Spring Meadows Farm

02/25/2025

I'd say Frodo is kid proof 😆🤦🏼‍♀️

02/16/2025

Luckily the horses can make it to their new hay bale that was put out this morning, and they can make it to their water in the first pasture shown. It's Frodo's pasture and it's imperative for him to have that access. It's bad out there, but it could also be worse.

02/16/2025

I do not have a pond. I do not have a stream or creek. However, today I do. This is the aftermath of the devastating storms that just blew through Kentucky. After we were already oversaturated. All I can do now is wait.

I am thankful that only my land is flooded. My barn is dry and my house is dry. We have all the supplies we currently need. It's going to be rough with highs in the 20's all week, but we will persevere.

02/07/2025

I made a mistake. I knew better, I really did.

When I brought Frodo home I thought I was doing everything right. I quarantined him in his own pasture away from the other horses for about 3 weeks. He could see them, but not go nose to nose.

It was finally time to introduce a new horse to him. I chose my mare Jade. She's great with other horses. They got along great! In hindsight he probably liked her a little too much. They hung out for a couple days. And then I decided to add my gelding Alken into the mix. He was a stallion for 12 years and is the boss man. I wasn't too worried. He also gets along with everyone. And this is where I made my mistake...

In my 30+ years of horses I've been extremely lucky. I've always had mixed herds without a problem. I'd heard from many friends that had boarding barns that they were amazed that I did as they always separated the mares and geldings. I respected what they did, but I never saw a reason until now.

Fighting happened immediately. Frodo was trying to keep Jade away from Alken. Jade was trying to go with Frodo as well. Alken wasn't understanding at all. Frodo was in attack mode. Lots of kicking, biting, rearing, chasing, and squealing ensued.

Eventually it stopped. I was able to get close enough to pull Alken's mane from Frodo's teeth. Frodo and Jade went off to the hay bale and Alken stood and sulked...for almost an hour. He didn't move. He was defeated. Jade was limping slightly from being caught in the cross hairs. It was a disaster of my making. The next week Frodo was back to being by himself and Alken and Jade were recovering from their injuries. It was then that I remembered something that was said about Frodo when I bought him about not being with mares. I don't remember the exact wording, but I should have asked more questions.

This was a month ago.

Today I tried again, without Jade. It was the uneventful pairing that I was hoping for the first time around. In fact, this time Frodo seems almost afraid of Alken. There was no fighting or squealing. No chasing. No fighting. They aren't really even going by each other for the moment, which is fine by me. I'm hoping they can become friends and turnout buddies. And then Jade and Eclipse will be turnout buddies. And maybe eventually we can switch it up and have Frodo/Eclipse and Alken/Jade.

Moral of the story--Don't assume that every horse can go out in a mixed herd. And ask more questions and pay more attention when buying a new horse.

02/03/2025

It was a VERY windy day on the arena hill 💨

Frodo was a wonderful boy being introduced to a ground pole on the lunge line today. Since I'm not certain of his background or training I'm treating him like he knows nothing. We are training slow and steady. He still wants to just run on the line when we first start, but he quickly remembers he doesn't have to and drops to a walk and relaxes. We spend a TON of time at the walk working on relaxation and impulsion. We also do lots of transitions on the line from halt to walk to trot and back down. He's a super quick learner and wants to please more than anything.

02/02/2025

Time to play "What did Jade do this time?"

I went out to bring Jade in to soak and pack her abscess foot with a poultice only to find blood spurting from that foot instead. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Somehow to managed to nick an artery on that foot above her heel bulb. Because she didn't want to come inside on such a beautiful day and decided to trot in little circles around me, she made it worse. After a not-so-mild freakout from me, some rinsing off in the wash rack to assess the situation, padding and tightly wrapping the area, and a call to my vet she is munching on hay in her stall. And I didn't get to soak and pack her abscess. 😞

If you have ever thought about having your own horses let this be a cautionary tale. Horses can and do hurt themselves on nothing.

And we walked and walked the pasture. We couldn't find where she hurt herself.

01/29/2025

It's abscess season in Kentucky 😞 Poor Jade. The frozen mud caused her to bruise her soles. The bruises have caused an abscess. Girl just can't win. It's a good thing I have a giant bag of Epsom salt

01/13/2025

A wonderful snowy sunset ride on Frodo today. He's making progress and he's been so much fun to work with. He wants to please so badly.

