Week of May 15, 2011
This week was a very busy week for the Spring riders. Not only was it their LAST week riding, but they also had a number of exciting opportunities presented to them. On Monday the riders got a tour of Board President Nick Alexander's '60 Thoroughbred Ranch. The students saw all the mothers and their newborn foals as well as some soon-to-be mothers! LaQoia Thompson '14 wanted to live there with the mothers and foals and their lush, vast pastures! Not a bad life... To top off the already great week there was a special clinic on Thursday for our students and steeds hosted by the Valley's very own Monty Roberts. At the end of the clinic he said he had never had such a good group of horses and riders. They were able to do everything he asked of them. The students were very excited to learn about and ride with Monty. Celeste and Gillian were also very excited for the opportunity for our program and kids! This week was a great way to end a unbelievable year for Midland's Horse Program as well as for our students. The horses look forward to a relaxing summer and yet another year of awesome riders and experiences!
Week of April 18, 2011
Students are well into learning the trot now! As they progress into learning how to post, they also eagerly await Alumni/ae, Parents and Friends Weekend when they have a scheduled performance in the arena. They invite you to come see them and their horses maneuver through sets of obstacles set up in the arena. The riders have begun acclimating their horses to things such as barrels, gates, poles, and even a bridge!
Week of March 21, 2011
The students have been participating in weekly trail maintenance. We are currently working hard to rebuild the lower part of the Bowl.
Timmy, our Mule, is a perfect fit - by the end of the season, Eliad Becker '11 and Timmy will be best friends!
Week of March 14, 2011
The students have been working diligently with their steeds. They are progressing very well - so well, that we had our first trot on Wednesday!
Week of February 21, 2011
Celeste Carlisle, Katie Isaacson, Gillian Kinnear '04 and Ben Munger '79
installed new hitching rails for the horses by the Horse Barn. The Foal Training Class
was featured in the Santa Ynez Valley Journal.
Week of February 7, 2011
Final Foal Training Class: On Friday morning, the students Meghan Brown '11, Kevin Jung '11, Ruby Goldberg '11 and Gabriella Rocco '14 had their last class with the foals. The students go on a week-long break and the foals will make their way back to Return to Freedom, where they will be available for adoption.
Week of January 24, 2011
On Tuesday,
Rouven Krauer, a local horse trainer, came to demonstrate some training techniques to the Foal Training class. Rouven demonstrated the effectiveness of timing, pressure, and release when working with young horses.
Week of January 17, 2011
Students have been riding a lot, and although there is no official horse class during the Winter season, students are encouraged to ride during their Half Holidays. Celeste and Gillian report they are lucky to have a very devoted group of kids this year. On Tuesday, January 18th they hosted the first ever "New Riders Ride". Four students who have never ridden, and haven't taken the riding program spent an hour or so in the arena playing games on horseback and learning about horsemanship. Our foal training class is moving along well. Two of the horses have been lead on short walks around campus, we have 3 of the 4 babies accepting the halter and soon to add the other. Rouven Krauer, a local horse trainer who specializes in Mustangs came and watched each student work with their baby. He will return Tuesday, January 25th to work with the babies himself while the students watch and learn.
Week of January 10, 2011
Celeste and Gillian hosted an arena fun day where students were able to try out Midland's new Mule, Timmy, as well as Tota, the Argentinian Polo horse; and both proved to be great additions to our program.
Week of November 23, 2010
The Yearling Training Course students got to assist Dr. Chris Pankau, DVM, with a necropsy. They were able to ask valuable questions, and learn hands-on the anatomy of horses.
Week of November 15, 2010
Horse Camping Trip:
Gillian Kinnear '04 and Celeste Carlisle led a group of fearless riders past the Indian Mounds and Senior Cabin, then steeply up towards Holly Spring. Riders Anna Moiseyeva '13, Gabriella Rocco '14, Kendall Cook '13, India Salter '14, and Tenaya Storm '14 then rode into a reddened sunset and back around Serpentine Mountain to Tank Mesa.
Week of November 8, 2010
The horse program has four visiting horses who arrived at Midland on Monday, November 8th. These four fillies are young and untrained - they'll be with us for the Winter Sports Season. They are friendly and curious, but unreliable. Kevin Jung '11, Meghan Brown '11, Ruby Goldberg '11 and Gabriela Rocco '14 are our first "Foal Training Class" students!
Week of November 1, 2010
First Trail Ride of the season!
Week of October 25, 2010
This week in horses we have begun our canter! Along with this the students have been working diligently on their posting trot. We are planning our first overnight horse camping trip, which will consist of a 4 hour ride on our property followed by a night filled with camp stories and bugs up on Bradley Mesa!
Week of October 18, 2010
It’s that time for a thick winter coat; horses are preparing for winter by growing a thick coat that attracts lots of mud, which has greatly increased the grooming time! Last week the students were introduced to the posting trot. They are working diligently to master it so they can canter next week when they return from Fall Break. The ponies will miss you riders, and will be covered in mud and waiting for a good brushing!