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Archive for September, 2009

Horsemanship Enrichment Programs Photos

11 Sep

I would like to share with you some photos from our 2009 Horsemanship Enrichment Programs the First Series that took place from June thru August of 2009.  This was a terrific group of talented ladies that all have a deep love and appreciation for the horse.  They were dedicated  and took their studies seriously.  With earger minds and open hearts they were able to effectively tune into their equine sense and began an incredible journey of equine communication.  I had an absolutly wonderful time working with this group.  I am proud of all of them and look forward to seeing them expand their Horsemanship Abilities.

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Horseshoe Dreamcatchers we made at our Creativity Workshop

Horseshoe Dreamcatchers we made at our Creativity Workshop

horsemanship 4 023

 

Upcoming Programs: Communication, Control, Calmness, Connection

11 Sep

2009 Horsemanship Enrichment Programs Second Series:

Communication, Control, Calmness, Connection

The 4 C’s that can not be left our of Horsemanship.

These 4 Programs will consist of ‘less talk, more action’ ground work sessions.  In other words we will be doing LOTS of hands on ground work with our horses!  Programs to be offered;
 
Talking with our Horse…  without using words.  (Communication)
 
Who’s the Boss?…  establishing ‘Alpha”  (Control)
 
Building the ‘Trust Bridge’…  becoming partners   (Calmness)
 
Equine Awareness… arriving at destination   (Connection)
 
This Series is going to be an incredible one! I am just bursting with excitement to see you expand your Equine Horizon!  Oh the wonders that are out there when working with the horse!

Class size limited to 4 participants per day.

Dates the Programs can be offered: (dates and times can change depending on number of attendees and weather.)

October 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th (all Saturdays 11:00 am to 4:00 pm)

October 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th  (all Sundays 11:00 am to 4:00 pm)

October  8th, 22nd, 29th and Nov 5th  (all Thursdays time to be announced… )

The Horsemanship Enrichment Series cost is $40.00 a Program, for returning students and $50.00 for new student registrations, there are 4 Programs in the 2009 Horsemanship Enrichment Program Second Series, remember all Programs include a yummy lunch! 
(Total cost for returning students $160.00, cost for new students $200.00)  

 

If you would like to recieve more information and a registration form please contact Amy Lee at 505-205-6820 or dressagedreams@msn.com 

 

 

 

 

2009 Horsemanship Enrichment Programs

11 Sep

The 2009 Horsemanship Enrichment Programs  are a Series of  educational programs that will build upon each other to develop a solid base of equine knowledge.  It is geared toward the adult beginner equine enthusiasts that are looking to further their equestrian journey in a friendly, safe, comfortable learning environment.  These programs are also for current horse owners or those who have perhaps been around horses and are now seeking more detailed information.  In other words there is something for everyone!  No horse ownership is required. 

 These programs will offer lectures, peer interaction, demonstrations and a lot of hands on training with our wonderful equine partners.  The First Series of  Horsemanship Programs will concentrate on principles that will increase the participants confidence, safety and knowledge of their equine partner while working with them on the ground.  There are no mounted sessions during this first set of  Horsemanship Programs.  These  Programs will establish an excellent foundation of communication, control, calmness and connection between human and equine while working together.  Each participant will receive a binder in which to organize their handouts and educational materials that will be provided from each Program to keep for easy reference.  Lunch and drinks will also be provided.  We also have plenty of shade, chairs, tables and a restroom.  I am also in the process of scheduling guest speakers for some of the Programs, such as vet, farrier, nutrition, etc…, I will announce them as they are confirmed.  The Horsemanship Programs will be held at our facility located in Bosque Farms.

 As adults most of us probably work during the week so the Programs will be held on the weekend.  Each program is scheduled for 5 hours either on Saturday or Sunday.  (On the Registration Form you will select the day that works best for your schedule) These programs cover a lot of information and are designed for plenty of one on one time with the horses to practice what you have learned.  The cost for each Program is $50.00 for the 5 hours.  Registration is limited to 4 participants per day.  If you would like to reserve a spot send me an email stating which programs you would like to attend.  If you know of anyone else that may be interested in this information, feel free to pass it along. If there is enough interest additional Programs dates can be scheduled.  If you are interested in Adult Horsemanship Camps (complete with riding lessons) please let me know as I am planning/scheduling now for Horsemanship Camps during the Fall.  