It's always an adventure when you bring a new horse to the farm. It gets complicated when you don't know much about the horses background. I've learned that he's hesitant about being caught. He's been taught to just GO as soon as he's on the lunge line, or when someone gets on him. He hasn't been taught about bending around a leg. He isn't sure about a leg squeeze sometimes, but others he doesn't mind. It's like he has all these contrasting buttons that I'm trying to figure out. He's a puzzle. I'm hoping that soon he'll be slowly introduced to the lesson program. Once I've fully earned his trust he's going to be even more amazing.

01/05/2025

The snow and ice have hit the farm!

****ALL LESSONS ARE CANCELED THIS WEEK, Jan 6th - Jan 10th.****

I don't want anyone trying to get around on this ice, and the temps are going to plummet as the week goes on.

3 of the 5 horses are nestled in the barn, while the other 2 are hanging in their cozy shelters with all the hay they could want.

Jade, Eclipse, and Alken say hi!

01/03/2025

This is what is heading our way starting early Sunday morning. I'll be preparing the farm as best I can all day tomorrow. Send all the good vibes our way that it's only snow and not ice 🥶

12/25/2024

Also meet Frodo the newest addition to the farm 🐎 After some settling and training he will enter our lesson program. He's 16 hands, between 16-18 years old and I'm guessing an appendix (quarter X thoroughbred). He's a sensitive soul ❤️

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from Penelope 🐐🌲🎁

12/21/2024

Happy Winter Solstice 🌞 My favorite day of the year is upon us. Finally the days will start to be longer ❤️

12/14/2024

So much closer!!!! Fencing and gravel left 😍

12/12/2024

Big things happening on the farm! I'm so thankful for a handy husband and father-in-law who continue to build me whatever I think I need ❤️

We are adding on 2 stalls with an attached dry lot and then shelter for the horses when they're out in that pasture. It's going to be amazing.

12/03/2024

🥶🥶🥶 Brrrr. Winter has finally slapped us in the face! Here is some winter information:

Remember, we are an outdoor facility. We will NORMALLY ride in the cold. Come dressed warm! But remember, you need to be able to move as well.

If schools are closed for weather, we will close for weather. We follow Hardin County Schools decisions.

If the wind chill is below 20° we will lesson inside the barn. There is PLENTY to be learned!

Here are a bunch of Amazon links for cold weather riding. You do not have to specifically purchase anything extra at all if you already have items! These are just some things I have found in different price ranges. If you have any questions about any particular product please ask ☺️

Sukeen Kids Winter Gloves, Soft Warm Gloves Anti-Slip Touchscreen Gloves for Kids, Windproof Thermal Kids Gloves Winter for Boys Girls, Winter Gloves for Kids Sports Running Cycling School https://a.co/d/iXsmkf6

Kids Winter Warm Sports Gloves - Cold Weather Water-Resistant Children Mittens Age 4 12 Years Boys Girls Black https://a.co/d/hOiejvd

myMareCo Equestrian Headbands Designed to Wick Moisture and Protect Hair Under Helmets, for Horseback Riding, Biking, and Securing Ear Buds https://a.co/d/2Kb2y0H

FitsT4 Sports Kid's Fleece Lined Riding Breeches Girls Winter Equestrian Pants Knee Patch Schooling Tights Cell Pocket https://a.co/d/44aLHDb

BALEAF Girls Riding Pants, Fleece Winter Breeches Full Seat Silicone Kids Horseback Equestrian Zipper Pocket Tight https://a.co/d/6I8CmHi

BELE ROY Kids Horse Riding Pants Winter Fleece Lined Girls Equestrian Breeches Knee-Patch Horseback Tights with Pockets https://a.co/d/4q5CTlE

BALEAF Girls Riding Pants Kids Equestrian Breeches Knee-Patch Zip Pocket Horseback Tights https://a.co/d/fjA9oao

HORZE Polar Kids Thermo Boots https://a.co/d/2qZidaz

11/05/2024

With winter getting closer here are some links to kids winter riding gloves:

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/kerrits-kids-thermo-tech-printed-gloves-25835

https://justforponies.com/belle-bow-stretch-winter-show-gloves-little-kids-sizes-xs-l/

https://justforponies.com/kerrits-kids-thermo-tech-riding-gloves-ink-snaffle-harmony-iris-starlight/

https://justforponies.com/kerrits-kids-thermo-tech-riding-gloves-atlantic-mod-mares-black-solid/

Cool weather rides are more fun with stretchy, grippy gloves in playful pony prints and pretty colors. Brushed interior and elastic wrist lightly insulates, and silicone adds grip ...

10/12/2024

Eclipse enjoying his beauty school 💄 He's so tolerant 😆