Hello All - I am learning again how to get on the Blog Page....so far, so good :)    It is a very special occasion for me to post!
I am delighted to announce that Shane has been selected by the American Morgan Horse Association as the Therapy Horse of the Year!
I wanted to post the letter submitted for the nomination.  Shane wrote it (with some help from his friends :)  You will have to give him an extra pat when you see him in the spring! 

Dear Therapy Horse Selection Committee:

 My team at One Heart is transcribing this on my behalf.  My original family, the Dolans, Cairnbrae Farm LLC, my birthplace and home to mom and dad are nominating me.

I have decided to take matters into my own hands….er, hooves.  My name is Shane.  My sister, Rosie was the AMHA Therapy horse of the year in 2013.  Thanks for that, I guess…Thanks A LOT for that.  She wears her prize halter every time out of the pasture.  She actually flaunts it, I think.  Help a brother out, here.
I came to One Heart Equestrian Therapy as a six year old.  One Heart is a PATH, Intl. member center.  This is the only job I have ever had.  I have participated in therapeutic riding for 13 years. My favorite activities are jumping and Special Olympics.  Yes, jumping in therapeutic riding!  
One Heart was in its second year when I arrived a couple of weeks before the first session of the year.  They had NO idea I could be a therapy horse, let alone, the double-top-notch therapy animal that I am.  We were a “mobile unit” back in the day, trailering to the local fairgrounds three times per week for lessons.  As an aside, I am available to offer trailer loading lessons if needed, as well.  My first trip to the fairgrounds seemed pretty basic. It was for volunteer training, no riders were around.  The big surprise was when the life-flight helicopter cruised in over the top of the arena and landed in the grass at the end-gate.  That was when we learned that this little prime piece of real estate was the transfer point for the local hospital for life-flights.  This is the moment when the instructors tell everyone they learned I would be a fine therapy horse. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are wacky things daily that I get to manage.  Of course, my strength is the relationship I develop with my leader.  I usually don’t get to know them too well, but I think I have an ancestral inclination to buddy up with people.  That turns out to be a good thing in therapy.  Given our three sessions per year, three days per week, three classes – or more per day…..I am going to give a rough estimate that I have had 10 different leaders per week each session,  3 sessions per year, 13 years…hang on, this is tough without fingers….say, 390 different people leading me.  Well, honestly, I teach many of them how to lead rather than them leading me.  But I am noted for sticking with my leader regardless of what my riders happen to be doing.  My riders are rather unbalanced at times, but for the most part it turns out that they are noted to be totally unpredictable. 

They tell me that my specialty is with riders diagnosed with ADHD and on the Autism spectrum.  I can stand the wiggles, the screeches of delight and other acts of spontaneity that include legs kicking, arms waving, heads banging, giant hugs, slipping and sliding, and random movements from ears to tail.  That’s not an exaggeration, folks. I don’t think there is a hair on me that remains untouched by a rider.  This is usually while we are riding. Then there was the time that the camp for children with blindness came.  Statue time.  Little fingers over and over and across and back.   Delicate and exploring fingers.  It was cool.  This really all points again to the partnership I have with my leader – what they say goes.  I just stick with them and things turn out ok. Some of my riders don’t have leaders.  I think they still consider me green-broke but with my independent riders, we ride and ride and ride.  It doesn’t matter if I wear a bit (what’s that?) or English or Western or just a pad and surcingle.  When I have a rider, we ride!

Please understand, just like sister Rosie, I also get to carry the little bitty kids and the larger adults.  Size helps here.  I am tall and stout.  I would rather view it as masculine in a stylish manner.  I have a bold look and a high head that can intimidate a rookie leader but they usually come around.  I also want to note that I don’t simply ignore what is going on around me… I participate!   I watch the balls fly through the air, my head goes up if my rider’s arms go up, and I am the first to figure out what the new arena game is.  Don’t confuse my willingness with being a deadhead or worse, “bomb-proof”.  You have to be pretty “with it” to manage a therapy arena. 

You know, of course, that sister, Rosie, is noted to be an instructor favorite but the chatter in the barn aisle lets me know that I am the VOLUNTEER favorite!  

Each of my riders is endearing to me in their own way but out of the estimated 10-15 riders per week I have carried each session for 13 years (again, counting with hooves is rough…..lets go with 468 rides) the ones that come back year after year just to ride me are quite special.

