Morningstar Stables

01/28/2023

Hello everyone,
I wanted to give a little update. The update is I miss all of you!
My student Kendall gave me this artwork a short time before the storm, I am so glad I thought to take a picture of it. She put in words what we usually can't put in words, but she really nailed it!
I hope those of you who wanted to continue riding are riding somewhere, and those of you who loved to help are still helping elsewhere.
I think of all of you often and that part of my life with all of you in it can never be replaced.

01/08/2023

Hello everyone,

I wanted to let you know that sadly, Ollie succumbed to chronic laminitis on Friday.
Ollie worked hard all of her life as a polo pony. Her last couple of years she let me know that she did not mind helping students ride and connect with her. She had a special gift to draw even the most shy and perhaps not even that interested in horses, person, to her side.
She was a people magnet, making fans of all who met her and were drawn by her quiet strength and sweet personality. Perhaps we were drawn to her because she eminated appreciation just for peace itself. She loved to roll in the grass and had a routine of taking naps in the sunshine.
When with her she made you pause and be peaceful in yourself so you could have the privilege of her noticing you and when you hugged her neck, she stayed there allowing the weight of her head to lean on that hug.
Ollie was at Naples Therapeutic Riding Center since August, as I was anticipating storms and hot weather for the summer and felt she would benefit from a covered arena. I was very thankful she was there in good hands when Hurricane Ian came upon us.
I will always appreciate beyond words the excellent care NTRC took care of Ollie, doing all in their power with an eye injury that ended up healing successfully; through the daunting task of attempting to manage her laminitis. They did this with much love and true caring; never holding back when her care required more time from staff and more expense. The attitude was, whatever it takes for Ollie to be ok, we will do it.
Ollie made many friends at NTRC also, she is a horse that will stay not just in my memory, but in countless others.
I love you Ollie girl.

I must add a special post script. As I continue to think of the whole time I had her I must say a huge thank you also to Marcus Lybarger for always going above and beyond to keep her comfortable in her shoes while I had her at my home, with specialized padding always added for her comfort. As I always say, it takes a village and I love mine.

10/18/2022

Hello everyone! I hope all of you are safe and sound after the storm. My last post was at the end of the school year. We took a break due to the heat and storms. I was doing a slow open, watching the weather and anticipating increasing lessons as Fall approached. As we know, hurricane Ian changed plans for everyone. Sadly our property was severely affected by the storm. Many of the large oaks were uprooted and lots of damage to structures and fences. Our home flooded over 5 feet. We left the a.m. of the storm, I had already moved the horses to safety before hand. I must thank Daila Lybarger, Jen Deighton, Thea Bullard and Susan Basquez for their selfless kind help to ensure our horses' safety.
My property is no longer horse friendly, it will take a long time to fix that. It will take 9 months to a year to get back in the house. The horses are grazing in different pastures for now.
As I walk through my arena where the sand was washed away I have many happy memories of my students and families and my eyes fill with tears. All of you were very special to me and being in the moment teaching and connecting with you and seeing you improve your skills was why I endured all of the hard work and expense. Those moments kept me going to the next one.
This will be a marathon and right now I am doing my best to live in the day I am in and keep moving forward. I can't imagine a life without horses and students so time will tell what my future holds in that regard. In the meantime, please know I think of all of you often and thank you for letting me be a part of your life. 🏇

06/04/2022

Did May happen? It went by so fast but I managed to catch some moments. The storms started gathering in May, sooner than expected but we still managed to get a lot of mounted and unmounted activities in....

05/20/2022

If you are always sweeping up hay and sand in your bathroom....you might be an equestrian.

If you have been putting off calling the dentist for a couple years but your horses have their teeth floated annually.....you might be an equestrian.

If you didn't eat lunch and you are too tired for dinner but the horses got their 4 meals that day....you might be an equestrian.

If you are pretty sure it's been a few weeks since you mopped your house but the horses' stalls are picked through 2-3 times a day....you might be an equestrian.

If you avoid math because you would no longer be an equestrian if you added it all up....you might be an equestrian.

If you fantasize about a life with no horses but can't imagine life with no horses....you might be an equestrian.

If you want to stop the planet and step off but you don't because every day MUST start with feeding the horses.....you might be an equestrian.

If you have on your to- do list for the last year to call the chiropractor but your horses are on a scheduled regimen for ultimate joint health....you might be an equestrian.

If you are able to get through every day with daily stresses and strife of life because of all of the " in the moment " moments with your horses, along with prayer....you might be an equestrian.

If you are able to share the gift of horsemanship and watch others benefit as you have just makes you smile....you might be an equestrian!

05/07/2022

Congratulations to Lily who has secured a partial lease on Winter for the month of May!
This allows Lily to not only continue with her lessons, but she will use her time learning to care for her horse and learn more about horse ownership. She will be able to have increased opportunities to ride and make her own plan of action; practicing what she learns in her lessons.
The opportunity to have more time in the saddle and on the ground caring for her horse will take her to a higher level of riding ability and horsemanship skills and set her on the right path to one day owning her own horse!

05/07/2022

It has been busy around here the last several weeks!
Mounted and unmounted, lot's of shenanigans going on!

01/27/2022

Morningstar Stables is offering half/full monthly leases with our program horses. Come enjoy more opportunities with horse activities in this cooler weather. PM for details!

