Mountain Spring Farm

02/03/2025

One of my Mountain Spring Farm Fillies, and her little 6 year old boy. Couldn't have a better home for this girl!

01/30/2025

Never would know that the wind chill is -22⁰C..but the barns shelter them...but pretty sure they are loving the sunshine!

01/27/2025

More mini fun!

01/25/2025

Too funny! This Filly, Ava makes me smile!

01/22/2025

Beautiful a.m. at MSFarm!

01/19/2025

Lol! My Fitbit has never told me this before..had 2 days last week over 20,000...but today has been rather slow..although..not over yet! Heading to my barn now..then after I will take it easy! 🥰

01/19/2025

Hay Bar Completed! My horses love it! Just need some netting over top..working on that! Bernie is a definite keeper! 🥰 Mini Hut is next!

01/19/2025

To the owner whose horse is stabled - you work so hard to ensure your horses needs are met so they can live in comfort, thank you for your dedication!

To the owner whose horse lives out - your horse is fortunate to have an owner that can provide them the space to roam and graze as nature intended!

To the owner who rugs their horse - they will be so warm and cozy under their blanket, and less grooming means more time to ride!

To the owner of the unrugged horse - their coats are fascinating how they adapt to the weather, aren’t they?!

To the rider who wears cheap riding leggings and rubber boots – good for you…. you know that your horse couldn’t care less what you are wearing!

To the ‘all the gear and no idea’ rider - wow! You look incredible, your horse has everything it could ever wish for! You don’t have to be a grand prix rider to wear matchy-matchy. Go, you!

To the rider who rides once in a while – brilliant! It is so difficult to fit horses in around the rest of our lives. It’s great that you make the time to do the most that you can with your horse!

To the rider who never rides their horse – no problem. How lovely for your horse to spend its life being cuddled, groomed and grazing in the fields, you must have a wonderful relationship!

To the rider who rides everyday – go for it! Your dedication is admirable and your horse is benefiting from training and fitness. Well done!

To the happy hackers - you are living the dream of millions! What an honour to share such adventures with such extraordinary animals!

To the barefoot fanatic – I admire your passion. Barefoot is the best option for many horses. It is wonderful that you are trying to improve your horse’s comfort and foot health!

To the owner of the traditionally shod horse – fantastic! Shoes are the best option for many horses. It’s great to know that your horse’s feet are protected from the surfaces that we ask them to work on!

To the rider who trains with every professional and expert going – brilliant. What a wealth of knowledge and expertise you have access to!

To the self-taught rider – you must be so proud. What an achievement!

To the professional rider – you inspire me. Your results and rosettes are impressive. They are not won without hard work, commitment, sacrifice and talent. You deserve your success!

To the rider who has never won anything – who cares?! Your horse doesn’t! The passion you have for your sport is worth so much more than any material!

If you want to win and have not had any luck – keep going. You will get there eventually. The hardest won successes are the sweetest!

To the owner who keeps their horse spotlessly clean, neatly trimmed and pulled – marvellous! I applaud your attention to detail. Your horse looks beautiful!

To the owner whose horse is caked in mud and has dread locks – I laugh with you! You know that horses love to roll and if you were to bath your horse today, you would find them in exactly the same mucky state again tomorrow!

As long as your horse is happy and healthy, what you do with your horse is nobody else’s business. The only time anybody should interfere is if there is a genuine equine welfare issue, a safety issue, or if you have specifically asked for advice or help. Otherwise, please let’s not judge others.

‘Each to their own,’ and if it’s good for your horse then ‘good for you!’ 🐴❤️

01/18/2025

OMG! The feet!!

01/18/2025

Totally agree..and the "new" helmets..as opposed to the "old" hard velvet ones..that were not even certified..are like wearing air..no reason not to wear one...IMO!

I still see people posting videos and photos of themselves riding without a helmet. Every time, I’m shocked.

It’s even worse when the person is an influencer, a coach, or riding at a boarding stable.

First, you only have one head, and accidents happen so quickly.
Second, younger riders look up to you and see you as an example.
And third, it’s a matter of insurance.

I don’t hesitate to point it out in the comments, hoping that one day everyone will understand the importance of wearing a helmet and the message it represents about safety.

01/16/2025

Great days for training ..love no wind! I really need pockets! Lol!

01/16/2025

"Beginner safe" is an interesting phrase used too often with horses. What do you think it means? It implies that no manner of 3 yo or 70 yo, from 40 lbs to 400 lbs, either kicking wrong, pulling the bit harshly, on the iphone taking selfies, nothing will deter the horse from moseying along, at the exact speed and direction that is has guessed, from mind-melding with the rider, because there is literally no other direction forthcoming from any tangible method. Oh and let's not forget the random dog, car, fireworks, other outer stimulation that a 'beginner safe' horse is expected to manage with no guidance from the rider.
Kind of a crazy notion, when you think about it, isn't it?
Many 'beginner safe' horses have quickly been ruined by humans who don't even try to be fair and kind back, who abuse the patience of the horse until the horse must protect itself, and is blamed in the process.
A horse is a living being, not a machine.
There are horses who are kind to beginners, and must be valued for their charity.
What may be more fair, to all, is to at least state WHO the beginner rider is, and what steps THEY WILL BE TAKING, to no longer be a beginning rider. For example, "I am a newly returning rider in my 50's after 30 years away from riding, raising my family, and so I am rusty, and would like a horse that is mellow enough to forgive my mistakes, while together we take lessons to form a partnership". Now THAT PERSON, I could get behind as a potential adopter. I would also want them to understand that as their skills improved, their horse is still the same relaxed horse, and there may be a danger in the rider outgrowing the horse in abilities. So, actually, I would suggest that potential new adopter take some lessons before adoption, to see if they really want to ride and what kind of riding they may want to do. Many returning riders, as it turns out, just want to enjoy the company of a horse.
Which cleverly circles back to our 2025 Theme, "Taking Home the Companion Horse".
Yes, we mean it.
I know my personal life has vastly improved by enjoying the presence of horses, and even by that late night walk to check things out on the farm. YOUR LIFE WILL IMPROVE, when you take the leap and adopt a horse (actually 2-3 horses, because no horse, at least adopted from Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, will live alone. Unless you board! A great option for support for all).
Photo courtesy Carien Schippers, ImagEquine, of a mare at Rosemary Farm Sanctuary. To get your imagination flowing.

01/14/2025

Minis..just hanging out!