Ad Astra Farms

06/09/2023

We are back on side of things and open for lessons over the summer.

Please message for pricing, availability, etc.

Have a great summer folks and we are excited to see you out here!

03/03/2023

In light of recent events, booking for lessons will be on hold until late spring early summer. I will post again when we are closer to that time.

Losing Reba left a hole in our hearts and huge shoes to fill. We will be spending the next couple months getting our 2 lesson horse candidates in shape and ready for kiddos to climb aboard. Safety is always first and we want to make sure these horses are up to par for carrying precious cargo.

Thank you for your understanding!

01/11/2023

How do you even put into words the amount of gratitude and thankfulness for the life a horse has given you?

Reba was the heart and soul of my program. Without her, it never would have taken off like it did and so, so many kids wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn on one of the best. She had fire in her soul and sass was her specialty. But oh how she loved her lesson kids. She was tolerant of tiny hands and bouncy bums as she carried them carefully through trail courses or out for a trail ride. She threw in just enough spice for my advanced riders so they had to pay attention or she'd take over 🤣 Queen was always on a mission!

Lord have mercy was she stubborn. I always said, Reba likes what she likes when she damn well likes it. She was the queen of our farm and the matriarch of the herd. The way to her heart was through good face scratches and a long list of sweets, including Mike&Ikes and Peeps.

We helped her cross over the rainbow bridge yesterday morning, and I still can't believe it. When I made it to her the first thing she did was look over at me and nicker, almost as if she was trying to say "I'm so glad you're here, so I can say goodbye." It never, ever gets easier no matter how many you lose and no matter the circumstances. Reba got to say goodbye to her heart and partner Avery Niedens too. They were a hell of a pair and Reba loved her, oh so much. Goodbyes always break my heart, but this one was the one that shattered it. Horses deserve to live forever... But Reba knew love, warmth, a home, and so many little ones who loved her. Every horse deserves to be unconditionally loved by a little girl, and that kiddo was Avery. What an honor to watch this pair become a team. ❤️

Until we meet again, sweet Reba. I owe you everything, and will never ever forget you. You are still so loved and will always be missed...

If anyone has any memories, pictures, etc, of Reba please feel free to share! Let her memory live on.

2000-1/10/23

The Best Horses in Heaven Have No Tail-

The best horses in Heaven
they have no tail.
This is a rule they all know
without fail.
For when a new horse arrives
with a short cut bob,
they all know that this horse
did a very good job.

His owner could not bear
to part with her friend
so she saved his tail,
wrapped in ribbons
and in braids,
to hold with his memory
in a very loving way.

To enter Heaven
without a tail
is an honor,
a message,
that without fail
announces to everyone,
far and wide
that this horse
was more than a wonderful ride.

But
this horse was loved and cherished by one
and when his time serving on this Earth was done
he left behind
a broken heart
and a soul
from which he never will part.
(I am not the owner of this poem)

12/22/2022

Ad Astra Farms is closing up the gift certificate shop for the 2022 season!

5 certificates left for anyone needing a last minute gift or stocking stuffer!

12/03/2022

Wanting to give something this Christmas that isn't going to sit in the toybox collecting dust? Look no further!

A gift certificate to a one-on-one horseback riding experience is exactly what you're looking for!

Horseback riding is the perfect one time treat or a weekly adventure! Certificate holders will have a whole hour devoted to them teaching the ins and outs of horses from basic care, dos and don'ts, ground work, light maintenance (proper brushing techniques and hoof cleaning), and last but not least, a lesson plan focused on that particular horse and riders needs.

We are located just 20 minutes west of Wichita and have lots of animals at the farm and are more than happy to educate students about them as well. 🐎🐕🐐🐈🐴

All ages welcome!

Hop on over to Ad Astra Farms for your equine experience 🐎

08/30/2022

We take this to heart here at Ad Astra Farms ❤️

08/30/2022

07/25/2022

Bambam is looking for his forever farm!

Born April 9, 2022
Intact buckling

Please pm for pricing

06/27/2022

📢Ad Astra Farms has some exciting news📢

WE'RE EXPECTING!!

And before you all get your panties in a wad, nope it isn't me THIS time! 😜

Tellemhezarookie × Fire In Hollywood

Bugatti is checked in foal for 2023!

Beyond excited to see this cross 👌👌

05/30/2022

Exactly! 😅

04/21/2022

This goat is my baby 🤣
He'll come running and calling to me if he sees my van pull up, he follows me all over the farm, and runs right under my hand if I'm standing so he can get some head and face rubs.

