Dispatches from a Carolina Barn

Waiting for the Inspectors...Maybe

2006-03-23T07:32:00.000-05:00

The county inspectors have to come and inspect the initial work before the workers can put down the concrete floor. The barn contractor had me peer down into the holes for the footers. He showed me the concrete circle blocks he put down in the holes. The inspectors are coming just to see if there are concrete circles in the holes. That's it! That's all they have to do.

Hopefully, the inspectors will come today. But the contractor said sometimes it takes them a week. I sure hope not! Otherwise, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do...take matters into her own hands!

A Real Carolina Barn

2006-03-22T10:14:00.000-05:00

The workers are here! Finally! Here is a photo of the lumber. I'll keep everyone posted!

Rainy Tuesday

2006-03-21T07:58:00.000-05:00

Lots of rain, which means the workers can't work on the barn today. My Mom said to look on the bright side. We really need the rain, and the flowers will be bountiful this spring.

Memories of White Horses

2006-03-20T09:13:00.000-05:00

White Horses

Count the white horses you meet on the way,
Count the white horses, child day after day,
Keep a wish ready for wishing - if you
Wish on the ninth horse, your wish will come true.

I saw a white horse at the end of the lane,
I saw a white horse canter down by the shore,
I saw a white horse that was drawing a wain,
And one drinking out of a trough: that made four.

I saw a white horse gallop over the down,
I saw a white horse looking over a gate,
I saw a white horse on the way into town,
And one on the way coming back: that made eight.

But oh for the ninth one: where he tossed his mane,
And cantered and galloped and whinnied and swished
His silky white tail, I went looking in vain,
And the wish I had ready could never be wished."

Count the white horses you meet on the way,
Count the white horses, child, day after day,
Keep a wish ready for wishing - if you
Wish on the ninth horse, your wish will come true."

-ELEANOR FARJEON

Discovering Ponies in My Past

2006-03-19T09:48:00.000-05:00

I was going through boxes that had been packed in storage yesterday. I came across my baby booties and a baby photo. It made me think of the lullaby my Mom used to sing to me. My Mom said it is called, "All the Pretty Little Ponies." It is a song written by Kenny Loggins. I like discovering ponies in my past.

Hush a bye
Don't you cry
Go to sleep my little baby
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little ponies

In your bed
Momma said
Baby's riding off to dreamland
One by one
They've begun
Dance and prance for little baby

Blacks and bays
Dapples and greys
Running in the night
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little ponies

Can you see the little ponies
Dance before your eyes
All the pretty little ponies
Will be there when you arise

Knuckles

2006-03-17T21:31:00.000-05:00

Have you ever played the card game, "Knuckles?" I love this card game, and I am quite good at it. In fact, I just played my Mom for a couple of hours, and I won all the games, except one! We also played Rummy, Cheat, Dutch Nag, and Italian Donkey.

Here is a good website to learn new card games or review the rules of games you already know. Card Games

Waiting

2006-03-16T07:54:00.000-05:00

I am getting impatient waiting for the barn contractor to show up. He had promised he would start this week on the barn. Then he changed it to late in the week. Here is is Thursday. I got up early to see if the barn contractor and his crew were here. No one yet. Maybe I should go back to bed?

It calls for rain on Sunday and Monday. That will mean more delays. The place where I board Sailor wants him to leave because they have other horses waiting to take his place. Poor Sailor is in a pen by himself.

The barn contractor's secretary has this blog address. If you are reading this, would you please, please make sure I am next on his list? Thanks!

Equine Careers

2006-03-15T11:08:00.000-05:00

I have been reading a lot about equine careers lately. Here are some very cool, but unusual equine jobs that maybe you haven't thought of before.

1. Artist/designer for Breyer horses and animals. Someone has to design and make all those horse models! I wonder if they get paid well because the models are so expensive!

2. Riding clothes designer. As riders, we all need functional riding clothes. We also want them to look nice, too.

3. A mounted park ranger. You are probably all familiar with park rangers at your local state or national park. But some parks are so big or have acres of remote areas that require the rangers to ride horses to get around.

4. Olympic team groomers. You'd get front row seats at the Olympic equestrian events! Not to mention getting to hang out with all those super trained horses.

5. Sports commentator. You have to know something about horses in order to be a commentator for horse shows. There would be a lot of traveling with job, which would be a big plus.

Fun Birthday

2006-03-14T07:21:00.000-05:00

I had a fun birthday yesterday. I opened a few presents around noon. All horse stuff for Sailor! I went to visit Sailor to try on his new halter. It was too big. I will have to return it for a smaller size. I also tried on a bridle and new bit I had for another horse I used to ride. The bridle didn't fit exactly right, but the barn manager helped me to add holes to the bridle.

Then, my Mom took me on a Mystery Ride. We went to visit a private barn in town. My Mom has a friend who boards 4 horses at the barn. There were quite a few horses. I enjoyed seeing them all.

There was one horse there that was so sad. She is owned by someone who seldom visits her. The owner sold off her paddock mate, and now she is even more depressed. The horse is somewhat skitterish, but I talked with her. She finally allowed me to get closer, and then she allowed me to pet her head. My Mom's friend couldn't believe the horse allowed me to pet her. I can't imagine having a horse and not visiting it.

My Mom got me a birthday cake, too. I waited until 11:30 PM when my Dad got home to cut it. It was a delicious cake! Four layers--two chocolate and two gold. Custard in between the layers, and LOTS of whipped cream. Some frosting, too! The frosting was pink, light blue, light lavender, and light yellow streaks that looked like confetti.

Jess and Liza, come on over for a piece! There is lots left!

Happy Birthday

2006-03-13T06:38:00.000-05:00

Today's post is brought to you by Elizabeth's family. Elizabeth is 12 years old today! We want to wish Elizabeth a very Happy Birthday today and many more!
We love you, Elizabeth!

Equine Workshops

2006-03-12T09:23:00.000-05:00

I went to an equine workshop that was sponsored by Purina Mills at our country local feed and seed store. The Purina man brought several horses to the workshop and showed us his training techniques. The workshop lasted for 3 hours! They also gave away door prizes, and I won some prizes! A horse calendar, some leather cleaning samples, some sponges, and coupons for feed. It was great.

If you go to the Purina Mills site, you can find out when workshops are coming to your area. They have a map with a workshop locator. There is also other useful information about horses on their site.
Check it out!

Mountain Biking

2006-03-11T08:07:00.000-05:00

I love to ride my bike. I ride just about every day. I made sure my summer camps offered mountain biking because I love to ride. It is almost as fun as riding Sailor, but not quite.

Anyone else like mountain biking?

Climb, Baby, Climb

2006-03-10T08:40:00.000-05:00

I have had a busy week. How about you? My Mom has been sick, so I have tried to help her out more. I have done a lot of research on summer camps and filling out papers.

One camp I am going to is a high adventure camp. Rock climbing is one of the activities. I have never done it before. Ever sign up for something and later wondered what you were thinking? But I decided if this baby can climb, so can I! Somehow I don't think it will be quite so easy!

So, who has been climbing?

In the Round Pen

2006-03-08T18:13:00.000-05:00

Here is a photo of me lunging Sailor. He is responding a lot better. I am very happy with his progress. Sailor is very willing and a quick learner.

Summer camp

2006-03-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

I am already thinking about summer. I love going to summer camps. How about you? What kind of camps do you like to go to? Have you ever been to summer camp?

I am going to two academic camps this year. I am also looking for a good adventure camp. I want to try whitewater rafting, backpacking, and mountain biking. If you know of any good camps, please post! I might also go to an arts camp, if I can find one that has what I want.

Liza and Jess---are you going to camp some place this year? It would be a blast to end up at the same camp.

Smooth Sailor Boy

2006-03-06T21:44:00.000-05:00

I got to ride on Saturday! Y-E-S! It was the first Saturday in weeks that it didn't rain. Here is a photo I took of Sailor grazing. His registered name is Smooth Sailor Boy.

I am impatiently waiting for our new barn to be built. The contractor should be here next week. I hope they start next Monday because Monday is my birthday. A new barn being built would be a great birthday present!

Best Thing about Italy

2006-03-03T08:26:00.000-05:00

The best thing about Italy is the food! I love pasta! My mother is going to teach me how to make homemade pasta. I think it will be fun!

I love to make pizzelles. We have a pizzelle maker. It looks almost like a waffle maker. I made pizzelles for a potluck dinner we went to last month. They were delicious!

