The first Snowflake of the Holiday Season has just arrived!

Fall 2006 - Snowflake is a great horse.  Only thirteen hands with dark eyes, our new Fjord is like a warm cuddly Pooh Bear.  Snowflake was born in Vermont and lived with a wonderful old man who loved beer and chewing tobacco.  They spent their winter days together.  Snowflake grew up as the old man grew old.  One day, we think Snowflake went to the vet’s office because she wanted to join the old man at the dinner table and walked through the picture window.

After the old man died, Snowflake was adopted by a woman who wanted her to be a show horse, but Snowflake was too shy.  She was ten years old when her present owner, a veterinarian, bought her for her daughter to ride on the trails.  Snowflake loves the trails and really loves children.

Snowflake came here two years ago to train to be a carriage driving horse.  We watched her try to do her very best.  Whenever she got into trouble or did not know what to do, she would just stop until the trainer could explain what he wanted her to do.

We are so happy to have her back!  She is on a diet and learning to be with handicapped children.  Watch for more on Snowflake through the Winter.

April 2006 - Kashmir and Kasondra had a wonderful first lesson.  Kassy is sure that Kashmir is the largest horse that she has ever ridden in her entire life.  He is definitely the largest horse at the Carriage barn.  Kashmir has been donated to our program by the Paterno Family of Mistover Farm, in Pawling, NY.  He is a world traveler who comes from Holland, where they grow big Dutch Warmbloods.  He will be used for adult riders with disabilities.

No-Moe WLT (N Line out of No Nonsense NTF) is probably our most photographed Haflinger. No-Moe is Misty’s counterpart in the Therapy Program. Our Occupational Therapist uses him with the littlest babies, 1 to 2 year olds; the constraints on such a great 1,100 pound 13-1 horse are tremendous.  He must be perfect all the time. Balls bounce, children scream from fear, volunteers learn how to lead off his nose, but this great horse is always on his best behavior. When he wins “Horse of the Year” at the Kids Horse Show, the parents’ eyes well up with tears.  They have entrusted their most precious possession to No-Moe.  His most endearing mannerism is his soft rumbled whiney when each child pats him at the end of a lesson.

Alabare (Legend) is a 3 year old out of Aristocrat and one of our best CDL mares.  He was so bright and such a beautiful horse in every way, we decided to feature him in our clicker demonstrations.  His intellect awes you.  If whales can be trained to jump with Clicker Training techniques, what will Haflingers do? He does all those “roll the ball, jump and fetch”, while at liberty in the indoor arena.  We only ask horses to walk, trot, canter, and be polite.  What if you ask for more?  This horse just wants you to teach him more and more.  He is the first nose over the stall wall begging to “take me out – now”.

Dodger (Artful Dodger) was a teacher and learner this last year.  He learned to drive during the Winter months and was a challenge for our more advanced kids during Summer Driving Camp.  You had to be good to put him through the cones in his new cart and harness.  At 12 hands, this little guy is really impressive.  We look forward to finding him a show or two this coming Spring.

Legacy has had a laid back year. Her walk, trot, canter as a twenty something Thoroughbred still has the beautiful movement of a true athlete. This past summer she began a dressage life with one of our new volunteers.  Abby and Legacy grew together in weekly lessons.

(Donated by Wendy O’Brien)

The best time of the year for a Haflinger is definitely Winter.  If all your relatives were born in the Alps of Austria why would you not like to play in the snow?  Misty and Marathon started The Carriage Barn on its wonderful quest a few years ago. Marathon was our first baby. Misty was a great mother. The two of them hang out together. They do not know that we want them as part of our Four Up, as draft horse people would say.  Misty teaches driving to every beginner who comes for lessons.  She has sold more Haflingers to people.  They ask if she is for sale.  We say “No, not for any price”.  So people have to find another Haflinger somewhere else. Misty is a beautiful golden horse. Her magic is in her eyes. She watches you very carefully to be sure the harness is correct and that the shafts are attached properly.  She waits the correct amount of time and then turns her head to see what is taking so long.  Every program has been built upon a special horse. Misty is our very special cornerstone.

Magic and Joe are volunteered to our program by Kathleen Scott.  They have the most important job in the whole Carriage Barn.  They are our “Wal-Mart Greeters”.  They help children who are somewhat fearful learn how to groom.  Brush after brush, cleaning feet, braiding and grooming shows, nothing is too much.  Magic is even coping with Joe’s recent miniature horse interview.  She is not even jealous of his new fame.  Joe is the mainstay of our carriage driving program.  His youngest student is four years old.  He has been featured on television, magazines, and newspaper articles, how famous can a little guy be?

Barnum and Bailey – Our circus ponies from Belgium arrived this year in time for the Kids Driving Camp.  They ere a great donation from Wendy Llewellyn.  They came with harness and a good work ethic.  The kids loved them.  We know they are able to do every trick a good circus pony should be able to do.  Our problem has been to communicate – French, Spanish, Flemish, or who knows.  They taught our children how difficult it is to elicit responses if you cannot speak someone else’s language.  What a wonderful teaching tool they have become.

(Donated by Wendy Llewellyn)

Abbe Update – At six months old Abbe has begun his Clicker Training.  He is prompted to do good things through operant conditioning.  His disposition and good behavior are always rewarded by positive communication.  Targeting, backing, and head lowering form the foundation exercises every Clicker Trained horse should know.  Targeting teaches the horse what the Clicker means.  Backing creates respect of space, and head lowering contributes to a calm attitude.  Wish him luck!  PS – He gets his first grown up halter for Christmas.

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Rosie, a Gypsy filly, is a gentle breed that will be an asset to this wonderful program. 

(Donated by Bruce & Marie Worthen in memory of their son, Ryan.)