Behind The Scenes - www.heroncreekfarm.com

Barnmaster Barns

2010-02-02T08:15:00.000-08:00

Well, the last few months have been trying to say the least. We have been working on getting Barnmaster Barns to fix some significant leak issues with their product.

What happens is that anytime the wind would blow rain against the sides of the barn, the water literally ran down the walls and flooded whatever stalls happened to be in the line of fire. I am not talking about a little water here. I am talking about 3 to 4 inches of water in the stall.

As you can imagine, this provided quite a distraction to the day-to-day operations of Heron Creek. The unfortunate part of this story includes the fact that Barnmaster Barns does not seem inclined to acknowledge that there is a problem that a little caulking can't fix.

Now in Barnmaster Barns defense, the new local distributor (who bought out the old distributor) has spent some time trying to identify the source of the leak. Unfortunately, the source is between every seam of the wall panels. This is a significant flaw in the construction design and Barnmaster Barns fails to acknowledge their flaw. Check out the video below of me scooping out the water from the stall. (It is a little dark, but I think you get the idea)

Andy Tyler of Tylerbuild Custom homes has done a great job with the residing. No leaks and much warmer. You can check out his work or contact him at

http://www.dragonflyfarmservices.com/

So the moral of that story is don't buy a barnmaster barn if you live somewhere it rains.

2010-01-08T05:01:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Jan Lyon on the purchase of Indigo. Thanks to Barbara Kahle and Peg Seals. He is a perfect match!

2010-01-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Jenny Rinaca for teaching and helping us care for the horses!

2010-01-08T04:52:00.000-08:00

Below normal temperatures means horses tend to drink less water. Adding warm water makes them drink more and prevents dehydration and possible impaction.

If adding salt, electrolytes, flavoring, or sugar, always make a separate source of plain water available.

Horses drank more from white buckets in one study...I've tried it, it works.

2010-01-08T04:48:00.000-08:00

Litta is doing great! She was quite afraid of trailers when she arrived, and with some help from a friend, she has been getting on the trailer for months.

Kulitta Joins Our Team

2009-09-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

We are very happy to welcome Kulitta or "Litta" as she is known around the barn to our team here at Heron Creek. Litta hails from Maryland and looks forward to jumping around our arena.

Make sure you say Hi to Litta next time you visit.

Summer Riding Camp!

2009-05-27T11:14:00.001-07:00

This summer, we are organizing three horse camp sessions! The first one is July 13-17, the second is July 27-31, and the last one is August 10-14. Sign up now and see the website for more details!

New Fence

2009-05-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

I am very please to say that we recently completed the fencing addition of another 7 or 8 acres of prime knee high pasture. This will really help with the pasture rotation and provide much needed relief so we can reseed in fall and treat for weeds.

Big thanks go out to Alex and Michael, a couple of working students who helped lay-out the fence lines, as well a Taylor for her water delivery service and Kathleen, as always, for her steady helping hand.

This is our first venture into Electrobraid fencing and so far I am extremely pleased. It was pretty easy to put up, and it looks nice. Most of all, I really believe that the give that the rope gives when hit is an added safety element that is much needed.

As always . . grass to mow, weeds to kill, pastures to drag.

Dave

Going for a GALLOP!

2009-05-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

Last week Ashley and I decided to take Avery and Penny out of the ring for a change of scenery. Dave has been working hard to get the huge pasture fenced, and we thought we'd take advantage of the wide open spaces, get out of the ring, and let the horses run...well they certainly did run! Let's just say we enjoyed the Adrenalin as much as the horses, and what a great start to the holiday weekend...

Awsome New Horse

2009-05-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Ashley Brooks on the purchase of Slew of Silver/Avery! We fell in love with Avery and are thrilled that he will be staying with us at Heron Creek. He is a perfect match for Ashley, he's brave, he can jump the moon, and he's gorgeous!

Arya may become surrogate

2009-05-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

Arya is going to be a recipient of an embryo at N.C. state. We hope the embryo becomes a healthy foal, and Arya will make a great surrogate mom!

Arya's new job

2009-04-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

Arya has a new job making pretty babies for NC State in Southern Pines. The facility is beautiful, horses well cared for, the staff very friendly, and I highly recommend it.

Spring Break Weekend with Horses

2009-03-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 18 & Sunday, April 19; 9-1
Grooming to Win, Equine Sports Massage Therapy, and Lots of Riding!
Bring your own horse, (stalls available) or ride one of our School Masters
For details www.heroncreekfarm.com or call Kathleen 580-5300

Sale Horse

2009-03-25T08:07:00.000-07:00

After eight hours in the trailer, this 16.3 gorgeous bay walks into the barn with mares squeeling in the dark, and acts like he just walked in from his usual turnout! Big stride, big jumps, and puppy dog personality. Look for him at Bridlewood on Saturday!

