.
Polo has had some time off in the last couple of months, due to everyone's busy schedules, well summers here and it's time to play again. So come and have some laughs with your horse.

For everyone who would like to come and participate be ready to play at 7

have a good one hope to see you out this weekend

Back at the Ranch

Trees, we have trees.

This year we have decided to dedicate time to landscaping the yard. Our first thing on the list was to get some trees going. As some off you know, over the year we have planted thousands of trees, the little stick trees you get from the gov. Well as you can see they did not grow. So this year we got bigger trees and planted, planted and planted. Then watered, watered, and watered. And it's working ( keep your fingers crossed), soon it will be St Andrews forest.

The horses are doing great, the boys and girls are rotating on to the big pasture(grey gate). Girls on the field on day and the boys on it for the next. So if you are looking for your horse, it will be either in the grey gate or in the blue.

The bugs are not too bad here yet, the horse flies are just starting, thank goodness for the wind and no trees, to help the horses.

So there in lies our dilemma, with no trees we don't get the bug problem everyone else seems to have, no ticks, very little mosquitoes and a very short horse fly season. With crazy tall vegetation (a.k.a. trees) they block the wind ,create shadows for mosquitoes and flies to accumulate, the long grass for the ticks.

No wonder the horses (or me and the lawnmower) eat all the trees...

Have a great day everyone, hope you see you out on the weekend.

This Weekend is loaded with horse stuff

Ready, set, go!
This weekend is loaded with things to do with your horse, join us for the Stonewall light horse show on Saturday June 6 starting at 8am (until sometime in the early evening when it's done). The Stonewall light horse show is a fun show for everyone, with Basic classes for the beginner to barrel racing, bareback and pole pending. It's a full day of fun. Let me know if you are interested in coming and I can email you the forms. If you would like to come out a watch, the Stonewall Ag grounds are located on Hwy 236 and road 75 just south of Stonewall on the east side of HWY 236. The easiest way to get there from the city is, take the perimeter to Hwy #6 north, take the very first right off Hwy 6 on the Hwy 236, then (approx)8 miles to road 75 ( all the roads are numbered just keep driving until road 75). There is a gate fee for the day of $5. It's a country fair so it's not only the light horse show going on there is lots to do and see with the family.
On Sunday, we are doing a trail ride in Birds Hill park. The trailer is leaving the stables at 11am, ride for a couple of hours, get lost in the park, then head back, trailer fee for the park is $25.
I hope to see you out and enjoying the weekend with your horse.

The Vets coming, the Vets coming

It's that time of year, when the needles come out and the horses say ouch!!.
The vet is coming on Tuesday June 9 to do vaccinations for all the horses.
This year we will be doing Rabies, West Nile and 4 way.
June 9 at 9:30am, please come out if you can make it.
Please send us an email if there is something else you want done, or have vaccinated your horse already.

Thanks

RMP weekend pictures

A beautiful sunny day for a rideCasting a Happy shadow

Mary-Ann Working?
Happy's happy now

Smiley faces - thats a good sign.

Mary-Ann and Tiny looking at the lake
"what to go for a dip?"

Kelly and Smurfi

"Kelly, Are we going to right way?"

Taking a break.
Almost back to camp

Megan and Happy - keeping an eye on the trail

Riding Mountain Camping Weekend

May 22, the trailer was loaded with horses and a mule in the pouring rain and the adventure began. Mary-Ann, Kelly, Bre and Megan went off west to the Manitoba Mountains, for three days of riding and camping fun. After a four hour drive we made it to the campsite (not a soul in sight), set up the tents, got the horses settled in for the night, started a camp fire and sat around talking about the next days adventure late into the night.

Saturday morning came very early for those who thought every noise was a bear coming into the camp, for the rest of us, it was a lazy morning waking up, having the morning coffee and again sitting around the camp fire ( trying to get warm after freezing our butts off in the over night -3 temps). As the morning wore on the horses where fed, groomed and tacked up to the long day ahead.

As the sun crept higher in the sky the horses were fresh and ready to go, and so was the trail guide (patiently waiting...). We hacked out of camp and down to Lake Audy bridge, to Grasshopper valley, to main the junction back along Bison lane to Lake Audy campground and back to camp. The first ride out: 5 hours and a ton of laughs.

