Terra Cello Farm LLC.

09/01/2024

When you are the best girl and work really hard to learn new things you get to graze in the front yard.

08/30/2024

We exclusively feed Tribute Equine Nutrition brand feeds here at Terra Cello Farm.

08/26/2024

https://yourdressage.org/2024/08/22/usdf-instructor-trainer-development-seminar-on-riding-and-training/

Mary Moon attends the revamped USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program's Dressage Seminar on Riding & Training, held at Weatogue Farm LLC in Salisbury, CT!

08/21/2024

Not much better than the smell of freshly mowed paddocks and bleached wash stalls! Loving this break in hot weather to get extra work done. Thanks to Wheeler’s Landscaping & Construction for the mowing!

08/17/2024

Sherman; Head of Quality Control, enjoying his payment for services rendered.

08/14/2024

08/05/2024

Just finished overnight turnout; those better not be spicy clouds 🤦🏼‍♀️

07/16/2024

The best girl after a 2 day clinic off farm.

07/12/2024

The summer heat and sun won't be letting up any time soon, so make sure your equine friends are adequately protected from harmful UV rays. ☀️

Hot summer weather puts horses at risk not only for dehydration and heat stress but also the skin damage and discomfort that accompany a sunburn— just like humans.

A lot of equestrians love some chrome on a horse, but it's important to remember that those beautiful white markings and the non-pigmented pink skin underneath are more likely to suffer from sunburn, especially in areas where the skin is more sensitive — like around the eyes and the nostrils.

In addition to the pain and discomfort, horses that are prone to recurrent sunburn may also face other long-term consequences, like the increased likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinoma (a common cancer).

If your horse is susceptible to sunburn, contact your veterinarian for more information about sun damage and recommendations to keep your horse protected this summer.

07/08/2024

It’s so hot out Martha insisted on wearing no pants

07/04/2024

This is a hard post to write. I thought about sharing this news in a purely positive way. But I think I’d rather be 100% honest. And I’m happy if this leads to a discussion on how our industry can change for the better?

I’ve decided to stop leasing the gorgeous farm where I’ve been for the past few years. I’m no longer going to have horses in full training (which for those who know me, you know that is my absolute love) and just be a freelance instructor teaching a couple days a week in the area.

I sat down and did the math on what my finances would be like if I just taught two days a week and had no expenses outside insurance, my car, memberships, etc. I would make MORE working that little than I do right now. And I run a pretty great program - my barn is always full with a wait list, about half super nice young horses and half FEI horses. My students and I compete a lot, very successfully. But the cost of running a program like this is so high, that even though I am “successful”, I barely make a living wage. I pay my wonderful assistant trainers more than I make (because they 100% deserve that salary and more!) And of course I could raise prices even more, but I think I charge an awful lot, and at the end of the day, I just feel awful about expecting people to pay SO much for a luxurious hobby.

Of course, people don’t go into this business with a dream of making a big profit each year. And that is a legitimate argument - you do this for the love of horses and riding. But when the costs and the stress of running a big barn start piling up, that argument gets pretty tired pretty quickly.

By far the biggest struggle I’ve had over the last few years is keeping good employees. And I know all my fellow barn owners and trainers are struggling as much as I am. I have a few AMAZING employees (endless thanks to Kate Tackett & Nicole Wilbur) and right now my best workers are 15, 16, and 22. So the argument that “kids these days are awful” is not true. But the instances of employees quitting with no notice, being offended at having to physically work hard, having incredibly low standards for the work they do, and outright lying have been more and more and more lately. It’s exhausting, and the fact that I’m paying $20/hour, run a great program, and am STILL getting these kind of workers makes me feel no optimism for the future. 😞

In the past I didn’t pay hardly anyone. I just had working students who worked off their housing, board and training. And that worked much better. But that seems to be a thing of the past? People now expect all that AND $600+ a week. And if my business made so much money that I could do that, I would love to. But the math just flat out doesn’t work.

