new post for students

I am doing a post to show my students how easy it is to use a blog.

IT'S OFFICIAL AND IT'S RIGHT HERE IN KIRKLAND LAKE

THE RCMP MUSCIAL RIDE!

It is a great honor for Kirkland Lake to host such a prestique event and I for one, am very excited!

The ride will be Friday, May 29, 2009 at Civic Service Stadium! These talented riders will be staying at Rosegrove stables during their venture here. I plan to soak up as much of this event as I can, so you can be sure I will return to Equine North Blog with a story for those that might have missed it.

But really, you don't want to miss it! Perhaps they are in your area if you can't make it here. Check out their website for more details. http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mr-ce/index-eng.htm.

Tickets will go on sale May 1st!

See you all there!

Ride with the wind @

www.equinenorth.net

KEEPING WARM

Winter just keeps dragging and for most Equine lovers, this isn't a good thing! Although I do ride all year long, including trail rides, many of you don't because you hate to be cold. I can't stand to be cold either! However, the whole secret to staying warm is the bottom of your sole and I mean your feet, to be exact, your toes.

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but if my toes stay warm, the rest of me does! So I usually invest in a ton of toe warmers (photo at the left). A well worth investment for any outdoor winter sport!

These live savers can be purchased at Canadian Tire as well as many other stores that sell outdoor gear aren't aren't pricy either. I put on a think pair of socks, apply the toe warmer, then put another pair of thicker socks on over top and VOILA - 6 hours of toasty warm toes!

You can buy other warmers, hand warmers, full feet warmers, and bigger ones to use on your thighs etc, but I find the toe warmers enough, the rest of me is bundled up with winter clothing and away I go.

So give em a try, and let me know what you think!!

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

HE'SSSSSSSS BACK!

Josh Lyons will be back again this summer for those of you who missed him last year, or those of you, like myself, who are addicated!

I posted a story last year on the 6 days I spent with Josh Lyons. You can refresh your memory at http://www.equinenorth.net/Josh-Lyons-Day1.html

To find out dates of Josh's arrival, visit http://www.equinenorth.net/ under the Equine/Calendar Event section.

In August, you can even complete your Accreditation with Josh Lyons! Wow, what I would do (almost) to be a part of this! Heck, I'd love to be a part of the clinic again, but when you don't own a trailer and a fat bank account, it's not so easily achieved. So, I will go to watch at least.

Anyways, any of you who may not had a chance to check this out last year, you must not miss it this time around!

It is being held at Pro-Chevalin Horse Training Center St-Bruno-de-Guigues, Québec.

If you get a chance to purchase the crooked stirrups, you won't regret it! Read my article below to learn more about the stirrups. I've been riding in them since last year and I put a lot of hours in the saddle and I hardly experience the knee problems I use to have riding long hours.

So, get "Josh Lyonsed!" haha, with Josh Lyons this coming summer!

Winter Blahs

I first have to apologize, it's been awhile since I've posted to the blog and not because I'm not riding etc, I am, even in this darn cold!

I'm not a big winter fan, never have been, HOWEVER, it is a very beautiful time to ride when the temps are 50 below with blazing winds nearly knocking you clear out of the saddle.

When the new year starts and those crazy holidays are done, and we can finally find room to breath again, we start to think of show season! YIPEEE..oh wait, it's still at least 3 months away for most of us! Oh well, it's still getting closer. And today, I noticed the daylight was lasting longer.

On a good note, I am boarding with a facility that has an indoor. I don't use it nearly as much as I should being the trail rider love I am, but I am using it and I am trying an honest attempt at being better prepared for show season. Whether it happens or not, is a different story! You can check out their website at www.rosegrovestables.com.

So www.equinenorth.net is starting to prepare for the upcoming season. If any of you have your event or clinic ect already planned, send it our way, it's FREE, so why not.

Don't forget, we take on any new and exciting or sad equine stories too!

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

Crooked Stirrups

Yep, I know, sounds like something defective, well it's the farthest thing from!