Here is a pizzelle recipe.
INGREDIENTS:
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer until light. Add the sugar, butter, lemon zest and vanilla, mix well. Stir in the flour and baking powder.
Heat pizzelle iron. Drop batter by teaspoonfuls onto the center of the patterns, close the lid and cook for about 30 seconds. Test the cooking time on the first one, because temperatures may vary. Remove cookies carefully from the iron and cool on wire racks.

Scalinata di Spagna

2006-03-02T08:13:00.000-05:00

Here is another interesting place in Rome. These steps are called, "The Spanish Steps." The steps are located between the Piazza di Spagna (piazza means the town square) and the Trinita dei Monti church above it. There are 138 steps because I counted them when I was there. The steps are very steep, so your legs get tired by the time you get to the top. That is IF you can get to the top. Sometimes the steps are jam-packed with people.

The Spanish Steps are not that old for Rome. It took two years to build them (1723-1725). Francesco De Sanctis designed the steps.

Fontana di Trevi

2006-03-01T07:57:00.000-05:00

Italy is a beautiful country to visit. I loved going to Italy last year. This is a photo of the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The legend is that whoever drinks from it (I don't think so--the water isn't exactly clean!) or throws a coin in the fountain will return to Rome. You should toss the coin over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.

I threw a coin in because I hope to return one day. My mother signed us up for Italian language lessons. The teacher is from Rome! The class hasn't started yet. I am looking forward to it!

Got the Beat?

2006-02-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

Today I have drum lessons. I love playing the drums. It may look easy, but it takes a lot of practice to play well. You have to be coordinated because you are playing different beats with each arm and foot. I am tired after I practice!

When we first got our drum set we didn't have mutes to soften the sound. The sound was VERY LOUD! The drums were so loud that you could hear them from quite a distance. The mutes have helped, but they make it more difficult to play. You have to hit the drums somewhat differently.

My teacher is very strict about playing the rests and getting the beat just right. He always says, "If the drummer is off, the whole band is off." Next time you are listening to music, you should pay attention to the drums! You might be surprised at how much it adds to the song.

Time

2006-02-27T07:46:00.000-05:00

Would someone explain to me why time flies over the weekend, but can drag during the school week? This is how it is for me. How about you?

The highlight of my weekend was when I went to see Sailor on Saturday. He was really glad to see me. I didn't get to ride him because it was raining hard. It rained for most of the weekend. I can't wait until our barn is built, so I can take him home. The barn should start going up in 2 weeks!

What does Math have to do with Horses?

2006-02-24T21:01:00.000-05:00

(Click on the graphic and watch the tails!)

I asked my vet yesterday if she used math on the job. Guess what she said? YES!

Here are the Top 10 reasons an equine vet needs to know math.

1. Uses scientific methods and math skills to solve problems.
2. Needs to add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
3. Must know how to use decimals because those pesky decimal points are very important when it comes time to give animals medicine. I have a friend whose mom gave their Corgi puppy the wrong dosage due to a decimal point error, and the puppy died!
4. Weigh animals in order to figure out the appropriate amount of medicine and food.
5. Needs math to administer anesthesia, amount of blood, IV fluids, etc.
6. Calculate appropriate amounts of food.
7. Nutritional analysis.
8. Figure out how much seed and fertilizer you need for pastures.
9. Lots of math in genetics and breeding.
10.Building---the clinic, the barns, the fencing, etc.

Want to add to my list?

Operating Room

2006-02-23T07:25:00.000-05:00

Have you ever seen an operating room for horses? It is amazing! I spent some time at an equine clinic today, and took the above photo. Sometimes when the vet puts the horse under before surgery the horse ends up lying down on the wrong side or in an inconvenient position for the vet to work. The vet has to have a way of moving the horse easily. That is what the ropes and pulleys are for! Also, the IV bags are quite large and need to be placed high above the horse.

I'll be posting more photos of the equine clinic. Check back and have a look!

Bad hair day

2006-02-22T18:23:00.000-05:00

It rained here all day. It was so foggy that when we went by the lake we couldn't even see the water. This type of weather makes for a really bad hair day, even for horses!

The Perfect horse

2006-02-21T16:45:00.000-05:00

Have you ever thought about the Perfect Horse looks like? Most of us probably have an image in our heads. Perhaps a majestic black stallion with a flowing mane and tail? Or a golden palomino mare with perfectly smooth gaits and a chiseled face? But I don't think that is the Perfect Horse. I think the Perfect Horse is less of a fantasy and more of a teacher and friend.

The Perfect Horse isn't necessarily stunningly beautiful. He's probably gotten a few scars and dings from life. He's probably been hurt, but has lived through it. Maybe he's been scared but overcame it, and is ready to teach his rider to do the same. The Perfect Horse does not just ride in a round pen or arena. He will let you feel what it's like to gallop through the pasture, trot over mountain trails, or play tag on horseback.

The Perfect Horse has problems, too. He will teach you to deal with them. The Perfect Horse knows that you can't learn to be a skilled horsewoman if everything goes your way. He will buck you off when you deserve it, but wait patiently for you to get back on. Yes, I deserved it. : )

The Perfect Horse will challenge you. But he will only challenge you as much as you are ready to handle. He will teach you that you still have more to learn.

Chihuahuas

2006-02-20T10:53:00.000-05:00

Here is a photo of my dog, Laci. She is a registered Chihuahua, but looks more like a fox terrier. Laci is a lot of fun. She loves to chase me on my bike around the yard. I am the only one in my family who can get her to play growl. I think she thinks she is my sibling because she doesn't play the same way with anyone else in the family.

Laci is very picky about what she eats. She knows I only give her dry dogfood, but tries to get my Mom to give her treats and canned food. My Mom tends to spoil her.

Some people don't like Chihuahuas. They think they are mean and vicious. Some Chihuahuas can be high strung, but a lot of it depends on how you raise them. People tend to get a little nervous when they first come here, especially people who have been bitten by a feisty Chihuahua.

If you want to learn more about this lovable breed, please check out the following link: Chihuahuas

Gardening

2006-02-19T08:05:00.000-05:00

My Mom and I are planting gardens this spring. We want to plant flowers, herbs, and vegetables. We have been putting lots of composted horse manure on the areas we are going to plant. We had to make new gardens this year so they will be outside of our new horse pasture.

Someone gave my aunt a lot of vegetable and flower seeds. She is going to send them to us because she doesn't like to garden. She isn't too fond of the insects that are attracted to plants. : ) My aunt also has trouble with coyotes and other urban animals coming into her yard. She doesn't want to have anything to attract them even more.

Happy Gardening!

Riverdance

2006-02-18T16:04:00.000-05:00

Have you ever done any Irish dancing? One side of my family is from West Virginia, and a lot of the mountain dances originate from the British Isles. I like the group called, Riverdance. You can see them dance on their website. There is also a link to some of the music. Check it out!

Riverdance

Fiddling Around

2006-02-17T08:04:00.000-05:00

I have been taking Irish fiddling lessons with a woman in town. She is a great fiddler and has been teaching me a lot. I have learned how to play airs, jigs, and reels. Irish music makes you want to tap your foot and maybe even dance along.

If you want to hear some Irish tunes, go to the Amazon.com and type in Irish music. Lots of CDs will come up, and selections are clickable.

True Confessions

2006-02-16T08:28:00.000-05:00

So, how many stuffed animals do you have? I will admit that I love stuffed animals! I have always taken care of all my small stuffed animals, so they are all in excellent condition. All of them, except the one my dog chewed! I am going to give part of my collection to the Children's Hospital. They are looking for stuffed animals in good condition, so mine qualify. If you have too many stuffed animals, think about donating some of yours.

2006 Winter Olympics--Torino, Italy

2006-02-15T07:20:00.000-05:00

Have you been watching the Olympics? We have been watching some of the events on TV. We watched the snowboarding competitions, and they were incredible! My brother is an avid snowboarder, but I have never tried it. We aren't going skiing with our youth group this year, so I missed my chance.

My mother and I watched the ice skating competition, too. My aunt knows a lot about ice skating. My cousin Laura is a terrific skater. She practices hours every day and competes all over New England. I was amazed to learn that my cousin's skates cost over a thousand dollars, and she only wears them for a few months before she needs new ones. She and my aunt drive 4 hours back and forth to a rink every day. It takes a lot of commitment to be an outstanding athlete.

My aunt gave us her critique of the Olympic skating programs via telephone. It was fun to hear her comments since my Mom and I don't know much about the technical aspects of ice skating. She is sending us a DVD of my cousin skating. I am looking forward to receiving it.

