Marsh Run Ponies

28/04/2023

Winter is over, summer is coming, and we are on top of the world!

14/01/2022

The best beginning is a good pony!

I believe that a GREAT pony is the surest way to send a child on the trail to effective and independent horsemanship!

I realize those are fightin' words for many of you.

I've absolutely nothing against a good horse. If you're lucky enough to have an equine who personally stands behind your child's safety, then that animal is a treasure, no matter its size. In a perfect world, though, we can teach a child to ride with the help of balance, proportion and a secure leg position.

This is one of the reasons why I continue to maintain that good ponies are worth training right. They have so much to offer, beyond their intelligence and being amazingly nimble on their feet.

Many a petite adult rider would do well to compete on a talented, extravagant-moving, large pony, rather than bobble around on a massive sport horse. Yes, you read that right. We pony people can be as 'serious' as we want to be, with the FEI Ponies division allowing every level up to Grand Prix Dressage.

See how the child sits on the left, with the narrow 12:2 pony, comparable to the adult on the horse at right? The shorter thigh is not at an uncomfortably open angle. Her entire leg wraps around the animal. This allows the small rider, no matter her age, to have a secure base and to learn effective leg aids. Never mind that a fall, which happens to us all occasionally, loses its terror when you're this close to the ground. Most of all, I believe that riding is a small part of horsemanship; that even the littlest rider should groom and help saddle her own horse!

Are quality, well-trained ponies cheap and easy to find? No, they're not... which is one of their few drawbacks. When you have one, you have hit the jackpot. Look after this pony, who can start many children on the road to passionate, achieving horsemanship over the course of its life.

Here's a blast from the past, from the dusty photo albums under the stairs. Nine-year-old Caiti and I, riding in Adult and Child Pairs at the local fair. We were decked out in our new matching vests and split skirts. The horses, Kinistino and Cowgirl, were McLean family treasures...

We must have had a mighty nearsighted judge, though, going by the size of my number! Good grief.

19/11/2021

We have the best barn family!

From a lesson mom… 💗 Inspired by a lesson a few weeks ago.

12/10/2021

And say “Vroom, vroom! Beep!”

13/09/2021

The Marsh Run Pony team, representing the Clarke County VA Light Horse & Pony 4-H Club, went to the 4-H State Show and had a GREAT time! It was a lot of fun, a lot of hard work, and a very fitting end to our year's 4-H projects. Kids, ponies, parents and friends "got 'er done" and everybody came home with ribbons -- not always the case at a show of this size. Heidi Heithaus Nohle is The. Best. Coach. EVER.

09/08/2021

This is what I believe

A fond memory. I’m recalling a time I was at a bustling equine vet clinic, one specializing in the treatment of top performance horses. Many of these animals and their riders happened to be household names in their particular disciplines.

There was I, standing holding the grotty leadrope of one of my ponies, surrounded by six-figure horses, when the harried veterinarian abruptly called us into the consult room. He held the door wide, whilst I manoeuvred my rotund little beast through the opening. As I did so, he asked what it was that my pony did for a living?

There we were, surrounded by 8x10 glossies of this clinic’s most famous patients—cutting and working cowhorse stars, open jumper champions—and the only thing I could think to tell him was this.

“She's just a kids' pony." I remember feeling a familiar little ni**le of embarrassment and dare I say, shame.

"All right," he barked to the surrounding staff. "Look sharp here! We've got a horse with a very important job!" I could've hugged the dear man on the spot. His outlook became one that I’ve never forgotten.

You know, a bona fide kids’ horse—like the small dun force of nature that is Chickadee—may just hold the mightiest equine role in all the world.

📷 Prairie Wind Photography.

30/05/2021

Horsemanship is more than siting on a horse

Are we putting too much effort into building up our kids?

I ask in light of today’s common practice of publicly praising children beyond all imagining, especially when they’ve put forth a winning ride. Many of these kids are riding really, really nice horses… and while it takes a lot of practice and coaching to be able to ride these horses well, granted, there’s a problem with how these kids are perceiving their success.

We gush that they’re awesome and while they’re good and dedicated young people, too often, the key part of their equestrian achievement is not being recognized.

I’m very aware of this because as an aspiring young rider, I well remember my coach drilling me on the appropriate response to praise, be it from a judge, a fellow contestant, or an admiring parent from the stands. We went over and over it, that I would give credit where it was due. Looking back, modesty and humility were strange things to receive instruction on but I am still glad that I did.

