Happy Holidays!....
Here is what we are doing and then how I am doing.
Anna and I decided to rendevous on Christmas eve at the Ojai Inn and Resort. Anna lives in Santa Barbara so we are both in California. We are taking advantage of the spa and it's very relaxing. Steve is on call at Sawtooth Equine in Idaho for the holidays so didn't make the spa visit. He is visiting Mia next week at Lone Tree Farm and bringing Cash our "JRT" (an appreviation for Jack Russell Terrier.)
Topic; Assistant Trainer job at Lone Tree Farm
I am grateful for this job. It is truly a gift and I am learning so much about training, horses, herd management, client management, dressing right for rain, time management and generally getting along with people and staying serene. I get to ride alot. Maggie is coming along nicely and Banner is still sound and happy (knock on wood) and getting more rideable on courses, in dressage and on group trail rides. I have 3 unbroke horses to work with. Cosmo is a 3yr old Selle Francais and Lola is a 6 year old ISH. Connie and Dyan help me alot with this. Connie reminded me that each thing we expose them to is another small step. Lunging is a step, standing by a mounting block is a step, being lead from field is a large step. I'm still convinced that basic leading must be hard for a horse to grasp because it takes alot of work and training for them to lead unconditionally where ever you want to go and to remain in the correct position relative to leader. I'm getting better at it and have learned how to apply and use a nose chain properly. I don't go out to fetch any horse now without a whip to push them and a halter with chain. I learned this from leading many horses in a day. Having that equipment makes it easier. It's safer and I have better control and I run less risk of a horse getting loose or walking over me. I have a more professional outlook now.
Topic; Music. I managed to create my latest CD, "There's So Many Horses' into a marketable unit. I prepared the cover graphics on Publisher, had my brother Jay Carroll custom edit the photo. Office Max printed the cover. I gave them to my family members for Christmas. I have them for sale. Email me and I will get one to you. I recorded the 6 mostly original songs in September at Jason's place in Ketchum and Stacey Tuel joined us on guitar and vocals. It came out pretty well. I don't know if a singer song writer is ever satified with a project. I want to re record and rewrite but then I don't and just "get er done". I'm partially a perfectionist and then I'm not.
Modesto,Oakdale area continues to amaze me with depth of musicians. I attend a Wed jam thet is really fun. It's in a well lit room and runs from 5:30-9:30. Twenty or more musicians show up up. They play fiddles, banjos, lots of guitars, harp, singers etc. We take turns performing a song and we get a mic when we do. It works. Everyone is in tune and respectful. I have found some individuals that share my genre and I hope to have them out to the farm soon.
I also am a member of a song writing club. We get a theme assigned us on the web each week and write a song per week. It sure does help one become more proficient at writing and it's fun. We will get together in Jan. and share songs. It will be an amazing night. Last week's theme was "torn between" and before that "true legends."
I did write a song that incorporates both themes in one song which may be cheating? It's in a higher key to push my voice as my vocal instructor, Annette would have me do. I won't be bringing that song out til I learn to sing it presentably with Annette's help.
There is so much to "pack into this stream of life" and I am thankful.
I have changed my email adress to nocheaphorses@gmail.com
Thanks, Mia