Sunday morning started out a lot warmer and after a full night sleep, everyone woke with the birds chirping and the sun shining. What a beautiful morning to be in the mountains with great company and your horse or mule. After getting everything ready and the horses tacked we where off again to see what the next trail would bring.

I think every kind of animal was out on Saturday night partying up and down the trails. When we traveled back up Bison lane, we caught sight of the tracks of those night time partiers. Wolf, bear, elk, deer, and moose tracks where on the trail that we came back to camp on the night before (our only sign of wild life, except maybe a far off sighting of elk). The horses had a little bit of an issue going forward down the trail but after doing the slowest walk they could manage with the drunken sailors weave tossed in to make the look complete, we finally made it to the main trail and over to Grasshopper camp for lunch.

We now have confirmation that not all horses have a sense of direction, Smurfi was clearly lost and kept looking and trying to go back to camp the wrong direction. Poor girl, she would still be out there wondering around. Happy - the mule, decided bicyclist are from Mars and are not human hence should be watched until out of view.

What a great weekend - I can't wait to do it again. Watch for the next camp out posting and sign up, it's the best experience for you and your horse or mule.

Sunday , May 31 is the next outing. We are heading over to Shilo for the poker derby and trail trials. Trailer leaving at 9: 30

Falling asleep in the sun

What a day for a day dream!

Sunny and warm lounging in front of the barn.

Getting sleepy
your eyes are getting heavy


Gone.

Enjoy the day

Colin the cat, Want's a couch!

Colin came to the barn a few weeks ago from a indoor home.

He is fitting in great, good with the nosey dogs, looking for cuddles from everyone. We would like him to find a home. Colin is 6yrs old, de-clawed, and neutered. if you know of anyone who can add this loving guy into the home, please let me know. I would like to see him in a great home by winter.

We have an accumulation of cats at the moment and would like to re home 4 including Colin before winter.

Please help get the word out there for these guys,

Does "Busy" = "Slacker"?

Wow!! 2 months since I blogged for the barn.



Have we been busy or are we just slackers??

Where does the time go?

Have we been busy this spring??... flooding, not flooding, spring clean up, getting the paddocks ready for spring, fencing, cleaning, clinics, harrowing, ditching, grooming, fixing or is that slacking .. I can never tell the difference..!)

For all those who have been yelling at me to Blog more, here it is..



A quick update on what has been going on around the ranch.



We had some water in the fields for about 2 weeks, just a little bit of a lake ( Swimming Lessons anyone!), then it was gone. Now the horses are moping around having trouble finding a wet spot to roll in and getting all muddy and looking like black blobs.



The arena ground held up very nicely in the crazy "Spring" weather, warm to cold, cold to warm, back and forth, and then it finally happened, we had frost in the middle of the arena on Monday that started to melt. So that means, please don't ride in the wet area.

But on the plus side of that, we have dried up enough for the outdoor arenas to be harrowed and ready to ride in. Now it would be nice if we had the warm weather to go with riding outside.



There has been some of the school horses being moved around, silly thoroughbreds, just need to be with their own kind, and are now in the skinny paddock.



Beejic, Laura's horse went home to Sault St Marie this past weekend. Laura was very happy to see her boy. Cec and I trailered him out on Friday, got to the Sault on Saturday, after a very long and interesting drive (with no cell service). The scenery is beautiful with alot of rocks, trees, lakes, snow and moose. It was a great drive, and I was fantastic company for my sister, I talked whole way - just to keep her awake!!... I am sure that after a week or so, the big bump on my head will go away from where she hit me.. I am sure there is no permanent damage!!



Congratulations to Bree-ana, Robyn and Chantel for doing the CHA clinic and achieving certification, it's a hard clinic, so huge congratulations to all of you. Bree-ana Level 1 instructor, Robyn assistant instructor, and Chantel assistant instructor Next time you see them in the barn, give them a big high five (not sure if that's the cool thing to do but it'll work).



We took our first trip out to Riding mountain park, camping. It was a little chilly, but it was great to get out and ride. Next ride will be going out on May 22, Friday to Sunday with spots for two more riders, let me know if you are interested.
We like to get things/places booked in for the spring and summer and give you enough time to book off work, check out the list under upcoming events. Spots are booked on a first come -to till trailer filled bases.



This Saturday May 9- we are hosting a Irish horse sale at the ranch plus tack sale. I hope everyone can make it out, drop by and say hi. From 10 to 2, hope to see you out. if you have some things you would like to add to the sale bring it with you and we will add it to the table.