 Thank you!

 Amy Lee Mowins

505-205-6820 cell

505-869-3592 home

dressagedreams@msn.com

315 Braught Lane

Bosque Farms, NM 87068

Update:  The First Series of Horsemanship Programs has ended.  Thank you to all who participated.  These Programs were a terrific success and I am extremely proud of all of the students who attended.   These students are now continuing on with their Horsemanship Journey with the next Series of Programs.  If you are interested in attending the First Series of Programs please contact me as I will be scheduling another Series of these first 6 Programs. 

 

Horsemanship Enrichment Programs  (First Series)

 

 

The first Program:   EQUINE SAFETY AND PSYCHOLOGY  

Topics to include:     Safety Around Horses 

                                        Body Language, Equine Senses

                                       Herd Dynamics

                                       Arena Work — approaching, catching/haltering, leading, securing

                                      *Lunch Break*

                                      Human/Equine Communication

                                      Round Pen work — Bonding, Opening the Lines of Communication 

  

The second Program:  EQUINE PARTNERSHIPS

Topics to include:     History of the Equine

                                          Breeds, Colors, Disciplines

                                          Communication, Control, Calmness, Connection

                                           Arena Work — leading exercises, navigating obstacles, moving parts of your horse

                                          *Lunch Break*

                                          Spiritual/Emotional Connection

                                          Talking with our Horses… without using words

                                          Round Pen work — (Pressure/Release of Pressure)

 

 The third Program:    EQUINE ANATOMY

Topics to include:      External Anatomy

                                          Digestive System

                                          Reproductive System

                                          Teeth, Hooves

                                          *Lunch Break*

                                          Practicum — Anatomy

                                          Movement of the Equine

                                          Identifying Gaits 

                                          Creativity Workshop

 

 The fourth Program:  EQUINE MANAGEMENT

Topics to include:       Care and Maintenance

                                          Importance of Grooming

                                          Practicum — Identification and Use

                                          *Lunch Break*

                                          Equine Nutrition

                                          Well-Being/Exercise

                                          Arena Work — Equine Mental Health

 

 The fifth Program:      EQUINE EQUIPMENT    

Topics to include:        Tack (English and Western)

                                            Training Aids

                                            Practicum —   Identification and Use

                                            Saddle Fit

                                            Bridle Fit

                                            *Lunch Break*

                                            Accessories to Tack

                                            Care and Maintenance of Equipment

                                            Round Pen Work — Working the horse in hand

                                            Lounging

 

 The sixth Program:   EQUINE STABLE MANAGEMENT  

Topics to include:     Routine Health Care

                                          Daily Wellness Checks (colic, lameness, swelling, etc)

                                          Equine First Aid  

                                          Practicum — taking pulse, respiration, temperature, weight, height, applying bandages, medicines

                                          *Lunch Break*

                                          Stable Necessities

 A horse is the projection of peoples’ dreams about themselves – strong, powerful, beautiful – and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.”  

— Pam Brown

 

Stretching and Relaxation for You and Your Horse Program

11 Sep

Horsemanship Enrichment Program: Stretching and Relaxation for You and Your Horse.

This coming Sunday, September 13th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at our facility in Bosque Farms.  In this Program we will be learning exercises for the rider to stretch, strengthen and relax before and after a ride.  These exercises will help you develop a more balanced and relaxed body to deepen the communication between you and your horse when you are in the saddle or working along side them.  When we as the ‘leader’ carry ourselves in a relaxed mental state we are more aware of our surroundings and able to concentrate on the task at hand, developing that trust, partnership and communication with our horse.  After lunch we will help the horses learn to stretch, strengthen and relax.  We will practice gentle stretching exercises that can be done on the ground for the horse to release tension they may carry in their bodies.  These exercises will help us develop a sense for noticing when our horses may have sore spots, muscle injuries, tightness in one side or the other, movement issues and how they are feeling every time we work with them. Discussions will cover what we as a horse owner/care provider can do for our horses to improve their quality of life and freedom of movement and when we may need to call in the professionals for chiropractic/acupuncture/massage or veterinary diagnosis and care.

