Falling in love...welcoming October in style...

What a view! Photo taken behind the Stable house towards the back pastures.


Inspired by the colorful changing leaves, Scottie and I decorated the barn and stable house - mums, corn stalks & pretty wreaths...

The Royal Treatment

Tracy shared a favorite part of Royal's trail ride routine is the après ride arena hand-graze cooling walk out.

Last week it became apparent how "favorite" - Tracy was rushing after their ride to get home. She was attempting to walk Royal into the barn and he wasn't cooperating, longingly looking over to the arena- "hey what's up?". It took some 'convincing', wow- Royal our usually MGS marshmallow was head strong!


This Saturday, Royal enjoys the lush green grass of the arena after a wonderful trail ride with the lovely Tracy- looking great girlfriend!

Location:Hermitage Rd,Chardon,United States

Holly's Hunting Season Tips

Bow season started September 27th.
Check the barn bulletin board for reminders.



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Location:Mentor Rd,Chardon,United States

When one door closes...

How often do we keep hoping for the next thing? The next job will be better...the next house will be bigger...the next car will be better on gas...the next Boston Terrier will not be a wackado...


"when one door closes another one opens"
Why are people so quick to shut the door? See only the negative and hope for positive change to come to them?

This philosophical moment is brought to by the following book:



Completed reading this for my business as a sustainable system course. Recommend it as an inspirational read ... And for free resources go to the
Penn State website
Authentic Happiness Website



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Location:Mentor Rd,Chardon,United States

Lady

A nice visit to Doc and Lady's pasture today. Lady has the most beautiful mane... Such a grand dame!

Location:Hermitage Rd,Mentor,United States

A Different Perspective...

Sometimes when life seems overwhelming, it helps to seek a new perspective.


Often a visit to the hayloft affords me the option of a comfortable view- or rather re-view of a situation.


From here
I can see the house (and not the dust bunnies under the bed).
I can see 'the pumpkin" (and not the dirt, dents and dings).
I can see Crazy Salvatore Dali- Boston Terrier extraordinaire rolling his bucket (and not the dirt and slime he is covered in).
Ahhh...
The grass doesn't appear to require cutting.
The garden doesn't appear to require weeding.
The horses don't appear to require grooming.


This distance thing is pretty forgiving...wonder if I look thinner?

Location:Mentor Rd,Chardon,United States

Where ever you go, there you are...

Thank you Judith for the trail map in the tack room!


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Location:Mentor Rd,Chardon,United States

Sunrise over ISO Barn

Early morning chores @ MGS


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Location:Hermitage Rd,Mentor,United States

Ahzar- from Afar

Ahzar enjoying this sunny September day.

Location:Hermitage Rd,Mentor,United States

The Stare Down

A study in will: Toby and Sterling


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Location:Mentor Rd,Chardon,United States

The Three R's: Robbie, Rolly & Rescue

MGS Poop Scoop version of Meet the Press... It's Meet the Horse! Today's featured guest is Rolly...


Rolly is an eleven year old Thoroughbred who has found his forever home with Robbie. He has been part of Robbie's family for three years to date. New Vocations Racehorse Adoption is the organization responsible for saving Rolly.



Statement from the New Vocations website:

"New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program was founded in 1992 to offer retiring racehorses a safe-haven, rehabilitation, and continued education through placement in experienced, caring homes. Most of the horses arriving at New Vocations are injured and thin, suffering the normal occupational hazards of racing. Without a useful skill to offer their previous option was often a one-way ticket to the local livestock auction."

Little Known Facts about Rolly: His full name is "Roll Your Own" and he has had his share of wins at the track. March 17th is his birthday - (yes yes we know all Thoroughbred birthdays are January!)


We caught up with Robbie during the evening feeding.


What a great smile!

MGSPS: "How would you describe Rolly?"

Robbie: "Young at heart, playful. He loves it here at Mountain Glen. He loves his pasture buddies, especially Lane."

Rolly and Robbie have been part of the MGS family for 2.5 years - May 2010 to be exact. When he arrived many remember how thin he was- and witnessed the time and hard work Robbie spent with him for example teaching him to graze and helping him channel that crazy intense Thoroughbred energy - all under the guidance of our wonderful uber horse whisperer Holly!!

One could say that Rolly "rolled" into his own when the caring folks of MGS entered his life. Though Robbie's car may be "mini" her love and compassion for Rolly are "to the max!"


For more information on the New Vocations Thoroughbred rescue program, please click:
http://www.horseadoption.com/

Location:Mentor Rd,Chardon,United States

Help Wanted- Routine Stable Chores

Current posting on stable bulletin board... Know anyone interested? If so, refer them to Holly.


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Elvira... That strange little cat

Late summer there were many sightings of a little cat - all skin and bones - jet black- running crazily around the barn- hissing at everything. Several weeks later the kitty is gaining weight - still hissing- but lets people pet her. Thankful to her benefactors: Janet, Jan, Holly and Scott - feeding and giving her kindness and consideration. Holly named the intense kitty "elvira" ... Here is a rare shot of her sitting still. I think she is sizing me up ...


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Location:Hermitage Rd,Chardon,United States

Weird Barn Art

Interactive art project from random found items hanging on the tack room / stable office door...


Have you tied one on?


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What's up Doc?

Doc looking mighty fine...he looks like he is smiling, doesn't he?





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Location:Hermitage Rd,Mentor,United States

Cousin Oliver

Separated at birth: Oliver the barn cat



And "Cuz" toys!


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Location:Mentor Rd,Chardon,United States

Of poodles and gratitude

During this summer among the many who have crossed the MGS path, the tiniest was Sienna.

