Fast Winds, Slow Talk

There were high wind warnings Saturday but we thought that because we were heading south we would not be affected, so we loaded up our Haflinger and our cart and headed to Berlin, Ohio, in Amish country. We arrived at an Amish farm, home to one of the club members and harnessed up, our Haflinger's blond mane flying in the wind. Yes there was wind, especially since the farm set upon a very picturesque hillside in what is known as Little Switzerland.

The wind was fast, but the pace was slow as it always is in this community. There was time to tell stories in detail, time to talk about family and about horses. There was time to talk about farming and about weather. You see this is a place that is unplugged from TV, radio, cell phones, and that is partially what makes it so special and such a sanctuary for me.

Learning to move at a slower pace isn't easy and at first it can seem irritating. In the American culture quieting the mind is not especially valued or practiced. It's a skill that we are quickly losing, but along with it we are losing our mental and our physical health. Driving or riding through the countryside is an exercise in seeing the world at a slower pace, and of noticing beauty we often miss when we are going too fast to see.

I hope that you are able to quiet your mind on a regular basis and the best way to do this is with the help of horses.

Peace, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net

Don't Tread on Me

Being the back seat driver that I am, whenever my husband does not make a full stop at a stop sign my smart ass comment is that the rules apply to everyone else but not to him. Actually I stole this remark from a friend's wife who used it in a similar situation.

This came to mind when I read, in my local Horse Council newsletter that riders were riding in environmentally sensitive areas where they were told not to ride. Delicate wildflower beds were destroyed in the process. Trails that were painstakingly being repaired were ruined. I guess these riders felt that the rules didn't apply to them and that these public lands were their private playground.

These public lands are a gift to be treasured and to be persevered. Riders who don't follow the rules may jeopardize my right to ride these trails and that would really piss me off.

Let's remember rule # 1 from kindergarten: play well with others.

Happy Trails, Kathy, horsedrivensite.net

Tail End

The other day I took a photo of my Haflinger running through o back field, blond main flowing in the wind. He's funny and mischievous but easily directed, with a great personality and work ethic.

Brushing that double mane and fluffing his forelock are like having my own giant My Little Pony. Then comes the tail. Whatever wonderful delicacies that he consumes in the field work their way out the other end. Unfortunately my Haflinger barely lifts that overachiever of a tail.

I've tried everything from sheath cleaning gel to peroxide to soaking to get those brown stringy streaks off of his tail. You see cleaning baked on manure on a blond tail becomes an Olympic event. I've awarded myself the Gold medal for effort because I've finally found the secret mix.

Happy Tails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net

Nothing to Sneeze At

Spring and fall are my favorite times to ride; one of the best parts being that these seasons are relatively bug free. The temperatures are generally perfect. In spring the wild flowers are frolicking throughout the woods and in the fall the leaf colors shining in the sun will knock your socks off.

The past few years and especially the past year I had noticed that during these seasons I didn't have my usual zip and I felt fatigued and had some heaviness in my breathing although I had very little coughing. This was all especially noticeable this past fall when trail riding became more effort than fun.

Over the counter allergy medication helped to a point, but it wasn't until I went to a new physician that she speculated that I was experiencing the subtle symptoms of asthma. Now with a prescription allergy medication and an inhaler to use seasonally, I feel spunkier.

The point of my story is that those of use who have seasonal allergies (not to mention all the hay, hair and dust that we're exposed to) are at risk for asthma at any stage and that the symptoms are subtle and easy to miss.

Stay well, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net

Urban Trail Ride II

For those of you interested in the June 4Th through the 6Th "Best of America by Horseback" event at the South Chagrin Reservation in the Cleveland Metropark system, here is a sample of clinics. Starting at 4PM on Friday there will be clinics on Horse Psychology and Communication, Equine Massage, Search and Rescue, Trailer Safety, and Obstacle Course Riding.

On Saturday, between 1PM and 5PM, there will be clinics on Therapeutic Riding, Biomechanics of Horse and Rider, Donkeys on Trail, Reining, Starting the Young Horse, Trick Training, Pasture Conservation, Carriage Driving, and of course the Pig Roast at 6:30PM.

See you there, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net

"Urban Trail Ride"

Come ride with Tom Seay who will host the filming of "Best of America by Horseback" in the beautiful Cleveland Metropark system. You heard it right, the CLEVELAND metropark system, one of the best kept secrets in America. I have mixed feelings about "sharing" but will work to play well with others.

Base camp will be at the Polo Field of the South Chagrin Reservation. There will be primitive camping, free clinics, trail maps and trail guides will be provided, day riders are welcome. There will be Cowboy Church on Sunday. Preregistration is required.

The filming and the event will take place 6/4,6/5,6/6. The Friday ride will be at the Brecksville Reservation, Saturday, at the South Chagrin Reservation, and Sunday ride will be at the Bedford Reservation.

Save your appetite for the Saturday evening Pig, Beef and Chicken roast with all the trimmings, raffle, live music, and campfire.

For more information contact Ken Skoczen, skoczenkm@sbcglobal.net

See you there. Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net

Show Me

Whether you are a driving enthusiast or a riding enthusiast, there are all kinds of opportunities here in Ohio to show and to have fun.

There's an All Breeds Carriage Driving Show in Randolph, Ohio on June 26Th and 27Th. There is overnight camping available and 5 divisions to choose from. This is an entry level show so no sweat; don't worry about being fancy. This show is sponsored by the Ohio Welsh Pony Association.

For you Haflinger owners the Ohio Haflinger Association is sponsoring their spring drive May 8Th in Millersburg Ohio. Riders and drivers are welcome and the length of the drive is 15-20 miles long. Bring a lunch and a potluck dinner will follow at about 4 PM.

The Western Reserve Carriage Association will be having a Schooling CDE at Windy Knoll Farm in Sullivan, Ohio. Windy Knoll is a beautiful indoor and outdoor driving facility. This is so much fun for drivers of minis to drivers of warmbloods.

Check out the Ohio Horseman's Council website, ohiohorsemanscouncil.com for the schedule of exciting trail rides in Ohio.

Time to get out and have some fun! Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net