Moving away is hard
I thought I was starting the Cheyne Ranch business for my kids and myself so I could work in my own backyard and share the animals that I love. I had no idea how many people would bring their friendship, kindness and love to us along the way. One of the families that brings us so much joy to us is moving to Michigan today. I'm so happy for them and their new adventure, but so sad for how much we will miss them.
Olympics! and Flicka
3 of my kids and I just watched a super corny / sweet / predictable / typical rated G horse movie. This was a direct DVD release in 2012, Flicka, Country Pride. It stars Clint Black and his wife in real life, which was enough to get me to watch it. The interesting thing about this movie is it walks us through what 3-day eventing (sort of more or less) looks like. Which is relevant because of the upcoming Olympics!! At the end of July, the Tokyo Olympics will feature the US Equestrian team competing against other countries in jumping, dressage and eventing. Confusingly, eventing itself is actually comprised of its own 3 events, which is dressage, cross-country and jumping. Read more about it here:
https://www.nbcolympics.com/.../equestrian-101...
and
https://www.usef.org/events/olympic-games
One thing that is so encouraging about the world of horses is that it can be a lifetime sport for both men and women. Representing Team USA this year is a 53 year old!! as well as a 40 year old!
I can't wait to watch the Olympics later this month.
Zanina is here!
Zanina has arrived! This big beautiful gentle Warmblood mare was with us during all of 2018 when we were a boarding barn, and she is back now to be part of our therapy and education programs!
She is 12 years old and she is around 18 hands high. She looks like a white horse, but we actually call white horses Grey's because her skin is black and her coat is white.
She is owned by Lorena at LK Equestrian and we are just thrilled to have her here and for you all to learn from and love on her soon!
Celebrating Lujen!
February is big love celebration month at Cheyne Ranch. It all starts with Lujen! His 22nd birthday and his 2nd anniversary of living at Cheyne Ranch both happen this month! We Love you Lujen!
Special Guests visit
Welcoming guests from a local assisted living facility is my favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Family visits are our bread and butter
Family visits are our bread and butter. This funny expression means our main, steady source of income to feed our animals at Cheyne Ranch is the family appointments where we share our animals with one family at a time!
And by family, we welcome every imaginable type of family and small friend group! Heck, we've even had family members come together who don't even like each other
Support local, small, agricultural businesses and bring the kids for some outdoor non-screen learning time. I'll happily tell you about other outdoor opportunities for family fun too!
Lucy is 23 today!
Lucy is 23 today! On Jan. 25th 1998, Lucy was born! I kept asking her all day if she remembered that fateful day, although she hasn't been very forthcoming yet. We went for a birthday walk, after enjoying some homemade cookies. Happy birthday our strong chill mare, we sure do love and appreciate you!
Hand-washing station
I made this! This was one of those Pinterest inspired projects, I thought - I can do that! I started the project right - I asked someone much smarter than me to help me plan (thank you Stephanie), she drew me a diagram. Then I thought, this will be a $20 project because I have the barrel! and some left-over PVC pipe!
In the end, it cost around $100, it took a whole bunch of banging head against keyboard moments, and approximately 14 trips to Home Depot. I switched to copper pipe for some reason? And, in true form, I didn’t exactly finish it. I think it needs to be topped off with some prettier rock, or even some flowers? And the faucet is kinda spray-ey. I’m just thrilled we have a place to wash our hands near the playground.
