Picture Perfect at Ironbrook Farm

Ironbrook Farm held their 3rd annual "Photo Day" on May 25th and as usual they had stunning weather and beautiful backgrounds. Ironbrook is located in Wakefield NH and has lovely landscaping, owners Lynne and Jeff pick the weekend that the lilacs and appletrees bloom to create the perfect setting for spring photos. As a family run farm for lessons and boarding they have a wonderful group of students and boarders that had the horses polished to perfection for a variety of photos from liberty to portaits. For more information on Ironbrook Farm you can visit their website at www.ironbrookfarm.com

The War on Weeds

Tis the season when some of us ooh and ahh at the pretty yellow flowers in the field, I am not one of them.... No, instead I grab the spot weed sprayer and hunt them down with vengance, scouring my pasture for the telltale green clumps happily growing without any interference from the horses. The worst offender in my book is the buttercup, mildly toxic to horses they don't touch it, leaving it to grow unchecked in the pasture, happy to flower and plant new seeds. Because it flowers in the spring it replants fast in bare patches and can take over a pasture in a few short years leaving your horses nothing edible to graze. If you are going to spot spray, now is the time before it blooms! Happy hunting!

Location! Location! Location!

Well, I know that spring has arrived when the birds begin looking at real estate around the farm. The Chickadees, Wrens, Tree Swallows and Bluebirds all flit about checking out the bird houses trying to be the first to land a purchase and sales agreement on their favorite. The Phoebes however are another story, nice birds but not too bright in the house location department. My first indication that they were in the market for some real estate was when I found them in the garage checking out some shelves, I quickly showed them out and closed the door behind them. They managed to get even with me the next day when I opened the hay barn door and a large clump of mud fell on my head. I looked up and saw the remains of a mud nest they were attempting to build on the top of the sliding door. I removed the nest hoping they would take the hint and find a better spot...........they didn't, 3 days in a row I took a direct hit to the top of my head with a mud nest. I'm happy to report we have compromised and a cease-fire now exists. I built them a nesting shelf and located it 12 inches to the left of my door, then moved some of the mud nest onto it, as of this morning they are busily remodeling the new location. I guess they are pretty smart, they tricked me into building them a nesting shelf!!

The Rocket Test

Recently, I had a new camera lens to test drive so I called upon the good folks at www.marshfieldkennel.com to see if I could practice on a couple of their corgi dogs, more accurately described as fur covered rockets. I needed to know how quickly this new lens could focus on moving targets and the true acid test is dogs! Believe it or not, the smaller they are the faster they move, and this pair put myself and the camera through it's paces. Don't let this still shot fool you, they were just giving me a rest in between launches and fly-bys. Corgis rock !

More Lovely Barns at Night

Don't you just love the way these barns look with the horses in the doorways!

Beautiful Barns at Nightfall

How many times have you looked at your barn at dusk and loved the way it looks? It seems so perfect, the warm glow of lights shining from the windows and the way the light spills from the doorway as you bring the horses in from pasture.
April is barns at night month! If you have always wanted a beautiful photograph of your barn at dusk make an appointment. I have the know how and the technology to make it happen :)

THE BRAIDING BOOK IS HERE !!!!

Hot off the presses I have just seen a Copy of the new braiding book Titled "BRAIDING Manes and Tails" by Charni Lewis. This is a beautiful book! It covers 30 different basic braids, everything from Dressage to Drafts with wonderful pictures, illustrations and step by step how to. It is a perfect time to read this book prior to upcoming show season. For anyone looking to perfect their braiding skills and make a little money on the side at shows this is THE book to have! My own horses never see the inside of a show ring but looking at the beautiful braids in this book I am inspired to go out and learn a few. I especially like the ones designed for long manes and I really want to learn the dutch braid for tails, it has such a polished look! Meaders supply www.meadersupply.com has the book in stock but it has been selling almost as fast as they can get them, it retails for $22.95 give them a call if you want to order a copy or hold one for you. Happy Braiding!