ALMOST HEAVEN HORSE SOURCE!

Welcome to the Family

Kirsten — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:11:15 +0000

We have a new member of the family! “Diego,” as we are calling him until he tells us his permanent name, is a 16-month old Friesian Percheron Paint cross.

After I greeted him, I looked down in the grass:

We take that as a very good sign!

Diego is out with the geldings now learning the ropes. He will grow up in our green fields. He’ll be started using natural horsemanship principles. He’ll most likely enjoy the variety of dressage, eventing, trail riding, and medieval reenactments, with some horse shows thrown in. We look forward to posting his progress!

Congratulations, New Horse Owner!

Kirsten — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:55:45 +0000

Congratulations are in order to Cappy from Albany, NY. Cappy is Zydeco Boogaloo’s proud new owner.

Boogie traveled “like a lady” to her new home. Her new name will be “Adrianna.” We can’t wait to hear updates!

Almost Heaven Kennel: 180 Miles Apart, 180 Degrees of Separation

Kirsten — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:17:58 +0000

Mark patrols CNN with fervor. This morning, he emailed me a link in disgust. Apparently, authorities raided the “Almost Heaven Kennel” in Emmaus, PA. They rescued 800-1000 animals from this nightmarish menagerie and puppy mill, including miniature horses. They also discovered 65 carcasses.

Our blood boils at human greed and cruelty even as we cheer on the officials who successfully rescued hundreds of animals from unimaginable conditions. We deplore this operation that borrows from our name. We are absolutely dedicated to creating a “heavenly” experience for our horses and riders here in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.

Almost Heaven Kennel may be located 180 miles away, but they are 180 degrees apart.

Read the full story here.

Horse Directories and Horse For Sale Sites

Kirsten — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:04:31 +0000

Equine Now

Ag Direct

Horseville.com

Dreamhorse.com

Horsetopia.com

www.agdirect.com

http://warmbloods-for-sale.com

http://www.freehorseads.com/class/horse_search.html

http://www.horses-sales.com/

http://www.horsetrader.com/horses.pht

http://www.equibus.com/search.asp

http://www.spotsforsale.com/http://www.horseville.com/

http://www.equinehits.com/

http://www.netequine.com/

http://www.horseweb.com/

http://www.2buyhorses.com/

Natural Horse Training Updates

Kirsten — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:23:43 +0000

Autumn has officially begun, and we celebrate the end of an exciting, successful summer! We are taking the horses in training on many adventures off the farm, including trail rides, horse shows and medieval reenactments. We firmly believe that consistent training in a surprising variety of situations creates brave, smart, obedient horses at horse shows, on trail rides, and in any situation.

Check out our natural horse training adventures and the horses’ progress at our blogsite, http://www.natural-horse-training-methods.com/

We welcome Cricket to our family. Cricket is a 6 year old appendix Quarter Horse mare. She is a granddaughter to the great Secretariat! We look forward to her giving the young horses confidence on their first trail rides. Cricket will also be available for riding lessons with our certified riding instructor, and possibly a half-lease to just the right horse person! Please contact us- you may be the one!

My Favorite West Virginia Horse Trainer

WebWhisperer — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:57:13 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me the twists and turns life takes when you least expect it. Who would have thought that I would be where I am now? If you had told me two years ago that I’d be living in the West Virginia Panhandle, married to the best natural dressage, natural hunter-jumper, natural horsemanship trainer, and all around incredibly talented wife Kirsten, I’d have laughed at you and gone about my business.

But then, here I am. Now, I’m getting valuable hands-on experience as a natural horseman and learning to ride while learning to teach my horse curiosity, friendliness, and courage. Dolly Madison and I are taking every opportunity to ride in our large grass arena, and are frequent visitors to the pole bending/Saracen head game row where we weave in and out of the poles like champs. That is an amazing feat of horsemanship for a guy with such a late start.

I’m also really blessed to be a part of the turnout board operation. Daily walks amongst the pastures are relaxing and fun, and watching the play of horse politics at feeding time is the source of endless hours of amusement and discussion. I’ve had the opportunity to turn an open field into structured pastures, creating order out of emptiness.

I’ve been gifted with watching new horses arrive unsure and uncertain of themselves and their surroundings, and be completely transformed by the open fields, good grazing, and natural environment we have here in the wv panhandle. And I’ve been blessed by seeing horses riding through farm lanes and trails that have existed since the Civil War, on land granted before the founding of our Country. Our horses graze on the very same grass grazed on by Stuart’s, Jackson’s, and Lee’s horses. How cool is that?

But best of all, is the time I get to spend with Kirsten working with the Horses. They’re a part of our daily lives. So many major operations, the people you speak to are not the person who manages the barn, who stays up all night with the sick horses, or shovels out the barn after the horses. Here, on this farm, we’re it. We’re as close to the animals on a daily basis as possible and horsemanship and horse care is integrated fully into our daily lives. I’ve learned so much in so little time, and she is the best horsemanship teacher I’ve ever met. It’s an honor to board my own horse here, and a privilege to learn from her teaching.

And it’s a privilege to be 15 days older than she is :=) Happy Birthday, my Love!

Knutsford Edward, Angus’ Sire

Kirsten — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:53:43 +0000

WOW! We just found this awesome video of Angus’ Sire, Knutsford Edward. Enjoy!

Adopt a Rescued PMU Horse

admin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:24:59 +0000

Those of you looking to have a positive impact on the PMU industry needn’t travel to Canada. A local rescuer has several promising young Quarter Horses and crosses from a PMU background. Three horses from her farm currently board here with their new owners.

For more information, call Gina at 304.876.2718

Godaddy.com for Website Happiness!

admin — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:40:58 +0000

We were asked about our website. Long before the Web Whisperer came into the picture, a referral from an entrepreneurial farrier led us to godaddy.com. Their comprehensive, a la carte offerings and amazing customer service enabled this farmgirl to create a very professional looking site… economically. Without knowing a lick of html, I was able to design the site that lay in my mind’s eye by using their WYSIWYG editor, Website Tonight. I still purchase all my domains from them.

Everyone who I’ve sent to Go Daddy has been just as thrilled as I’ve been!

Spring Shots and Equine Dentistry

admin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:08:30 +0000

Valley Equine will be coming out the afternoon of Friday, March 28 for vaccinations and Coggins Tests. Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like your horse vaccinated and what you would like him/her vaccinated for.Fernando Martinez will be out to float teeth in early May (we are in the process of nailing down the exact date.) Again, please let me know ASAP if you want your horse to be on the list.

Thanks!