Prairie Fox Trotter Club

[Fwd: Horse Slaughter Plants - the horror, the facts and how you can help save horses from this horrible death.]

2010-04-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

Barb Fenwick new blog site

2010-01-10T19:58:00.000-06:00

I have deleted my Blogger.com blog and am now using this site:
http://barbfenwick.wordpress.com/

I find it more interactive, you can put up several web-type pages as well. Go and have a look around. Serena now has her own page, for her updates!
You can subscribe easily, by going to the side panel and clicking on subscribe. THis allows you more access and to leave posts as well.
So for information about Hoof Health, Seasons Ranch, please bookmark the above site.

The Oct & Dec issues of Horses Naturally magazine are available on that page at top of site. There will also be a pre-view version of the upcoming February issue available by Feb. 15. Subscriptions for 2010 Horses Naturally are available at 20.00 for the 4 issues. Regular subscribers will get a private email telling them how to access the full issues of the magazine.

See you on the blog!
Barb Fenwick
www.barbfenwick.com - still have the website, but phasing it out by spring, and adding that information to the above blog.

Seasons Greetings

2009-12-23T10:17:00.000-06:00

This year is quickly coming to an end and it's good to have the weather a bit warmer so we can get out with our horses over the holidays. It might be a way to wear off some of the extra Christmas pounds!

It seems strange around here without my girl Fancy. I will miss seeing her tear up the hills and lead my pack when I whistle them up from the back 40. She has gone to a good home and for me that is the greatest blessing for her. She will be having a new and exciting life with Angie. Thanks to those who have emailed regarding my sale of Fancy, they were consoling and thoughtful. I had to deal with some other emails from family and friends who's opening lines were "how could you!" LOL In particular from a young great neice who saw her grow up and imagined her here for life, just for her. She will be better served by Zoie or Spirit, who will be school masters for her through a few more years.

I was checking through my posts and came across one that was in my "drafts" file and never went out to you! It was my notice of the year end meeting, which I had planned in November, the Grey Cup weekend. Oh well, with only 7 members I think we can manage to manage our club through emails for now and get together in the summertime for any serious decision making.

Here is our club report to date. We have 7 members, as mentioned about. Kurt and Angie both paid their memberships this week. Congratulations to Angie on becoming a first time Fox Trotter Owner & welcome to the club! If anyone would like to personally welcome her to the club, here is her email: awed@mts.net

Our bank account stands at $ 283.98 as of Dec 21,2009.

Don't forget to send me news and pictures of your fun with your MFT's! I only have one now, Zoie, and am SOOOO looking forward to riding her more and going to Kurt's clinic in the spring with her. With Serena my Paso Fino, and Spirit my TWH, my ranch is pretty multi-gaited, but my heart will also beat fastest when I think about the MFT - Missouri's pride!

Have a safe, joyful, peaceful Holiday Season and a horsey New Year!

Barb & Zoie

Picture taken in south Spruce Woods Park, August,
where I rode with fellow MFT owner/rider Darlene Fisk & some of my best friends from SK.

Marilyn's MFT

2009-12-19T18:15:00.000-06:00

Marilyn, a new member of our club sent this picture of her MFT gelding. She just got him this year. She is looking forward to riding with us in 2010. Cheif, came from the US & is her first Foxtrotter. Isn't he a cool looking horse! Of course, I am partial to spots myself! Happy Holidays to you Marilyn & Cheif & all our members & their MFT!
See you in 2010! Send us some of your pics!

Membership renewal

2009-10-28T19:49:00.000-05:00

Reminder that we will have an MSN meeting Nov 29th at 8 pm MB time.
Jean Bogner has renewed her membership. Thanks Jean!

Jean helped me this weekend with my first ride in the corral of my young filly - Fancy. It's so nice to have a good horsewoman on the end of the lead rope while you do a first ride. By the second ride the next day we were "leader" free and that went very well too. I was very proud of her, she is learning very quickly.
Hope all your rides are great & look forward to talking to you soon.
Barb

Liz at the Travellers Day Parade in Brandon

2009-10-18T09:46:00.000-05:00

Liz took part this spring in the Travellers Day Parade in Brandonon June 6th. It was the first parade with her Fox Trotter mare Foxie. She handled it all very well Liz said and she was very proud of her. There were marching bands, flags galore & crowds in places. Foxie took it all in stride...a very smooth stride! Good for you Liz...we are proud of YOU!