My social media feeds are FILLED with barns begging for good help. I don’t know what the answer is. But I know I’m at the point where I would like to have the time to look at what else life has to offer. I’ve done this professionally for 20 years (and for fun since I could walk.) It’s a huge deal for me to imagine that I won’t be riding every day here on out. But it’s also incredibly exciting to imagine my life without these stresses. What if I didn’t have to get up at 5:30 and feed and muck because the weekend worker quit at 10pm the night before? Maybe I’ll start a hobby. 🤪 Or maybe I’ll just hang out with my wonderful husband and beautiful kids and have a coffee at the table instead of racing down the road in my car…

06/30/2024

When your horses have the day off, it’s hot and humid and you have possession of 5 gallons of Pinesol and a power washer……Barn owner ASMR

06/18/2024

In this kind of heat I take “We ride at dawn!!!” , seriously. Light colored saddle pads, cool baths and electrolytes make for an easy recovery and a great way to start the day.

06/11/2024

Another perfect visit with Sugar Run Equine Dr. Pope.
Regular adjustments are key to our training program!

06/11/2024

He’s back!!! Taking a well deserved nap after making sure we all had Velcro butt.

06/07/2024

⚠ Heads-up for those headed to HITS or interacting with horses competing there ⚠

A horse there recently tested positive for EHV-1 and was removed from the grounds on Tuesday evening, June 4. Check out the update from the HITS Horse Shows office here: https://www.hitsshows.com/hits-hudson-valley-official-update-ehv-1/

👀 Be on the lookout for signs of EHV-1 infection:

➡️ Respiratory Disease: rise in temperature; coughing; nasal discharge; lack of appetite.
➡️ Neurological Disease: hind limb weakness; incoordination; paralysis and the inability to stand.
➡️ Abortion and death of newborn foals.

🧼 You can take preventative measures against the spread of EHV-1 (and other communicable diseases):

➡️ Vaccination can prevent clinical signs & reduce the spread of the disease
➡️ Practice good biosecurity (avoid shared water sources, equipment, etc...)

Contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns or suspect possible EHV-1 infection!

06/05/2024

UPDATES GUIDELINES AVAILABLE 📢

The AAEP has issued revised Internal Parasite Control Guidelines to help minimize the risk of parasitic disease and maintain the effectiveness of current drugs for as long as possible by delaying further development of anthelmintic resistance.

The updated guidelines account for recent advances in knowledge concerning increased anthelmintic resistance and optimization of parasite control management practices. They also address common misconceptions and offer parasite control program recommendations for senior horses (over 15 years old), mature horses (between 5 and 15 years old), and young horses (under 5 years old).

Read more at: https://aaep.org/post/aaep-publishes-updated-internal-parasite-control-guidelines/

The guidelines were reviewed and updated by the AAEP Internal Parasite Control Guidelines Task Force, chaired by Dr. Nielsen and comprised of 10 AAEP members predominantly board certified in veterinary internal medicine, veterinary parasitology and/or veterinary microbiology. We thank them for their incredibly important work!

05/24/2024

Moon over night check just now.

05/22/2024

Wonderful event, there was so much valuable information shared the first day and having the benefit of hands on the second day further solidified the principles and theory in real time. I strongly encourage anyone who can to attend these events!

“Lungeing can complement training programs for horses and riders. We’re here to help you learn how to choose appropriate equipment and use safe techniques for lungeing for correct dressage training based on classical principles according to the Pyramid of Training,” co-clinicians Ann Guptill and Vicki Hammers-O’Neil told almost seventy auditors and participants at a USDF Dressage Development Seminar organized by the Connecticut Dressage Association (CDA).

Get a front row seat to the seminar & read the key takeaways here: https://yourdressage.org/2024/05/14/cda-presents-usdf-dressage-development-lungeing-seminar/

05/14/2024

Bets on how long she stays this clean?

05/11/2024

Northern Lights on the farm.

05/07/2024

Early morning REM. The rooster, the dog, all the morning birds and me making breakfast didn’t wake him up. Some of us just need our sleep!

05/06/2024

Big horse. Bigger window. Fresh air, ventilation, copious amounts of natural light. Just one of the ways we keep happy and healthy horses.

05/05/2024

One of the best investments I have made is our security camera system. I use Arlo and I have nothing but great things to say. I was in one of the other barns when I heard one of these guys banging their door. Click on the camera and I did not have to stop what I was doing to run in and maybe catch the culprit. I am able to see all the stalls in all three barns, as well as all the paddocks. This system not only provides myself with peace of mind, but my clients as well. Just one more tool allowing me to provide top quality, professional care.

04/29/2024

With a little elbow grease and a prayer, your whites can be this bright too.

04/27/2024

Tulips for days.

04/25/2024

Peas and Carrots, the ice pack of professionals.