Long Farm

08/19/2024

08/04/2024

Make Them Carry Their Saddle

A father of a darling girl and I were talking last week and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.

Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)

When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.

When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.

When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.

Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.

When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.

After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.

Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.

Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.

So parents, make your children carry their saddles. Don’t do the hard parts for them, as long term it actually hurts them. To advance with their riding, they must get stronger. You can help by doing the high parts.

I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.

Hannah Campbell Zapletal

06/23/2024

06/21/2024

Summer time heat is here!
Fly gear and extra water for the kiddos.
Jump field is cut!

06/18/2024

02/20/2024

Spring is coming so fast 😅
credits: Pinterest

02/05/2024

Sunny pedicure morning. 🐴 ☀️
So thankful for Nathan and all he does to keep the ponies moving in tip top shape.

02/04/2024

Finally dry enough to catch some rides!

01/10/2024

Yes, sure 😂
credits: Pinterest

12/21/2023

The best Buck quote ever !

"Until you can walk, trot, canter AND gallop on a loose rein with direction and purpose collection is a JOKE. It's not collection, it's containment for an insecure rider. Containment and paranoia. It's pulling and holding and you're just calling it collection to sound noble." -Buck.

12/19/2023

Fuzzy ponies, Mikes annual bright tree, sweets, and little Bray learning to post on Luna.

12/19/2023

We rarely blanket/sheet. Let their bodies do what they’re designed to do.

Dr. Kathryn Slaughter-Mehfoud, DVM, offers blanketing tips to ensure your horse keeps a comfortable body temperature throughout varying weather conditions.

12/15/2023

Mark your Calendars!! 2024 Show dates are finalized!! We look forward to seeing all of you in the New Year!

11/04/2023

Very good info to keep on hand

Great practical information courtesy of the horse doctors at Barrow Veterinary Service:

NORMAL: NOT JUST A SETTING ON THE DRYER!
If your horse seems a little "off," do you know what his "normal" is? One of the best ways you can determine if your horse is ill is to know his normal vitals—temperature, breaths per minute, heart rate, and capillary refill time. If they are outside the normal range, a call to your equine veterinarian is definitely warranted! Any refusal to eat a meal or to get up from a recumbent position is also a clue that you and your equine friend need assistance.

11/04/2023

Today we got to go to a Charlotte Cannon clinic with Sully & Lindsay! A very informative/postive day! Plus got to meet Dr.Thames little mini buddy 🫏

09/24/2023

It’s finally fall y’all 🤩🍁🎃

09/21/2023

😂

🤣

09/17/2023

Whether it is taking a mile long ride or looking to camp with your horses. North Carolina Horse Council is bringing trail information to you in one place. Check out the highlighted trails below!

09/17/2023

Barn days with friends, the best kind of days

07/31/2023

Loving this ☕ holder

07/20/2023

4 leaf clovers, evening rides and barn babies meeting their big brother 🤠🖤