If you would like to attend please contact Amy Lee at 505-205-6820 or email at dressagedreams@msn.com for registration and directions.

Update:  This Program is currently full     Please watch for upcoming Programs on this blog or email Amy to get on the email list for future Programs and Creativity Workshops.

 

Meet Ranger!

08 Sep

Since I was working on my computer this evening Ranger has made his nightly patrol and was once again drawn to my monitor.  I snapped a couple pictures of him while he was in my studio…

Hey, at least he is sitting in front of the monitor... I can sorta see the screen.

Hey, at least he is sitting in front of the monitor... I can sorta see the screen.

Ranger is laying in my studio chair.  Makes it hard to work when there is a cat in your seat.

Ranger is laying in my studio chair. Makes it hard to work when there is a cat in your seat.

Below is a picture of the two Jack Russells the day my husband brought Ranger home…  They are at an alert level we call   “JACK 4″  (there are 5 levels in Jack alertness with 5 being the “get ready to attack” mode.)  Ranger is just out of  the picture, he was exploring the kitchen.
"Stand at attention, be prepared to strike... there is a CAT in the house!"

"Stand at attention, be prepared to strike... there is a CAT in the house!"

 

 
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Zucchini Overload

08 Sep

This year was my very first year to try and grow a garden.  I have never tried to grow anything edible before so I did not have a clue.  I just thought it would be a neat thing to have in the backyard of our little farm.  Right?  Have a farm, must have a garden.  Well, we had to choose a spot in the backyard… that took a while… I wanted it here, my best friend said “no, put it here!”,  my husband said “I think here.”  And yes, we all were pointing in different locations… so we debated even more…  I figured we had to make a decision soon or I would miss planting season all together.   To keep peace in the house, after all I live with my husband, not my best friend. I decided the place he picked out would be best.  Late morning sun, couple hours of good direct sun, then some afternoon shade from the nearby pine tree and then it would get some late afternoon sun.  As you may know we live in New Mexico, things planted in the direct sun have a tendency to dry up real quick, especially when you forget to water things like I have been known to do.  Anyway, sun with some shade relief during our super hot summer days was the best idea I thought.  We borrowed a roto-tiller and got to work… we found a great buy of recycled timbers at a local salvage yard… and for fertilizer?  Yea for owning four horses!  A few tractor buckets of dirt/manure from the horses paddock and later and we had the makings of a nice garden bed…

Corky's favorite game... she puts her ball right where I need to rake so I cover it... then she can get it!

Corky's favorite game... she puts her ball right where I need to rake so I cover it... then she can get it!

 

Once we got the timber borders in it was just a matter of waiting out the New Mexico spring.  We are very close to the Rio Grande River so our temperatures would drop to below freezing at night and warm up to 60 during the day…  This made it hard to tell when to put the plants in the ground for this beginner gardener.  

 
 
Putting in the timber borders
Putting in the timber borders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Finally warm enough to plant the tomatoes.

Finally warm enough to plant the tomatoes.

 