Go peek at a pair of your old stirrups. Does the place where you stand, the tread, have a lot more wear toward the outside than it does closer to the horse? Do your little toes go numb, your back ache, your legs hurt and your knees get "wore out" when you ride, especially for an extended length of time? Well I know I felt all of the above, but that's changed since I invested in a set of these crooked Stirrups.

The first minute I mounted and placed my feet in the stirrups, I was like WOW!!! I felt an instant difference in my seat, and how my legs were positioned. These stirrups have not only reduced much pain they've improved my riding and improved my horse!

They are available in different sizes and really don't look so bad on the saddle either.

Mosey on over to Josh Lyons websites http://www.lyonslegacy.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=84 to get more information. Even the Lyon's family rides with these!

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

STORM CHASING

One thing about trail riding in the summer, is the weather can change in a heartbeat!

I headed out on a trail ride with a young girl on her pony riding along side us. We rode for about an hour and I could feel the air change. It was cool, like the feel or rain on it's way. We could hear distant thunder, but that's generally not so much of a threat.

However, we decided it's best to ride back and be closer to the barn incase. Once we started up the driveway of the barn, the lightening started filling the sky, so we decided that was it.

As I was driving back to town (1o mins from cochrane), I came upon a view I'd never seen in my life! I didn't have my camera, but I had my cell, so I was able to capture this amazing site!

Once I got to town, you could literally see night and day over the lake. Then within seconds, the storm hit and hit hard! I was inside in a local store and it sounded like there were a gazillion stones being pelted against the building and outside. It was hail, bigger then I ever saw. Big enough to hurt and big enough to cause damage. There were even broken windshields and dented vehicles!

The winds were picking up and the lightening was nonestop. Filling the sky, lighting up the huge hail as it filled the deep puddles that had started forming from the hard rain mixed in the hail.

I took a quick run out to my van and got home as fast as I could. This storm lasted a good few hours and took the hydro out with it. It's neat how creative one can be when their hydro is out.

Anyways, I am thankful I wasnt' out on the trail when this hit. I don't think there's a horse out there that could of or would of handled the size of that hail!

To the right, you can see in front of my boot, a piece of hail that fell at my feet at the door of the store..that is HUGE hail!

Ride safe and ride with the wind @ http://www.equinenorth.net/

Porquis Summer Schooling Show
June 22, 2008

Despite the unpredicable northern weather, the first Porquis schooling show was still a lot of fun for all who showed. The day started off sunny and actually too hot at some points, but sure enough, part way through, mother nature did her thing.

Right in the middle of a showmanship class, as I was going towards the judge, BOOM! Lightening hit, thunder rolled and hail bounced off my horse back like nails! My poor mare was curling around me begging to find an escape from the short, unexpected storm. We all ended up going into our horse trailers. No, not to stay dry, I was already soaked by the time we got there!

After about 30 mins in, the rain let off and we completed the riding part of the show including games. The ring was a bit wet, but everything still went off smoothly..

Tiffinany's students from Horse Power Stables experienced their first show with joy as they went home with many ribbons and a big smiles.

We placed 2- 1st's, 5 -2nds, a 3rd and high point for open. However, there wasn't many people in Open, so the competition was slim. Shelly with Sweet Pea did fantastic as always!

Lisa Boivin was our judge and did a fantastic job. She will be judging the next show on July 20th as well.
Congrats to all who placed and all who reached their goals!

Ride with the wind @
http://www.equinenorth.net/

Josh Lyons Clinic

I am just pumped! I still can't believe my horse and I will have the privilege of being in the same ring as Josh and most likely Jana Lyons (that's his wife). June 6th to June 11th. We will be there for the 3 day symposium and the 3 day rider clinic!

Josh and his Father, John are my equine hero's. They just have a way with horses that achieves all you could imagine without the use of the old "cowboy way". Give the horse a job, what better advice to give to a rider and their horse.

I've always dreamed of being able to partake in a Lyons clinic but never thought I'd have the opportunity. When I heard he was coming just hours away from where I live, I was ecstatic! I mean tears in my eyes ecstatic! It was a hefty price to pay but people spend that on holidays to warm countries each year, so that's my holiday and I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing!

