Hidden Creek Equestrian Center, LLC

11/21/2024

HUGE photo dump from lessons this past week working on the slalom pole groundwork exercise.

11/21/2024

Hey, horse person......

11/17/2024

Question - How many barns/lesson programmes/trainers/instructors lose clients (or fear losing clients) during the winter months when they switch to groundwork, horsemanship, stable management, horse observation and education lessons when conditions or weather dictate that it is in their own, the facilities, the clients AND the horses best interests to NOT proceed with ridden lessons on any given day?

Answer - A LOT!

Support your trainers or programme when they make smart decisions in your best interests during the challenging winter months.

We make these decisions because we care. We make these decisions because, collectively, Kerry and I have been teaching for 60 years or more.

Unmounted lessons are as important as any ridden lesson.

Walk lessons are as valuable as any lesson in faster gaits.

11/14/2024

I've been feeding horses for a lot of years. By myself, for a lot of years. I just counted.....46+ years. A lot of horses, on both sides of the Atlantic. Sometimes just 2 or 3, sometimes 30 or more, each feedtime.

I still get such a great feeling of satisfaction seeing all the happy, healthy horses eating their morning (grain and) hay.

Yes, I feed in the dark, usually around 5am. It's just me; I go to bed early and get up really early.

What other people do is up to them, just feed your horses well, whatever time it is, wherever you are.

11/13/2024

Lessons will resume on Thursday 14th November; thank you for your patience.

11/11/2024

11/09/2024

A few photos of some of the horses enjoying full sun, very little wind, and a chance to rest and recuperate after the 4 day snow storm.

We are working long hours clearing snow, as well as the normal daily horse care.

Be patient, please.

11/08/2024

We remain CLOSED until further notice.

The snow is heavy, wet and relentless today, and wind gusts forecast to 35mph are sure to create huge drifts.

This much snow will take more than just a few hours of work with a tractor to fix; we also have a private road to our facility which we have to plow for access.

Horses are all doing well.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

11/06/2024

Just a few photos to show why we need to close for a few days....

And -

Hwy 24 is closed from Colo Spgs to Limon

Falcon Hwy is a parking lot east and west of Curtis rd, multiple slide offs and disabled vehicles.

Don't try and travel for the next few days.

11/06/2024

Due to the winter storm forecast to continue through Friday/Saturday of this week, current road closures and deteriorating road and facility conditions, we will be closed, *NO LESSONS* until further notice.

Horses all have double rations of hay, heated water and access to 3 sided, south facing shelters, and are doing fine.

We currently have blowing snow, snowdrifts around 3ft, and north wind over 35mph, and this is just Phase 1 😬🥶

10/03/2024

Lessons today will take place in the indoor arena or the round pen, due to the unexpected presence of a baby cow in the outdoor arena.

A very, very CUTE baby cow, head butting the M marker.

Mooooooo.......🐄

10/03/2024

Yes, and this applies to working with, riding, and handling horses.

Wait with patience, not with irritation. Your horse knows the difference.

Do you?

09/25/2024

"Well, aren't you just an incredibly fine horse; thank you for taking such good care of me". That's what I say to my horse, after every ride. EVERY ride.

Try thanking your horse, praising your horse, and being honestly grateful for the time, and rides, that you have, instead of nit-picking and over-analyzing every single minute detail that perhaps did not go the way you may have preferred it to.

For goodness sakes people, it's a horse, not a machine.

If you rode and you didn't get dumped, you're lucky.

Stop complaining.

09/24/2024

With speed, she used to walk
With a light and even gait
She'd conquer daily struggles
Knowing well they wouldn't wait

She held her head and shoulders high
Watching minutes, hours and days go by
The work she did never offered a break
Her back, arms, and sometimes her heart, would ache
But she didn't quit, she never gave up
It was all she knew, it was what she loved

Days came and went, the routines changed
Sunrise, sunset, sunshine, snow and rain
Demands on body, mind and health
Who said with ranch work came great wealth?
The horses are the jewels that glimmer in the sun
Sorrel, bays, greys, roans, palomino and dun

Those who watch from oh, so far away
Never really know what fills our days
The commitment, dedication, the brutal truths
The heartaches and pain, the mental strain

There's horsewomen out there who want to quit
There's ranchers, farmers, wives and kids
All they know is this life of animal care
Chores in all weather, and that life isn't fair

They know the pain of loss
The strain of paying bills
That hard decisions must be made
They carry that guilt every day

So why don't they quit this soul-crushing life?
Why don't they move on, find work 9 til 5?
'Cos it's not just a job, it's in their blood
It's in their bones, it's what they know
It's a way of life, it's just what they do

To all of those who care for stock
Who brave the cold, the wind, the heat
May your resolve have strength enough to bear
May your heart continue to carry the weight of care
May your strength be mighty when your pain makes you weak
May the moments of joy refuel your tattered soul
May your determination be greater than your need for rest
May you know you are valued, and know you are the best
The best that the animals could want, or need
That gait is slower now, there's a hitch in that getalong
She watches where she steps now, even though her legs are still strong
Gotta keep on moving, don't let age get in the way
Horses, all animals, need us, every single day

So next time you see a rancher, farmer, or anyone who cares for stock
Take a moment to think about their lives, the loads they carry every day
And remember their dedication let's nothing else get in the way
They are unique, they are resilient, they are a rare and diminishing breed
Always putting the animals before their own wants and needs

Sue B.

As Winter approaches, and we are all a little older, here's to those who care for livestock, in all weather, all year.

Heroes for the animals, God bless you all

08/02/2024

Like I've said in the past.......

Shhhhhhhhh....... 😉