One lady has MS now, but used to barrel race as a kid.  She talks about grandchildren now so no telling how long ago that was.  Anyway, she’s been coming at least 10 years and I am undoubtedly her very, most favorite.  She has never ridden Rosie, by the way.  Ha.  She loves, loves, loves me!   She can’t go up the mounting block anymore but insists on using the steps on the mounting platform.  There is no way she will let them wheel her up the ramp side.   She has help getting up from her wheelchair, up the steps and pivots around to sit on me.  Then we swing her leg across my mane so she is astride.  I have noticed some changes in her seat, posture, and strength over the years, I think they expect that. From what I’ve heard her neurologist wouldn’t allow her to come ride until he saw what I could do for her.  Now, he signs off every year and asks when we will get started again in the spring.  He says I am the only thing that really helps keep her going.  Me – I - the Shane. 

I will send pictures of my variety of riders.  What I really want to talk about is Special Olympics.  I have participated every year our team has competed – 11 years!   This is when my show horse DNA gets to express itself.  Barrels, baton relay, doesn’t matter, even horsemanship, I go in all classes.  I get the riders who can trot.  Let me rephrase that, those who can trot with me!  Yes, I can trot!   If they didn’t give me such a good leader I would have all the gold medals.  I love the competition, I guess.  Cheering is all it takes.  Actually, even at home, if the instructors say, “Riders, prepare to trot", I am already in gear, just waiting for my leader.

Let’s not  mention this to Rosie – I’ve had enough of her and her award.  I’ll just wait to show up with my halter and my excellent, special riders and we will go trotting merrily along.  Thanks for considering me for this prestigious award.    Shane.

Rosie rocking the Ames Tribune

Have you ever seen a Fjord bunny?

Did you see it? Rosie was in the Ames Tribune on Sunday. Here is the link: http://amestrib.com/news/horses-used-therapy


I'll give you 3 guesses what the theme was for classes on Saturday. :0)

Join us for classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday.

Horses used in therapy

A young rider works with Rosie, the 2013 American Morgan Horse Association Therapy Horse of the Year, during a therapy session at One Heart Equestrian Therapy in Roland. Children taking the therapy session were asked to collect Easter Eggs around the horse barn to practice reaching for objects. Therapy sessions can be used to help riders with disabilities improve strength, posture and more. Photo by Julie Ferrell/Ames Tribune
Buy Photo

By Julie Ferrell, Staff Writer
jferrell@amestrib.com

In a barn near the edge of Roland, a group of volunteers and trainers are providing a different style of therapy session.
One Heart Equestrian Therapy recently started its latest series of classes to both youth and adults with disabilities in the area. The 13-year-old organization uses horses to help improve a client’s balance, posture, strength and coordination.
“We offer services to physical, mental, emotional and cognitive disorders, and most of our clients are diagnosed with several,” said Kris Lager, co-founder and executive director of the organization. “This is not pony rides. This is real, true-life therapy. But it’s so amazingly enjoyable.”
Each class is led by a physical therapist or a riding instructor, under the standards of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl). One Heart offers several types of therapy, which can work on both gross and fine motor coordination. Starting at age two, clients have the chance to work with both large and miniature horses either by riding, or through activities like grooming or driving the horse from a carriage.
Clients are signed up for a session one time per week for a six-week class. During a session, each client is helped by three volunteers that help lead and stand on either side of the horse. Lager said for this year’s class, the group is using eight full-size horses, five miniature horses and 200 volunteers.
One volunteer, Jennifer Lamoreux, has been with the group since the end of its first year. While she had previous experience working with horses, Lamoreux did not like the typical attitude she found around horse ranches and camps in the area.
“In other places, it was very competitive, and it wasn’t what I was looking for,” she said. “Everybody here was just into horses, whether they could talk or not. It just took off from there and it’s been my social life and a big part of my life.”
The Roland-based group is also earning both regional and national attention. Lamoreux was named the Region 7 Instructor of the Year in 2011, while one of the group’s large Morgan horses, Rosie, won the 2013 American Morgan Horse Association Therapy Horse of the Year.
Lager said that as one of five therapy centers in the state, One Heart serves clients from nine counties, and the group serves over 35 clients in a 10-hour period. While Lager said her team doesn’t like to “talk in terms of miracles,” she has seen the therapy help clients in ways they never predicted.
“We put a younger client on a pony, and I received a call from the boy’s physical therapist after three weeks,” Lager said, “and shwe reported he was doing things they had not expected him to do without another couple years of work in the clinic.”
Peggy Miller, associate professor in animal science at Iowa State, said similar success stories have helped make the therapy style one of the highest developmental improvement therapies in the country. Miller said one reason horses work so well as therapy animals is because of how similar their movement is to that of a human.
“The horse mimics the way we move. As we move, the hips will move in conjunction with the horse,” she said. “It will work on some of those motion skills, and even improve posture and coordination in youth or adults.”
But the therapy has also been proven to help with social skills. Clients get to work on issues like trust and overcoming fear by working with a large, intimidating horse, as well as responsibility by brushing the horse or helping to lead the horse out to the class area. Miller said the combination of physical and mental activity the therapy can develop has helped the style skyrocket in popularity in the last few decades.
“That develops a relationship and respect for the animals, and builds a relationship with the people that are helping (the client),” she said. “You can really see it in the child or adult’s face as they get on an animal.”