Getcha someone that looks at you the way Walter looks at me 🤣🤣🐐🐐

04/09/2022

📢📢BIG ANNOUNCEMENT📢📢

We got home to a surprise last night here at Ad Astra Farms!

Mama Luna had twins! A boy(left) and a girl (right).

They have yet to be named, we will be putting all suggestions into a hat and drawing their names.

Please post suggestions below 👇👇👇 in the comments

04/09/2022

Check out this graphic to see just a few of the ways that horses are changing and improving the lives of all different kinds of people!

- Hannah Claxton, MRFAR POSH 2022

04/08/2022

A horse’s behavior is a mirror of their past associations, and present circumstances….

…and, If we put a human interpretation on a horse’s behavior, it says more about us than it does about them.

Just like you and I, horses life experiences are recorded by the brain and given physical and emotional associations.

They have some of the same basic parts of the brain as us, the reptilian brain: in charge of automatic functions like breathing, digestion, fight and flight etc... and the limbic system responsible for memory and emotion. But they don’t have the same cerebral cortex as us that is responsible for complex thought, ego, building a jet, or…. plotting against someone.

So UNLIKE you and I, the horse doesn’t create a story around a situation, hold grudges, manipulate, or intentionally be difficult. They also don’t dwell in the past or future the way we do.

They don’t have the part of the brain responsible for that type of thinking.

If something appears in the PRESENT moment that they have a past experience or association to, they will respond in the manner that that experience was impressioned.

If they have no familiar experience, they will usually respond with apprehension or worry, as the self-preservation of a prey animal...unless they feel SAFE enough to be curious and confident.

Learn to read your horse's behavior as a guide to what they NEED from you, not as a personal attack. They are not capable of being a “jerk”, “difficult”, “stubborn” or any other expletives that people use. Mares are not “nasty”, breeds are not “crazy”….

AND, unlike humans, they don’t have an ego. The ego is the "I" or self identity of any person; not just a term for inflated personalities.

Everyone has an ego, but if we place an egoic interpretation onto THEM, it is really just a projection of something in US!

Projection of the self is what the human brain does without conscious awareness…unless you learn to become aware of it, and even then it’s tricky.

So be careful the next time you call your horse a name or interpret an “egoic behavior” of your horse, you’re likely just revealing your own dirty laundry, and none of it has to do with your horse…. Mirror, Mirror.

So, in conclusion…..

A horse’s behavior is a mirror of past association or present circumstances…

….An EGO based interpretation of horse behavior is a mirror of something in you.

04/04/2022

Only a few gift certificates left for Easter!

Please pm or comment here for info!

04/01/2022

Don't quit ❤

DON’T QUIT

When you show up for the first time and you feel like everyone is looking at you, don’t quit.
When you pull up in a field of rigs & papers with your stock trailer & grade horse, don’t quit.
When the others laugh at you bc you have to train your own and it’s a process, don’t quit.
When your tack gets strange looks bc it’s used and doesn’t match, don’t quit.
When you start to be competitive and you lose “friends”, don’t quit.
When they talk about you behind your back, don’t quit.
When you’re on a mountain pulling checks for months, don’t quit.
When you’re in a valley and haven’t had a clean out in months, don’t quit.
As long as you have the drive, don’t quit.

That passion is in your heart for a reason. Don’t allow anyone or anything to slow your hustle. Keep your head down and grind on. You got this, IF you DON’T QUIT.
The only difference in a Champion and everyone else is they didn’t quit.

03/27/2022

Need some goodies for your kiddos Easter baskets that isn't another toy or candy??

A gift certificate to a one-on-one horseback riding experience is exactly what you're looking for!

Horseback riding is the perfect one time treat or a weekly adventure! Certificate holders will have a whole hour devoted to them teaching the ins and outs of horses from basic care, dos and don'ts, ground work, light maintenance (proper brushing techniques and hoof cleaning), and last but not least, a lesson plan focused on that particular horse and riders needs.

We have lots of animals at the farm and are more than happy to educate students about them as well. 🐎🐕🐐🐈🐴

All ages welcome!

Hop on over to Ad Astra Farms for your equine experience 🐎

03/02/2022

This!!!

