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Heads Up!
October 2011
10/1...Lunging Clinic 3-6
10/1...Pony School Clinic
10/3-5...Track Out Camp 9-12:30
10/5-9...NC State Fair AA
10/7...Pony School Clinic
10/8...Hill Work Clinic 3-5
10/8...4-H Clinic 2-5
10/9...NCDCTA at MCA
10/9...Healing Touch at MCA
10/15-18...EHA Williamston
10/15...Saddle Up 3-5
10/15...Leasing Clinic 3-5
10/20-23...Carolina Horse Park A
10/22...Trail Riding 3-5
10/22...4-H Clinic 2-5
10/24-26...Track Out Camp 9-12:30
10/29...schooling for C Show at MCA
10/30...NCHJA C Show at MCA
10/31...BOO!
more information about our Programs
MCA calendar
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the Word from the Herd
bit by bit...
I depend on you.
I like it that you take pride in grooming me, making sure I'm really clean all over & noticing if I have a bump, scrape or swelling so you can let your instructor know.
You always take care to adjust my tack so nothing pinches & is right where it should be. My browband & noseband are straight & bridle keepers are run up. My saddle pad isn't wrinkled & is tucked up into my saddle's gullet.
Attention to detail makes for a good ride in so many ways.
And I especially like how you can see into the future. When you remove my bridle, you know that unless you clean my bit, whatever is on it will dry & be uncomfortable for me next time I'm tacked up. It's easy to hold the leather back & swish it in my water bucket to get it clean.
Thank you for taking such good care of me (& my mouth.)
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 MacNair's Country Acres is proud to acknowledge its 2011 Horse Show Sponsors Apex Veterinary Hospital Equine www.apexequinevet.com Aquatise www.aquatise.com Bartlett Tree Experts www.bartlett.com Baxter Johnson Contracting, Inc. www.baxterjohnson.com Commercial Pine Straw www.commercialpinestraw.com Dover Farm LLC Earthwise www.earthwiselife.com Edward Jones www.edwardjones.com Linda & Rufus Edmisten Logic Limo www.logiclimo.com M & M Tack Shop www.mmtackshop.com M Theresa Brown Portraits www.mtheresabrown.com MacNair-Petty & Womble Realty Group www.legacyfarmsandranchesnc.com MacNair's 4-H Club Paraklete Financial, Inc www.parakletefinancial.com Pendleton Financial Consulting, Inc www.pendletonfinancial.com Ragsdale Liggett PLLC www.rl-law.com Sperandeo Hoof Care Triangle Farms Horse Show Management www.trianglefarms.com Wheels 4 Hope www.wheels4hope.org WJH Property Management hasselljohnny8@gmail.com show sponsor information |
Did you know?
Horses consume approximately 25 lbs of food & 12 gallons of water a day. They are unable to vomit to get rid of something they shouldn't have eaten. It has to make its way through the entire digestive system, which brings us to colic. "Colic" is a catch-all term meaning some sort of intestinal ailment that can range from mild to life-threatening.
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Giving Back
to the community
 The Future Farmers of America, in internship with the Interfaith Food Shuttle, learned from Caroline how a horse farm uses compost to add nutrients & build topsoil for our hayfields.
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Hunting Season
Hunting season in Wake County has begun. Although hunting is not allowed on the farm, hunters may wander onto the property. If you are trail riding, please wear blaze orange, ride with someone else & speak loudly or sing to alert others to your presence.
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MacNair's PhotoSite
you are welcome to download photos to print
(registration is easy & free)
MacNair's Calendar 
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Dear Friends of MacNair's,
Oh sure, it doesn't rain all summer & then rains buckets on Hunter Pace weekend. The Hunter Pace on 9/25 had to be canceled but luckily you have another chance the day after Thanksgiving. If you are not a rider, plan on hiking some of the trails. Next Hunter Pace 11/25. Don't miss it! Come on out to the Hunt Center for the Triangle Farms C show - it's going on right now. We have five horses there (including a couple young ones for entertainment purposes.) The NC State Hunt Seat Team was Team Reserve Champion at their first show of the year - way to go, Pack! Yes, you're reading that correctly - the 10/7 Pony School Clinic is on a Friday because it's an early release day. Have kids with nothing to do? Bring them out to the farm. In leasing news... Sammy is taking Windy's reins from Laura & Laura is riding Noir. Kara is now sharing Meagan's horse Garfield. I know we say this all the time but please drive slowly when you are on the farm! Expect the unexpected & be ready to avoid it. Nancy |
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Getting to know us
this month... Martina
 | | Roxy being ridden by her new owner: Martina. May you have a long, productive & happy partnership! |
When you're not around horses what do you like to do? Spend time with my family, work out & do scrap-booking. Pets? a dog Suzy & a cat Diego What's the last thing you accomplished with a horse that you were really proud of? Working with Roxy & continuing my education. Last movie you liked? Change-Up When teaching lessons, what do find yourself repeating? forward, consistent, steer! Favorite TV show? NCIS Favorite snack? crackers & cheese What do you think is important for your students to know? Horses are your best friend & you need to treat them like they're worth a million dollars. If you couldn't work with horses what would be your dream job? working in an NCIS office.
