Ponder's Western Riding Lessons

09/10/2024

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What is the average lifespan of a horse? With better veterinary care, horses are living longer than ever, just as better health care extends the life of humans. You can expect a healthy horse to live for over 25 years. A horse living into its 30s is not uncommon any more. Find out more about horses at https://www.thesprucepets.com/all-about-horse-age-and-lifespan-1887395

09/06/2024

Please be mindful when passing horses on the road 🫶🏼🤠 Our safety depends on it

Horses need to use the roads to get to bridleways and fields and are recognised in the new hierarchy of the road as vulnerable road users. In 2023 figures show there were 3,383 collisions involving horses, 66 horses died and 86 were injured. 3 riders died and another 94 were injured. 85% of these collisions resulting in injury or death occurred because a vehicle passed to close or to quickly. That's 21 riders and horses killed or injured every month.
All drivers - Please slow down, do not try to overtake until it is safe to do so, give them plenty of room as you overtake slowly and pull away smoothly.
Let's work together to reduce these figures.
Warwickshire County Council Road Safety Education and Active Travel
The British Horse Society
Warwickshire Police
Warwickshire HorseWatch

09/03/2024

Come meet Miss Ponder and Pumpkin!🤠

Be an agent of change! 🐴🌱 Happy Trails Rescue is fundraising at Granite City Walmart until dark. Your contribution will help us improve the lives of our rescued animals. Donate money, feed, or farm necessities and join us in making a difference! 🌚 Come say hello to Pumpkin and our riding instructor!👋

09/03/2024

🤠 Student Spotlight 👨‍🎓
Sebastian and his family, we applaud you for joining us this summer! They were on a longtime vacation from New York City and decided to spend some of that time for Sebastian to learn with us. Your Midwest vacation was surely a memorable one, and we're honored to have been a part of it. Cheers to new experiences and unlocking potential! May the horse be with you 🐴

09/02/2024

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Have a safe and Happy Labor Day from all of us at Happy Trails Farm!

09/01/2024

Who shared our Xray images?! 😅🤠

My heart x-ray.

08/27/2024

WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU❣️
We’ve recently hit 1000 followers on the page and we are so grateful to have you all along for the ride! 🐎🤠 PLEASE continue to spread the word and share this with others alike! If you follow the page, don’t forget to give us a LIKE as well 👍🏼 We’re here for the long run and can’t wait to see many more followers, years of education and horseback riding experiences to come.

08/24/2024

🐴 Riding lessons aren’t just about riding, we also focus on anatomy inside and out. Message us today for more information ℹ️

08/23/2024

Oh no! 😢🥵 The heat is returning, which means keeping ourselves hydrated and cool!
We are weather dependent and have LOVED this cooler weather lately 🤠 Message us for more information on lessons or pony rides 🐴

08/16/2024

We’ve known this for a long time 😅🤠 But it’s super cool they’re studying and putting science behind it 💡😎 Horses are so intelligent

“Horses have the ability to think and plan ahead and are far more intelligent than scientists previously thought, according to a Nottingham Trent University study that analysed the animal’s responses to a reward-based game.

“The horses cannily adapted their approach to the game to get the most treats – while making the least effort.

“Previously, research has suggested that horses simply respond to stimuli in the moment, they don’t proactively look ahead, think ahead and plan their actions – whereas our study shows that they do have an awareness of the consequences and outcomes of their actions,” said the lead researcher, Louise Evans.”

https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/aug/12/horses-can-plan-ahead-and-think-strategically-scientists-find

The actual research paper…

“Whoa, No-Go: Evidence consistent with model-based strategy use in horses during an inhibitory task”
Louise Evans et al.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124001874?via%3Dihub

Read about Akhal-Teke Foundation programs here…
https://www.akhaltekefoundation.org/programs.html

Join our email list here…
https://www.akhaltekefoundation.org/email_list.html

08/15/2024

Support your local and small business 🤙🏼

08/13/2024

Only one more day to schedule a discounted pony ride 🐴🤠 Come enjoy this beautiful weather with us and visit the residents of Happy Trails Farm 🐷

08/12/2024

As a little girl I loved horses. As an older woman I still do, they bring so much joy and peace to my life. I may be older but when I’m with horses that little girl is always with me 💕

08/11/2024

Hurry! Only three days left for a discounted pony ride at Happy Trails Farm. 🤠 Our hand-led rides last 20-30 minutes and offer a unique chance to see our other animals up close. Join us for an unforgettable experience! 🐐🦚🐷

08/10/2024

MESSAGE US TODAY TO BOOK A DISCOUNTED PONY RIDE

TEMP DROP 🤠PONY RIDE SPECIAL❤️🐴

THIS WEEK Ms. Ponder is offering 10$ off on pony rides! A pony ride is approximately 20-30minutes long and hand-led around Happy Trails Farm🦚🐷🐐 Afterwards you’re welcome to greet the other animals 🤠 MESSAGE US TODAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS DEAL.

***For the discount to apply the pony ride has to be scheduled between the dates of 8/7- 8/14***

08/09/2024

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08/08/2024

Our pony ride special is in FULL SWING🐴🤠
This week only, we’re offering $10 off of our hand-led pony rides around Happy Trails Farm. Come have a ride and enjoy this breeze with us! Message us today!✨

08/07/2024

08/06/2024

TEMP DROP 🤠PONY RIDE SPECIAL❤️🐴

THIS WEEK Ms. Ponder is offering 10$ off on pony rides! A pony ride is approximately 20-30minutes long and hand-led around Happy Trails Farm🦚🐷🐐 Afterwards you’re welcome to greet the other animals 🤠 MESSAGE US TODAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS DEAL.

***For the discount to apply the pony ride has to be scheduled between the dates of 8/7- 8/14***

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