“The horse market will never be the same. Welcome to the new normal. It has become a luxury again to be a horse owner. The great ones are going above $40k. One in MT brought $100k. A Gypsy Vanner brought $500k last week. The average cost of a decent and safe family horse that is well broke, nice looking, not lame and not old is over $10k now. If you want a cheap horse you have to be ok with green or old or some lameness. If you are waiting for the market to come down I personally do not think it will. We are in new territory. The audience that can be reached now for horse sales has no limit due to the world wide web. Horse auctions that use to only have buyers sitting in the seats in front of them now go live online and have bidders from all over the US and beyond. When you view one of these sales you will hear the auctioneer say "sold online!" Over and over and over. You may think that an auction in Montana or Texas has nothing to do with local private sale prices but it absolutely does. The internet has also made it possible for Private sellers to have a wider audience. We went from hanging up a "horse for sale" sign on telephone poles to online horse groups with thousands of members in such a short time. Now shoppers are willing to travel and some willing to buy and have the horse shipped just from viewing videos. Buying the horse is only the start. Everything else about horse ownership has gone up. Gas prices effect every bale of hay, bag of grain, dewormer and suppliment. Now we cannot even get our own penicillin. Equine Vet prices are triple what is charged for dogs or cats. I don't sell very many horses anymore because people are still expecting to get a great one for $3500. I cannot even get one for that price right now but IF I DID then I would need to tune up, vet up, feed up, haul around and experience up, farrier up, dental up, pay teen riders to test and test and test up to make sure it's safe for anyone AND then be able to price it so that I am covering all those expenses and still have good profit. Most people who enjoy improving a horse even if it's just to resale have invested their heart too. How can you not love them after all that time spent but you still have to come out ahead financially. The horse is only part of it. Sellers have to deal with hundreds of people. The just curious, just looking, just want a thousand questions answered on text and then ghost you without even a thank you, the not in my price range even though I knew the price before coming, the rode your horse for two hours then say I don't have all the money, the bring my trainer and my 3 friends and all of them ride your horse for 3 hours and then say we have 10 more to look at before deciding, the people who say they can ride then do not know how to get on, the know it all with attitude, the rude, the lonely who just like to test ride all over the state and talk for hours,, the loose kids running all around your property, the ones you coach and give free lessons to for hours and then say they do not plan to buy until next month, the can I make payments?, and the ones who just do not show up after you have bathed, groomed and braided the horse. And in my case I do it ALL with a smile and kind words because I like people. If you encounter a less patient seller keep all this in mind. They go through a lot 😅😅 The moral of this story is save up and increase your budget before shopping but still ...you only live once! Buy the horse!”

Written by Donna Gardner-Hale

03/01/2022

Little sunset cuddle session ft the herd

02/28/2022

Rudy thinks he's sneaky 😅

02/28/2022

This 🙌🙌🙌🙌☝️

Get in the habit of not explaining why your dreams are important to you!

The only explanation you need is , It’s important to me. Then be done.

On my way down I was chatting with my aunt about rodeo’s and barrel racing schedules this summer. And she says “I just don’t understand why you do it. It cost so much and you win so little. But I guess if that’s what you want to do. “ I jumped right into explaining myself then stopped.

I realized that I don’t need anymore explanation of why it’s important. Or why God put this dream in my heart.

If you need to say more than it’s important to me. To someone , then they won’t understand why anymore after you explained it than they did before.

Just go out there and keep following your heart. Chasing your dreams and let your success be the only explanation needed..

02/28/2022

As we enter Horse Show Season
1. Horses don’t get broke at home. Be brave and enter!
2. EVERY disappointment at the show is a learning opportunity..... Be humble, be open to change.
3. Everyone gets nervous. Everyone has bad days. Everyone makes mistakes. Literally: EVERYONE!
4. Don’t watch others in the warmup ring and start changing what you have been doing - if you see something cool or you want to step up your game that’s homework for after the show!
5. When we run out of knowledge, we often punish our horses. Seek help instead.
6. Be a competitor! But be a horseman first. There is always someone watching who sees you as a role model.
7. Supporting your fellow competitors and engaging with people will enrich your show life.
8. Know the rules of competition! Make sure your attire and tack is legal. Read the rule book, ask questions and be well prepared.
9. Have FUN, don’t sweat the small stuff!

~Julia Keil Quibell~

02/11/2022

01/31/2022

My husband was gracious enough to make these for me in order to help pay off Hooeys vet bills.

We lost him this summer after a month long battle with what has gone "undiagnosed"; basically his body began attacking itself and shutting down. Our wonderful vets from Equine Surgery and Medicine and specialists at K-State tried everything to save him but his little body was ready to go to greener pastures.

All info listed below for these beauties.

Custom buckle shelves (each one holds a total of 12 buckles)

Would be perfect for other trinkets or memorabilia as well

$100/each

01/29/2022

We utilize these often!

01/27/2022

Copied from a friend but this is SO true.
Please, read this.

"How much for a lesson and what is included in that cost?"

How many trainers, stables, owners hear this question? We give a simple price and simple answer of $50 per 30 minutes for a private lesson, etc.