- See more at: http://amestrib.com/news/horses-used-therapy#sthash.7JawMPvl.dpuf

Horses used in therapy

A young rider works with Rosie, the 2013 American Morgan Horse Association Therapy Horse of the Year, during a therapy session at One Heart Equestrian Therapy in Roland. Children taking the therapy session were asked to collect Easter Eggs around the horse barn to practice reaching for objects. Therapy sessions can be used to help riders with disabilities improve strength, posture and more. Photo by Julie Ferrell/Ames Tribune
Buy Photo

By Julie Ferrell, Staff Writer
jferrell@amestrib.com

In a barn near the edge of Roland, a group of volunteers and trainers are providing a different style of therapy session.
One Heart Equestrian Therapy recently started its latest series of classes to both youth and adults with disabilities in the area. The 13-year-old organization uses horses to help improve a client’s balance, posture, strength and coordination.
“We offer services to physical, mental, emotional and cognitive disorders, and most of our clients are diagnosed with several,” said Kris Lager, co-founder and executive director of the organization. “This is not pony rides. This is real, true-life therapy. But it’s so amazingly enjoyable.”
Each class is led by a physical therapist or a riding instructor, under the standards of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl). One Heart offers several types of therapy, which can work on both gross and fine motor coordination. Starting at age two, clients have the chance to work with both large and miniature horses either by riding, or through activities like grooming or driving the horse from a carriage.
Clients are signed up for a session one time per week for a six-week class. During a session, each client is helped by three volunteers that help lead and stand on either side of the horse. Lager said for this year’s class, the group is using eight full-size horses, five miniature horses and 200 volunteers.
One volunteer, Jennifer Lamoreux, has been with the group since the end of its first year. While she had previous experience working with horses, Lamoreux did not like the typical attitude she found around horse ranches and camps in the area.
“In other places, it was very competitive, and it wasn’t what I was looking for,” she said. “Everybody here was just into horses, whether they could talk or not. It just took off from there and it’s been my social life and a big part of my life.”
The Roland-based group is also earning both regional and national attention. Lamoreux was named the Region 7 Instructor of the Year in 2011, while one of the group’s large Morgan horses, Rosie, won the 2013 American Morgan Horse Association Therapy Horse of the Year.
Lager said that as one of five therapy centers in the state, One Heart serves clients from nine counties, and the group serves over 35 clients in a 10-hour period. While Lager said her team doesn’t like to “talk in terms of miracles,” she has seen the therapy help clients in ways they never predicted.
“We put a younger client on a pony, and I received a call from the boy’s physical therapist after three weeks,” Lager said, “and shwe reported he was doing things they had not expected him to do without another couple years of work in the clinic.”
Peggy Miller, associate professor in animal science at Iowa State, said similar success stories have helped make the therapy style one of the highest developmental improvement therapies in the country. Miller said one reason horses work so well as therapy animals is because of how similar their movement is to that of a human.
“The horse mimics the way we move. As we move, the hips will move in conjunction with the horse,” she said. “It will work on some of those motion skills, and even improve posture and coordination in youth or adults.”
But the therapy has also been proven to help with social skills. Clients get to work on issues like trust and overcoming fear by working with a large, intimidating horse, as well as responsibility by brushing the horse or helping to lead the horse out to the class area. Miller said the combination of physical and mental activity the therapy can develop has helped the style skyrocket in popularity in the last few decades.
“That develops a relationship and respect for the animals, and builds a relationship with the people that are helping (the client),” she said. “You can really see it in the child or adult’s face as they get on an animal.”

