Special Edition Farm

09/01/2025

Winter brings unique challenges for those who care for animals. From freezing temperatures to shorter days, the season demands a level of preparation and dedication that goes beyond the usual routine. For anyone who has cared for horses through the cold months, it’s clear that the experience teaches valuable lessons—not just about animal care, but about resilience, patience, and connection.

Preparation Matters

Winter care starts long before the season sets in. Ensuring there’s enough hay to last through snowstorms, setting up reliable water heaters to prevent freezing, and inspecting shelters for drafts are all essential steps. This level of preparation ensures the animals stay healthy and comfortable, and it reinforces the importance of thinking ahead.

Life mirrors this need for preparation. Tackling challenges is much easier when you’ve planned for them. Caring for animals in winter is a practical reminder to anticipate needs and take proactive steps to meet them.

Consistency Builds Trust

Animals thrive on routine, and in winter, consistency becomes even more important. Horses rely on regular feeding schedules, clean water, and a warm, dry place to rest. Sticking to a routine not only ensures their health but also creates a sense of stability for both the animals and their caretakers.

This consistency teaches us something important: showing up, day after day, builds trust. Whether it’s with animals, people, or in our own lives, dependable actions make a difference.

Facing Challenges with Resilience

Winter isn’t easy. Horses endure freezing winds and icy ground, yet they adapt. Their thick coats provide insulation, and they instinctively seek out shelter and warmth. Watching them navigate these conditions with quiet resilience is inspiring.

It’s a reminder that we, too, can handle difficult situations. Just like horses, we can adapt and find ways to keep moving forward, even when circumstances are less than ideal.

The Importance of Connection

Caring for animals in winter often means spending more time with them—checking on their water, ensuring their shelter is adequate, and simply being present. These daily interactions deepen the bond between you and the animals. Horses, in particular, are incredibly perceptive, and they respond to care with trust and affection.

This time spent together is a reminder of the importance of connection. Relationships are strengthened through consistent care and attention, whether with animals or the people in our lives.

Finding Meaning in Small Moments

Winter care involves a lot of practical, repetitive tasks—hauling water, breaking ice, shoveling snow. At first glance, these chores might seem tedious, but they offer an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the small moments. The sound of a horse munching on hay, the warmth of their breath on a cold morning, or the quiet of the barn in the early hours are moments that bring a sense of peace and purpose.

This season reminds us that even in the midst of hard work, there is beauty to be found in the simple, everyday acts of care.

Embracing the Season

Winter is a time of rest and reflection, not just for people but for nature itself. It’s a season that requires us to adjust our pace, focus on essentials, and care for what matters most. Horses teach us to work with the rhythms of the season rather than against them.

By embracing these lessons, we can find meaning and purpose in the challenges of winter, knowing that each season has its place—and that spring will eventually follow.

Caring for animals in winter is more than a responsibility; it’s a practice that shapes your perspective. It teaches you to plan ahead, show up consistently, and find joy in the smallest details. These lessons, learned in the barn or the pasture, have a way of staying with you long after the snow melts.

19/12/2024

As 2024 winds down, I’m reflecting on a year filled with challenges, growth, and the comfort of home. While I’ve stayed close to home this year, I’m hopeful that 2025 will bring the chance to reconnect in person—maybe even at an event or two!

Health and Family
This year tested our strength as I faced a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. I’m happy to report I’m doing well and feeling grateful to be on the other side of it. My partner continues treatment for multiple myeloma with his usual resilience and determination. Your love, prayers, and support have meant the world to us both.

Life on the Farm
The barn was busier than ever this year with new arrivals. Amos, a Hackney cross pony, and I are learning the ropes of driving together. Boomer, a spirited miniature horse, and Lilly, a miniature donkey (who might be in foal—fingers crossed), have settled in perfectly. My Nigora goats—Jet, Alf, Fluffy, and Joseph—keep life lively with their playful antics. Nigoras are a mix of Nigerian Dwarf and Angora goats, known for their sweet natures and fiber-producing coats. And, of course, there are always a few dogs keeping watch and adding to the happy chaos. I'm also hoping we will see the birth of a new Dales foal next year.