I also learned that the last Olympic gold medals that were made entirely out of gold were awarded in 1912. The Olympic medals are designed especially for each individual Olympic Games by the host city's organizing committee. Each medal must be at least three millimeters thick and 60 millimeters in diameter. Also, the gold and silver Olympic medals must be made out of 92.5 percent silver, with the gold medal covered in six grams of gold.

Go USA!

Happy Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T07:05:00.000-05:00

I love Valentine's Day. It is one of my favorite holidays. What are your plans for Valentine's Day? My Mom made us all a special Valentine's Day breakfast. I have some gifts I made that I am going to give to my family later on today. I have piano and drums lessons today. I also have all my regular schoolwork to do. I tried to talk my Mom into a No School day. No such luck! "Elizabeth, Valentine's Day is NOT a major holiday!" A kid can try can't she?

Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Life is a Roller Coaster

2006-02-13T12:10:00.000-05:00

Kracken Roller Coaster at Sea World
Photo by Elizabeth

Roller Coaster

Just like life, full of ups and downs
slowly climbing up, quickly flying down
finally pulling up, just before the ground
going so fast, spinning round and round
Round one loop, then round another
at the front, kids with poor mother
they all scream, feeling happy and free
She is sitting there, thinking why me!
-Dean Thorpe

I Love Paris

2006-02-12T12:16:00.000-05:00

The Eiffel Tower is one of my favorite monuments. I went to Paris last year with my mother and brother. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I loved hearing people speak French. I loved the art museums. All those impressionist paintings! I loved them all. The food was delicious!I know some Americans are boycotting France, but I won't do that. I hope to go back again one day.

Cole Porter, an American composer and songwriter, wrote a song about Paris in 1953. Have you ever heard it?

Every time I look down on this timeless town
whether blue or gray be her skies.
Whether loud be her cheers or soft be her tears,
more and more do I realize:

I love Paris in the springtime.
I love Paris in the fall.
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles,
I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles.

I love Paris every moment,
every moment of the year.
I love Paris, why, oh why do I love Paris?
Because my love is near.

Sea Fever

2006-02-11T11:51:00.000-05:00

Boats off the coast at St. Augustine, FL
Photo by Elizabeth

Sea Fever

I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
All I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the seagulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
-John Masefield

Discovering Poetry

2006-02-10T18:49:00.000-05:00

Photo by Elizabeth

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are like love,
Beautiful and timeless,
A true gift from above.

Day after day, night after night,
Never stopping for a moment -
On their fanciful flight.

They cascade endlessly on,
Their journey never complete,
Their passion never gone.

All obstacles, they overcome,
With the undeniable intensity,
Of at last coming home.

Love is like a waterfall -
A little piece of heaven,
Given freely to all.

- Nightingale

Some mothers wish for new clothes, candy, or jewelry. Not my mother. She wishes for poems. You read that right---poems! My brother and I search through books and the Internet looking for the perfect poem for her. Sometimes we even write poems ourselves for her. I gave my mother the above photo that I took and the poem by the poet Nightingale for a present.

My mother has taught my brother and me to love poetry. I know many kids my age don't think about poetry much. But poems can make you laugh, cry, smile, and think. Just like movies or paintings or songs can do. Poetry is an art form that most people are not familiar with these days. We all tend to shy away from unfamiliar things. My mother says it is good to get out of our comfort zone and try new things. So, what are you waiting for? Why not pick up a poetry book the next time you are at the library? You might learn to love it, too!

Digital Fun

2006-02-09T15:53:00.000-05:00

I love learning about digital photography, and here is an example of one of my experiments. I just received my preliminary acceptance to a digital filmmaking summer camp. Hopefully, I will learn many more techniques this summer.

A Snowy Day in West Virginia

2006-02-08T22:34:00.000-05:00

Here is a photo of my brother and me along the creek in Kanawha County in West Virginia. We don't get to see snow very often in the Carolinas, so it was fun to go out while the snow was coming down hard. I clobbered my brother with snowballs,but he got me back. Snow down my back! Brrrr!

In Memoriam

2006-02-07T22:23:00.000-05:00

This entry is in honor of the 14 West Virginia coal miners who died in the mines last month. I spent some time in West Virginia in January, and here is the photo of the West Virginia coal miner statue at the West Virginia State Capitol Complex. You can see that people placed flowers and candles in front of the statue.

West Virginia's Governor Joe Manchin wants legislation passed to deal with rapid responses in emergencies, electronic tracking technology and reserve oxygen stations for underground miners. I hope it passes.

Piano Recital

2006-01-16T18:48:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. I have been busy researching barns and fencing, and getting ready for my piano recital. I also have to keep practicing my other instruments and keep up with my school work.

I had my piano recital on Sunday at a local nursing home. It was nice for all of us to play for the residents. They all seemed to enjoy the music. The nursing home had snacks for us after the recital.

Here is a photo my mother took of me AFTER I had played my piece. I played the old song by Simon and Garfunkle called, Scarborough Fair. I played it well, and added a little improv to the song by playing part of it in a higher octave. Once I figure out how to add audio to the blog I will post my song for you.

I don't like cameras flashing while I am playing! My mother promised me that she wouldn't take photos of me when I was playing, but someone else did anyway! The woman who was the activity director took a photo right in the middle of my piece. I had to keep playing and pretend that it didn't bother me.

Sailor and His Favorite Girl

2006-01-10T20:31:00.000-05:00

I spent the afternoon training and grooming Sailor. Here are a few photos that you might enjoy!

I am training Sailor to follow me. I am doing this so I can enter Sailor in a "No Halter" class at a local horse show. A "No Halter" class will require Sailor to follow me without a halter on.

Taking the snarls out of Sailor's mane.

More grooming!

Sailor doesn't like crossties very much. Here I am training him to cooperate while on crossties.

Quality time!

How about a kiss?

Nature Scene

2006-01-09T19:04:00.000-05:00

Here are some nature photos that I have taken...

Buck in the Meadow
This buck was kind enough to stand still for me!

Flowers by the Lake
Epcot
My mother says, "One can never have too many flowers." I agree!

Elephants by the Tree
Animal Kingdom, Disney World.

More Flowers by the Lake
Epcot

My Brother and Me

2006-01-08T13:31:00.000-05:00

Here's a photo of Andrew and me. I am posting it especially for my Aunt Linda! Aunt Linda, just remember this was taken last May. Andrew and I have grown quite a bit since the photo was taken.

Swimming with Dolphins

2006-01-07T13:18:00.000-05:00

This is a photo of my brother, Natasha, and me. My brother loved swimming with Natasha, too.

Here I am swimming with Natasha at Discovery Cove. Swimming with her was so exhilarating! Natasha swam so fast! I was pretty psyched the rest of the day.

Discovering Dolphins

2006-01-07T12:54:00.000-05:00

Here is a photo my mother took of me and "Natasha" at Discovery Cove in Florida. Discovery Cove is one of the best places I have ever been in my life. Gorgeous scenery with flowers everywhere! The food was delicious! But the best part was being able to get upclose with the dolphins.

I have applied to a marine biology summer camp, and I hope I get accepted! You might think dolphins is an interest that I have that is unrelated to horses. It really isn't. I know a woman who got into horses after she had been a trainer at Sea World for 15 years. She went riding one day with a friend, and fell in love with horses from that one ride. She said that there were many similarities in training dolphins and horses.

The marine biology summer camp I applied to isn't really about dolphins, but I have to start somewhere! If you know about a summer camp that is just about dolphins, please write to me!

Mr. Ed's Stable

2006-01-07T09:58:00.000-05:00

Speaking of barns...does anyone remember Mr. Ed's stable?

All I Need to Know in Life I Learned From My Horse

2006-01-06T09:06:00.000-05:00

Several years ago there was a book called, "Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. The following is a take-off from that book. Please add to my list!

All I Need to Know in Life I Learned From My Horse

1. When in doubt, run far, far away.
2. You can never have too many treats.
3. Passing gas in public is nothing to be ashamed of.
4. New shoes are an absolute necessity every 6 weeks.
5. Ignore cues. They're just a prompt to do more work.
6. Everyone loves a good, wet, slobbery kiss.
7. Never run when you can jog. Never jog when you can walk. And never walk when you can stand still.
8. Heaven is eating for at least 10 hours a day... and then sleeping the rest.
10. Eat plenty of roughage.
11. Great legs and a nice rear will get you anywhere. Big, brown eyes help too.
12. When you want your way, stomp hard on the nearest foot.
13. In times of crisis, take a poop.
14. Act dumb when faced with a task you don't want to do.
15. Follow the herd. That way, you can't be singled out to take the blame.
16. A swift kick in the butt will get anyone's attention.
17. Love those who love you back, especially if they have something good to eat.