“Oh, Lee, that was a great ride!” my coach would prompt.

“Thank you. I’m so happy to be riding this horse.” I might reply. Then, I would practice some more by answering appropriately, simply, humbly… and meaning it. It was an odd lesson but one I never forgot. If a rider is praised for a great ride, simple thanks is said and credit is given to good coaching, along with the horse who has made it all possible.

I might be dating myself here, coming across as an old curmudgeon. It is a risk I am willing to take. I still believe that horsemanship is a privilege and not a right! Therefore, it is fitting to teach our children to give thanks for the horses. This is not always inborn! It is up to us to explain this premise to our kids.

Do children need fun and encouragement in their riding? Yes! Without positivity, lessons and competition become damaging and soul destroying drudgery. I am suggesting that we teach our kids to be gracious winners, as well as strong during the inevitable flops. How we can really help them, is in teaching them to openly credit their pony or horse.

This includes learning empathy by making sure that our kids give praise for a good effort and allow their steeds to rest. Perhaps dismounting, loosening the girth and offering some water in between a day of classes, rather than lounging on their horses like easy chairs for the afternoon. After years of instructing, I’ve noticed that seldom do parents think to watch and make sure of this.

One of the goals of teaching children riding of any kind is to instill in them the key qualities that will make them better people. Humility. Confidence. Appreciation. Perseverance. Fairness. Trustworthiness. Teamwork. Kindness. I feel that these days, more than ever, we must not forget.

***

Yes, that’s me in my fortrel equitation suit, with buck-stitched everything… back in 1977. I'd just had my long braids lopped off and was rockin' a new Dorothy Hamill wedge!

The shy smile was genuine. A win at the prestigious All Pony Show, back in the day, meant another lovely Beswick trophy to add to one's collection. Four decades later, my tackroom is still home to a few survivors.

26/05/2021

"What they don't tell you" are the best lessons you learn

BY TAYLOR SANTOSUOSSO  “Try horseback riding lessons,” they said. “Horses keep you out of trouble,” they said. Well, what they don’t tell you about horseback riding is that being a “horse girl” can be hard. Anyone who claims the title of “horse girl” does so before the age of 14. ...

10/05/2021

This is the very definition of a "packer." It's not that the child is not riding the horse, it's that she is completely safe while she is riding it. Competence and kindness.

Kinsley who is 5 years old jumping at the November 2016 winter jumping series at 2'6". Super cute kid! Ruby is a 7 year old morgan draft cross mare. See our ...

01/05/2021

Finding the right pony; thanks again to Lee McLean for her wisdom.

When we’re shopping for a specialized horse, all the usual rules apply. We still need safe handling: the go, the stop, the left and right turns; but we also need something else.

If our dream horse is to have a highly specialized (read high risk) job like combined driving, mounted shooting, team roping, barrel racing, cross-country jumping, heeling calves or even just coping well with 4H kids or beginner husbands… take heed.

Unless we’re proficient in that sport, we need to find the ready-made horse.

Yes, once upon a time, even these horses were new at their jobs. Somebody took a leap of faith and showed them how. Generally speaking, it takes sure hands, endless time and an understanding of what our sport entails before we can pass this along to our animals. The goal is a horse that owns his job and stands by it, remaining safe and controllable, even when the wheels fall off.

So many mounted sports have a time factor which brings ‘holes’ to the forefront. Wrecks happen a lot harder ‘n’ faster when we’re riding at speed, or sitting in a carriage, or when handling a rope. The place for learning these skills is with the experienced horse who has spent his apprenticeship in very good hands.

If I was looking to buy such a horse, I would start with the person, clinician or organization that introduced me to the discipline in the first place. All have a vested interest in getting me well mounted: his or her good name; the chance to gain a new student; the golden opportunity to strengthen the sport. Go after the referrals about who you can trust and then, set that person the job of finding a horse, within your budget and suited to your needs.

Personally, I’d be looking for a horse in his mid to late teens, even older if he’s sound and still performing. I’d want one that's competed with amateur riders in his sport for quite a few seasons, as these guys have pretty much seen it all. Granted, such horses will have a number on the competitive years they have left, or maybe maintenance issues regarding their health. These things will make them budget friendly. That’s all right.

These are the horses with the brains and experience that I’ll need in order to start in this high-risk sport. These horses will keep me alive.

