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February Newsletter
IS IT SPRING YET?
Even though we've had a little taste of spring this month, the cold weather is still holding on. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures create extra challenges at the barn, and we appreciate your help in keeping the horses (and equipment!) warm and toasty. A few things to keep in mind...
*The decision about whether horses will be turned out or left in is based on a few factors. If we have any snow or ice, horses will stay inside. On extremely cold days, they will stay in as well. We don't base this decision on a set temperature because windchill and cloud cover make such a difference. If it feels painfully cold outside, we let the horses stay in the barn.
*On days when horses are in, we make sure they get extra hay to keep them busy. This means they get regular breakfast hay, extra lunch hay, regular dinner hay, and then a late night snack when we close up the barn.
*If you find the hose running in the wash rack, please leave the water on. We don't want pipes to freeze!
*On cold nights, we bring the tractor and spreader into the barn. The red tractor is almost an antique and it starts much easier after spending the night in a 50 degree barn. Unfortunately, this takes up some space and makes quite a mess, but better a little mess than a frozen tractor. If it is ever in your way, please let us know and we will get it moved.
*Pasture horses seem to be handling the cold weather very well this year. Last spring we did some repair work on our automatic waters, so we haven't had any issues with them freezing this winter.
Spring is just around the corner! Only three more weekends until Daylight Savings Time!
BARN IMPROVMENTS
During my maternity leave, Berry was hard at work making improvements around the ranch. Inside the barn, we have installed new lights over the stalls. Layla's picture is the before, Po's picture is the after. The barn is looking much brighter now! New lights over the main alleyway, in the tack room, and in the indoor are coming soon! Outside, we finished replacing tape fence and putting up pipe in one of the back turnouts. We also put in a new gate to the back turnout. As soon as weather permits, we will be replacing more tape fence along the north fence line.
LOOKING AHEAD
Some of our boarders have expressed interest in having a barn sale this spring. Anyone who would like to participate can set up their own sale table. If you are interested, please let me know. Dates to be determined, but we are tentatively looking at the middle of May.
We will also be hosting a few clinics this year. The Kansas Arabian Horse Society will be sponsoring a Sport Horse clinic this spring. One session will be a discussion of form and function. A rated judge will share how a horses conformation affects suitability for different disciplines. A second session led by a leading sport horse trainer will focus on showing a sport horse in-hand. In the final session, riders will work one-on-one with a trainer under saddle.
Later in the summer we will be hosting Brittney Watts, a Clinton Anderson Ambassador. This will be a three-day clinic focused on teaching the Downunder Horsemanship Method. If you are interested in signing up, let me know. Spaces are limited, but WBR boarders will be given first priority.
If there is ever a clinician you would be interested in hosting, please share with me. I am happy to get in touch and see if they would be interested in coming to the barn. We enjoy hosting these events and appreciate the opportunity to learn from experienced horse professionals.
CELEBRATIONS
Congratulations to Lindsay Nichols on her purchase of WBR Lil Lopin Lucy. Lucy is the baby Berry and I raised, and we are so happy that she ended up with a such a wonderful new owner. In the short time that Lindsay has owned Lucy, she's already had her first few rides! We are looking forward to watching Lucy progress in her training and start her career as a show horse!
MEET JACKSON FANE BANKS
Jackson was born on December 18th, 2018. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 17 inches long. Now, at two months old, he's spending most of his time at the barn with me and his proud big sister. When the weather warms up a little, he'll get to start his riding lessons! Thank you for your patience as we get barn chores done around nap times, diaper changes, and feedings!