Club news & AGM meeting in NOV

2009-10-12T21:15:00.000-05:00

Snow is falling...and thankfully melting so far! Makes you realize your riding season might be grinding to a halt, unless you are hearty & winterized to ride!
I would like to set an MSN open AGM meeting for our club for Sunday, Nov, 29,2009. If you can, please set that date to join us at 8 pm MB time (will be SK time by then too) to discuss the year ahead & throw around some ideas. I will send a reminder in November.

We have a new member - Marilyn Pranys from Altona, MB. She is a new MFT owner and looking forward to hanging out with us next year! Liz Cain has renewed her membership today as well. Memberships are not offically due until our AGM meeting time, but it might be a good time to write that $10.00 cheque to PFTC, c/o Box 248, Carberry, MB, R0K 0H0, just to get it done and over with.

An idea that came forward is to have Dianne Little come to Seasons Ranch sometime in the summer of 2010 to do a clinic. If you are interested let us know. She is coming again to Kurt's place May long weekend of next year, so maybe some of you are planning to attend that clinic if it would be closer to you, which would make sense. I know some of our members in SK would find a location closer for a clinic a little better in these tougher economic times, so its an option we could look at.
I know with having the Welz Hoof health clinic the week before in Winnipeg, I will be hard pressed to spend 2 weekends going to Winnipeg, now that I am working full time. I would rather attend a clinic during the summer, when I have time off.

If a gaited clinic isn't what you are interested in, then let me know what you ARE interested in. A fun show? Trail ride weekend? Fund raising ride for what....breast cancer or some equally important cause? It would be fun to have a trail ride all dressed in pink huh! Woudn't we look "Foxy" on our foxtrotters in pink boas! LOL. What a way to promote & do something for our communities & a good cause. Could we pick a route..."sometown" to sometown" say a 10 mile ride to do as a group & ride into town & have a pink lemonade waiting for us...or some pink cooler!! Just one idea. Ok, Kurt...you WOULD have to wear a pink boa too, but could wear a mask so folks won't know who you are...call yourself the pink lone ranger or something.

Check the side panel for the NEW WWWW weekend fundraiser pics from our Sept 4/5 weekend. What a blast.
Seasons will be removing our Blue rental trailer next summer sometime, so the WWWW ride will have to be more "self contained" and change to a different date, as I would be starting to teach school again right after the weekend, as my job is Educational Assistant for Language now for the Carberry Collegiate.

I have a tentative buyer for my filly Fancy lined up to try her out in spring, thanks for the interest from some folks. If it works out she will be an endurance horse and will be pretty flashy out there on the trails. In the meantime I ride my nice & pokey Zoie, who is a blast to ride and just the right size for me...small:)

Send some pics folks of your riding adventures to post here & any news!

Happy Horsing around 'til next time! Barb

Women's Weekend Fund Raising

2009-09-08T21:04:00.001-05:00

Hi there,
Hope you had a wonderful summer. We had about 2 weeks of summer weather..these last 2 weeks!! ANyway, it wasn't too hot for riding this summer, so I am not complaining about that. Seemed it was either too wet or too dry depending on where you live.
We just had our Women's Wild West Weekend this last weekend. What a great time! We had our auction table with all the proceeds going to PFTC. This year we raised 85.00 for the club! I think thats great considering all the items are donated & there were 14 women attending.

There is talk about using some of our club money for a group trail ride "somewhere" next summer, or we can continue to raise money and decide at a later date how to spend it. We also are thinking about using some of it in support of the Gaited Clinic & Show at Kurts in Winnipeg, which has become an annual event on the May long weekend. Dianne Little comes to do a clinic & there is a fun show day as well.

Thanks Nancy for also paying your 2010 membership already during this weekend. So I have deposited 95.00 into the PFTC account today in total.

Let me know how you are doing & if you have any ideas for fun or fund raisers & getting together as a club! I want to put the latest news in my upcoming Horses Naturally magazine due out in October.

Barb

Do horses cry..comments

2009-08-25T10:27:00.002-05:00

Wendy has left a new comment on your post "Do horses cry?":
Your question has brought tears to my own eyes as I was instantly brought back to the day one of my horses died. I had two horses that were 6 years old and had grown up together. The surviving horse witnessed his dear friend pass on, and once he was left standing in the pasture alone, did not call out for him as I expected. Instead he hung his head and while I stroked his face, he cried very real tears.