Chelsea Buns and I are pretty pale in comparison to a lot of the riders enrolled into this clinic, but we still mean to absorb all we can from this clinic.

I plan to keep a journal of each day and TONS of photos, so be sure to watch for your story when we return.

This event is open to viewers all 6 days. If you want to get your ticket to watch and or to find out where it's held (Centre d'Entraînement Pro-Chevalin) visit: http://www.ceprochevalin.com/en/index.php. Hope to see you there! Be sure to say hi if you see us.

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

Annual Horse/Tack Auction

This past May 10, Mother's day weekend, held the annual horse auction held at the sales barn in New Liskeard. Not only is it a place to sell or buy a horse, and or buy tack, used or new, it's a great social gathering for horse folks in the area! It's great running into all my equine friends under one roof!

The auction always has at least 100 horses to bid on, from mini-ponies to great big work horses with big hearts waiting to please. Checking out all the horses can also work up an appetite. The auction cooks fresh burgers, hot dogs and sausage on a bun outside. This also, right next to the building which hosts TONS of new horse tack. You can either buy what you need brand new or wait and place a bid in the auction room.

This event just seems to get bigger and bigger each year. There was traffic parked for miles and equine shoppers all over.

These auctions do have their downside, some of those horses are very unloved and it's not easy to keep a blind eye to them :( On the positive side, there are some great horses up for grabs too, show horses, trail horses, even papered horses!

Unfortunately, I don't attend to purchase a horse. I wish, but one horse is all I can handle for now. Perhaps one day if I ever get my own barn, I'll be loading a trailer with auction horses.

Until then, ride with the wind @
www.equinenorth.net

One Horse Town
If you live in Cochrane Ontario, this past Sat, March 29, 2008, you might have caught a glimpse of myself and my Quarter Horse mare, Chelsea Buns, parading down the streets of Cochrane.

We rode in from where we board (roughly a 1.5 hour ride in), and rode through town. It was a beautiful day, perfect for riding! No wind, warm and the ground was perfect, not slippery and not too messy.

There were many new experiences for my mare from the big mill, water tower, to some large equipment digging ditches. Buns was fantastic, hardly a reaction from anything, except the horse eating, sewer grates of course. However, she soon realized they weren't going to eat us, at least not that day.

The most exciting thing about riding a horse through town is the reactions of people who see the horse, especially the children. I see so many smiles, I can't help but smile right back. I so remember that feeling when I was kid if I saw a horse. There was no stopping me! I'd have to go see that horse. So anytime, I'm asked to stop I do.

We spent some time standing around at L&R's to let people pet Buns and answer the gazillion questions the children had. The biggest one answered "yes, you can ride your horse in town". Horses were the first mode of transportation, so they are welcomed on just about any streets in any city, town etc. Horses have as much rights on the street as your vehicle.

So if you live in the area and you see us riding by, don't be shy, shout to us and we'll stop! Chelsea Buns loves the attention anyways!!

Ride with the wind @ http://www.equinenorth.net/

Romance hasn't died

I recently had the privilege of meeting the owner or Windsong Carriage from Owen Sound: http://www.windsongcarriage.com/

Gordie, the founder and owner of Windsong, brings back the days when the only mode of transportation was horse and carriage. Only, he does it with a touch of class; top hat, tails, and a smile that would melt anyone who looked his way.

His handcrafted, fringe top surrey carriage which he custom made himself, strolls down the city streets with his proud, powerful horse/s. In this case, it was Duke who took us for a stroll, a kind, golden, Belgian who's wants nothing more then make sure you enjoy your ride/tour through the streets.

Windsong is known mostly for doing weddings. What a romantic way to say I do, even for the not so equine lover. Riding down the streets in a classy carriage controlled by a handsome man in top hat and tails and the sound of the horses hooves pounding on the pavement. Surely an addition to your wedding photo album you'll want to have.

