Arctic Blast = No Horsey Time

I am so bummed that I have not been able to get out to the barn and see Jack. Even more so I wish I could have been around to help out at the barn with all the winter horse chores. The power was out, propane heaters were used to keep the pipes from freezing and horses were hand walked up and down the barn aisles as the arena was frozen. The wonderful people of Continental Farms deserve a vacation, somewhere warm for all their hard work. I can't imagine going through winters like this every year. The Portland area rarely sees snow and nothing like this has happened in nearly 30 years. As you can imagine no one was prepared. I am sending out warm Holiday wishes to all and extra warmth to those who have put in time and labor to care for our horse buddies in this "Arctic Blast". 

The Problem with Unwanted Horses

More and more articles in horse mags and online sites are focusing their attention on the current situation of what to do with unwanted horses. Just writing the word unwanted makes me so sad. In this article is a link to a survey being conducted regarding this problem. If anyone has time or ideas please speak up. 
A link to read the full article can be found here. 

Riding into Winter

I realize I've been a bad blogger. I am finding it difficult to pack in all I aspire to do as the days grow shorter. I don't officially have internet at my house which I should remedy. Also, I don't always get a chance to take pictures, which I think enhances the blogging experience for me. I will get better. I have been riding Jack as often as I can. He is a new horse I have begun 1/2 leasing. I think it will be a great experience. I have given him a little body work and intend to give him a full massage as soon as he fully recovers from his worms (poor buddy). I am currently trying to figure out what direction to focus my attention towards regarding "the future", or rather "what I want to be when I grow up when I am already grown up". I've decided that I need to be a bit more assertive with the marketing of my massage work with horses. I am finding it difficult with the economy to acquire new business. I plan to continue studying and start offering free massages at my barn, as well as volunteering at a local equine rescue. I am fortunate to have a somewhat flexible work schedule which pays me enough to afford lessons and leasing, although bartending is not satisfying and purely for monetary reasons. My dream is to have a rehab center for horses bringing together various holistic practitioners. I would love to have it be an educational center for horse owners as well, offering workshops and trainings as well as body work and massage for the rider, we all could benefit from that for sure. I recently came across an article in the NW Horse Source magazine about a woman that has a rehab and recovery center with holistic practitioners , located in Bozeman, Montana. She followed her passion and has inspired me to do the same, to think about the possibilities rather than the what if's. Her website is www.fourcatranch.com. She puts out a newsletter if anyone is interested. I hope you all are well and enjoying your horse buddies. 

I am wishing for a wireless internet connection for the holidays, so I can be a better blogger.