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Heads Up!
March 2011
3...4-H Consignment Sale 5:30-6:30
5...Lunging Clinic
5-6...EHA Williamston
7-11...No NCSU / IHSA classes
11-13...Raleigh "C"
12...4-H Clinic 12:30-5
13...NCDCTA at MCA
13...set clocks ahead
17...St Patrick's Day
17-20...Raleigh Spring "A"
19...Saddle Up
19...4-H Fun Day & Lease Ride 12:30-5
20...First Day of Spring
25-27...Greensboro "A"
26...Cloverbuds 2-4
26...4-H Clinic 12:30-5
28-30...Track-Out Camp 9-12:30
Early Heads Up! 4/3...NCHJA at MCA 4/10...NCDCTA at MCA 4/16...EHA at MCA
MCA Calendar |
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the Word from the Herd
Bridling Basics
"Patient and gentle" is
what I wish you would be when you are putting on my bridle.
When you bump my teeth with the bit or try to force it into my mouth I raise my head because, well, I don't like that.
Any sudden movements close to my eyes have the same result.
Having the crownpiece dragged over my ears while putting on the bridle or taking it off hurts. Next time you are grooming me run your fingertips around the base of my ears. Instead of smushing that area with the top of the bridle, lift the crownpiece over it - so much better.
Don't forget to run the keepers up and make sure the browband & noseband are straight across my face.
Thanks!
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TOBY
 | 1978 - 2011
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Toby was 33. Using the rough estimate that one human year is 3 equine years, as a person Toby was 99. Before Toby came to MacNair's, he lived in a trailer park tied to a tree. The fact that Toby became a well-behaved & much loved gentleman later in his life was due to the persistence & sense of humor of his early riders. In 2007 Toby retired from his job of lesson pony & became the mascot at Country Acres. He [mostly] had the run of the place & spent his time rummaging for treats and dozing in the sun. However, if you wanted to find him all you had to do was unwrap candy with crinkly paper. Thanks for sharing your memories & photos of Toby on our Facebook page.  |
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Quote of the Month
Kahlil Gibran:
"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you have been weeping for that which has been your delight." |
MacNair's PhotoSite
 | | Spring is on its way. |
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Dear Friends of MacNair's,
We would like to welcome Samantha Franklin and her horse, Rio, to Country Acres. Rio is a bay Hanoverian who competes in the hunter division. We're glad you're here!
Pick up some show clothes or horse-items (or sell some) at the 4-H Consignment Sale on March 3.
It's not too early to lock down the week of Camp that works best for your family's summer schedule. camp registration information Our first NCDCTA Show of the year will be on 3/13. Spectators are welcome. Remember to set your clocks forward an hour to be on time. Yes, it's that time of year again. Julie's Lunging Clinics have proven to be very popular. If you see a date you want, please don't wait to register. 919-851-1118 or email. There are "C" & "A" shows at the Hunt Center this month. Sign up sheets will be on the bulletin board at Country Acres. There will be a NCHJA "C" Show here on April 3. We run two rings in order to accommodate classes at all levels (including cross-rail courses.) If you ride in lessons, ask your instructor about showing your favorite school horse. Other April shows at MacNair's - NCDCTA 4/10 & EHA 4/16. As some of you know, Caroline is now home and she & Cowboy are recovering from a car accident. Wearing a seat belt is like wearing a riding helmet; it's a simple thing you can do to keep yourself safer. We sadly said goodbye to two dear friends in February: Bernard, Caroline's sweet little Chinese Crested Powder Puff, and Toby, a retired lesson pony many of you knew. Nancy
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EHA 2010 Awards
February 5, 2011
Congratulations to Nancy, Laura, Sam, Charlotte, Haley, Mary Copeland, and Martina. You were stars! Look at all that loot! EHA Year-End Results |
A Couple Reminders...
for March
 Blanket cards: Please remember to update your blanket cards now that your horse is shedding and the weather is getting warmer. The Comfort Rule for Horses is - better a little chilly than too hot. If you aren't sure what to do, talk to Dena - your horses have given her permission to speak for them.
Litter: Please be mindful of taking your trash to their nearest waste can. Help keep our beautiful farm beautiful. Dam Etiquette: If a horse is anywhere on the dam, cars are not allowed to be. Please park far enough back that the horse can easily get onto the path. This is the perfect time to clean out your glove box or check cell messages, because it doesn't matter how much of a hurry you are in - horses have the right of way. You may proceed across the dam only when the horse is completely off of it. Thanks for understanding how important this is to the safety of the horses and the people with them.
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Horses Need Energy
Regional Science Fair winner: Samantha Wine
Forte thoughtfully freed Sam up to compete, not at a horse show, but at Regionals for school science projects. Winning there qualified to her to be a contender at the NC State Science Fair at Meredith College 3/25 & 26.
Her project is about feeding horses suitably for their differing needs, calories vs. energy expenditure, & is all very science-y. Ask Sam about it.
Congratulations, Sam & good luck at Meredith!
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4-H News 
for March
Consignment Sale: 3/3
Clinics: 3/12 & 26
Fun Day & Lease Ride: 3/19
 | Martina & Julie
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Congratulations to those who made the 2011 4-H Show Team: Caitlyn, Carly, Cheri, Christina, Courtney, Devon, Haley, Jackie, Julia, Laura, Lauren, Lila, Lizzie, Mackenzie, Mary Copeland, Maya, Miranda, Ruth, Samantha, and Taylor. Now the real work starts!
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Riding Levels
Part Two
 Be honest: is it really that important to keep your heels down & eyes up? Short answer: YES. Learning to ride is learning to speak a different language and a correct position makes you much more fluent in "horse." Want to be an effective communicator? Ride with a correct position.
The following descriptions are very basic. Although these skills sound easy on paper, they take a tremendous amount of concentration and control. Don't try to skip the fundamentals - sooner or later (probably sooner) an education lacking these essentials will catch up with you.
Elementary 2 riders:
A: can canter as a group, post on the correct diagonal most of the time & can hold a two-point position through transitions
B: are beginning to learn leads & can trot a jump, then canter a pole
C: can trot the first jump on a line & canter the second
D: know what lead they're on (most of the time) & can trot in, canter out over a small course
Pony School 2 riders:
A: are learning posting diagonals
B: are strengthening & stabilizing position & control
C: can trot a pole while in two-point position & are learning to canter (one at a time)
D: can post on the correct diagonal most of the time
Riders at these levels should know, among other things, the four natural aids. They are beginning to understand how aids work together (to produce a smooth transition, for instance) & what clashing aids mean to the horse (hint: confusion.) |
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Bernard
Jan 2008 - Feb 2010
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As always, we love hearing from you. If you have a suggestion, an idea, or something we should be aware of, please let us know. If you have an item (or picture) that should be in the newsletter, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Sincerely,
the Staff at MacNair's Country Acres
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