11/26/2021

Color in the sunset lines.

11/03/2021

Hello everyone!
After a long hot wet summer Morningstar Stables is slowly getting back in full swing! With all the bad weather, covid exposures resulting in cancellations, unexpected vet bills and financial worries these past few months, I have questioned the wisdom of continuing on. I will admit to a deep weariness from the strain of caring for several horses, doing the best for them no matter the challenges of all of the above. It certainly does not make sense on paper. But then a little rider will hand me a token of appreciation from their heart; I will see a connection and progress in a lesson; a parent will tell me how much it was missed in their life and how it helps their child with life skills; an adult rider will let me know what taking a break in their stressful life and carving out this time for their own mental health means to them, and my heart can't do what my head says to do. Let's not mention the fact that I can't imagine a life without horses. 😊 They keep me moving forward too! I am looking forward to a busy winter and we will keep on keeping on!

06/25/2021

Ollie has helped student Kayla progress with her balance and riding skills to the point where she wanted to try English tack. This is her first go....so thankful for Ollie who immediately responds to rhythm and relaxation. When the student feels this instant reward of the correct cues and feel it inspires them to continue to ride correctly and make needed adjustments when necessary. ReplayPolo 501C3 Organization

06/19/2021

This is what student Kendall decided to do with her free time at the end of her lesson. These two just make me happy. 😊 ReplayPolo 501C3 Organization

06/18/2021

Kate has worked for a long time to accomplish this relaxed trot while keeping her horse steering straight.
It may look simple but there are so many parts to this riding skill, here are some of them:

Maintaining a correct balanced body position.
Striving for following hands that keep a connection.
A relaxed and following seat that does not bounce on her horse.
Finding and keeping a rhythm with the trot to maintain the speed she chose.
Being aware of each limb and separating them to know which one to use to influence her horse to stay balanced, straight and forward.
Planning her path and staying focused which helps her horse trust her and take her where she wants to go.
A willingness to continue to learn and make corrections and improvements in herself when needed.
A willing, sweet horse. 🏇

05/21/2021

Ollie is helping a student learn to steer while in a 2 point position and then on to first attempts trotting while in 2 point. This little mare is a good teacher!

05/01/2021

We had a teddy bear picnic today. We had to ride through a wilderness trail to get the picnic to our teddy bears!. We had to stop in a stream to let the horse get cool ( a square of 4 poles) ride circles around 2 big trees! ( 2 barrels set for figure 8) go down a road that a raccoon, a bobcat and a turtle crossed, so we had to back up 3 steps on the road so they could go by! ( 4 poles made a wide long lane), then finally we had a windng road to steer ( 4 cones to serpentine) and we finally got our teddy bears their sandwich. Oh no! We only have enough for one teddy bear, we have to go back for his friend! It's a good thing we are learning to steer so we can finally have 2 teddy bears enjoying their sandwiches!

04/24/2021

Jody rode independently for the first time on Ollie, walk-trot-walk transitions. We will work on sticking in that saddle but this was a huge accomplishment for Jody!! Ollie was so patient and willing!! ReplayPolo 501C3 Organization

04/11/2021

Jolie had fun on Kat today...

04/07/2021

Cupcake's first lesson. Thank you Barbara for being my guinea pig! 😁 Cupcake is learning to do things at a slower speed, stand patiently and wait for her rider. So far so good! ReplayPolo 501C3 Organization

04/04/2021

Hello.everyone!. Meet Cupcake from ReplayPolo 501C3 Organization . She is going to try us out for a couple of weeks and see if she would like to try a new job helping out with therapeutic riding. Stay tuned!

03/15/2021

No need for words with these pictures a dad took during his daughter's lesson.

03/13/2021

This young lady always had such a good attitude doing her best to ride a pony who wasn't the most cooperative. She got to feel what it is like to ride a willing, eager to please pony and the difference helped her appreciate this little mare even more..She made the needed changes in herself for her pony to feel safe with her, asking with her cues and waiting for the answer... and yes it is superstar Ollie once again.

03/13/2021

Lessons today from new little tykes to girls whom I've watched grow up...Skeeter, Ollie, Chexy and Clark...so much variety helps a long day go fast!

03/13/2021

03/12/2021

If a child is old enough to be a riding student then they are old enough to learn proper equitation. As they get older and supports are pulled away, their correct body position will have become innate and they will be able to give cues to their horse effectively for a fun and safe ride!

03/11/2021

Time to meet Winter! Our 2nd newcomer to Morningstar Stables. She set her foot on the property and acted like she has always lived here. Her sweet eager to please personality is almost a match to Ollie! Winter had her first debut tonight in this impromptu group lesson. Our riders enjoyed having a friend to ride with and getting to know their horses together.

03/11/2021

Just Ollie, checking more boxes!

03/09/2021

Hello.everyone! I would like to introduce Ollie. She was a polo pony her whole life and she is here on a trial basis from ReplayPolo 501C3 Organization . She has settled in to her new life so quickly! Today was her first lesson with a student and she checks this box with flying colors!

02/12/2021

Bogie showing affection to Logan. Bogie chooses his friends wisely!

01/29/2021

This young student is learning a very important part of taking care of her horse during a lesson today.