Windsong will go pretty well anywhere in Ontario. Your best to give him a call directly (tell him equine north set you) to find out the specifics, but from what I hear, it's a memory never to be forgotten. I know I'll never forget my trip there. Just visit his site to see what he offers, his horses and learn how this business came along.

Ride with the wind @ http://www.equinenorth.net/

April 3, 2008

HIDE THE FLEECE! Well, it's that time again, horse lovers dare NOT wear anything fleece to the barn in fear of returning home looking like sasquatch! All of our equine friends are starting their spring shed! So between the shedding of my quarter horse mare and wiretin willy saying 6 weeks to spring, I'm pretty excited!

Winters just seems to get longer and longer as I get older and older. So the site of shedding hair is such a pretty site!

If anyone has some great tips to help with spring shedding please share. I do know many people who show early in the season, will start to double blanket their horses to force the shedding even faster. I just use a lot of elbow grease and a shedding blade.

PARADES!!

On another note, Cochrane Ontario, recently had their Winter Carnival. I love riding my horse in parades and had hope to do just so. Weather was a factor in leaving the decision till last minute as well as trailering with whomever might be going. So I was pretty up in the air on where I stood. However, company coming over for the day helped to make the decision.

However, a few locals did get to enjoy the parade with their horses. Doug Jenson proudly rides his steed and in front is little Miss Roy on her little pony. Perhaps next year I'll get a chance to ride in the parade.

In the meantime, ride with the wind @ equinenorth.net

BRING ON THE MUD - SHOW SEASON

I just finished filling up the event section of Equine North with some of the upcoming Equine Events! A sure sign we will be buried in the shedding of spring horse hair all over us, as we try to shed our horses winter coats for the first show being May 2008!

Bring on the Mud! Really, I will be so happy to see terra firma not covered in that white stuff everywhere I look! I'd rather walk through the mud , because then that means it's warm outside and that show season is right around the corner!

Those of you hosting any equine events, or anything equine related, please email it too annae@puc.net. We will post it FREE of charge on www.equinenorth.net.

For anyone new, www.equinenorth.net is a site created so all Equine lovers can visit one place to learn what events, clinics etc are up for the season in Northern Ontario. As well, for those of you planning events, you can see what is happening so you don't overlap events.

Equine North, now in it's third show season, has a lot of traffic. EN also has pretty high rankings with just about any horse phrase search on the search engines. So why not give your event the exposure it deserves..FREE!

Why FREE? Well, just because. My passion has and always will be horses. I love my horse, and I love to show. So this is just my part to the equine community.

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

Jan 28, 2008

Is the End in Site?

Well, winter has been long and it's still far from over if your from Northern Ontario. The ole white stuff hit us early and hit us hard and hasn't stopped.

At one point I was really wondering where the snow was going to go, however, mother nature decided to tease us with 3 days of spring weather and rain in Jan. At one point, I could see the garden starting to peek out from beneath the melted snow. BUT, on that 4th day, Mother Nature decided it was a joke and she dumped it all back on us!

Enough about the snow, there is something to look forward too besides spring; A Josh Lyons Clinic will be help in our parts from June 6-June 8th. Sounds like an exciting weekend for those participating and even the spectators.

I'm a HUGE fan of Lyons methods and of course, Josh isn't hard to look at either ;) I defintely plan to be spending that weekend up in Pro-Chevalin Centre D'entrainement. In Guigues, Quebec to learn even more of his methods.

If you'd like more information on the Lyons Clinic, visit www.equinenorth.net under Equine Calendar/Events.

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

A New Season Begins: It's been awhile since I've last posted. I was complaining about rain in the last post, and guess what, it's been raining for the past few days! haha, we're never happy are we?

Winter has started to blanket us with his white stuff though and even thick enough to start sleigh rides, but now I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here. Since my last post, I have moved my horse to a different boarding facility which is only 10 mins from where I live rather then 45!

Now, don't get me wrong, Crystal Clear Stables was awesome! We had top notch care, and learned sooooo much being there! However, the drive was getting the best of me. I really need my horse time and now being 10 mins away, I'm getting my fill! It's rather exciting knowing I can go out and ride and see my horse anytime and be part of her daily routine. I really am in 7th heaven.