Several riders had spotted what appeared to be a toy black poodle running aside the maple sugar house trails. Then one sunny Sunday afternoon when Sue saw the little ball of fluff not moving- Tracy and her borrowed a crate from Scott and rushed back to the rescue.

The little dog was exhausted and dehydrated. Once it got some water, food and cool air it was the friendliest little soul!

 She was so very fuzzy!!! Her fur was at least 4 to 5 inches long!

 What a face! 

Smiling face! Smart little girl who survived the coyotes!

Sue contacted Dogs Unlimited Rescue to pick up the poodle. I think Scottie and Isha were already becoming attached to the sweet little puppy. It was hard to say good bye to her!

Dogs Unlimited sent these photos, they named her Sienna.

The vet estimates she was 4 to 5 years old which is also how much she weighed after all the hair was removed when she was groomed! In these photos she appears very thin- no worries she has gained the weight back! Love that head tilt! 

This is all the fur removed during Sienna's first grooming...there is enough there to make another Sienna!~ But hey we know there is only one- AND SHE IS NOW CHERISHED!!

Love you!

Thank you to Sue, Tracy and Isha for saving Sienna who is living a wonderfully safe, happy life in her new forever home! Thank you to Dogs Unlimited for the great work they do!

Thankful for the beautiful community we have at MGS- beautiful souls who care so much for all who share this earth!

Click on the link below to learn more about this great organization.

http://www.dogsunlimitedrescue.org/index.html


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Location:Mentor Rd,Chardon,United States

What the cluck?

There are things we know…things we do not know….

Thursday evening I found Jan standing in Dude and Ruby’s pasture while Doc was in his stall…an odd occurrence. Doc was acting strange- something was out of sorts at MGS!! Jan pointed out there appeared to be something moving in the far corner of the pasture and it was upsetting Doc.

Tracy, Jan and I conducted an investigation: they were chickens! Six good looking chickens: two black chickens, two gold chickens and two brown and black spotted chickens which would have been statistically an odd occurrence for feral chickens. (Is there such a thing as feral chickens?)

Tracy called Isha- the MGS official chicken expert. Isha arrived with mom Barbara, Troop Pomeranian, a net, corn feed and a crate. Pomeranians are about the size of the chickens and fearless. Pomeranians did a great job of telling where the chickens to go. Tracy ran one way pushing the chickens away from the street. Scott arrived late to the party and tried to tempt the chickens with bird seed. Three chickens ran into the forest- my attempts to track them were horrifically inept. Two gold chickens flew and roosted in a tree. One chicken repeatedly thwarted capture from Isha’s net. Jan supervised at a safe distance. Keeper (the ever wise Pomeranian stayed back and observed.) My only regret through out this entire venture was not video our failed attempts to corral and capture the chickens. Once we left the pasture, the chickens emerged from the woods. They mock us.

By morning there was no sign of our fine feathered foul friends.

What we do know:

Arabians are very smart horses

Doc is an Arabian and very observant

Pomeranians do not make good chicken herding dogs

Isha is a great friend

Christina, Jan, Scott and Tracy have limited future careers as chicken wranglers

What we do not know:

Where did the chickens come from?

Where did the chickens go?

 They almost look organized.

 Mighty fine chickens- two gold, two brown speckled and two black.

Tracy does a glorious job of gathering the chickens!

Jan greets Isha as she arrives with crate, net and Pomeranian support team. 

Good Bye Summer - Hello School!

When September arrives, along with sad goodbyes to warm summer days , it is time to wish our college gals great success as they leave MGS to return to their studies! Emily returns to Boston while Sara to Lake Erie College. Melody has completed her internship in the big city of Cleveland and left for school- 

We are sure that Azhar is missing Xavi- but not as much as Mom missing Melody!!

Wishing you ladies continued success!!! 

Early Morning Cowboys

The following photos are from an early morning visit by a black stallion and chestnut mare. Early 6:00 am my coffee ritual is interrupted by thundering hoofs past the house. Immediately awake- I mutter very colorful prayers while scrambling to put on muck boots and a bathrobe. My first thought is the south meadow gang has gotten loose- And geez- lou-eez Scott has already left for the day!! 

I run outside and across the street to close the gate- only to be greeted by the south meadow gang curiously contained behind said gate! “It's not us this time” is their smirky reply.

Quickly I run to the stable house scanning the pastures…Ruby & Dude- check…Xavi & Dorito Chip –check…Doc and Azhar- check…Arena- two horses- check…TWO HORSES?

 A beautiful black stallion and chestnut mare running around the arena- I close the gate and watch as Rolly’s pals conduct a loud meet and greet.

Omniscient Holly knows exactly to whom these two characters belong and makes a call!

 The Stallion was a boarder at MGS back in the day.

A true cowboy- he jumps onto the stallion bareback, and ties a rope around the mare's halter- off he goes- at 7am into the sunset or at least onto Griswold Road!

Christmas MGS Style 2011

Celebrating the holidays with the Mountain Glen Stables Family! Christina and Scott hosted a pot luck get together at the Stable House. Lots of good food, good friends (new and not-so-new!) and good memories!

Everyone gathered in the Living Room for the Yankee Swap (Dirty Santa / White Elephant) game. We came to the conclusion we are all too nice to one another! Not a bad thing!

 Isha tries to guess what is in the box!!

Can you spot Fred the Cat?

 We love you too Holly!

 Since this was a party for the gals- it seemed only right that Fred the Cat would join us!

 Sharon and Jan looking pensive at the kitchen island- choices choices girls- huh?

 Stockings hung by the chimney with care!

 What a great looking gang!

 We surprised Holly with a cake for her 50th birthday! Rock on girlfriend!!

 Best part of the holiday are the barn decorations! Can't wait for 2012

 Jeep in the Naughty Stall!

 Do I hear hooves on the roof?

 Tack Room