Archive for the ‘Happenings at On Eagles Wings’ Category

Help and horses needed for FFA judging contest

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

If Are you in volenteering you  and or your horses  to help us put on the FFA judging contest

contact Peggy, elcs@t6b.com, or marie at mariehorse@aol.com

Friday Sept 17 at OEW,  it will start about 10 and be done about 230

As this is our 3rd year and each year we need different horses

we need horses for the 4 halter classes, a western pleasure class and an English pleasure class

the halter class for example can be, ponies of all ages, 2yr and under class

quarter horses, apps, paints, Morgans, Arabs of all ages and sex

if we can have the horses to be more specific that would be great but not necessary

horses DO NOT need to be in show shape, and people DO NO NEED to be in show attire

people helpers are needed to hold horses in the halter class and to ride in the riding classes

we donate our facilities to help this worthwhile organization but need many others to help put this on

please let us know if you and or  your horse (s) are able to help us out

Indian Artbeat helping with OEW Despooking Class

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

 

At our stable we hold a class called Despooking.  It is classes where owners can first lead then ride their horses in a controlled setting around all kinds of new and possibly scary sights and sounds.  One key to its success is using the herd dynamics.  If one horse is scared of something he assumes an alert posture,  the rest of the herd will be alerted.  Then the other members will either recognize the “thing”  is not a threat and stay relaxed  and the one horse will then also relax.   If the threat is not recognized as harmless the herd will join the scared horse and assume an alert posture.  This is Very infectious in either direction.  Indian Artbeat ( AKA Stilts) is VERY calm so we use him to settle the other horses that may be afraid of what we present to them.   As he goes through the obstacles the other horses DO notice that he is not reacting so when they get there they are a bit braver.  Other horses are also not reacting so the young and scared horses then even if unsure go through the obstacles without much reaction.
We want the horses to chew so we will put oats in a pan or on the objects if they can eat them without biting the object.  Thus you see Artbeat looking for the oats.  He rather enjoys this job!

We walked over pool noodles to simulate a branch hitting a horses belly,  under a flag, pushed a very decorated baby stroller with plastic trailing, drug a tarp then walked over it, walked over plastic water bottles, a rug  covered in wadded up newspapers,  under the strips of tarps, saw a hoola hoop, a later with decorations on it, a tin can and sheet, an umbrella ( that has seen better days) and a horse soccer ball.

The class is a little like watching paint dry, but  the owners all look for the little signals their horses are scared, Not going forward, tight mouth, head raised, tense and hurry through.   Because of the herd dynamics thing, there are usually no big reactions.  The key is to recognize the slight fear reactions and work with the horse by following a calm horse or having a calm horse near.  Also  having oats available to eat.  The oats cause the horse to chew and think.  For some horses a finger in the corner of the mouth is enough to get them to chew and think.  Once blinking and chewing they learn that the fearful thing is not going to harm them and becomes desensitized to it.  If a horse is frightened so they don’t chew they may not react but the horse will not learn that the object means no harm, they have to chew to accept the object as safe to be around.

Will post more when I put up Ivan’s video of going through the class

Congratulations Suzan !

Friday, March 12th, 2010

 

Congratulations Suzan on your 99% riding assessment at Southern IL University.  The tester commented on your excellent balance and centered way of riding.  Suzan’s  has ridden her whole riding career with Marie Hoffman,

Pictured at home with her horse she raised and trained, and yes she should have a helmet on :-)

TTEAM TTOUCH class starting March 23

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

I am starting a class teaching TTOUCH  by Linda Tellington Jones.  Class will be for 3 weeks and will be two hours each class.  Staring Tues March 23 at 630 to 830  and continue for the next two Tuesdays  ending on April 6.  Class will be held at On Eagles Wings Equine Center and cost will be $75 for the class. 

We will learn the many TTOUCHES that can be used on Horses, Dogs, Cats and many other animals including humans.

Go to http://www.lindatellingtonjones.com/  to learn more about the Linda Tellington Jones Methods.  I have been a practitioner for the past 17 years teaching many clinics and use  these techniques on a regular basis. 

Contact Marie at Mariehorse@aol.com if you would like to attend

Horse Bible Study

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Several have  asked where I got the DVD series for the horse bible study.  I got them from

http://www.sermononthemount.org/

Their programs are wonderfuly done.

Bible study using horses

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

for 4 weeks  Starting April 7th , Wend eve at 730 pm, in our  viewing room at On Eagles Wings Equine Center.

There is no charge to attend but we need to know if you are attending,  So we have enough materials and refreshments.   There will be a free will offering for refreshments. 

We are going to use a DVD bible study that uses horses to learn more about God, Jesus and what the bible is telling us .This is a great series by Sermon on the Mount.  They use horses and horse behavior to teach bible lessons.  

If you are interested in attending please email Marie Hoffman Directly.  mariehorse@aol.com

update on Riding Exercise Class at OEW

Sunday, January 17th, 2010
Thanks for all who have signed up for the classes, we have one opening in the Thursday 7 pm class The thursday class will be taught by Mark Misic PHED in Exercise physiology, and 20 years of riding and assisted by Marie Hoffman
The week day class will be running Wend at 2 pm we have lots of opening in that class yet. So let me know if you want to come
this class will be FUN and you will have a great start to your summer of riding.
Remember class start Feb 4,2010

Rider Exercise Class to start Feb 1, 2010

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

Want to get in shape when it is too cold or snowy to ride? 

 Join us at OEW for our Riders Exercise Program, held in OEW Viewing room at On Eagle’s Wings Equine Center at 6135 Baseline Rd, Kirkland IL, 60146.  Open to all, do not need to be a student or boarder of OEW.  

6 weeks of one hour of structured fun exercises to improve your balance, coordination, and strengthen the muscles you need to be a better rider.  Different exercises each week for an all over balanced body, with homework you can do at home, no expensive equipment required.

Not in shape or in great shape don’t worry we will start at where you are and you will see improvement.

Marie Hoffman will be instructor of the classes offering Balanced (Centered) riding insights, working closely on program development with Mark Misic, a rider of 20 years, NIU instructor with PHED in Exercise physiology.

Cost is $75 for the 6 week program, staring the week of Feb 1, 2010

Limit to 12 participants per time slot

Spots will be awarded on a first come first serve basis upon receipt of paid registration, so don’t delay.

Times available are

Thursday eve 7 -8 pm

Monday 230 to 330 if fills then offering Wednesday 230 to 330

If you are interested and these times don’t work email Marie and let her know and we may put another class together at a different time

Contact Marie at 815 522 6230 or Mariehorse@aol.com