So, the new barn is Power Horse Stables is owned by Tiffany and Dameon. This family is known for many horse related activities from barrel racing, summer camps to Winter Sleigh rides!

Thunder, the big, trusty Belgian, has and will be giving many smiling faces sleigh rides through some winter wonderland this season and I get to experience this first hand! Chelsea and I went for a ride on one of the test rides on the first snow fall. Thunder covers ground mighty quick as he pulls the big red sleigh through the trails surrounded by snow covered trees. What a great way to spend some time with family.

If you'd like to book a time to take your friends, family or staff on a sleigh ride, just phone 705-272-2517 or email: horse-power-stables@hotmail.com

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY!

If you are from Northern Ontario, you have already started or are contemplating, building an Arc!

This Summer, wait, what summer? This apparent summer has been the most wet, damp, cold and dirty summer that I recall. I'm sure there isn't anyone that will disagree!

I have given up checking the weather each day. I am now the weather forcaster. I call for rain and more rain. Wait, I hear thunder, again. So perhaps a thunderstorm.

When the sun does appear, don't let it fool you. It's a trap to lure you outdoors. Once you start to enjoy the warmth of the sun and hope it will finally dry up the more then soaked ground, guess what, yep, you got it, it RAINS!

I board my horse, so I can get away from this crazy weather. I feel sorry for those of you on farms right now. Nothing dries up. The ground is such a mess everywhere you go! I'm not sure what kind of hay will be available this year, but I can imagine it will be quite costly.

On the weekend, we managed to get a dry session to do some work in the ring. I then thought I'd take advantage of that sun and head out on a trail ride. So, Chelsea Buns, my horse, my dog and myself head out into the wild blue younder.

Not even 10 mins from home, I can feel the air change. I slip on my rain coat thinking it's going to rain any min (surprise surprise). Sure enough, the drizzle started.

I figured I'd rebel against that rain and keep riding, that perhaps, it will drizzle only a bit and then the sun will appear again. NOPE, the further from home we went, the harder it rained. It rained so hard at one point my horse had her head to the ground trying to avoid the pressure of the rain on her face.

So, we had to turn around and we headed home. The ride was not a waste though, soon as we hit the open field, a galloping we went! It really is like riding with the wind when you gallop free, but doing it in the rain is even more of rush!

So, if by chance you see an arc floating by this summer, it's most likely me, so jump aboard and join us.

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

THE WORLD IS A SMALLER PLACE

I know, your thinking "what does this have to do with horses?" Well plenty really. Read on.

Facebook has been around for a bit now, but it's only recently that it's become a household name pretty much. If you aren't on facebook, it's kinda like saying "no, I don't have a phone".

Facebook has become the worlds addiction x 10. I refused at the start of this new phase to join something of the such. Like I have time for something else. However, after upteen million requests to join people's facebook, I gave in, and I'm glad I did. Why you say? For many many reasons.

First and utmost important reason: I've found friends I have lots touch with for years and years! Just today, I found my teenage friend that I hung out with throughout public school years. Just before that, I found a childhood friend I hung with in my original home town when I was like eight! Friends from the past town I lived in and people I met on other internet related places and lost touch with.

It also seems to keep people in touch more, remember birthdays and blah blah blah. Mind you, like all new addictions, I'm sure it will fade away. But in the meantime, if you haven't joined, try it. It's free (no I'm not making any side money on this..haha) and it's also fun!

Now for those of you asking why I mention this on a horse blog, well there are a gazillion horse groups you can join and there's a lot of familiar horse folks from the area on there.

So when you join, look me up "Anna Sawicki". Check my groups to find the horse groups (there's still plenty more, I'm only in a few) and check my friends to see if there's any you know and don't forget to add me to your friends list too!

Just a reminder: The next TPHC Western performance show is June 22. Points from the last show have been posted at http://www.tphcon.com/ (their site only works in IE..no, wasn't' created by myself)

So ride with the wind @ http://www.equinenorth.net/

May 26, TPHC Western Performance Show

The first Western Performance show of the season was a great learning experience for Chelsea Buns and I. As well, the hard work we've put in during the last month shined through.

