Magnesium Chloride

The Magnesium Choloride arrived at the barn (finally) this week and those of you have been braving the winter weather to ride will appreciate the lack of dust.

I know our family is always looking for a good science fair project.  I think figuring out how Magnesium Chloride works and why it can't get wet would be a perfect one!  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_chloride)

The delay in delivery was caused by the fact that so many trucks have been busy delivering Salt to the NorthEast that it was very hard to schedule the delivery.

Remember -- don't let it get wet!!!

Training Patty!

Going to post a bunch of pictures to Facebook, but these of Krissy and Dixie working with Patty are so fun!  Patty is up to trotting for 10 minutes and is staying sound.  Fingers crossed.

She has stopped trying to bite at Dixie.  Who, by the way, is just such a wonderful old lady. 

I can't believe how BIG Patty looks next to Dixie. 

Happy Trails to You, Until We Meet Again.

Think SUMMER!!!

Karrie and Jacki have been busy putting together great summer programs!  I will have dates and specifics soon, but here is some preliminary information:

We WILL do 'full access' lease again this summer.  It will be age limited again (entering 6th grade or higher), and some weeks it won't be offered if there is another program (like a jumping clinic) that will use some of the same horses.

We are going to be doing some programming as an intro to Pony Club.  More on that to come.

Brandy is going to offer some Gymkhana programs which will be fun.

Of course we will have the standard beginner programs too.

New this year will be adult programming on Thursday late afternoon/early evenings.

Trail lessons will be on Tuesdays.

Here a a few pics from last summer to get you excited!

Brrrr & Grrrr (I've used this blog title too much this year!)

Way too common a scene this winter.

Even the cows think it is too cold and snowy

Way too cold for lessons today.  Ugh.  Stay tuned for the rest of the week given cold and snow.  Lauren and I are very excited for 60 degrees in Austin! 

Karrie is beginning to schedule Saturday lessons -- particularly for folks on the season-lesson pack.  Please reach out to her if you haven't heard from her.

Also, we are pulling together info on upcoming riding programs:  February vacation (will hope to do the days that Pine Cobble also has) and perhaps March and April -- and soon, the summer programming schedule will be ready.

Also, will do a longer blog but to reward those who have read this far:  OakHollow has scheduled the spring Gymkhana (April 10) and Spring Show (May 1st).  Who will be a May Basket for costume class????

Weekend Lessons Cancelled

As you can feel, it is bitterly cold outside and will remain so for the weekend.  We are cancelling lessons.  This has been a really tough winter to keep riders in the saddle.  Karrie is going to start to set up some Saturday afternoon make-up sessions to see if we can beat the weather!

I am ready for spring.

Today -- this week

Another bitterly cold day today and a storm coming tomorrow.  As some of you know, I am heading to Boston for some important family matters.  Please call the barn or your instructor if you are wondering about lessons.  I will have internet access but may be slow to post. 

Here are some great Krissy pictures of the big storm last week.  I will post all her recent pics on Facebook.

no lessons today

pretty snowy, windy and cold.  Enjoy the snow day!

It can be fun to ride in the snow

While the indoor ring provides the opportunity to ride in any weather, our boarders have been hitting the track for some outdoor riding.  Funny how when it gets up to 30 degrees in January, it feels warm. 

Have you ever seen a rainbow in winter?

I don't ever remember seeing one -- and I was not home the day Krissy took this picture so I still haven't.  Pretty amazing!  Also, every rainbow I've ever seen on the farm in the summer has been over the opposite mountain (more toward Pine Cobble -- this is the Taconic Range).  I wonder if that has to do with the weather patterns in winter v. summer?

Looks like we are having a traditional winter -- cold and snowy.  If we do get dumped on Wednesday, I will let you know about lessons, but generally the driveway is clear in time for after school lessons even when there is no school!

Happy New Year!

I am not very good at those year in review things but we certainly are looking back fondly on 2010 and with great anticipation for 2011.  Here are a few of my favorite pics from the year we are leaving behind.

Max became a frequent and welcome visitor throughout the year, particularly to summer programs

We had a wonderful summer -- with the terrific help of Jacki and (not pictured) Jenna (who was keeping a secret!)

One of Krissy's many great shots of our horses.  Who is this???

We did a lot more jumping this year and the course set up in the lower pasture was challenging and fun.

Buddy the photogenic wonder dog.

Hard to remember now just how HOT it was this summer.  Here was one solution.

Older girls cleaning tack in an early (cold weather) riding program.

This was actually from February 2010 ... looks familiar.

One of my favorite Krissy shots from last winter.

Our Halloween programming was a hit -- with our twins!

Our increased trail lessons were a wonderful addition to our programming

A great family shot that makes me smile.

More Halloween fun

We did two parades this year -- here, 4th of July.  The horses were very good sports.

Kids of all ages love a ride in the back of a pick up truck.  Even the Clown Truck.

One of the highlights of our summer -- Linda's wedding.

Oak Hollow's Spring Show still gets our riders excited for the costume competition.