Winnie's Blog

Photo of Alex

"What were we thinking?!!!!" That’s the question my husband, Bill, and I asked ourselves when we brought home Zelador and Zeloso, two weanling Lusitano colts, at the end of December in 2004. Our combined ages exceed 112 years and our other two horses were eight-years-old and seven when we bought them. We had never worked with youngsters, didn’t know how to work with youngsters and there we were...

To say that we are having the time of our lives would be an understatement. The two Z's led us to liberty training, Working Equitation, tricks (including the bow, the smile, mounting pedestals, pushing large balls) and with any luck, carriage driving. They will begin their jumping education this month and for the past two years have explored classical horsemanship (work in-hand, long reining and work under saddle).

Their adventures and misadventures are chronicled in this blog. I hope you enjoy watching how quickly these two are training us!

More Clicker Magic

Lately Zelador has decided that when travelling along the wall to the left he should place his head to the right…bummer. Today I used the clicker to help him flex to the left. I was in the saddle and we

Back to the Clicker

I introduced a new toy for the gang on the hill to hold. Teddy sniffed it. Duke sniffed it. Tilley didn’t faint. Georgie held it!!!! And, much to my surprise, Lulu sniffed it. I figured Lulu would hold it. I

The Boys Love to Play Ball

Zelador and Zeloso both LOVE the big horse balls. Zeloso’s been out-of-control with them from day one. Zelador, on the other hand, started out calmly, but over time he, too, morphed into this wildly enthusiastic leaping maniac whenever the ball

Discovering Temple Grandin

Just saw a DVD of the film “Temple Grandin”. It was amazing. In the Bonus Features she, the screenplay writer and the director comment on each scene as it’s played. Because of Temple I went to the Nobleton library. She’s

They’re Coming Right Along

This morning before I fetched the yearling, Marcus, from his stall I set up the arena. We have a wooden cut-out bull. I moved that from beside the piano to the south wall, between a low pedestal and the teeter-totter.

Cantering Zelador Campaign

Marcus was introduced to the mailbox today. I had the door open and placed a piece of carrot in the mailbox. He thought that was a good trick! Of course, he would have liked to play with the red flag

“Buck” – An Excellent Movie

I just watched the DVD, “Buck”. It’s about Buck Brannaman, who was the inspiration for Nicolas Evans’ main character in The Horse Whisperer. Buck also worked with Robert Redford in the movie. He provided technical expertise, served as a double

Winsong’s Next Fundraiser

On March 4th, we’re going to host a House Concert (at the house, not the arena!) with musician Marie-Lynn Hammond. She has several horse songs and many others that she’ll play for us. AND, animal communicator, Lauren Bode, will be

Marcus at Play