- See more at: http://amestrib.com/news/horses-used-therapy#sthash.7JawMPvl.dpuf

Rosie- 2013 American Morgan Horse Association Therapy Horse of the Year

Cairnbrae Irish Rose

Congratulations to Rosie the 2013 American Morgan Horse Association Therapy Horse for the Year. 

Rosie was One Heart's first horse. When Kris started asking people about horses, the Dolan family of Tulsa, OK donated Cairnbrae Irish Rose.

Rosie has carried riders in nearly every session of One Heart's history. She has also competed in the Iowa Special Olympics for 10 consecutive years.

After delays, cancellations and some fancy keyboard work by various airline employees, Kris made it to the 2014 American Morgan Horse Association Conference in Raleigh, NC. Luckily our webmaster Katie L. moved to the Raleigh-Durham area a few years ago so Kris had a local guide and taxi available after her airline adventure. Rosie's breeder, Kevin Dolan, was able to share the spotlight at the awards ceremony.  

Kevin Dolan, Ling Fu Wiley-AMHA director-at-large, Kris Lager

The AMHA put on a great show. Every award winner at the banquet had a short video with a narrative read live. They posted it on YouTube so we can share it with you. Rosie's video
Kris was so excited she didn't even realize they'd set it to music! Rosie is going to look super stylish in her new leather halter and saddle pad.  

Rosie's new bling.

So far in Session One...

A HUGE thank you to all the volunteers and the Strum family for the great facilities.  It was great to see a crowd at Wednesday Workday, and we started this year off with less on our To Do list than ever. 

By the numbers for Week 1:

Shedding version... we lost count, but the ponies are less furry! :0)

•   36 volunteers signed in (we know there were more, there was a missing sign in sheet at least part of   a day)
•   3 trailer trips to move horses back (and Rosie was SO happy to see her barn again!)
•   17 horses/ponies were dewormed
•   27 clients served (normally we'll have more, so if a vol felt left out, keep coming, we will need you!)
•   40 hooves trimmed
•   11 bridlepaths/manes clipped
•   LOTS (piles!) of fur was shed, brushed, or pulled off (hey, sometimes it's just easier to use your hands on all that loose fur)
•   12 muck buckets dumped 
•   2 harnesses cleaned
•   6 carts/carriages moved
•   8 saddles cleaned
•   1.5 round bales of hay were eaten in the last 2 weeks.
•   2 bags of Senior feed for Alex
•   2.5 escapees--Jen forgot to check the pony gate latch--Peanut only made it 1/2 way out, then decided to back himself into the pen (the What, I've been inside the whole time! act).  Dandy and Spunky sampled a few bites of hay before parking themselves back in the pony pen.  I do love our minis--saved me chasing them in the rain at night!

For the start of Week 2:

• Dani taught a volunteer the Shetland Shuffle
• Thanks Tues. vols for the safe, smooth night!  It's great to see cars parked in the vol parking when I'm running late from work!
• VEISHA is coming, will there be enough vols on Sat.?
• Peanut has recovered from his tummy troubles and is back to his Nutty self.
• Thanks to my mucking buddies, we raked all the manure out from under the eaves. 
  
• And 4 minis are spending some quality time in the nice, dry arena.  After last week, I decided that it was easier to chore than for all of us to attempt to clean the soggy little mud balls.  It's hard to stay clean when your belly is inches away from the mud (that's why Kris calls them the Pasture Squeegees). So dry, fluffy ponies for the Mini Power class tomorrow!  So far it seems like they have had lots of fun playing with the hula hoops-- they were scattered around in the back of the arena tonight.  And yes, Kris, I moved the banner! : )
• And the Story City Girl Scouts made a few new arena toys--they will brighten things up! 

2011 Region 7 PATH Intl Instructor of the Year - Jennifer Lamoreux

One Heart's own Jennifer Lamoreux is the Region 7 PATH Intl Instructor of the Year. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International- formerly NARHA). Region 7 includes Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas which include some big cities and large centers.

Dani nominated Jennifer for many reasons including the creation of the Mini Power program.

In the winter of 2009, One Heart instructors found out that one of the Special Olympics riders had a health status change and was now contra-indicated for riding and driving. The student and her family were devastated because the highlight of the student’s year had been competing in the Equestrian Special Olympics.