But what we really should be saying is you get all of this:

You get the years of knowledge and experience that a breeder put into breeding a quality animal that will be rideable.

You get the years of experience that it took to be able to properly select a horse safe enough for a lesson for your child.

You get the years of time spent by trainers and instructors putting education and mileage on the lesson horse to know how to do its job.

You get to use my tack that I spent hours searching for at the right price and fit, the saddle, bridle, martingales, bit, saddle pad, girth, half-pad. The halter and lead rope that brings it from the field. The hoof pick, curry comb, brushes, shampoo, hoses, buckets that we purchased to properly groom and bathe the lesson horse to keep them healthy for your lesson. You get the hay, grain, water, fly spray, wormer, vet bills, farrier and medicine, supplements, shavings, stall mats, barn, fencing, electricity, insurance, clippers, combs, rain sheets, winter blankets, towels, brooms, feed bins, water troughs, muck rakes, manure spreaders, washer, dryer, grooming boxes, saddle racks and horse trailer, tires, brakes and maintenance on the trailer and truck that hauls that is needed when the horse needs to go to the vet. You get the coggins, vaccines, dental.

You get the labor that goes into cleaning and feeding. The time and labor of the person who has to walk a horse thru the night that might be colicing. You get to put wear and tear on my farm, on the footing in my ring, my jumps and fields. You get the cost of my tractor and ring drag and their maintenance.

You get to let me put my lesson horse's health at risk when you ride them and hope for $50 they don't end up permanently lame.

There is a reason "we require a commitment to regular lessons" and I don't allow my lesson horses to jump 5 days a week, that they will only jump 2 ft to hopefully stay healthy and sound.

But, maybe people expect more for their lesson costs?

01/22/2022

Walter says "Sunbathing in the empty water trough isn't half baaaaaaaad" 🤣🐐

01/21/2022

Words can either heal or cause unrepairable damage

Today our camp kids learned a valuable lesson about how their words affect others. We used the horses at first and I used a variation of the exercise I read about Exodus Farms doing a while back.

I put the names of their horses on cups, and put several notes inside each cup with comments I had heard others say about those horses. These comments said things like, “ugly”, “bad with kids”, “cut your losses”, “unteachable”, “bad attitude”, “stubborn”, and more. All things that are untrue about these horses.

I watched as the kids laughed at first. But the more comments they read aloud, the more serious the room became. Comments started shouting out. “That’s not true!” And “How could someone say that!” It actually got mildly heated at a couple points.

We talked about why people said those things, and how the horses felt when they were treated like that. I bet that horse did lose some confidence when they were treated like they were worthless. But look how much they have grown with some love!

Now Imagine people saying those things to you. I told them to write down a few things people said or did to them that were hurtful in their life. They crumpled up the comments, and put them all together in one cup. I read them all aloud and watched them all in silence while I read. “Fat”, “stupid”, “ugly”, “annoying”, “will never amount to anything”, “careless”...

It got worse with every comment I read. It broke my heart. I asked them how it made them feel when people said those things to them. They said horrible. Then I asked if they’d ever said those things to other people They all raised their hand. I asked if someone had ever said something to them as a joke, but it really hurt them. They all raised their hand. Then I asked if they had ever joked with someone, but actually hurt that person’s feelings. They again all raised their hand.

We had a short discussion about treating others how we want to be treated, and not using insults in a joking manner. Then we talked about uplifting each other, and not speaking ill of others, regardless of how we feel towards them.

The world needs all the kindness it can get. Maybe these kids will go out and spread a little more of it today. 💕

-JAKS Stables

01/20/2022

Yes yes yes
🙌🏻💯❤️

I will not apologize for my pricing.

No small business should.

My pricing allows me to make a profit.

Which allows me to pay my bills.

Which also allows me to stay in business.

My pricing allows me to employ people.

Which allows them to pay their bills.

My pricing allows me to pay myself for the countless hours I work. I’m truly never “off the clock”.

My pricing keeps a roof over my head and food on my table.

I own a small business. One where the CEO knows your name and truly cares about you.

I am not Walmart (a 500 billion dollar company). I’m unable to provide things at the “lowest price”, order millions of units, and still stay in business.

I'm, not the “cheapest”. I’m also not “the most expensive”.

My pricing is what it is to allow this small business to keep going which allows me to keep making a positive impact.

I will not apologize for my pricing because I shouldn't.

No small business should.

We are always the first ones asked for a donation to your local show or FFA chapter, it’s not the big box stores that contribute.

Shop local and shop small business.

And remember we are always here for you!!!

Copied from Robyn L Herring