Looking to 2025
After a year of staying close to home, I’m excited for new beginnings, new adventures, and more time with friends and family. I hope to see many of you in person in the coming year. Thank you for your love, support, and kindness throughout 2024—it’s meant more than you know.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright, healthy, and happy 2025!

With love and gratitude,
Special Edition Farm

14/08/2024

My friends know I have many Haflingers. Heck, I have inspired some friends to go out and get their own but there is a question that comes up often.

Why is it so hard to get my Haflinger to canter?

Haflingers can sometimes find cantering challenging due to their conformation, temperament, and training history. Their compact, short-backed build, combined with an upright shoulder angle, often leads to a shorter, choppier stride, making the canter less natural and more difficult for them to perform smoothly. Breeders are trying very hard to change that btw.

Many Haflingers are also weak behind. They may struggle to fully engage their hindquarters, which is essential for a balanced canter. This can be compounded by their strong, muscular build, which might require more focused conditioning to develop the specific muscles needed to sustain a canter, particularly under saddle. Often a Haflinger will "fall" into a canter and then break into a trot and this happens again and again. It's because he is weak!

Not least, Haflingers are known for their strong-willed temperament, and if they find the canter difficult or uncomfortable, they might resist or be reluctant to maintain the gait, especially if they haven't been consistently trained to canter OR developed the musculature for it. This is a super common cause of bucking.

How to Improve Your Haflinger's Canter:

Get Them Off Their Forehand: Encourage your Haflinger to shift its weight back onto its hindquarters. This improves balance, engages the hindquarters, and lightens the forehand, making the canter smoother and more controlled.

How do you do this?

Use Half-Halts: Employ half-halts to help your horse transition its weight and prepare for the canter, promoting better engagement of the hindquarters.

Practice Transitions: Regularly practicing transitions between gaits (e.g., trot to canter) can help your Haflinger develop the strength and balance needed to maintain a steady canter. If you transition to a trot before your Haflinger starts to weaken, you are setting him up for success. It's hard to explain but it works. And you will find he will try harder for you.

Incorporate Hill Work: Riding on inclines encourages your horse to use its hindquarters more effectively, building the necessary strength and balance for a good canter. The hills around here are a blessing!

Engagement Exercises: Exercises like leg yields, shoulder-in, and circles can help your Haflinger shift more weight onto its hindquarters and move more fluidly, making it easier to canter.

By focusing on these techniques, you can help your Haflinger develop the strength, balance, and confidence needed to canter more comfortably and effectively. Good luck!

11/08/2024

Morning's first light calls,
Donkey's bray breaks through the dark,
Life stirs, hope revives.

21/07/2024

This is my first time having ducks. It took me a while to differentiate between male and female. In the photo below, on the left is a male and on the right is a female. Here's how you can tell the difference:

Bill Color

Male Ducks: Often have brighter and more pronounced bill colors. In mallards, males have a yellowish bill.
Female Ducks: Usually possess a duller bill color. Female mallards have an orange bill with darker patches.

Size and Shape
Generally, male ducks are slightly larger and have a more robust build compared to females. This difference can be subtle but noticeable upon closer observation. I also noticed weirdly that my male duck's head was flatter than my female's.

Male Ducks: Tend to be larger with a thicker neck and more pronounced chest.
Female Ducks: Are typically smaller and more streamlined in appearance.

Vocalizations
The sounds that ducks make can be another clue to their gender.

Male Ducks: Typically have a quieter, softer quack. In some species, males make whistling or raspy sounds rather than the typical quacking noise. They DO sound like Daffy.

Female Ducks: Are known for their louder, more distinctive quacking. Female mallards, for instance, have the classic loud quack that many people associate with ducks.

Tail Feathers
In some species, the tail feathers can provide a clear indication of gender.

Male Ducks: In mallards and some other species, males have a few curled feathers at the tail's tip, known as the "s*x feathers." My pekins do.

Female Ducks: Do not have these curled feathers.

