Back to the Farm

Its been a cold and snowy winter here.  We haven't been able to go to the farm in AGES.  Every weekend, Jakes has asked if we can go.  Every week, Ms. Jill posts on Wednesday that she hopes to have lessons on Saturday.  But then Saturday rolls up and there's no lessons.  UGH.

Finally, this past Saturday I got a text from Ms. Jill saying COME OVER!  It was a lovely day.  Sunny and dry.  And everyone showed up to have fun!

The Kitties have missed the kids

The horses have missed the kids

The kids have missed the horses.

Jakes heading out for a Happy Ending Ride on Milkshake

When we can get back to the farm, that tells me Spring is on the way!  Here's hoping we go back this weekend!

Jumping For Joy

Jakes has been doing riding lessons for about 3 years now.  He's been through several teachers over the years.  They have all been great teachers and he's learned things from them all.  One day we arrived to find another new teacher, Miss Torri.  She's been riding since she was 8 months old.  WOW!  Miss Torri brought her mother with her.  Miss Eileen has worked with horses and in many barns over the years.  She has been away from it for a long time.

Being at Ms Jill's farm is a healing experience.  And the farm worked its magic on Ms. Eileen as well.  She stood there watching all the kids, the ones taking lessons and the ones who were there early to work for their lessons. 

Ms. Jill was running behind on some lessons and asked Ms. Eileen to step in and help out.  It all came back to Ms. Eileen and she was in heaven.  She didn't realize how much she had been missing this until she stepped into the ring. 

That was three weeks ago and she has given Jakes his lessons every week that they've both been there.  She fell in love with my Jakes and who wouldn't?   He fell in love with her too.  Ms. Jill asked him to work with Ms Eileen, making sure she had the horses she needed, etc. 

Jakes and Eileen formed a wonderful team.  Ms. Eileen would be in the middle of the ring, tracking the progress of the horse and rider with Jakes walking (or running) beside the horse in case the rider needed assistance.  He listened to everything that Ms. Eileen was telling the rider and would help to remind the rider of their position, helping them to correct it before Ms. Eileen could. Ms. Eileen loved that Jakes was learning everything she was putting down for the other riders and she wanted to see if he would be able to apply it to his lessons.

For the last three weeks, Ms. Eileen has been giving Jakes his lessons and I have seen SO MUCH progress in him!  With the other teachers, Jakes would say "I'm not ready" and they wouldn't push him.  Ms. Eileen has been working on Jakes confidence and comfort with the horses and he has been trotting (something he was afraid of) and she had Jakes CANTERING this weekend!  He didn't realize it but he was!  Jakes even JUMPED this weekend!!!  And he went back begging to do it again.  Ms. Eileen has been a godsend for my Jakes. 



Jakes on Milkshake with Ms. Eileen instructing him

During Jakes lesson, Ms. Eileen told him he was off his diagonal.  He said, "I know, give me a second" and he fixed it without Ms. Eileen having to tell him how!  She was impressed by my Jakes.  I am impressed with my Jakes. ( I have NO clue what the diagonal is but as long as Jakes does, that's all I need to know) 

Here is the video Ms. Jill took when Jakes went over the jump. Sorry its so small. But I am still proud of the progress my Jakes has made!

At the end of the day, everyone gathers under the trees to chat and enjoy the delicious breezes that are ALWAYS at the farm.

The Gathering Tree

I have said time and again, how blessed we are to have found Ms. Jill's farm. There is just so much good being done there. Ms. Jill's mantra is "with God all things are possible."  And she is right. 

God does watch over this little farm and its inhabitants and visitors.

Say a prayer with me that He continues to watch over this little piece of Heaven on Earth.

Jakes Fired Jill

Jakes had a wonderful day at the farm this weekend.  Here is Jill's version of what went down........

Your’re FIRED!


It happened yesterday. I was fired. Not let down easily, but told that I have been replaced by someone much better. You may wonder, how does the owner of a farm get fired? Easily, one of my students fired me. His name is Jacob and I have written in the past about Jacob on my blog. He is quite a colorful fixture at the farm. Jacob has one goal, to someday be an instructor at this farm. The problem, he is scared to death of going any faster than a walk on a horse.

One of my instructors, Tori, brought her mom to the farm. At one time, her mother, Eileen, was an elite equestrian, showing throughout the country, teaching, and managing her own horses at her home. At first Eileen was walking around the ring aimlessly when I encouraged Eileen to help with the lessons. Her face lit up, she would love to help out she told me. She had been rather despondent over the passing of her mother and Tori thought it would be a good idea for her to come out and soak up the fresh air, the excitement of the students, and of course to watch the beautiful horses.

Tori was backed up with lessons and so was I. That’s when Eileen, always the consummate professional stepped up to the plate and volunteered to take the next student, Jacob.

Off Jacob went with Milkshake and Miss Eileen to the round pen. He came back glowing. He was so excited that he said that he had just experienced the best lesson. No one could teach like Miss Eileen, he said. Miss Eileen got him over the fear of trotting. He trotted four times around my 60 foot round pen. This was monumental for Jacob. Judging by the look on her face it was monumental to her too. I saw a tear escape from under her dark sunglasses. Jacob patted her shoulder. She hugged him and he hugged her. They shared what few experience in this world, a mutual respect. He respected her for instilling in him confidence to do what he thought was impossible. She respected him because she learned that she still has the love to inspire others to become their best.

Thanks Eileen for helping out. I believe you were hired by Jacob! I will see you Saturday!

You can check out Jill's original post at :  http://anythingforhorseandrider.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/yourre-fired/

Riding Lessons

Jakes had his first session for the equine therapy and on the drive to the farm, he was pretty chatty.  But he was monotone and babbling about silly stuff in great detail.  He was acting so much like an Aspergers kid.  He must have been nervous or scared. 

But when we got to the farm we were greeted by 4 very friendly dogs which thrilled Jakes.    Watching Jakes talk with Ms J, I could still see the social awkwardness of the Aspergers.  She immediately worked to put him at ease, got him a helmet and a lead so they could get the biggest horse in the field!

Jakes LOVED it!  Every bit of it.  He didn't get to ride this time but did get to know one of the horses.  And he gained the trust of that horse.  Jakes was so good with the horse and listened to everything the instructor said.



Walking Hersey around the ring



getting the horse to back up



such concentration



Walking back at the end of the lesson



Treats between friends



What a happy face!

When we were leaving, Jakes said what a wonderful time he'd had and he couldn't wait for next week.  He said its always been his dream to ride a horse!  See, Good Things!