Monday, March 23, 2009

New Ventures!

In an effort to broaden my horizons and try some new ventures, I am expanding the educational programs we are offering at HCW. Here, on our Maple Valley farm in beautiful western Washington, we are going to be offering several new horsemanship events, including:

  • Annie’s Pony Rides—safe pony ride experiences for kids
  • Horsemanship Camp for Kids—introduces kids to “green” horsekeeping
  • Cowgirl Horse Camp and Adventures for Women—cattle sorting, trail rides and more!
  • Summer Guest Ranch—come live and work with us, and ride our reining horses!
  • Clinics—we have lots of good ideas here!

Our first clinic is coming up, Saturday, April 25th—the Barb Apple Natural Horsekeeping Clinic. Barb Apple is the Northwest’s own natural horsemanship clinician. Last summer I attended one of her clinics at her homey ranch in Roy, WA. Barb has a unique background, which she describes as a three-legged stool. One leg comes from working and studying natural horsemanship with world renowned clinician, Pat Parelli. Another leg comes from her friendship and training with Jack Brainard, often considered the father of reining. The third leg comes from her work in Centered Riding, as developed by Sally Swift. In this clinic at my farm, Barb and I team up to bring you hands-on help and information on our holistic approach to managing your horse and horse property. The morning session with Barb will help you and your horse begin to work together as partners. Barb is an excellent, caring teacher with effective and carefully developed techniques. The afternoon will be a farm tour of our eco-friendly farm, with tips and ideas on ways to set up and manage horse properties in concert with nature. This will be a fun, safe, learning-packed clinic. Please contact me if you have questions on this exciting event—or about anything else!

March 2009 The Green Horse

The Green Horse is the official newsletter of Horses for Clean Water, published by Alayne Blickle, HCW Program Director

In this issue...

  • Message from Alayne: Keep Your Eye on the Donut
  • New Tip Sheet: The Swallows Are Coming
  • Three R’s of Spring Pastures
  • Equine Massage: For the Health of Your Horse
  • Farm Focus: SPD’s Mounted Patrol Unit Facility
  • Educational Events

Platinum Level Sponsor: Sweet PDZ Stall Refresher

Message from Alayne: Keep Your Eye on the Donut

Things happen for a reason; often times I am not happy about them and would have liked for things to be different, but usually there is some greater purpose or essential reason for why stuff works out the way it does.

New Tip Sheet: The Swallows Are Coming

One of our favorite subjects here at Horses For Clean Water is the arrival of the swallows in the spring. We have taken past TGH articles and researched some new information and combined them into a great new Tip Sheet.

Three R’s of Spring Pastures: Renew, Renovate and Relax!

Here are six of our favorite “think big, spend small” spring pasture improvement practices. These cost efficient measures will soon have you relaxing and looking out at some very happy horses.

Equine Massage: For the Health of Your Horse

If you’ve ever had a massage, you know what a relaxing and refreshing experience it can be. Massage feels great to animals too. Find out more about equine massage from HCW staff member and LMP Ellen Mosier.

Farm Focus: SPD’s Mounted Patrol Unit Facility

Learn about Seattle’s Mounted Patrol Unit and the horses that help protect our streets!
Saturday, March 28th, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
West Seattle, WA
FREE!

Join the King Conservation District, Horses for Clean Water and the Seattle Mounted Patrol Unit for a guided educational tour of the facilities to learn how the facility is set up and how the police horses are managed.

This is a kid-friendly, handicap accessible event.

BONUS: At the conclusion of the tour, enjoy a 30 minute live demonstration of the unit’s police horses. Mounted officers will demonstrate troop movements, crowd control techniques, obstacle training and obstacle/harassment training. Then meet the horses...up close and personal!

For planning purposes we ask that you please register with us for this FREE event. Please contact the King Conservation District at 425-282-1904, or e-mail Paul Borne.

Educational Events

If you have any questions or would like to submit an article for publication in The Green Horse, please e-mail.