I planted three kinds of tomato plants (let me add here I don’t even really like tomatoes… my best friend had tried growing her own tomatoes before and had informed me she just couldn’t do it they kept dying or would not produce so I guess I felt I should give it a good ‘ol Texas try and since we do everything bigger in Texas… three kinds of tomatoes.)  There seemed to be all this room between those tiny little tomato plants so I planted a basil plant in between the first two and a parsley plant between the other.  (no, I have no idea about what you even do with ‘real’ fresh herbs… figured I would learn).  In the next row I planted Zucchini, again never was a big fan of zucchini but the gentleman at the greenhouse store said “they are easy to grow!” and they besides they were suppose to be healthy.  However, those little plants seemed kinda small to me so to be extra healthy I planted two in each mound…I had  three mounds.   Behind the zucchini I planted three bell pepper plants, gee I seem to see a pattern here…  anyway, three just happen to work out because there is one green, one red and one yellow.  In the next row I planted celery… yep you guessed it… three celery plants.  (this is actually getting embarrassing)  behind the celery I planted 6 onions, not the little spring onions, but the ones that amount to something. (but hey! not three, six!  Sure 3 times 2 is 6, I know…)  Okay next row, well my rows got a bit messed up by the time I got to the east end, I had a big pot of strawberry plants that had survived the winter in a temporary greenhouse we built so I sat them in the corner.  On either side of  the strawberries I planted more herbs.  Let me just say those gardener guys at the greenhouse can see me coming from mile away… I walked out that day with an oregano plant and rosemary plant, all I knew about oregano and rosemary is ‘ man they smell good’, and to help fill the one side of the garden that nice gentleman at the greenhouse said I needed six little sweet corn plants to finish off my garden nicely.    So I planted all my little plants like the tags said, with lots of phone calls to my mom and sister, thankfully there are a few good gardeners in my family.  

Plenty of New Mexico sunshine and lots of water

Plenty of New Mexico sunshine and lots of water

 
  

  Time went by, I dutifully watered, pulled weeds, talked to the plants, called my mom every time something changed, grew or budded.  Soon I realized those little tomato plants were out-growing the regular size “cages” that nice gentleman at the greenhouse said I needed.  Now I was headed back there to buy something bigger to hold up the tomato plants.  (Good going nice guy!)  I was talking to mom one day saying I had some blooms but no tomatoes yet… she told me that an old Texas farmer that had sold us our land in Texas and always had great advice for us ‘city slickers’, told her to make the plants produce you needed to whack them with a stick a few times and tell ‘em to grow!  Of course I laughed.  Grandpa Jolly, as I called him (they weren’t my real grandparents but when an adorable blond haired 4 yr old ask if they would be her grandparents what do you expect them to say?) Anyway, Grandpa Jolly was always out to put one over on my dad so I figured this was another one of his jokes, so either my mom had fallen for it then and now still believed it or she was trying to pull one over on me.  I chose the college educated, “oh mom you don’t know what your talking about”  route.  Again, time went by, all blooms, no tomatoes.  One night when no one was around… I found a stick, quickly walked over to the plants and gave ‘em a whack, well a couple whacks actually and more a “Dang it!  Grow! ”  growl then asking them nicely.  I had just dropped the stick when my husband came out and asked what I was doing outside in my garden, in my pajamas, so late… just “checking the plants” I told him, “thought I saw a critter run in here.”  Wouldn’t you know it a few days later there they were… tiny little tomatoes!   I of course called my mom to let her know.  Her first question was “so you whacked them with a stick huh?”    “Oh mom don’t be silly… I would never do that!” 

   Soon I had my first zucchini, I was so proud, I made my husband go get the camera and document it so I could send it to mom and my sister.  

The first zucchin

The first zucchini

  Before you knew it the garden was taking on a life of it’s own.  I went from incredibly proud to just how big are these plants going to get?  I was asking everyone for recipes for zucchini, searching the Internet for interesting things to do with them, giving them to my friends, somebody take these zucchini!!!  Baked, sauteed, grilled, sliced, diced, shredded, stuffed (John and I even made zucchini boats, which was an excellent recipe for stuffed zucchini by the way!)  And yes, I have made several loaves of zucchini bread!  They seemed to be possessed by a growth hormone or something, maybe that one late night when I was out whacking the tomato plants, I mean checking for critters, I might have accidentally hit the zucchini plants… who knows. I have just never seen zucchini this big before, not even in Texas!! 

Celery, tomatoes, strawberries, bell peppers and zucchini, oh my!

Celery, tomatoes, strawberries, bell peppers and zucchini, oh my!