Almost Heaven, West Virginia

2006-01-05T17:15:00.000-05:00

I spent three wonderful weeks at my grandparents house in West Virgina this past summer. I loved sitting on their porch at night watching the deer graze in the meadow and the fireflies dance along the creek. I heard owls calling to each other, and every now and then, I would see one swoop by.

Nature lovers call West Virginia the outdoor recreation capital of the East. That’s not an exaggeration! The Mountain State has world-famous whitewater rivers, great skiing, and fantastic hunting and fishing. West Virgina has the most extensive wilderness areas in the Eastern part of the US.

I love to take photographs whenever I am in West Virginia. I took this photo near Hawk's Nest, and is a good example about why people say, "Almost Heaven, West Virginia!"

Communicating with My Horse

2006-01-04T23:03:00.000-05:00

You and your horse. His strength and beauty.
Your knowledge and patience and
determination and understanding and love.
That's what fuses the two of you into this marvelous
partnership that makes you wonder...
"What can heaven offer any better than
what I have here on earth?"

--Monica Dickens (1915-1921), English writer

Dreams Do Come True

2006-01-03T22:40:00.000-05:00

A woman never looks better
than on horseback.

--Jane Austen (1689-1762)

I was thinking today about how lucky I am to have Sailor. Currently, he is stabled at a local barn about 6 minutes from my house. But I think he would do much better if he were at my house. This way I could dote on him every day. I could also just horse around with him every day!

My problem is that I do not have a barn yet. I need to build a good barn as soon as possible. If you have ideas about barn design, please let me know! What do you like about your barn? What is missing from your barn that you wish you had?
Thanks for the help!

Get Ready for Spring Riding!

2006-01-02T22:23:00.000-05:00

Most horses get little riding during the cold winter months. This is true even in the Carolinas where I live. But in a few weeks, we'll all want to get back in the saddle again!

Some horses are just plain hard to handle when they've had a long vacation from regular riding. Others are always calm and dependable. In either case, lunging may help get your horse ready for whatever type of riding you're going to do this spring.

"The reason to lunge is to exercise your horse. You want to warm him up. You also want to set up a pecking order and train for obedience and correctness," says my instructor, Mrs. Amber.

Here is a photo of Mrs. Amber lunging Sailor with me riding in the saddle!

Happy New Year from Sailor and Me!

2006-01-01T22:07:00.000-05:00

Finally, the photo you have all been waiting for----introducing my favorite horse, Sailor! That is me on Sailor, but I guess you figured that out by now.

Happy Birthday to all you Thoroughbreds out there! By the way, all Thoroughbred horses celebrate their birthdays on the same day. No matter when they were born, each year’s crop of foals officially turn 1 (becoming yearlings) the following January 1.

P.S. Thanks to everyone who has been visiting my blog during the past month. I am sorry that I have not been keeping the blog up-to-date, but I have been very sick for the past month. I didn't have energy to do any writing.

Animals and Music

2005-12-09T22:30:00.000-05:00

Musicians and artists are sometimes inspired by their animals. Many famous composers had pets, and some even wrote music about their four-legged companions!

Mozart
As a young boy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart traveled throughout Europe. He sent postcards to his dog named Bimper! He also had two other dogs, some birds, and a pet grasshopper.

Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi loved animals. He had a dog named Lou Lou, parrots, cats, and even peacocks!

Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky had birds as pets. He wrote a polka for fifty elephants wearing tutus!

Prokofiev
Sergei Prokofiev had a cat and a dog. The cat loved to sleep in Prokofiev's favorite armchair.

Chopin
Frederic Chopin wrote his Waltz in D flat (Op. 64 No. 1) about a dog chasing his tail! He also wrote a Cat Waltz (Op. 34 No. 3) that was inspired by a noise a cat made by by jumping on a piano.

If you know of other composers who wrote about animals, please leave me a comment. I am writing a blog entry on Camille Saint-Saens who wrote, The Carnival of the Animals. The South Carolina Philharmonic performs it every year for local school children.

What is Your Bete Noire?

2005-12-07T07:41:00.000-05:00

Bete noire wasn't on my official vocabulary list this week, but it is a word I have to learn. Keep reading, if you want to learn why! We were driving back from piano lessons yesterday, and my mother used "bete noire" in a sentence. She paused. My brother and I looked at each other and waited. We knew what was coming next.

My Mom asked my brother and me if we knew what "bete noire" meant. Hey, I knew it was of French origin! I told her I should get Brownie Points for knowing that! "OK, a half point awarded to Elizabeth," she replied.

Bete noire is pronounced \bet-NWAHR\. It is a noun that means something or someone particularly detested or avoided. Have you ever heard of it? If not, you just learned a new vocabulary word. Who says blogs aren't educational?

My bete noire has been mathematics. I always dreaded math time. Lately, it hasn't been too bad. Sometimes I even enjoy it. (Ok, Mom. Don't faint or anything.) We use Math-U-See now, and that definitely has something to do with it.

Math-U-See is a homeschool math program that uses nifty manipulatives and DVDs. Steve Demme is the creator and teacher of Math-U-See. Mr. Demme's photo is on the Math-U-See website. He makes learning math fun, though I suppose there are some math teachers in the world who might be thinking that "math fun" is an oxymoron. (You have to give me TWO Brownie Points, Mom, for finding a way to use this one. Oxymoron consists of two words that seem to contradict each other, or actually do contradict each other. An example would be a "wise fool.")

I have been working harder on math for a number of reasons. One, it was part of the deal to get Sailor. Two, I want to take some correspondence horse equine classes. I already have them picked out! But I can't start something new until I finish the budget for Sailor, get the fencing and barn put up, and finish another Math-U-See level. (I did get the grass planted!) Three, there is more math than I imagined involved in equine science. My mother reminds me that I don't have to be Einstein in math, just competent. Sounds doable.

What is your bete noire?

End-of-the-Year Review

2005-12-06T07:29:00.000-05:00

It is getting close to the time of year when my Mom asks us to evaluate how our year went. We are suppose to think about what we enjoyed, what worked for us, and what didn't. We have been living in a 12 x 30' building for the past 7 months! This has not been an ordinary year!

My Mom also requires us to write goals for the New Year. She doesn't expect a list of New Year's Resolutions though. No one ever seems to keep those. Instead, she wants us to think about books we would like to read, topics we would like to study, field trips we might like to take, and that sort of thing.

I decided that I might as well get a jumpstart on the assignment. I have had a good year overall. One highlight of the year was our family trip to Disney World. Disney was awesome.

I read quite a long list of books. When I find an author I like I tend to read everything she or he has written. I need to find some new authors for 2006 because I am almost out of titles. I make good use of the InterLibrary loan services at our local library. I would love for you to post books you have enjoyed this year.

I spent three incredible weeks at Valley View Horse Ranch in Cloudland, GA. I learned a lot about horses, and had fun meeting girls from all over the US! It was my first time at an overnight camp, and I never got homesick. I loved looking out over the mountains in the early morning when the sun was rising or setting. Now I know why my grandfather loves West Virginia so much. The mountains are a peaceful place to live.

I also got to spend a few weeks with my grandparents in West Virginia. They took me to Hawk's Nest State Park, which was pretty fabulous. I enjoyed shopping and going to the Kanawha County Library with my Mamaw. We both LOVE to read! My Mamaw is a great cook, and there is nothing like eating good West Virginia meals! I had a lot of fun going fishing with my Papaw on the lake, too.

I hope I can go to West Virginia some time this winter when there is snow on the ground! I know my favorite thing to do will be to sit in front of the big windows at my grandparents house and read. It would be even better if snow were falling outside! : )

The best thing that happened to me by far this year was getting Sailor! I know I have made the right choice in choosing him. I can't wait until I can bring him home instead of boarding him at a boarding barn.

Oh, I guess I should tell you why we have been living in a 12 x 30' building! We have been remodeling our house. It has taken so long. We are suppose to be moving back in next weekend. As my Mom says, "I'll believe it when we are in!"

What about next year? I want to add more art to my schedule. I would love to take pottery classes. Maybe weaving or some other craft. Our local craft stores have classes all the time.

I will continue playing the piano, violin, and drums. I would like to join the local Appalachian dulcimer group. Appalachian music is part of my heritage. I am looking forward to getting new piano music. My piano teacher said I can pick my own book in January!

I hope to go to West Virginia this winter to find some good Celtic fiddle books, too! I wish I could find a Celtic fiddle teacher in my area. Sadly, none are to be found. I would love to go to Swannanoa Gathering in NC. We almost went last summer, but the dates didn't work out. I am not really into classical violin very much.