It's a Peanut S'more!

Jennifer thought she could find a solution using a miniature horse (Peanut) that had been donated to the program three years prior as a yearling. The mini had shown willingness to work and courage in the face of challenges. Jennifer networked and made connections with miniature horse people, and found out that miniature horse shows have classes for people with disabilities.

Receiving this award meant Jennifer was in the running for the PATH Intl Instructor of the Year.
Jennifer, Dani and Kris went to the PATH Intl Annual Meeting and Conference in Lexington, KY Nov 9-12, 2011. And as I've heard more than one person state "Jennifer was robbed!" Although we may be just a little itty-bitty bit biased.

CONGRATULATIONS JENNIFER!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!!

It Looks Like Shane was cut out of the other picture

I made it smaller to include Shaney-boy!

Petunia and Fritz Join One Heart

Hi Gang;

After meeting Petunia and Fritz at their home in South Dakota, we were pretty convinced that they would suit our program.   Due to the milage, the owners agreed to meet us 1/2 way to make the exchange.   This looked like Sac City.   Due to the suppressive heat, the owners were interested in making the exchange early in the morning.   Earlier than I wanted to drive....so, Jennifer, Dani, Lucy and I drove to Storm Lake the night before.   This is because - unbelievable as it might seem - the Sac City Motel was full!   Storm Lake was the next closest.   We arrived late Sat., July 16th - so late the innkeeper had called to tell us to find our key in they mailbox and to check ourselves in.  We were to check out in the morning but left before seeing anyone.....It was quite a stay.  I won't say it was terrible, but it didn't help convince Jennifer that motels were a step up from camping!
We met the Christensens, the owners of Petunia and Fritz in Early, Iowa.  They unloaded and reloaded perfectly and we were on the way.  We made it to the barn and got them pastured to rest.  The picture I have of them is when they arrived.  I jumped out of the truck into the heat and humidity and when I snapped the shot - I found the lens had fogged over from the drastic change in temp.  
Last night we gave Fritz his first haircut - The Fjord Buzz.  He looks awesome!   He also started in lines last night.  Can't wait for you to meet them.

Chat soon;  Kris

Full Fjord Immersion

Hi Everyone;

Dani, Jennifer, Lucy and I started out July 16th at the Midwest Fjord Horse show held this year in Cedar Rapids.  I was really glad I was not grooming for this one!   It was HOT and muggy!   It was really fun watching so many Fjords showing.  It was also fun watching the trail class to see who might be able to work in therapy.  There is a really neat class - Walk - Trot trail.  The horse starts out the obstacle course being led through different stations.  The rider then mounts 1/2 way through and completes the course.   I had never seen this aspect added to trail.  It was a good addition.  It seemed most like a therapy class to me. 
The most impressive classes were the driving.  So nice and elegant.  To me the highlight was wandering back in the barn and visiting with owners.  The stall that stopped me was a lovely grey dun stallion with a pedigree plaque on the door.  It caught my eye -"Anvil's Fjellrosa" - that was our Rosa!  She was this stallion's paternal grandmother!  Made me feel at home - made me miss Rosa.  
We stayed at the show as long as we could.....

Mighty Minis Strike Again

 The moment we have waited for.  The custom carts are here, Miracle and Dandy are suited up, and able-bodied whips are in place.  The therapeutic driving program is going strong again.

This class is with Jim and John who show exceptional skills already.  We comment on their quiet hands and voice command skills.

Driving is on Tuesdays beginning at 5:00 pm.  At the same time our first vol shift should be arriving to prep for the 6:00 pm class.  If you can come to help, we need you Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

These pictures are from Dick our photographer.  By the way, both pictures are of Miracle.  Check out Jim negotiating the cones.   Only one over on his first try.  We will get trickier as the session goes on.  Please come join us for the beautiful facilities, perfect weather and fun, happy smiles. 

Where Did Dandy and Miracle Go?

Don't worry - Dandy and Miracle are a super big part of One Heart....But after their body clip on Sunday it looked like about 1/2 of them was gone!  Swept away in a giant hair bunny.  Does anyone want to make mini-yarn??

Yes, there is a wash rack at the new location!

Thanks gang for all your help setting up and preparing for session 1 in our new location.  We look forward to having all our volunteers come enjoy the new place.  We start riding on Saturday and have added classes on Monday mornings, Tuesday and Thursday evening.   Lots of super choice vol shifts.  Check Facebook for carpool info if you need it.  It is under the "discussion" tab.   See you soon!