Well I hope I have given you a little bit of an update. I promise to give some photos in the next blog.

Where did spring go?

What a weekend! Beautiful sunny spring day, the snow was glistening and MELTING.

I was all excited to see the drops of water coming off the roof of the arena, the drip, drip of the water hitting the snow, turning into little craters of ice cups. Then had a panic attack.. ugh!! we melting and I have 9 feet of snow in front of the arena.. I had visions of swimming lessons in the arena, the torrents of water pouring into the arena, flippers on the horses, water wings on the riders, snorkels for the dogs.. Oh it was not good..

So Mission minded me.. out came the skid steer, on went the ear protectors and off I went.
My mission.. to get the snow, Snow's mission to not give one inch. The fight was on..

The riving of the motor could be heard in Winnipeg, spinning of the tires, snow flying everywhere, piles and piles of snow, and me.. gritting me teeth and plowing through it, like it was nothing but soft smoochy whipped cream.

the view from the Skid Steer - snow.

7 hours later, head ringing from the motor, feeling a little high from the fumes - It's DONE !!

The monstrous snow drift - gone moved to a more appropriate melting spot - I won..

After parking the skid steer, giving it a little pat for the great job, I stand looking at my master piece of snow mountain, with a little stinging in my eye, hands on hips, chin up, feeling might proud..Ah... snow mountain away from the arena!! Melt.. melt i say!! The Stinging in my eyes is getting worse. Maybe it's from the wind, no.. no..

It's Snowing..

OH Happy Spring, please come to stay..

View from the alleyway

What a usual week with the weather, the horses have been filled with jumping beans, everyone is dancing around the paddocks. it's spring!!
For most of the horses the big shed (winter coat) is starting. Standing in the paddock giving someone a scratching, leaves a mound of hair on the ground.. except for a Prrrr he has decided that he will hold on to his hair(again), he is just going to start a new trend in the horse world - long hair is in.. at least until June.. or maybe him and his owner(me) should live in a warmer climate - "owner like horse, horse like owner - perfect match"
So get your shedding blades out, and your arm muscles ready, the best way for a nice shiny summer coat is lots of grooming.

Well is has been a big week for Laura, Beejic's owner, she is heading back to Sioux Falls, Ontario. Manitoba just wasn't what she was looking for, Laura is driving back on Saturday, but Beej will be staying with us until she can find a great place for him. Once she does -- ROAD TRIP!! Cec and I will be hauling him back for her. Which we hope will be in a couple of months, because we have to find a new truck before then. Our Dodge was sold on Friday last week, so now we have to find a new one.. yuck! truck shopping!..

We have a couple of new boarders join us at the beginning of the month, Kayla has joined us with her Big Brown TB gelding Flint, Vanessa purchased a new horse, a Big Brown TB gelding, that matches Tiny, Emma, and Q - so now you can say - "I can never tell them TB apart, they all look alike.."
Tanis has joined us with her two horses, Rain - another big bay TB in the mare paddock and Dude another bay TB gelding - but with a big white blaze, you'll be abile to tell him apart.
And Robyn with her new boy a Bay Arab gelding.. No name yet -- come one Robyn we're waiting for a name..
We are very happy you guys have chosen St Andrews Stables, thank you.

There will be a couple of new signs going up in the barn - for arena times ( to clarify what times we hold lessons), barn & arena rules, such so everyone is clear on what we expect from our boarders and visitors. The barn and arena rule sheets come in your boarder package, but we have been advised to have them posted in the barn too, so that's what we will do, ( insurance guys are great... make a sign for that, and this , and that oh and while your at it for this too..) We did want to you to know that a new rule change that has been made that will make a huge impact to some of our boarders, we will no longer allowing any outside dogs on the property due to liability issues. We have all ways allowed our boarders to bring their dogs to the barn as long as the dogs where horse smart. We are no longer able to take the risk that someone either a person, horse or dog might get hurt. Please understand that this is going in place to make it safe for everyone, the horses and dogs. Thank you -we know that this is not and easy rule for some, please let me know if you have any questions, I would be happy to talk about this further in detail.

I think that covers everything from the alleyway. it's a snow moving weekend for me, so we don't end up in a swimming pool as the snow melts - so wave when you go by the skid steer.
New videos and photos this weekend.

