Great Mares Part 1; Rocher

     Good Evening,
    I was one of those people who emphatically proclaimed that I didn't want any female horses at Moose River Farm.  Since I planned to teach riding lessons, I was only interested in employing the easy going, non-cyclical temperaments of geldings who could reliably handle the realities of beginner riding lessons.  Although, my first horse, Summer's Promise, was female, she had been the exception to the 'witchy mare' rule.  Of course since 2006 when we acquired Lowtchee, a laid back Friesian mare, and 2011 when Makia, a wonderful Thoroughbred mare arrived, I have not only changed my mind about mares, I have also had a change of heart.  Both of these girls, particularly Makia, have prompted me to sing praises of mares in general.  I have also become a fan of many famous athlete mares including racehorses Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra and Dressage horse, Rocher. 
     In 2005 I had the great pleasure of watching Rocher perform and win an unforgettable Grand Prix Freestyle with her rider, George Williams at Dressage at Devon.  She was at the peak of fitness and at the top of her game displaying the agility of her athletic abilities behind her signature long and floppy ears.  The crowd fell in love with Rocher that night as she danced to a medley of Madonna music, so fitting to the mare's superstar image.  The affection that her rider felt for her was evident in the exuberant praise he lavished on Rocher after their final halt and salute. 
     While attending Dressage at Devon this past September a rumor swept the show grounds that a famous horse was to be retired in an official ceremony just before the Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday evening.  While touring the schooling area and barns with my sister, Sue, we came upon a group of people primping and polishing a large black horse.  In an instant I recognized the floppy, almost donkey length, ears anchored to a lovely equine expression below.  There we stood, only a few feet away from female athlete greatness.  Immediately, a crowd swelled around the mare as word spread that it was indeed Rocher who was to retire in the Dixon Oval, (main ring at Devon) that evening.  Sue and I stood transfixed by Rocher who appeared ultra relaxed under the flurry of activity taking place to polish her up for one more parade under the limelight.  Eventually, George Williams, Rocher's rider appeared on the scene in a coat and tie to take hold of the reins and lead the mare up to the ring.  
     An official looking man from the mare's entourage began to issue orders to get the mare moving.
     "Can you stand next to her George, please?" I asked, trying to get my camera ready quickly so as not to hold them up.
     "Let's go!" Ordered the man urgently.
     Graciously, George stepped close to Rocher and put his arm around her jowl.  The crowd clicked away as he stood patiently and appreciatively for those who had supported their partnership for so many years.  
     There wasn't a dry eye in the crowd that evening while the highlights of Rocher's incredible contribution to the sport of Dressage were recapped over the loud speaker.  When her saddle was removed for the last time and she exited the ring, a fleeting emotion of loss came over me.  Seconds later it was replaced with a sense of gratitude for the mares in my life,...both past and present. 

Thanks for the memories, Rocher and George Williams.

Rocher brought the crowd to their feet in 2005!

Of Happiness and Health in the New Year!

    Happy New Year!
    A lot is circulating social media today for hope and good wishes as a new year ignites.  There exists a feeling of potential for achievement that comes from hard work and determination.  However, if my friends, family and I maintain nothing but our health and happiness, the year will be deemed a success.  Although the former has more to do with good luck, happiness is a choice.  
    Over the next 12 months let's seek contentment in everything we do.  Let's participate in activities that bring us joy, surround ourselves with people, (and animals), who make us laugh and let's go out of our way to help others.  Its a resolution I know we can keep and the lasting effects just might make us healthier too.  Let me know if you are going to choose to be happy so that we can be there for each other should we hit a few stumbling blocks along the way.  With that said, may the new year bring peace, good health and an abundance of joy your way.

Happy New Year!

Seasons's Greetings from Moose River Farm, 2013

       Merry Christmas,
     While looking ahead into the new year, we count our blessings for the wonderful year it has been at Moose River Farm.  To all with whom we share our farm, we wish you a joyous Christmas and much happiness in the coming year.  Thanks so much for your loyalty and support. 
     Sending peace and love,
     Rod, Anne and...
 all the Animals at Moose River Farm

Sandi, Zambi, Easau, Target, Makia, Spirit, Gatsby, Joshua, Lowtchee
Bing, Lacey, Nina, Huxley, Rosemary, Hayden, Niles, Frankie
Fiona, Lilly, and Liam
Photo by Michele deCamp and edited by Mark Butto

 Ben (photo by Mark Butto)

Tango (photo by Mark Butto)

     