New Website Launch

2009-03-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have updated our blog. You know how it is . . Christmas, New Years, Birthdays, Work, etc. . .

Anyway, we have just launched our new website. Please check it out and feel free to email me at hcf@heroncreekfarm.com if you have any comments or content that you would like to add.

Grass is growing and there is a new fencing project on the horizon.

Horse Trailer

2008-12-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

I decided to take Arya to Charlottesville, to Blue Ridge Equine. She has been swaping leads, proping, and unable to hold a canter in either direction. We haven't used the trailer much, so I took it down to the nice people at Back Bay Auto for an inspection before our trip. Well, now we have 4 new tires, and a new battery for the brakes. I had to reschedule our appointment with Dr. Cowles, but the folks at Back Bay always bend over backwards to get us on the road. Last summer I took the truck in for new brakes, right before medal finals. They had to order a part, and the wrong part was delivered. They needed an extra day, and we were doing a clinic with Greg Best. The owner of Back Bay Auto is a horseman, and kindly offered us the use of his truck. In the end, we borrowed our friend, Larry Williams' truck, and made it to the clinic, which was awsome. After the clinic, we stopped and picked up our truck from Back Bay, hooked up the trailer (with out even unloading), returned Larry's truck, and left straight for Lexington.

Laminitis

2008-12-12T11:57:00.000-08:00

We just had LOTS of rain and temperatures in the 60's-70's. I noticed patches of bright green new grass sprouting around the farm, eventhough it's December. Fortunately, the dry lot where the ponies get turned out was not sprouting any killer grass. It must be Murphy's Law because I just put away the grazing muzzles for the winter. Speaking of muzzles, the ponies don't hate them as much if I put a SUGAR FREE pepermint in the muzzle when I go to put it on. My students and parents know to get SUGAR FREE treats for the ponies!

Gift Ideas

2008-11-27T14:33:00.000-08:00

The Sleep Ponies by Gudrun Ongman (Beautiful watercolor illustrations)
Good Luck Pony by Elizabeth Koda-Callan (Girl builds confidence in riding lesson)
Judy Richter's Riding for Kids (Best "text" for a correct riding foundation for kids and adults)
Hunter Seat Equitation by George Morris (Must read for serious hunter jumpers)

Grooming Box or bag: Curry comb, med. bristle brush, soft bristle brush, hoof pick for starters.
Winter riding tights, breeches, or jods, or show new clothes!

Heron Creek Farm baseball caps arriving soon, or have your own shirt, jacket, etc. embroydered with farm logo or patch at Nancy Harbison Tailors on S. Lynnhaven Rd.

Around the farm - Orion Lights

2008-11-24T08:27:00.000-08:00

Big weekend mowing the remaining 15 acres. Also got the Orion lights installed over each stall. We are hoping that through the use of the Orion lights we will be better able to manage the horses coat growth. Here goes. More info on this project in the spring.

Big thanks to Jim C over at Briarwood Farm for the use of his TR3. Our ring is groomed like a champ!!!

Foot Problems for Arya?

2008-11-20T18:04:00.000-08:00

Today Arya had her shoes taken off for the winter. She had front shoes on, and no back ones. Our very dependable farrier, Dick, said that she had worn the toes of the back hooves down! What does that mean? It means that she has no muscle in her stifle! Just what we needed at this point in the training... We will probably inject her stifles-the only problem is that, at the moment, Arya has a severe phobia concerning needles. We shall see what the next few hours/days/weeks bring and go with the flow for now!

ITALIAN jumper pull on bell boots that last!

2008-11-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

I ordered a pair of ITALIAN jumper bell boots, (they're easier to find than years ago), and they're economical and good for the environment, because every other type I've tried ends up in the trash before the horse is re-shod!

My friend, Stella, turned me of to them after keeping them on FEI jumpers and found only the ITALIAN RUBBER holds up. The only down side is that they're a bear to pull on.

This morning Arya broke one of the velcro-type, so I patted myself on the back for having finally ordered some ITALIAN ones, and proudly went out to her field to pull them on, despite the sub freezing temps. Cold ITALIAN rubber doesn't stretch. After struggling with the muddy hoof and freezing hands, I went back to the barn, ran the very strong ITALIAN rubber under hot water. (So grateful for a water heater in the barn). I wrapped it in a towel, shoved it under my coat, and it went on relatively easily. I'll be using hot water every time in the future!

Did I mention that they are ITALIAN...

Another long weekend

2008-11-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

Well, we finished yet another project with the addition of 68 tons of gravel to the driveway and around the barn. Sure is nice not to lose the car in some of the ginormous pot holes we get here in Virginia Beach.

Taylor and Arya are moving along nicely. Taylor is working on strengthing Arya's hind end as she gets this cantering thing down.

Next project . . final mowing of the season.