First load of horses to the new location



Peanut and Miracle.  Miracle is happy to be out of his
stall - or mini "time out" since he was slipping through the fence
for the greener grass.

Today Buddy, Alex, Dandy, Miracle and Peanut cruised to Roland in ol' blue.  They loved the new pasture with a run-in shed and lots of posts to scratch on.  Their neighbors, the Strum's horses, across the drive were delighted to have visitors.  Our gang settled right in.  Then they saw the calves.  Our "cow pony", Buddy snorted the most.  The minis pretty much checked them out and then forgot about them.  The calves were still staring at our herd when we drove away. 

Dani, Jen and I spent a few minutes digging through the moved boxes, tubs, crates, and barrels and started setting up.  Jen and I plan to spend some time there tomorrow if anyone would like to join us. 

We had to compliment the owners on their wonderful design.  The facilities are so easy to work in, so clean, and so spacious.

Vols - start checking in.  I have shifts set up.  I will get them on the calender soon.  Can't wait to ride! Kris

Alex and Buddy at the new location - the other horses are thinking this is a play date!

This is yesterday - Peanut and 22 year old Alex "rarin' to go" to the new barn!   I hope you are just as ready!

TOMORROW,  SATURDAY, MARCH 26 is the big day.  Meet at Stagecoach at 9 AM.   We will disassemble the ramp and lift, load carts, carriages, stuff, misc. and etc. and head off to the new barn.  When that stuff is moved, a crew will be dispatched to the Lager house to get the saddles, harnesses and other goodies for the trip to Roland.    Remeber your gloves, friends, trucks, and trailers.  Also, it looks like we will need our Iowa "spring" weather gear.  

Tomorrow will be our day to find out where the closest pizza is to the new place :):):)
Truck on!  Kris

Merry Christmas and a Spirited New Year!

Hi All;
Hope this finds you nestled inside. If you are in the airport...I hope your layover is not weather related and your WI-FI is free :)

This picture is of Buddy (in the lead) and Alex playing this morning. A brief break from hugging the big bale. They are feeling great for a couple of 20 year olds.

Thanks for your support of the Angel Tree at Theisen's in Ames. Our bucket is filled and the table is starting to hold goodies. I forgot to put salt blocks on our wish list....some Santa added a mineral block which is good. We also received a check from GoodSearch! Thanks to Katie, One Heart receives a donation each time you use this search engine. Look through the blog and on the website for more info on GoodSearch and GoodShop.

We have received several humbling donations from all around the community at year's end. As we approach our 10th year, this support is not only generous but is a stong endorsement for the work you do. YOU, especially, the volunteers, Dani and Jennifer, donors, and horse donors make this all possible.

Buddy and Alex are at "the home place" along with Peanut, Dandy and Miracle. At the "Jungle" are Bri, Shane, Rosie, and Missy (with friend Kyle). Misty and Rocky are on a little "vacation". We had to take T.J. and Coffee to the Vet school where they were euthanized. T.J.'s arthritic stifles were getting the best of him - and even though we were used to his "cranky" face, it was impossible for us to watch his expression change to pain. We had alot of respect for T.J. We wanted to hug away his cranky face but never really convinced him we were the good guys. He had some tremendous high points in his career with One Heart. He will be missed. Many of you didn't get to meet Coffee. She visited the arena early in the Spring but did not get a chance to work. Coffee started loosing weight when the rains and mosquitos hit this summer. We brought her to the home place for more hands-on care but we could not get her weight loss reversed. She was patient and cooperative with a hint of cranky little ol' lady syndrome (after all she was 29!). Contributing to the decision for euthanasia was a sudden onset of lameness in her left from leg. She seemed as confused as we were about the painful condition of her leg/hoof. She had been perfectly sound her whole life.

Kris

Updates from One Heart

Hi Everyone - I'm BACK!
We have just finished Session 2 and are entering our summer break. Next up is our fundraiser - the Ride and Tie Benefit for One Heart then Special Olympics.
If you have followed along, I spent two weeks in Russia - which was a dream trip! After that I "commuted" to KC to be with my Dad as his health deteriorated. Dad died peacefully on June 3rd. I would like to thank you all for your sympathy and kind thoughts and words. I especially thank Dani and Jennifer for bearing the burden of all our activities and filling in for me.
I know there are several now who follow the blog...since you now politely mention that there hasn't been a post for awhile. There is so much to catch up on that I will just take it in little bits.
I'll start with referring you to a blog post on Nov. 11, 2009. To remind you, it was about a new mini program Jen started. What I am reporting today is the results of that wonderful program.