14/07/2024

Lessons in Leadership from My Mare

Throughout history, humans have sought wisdom from various sources, often turning to books, mentors, and experiences for guidance. However, some of the most profound lessons in leadership can come from unexpected places. For me, one such source has been my mare. Since I can remember, I have been an avid horse lover. I found Angel, a Haflinger mare, when she was young and green. She has taught me that horses, with their inherent qualities and behaviors, offer unique insights into leadership that are both timelesss and universal. Here are some key lessons I’ve learned from my mare that have profoundly influenced my approach to leadership.

1. Trust and Respect Are Earned

In the equine world, trust and respect are not given freely; they must be earned. When I first started working with my mare, it was clear that she would not follow my lead blindly. I had to prove myself trustworthy and capable. This is a critical lesson for any leader. Trust and respect from your team are earned through consistent, honest, and fair behavior. Just as my mare learned to trust me through my actions and patience, so too will a team come to respect a leader who demonstrates integrity and reliability.

2. Communication Is Key

Horses communicate primarily through body language, and my mare taught me the importance of non-verbal communication. A slight shift in my posture or a change in my energy could elicit different responses from her. This taught me to be acutely aware of my non-verbal cues and to understand that effective communication goes beyond words. In leadership, being attuned to the unspoken signals of your team—such as body language, tone of voice, and even silence—can provide critical insights into their thoughts and feelings. Effective leaders listen with their eyes and their ears.

3. Patience and Consistency Yield Results

Training a horse requires a great deal of patience and consistency. Progress can be slow, and setbacks are common, but steady, consistent effort leads to success. This mirrors the journey of leadership, where patience and persistence are essential. Change and growth within a team or organization take time, and leaders must be patient yet consistent in their vision and actions. My mare taught me that small, incremental steps can lead to significant progress over time.

4. Leading with Empathy

Horses are incredibly perceptive animals, often mirroring the emotions of those around them. My mare’s sensitivity to my mood and energy highlighted the importance of empathy in leadership. Leading with empathy means understanding and acknowledging the emotions and perspectives of your team members. An empathetic leader creates a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and understood, fostering loyalty and motivation. Just as my mare responded positively to empathetic handling, team members thrive under empathetic leadership.

5. Adaptability and Flexibility

No two days with a horse are the same. Some days my mare would be cooperative and eager to work, while other days she would be stubborn and unyielding. This unpredictability taught me the importance of adaptability and flexibility. Leaders must be able to adjust their approach based on the situation and the needs of their team. Rigidity can lead to frustration and stagnation, whereas adaptability fosters resilience and innovation. My mare’s varying moods required me to be flexible in my methods, a lesson that has been invaluable in leadership.

6. Leading by Example

Horses are herd animals, naturally inclined to follow a strong, confident leader. My mare looked to me for guidance and assurance, especially in unfamiliar situations. This reinforced the idea that leaders must lead by example. Demonstrating confidence, decisiveness, and calmness, especially in challenging times, inspires confidence and trust in others. A leader’s behavior sets the tone for the team, and by embodying the qualities you wish to see in your team, you naturally lead them in the right direction. An old horseman’s saying is “Show me your horse and I will tell you who you are.”

7. Building a Strong Bond

The bond between a horse and its handler is built on mutual respect, trust, and understanding. This relationship is not dissimilar to the bond between a leader and their team. Investing time in building strong relationships with team members creates a foundation of trust and cooperation. Angel showed me that a strong bond enhances communication, collaboration, and overall effectiveness.

My love for her has led me to unexpected leadership opportunities. I have sat on the Board of Directors for the American Haflinger Registry and the Haflinger Breeder's Co-op. I also cofounded, with two other amazing women, the American Haflinger Alliance.

Angel has been a remarkable teacher in the art of leadership. Trust, respect, communication, patience, empathy, adaptability, leading by example, and building strong relationships are not just principles for handling horses—they are the bedrock of effective leadership. As I continue to learn from Angel, who is now 18, I carry these lessons she has taught me into every aspect of my life, striving to be a leader worthy of the trust and respect she has shown me.

01/07/2024

Worked on Faith's mane a little bit today. Faith is a silver classified mare.

11/06/2024

16/03/2024

Farm scenes

20/01/2024

Babies around the farm

11/12/2023

Skye and Benny

10/12/2023

Benny and Skye

10/12/2023

Benny