We are going to have two new ovens in our remodeled house, and I am looking forward to learning how to bake! I love to read cooking magazines. My favorite is A Taste of Home!

I also want to enroll in some equine science classes in 2006. I have picked out a few that interest me.

We haven't had been on many field trips this year, so I hope we do more in 2006. I love it when my Mom takes us on road trips. We didn't have as many this year because of remodeling the house. Our Honda Odyssey makes traveling fun, too. I love having my own climate controls in the back! There is a nifty sun screen that pulls down, too, that I use all the time.

I would like to go to Washington, DC because I want to go to the National Gallery of Art. I love art museums! I also like visiting old historic buildings, so a trip to Colonial Williamsburg and Atlanta would be fun. There is also a place in North Carolina that I always wanted to go to called, "Old Salem." It is a living museum about Colonial Life in the Carolinas. We didn't go to the beach this year, so I hope we can do that in the New Year, too. My brother and I like to boogie board, and my Mom and I like to walk the beach looking for treasures. I would love to go to the Outer Banks since I have never been there before.

Well, that's all I can think of right now. Please post some of the things you want to do in 2006. I would love to hear your ideas!

The Trail Less Traveled

2005-12-05T22:00:00.000-05:00

Two trails diverged in a wood
And my brother and I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference
---With Apologies to Robert Frost

There are so many TV, radio, and newspaper ads, especially this time of year, that are trying to get the attention of pre-teens and teens. The ads seem to shout, "If you would only wear Brand X make-up or use a certain handheld game, then you, too, will fit in and be accepted." Or how about those TV commercials that make it sound as if a trip to a large department store in the mall will transform you into a super model or super jock?

One of the advantages of homeschooling is that you don't have daily pressure to follow the crowd. (Let me interject something here---in case, you are one of those people who think that homeschoolers don't get enough socialization. I can assure you that it is NOT the case! There are plenty of socialization opportunities, and sometimes there are TOO many and can be a distraction from school work.)Sure, everyone wants to have friends and fit in. Homeschoolers, however, don't tend to care what brand of shampoo you use, or what label is on the back of your jeans. No one cares what the writing says on the side of your shoes. They are more interested in who you are and what you are learning.

Traditional schools start up in August here in the Carolinas, and my mother always asks if anyone (meaning my brother or me) wants to register for school. Neither one of us has ever had a desire to go to a traditional school. My mother was offered a job teaching science at a very posh school downtown. One of the perks of the job was that we could attend tuition-free. We weren't tempted by the offer.

It is going to sound rather corny, but my brother and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to homeschool. We love going down the trail less traveled! The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the homeschooling population has grown from about 10,000 to 15,000 children in the late 1960s to perhaps one million children by 2001. This sounds like a lot, but is only roughly 2 percent of the school-aged population. The number is higher now in 2005, but I couldn't find a recent statistic. The numbers reported are always on the low side since some people don't register with a support group, and the numbers continue to grow.

We run into people all the time who don't understand why we choose homeschooling. If you homeschool, then you know "THE LOOK." I'll translate "THE LOOK" for you. It means you can't be learning as much as you would in a traditional school. Your socialization IQ must be in the basement because you aren't sitting in a classroom all day. No amount of explaining ever changes their minds, so I usually try not to get into it.

Or maybe you are more familiar with "THE QUIZ?" That is when well-meaning (I think) people quiz you on trivia. Things they wouldn't even know if you quizzed them! I can put up with "THE LOOK" more than "THE QUIZ." Sometimes they continue to throw questions at you before you even answer the first one. I used to play along, but I don't play "THE QUIZ" anymore. It is very annoying. (My mother said I could decline as long as I was polite. Thanks, Mom!)

Sometimes my brother or I can't resist the temptation to say something to naysayers. (See, Mom! I am using one of this week's vocabulary words!) We were visiting Yosemite with some homeschooling friends in late March one year. March is a great time of year to visit Yosemite, by the way. No crowds, great photo ops, and LOTS of snow! Oh, and make sure you pack chains for your vehicle's tires! You'll need them on the snowy roads. But I digress...(Give me five, Mom! Another vocabulary word!)

We all decided we needed to get out of the cold and get something to eat and drink. We went off in search of a cafe because all of the park food stands were closed for the season. A rather large doorman blocked our way into the main lodge as we tried to enter. He curtly asked, "What are you kids doing here? Why aren't you in school?" My quick thinking brother replied, "Sir, we could have read about Yosemite in a textbook, but we decided to see it for ourselves." He smiled, and moved aside. The doorman ended up being quite friendly toward us, and shared stories about the lodge and famous visitors. When it was time for us to go, he told us he enjoyed chatting with us and hoped to see us again.

There are many sites along the trail less traveled that make homeschooling fun for me. I have time to read books that interest me. I travel to interesting places with my family and friends. I study music. But best of all, my horse is at the center of my curriculum. I'll share more about my horse-centered curriculum in another blog post.

Your trail less traveled may not be called homeschooling. Maybe you live on a houseboat in the Florida Keys or are working to qualify for the Olympics? I would love to hear from you about your trail less traveled, whatever it may be!

P.S. Blogspot wouldn't let me in for the past couple of days. That is why I haven't posted entries or comments.

Just when you thought you had enough...even MORE Blogging tips!

2005-12-03T10:25:00.000-05:00

Every time I come across something that I think would make a good blog post, I write the title or the facts in the eBlogger Dashboard section and save it as a draft. Eventually I come back to my topics and the facts that I have collected. They usually come from my reading or barn experience. Sometimes topics sit in my draft pile for days before I get to them. Sometimes life is busy here, and I don't get to polish my writing as much.

I spend a lot of time trying to think of catchy titles for my blog posts. I like catchy titles. It isn't easy thinking them up though!

I would like to learn more about html because I would like to jazz up my blog with photos, icons, and other cool things like that. A man I know from church has a very cool blog. He puts video and audio on his blog on a regular basis! I haven't had time to learn how to do that yet.

I experiment with "copied" html code. I find a site that generates the html code for me. (I find those sites on other blogs. Just click on whatever it is they have that you like.) I put the code into the template on my Dashboard. I preview the page, and see if it worked. Sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't. If it works, I save the edits. If not, I delete them. My Mom told me that blogspot doesn't have as many "bells and whistles" as some other blogging sites. But blogspot is free, so that is why I am using it for now.

The best part about blogging by far is getting comments!! I appreciate everyone who takes the time to post a comment. Thank you! It is a lot more fun than writing compositions that only my Mom or brother would read!

OK. Now it is your turn to give me blogging tips. I want to know how you (Jess and Liza) get those neat little dotted lines on the side bar of your blog. I have tried to put more space between things in my sidebar, but haven't figured out how to do it yet. I am not good at figuring out how to reorganize my sidebar. Thank you for any tips!

Special Holiday Gifts for Your Horse

2005-12-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

Forget about buying those cutesy Christmas horse hats, antlers, or ties! Give your horse something he or she would love. You guessed it.
F-O-O-D....FOOD!!! Horses love food! Here are my top gift ideas for my favorite horse, Sailor!

Carrots
Carrots are an excellent sources of carotene, which is the precursor to Vitamin A. Vitamin A is usually the only vitamin that horses ever need as a supplement to their diet. A horse may not be getting enough carotene, if he or she is not eating green sun-cured hay.

Oatmeal or some type of hot grain mash
Experiment with different kinds, such as wheat mash, rolled oats, sweet feed, cracked corn, barley, or shredded beet pulp. Be creative! You might add some molasses, a pinch of salt, some oil, and chopped carrots or apples. Check the latest issues of your favorite horse magazines to find good recipes.

Peppermint candy
Just swirl a candy cane in your horse's water pail. It is a good Christmas treat, but also is good for another important reason. Peppermint oil is can be used to disguise water for your horse when he or she is away from home. Sometimes horses don't like to drink water when they are "on the road" or at a horse show. Adding a tasty peppermint in your horse's water while he is at home and away will help keep even the most reluctant drinkers from getting dehydrated.

Homemade Horse Treats
Check out my November 22, 2005 blog post "The Equine Chef" for an easy-to-make recipe.

Molasses Grain Block
A tasty treat that should only be used as an occasional supplement. Horses love them though! Molasses grain blocks are made up of molasses, grain products, and minerals. They usually weigh about 40 to 50 pounds. They have a wonderful smell that horses love. Horses like to lick and chew the blocks. Just make sure your horse has enough water because sometimes the grain blocks have extra salt in them.