On June 13th our stable of minis; Peanut, Dandy, and Miracle went with Tesia to a fun show. Of course, Dani, Jen and I went along for the ride :)
We actually started out early Saturday, June 12 with Day 2 of Session 2 at Stagecoach-our "home" arena. It was storming, complete with thunder and lightning - and rain as we caught the horses to bring them from the pasture to the arena. We were soaked.

We had a fun day riding and then loaded a shaggy, muddy, furry, whiskery, bedragled group of minis into the old "true blue" trailer. Off to Marshalltown we ventured.
Meeting us in M-town was Tesia and her family as well as members of the Iowa Miniature Horse Club, the hosts of the event. The show was designed as an introduction for newcomers and a show for horses new to the showring. It was the spring warm-up, a chance to get a good practice in prior to show season. We practiced and practiced and learned and had fun. After the Saturday intros were winding down we started bathing our moutly three.
In short - we started out the day wet and ended up the day drenched! I need to remind you or inform you at this point that our three minis are a combination of all white or red roan and white. Our little pasture tribe needed to be presentable.

Pasture Rotation Has Begun

Hi Friends;

I see Jen, Dani, and Katie are keeping you updated on the arrival of Sofie and Boomer.  They are so excited!  They should be.  I got to meet Sofie and Boomer yesterday and was very impressed.

The change of seasons reminds me of how poorly humans remember.  At least me.  Every winter I can't believe how cold it gets.  Every summer I am suprised with how hot it can get.  There are those fleeting spring and fall episodes when I can't remeber how nice it can be.  This is one of those weeks.  Sure, there are small drifts of snow secluded along the fences and in the woods but with a call for temps in the 60s and 70s we can ignore the remaining white stuff and rejoice in green and sun.

Kelly and Jen strung the electric fence wire around the newly installed automatic waterer a couple of weeks ago.  We planned to be ready when the weather gave us the all clear (at least for awhile).

The trailer rambled over to the jungle on a mission.   It was time to move Rocky and Peanut to the newly fashioned pasture at the Lager's. The plan was to use the occasion to introduce Miracle and Dandy to these two prior to moving on to Stagecoach.   We called ahead to make sure Miracle and Dandy were packed and ready to go.  To keep your bearings; The Lager farm is the West anchor, next door is the Jungle, the last farm down is Helen's Wild Rose Farms and is the East anchor to our horsey neighborhood.  These acreages stretch for about a mile facing the Lincoln Hwy and are backed by a double track for the Union Pacific Railroad.   Dye Creek and several drainage tributaries cross-section all the properties.

How we've spent our winter break

Here's an update from Jen, Dani and Katie since Kris has been swamped with trips to Kansas City and back. She'll blog later, once she has a chance to catch up. But we just had to show off the new Fjords, fresh from Minnesota!!!

Sofie (age 6, darker face) and her son Boomer (age 3, in the front of picture) are both trained to ride and drive. Many thanks to Silver Leaf Farms and all the friends of One Heart who made this possible!

Sofie and Boomer are a tad bit lighter, shorter, and narrower than our previous Fjords, which the therapists will love. Sofie and Boomer both have relatives that were bred at the same farm that imported Rosa. They are young, have lovely hooves, and are friendly. They arrived Tuesday morning and quickly settled in. It was kind of sad when they were turned out. Bri came galloping up with a look of complete joy. We usually don't try to attach human thoughts/experiences to the horses, but we think that Bri thought that Alma and Dagmar were back. A quick sniff during the meet and greet proved that they were new Fjords. After a few minutes of running around everyone settled in. While the new pecking order is being finalized things are back to being peaceful. As far as Sofie is concerned, she's ready when the herd is ready to follow her. It's so nice to have an alpha mare again!

Eleven 4-Hers joined us in cleaning tack today- the earliest we've ever been able to cross that off the list

A Great Day Not to Worry About Sonny

Hi Friends;

This is the perfect day to write the memorial for Sonny. Our dear Sonny accompanied Rosa and Patch on that fateful day when the trailer made its way to the Vet school.