This year traveling to the TPHC shows has increased in the miles. I now travel with Crystal from Crystal Clear Stables. The 3 hour ride up went well and safe.

The show started off great in Showmanship, taking 2nd place, with Crystal in 1st! I was extremely pleased with this placing. With Crystals skills and the time she spent with me as well as time practicing, it paid off come show time.

We placed in 3rd in halter. Even at 18, Chelsea still has an awesome build and holds herself well. This season she is starting off in great shape as well.

Our riding classes, we placed in the same as we normally do, last or 2nd last. However, we prevailed in many areas that we set as our goals and I was quite proud of my mare as she can be quite silly at times.

What was important to us was that we kept a nice slow jog, transitioned more smoothly between gaits and actually stopped within a few steps from canter to walk. I also wanted to keep a better seat. All prevailed!

Our long-term goal is to slow down that canter, hopefully that will come. We still have many miles to go yet.

Crystal placed well with her new prospect, Portia. This young paint mare was also so well behaved for her first show, you'd have thought she was a seasoned show horse. Her Daddy, Aladdin, whom you will see showcased on her new website (available soon), threw his handsome genes into this pretty mare as well as his personality.

Crystal was very pleased with her mare.

Zoey who also boards a horse at Crystal Clear stables joined us at the show. She placed 1st using Portia in the Youth Showmanship..great job Zoey! She also hung out with us and helped us out, thanks again for that!

Another highlight of the show, is seeing my old horse friends again as well. Since I've moved away from the area, I don't see everyone often, so the horse shows allow me to interact with old friends again.

See ya all at the next show..

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

Putting on the Miles..
Sunday was yet another planned trail ride. "Thinking we might be considered the three musketeers", Doug, Pascal and myself headed out for a relaxing 3 hour trail ride. This ride was a learning one though.

When planning any kind of trail ride, it's always best to be prepared BEFORE you head out. Be prepared for what, well ANYTHING would be the best answer!

How about losing a Chicago screw off your rein, and not having something to tie it back on with? My boot lace did the trick, but this little moment makes me realize the importance of filling that horn or saddle bag up with things that might be useful.

Here's a great list of things I've learned that is handy to bring along..

Lead rope
halter
extra leather pieces (for tying)
hoof pick
small first aid kit
bug stuff for person and horse
compass
phone
knife
water
snacks
a watch

But remember, anything important, such as cell phones, medications etc, if you leave it on your horse and your horse gets away, it's of no use to you then. Keep things like that in your pockets.

For people who like to show, trail rides are a great chance to introduce your horse to strange places and even work on different things you'd do in the show ring. I generally relax when I trail ride, but I do tend to take advantage of some things when the moment is right.

Riding alone on trail rides isn't always the safest thing. If you do, it's always good to let someone know where your going and how long you think you'll be. BUT one thing that is great to have if you ride alone or even with other riders, is a dog. A trusty dog will keep other animals at bay or warn you of any upcoming danger. They make great company too!

My German Shepherd, Lance wasn't introduced to horses in the first few years of his life, but he's adjusting well and yesterday was his first long trail ride on the road and in the bush with us.

He was FANTASTIC! He stayed to the side with us when traffic passed, he didn't bother the horses and he kept a good pace with us. However, when we returned home, he crashed and I think he moved once to try to get on the couch and his back end didn't seem to want to think the same as his brain. He didn't wake until late this morning haha.. But, you watch, next time I load my saddle in the van, he'll be wagging his tail begging to come for more.

So as relaxing and fun as trail rides can be, it really is good to be better prepared then we were when we headed out, lesson learned.

Do you trial ride too? Do you have stories, or tips you'd like to share? Don't forget that at http://www.equinenorth.net/ you can send your stories, tips, ideas or even equine events and business info to us at NO COST. Our readers can learn from your ideas and enjoy reading your stories.





Ride with the wind @ http://www.equinenorth.net/