Sugar cubes
You don't want to give your horse sugar cubes too often because it is bad for their teeth.

Store-bought treats
Check out your local feed or equine store. They usually stock a variety of horse treats that are sure to please even the fussiest horse!

So, what is on your horse's Christmas wish list this year?

If Your Horse Could Talk...

2005-12-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Let's suppose your horse could talk. What would he or she say?

"Get off my back?"

"Ooh, that girth pinches!"

"Hurry up. Hurry up. I am tired of holding my hoof up!"

"Would you please give me a better tasting snack? And more of them!"

"Go buy a car!"

"You've gained a lot of weight this year."

Probably nothing that harsh. Horses may nurse a grudge for a while, but they get over it. Animals don't stay mad. Except maybe cats. But then, who knows about cats? Cats will walk away while you're trying to talk to them. But cats are another post! :)

More Blog Tips

2005-11-30T15:05:00.000-05:00

Jess,
This is just my personal opinion, but I think that some people don't give kids enough credit. If a kid writes poorly, then adults complain about the bad writing. ("Elizabeth, can't you write better than that?") They say that the kid didn't work hard enough. But if a kid does work hard and writes well, they think the kid had too much help from someone else. ("Elizabeth, did you or your brother write that?") Sometimes a kid just can't win!

My Mom got our main homeschool writing course from The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). Mr. Pudewa told us that even Benjamin Franklin learned to write by copying the writing styles of others. He also told us how painters do the same thing. I enjoy Mr. Pudewa's courses. He has excellent methods for writing, and some funny jokes and stories. Mr. Pudewa's writing checklist is fantastic!

Check out Mr.Pudewa's IEW website, if you want to improve your writing. I highly recommend it. We have his Student Intensive Writing Workshops on DVD. BEWARE though! Mr. Pudewa will help you to improve your writing so much that you'll get tired of hearing, "Jess, did you really write that?" : )

Blogging Tips

2005-11-29T09:15:00.000-05:00

Jess asked me for tips about blogging. Jess, I am NOT the best person to ask since I just started blogging this month myself! People seem to have all different ways of blogging. Just have fun!

I enjoy reading other people's blogs because I usually find new ideas. It isn't easy finding blogs that are rated G or PG as you probably know. I first saw a tickertape countdown icon on another blog. The blogger was counting down the days to her birthday, but I was able to click on the link to find my own counter. I chose a Christmas theme for the holiday season. There are many others ticker icons available. Click on my tickertape, if you want one of your own.

I started a blog because I don't like to write. I wanted to improve my writing, connect with other horse lovers, and keep a log of my life with my new horse. I never know what to say when someone gives me a topic that I am not interested in. Have you ever had to write "How I Spent My Summer Vacation?" Yuck. I have so much fun in the summer. I can't summarize it all in three paragraphs! One time I had to describe an object. I spent a couple of days (maybe more) just deciding on the object!

I am homeschooled, so my Mom is my writing teacher. She teaches my brother and me to write about our passions. I know you have figured out by now that horses are my passion! Since I read many horse books and spend a lot of time around horses I always seem to have something to say. My Mom tells us to write just like we talk. That is basically what I try to do in my blog. It is much, much, much easier for me to type than to write with a pen, too.

Some blogs are informal. The writers don't worry about punctuation, capitalization, and organization. Mine is more formal because my Mom allows me to count my blog entries for daily writing. She isn't going to let me get by with messy draft copies. She still makes me write other papers, too.

I spend more time on some entries than on others in order to get a blog entry written well enough to post. That is why sometimes I don't post for a few days, or why I post more than one entry in a day. It all depends on when the draft is good enough. You wouldn't have to fuss as much as I do since it isn't part of your school work.

More thoughts on blogging later on in the week!

Only His Hairdresser Knows for Sure

2005-11-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

I love horses that have long, thick tails! My horse Sailor has a beautiful long, thick tail. I want him to keep it that way, so I am going to follow Cherry Hill's three-step program.

According to Cherry Hill, there are three steps to a beautiful tail. First, I should feed Sailor good quality hay. Ms. Hill also recommends that I give Sailor a daily dose of "Farrier's Formula." This is a broad-spectrum nutritional supplement. It is designed to increase hoof growth and improve the quality of the hoof horn. Hoof and hair are made of similar substances, so it makes sense that horse people often recommend a supplement.

Grooming is the second step in maintaining Sailor's thick tail, or getting one if your horse doesn't have one yet. As all horse owners know, grooming is a good way to bond with your horse, but bathing, brushing, and combing manes and tails should only be done when necessary. I use brushes on long manes and tails! Please don't use combs any more than necessary! Combs tend to break hair, and they aren't the easiest grooming tool to use.

Cherry Hill recommends that I keep Sailor's tail cut blunt. It should be cut at a level no lower than the point of the fetlock when the horse's tail is relaxed, flat, and hanging the longest. Some people prefer a tapered tail. But when a horse's tail is longer than the fetlocks, a horse usually ends up stepping on his tail! This happens the most when he is getting up from rolling. You will notice that large long hunks of hair are pulled out. It is also common for large sections of hair to come out when a horse is unloading from a trailer or backing up in a performance class. All these examples show you how a tail can get thin very quickly!

Lastly, Ms. Hill believes I should "put up" Sailor's tail for the winter. She recommends that I put up the tail "as soon as the last fly is gone in the fall." She also thinks that I should braid Sailor's tail and keep it braided until "the first fly appears in the spring." The only problem with her advice is that I live in the Carolinas. We have flies all year 'round!

In the early spring, Ms, Hill advises horse owners to cut 4-6 inches off their horse's tail. Because of the high level of nutrition all winter and the protection of the braid, the tail is probably going to meet her fetlock test. You probably will have to cut off an additional 4 inches in July or August.

Well, you see, you can learn all kinds of things from owning a horse. But I never thought hairdressing would be one of them!

Rally Day

2005-11-28T23:00:00.000-05:00

What did you do this past weekend? My Mom and I spent Saturday at the Greater Columbia Obedience Dog Club's dog show at the SC State Fair Grounds. The Club is affiliated with the American Kennel Club. Mom's friend Laura has a beautiful papillon named Skipper that competed in rally trials. He did great! He got 96 out of 100 points for a third place finish. Skipper and his handler got a ribbon, and Skipper got a toy lobster.

There were a variety of dogs competing. I enjoyed seeing all the different types--Chesapeake Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Bernese Mountain, Bouvier des Flandres, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shelties, and Papillons, to name a few.

Horse Anatomy

2005-11-28T11:47:00.000-05:00

Every rider needs to learn the parts of a horse. My riding teacher, Ms. Amber, taught me the parts of the horse in my first riding lesson. She still likes to quiz me just to make sure I remember.

A great website called "Mr. Horse" can teach you all the parts quite easily. Just click on a part of the horse's body on the photo at the website! You can even learn the parts in Italian, French, Spanish, and German.

Horse Genetics 101--Lesson 1

2005-11-27T20:09:00.000-05:00

I am studying genetics, so I can be more knowledgeable about horse breeding. Here are some basic vocabulary words that I learned.

Homozygous -- When a horse carries 2 of the same gene. He or she always passes this gene to all of its offspring.

Breed True -- This refers to color. Horses are said to breed true when breeding two of the same color will always result in a foal of that color.

Dilute/Dilution Genes -- Genes that dilute the horses base color to a lighter color. This includes the cream, silver dapple, champagne and dun genes.

Heterozygous -- When a horse carries only 1 of a gene. Therefore, it only has a 50/50 chance of passing that gene to his/her offspring.

Dominant -- A gene that is expressed IF it is present in the horses genotype

Recessive -- A gene that is only expressed IF the horse has both genes the same at a given gene pair.

Phenotype -- How a horse looks visually.

Genotype -- What genes a horse actually has.

Stretch Your Brain!

2005-11-26T12:00:00.000-05:00

Do you like to do puzzles? I do! Cherry Hill has quite a few free puzzles about horses at her website. So, turn off the TV and get working!

Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup-- Camden, SC

2005-11-25T14:16:00.000-05:00

The Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup is going to be held tomorrow, November 26, 2005 in Camden, SC at the historic Springdale Race Course. Beautiful Thoroughbred horses will race along the track at 35 mph and jump hurdles nearly five feet high! The Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup is the grand finale of the steeplechase circuit. This race will decide all of the national titles, including Horse of the Year.

Want to learn more more steeplechasing? Check out the National Steeplechase Association. This site has great information about the history of steeplechasing, facts about horses, and even a section entitled, Steeplechase 101.