A Few of My Favorite Things

     Good Evening,
     I have been on the go every weekend lately, promoting Finding My Way to Moose River Farm during the holiday season.  Not only do the commitments lengthen an already long week, but they also confiscates valuable time away from my animals.  Despite this I am thoroughly enjoying the process of spreading the word about my book.  The many people I have met or reconnected with along the way have added so much to the experience.  Occasionally, I have been able to bring smaller members of my menagerie along to meet and greet potential readers.  One of my favorite things is to share the animals with others, especially children.  Youngsters reach out to stroke Rosemary, the iguana or Bing the donkey with an air of confidence not yet eroded by a preconceived notion of fright.  Adults usually come around after being reassured that they are safe in the company of the lizard lying on the table.  A fence around the donkey and goat affords a more tangible degree of protection from anything they might do deemed unpredictable.  My goal for everybody visiting with the animals at these various book signing venues is quite simple.  I want them to interact with my pets at the animal's level.  
     The iguana will not come when you call her, but she will stretch her neck and press against a finger that is scratching her head.  A goat will approach someone standing quietly, moving minimally.  And a donkey loves close contact hugs from those who greet him at eye level.  When time is taken to accommodate the animals, many may experience a glimmer of my relationship with Rosemary, Bing and Liam.  
     All this time spent engaging with animal lovers has kept me away from the horses.  My contact time with them is limited to routine care in the morning and at night; much like a school day.  On the rare weekend that I get to spend entirely at home, I bask in their presence and make a point to linger in the barn.  I miss them.
     Around my waist is also one of my favorite things; a leather belt with seven or eight nameplates attached.  Each one is engraved with the name of one horse, past or present, including Bing and Frankie, the donkeys.  My thirty-six year career with horses has, in fact filled two belts with nameplates.  Every horse from Promise, (my first), to Gatsby, (my newest), is riveted in place.  Fastened to the strap and buckled around my waist I feel their embrace while I am away from home.  
     

Just a few of my favorite things about sharing the animals:

Rosemary joins the fun at the face painting table and even gets her nails done!

Kendall can't get enough of Bing as Liam watches from the trailer.

Rosemary is reunited with her 'grandmother', Anne Beckingham, at a book signing.  Our iguana is named after Anne's mother, Rosemary!

My neighbor from the days that we lived in Inlet showed up at a book signing with her Westie, Roger and Welsh terrier, Chester.

Rosemary snuggles against Marion, the owner of the Holland Patent Farmer's Coop!

When I can't be with them physically, I derive great comfort from their embrace around my waist.

My favorite pieces of silver combine my love of horses with riding and an appreciation of how horses are put together on the inside.  

Fantasy Farm Shopping

     Good Evening,
     Actually, it is the middle of the afternoon, but it is the darkest day I have seen in November.  That combined with the saturated dew point and plunging nightfall that comes early this time of year, are challenging me to keep my spirits high.  It is after all, Friday and next week a short work week is followed by a busy Thanksgiving weekend to be spent with animals and friends.  The doom and gloom however, is prompting me to surf the net for sunny Florida properties that are available for sale.  Are we considering buying property in Florida at the moment?  No, but clicking through the listings of elite horse farms in the southern region of the Sunshine state is a welcome distraction before heading outside to do chores in drizzly cold conditions.  Besides, it doesn't cost anything to look, dream and imagine how those with an endless limit of financial resources avoid residing in the north over the winter months.  Join me and let's peruse the elite offerings in the Wellington, Florida area near West Palm Beach.  Feel free to be picky.  At these prices I expect perfection! 

Wellington Horse Farm; $34M
      Good thing this one doesn't come with a house because I would rarely be in it.  The barn has plenty of amenities that provide living quarters.  Besides, after playing with my horses all day, I would be too tired to entertain, let alone cook in a fabulous kitchen!

Wellington Horse Farm; $27M
     When would there be time to tend to the landscaping?  Of course the goats would gladly help out.

Wellington Horse Farm; $13M
     I wonder if these surroundings would elevate the goats and donks to a new level of sophistication.  That goes for the eclectic members of my horse herd too! 

Wellington Horse Farm; $10M

Wellington Horse Farm; $1M
Before you get too excited about this one...there are no paddocks, barn or ring... yet!

Had enough?  Me too!  The more I look the more I appreciate what I already have here; simplicity, coziness, and the ability to care for my own animals in an efficient well designed facility.  Escaping the gloomy afternoon for awhile to peek inside the realm of mega-wealthy horse owners provides some degree of satisfaction.  Despite the long, cold, winter that's on its way, I will keep what I have and be thankful for all of it.  Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
Photos by Michele deCamp

Me with half of my herd...

...Rod with the other half.

Goats and donkeys gorge on apples

The dogs, Rosemary, (iguana) and Fiona, (pig).

