Hi folks! From your fairweather barn friend, Lisa! I've never done a blog before, so forgive me while I learn the ropes. If it's anything like facebook, I'll be addicted in no time. (But how to keep up with all these sites?! Oy!)
My heart is warmed that you are all asking about my new little guy! "Sunshine" is a five-year-old, 32" red roan mini bred by Jen Groters of Alvadar Stables in Saranac. ("Alvadar's Mimosa" used to be called "Rico," but I felt he needed a name that said what he is really like. Teddy Bear would also have worked!!) She's training him now to be harnessed and pull a little cart, which I am looking forward to learning to drive in March/April. He is totally hilarious looking right now, as he has a "training haircut."
I am working to become certified with Delta Society as a Pet Partners team with Sunshine. Pet Partners are basically therapy animals that go visit people in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to brighten their days and sometimes assist in therapy programs. Most people use dogs, which are more frequently suited for the work, but quite a few people use minis as well. I got a chance to go with my mentor, Kay, and her mini paint Auster to Spectrum Long-Term Care in GR, and it was wonderful to see the people just light up. It makes their day. (And the stories must widen the eyes of their families...time to adjust Grandma's medicine...she thinks she had a horse in her room!)
We'll also be doing 4-H with him and 2 other minis. Involving the teens in the therapy training is part of what I want to do with him as a way of giving them the experience with both the horses and learning to do something for their elders--I mean, others! (gotta train them so they'll take care of us, right?!)
Anyway, there are tons of pix on my facebook page; feel free to friend-request me! And there are a dozen or so at my newly formed website (still under construction, but it's a start!)...check it out! http://www.mustardseedminis.webs.com/ When we're fully certified, we'll have more on there.
2 comments:
Lisa:
Sunshine is so cute. And it sounds like you have big plans for him. I think he'll be a big hit as a therapy horse. Hope to see you more when it warms up!
Ginny
Hi Lisa,
Thats for sharing your little Sunshine with us. I have hoping to see a pictue of him. He sounds really fun. I agree with Ginny. It is a really cool thing that you are doing with him. Maybe sometime you could bring him to the barn. Mickey is doing fine. He loves eat and get his supplements. I'm sure he will be glad to see you when the weather breaks. I can't wait either.
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