Thanks Be to Horses

2005-11-24T14:00:00.000-05:00

10. Free fertilizer for the garden.

9. You don't have to buy gas to go for a ride.

8. You never have to change the oil!

7. A sugar cube and a carrot makes them happy.

6. You can ride like the wind.

5. They are extremely intelligent.

4. They are beautiful to look at.

3. They look pretty in your backyard.

2. They don't pollute the air like cars and trucks.

1. They are wonderful companions.

The Equine Chef

2005-11-22T14:33:00.000-05:00

Today I made my horse Sailor scrumptious horse treats. Why not make some for your horse? He'll love them!

Here is my recipe:

Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup water
a pinch of honey
a pinch of smooth peanut butter
1/4 horses favorite grain
1 small carrot cut into small pieces

Directions:
First, put the rolled oats in a medium-sized bowl. Add the water, a pinch of honey, and a pinch of smooth peanut butter. Stir in your horse's favorite grain. If the mixture is not sticking together, add a little more honey. Stir in the small baby carrot pieces. Roll the mixture into 1 1/2 to 2 inch balls and place on a cookie tray. Put the tray with the horse treats in the refrigerator to harden, then off to the barn to serve them to your horse!

Somebody's Got to Clean the Stall!

2005-11-20T22:18:00.000-05:00

I spent my Sunday afternoon mucking out stalls at the barn where I board Sailor. "Mucking Out" means picking out soiled bedding and manure from a horse stall or paddock. Then, you usually go into the stall and spread the sawdust, straw, etc.How often you have to "muck out" depends on how much time your horse spends in its stall.

Mucking out stalls is the least glamorous part of owning a horse. But if you are going to have horses, you're gonna have horse manure! Mucking out stalls is something that just has to be done. A clean stall makes for a happy horse!

What types of bedding are best for horses? Here in the South, straw seems to be readily available and the least expensive. Some horse barn managers prefer straw because it is lighter and easier to dispose of than wood shavings. But straw decomposes more quickly, so that means it molds more quickly, too. Foals and horses with respiratory problems need wood shavings.

Another reason to be careful with straw as bedding is that horses like to eat straw. If they eat too much of it, they can colic. The term "colic" means "pain in the abdomen." The pain can be mild and inconsequential to the life-threatening or fatal. One of the problems with colic is that it can be very difficult in the early stages to tell the difference between the mild and potentially fatal colic. This is why all cases of abdominal pain should be taken seriously right away.

Daily cleaning of horse stalls is best. Besides "mucking out," it is also important to strip the stall down to the bare floor once a week. You need to let it air dry for the day before adding new bedding.

What should you do with all the stuff you muck out? You can spread the muck on fields or garden areas that aren't being used. This not only helps fertilize the soil, but also cuts down on your trips to the dump! Gardeners like to get manure for their gardens, so ask around if you find yourself with too much manure.

Another good choice is to compost the manure. To compost manure, you need to pile it up for least six weeks. You need to turn it frequently to produce heat and kill parasites. You have to add water in dry weather because if the pile doesn't get enough moisture, bacteria cannot decompose your pile. Make sure you pick a site at least 75 feet from any water sources to avoid contamination. You also want to make sure you keep your piles away from your barn and house so you don't have problems with flies and odor.

Another important thing to know is that you you should never add fresh manure to home gardens. You have to make sure all manure is well-composted for at least 120 days before adding it to soil where vegetables or fruits are growing. Otherwise, you could ingest E.coli, which can be quite serious and even fatal. Children and senior citizens are most vulnerable.

So, grab your pitchfork and start mucking out those stalls!

Clemson vs. Carolina

2005-11-19T12:24:00.000-05:00

Today is the day of the most important football game of the year in South Carolina--Clemson vs. Carolina. I always root for Clemson, but the rest of my family are Carolina fans. My lucky Clemson shirt is in storage since we are not living in our house yet. (We are remodeling it.) I'll have to wear my Clemson hat instead!

My main interest at Clemson and Carolina isn't football. It is horses! How do the two school compare when it comes to Equestrian and Equine studies? Clemson wins!

Clemson has 2 options for someone like me who is interested in equine science. I can major in "Preveterinary and Science" or "Equine Business." Clemson also has a good equestrian team.

I couldn't find anything about Equine Business at USC, but they do have a Women's Equestrian Team. They won the 2005 National Championship title! (Why don't we ever read about this Gamecock team in The State newspaper?) I found an article about the team in the Carolinian. USC has a preveterinary science program, but no specifics were on their website.

GO CLEMSON TIGERS!!

Graceful, Glorious Creatures

2005-11-18T12:00:00.000-05:00

I like to read the UK newspapers online. Here is a good article by Lucy Cavendish from the Observer about why women and girls love horses. I enjoyed it, and hope you will, too.

Why we love horses....

Flying Through the Air with the Greatest of Ease

2005-11-17T17:30:00.000-05:00

Everyone knows that if you are going to be around horses that there is a chance that you will get bucked off. Yes, today was my day to get bucked!

There were many reasons why Sailor bucked:
1) I had borrowed a new saddle. Sailor wasn't used to it.
2) The weather turned cold and rainy yesterday. Sailor was a bit frisky.
3) The owner of the barn hadn't turned out the horses this morning, so Sailor probably had excess energy.
4)I worked Sailor on the lunge line, but the girth must have slipped.
5) Sailor probably felt a pinch when I put my weight on the saddle.

You will be glad to know that I got right back up! I fixed the saddle, and then rode Sailor again! He was a sweet boy!

The good part is that I fell on the sandy part of the round pen! It could have been worse! I am very sore, but no broken bones. Now I get to be pampered by my family!

School Work

2005-11-16T23:30:00.000-05:00

Someone told me that she wouldn't buy a horse because it would take too much time away from her daughter's school work. I will admit that horses require a lot of my time, but they have also helped me to become more interested in my school work.

I always liked science, but I never read science books during my free time. But once I developed an interest in horses, the equine science section of the library soon became my favorite place to hang out! If you want your horse to be healthy, you have to know a lot about science!

Many equine science books and magazines aren't easy to read. They can really stretch my brain! One of my favorite magazines is The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care. There is plenty of science in this magazine to satisfy even the most concerned parent!

Math has never been my favorite subject. If you want to know, it has been the subject I like the least! But now that I have a horse, I have to be good with numbers. I have to make a budget, order horse supplies, figure out how much food and medicine my horse needs, etc. I also need to keep a calendar, so I can keep track of important dates. Farrier appointments, immunization schedules, and vet checks can't be missed!

You wouldn't think horses would have anything to do with social studies, but they do. I like reading about horse breeds around the world and famous horses in history. I also like to read websites written by horse trainers around the world.Check out John Lyons, Sally Swift, Pat Parelli, and Cherry Hill's websites.

It is easy to connect horses and reading. There are zillions of horse stories! Some books are very good literature, such as Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley's books. Other books are just plain fun, like Bonnie Bryant's Saddle Club or Joanna Campbell's Thoroughbred series.

Horses can help students learn about art. The other day I got a new book on how to draw horses. I am sure you can find many art books about horses in the library. You can go to museums and look for paintings that have horses in them. Or you can make horse arts and crafts projects and display them in your house.

Horses and music? Why, of course! There are many songs about horses. American cowboys have always sung songs about horses. You probably know some of these songs--Back in the Saddle Again, Happy Trails, and Get On Your High Horse.

There are holiday songs that we sing that have horses in them, such as Jingle Bells (Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh)and Over the River and Through the Woods (...the horse knows the way, to carry the sleigh). Don't forget the opening song of the old TV show, Mr. Ed! For those classical music lovers, there is even the William Tell Overture that was the theme song of the Lone Ranger!

Lastly, there is writing. I have never liked to write before. Writing a blog has been fun, even though it is really hard work. I like to write to authors of my favorite horse books. Sometimes I write to horse organizations for information. The more I write, the easier it becomes. Thank goodness for spellcheckers though!

I hope you have learned a little about how horses have help me to become a better student. I am sure horses can encourage the student in your house, too!

Angela Dorsey

2005-11-15T13:23:00.000-05:00

Angela Dorsey is one of my favorite authors who writes about horses. She lives in British Columbia on the west coast of Canada. If you go to her website, you can learn more about her and her books. She has very interesting photos and articles on her website, too! Sometimes Ms. Dorsey sponsors contests on her website. Winners often get a signed copy of one of her books!

Ms. Dorsey's Horse Angels series is my favorite and is loved by young horse lovers all over the world. Her books have been translated into German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Hungarian, and Czech! I collect her books, and check her site frequently to find out about any new books that might be coming out soon.