From Barb Baessler in BC
Of Course horses cry! This creature is driven by emotions, and crying is part of emotional re-balancing. Horses cry from nervous exhaustion when trapped in pain!? Or fear!
Their inner cry from separation is the saddest sound I know. I can say…. My Rusty was teary when he was fed up from a huge belly ache and gave almost up during a cold winter, maybe he cried for him or for us, because I was and he didn’t wanted to leave Nanaimo.
I feel that higher intelligence makes a horse more expressive in his emotional expression. Bigger hearts, bigger emotional bond to life.
BC Barb

Club news

2009-08-11T21:12:00.004-05:00

How did you enjoy our summer that was PERFECT for riding. Yes...while others complained about cool weather, we were enjoying relatively bug free cool riding! Now in a heat wave, I am already wishing for the low 20's again!

Don't forget to bring a new or used horsey or non horsey item when you come to the Wild West Women's weekend. We want to raise a little money for the club so we can plan an event next year where we can all get together & show off our fox trotters! Where? When? All up for discussion. I would like us to show at a fun show or 2 & see if we can get some classes in local shows for gaited horses ONLY. I think that would be a start. Also to plan a trail ride somewhere new next year.

You will finally get to see the banner when you come to the WWWW, we MUST get a picture of the club members with it!

Zoie & I have been getting out & about here some more, looking forward to riding her with you gals on trail. Here is a pic of her & i during my kids camp last week - "all dressed up" as a Queen of the court in our little fun show.

Lots of fun!

Nancy goes Cuttin!!

2009-02-16T15:13:00.001-06:00

WHOO HOOO you go girl Nancy!!! Sounds like you are having TOO much fun with that horse..I think there is a law agin that :)

Here is what Nancy wrote:

G'mornin'

I've had 2 super fun horsey weekends in a row. Last weekend I took part in a 3 day cutting clinic. I had both Jasper and Emma there so both got some instruction and practices in. This weekend I took both horses to a Cutting show Sat. then team penning yesterday & I posted a comment to the PFTC blog last nite:

Happy to hear of Trav's new home, I'm a little envious re: the climate. Thought I'd let you know that Emma and I took part in our first Cutting Show in Moose Jaw on Sat. We didn't blow the other competitors away, but we didn't embarrass ourselves either. I'm pretty proud of my girl. It's a lot of fun riding an MFT cutting and team-penning, ( my 2 favorite sporting events). You get lots of curious looks and interesting questions from folks who don't have a clue about anything not quarterhorse.

Nancy M.

ANother 2 members!

2009-02-14T18:08:00.005-06:00

I had an email from Betty Ann & her hubby in Winnipeg, who bought 2 MFT last year. They are joining our club! I wrote about Betty Ann in the Oct FTFP & how I helped her find her MFT. She was going to Alberta to buy a TWH & I changed her mind:) They are so happy with their horses. By the way, you will have read about Traveler, the palomino MFT that I trained & was living in AZ & was for sale. Thanks to FTFP & the word of mouth, Trav found a new loving friend in Tucson. She is already riding him on trail this weekend & is thrilled with him! I am so glad, I had a real big soft spot in my heart for him, he was a real good boy. Now he will get out & about & lives in the mountain with trees instead of just on the desert!

Gotta love happy endings. Here is a pic of him with his new owner.

New members

2009-02-11T22:08:00.002-06:00

I would like us to welcome Liz Graves to our club! We also had another lady from the US ask for a membership form today. Cyndi Plasch is a trainer in MN that has opened a new training stable recently called The Riding Academy. She specializes in Missouri Fox Trotters!
We are gathering a fine corral of resourses in our club, don't you think!
More info on Cyndi soon. If you haven't already, visit Liz Graves website, LOTS to learn there! She is a regular contributor to our articles in the Fox Trotter Free Press as well. http://www.lizgraves.com

Barb

New member!

2009-02-09T19:12:00.000-06:00

Along with new member Liz Cain, who joined last week, we have another new member signing up.

I just had an email from Liz Graves, who wants to join our club! She will pay me thru paypal, which is an option for our US friends. I will see how that works out..what it costs so we can offer that at the correct fee. She will pay in Cdn dollars, so not sure if there is a fee charged to me, or just to her.
Anyway..pretty cool huh! Nice of her to support our club. If you haven't, visit her website. One of my friends Noreen Bergen has 2 horses down with her this winter for training. She has Rocky Mountain Horses. I hope she will consider joining our club. Some of you met her at Kurt's last spring. Great gal! She will be there again this spring I hear! Liz Graves website is www.lizgraves.com

Barb

Polo's Eyes - the whole story

2009-02-05T14:05:00.000-06:00

I have just published the story of Polo, a horse that I had in for training for over a year here at my ranch. This horse was an extraordinary animal to work with, demanding that you use every part of your mind, spirit & body to help him find his true freedom. How much he taught Raphaelle, Eric and myself! Thank you Polo for keeping us honest & learning. Thank you Raph for writing the second part of the story, which tells a bit about his life at home in Montreal. The story continues with this horse that even though he is 1/2 Tennessee Walking horse, can foxtrot like the best of the Fox trotter breed! Here is a picture of him doing just that with Raphaelle's father Eric on him. Also the group picture with Polo in it, of the clinic I gave in Montreal in Sept/08 with a young student on him.
Polo has a part time career last summer as well as a school horse at the stable where he lives!