 

 

 
The zucchini takes over.  You can not even see the celery, onions or bell pepper plants!
The zucchini takes over. You can not even see the celery, onions or bell pepper plants!
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
More goodies from the garden.

More goodies from the garden.

And the tomato plants? Oh yeah, we have tomatoes!!  If anyone has some creative recipes for tomatoes let me know.  As for my best friend, she comes down all the time and raids my garden for tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, fresh herbs,etc.  She didn’t even bother to plant any this year at her place up the road… thank goodness for that!  We have also all had our fair share of bell peppers, corn, celery and when we can beat back the tomato plants, we have even picked fresh basil and parsley to use in some yummy recipes. I also planted four (yeah! not three) potato plants and they are growing pretty big and they even have blooms on them (I bet the tomato plants told them to look out for the crazy lady in pajamas with a stick!)  Anyone know how to tell when potatoes are ready to harvest?    The moral of my story?  Don’t plant in threes, I need a bigger garden and don’t plant herb plants between tomato plants because they don’t stay little for long!

 

How much bigger do they get?

How much bigger do they get?

The latest bucket of "healthy" stuff!

The latest bucket of "healthy" stuff!

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

Get to know us…

05 Sep
Amy and Chief

Amy and Chief

John and Slick
John and Slick
A student with Buckshot
A student with Buckshot
John with Pale Ale
John with Pale Ale
Buckshot and Pale Ale
Buckshot and Pale Ale
Slick and Chief
Slick and Chief
She is just adorable!
She is just adorable!
Corky Lou is the 14 yr old JRT
Corky Lou is the 14 yr old JRT
Ozzy the Lab Mix
Ozzy the Lab Mix
Concho is the rescued JRT
Concho is the rescued JRT
 
 

My First Post!

05 Sep

Manhattan Mischief and Amy LeeHello Friends!  Here we go in the world of blogging!  Hang on tight my friends, I am new to all this technology stuff so this could be an interesting ride!  Then ‘Why Blog’ you might ask… good question.  For those of you that know me, my mind has a way of wandering off deep in thought quite often, usually at night when I am trying to get to sleep!  Sheesh!  Where is that off button again?  Anyway, it occurred to me that I really enjoy telling my stories, adventures, tiny bits of wisdom learned along life’s path, items that peak my interest, funny things that happen, etc. .. basically I am a born and raised Texas Gal and we love to talk!  Usually pretty loud too and yep with big Texas hair, well not so much big hair any more, but you get the idea.  And actually I think my life is fairly full of interesting things on a daily basis.  All in how you look at life I guess… but I think it is interesting, why just a week ago my husband brought home a cat, yep, a C-A-T.  Now for normal folks that may un-interesting… me? Not so normal, never really had a house cat before… had some wild barn cats growing up, I learned not to try and hug  them often believe you me.  So, John brings home a cat from the shelter… might seem boring to some, however, let me add— we have 2 Jack Russell Terriers, they believe cats were put on this planet for their entertainment and 1 BIG Black Lab Mixwho thinks anything furry, quick and not a Jack Russell should be chased and possibly eaten by him.   As you can imagine we have had quite a few interesting moments lately.   Such as, I did not know cats could jump that high, I did not know a 14 yr old overweight Jack Russell could still shimmy under a bed that quick, I never knew cats could hiss, fluff and arch their back to the point of looking like some prehistoric predator, I found out that a 90 lb lab mix can fit in some pretty small spaces, I absolutely never knew that a computer monitor was a cat magnet, I also found out just how much dust there is on top of my refrigerator by the numerous cat prints left across my microwave, stove top and kitchen counter and did you know an 8lb cat can launch 7 tomatoes that were sitting next to the kitchen sink in 7 different directions across the kitchen when a large black lab is pouncing at a high rate of speed?  For all you that maybe concerned for the cats well-being, “Ranger” is doing fine, the scratches on the Jacks will heal in time and the lab may need to be in psychiatric care soon.   Oh yeah, this blogging is going to be a terrific ride!  Hope ya’ll come back and visit soon.  Gee, I wonder what kind of excitement will happen this weekend…

 
 
 
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