Riding Mountain horse trails to close -- support needed to keep them open for horses

Last year I did a back country back trip for 4 day in Riding Mountain National park, it was amazing.

Joel and I each had all our gear on two pack horses and took off into the back country. The elk called at night and in the morning. I think it was one of the most beautiful trips I have been on.

I was upset at the possibility that the opportunity might be unavailable to share it with everyone.

As most of you know we have 2 trips planned this summer and fall to go to Riding mountain and do a back country pack trip, well if we don't step up to the plate and let them know we want the trail to remain open those trips will never happen. Please send an email to the address below with your support.

Thanks

I receive this email this morning:

Bob Schwalm has asked me to contact you in regards to Horse riding and wagon trails in Riding Mtn National Park. On March 4, 2009 there is going to be a meeting in the Russell Community Hall regarding this. They want to discontinue the use of horses and wagons in the park. They are going to vote on this that night. They want to do away with this activity as they have had complaints from other users. They also say that it is too costly to maintain the trails and will not support this activity anymore. Bob wants you to email him at kschwalm@mts.net for support in keeping this activity in the park. The more letters of support he receives, the more likely they will consider keeping it. Please email him before Mar 3/09, and please let other members of the Brokin' Busted know about this and ask them to send in their letter of support. LET'S KEEP RIDING MOUNTAIN OPEN TO HORSE LOVERS!!!!!! If you need any more information you can contact Bob at: 773-2935

Thank you & Happy Trails,Arlene Hamelin

Morning hay..

Every Morning you can feel the air charged with excitement, the hay is coming, the hay is coming!!
The girls appreciate the delivery, of the sweet smelling hay, with jumps and bucking and flying acrobatics. The boys.. not so much as a ear twitch.

we video tapes the horse this morning during the feeding frenzy.. check it out

http://standrewsstables.com/boarder-news-journal/

Horses every where..

I came across an interesting map today. I thought I would share it with you.
This is the horse map of the US, showing the populated area's in the states of horses.

http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/Ag_Atlas_Maps/Livestock_and_Animals/Livestock,_Poultry_and_Other_Animals/07-M159-RGBDot1-largetext.pdf
The total number of horses and ponies in the U.S. in 2007 as found by the Census is 4,028,827, with 575,942 of those animals residing on farms. That is up nearly 385,000 from the 3,644,278 horses and ponies that were counted when the last Census was taken in 2002.
The total number of mules, burros and donkeys in the U.S. in 2007 as found by the Census is 283,806, with 99,746 of those animals residing on farms. That is up nearly 180,000 from the 105,358 mules, burros and donkeys that were counted when the last Census was taken in 2002.



In Canada, the number of horses in 1981 was 358,122, then continued to raise in 1986 to 394,953, 1991- 356,204, 1996- 443,889, 2001 460,569, then the latest numbers from 2006 go down to 453,965 horses
Number of farms reporting (this is raised on farm)1981- 69,178, 1986-69,148, 1991-58,509, 1996-56,707, 2001-53,925, 2006-54,169
interesting that the number of farm horse(work horses, meat horses, PMU) have gone down, while the number of horses continue to rise.
No pretty map for us Canadians, just hard facts. We don't need a picture..

I think the "message" is getting out, that breeding is just not viable anymore and maybe in the future we will continue to see the numbers drop, breeding programs getting better and more focused, and hopefuly people will feel more preasurred not to breed thier mare, just because they want to have a foal.
Stepping off the pearchin box.. and turning the silent key on my mouth.

have a great weekend - see you in the barn.

Puppies, puppies, puppies and more puppies

A friend of mine, Nadine, has a Great Dane named Hannah, that had Puppies.

As most of you know, I love puppies. so I thought you might enjoy some photos of the little guys. Hannah had 13 puppies, her first litter.

Here is a few of her photos

this little grey one is named Meg - She was born at 1:30am, Feb. 5th.

The greys and 2 blacks are females, the rest are males. They go for their first shots on March 21st. Just to cute!! Congratulations Nadine, I think you might have a few sleepless nights ahead of you. But at least your coffee table will be clear from all those tails.

Spread the word, I am sure she will be looking for 13 homes, and hopefully one of those is not mine..

Sundays

Ahh.. Sundays, it's the day to enjoy the peace and quite. The horses at the ranch feel the same way.. Check out today's pictures of the boarder horses, Eating, sleeping and enjoying the sun.