Horses that are a bit standoffish but have a great work ethic are usually the easiest horses to buy and get along with. They love their job and require you only to ‘siddown, hang on and shuddup’. They’ve been ridden by different people and won’t be shocked or awed by your inexperience. Friendly horses that have really bonded with their last owners can take longer to adjust to new people and life changes, should your free time be a consideration.

You're looking for the older horse whose current owner is selling to finance something with more jam. This tells you that the old horse has done a good job in giving his rider confidence and teaching the necessary skills. When you find him, you will treat him well and value him for the treasure he is.

Because the specialized pro will often live at a distance from us, it can be hard to trial a potential horse. We’re basically trusting someone else to find us a match from a distance. If one looks promising, I’d be inclined to go and try it for up to a week, living in a hotel if necessary, getting lessons and guidance. If all is well, the horse will be vetted prior to purchase, then shipped home.

This is not cheap! It is, however, cheaper than getting hurt on something unsuitable, or trying to resell a scared horse that cannot do the job.

When it comes to take-home trial periods, they sound great but they’re not the industry standard. Few sellers will allow their good horses to be 'tried on for size' by unknown hands. This is understandable. Jumpers and dressage barns seem more open to leasing and half leasing proven horses but this concept is slow to catch on in the western world.

To recap, mentorship is the way to go, especially if we’re working full time or have families dependent upon us. Find out who is trustworthy and knowledgeable in your area of interest, then ask to be taken under their wing.

Buying good horses is hard enough. Buying good horses with skills in high-risk sports requires much more than luck. It requires your due diligence.

📷 Twisted Tree Photography.

29/03/2021

Congratulations to the new owners of Marsh Run Madeira! NC, here she comes!

04/03/2021

Ponies need to be cared for, no matter what the season. But everyone is looking forward to spring!

Our farrier, Dan Gilman gets lots of supervision giving Honey Bee a trim.

14/02/2021

30/10/2020

"Three little maids from school are we!"
Marsh Run Operetta (Welsh Sec.A), Bayshore Prima Ballerina (Dartmoor), and Marsh Run Puttin On The Ritz (Welsh Sec. B.)
Not sure who the two in the front row are....

19/08/2020

Only 3 days before the Home (in)Stead Show!

19/08/2020

Life being what it is this year, we have not been going off the farm to shows. The kids have been philosophical about it, working toward their own individual goals.
Now we are gearing up for our own Home (in)Stead Show this weekend where they will be showing off what they have accomplished! We are going to have a blast!

07/07/2020

30/06/2020

It's so hard...waiting for your turn to canter...
Pony Camp is in full swing and we are having a ball!!

15/06/2020

The ponies, Heidi, and I are so happy to have the kids back at Marsh Run Ponies -- looking forward to a fun summer!

28/04/2020

Sure do miss the kids....wish we had something to do...

Marsh Run Ponies is looking forward to the end of the Covid Quarantine...someday!

06/01/2020

Teddy (the Dartmoor) and Bunyip (the Donkey) sharing their hay. Maybe Teddy hopes to get more by going under cover?

08/12/2019

Marsh Run Ponies/Equine Enthusiasts 4H Club went to the Christmas Parade in Berryville today! We have such a great team: fabulous kid-riders, the very best parent group ever, and the incomparable trainer Heidi Nohle. Thank you to everyone who made this happen. We all had a wonderful time!

Happy Holidays from Marsh Run Ponies -- Ride and Drive

10/11/2019

This is so wise.
The pony in the pictures is not Kate Wilson's Sailor, but he is one who does better when he's having a little fun. And he is lucky to have a rider who agrees!

