Dear Friend, or soon-to-be Friend,
I feel so excited to write this Blog, my first ever. It feels just like writing a personalized letter to all my friends without having to find a stamp and a pen! I am really eager to share with folks near and far all the exciting things that are happening at Horse Power. I hope you will find some ‘excuse’ to come to visit. The welcome mat is always out as we sure love sharing the magic of the farm.
Things have been ‘hopping’ around the farm this end of fall and beginning of winter. John Denver must never have lived on a farm because he wrote in one song that ‘living on the farm is kinda laid back’. Little did he know! We ended lessons and the Horse Power Instructor Training School with a bang. We were thrilled that both ended once again without any serious incident or injury. We are most proud of our excellent safety record here at the farm for the last 36 years. All of our Instructor Training Candidates passed with flying colors. They certainly worked hard and long in this extensive training course. We have every confidence that they will succeed in the field of therapeutic horsemanship. What a pleasure to share the farm with all the students, volunteers and “instructors to be”. It makes for a happy place indeed.
Another exciting adventure upon which we embarked this fall was to host the first Equine Bodywork Certificate Program ever to offer college credits. This massage program was the brainchild of Regina Kelleher, the Academic Vice President of Nashua Community College. We had 6 students and a variety of excellent faculty members with us for a 6 week program of classroom theory and hands-on practicum work. Not only did the students learn a great deal, the horses benefited immensely. All 6 students worked hard and well, receiving their certificates on a lovely evening up at the lodge for family and friends. Again, we wish these young professionals all the best and know they will succeed at making the lives of horses better!
Thanks to a wonderful grant from Fieldstone Foundation, we were able to host a seminar on “How to Begin a Successful Equine Business” in early November. With 20 participants and good comraderie, we had a great time learning the steps to successfully get started in an equine business. KC Henry of Transitions Unlimited was a major faculty member, co hosting the workshop with me. We were joined by a team of 8 other people, all of whom shared a vast array of helpful information. It is our hope that all the people who attended will be able to put this information to good use as they begin their own therapeutic horsemanship program, equine body work business or general equine business. We look forward to expanding these business workshops in 2008.
Following on the heels of all these graduations and workshop, Terri, Kathy and Jessy, all key Horse Power team members, flew off the California to attend the NARHA national conference. I sadly was not able to attend as I was afraid of what the smoke from the California forest fires might due to my asthma. I had to live vicariously through them as they learned so many new things and got to rub elbows with all the good folks in the field. Next year, I will go to this conference with a bang as it is only in Connecticut!
Thanksgiving then rolled around. This happens to be one of my most favorite times of the year. I truly do stop to count my many, many blessings. I feel like the luckiest person in the whole world. How am I so blessed to have the many wonderful friends that I love so dearly….I also was able to enjoy my own kids as I was delighted to have them all four with me…plus two fantastic grandbabies….These two treasures, now 2 ½ and 4 ½ , are just the light of my life. Much to my joy, they adore the farm and their ponies. I guess they drive their Mom and anyone around them crazy talking about Jingle and Punch, the two minis that have been deemed theirs! They are also crazy about my two dogs, Martin and Oscar. How lucky am I!!!
Right after Thanksgiving, we hosted our “Taste of the Town” Wine Tasting. What a treat to have such a great committee of board and staff members! All sorts of local restaurants gathered to provide wonderful food. Many auction items were also donated from local businesses. With all the wine donated, it was a very successful evening of fun and frivolity. As the ad in the newspaper read, “Never has raising a glass helped so many people”. It was not only fun but lots of money was raised as well!
We now move onto finalizing the schedule for the coming year. I do hope you will take a look at the many exciting things that we are doing here at Pony Farm and Horse Power so that you can find some excuse to come visit. We think we have put together a exciting and creative calendar of events with something for everyone. Let us know what you think!!!
We are also putting the final touches on the Horse Power 10 Day Intensive beginning on January 18th. This is one of my favorite things that we do here at Horse Power. It is a perfect way to ‘get your feet wet’ if you think you want to do this kind of work. It is geared for students, rides, teachers, therapists, educators or farm owners. Lots of hands on learning will be offered, along with inspirational presentations on a huge variety of subjects. We hope you will spread the word if you know someone who might be interested in joining us.
I end as I began, by thanking YOU for your friendship. You and the many faces of Horse Power, two and four footed, have greatly enriched my life for nearly 20 years. I thank you for your support, love, friendship and treasure of time. I greatly look forward to having our paths cross soon again. Until then, stay well and know that there is a place for you at Horse Power in 2008!
Most warmly,
Isabella (Boo) McDaniel, M.Ed
Founder and Executive Director of Horse Power
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