We would like to welcome our new boarder Flint and his owner Kayla, they have been with us for a week now. Flint has fallen' in love with the donkeys - and they with him.. Ok not really.. Flint has a very large bale in the paddock all to himself and Gordi and Turbi, feel obliged to help him finish it. This morning Flint got a new buddy, Gordi and Turbi thought it was time to do the rounds with the girls, Scor is now spending time with Flint and his bale..

It's a very beautiful sunny day.. Come out and ride.

A Nic update

For thoses of you who are interested in following Nicole's new adventure, here is her blog http://cndhorsgirl.blogspot.com/
Nic is at EBY ranch down in Louisberg, Kansas, riding reining horses, and having a blast.

Updates from the barn

Here are a few photos of the storm, all the horses are in the barn.

the barn and the arena from my house

The roads are wind blown and as you can see form the photos visability is next to nothing.

a shot of the round pen and front of barn, from my house.

So don't worry- the horses are snug as bugs--in a jar, in some kids room ( not the snug bugs hibirating in the froze ground, the ones that are house pets, warm inside!!)

agh-- the horses are in the barn and the arena, out of the storm. Please don't travel on the roads tonight.

Stay safe.

Megan

From the Barn

For the recap of last night lessons, please check out the barn blog website

http://standrewsstables.com/barn-blog/

For all those requests for the Polo photos of the clinic, they are now posted in the photo gallary

http://standrewsstables.com/photo-galleries/

Reminder that Nic's "going south" party is on friday night, at 7:00pm for polo. BYO Horse, food and drinks.

Have a great day

walking guilt trippers

This is Peaches with Charlie in the paddock, I think they are both enjoying the moment - Charlie trying to figure out what the cat is doing and Peach's just enjoy the attention.
We seem to accumulate cats in the barn for the winter, right now we have about 9 (that we know of). All of our cats are spade or neutered, and fed in the hay shed but the barn is a warm place to sleep, which is way they all seem to be under your feet when you are working with your horse. They like to jump on to the backs of the horses and the occasional person in the stalls - we are still trying to fine out if the horses mind- it's an on going study, wait for details in future blogs... They walk across the top of the stalls, so watch when you are opening the doors - it's a horrible sound when you catch them in the sliders.. and typical cats, they like to "go for the warm spots" and try very hard to get into the tack rooms, viewing room, water room or on your lap. So if you fall for the big eyes, crying meows, pawing on your leg and take them in to a warm room -- please make sure you take with out when you leave. Thanks
Most of the cats in the barn have been house cats at one time, so if you are looking for a new cat, please consider giving one of them a chance in your home.

Thanks to Kim and Chantle for taking Frank home, to enjoy the lap of luxury, i am glad to hear she has steadled in

Groom & Gab

The groom and gab it on for tonight for everyone who would like to come out and have a chat, ride and chat some more. So... even if the temperature reaches the predicted -36, we are going to be toughing it out to be with our horses in the arena. Come on out and join us.. if you're tough enough!
Groom and gab starts at 7pm every Tuesday night.

Deworming Update

Oh!! The joy! but it's done
Every horse on at the ranch, hates me today, they got their lovely dose of deworming meds last night, with lots of tongue wagging, lip curling, and the how high can I get my head- it was successful.
I am now completely dewormed..
Please make sure you have your payment to Cec by the end of the month - $30.00
Next deworming is scheduled for April 26.09
Training tip: To make deworming easier for your horse, try using a catheter syringe (a large opening 60cc syringe) full of apple sauce, carrot juice, or watered down molasses. That way not every time they have a syringe is stuck in their mouths will it be dewormer.

Have a great day
Megan

Snow cliffs in Manitoba

Sunny and beautiful. I thought you might enjoy some pictures of the snow mountains in the yard.

The start of some thing new

Well this a new start to the year for us and for our website. We wanted our boarders to have more interaction even when they could not make it out to the barn. So, since everyone is on the computer at work or home, we thought it would be great idea to update you weekly on the going on at the stables, see pictures of your horse, have a weather update for the road conditions if you are thinking of coming out, give you available arena times, and the activities we have planned for the up coming week.
The new newsletter will have updates and the website will have weekly pictures of your horses, lesson recap information, horses for sale, bios, yearly calender everything you'll need to keep up to date. So check the website before you head out.


We hope you enjoy the changes to the website and to the newsletter.

HI
This is our weekly news Letter of happin' stuff at the stable