http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/ carolinasparkle's Blog en-us © 05:41:24 Greasy.com All rights reserved. Wed, Dec 05:41:24 3 GMT 30 http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/rain_rain.html Well the last two days have been rainy and cold so I have not been able to ride the last two days. So I have been spending my down time trying to increase my knowledge by watching videos and RFDTV. My two current favorites to review are Cleve Wells and Clinton Anderson. My situation in returning the show ring is becoming more common in the industry, I showed youth beginning at age 4. I actually went to the Appaloosa Nationals at age 5 in the small fry. I went on to show 4-H and then to AQH ... http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/rain_rain.html#comments Thu, 4 Oct 2007 01:56:12 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/shopping_good_soul.html Okay another cold day in NC, so I once again turned to my second favorite hobby and went on-line shopping. I canceled the order from yesterday that had been back ordered. And was able to find a pair of boots that I liked and ordered them. I am also into health and wellness and have been studying some various companies and programs and ordered a 9 day cleanse program that I am excited about starting. Check it out for yourself www.7in9.isagenix.com, I will hopefully be able to start this by ... http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/shopping_good_soul.html#comments Thu, 4 Oct 2007 00:43:18 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/horse_training_break_through.html Well I just came in from riding Keebler and after having had 6 months of a wall in communication we had a major beakthrough! I was finally able to get a consistent wakl, jog and even a nice lope departure and awesome stop from a lope without a fight. Usually our rides end up with at some point him refusing to go forward. Not today, today we figured it out. Now to lighten him up. Clint Anderson methods here we come. See you in the pen. http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/horse_training_break_through.html#comments Wed, 3 Oct 2007 20:43:09 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/love_carolina.html I really love NC and the South in general! I moved here in September 1998 from Buffalo, NY (can you say brrr) September 28 to be exact. The first winter I had to body clip my horses because it was 80 degress in December and I was still riding daily. I remember at one point after about 35 days straight of weather that was in my mind perfect riding weather hoping it would rain so I could justify a day off. Knowing that my friends were snow bound in NY, I felt guilty of I didn't saddle up on ... http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/love_carolina.html#comments Wed, 3 Oct 2007 17:51:05 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/just_eabout_favorite_webpages.html For all of you AQHA, APHC, PHBA and APHA show horse people you will probably these but the follwoing are the websites that I go to daily to keep taps on the industry. www.pleasurehorse.com www.nchorsenews.com www.aqha.com See you in the pen... http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/just_eabout_favorite_webpages.html#comments Wed, 3 Oct 2007 17:33:54 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/ick_process_sweating_necks.html OK, I new when I finally say him that Keebler's neck was going to need work, lots of work, to get it as tight and slim as it would need to be for the show ring, yes even western pleasure horses need a slim tight sweated neck, but I had forgotten how icky the process is. 1. apply loads of awful smelling neck sweat solution (I use my own recipe) 2. pile on 3 wraps and plastic 3. Work, work, work 4. let stand for 30 minutes 5. peel all but throat ltch sweat off and go ride 6. untack and wash ... http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/ick_process_sweating_necks.html#comments Wed, 3 Oct 2007 17:23:47 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/sand.html I have one for the new sand in my arena - AWESOME!! After spending the last 2 years working on less than desirable footing, awesome, is the only way I can describe loping circle on the new sand in my arena! Last week we finally were able to get two tri-axle loads of sand delivered and leveled out. I couldn't wait to get out and put fresh hoof prints in that sand! As I said - AWESOME, Now to find the extra cash for three more loads. http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/sand.html#comments Wed, 3 Oct 2007 17:19:24 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/spring.html For those of who show horses sprign is the best time of year! Our horses are losing that winter fuzz - though the fact that we look like we are wearing a fur cost after grooming them is not so much fun. Some of us opt to keep them blanketed and underlights all winter, I have done that for years but the last two I have been to busy with my 1 yr. old human baby to try and manage blankets and lights all winter. So mine are looking like puff balls. Show season has already started in the South ... http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/spring.html#comments Wed, 3 Oct 2007 17:13:18 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/living_western_york.html They say no matter how many places you live in your lifetime that you will always compare where you are to where you grew up. That bond that you create with your “hometown” area exists despite our efforts to get out or away as young adults. My family moved a lot as a kid, but the place that stands out in my mind as “home” is Lockport, NY we lived there from the time I was four until the year I turned 13. And let me just say that 13 is a terrible age to move away from your friends t ... http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/living_western_york.html#comments Wed, 3 Oct 2007 15:37:18 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/brrrwill_winter.html Okay I know that I from snow country originally, Buffalo, NY area to be exact, and I should be able to handle 50 degree temperatures in March. But to be honest I don’t even want to go outside at 50 degrees, I have lived in North Carolina for 7 ½ years and have adjusted to the warmer weather quite nicely. We haven’t had snow in two years at my house and that is fine by me. Don’t get me wrong I love snow, I love to ski but I am happy to travel somewhere to do that and not have to live ... http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/brrrwill_winter.html#comments Wed, 3 Oct 2007 15:12:26 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/love_north_carolina.html Why I Love Living in North Carolina Okay yesterday I mentioned things that I miss about my hometown area of Western New York and because I really don’t want to give anyone the impression that I don’t love North Carolina, today I will focus on why I love NC. I love living in North Carolina because: • Property taxes are lower • I can find a horse show or rodeo within a few hours drive on any given weekend, year round • There amazing places to ride within in an hour of my house • ... http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/love_north_carolina.html#comments Wed, 3 Oct 2007 14:05:54 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/adventures_motherhood.html OK as most of you know I am a busy person, like everyone else these days. I work 40+ hours a week, have a barn full of horses, sell Avon, am married and have a 1 yr. old! Of all of these I belief my 1 yr. old to be the most challenging (of course he is the most rewarding). I waited to later in life to have him, I was 32 and my husband and I had been together 11 years at that time, we didn't rush into having a child. Why wait so long? Well we loved our lives, we were busy with the horses, w ... http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/adventures_motherhood.html#comments Wed, 3 Oct 2007 12:29:28 GMT http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/winter_grumblings.html Okay I didn't post yesterday well because I was busy feeling sorry for myself, real adult I know, but the winter weather seems to be holding on here longer than normal and though this would not be a major deal it does inhibit my ability to go to some events, because I would be taking my one year old son, Dylan, and though I maybe be able to handle freezing all day I can't subject him to that kind of day. So I missed what is currently I believe the biggest horse sale in the state yesterday ... http://greasy.com/carolinasparkle/winter_grumblings.html#comments Wed, 3 Oct 2007 11:28:26 GMT