Whinnies of Change

     Good Afternoon,
     Accepting change is necessary.  The ability to do so however, is not always easy.  As the caretaker of so many animals with lifespans that vary from single digits to several decades, there always seems to be a geriatric family member to manage.  A year ago, I wrote a post about Sandi, (Just a School Horse), MRF's tried and true beginner lesson horse who celebrated his 28th birthday this year.  The post was a tribute to his loyal career as confidence builder for many budding equestrians.  I wanted to acknowledge his gifts while he was still very much alive and healthy.  
    What a difference a year makes.  Compromised, (but not limited), by the surgical removal of his right eye years ago, it was only a matter of time until Sandi's other eye would succumb to Uveitis, (periodic opthalmia).  Although medication slowed the process, it has become evident lately, that the battle is being lost.  Despite the inevitable, Sandi's ability to adjust to change reminds me of the power in each of us to accept and adapt.  Once the most amicable horse in the herd, Sandi is now rather aggressive toward other horses who venture too closely into his space.  His reaction includes lunging full force with ears pinned against his head, mouth agape and teeth bared.  The maneuver is shocking to witness by those of us who know the gelding as nothing but a gentle soul.  However, the gesture is understandable as Sandi clings on to the remaining vestiges of his dignity.  I was forced to change the turnout routine so Sandi could eat in peace. Therefore, he was allowed to spend summer days grazing freely around the property by himself without competition from other horses that might cause stress. 
     Sandi was mostly content with this arrangement except for the fact that it isolated him from belonging to a herd.  His pitiful high-pitched whinnies were proof that horses are happiest when they belong to a group; feeling more secure no matter how low on the pecking order they rank.  But Sandi's negative behavior risked injury to other horses as well as to himself.  
    Meanwhile, donkeys Bing and Frankie were also forced to accept significant change in their lives at MRF this week.  While dragging the donks home after dark with Mary, my neighbor, illuminating our way from the headlights of her car, I was forced into making a revelation.  The donkeys can no longer be allowed to roam freely.  With maturity has come the confidence to explore farther and farther from the barn.  Fearing for their safety, (not to mention my neighbors' safety), it is necessary to secure them in a paddock during turnout hours.  Only on supervised walks are they permitted to run freely in the big field below the barn.  
     Fortunately, Sandi's and the donkeys' situations bumped into each other this week creating an acceptable solution to both dilemmas.  The pictures tell the rest of the story and once again remind me that every problem is solvable.  Once we accept that change is inevitable we can channel our energies to adapt.    

Bing and Frankie to the rescue!

Sandi is curious about his new companions who have lost their privilege to roam the property freely.

Alex assures Sandi that he will be cared for and loved forever. 

The donkeys pose no threat to Sandi...

...therefore, providing companionship and...

...a herd to call his own.

Winter is Coming

     Good Morning,

     For the first time since school began, I spent an entire weekend at home.  It was a chance to catch up on chores that have been neglected for too long.  In addition, I got to spend some quality time with all of my animals.  That pleasure alone, gave me a much desired lift despite predicted bitter cold temperatures and snow.  
     All around Moose River Farm evidence of the beautiful extended fall weather exists. Some of my flower boxes are still maintaining dashes of pink and yellow blooms against barren tree branches.  Even the garden continues to produce winter squash and carrots while cherry tomatoes ripen within the trapped heat of a tiny greenhouse.  The longer all of this goes on, the shorter winter will seem.  
     Choosing to live in the Adirondacks requires us to accept that summer is short and long winters extend from late fall into late spring.  The goats sleek fur is thickening with cashmere that will keep them warm in the months to come.  The horses' shiny summer coats have been replaced with teddy-bear hair that will insulate them under blankets.  Donkeys, Bing and Frankie have established a fuzz from ear to hoof in just a few days.  Even Rosemary is beginning to slow down, consuming fewer calories as her body prepares for semi-dormancy.  Along with four inches of wet snow that fell this week, these signs remind me that the inevitable is on its way.  Together, Rod, the animals and I will stick it out, thankful that we have each other to see it through.

Despite several inches of wet snow this week, our farming endeavors keep producing. 

Tondi, (the collie), spent the weekend with us, keeping warm by the fireplace.

Rosemary doesn't need a costume this time of year. 

My petunias have survived many freezing cold nights this fall and are still blossoming.

Green grass this late in the year is unusual but Spirit and Tango are not complaining.

The chickens have been liberated to the garden to clean up.

Like my goats, the deer are beginning to grow thicker coats.  This one is looking in my classroom window.

Three Gerbera Daisies add color against the grayness that is November in the Adirondacks.