The Old West

Well, I'm leaving the Barn today . . . heading to Tucson, AZ, for four days.  I'll be presenting at the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs Conference on the value of utilizing outdoor settings and horses to work with troubled and at-risk kids.  I have spent almost 20 years working with troubled kids in various settings.  I've worked with adjudicated youth in residentithal settings; I've been the director of a wilderness program; and I've developed and worked at outdoor therapeutic programs.  I'm a firm believer in exposing our youth to the natural environment and allowing the process to happen.  I guess I can sum up what I've learned by saying that my work has been focused on providing other kids and families the same opportunities that were afforded me growing up on a farm in a small community in WV.  It works!! 

Anyway, I'm excited to visit the Tucson area.  I've never been to that part of Arizona before.  I have been to Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Sedona - the northern part of Arizona - and it is absolutely gorgeous.  This trip, I'm taking time to visit the OK Corral and a few state parks as well as ghost towns from the Old West.  I'll be sharing photos when I get back.

Space Cowboy is taking care of the horses and the barn till I get back.  I hate leaving, but this is a good opportunity, so I shall take full advantage of it!

Queen has had a wound on her back shoulder for about a week.  She came into heat and while all of our males are gelded, it doesn't completely stop the natural process!  Beamer tried to have his way with Queen and the stud on his shoe punctured her skin which then got infected.  I've been taking care of it each day and it is much better.  It was one of the worst animal wounds I've had to deal with!  I nearly threw up two days in a row!!  However, it has closed over now and is well on the way to better.  The self-healing abilities of the horses just absolutely amaze me.  They truly are magnificent animals!

So, you may be asking why Beamer has studs on his shoes . . . it's so he can pull our sleigh!  People are loving that service and it is truly beautiful.  Visit our Facebook page and you can see photos of the sleigh and Space Cowboy at work.  We are Timberline Stables on Facebook.

OK - off to Tucson . . . See ya 'round the barn!

Welcome to the Barn

For some crazy reason, I've decided to start a blog.  I arrived at this decision while spending yet another day shoveling stalls and enjoying some wise and relevant insights.  That seems to happen every time I begin shoveling, and I haven't found a good way to share my thoughts.  I've always loved horses.  In fact, I've always loved farming.  As a child, I didn't carry a blanket or a doll around; I carried my "bull book."  Now I know you are asking yourself . . .what in the world is a bull book?  Well, it was a book that provided descriptions of all breeds of cattle, what characteristics made a "good" bull, and what physical attributes let you know you have a good calf when it's born.  And not only did I carry this book, but I could quote from it!  All this before the age of five.  I was destined to be a cowgirl.  It was handy that I lived on a farm! 

I consider myself very lucky.  Not only did I grow up on the farm, but I was able to raise my children on the farm as well.  My children were surrounded by grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles throughout their childhood.  It was wonderful.  It still is.  That farm propelled me into the amazing life I now live.  I'm the Head Wrangler at Timberline Stables in WV and also co-owner of the business with my husband Space Cowboy.  I spend my days cleaning stalls, repairing tack, caring for horses and riding.  We provide trail rides for guests at Timberline Four Season Resort and anyone else who visits our beautiful corner of the world or is lucky enough to call Canaan Valley, WV, home.

My journey to this job was certainly eventful and I will share tails from that journey as we go.  For now, know that your author might be the luckiest girl in the world.  Come join in on my adventures Around the Barn!