Ms.Dorsey is a very kind person, too. She takes the time to answer mail from her young fans. I have written to her about her books and to ask her horse questions in general. I always get back the nicest responses. Not many authors take the time to write back to their readers. I hope you'll buy some of her books and checkout her website!

If you are already a fan of Ms. Dorsey, please post which books you like best and why!

Horse Sense

2005-11-14T13:00:00.000-05:00

Sailor knows he has a new friend. As soon as he sees me walking down the hill from the barn, he starts making his way toward the fence to greet me. How does he know that I have come to pay attention to him and not any of the other horses in the pasture? Horses are very intelligent. They just know.

I spent two afternoons this weekend with Sailor. I spent some time lunging him. He and I are doing better with the lunge line. Then, I rode him in the round pen. Sailor enjoyed being groomed afterward.

I did feel a little sad for another horse, Glimmer. She is Sailor's paddock mate. I can tell she is missing her owner. She looked up at me with hopeful eyes, but the barn rules say I cannot feed or groom someone else’s horse.

A Horse's Life

2005-11-13T11:28:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered where the time goes in your day or week? Try keeping a log! Jot down what you do every hour during the day. You might be very surprised at the end of the day (and especially at the end of the week) to learn how much time you spend doing ordinary things like eating, brushing your teeth, and sleeping!

Dr. Sue M. McDonnell at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine wrote an interesting book about horse behavior called, "Normal and Abnormal Behavior of Stabled Horses." Dr. McDonnell observed horses in stalls over a 24-hour period and recorded her data in a log book. Here are some of her more interesting observations of how horses spend their day.

Eating hay - 4 - 12 hours

Resting while standing up 8 - 12 hours

Resting while lying down 0 - 6 hours

Drinking 1 -3 minutes

Urinating 4 - 15 times

Defecating 4 - 15 times*

*No wonder we have to clean out our horses' stalls so much!

Horse Babel

2005-11-12T12:11:00.000-05:00

What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet.
--Shakespeare
From Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

Horse lovers are found all around the world. Learn how to translate horse in other languages...just in case you ever find yourself in another part of the world! (Thanks to AltaVista Babel for help with the translations.)

Language /Translation

French Cheval
German Pferd
Dutch paard
Greek άλογο
Italian cavallo
Portuguese cavalo
Russian лошадь
Spanish caballo

Straight Talk about Horses

2005-11-12T11:30:00.000-05:00

A very cold morning here in the Carolinas. Can you hear my teeth chattering? I hope to work on the plans for my new horse barn today. Maybe even do some riding, too! I can't wait to see Sailor this morning!

Here are some of my favorite quotes about horses. What are your favorites?

Quotes...
No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill

Many people have sighed for the "good old days" and regretted the "passing of the horse," but today, when only those who like horses own them, it is a far better time for horses. ~C.W. Anderson

In riding a horse, we borrow freedom. ~Helen Thomson

A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse! -Shakespeare, Richard III, Act 5, Sc. 4

Let us ride together, blowing mane and hair, careless of the weather, miles ahead of care, ring of hoof and snaffle, swing of waist and hip, trotting down the twisted road with the world let slip -- Anonymous, Riding Song

Horse Humor

2005-11-11T23:22:00.000-05:00

Do you like jokes and riddles? I do! Here are a few that hopefully will make you smile! Please post your favorite horse jokes and riddles.

Q) What animal has more "hands" than feet?

A) Why, a horse, of course!

*****

Q) What is the best type of story to tell a runaway horse?

A) A tale of WHOA!

*****

Q) How long should a horse's legs be?

A) Long enough to reach the ground.

*****

Q) When do vampires like horse racing?

A) When it's neck and neck.

*****

Q) Where do horses stay in a hotel?

A) In the bridle suite.

*****

Q) What did the waiter say to the horse?

A) I can't take your order. That's not my stable.

*****
Q) How come horses can't dance?

A) Because they have two left feet!

LAST, but not least...

Then there was the horse trainer who told riders that the hardest part about learning to ride was the ground.

*****

Happy Trails to you!

American Paint Horse Association

2005-11-11T22:52:00.000-05:00

Do you want to learn more about the American Paint? Check out this
link for The American Paint Horse Association.

Sometimes this site is very slow. Please be patient! Also, be sure to wait a few extra seconds for the photos on the home page to change. They have some great photos of American Paints!

What's in a Name?

2005-11-11T19:03:00.000-05:00

Help me name my horse! Smooth Sailor Boy is my horse's registered name. But I would like to choose another name because Sailor doesn't seem to suit him. Any suggestions?

Let's have a contest! Please post names that you like for horses!

A Dream Come True

2005-11-11T00:51:00.000-05:00

Today was the BEST day of my life! A beautiful registered Paint gelding came into my life. His name is Smooth Sailor Boy. He is a bay tobiano. I can't believe he is really mine.

I have two very nice friends who helped me get my dream horse, Ms. Amber and Mr. Steve. Ms. Amber has a horse addiction, too, and understands girls and their love of horses. She has been addicted herself since before she could even walk! Her grandfather would set her down in the front of the saddle and off they would go!

Ms. Amber knew the woman who was selling Sailor. She called to tell me that she had found the perfect horse just for me. She thought Sailor and I would be a good match. Sailor and I work very well together!

The second person who helped my dream come true was Mr. Steve. He has known me since I was born. Mr. Steve also knows about my horse addiction. He made it possible for me to go to horse camp last summer. (Valley View Ranch horse camp was a blast, but more on that later. I have photos that I will post.) Mr. Steve helped me to purchase Sailor, too. I want Mr. Steve to ride Sailor when he comes to visit, but he said, "Maybe." But I think when he sees Sailor he won't be able to resist!

The Wait

2005-11-10T18:08:00.000-05:00

My mother doesn't like begging, so I had to be very creative. I would leave horse books on her desk and on the coffee table. Sometimes even next to the commode! She finally got the hint and said she would look for a riding teacher. She found a good riding teacher, and so began my life as a horsewoman.

For three years, I took horseback riding lessons from Ms. Amber at her small farm not too far from my house. I learned how to ride English on her twenty-five-year-old Arabian named Kassabella. We call her "Kass" for short. Kass is a flea-bit gray Arabian that is 14.3 hands high.

Riding Kass was fun, but I wanted a horse of my own. What girl doesn't?! "No way," said my mother. "Maybe," said my Dad. My Dad lived in Texas on a ranch when he was a teenager, so he loves horses, too. He even did a little rodeo. My mother grew up in Boston. I figured she had never even been on a horse before. But she said I was dead wrong. She had been trail riding in the Grand Tetons and had been on a couple of other horses.

I knew I probably had a long wait until I got my own horse, so I decided I might as well do something useful with my time. I read every horse book I could get my hands on. I have read every Saddle Club book, every Thoroughbred book, and every Pony Pals book in three library systems. I got the rest of them from Interlibrary loan. I also read many horse care books, horse breed books, and magazines. You get the picture--- anything and EVERYTHING.

An Addiction

2005-11-10T17:24:00.000-05:00

I have a confession to make. I have an addiction. A very serious addiction. (Don't keep reading unless you really want to know!)

I LOVE HORSES!! I LOVE HORSES!! I LOVE HORSES!!

It all started when I was five years old. I was sick in bed and a little whiney. My mother entertained me by reading a story about ponies. I made her read it again and again. She promised me when I got better that she would let me ride a pony. Yes, the promise of a pony ride was the best medicine ever. I couldn't wait! In fact, I was counting the days. Un, deux, trois! (My mother is teaching me French.)

Before I continue with my tale, let me introduce my mother. A petite woman (that's a good French word I learned this week for SHORT) who has been my caring mom for my eleven LONG years. She always gives my brother and me books to read. LOTS of books. (I also have an addiction to books, but I'll save that for another blog post.) My mother says books can take you any place in the world. But she doesn't stop there. She takes us to places all over the world. It is really true! She does!

One day my mother announced it was time for the pony ride. She took me to her friend's barn out in the country. The barn seemed very big to me, but I was excited. The first time I set eyes on "Lady" I knew I was destined to be a horsewoman. Lady was a beautiful sorrel Shetland pony that didn't mind taking me 'round and 'round the round pen. We must have gone around at least 50 times, but my mother says NO WAY was it that many. (What can you expect? I was only five years old.) It seemed like 50 times to me.

From that day on, I was hooked. My mother says I have never met a horse I didn't like, and she is mostly right. There is one horse, Peaches, that I don't particularly care for. Or should I say SHE doesn't particularly care for ME!