Here is where you can read the PDF version of Polo's Eyes:
http://www.barbfenwick.com/articles.html

Barb Fenwick.

membership form

2009-02-03T15:04:00.002-06:00

Hi everyone,
Have your February off to a good start? Its a cold start, but we know things will warm up soon...unless that weatherman is lying to us!
Here is the link for the membership form, for your info.
http://www.barbfenwick.com/FTFP.htm click on membership form near bottom of page. Its in PDF form. I also put a blurb there about our club. Looks like so far all who have "weighed in" are in favor of allowing US members as well. Maybe we can get some of them up here visiting..who knows!! Barb F

Fox Trotter Free Press - Feb issue

2009-02-02T16:15:00.000-06:00

Here is the latest edition of Fox Trotter Free Press,
Enjoy, share, learn & send me your news, comments, pictures & articles!
THanks to the advertisers & to YOU for reading the magazine. This issue has some great articles about breed standards, riding dynamics & great personal stories!

Here is your link to FTFP - February

http://www.barbfenwick.com/FTFP.htm

Happy trails & rails,
Barb Fenwick
Editor
www.barbfenwick.com
barb@barbfenwick.com

Club update Jan 29, 2009

2009-01-29T11:53:00.005-06:00

Hi everyone!

I will be heading into town today to set up bank account & check out pricing on a banner. I would like to make up a small brochure for our club as well in coming days. I spoke to Liz Cain last night & brought her up to date on the club. She is all for it! She liked the name too and sure would be happy to have a few more of us show up at the All Breed show in August to support her efforts. She is the club show chairperson and put in a MFT division now for the show. There is an english & western 2 gait class, also halter class. Its a pretty laid back show, classes for everyone over 2 days & 1 night. They start fri nite & go all day sat & sun.

THanks to those already posting their membership fee of 10.00 to me so we can officially get this off the ground. Oh...and HI to everyone from Liz! The pic attached was taken when Liz was visiting last spring before she officially bought Foxie. She hopes to get a computer this year so she can stay in the loop with us easier. I have set up so members can post, you just have to get registered on Blogger & away you go! Lets hear from you! Barb

Hi there

2009-01-26T13:19:00.001-06:00

Just testing to see if I can email from my mail program directly to the site to post news. If you see this..guess I can! You will be able to do the same, if I have put you on my tentative members list. You would just need to make up an email addy...like mine example:
mine is : barbandspirit.pftc@blogger.com
The first part is your login name, once you have registered with Blogger or already have a gmail account. The PFTC is the club letters, then its always @blogger.com

confused...so was I...you'll figure it out!
I am attaching a pic to see if that will work too.

Barb F.

NOW the site is interactive

2009-01-26T11:20:00.000-06:00

I have set this blog to be interactive to members. You can post directly to the blog & add your pictures with the text as well. Try it! I also set the site to accept ANY comments from anyone, but if non-members post then they are monitored prior to publishing. So, introduce yourself, your horses & have fun! Here is a pic from 2007 of my first ride on Zoie.

Have to get some more recent ones! Will be out & about with her more this year, plan to take her to the Dianne Little clinic at Kurts. Hope to see some of you there!

Let the fun begin!

2009-01-25T22:39:00.001-06:00

Welcome to our club blog. Prairie Fox Trotter Club is a club with members from Manitoba and Saskatchewan to date, who enjoy or own Missouri Fox Trotter Horses. For more information on the MFT - go to

http://www.mfthba.com/

For information about the club, contact the club coordinator - Barb Fenwick - barb@barbfenwick.com.

The sidebar shows the type of fun we have had in 2008, and it will only get better in 2009!

Plus we are going to get these horses into the "faces" of the public, whether on the trails, rails or showcased here, this great GAITED breed of horse will take over the prairies if we have anything to do with it! :)

For FREE MFT e-magazines go to: www.barbfenwick.com/FTFP.htm

Happy Fox Trotting!