Kate Wilson
22 mins ·
I have a pony (a hony, actually) that's often kind of a jerk. He's just a hard sell. About everything. All of the other ones really seem to enjoy whatever-it-is, if only because of the attention that comes with it.
Not Sailor.
He's not a generous animal. You aren't coming at him with 90% of your attitude right, because he is going to blow up that 10% of funk you were just pretending you left at work or in town or wherever. You'll regret it. He'll hate you. You'll be gulping rage and he'll have his nostrils in slits, glaring sullenly by the time it's over. Whether you tried to load him impatiently or canter him off too fast, or pick his feet without the right amount of consideration. Whatever it is.
So he's 5 now, and in part because he grew over and in part because you really just can't predict which little mole hill you're going to have to choose to die on on any given day, he's had very little done with him. And the other day I was scratching him on his face and I told him that he's not very much fun.
And with all the clarity that I can convince you that a nonverbal being can communicate, in those very soft eyes, I saw his response:
You aren't very much fun, either.
And so I thought about it. I thought about "fun" and the pressures we put on these animals in our frenzy to maximize and enjoy the spare time we have left over after adulting and daylight savings time. I thought about a veterinarian with whom I work, with competitive dogs. And no matter the money spent or the distance driven, all competitions are "games" when she talks about them. Not races. Not trials.
Games.
Listening to her talk about her dogs has made me really reconsider Sailor's interpretation of my influence over his life. And whether he's having any fun.
Whether either one of us is having any fun.
I built an obstacle course. I dragged all kinds of junk out, if I could move it and if a horse was unlikely to be maimed by it. We do it on the ground, in hand, because the hills to die on are fewer and farther and faster to overcome. The other ponies aren't wildly impressed. They go through with kind eyes and happy expressions and clearly think it's kind of silly.
But Sailor likes this. Dragging bags of cans and crossing tarps and side passing over the post that was never set in the ground to use to tie colts. And I catch him sometimes, when his brain leaps to "Oh I absolutely will not, you stupid fool." And wait with him while he overcomes it and we find a suitable way to work through. And I catch myself sometimes, when I want him to move faster around a question I thought we'd already mastered. And he waits with me, while I make myself stop and we take a half minute to stand in the middle of the yard and watch the chickens be all busy being chickens before we start again.
Somehow, while dragging a tarp around in the yard, I finally found some sensitivity when considering Sailor's position, and he finally found some sense of humor when considering mine.
And I finally realize, at 35 years old, the horses of our childhood were our best partners under saddle because they were our best friends on the ground.
It's no good if it's not fun.
Let it be a game.

24/09/2019

Two grand old ladies left us behind today. One was a beloved child’s pony who could bow and play soccer and take care of her little girl — all afternoon and all the years until that little girl grew up. The other was a kind and beautiful broodmare who could think of no better life than to dote on her beautiful babies. Spice and Mouse spent their last years with us, being coddled and loved by all the kids (and all the adults!) at the barn. Old age is not for sissies, and these two managed last summer with grace; but another winter is too much to ask of them. Go softly, sweet ponies —no more pain. Well done!

01/09/2019

This short slow-motion film really lets you see how the gait works

This is "The Horse" by -_- on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

26/08/2019

Beautiful, busy day at Marsh Run Ponies today. Perfect weather, lots to do, and everybody had a good time.

18/08/2019

At Marsh Run Ponies, we breed and raise Welsh, Dartmoor and Crossbred ponies. We plan breedings carefully and raise foals and young stock with affection and firmness. We usually have attractive, well-mannered young stock for sale.

We believe that all ponies should have a trade — and while almost all of ours are destined to be children’s riding ponies, most of them are also taught to drive. The “cross-training” enhances their ridden skills and gives them versatility for the rest of their lives.

We offer riding lessons to all levels of riders, and enjoy bringing beginners to confidence and even competition. All riders have access to ring riding and trails. Showing at Local, Regional and Rated shows is part of the fun.

Marsh Run Ponies — Ride and Drive!

Catharine Mackay-Smith Kempson, Owner
Heidi Heithaus Nohle, Trainer

17/08/2019

We ended Fair Week with the Ruritan Open Horse Show: four riders up, lots of fun, and results to be proud of. What a great time we had! Looking forward to next year.

Marsh Run Ponies
Ride and Drive!

17/08/2019

MRP goes to the Fair! These kids and ponies have been in the 4H barn at the Clarke County Fair all week enjoying the lessons, the barn work, and the camaraderie. Today was the 4H Show. Brooke won the Showmanship Trophy for her excellent handling of Farnley First Light, and Tori rode Shoe String Charlie to Reserve Champion in her division. We had a lot of fun today, and tomorrow is the Open Show!

15/08/2019

How is it that Vivvi, BB, and Patrick are still here, but Autumn, Sarah, and Alina are gone? Pony riders grow up.

08/08/2019

Who remembers learning to tie a (quick release) horse knot? It takes practice!
Three of these riders are taking their 4H project ponies to the Fair next week. The rest are making plans for next year!
We are having fun. 🐴😃🐴!