MacNair's staff and clients would like to acknowledge all the dedication and work that went into Martina becoming an American citizen. Congratulations, Martina!
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Showtime
September results
NCDCTA Show 9/11
Thanks for coming! Next show here is 10/9.
NCDCTA Results
EHA in Williamston 9/17-18
The hardest part of this show was getting out of the farm's parking lot as some of the horses & the hay just didn't feel like going. Once we were there & Bobby's Coggins was faxed to us (thank you, Mattie!) we were great! All in all an excellent show for Emma, Laura, Lizzie, Sam & Sarah B. Everyone got good ribbons (some of them were tri-colored!)
EHA
 | | when the going gets tough, the tough take naps |
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the Riding School
Some of you may be eyeing the shows at Country Acres on 10/9 (NCDCTA) or 10/30 (NCHJA C). Please talk to your instructor about whether or not you are ready to participate. If not, remember our Riding School Show is on 12/4 & there will definitely be a class for you then.
Everyone, people & ponies alike, enjoyed our last Cloverbuds - we learned how communication works between horses & those who love them. We identified sensitive areas & know to be gentle there. We heard what the barn sounds like at feeding time & listened to the sounds of happy horses eating. We also saw horses get their vaccinations (but no lollipops afterwards.) Next Cloverbuds will be 11/12.
Riding School students (with approval from their instructor) can lease a school horse ($65) to ride in the Nov. Hunter Pace. You MUST pre-enter. Entry fee is discounted for students - call the office. 919-851-1118 (The Hill Work Clinic would be very useful before you take on the Hunter Pace!)
Next Pony School Clinics will be 10/1 & 10/7.
Riding School FAQ's.
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A Couple Reminders...
for October
Shows this month at MCA: NCDCTA on 10/9 & NCHJA C on 10/30. Make plans!
Cooler weather is coming: so dress in layers. News flash! Riding is hard work! ...meaning you warm right up once you start trotting. Jackets & vests with zippers are easy to take off even while you're in the saddle. Don't let yourself get sweaty or you'll be chilly once you dismount.
MCA Activities: You can get more information on clinics & programs for October here... Programs
Healing Touch for Animals: On 10/7-9 a two and a half day course will be offered here in Raleigh for people & their animals. Please go to Healing Touch for Animals to get details on this program, or call Jane Templeton at 919-604-2327. 
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What makes a good "first horse"
and why are they so hard to find?
 When any rider gets on any horse, one of the two takes on the role of teacher. If the horse is "green" (not fully trained) the rider is, by definition, that horse's teacher & is expected to be knowledgeable & experienced. The younger & greener the horse, the more expertise the horse requires of the rider.
A young or "green" rider should be looking for a horse who is "made" (knowledgeable & experienced.) The horse should be the one with the expertise in the rider's chosen field, whatever that may be. Many of these horses are older & have had years of patient training that has turned them into teachers. "Made" horses are usually more expensive than "green" horses because you are paying for the years of experience that horse has. This is money well spent. The horse will be able to absorb & accept the rider's mistakes because the horse's basic training is already in place.
green horse + green rider = confusion...who is the teacher?
green horse + made rider = an eventually made horse
made horse + green rider = fun, safe & a great learning experience for the rider
There are, of course, exceptions to the rule, but in general, if you are thinking of getting your first horse, get a good (experienced) teacher.
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4-H News 
for October
The 4-H Club would like to welcome its new members this year. Please make yourselves at home & feel free to ask questions!
10/6... 4-H Club Meeting 6:00 PM in the Country Acres lounge. Don't forget to bring your latex-free band-aids for St Jude's Children's Hospital! 10/8 & 10/22...4-H Clinics 2-5 PM These will be riding clinics so you need to sign up by the Thursday before the clinic, in order to have a horse available. Martina will then contact you with ride times & details. If you missed the end of the year news from last year's 4-H Club you can catch up here: 4-H News |
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Programs
for 2011 - 2012
Healing Touch
Hill Work / Riding Out Clinic
Horse Shows
Horsewise
Hunter Pace
Independent Riding / Leasing Clinic
Lunging Clinic
MacNair's 4-H Club
Pony School clinic
Saddle Up
Track-Out Camp
Trail Riding Clinic
more information on the above programs
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| Wildlife Watch
Pileated Woodpeckers are often seen (& heard) on the farm. They are as big as crows & their wings flash black & white when they fly.
Their call sounds like a repetitive, demented laugh - remember Woody Woodpecker?
If you think you hear someone hitting a tree with a hammer it's probably one of these big birds looking for insects or excavating a nesting cavity.
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Quote of the Month
Thomas McGuane:
I have often noticed...good horsemen are like good sailors, meticulously and quietly tending to one detail after another, all to keep things running smoothly and safely.
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Remember chocolate is not good for horses & very bad for dogs. However, it is excellent for riding instructors.
We love hearing from you. Please take a few minutes to tell us - what's on your mind?
Please feel free to post on our Facebook page! (It may show up here, too.)
Sincerely,
the Staff at MacNair's Country Acres
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