Before I attempt to explain what Sonny meant to the people and program of One Heart, I ask you to keep in mind that Sonny was probably the very first mount of almost every child rider we started. Sonny was an endeared and treasured pony. I want to extend my sympathy to each of our riders and the families impacted by the news of Sonny's death. Prior to this notice, some of Sonny's current riders were notified of our decision. Especially, the mothers of our 2 - 5 year olds were advised. Typically, moms remind their kids how fun it will be to ride Sonny again next year. This winter they will make their statement more impersonal. They will eagerly await the spring rides on "the horse/the pony" - not including the name. Sonny will become a fond memory.

What makes this a good day not to worry about Sonny is the fact that the entire state is under a blizzard warning. The wind is a sustained 25 miles per hour. The snowplows have been pulled from the roads. Kids are rejoicing in a snowday. The drifts are higher than the big bales. This is the kind of day that would make my grey hair fall out in clumps with worry over Sonny. Even with supportive shelter, supplemental grain, and his donkey companion, Sonny didn't have the physical reserves to withstand this climate. Tonight they predict a -25 degree windchill. The photo at the right is looking out of my office window this morning.

In Loving Memory

Hi Friends;

It has been a few days since I have checked in. Last time I told you about the loss of Patch. Today will be an update of the memorial list.


Not many folks at One Heart realize that the very first Norwegian Fjord horse donated to One Heart was Rosa. Rosa was the result of me internet surfing and finding a Fjord affectionato and "broker". This was the summer that we were working so diligently with the Sons of Norway to locate the more infamous Alma and Dagmar. Through the internet contact we were referred to the McCollum family in northern Minnesota. They had an older mare who was no longer having foals. Her primary function was as a producer of fine, Norwegian Fjord foals. When those days appeared to be finished, they considered donating her.


Again, as no example to anyone with basic sense.....I accepted this old mare sight unseen over the phone/internet. Shock of shocks, I also found her a free ride from close to the Canadian-US border all the way to Iowa. Our friend Meg was taking her trailer to the Minnesota Horse fair and the McCollums always made a point to come to the same fair. The transfer was made in the late spring and Rosa arrived at the Jungle in 2004 - Several months prior to Alma and Dagmar.


Being the first Norwegian Fjord horse for One Heart met with such honor that the true royal nature of Rosa was hidden for years. Our interest was if she was ready to go to work in the therapy arena. She passed immediately and went to work immediately. She was well suited to the task although when we asked if she was trained to ride or drive, the donors didn't know. There is a good chance that she had never been trained for either.

Rosa's registration papers did not indicate her suitability for the therapy arena so were simply filed away.

Back to Business

Hi Friends;

I need a break so decided I should have my conversation with you. My head is swimming with facts and figures as I prepare for our Board meeting. We are putting together a business plan. I am surrounded by charts and graphs and facts and figures. Saturated.

It's a good time to let you know what's up with One Heart. The first item of business when I got back from Thanksgiving break was to put the final touches on the Angel Tree. I went Monday to Theisen's in Ames to set up our display. I hope when you stop by you shop for One Heart. As an example of what the Angel Tree does for us...... we haven't had to purchase any fly spray (a staple!) for two years in a row because of our generous "Santas".
The Angel Tree is covered with ornaments of the horses in the One Heart herd. Also on the table is a list of the active horses, the recently retired horses, and the horses who have gone to greener pastures this year. For most of you, this is the first you will hear about those who have gone to greener pastures. You know about Dagmar which was quite a loss. Over the next couple of days I will write the obituaries of the others.

The first is Patch. Most of you didn't know Patch. He was a beautiful black and white pinto who had lived with One Heart for over a year. Patch came to the arena when he was first delivered to Stagecoach but was moved to the jungle for his remaining time.

Recent Retirements

Hi Friends;

Following Session 3 we always assess our year. Part of this assessment is horse contribution. It is a very simple formula. If the horse is assigned a rider, they are contributing. Every now and then the instructors stop assigning a horse. Horses are assigned to a particular rider following evaluation by our therapist and instructor staff. We offer services to a very wide variety of riders and keep a wide variety of horses available. Variables include size, shape, gait, age, length, soundness, and level of training. The common factor of the entire herd regardless of the previously named variables is temperament. Although each horse's personality is different, their temperament needs to be stable. Frequently, nothing changes year after year, session after session. For a few of our horses, soundness will change with season (some get a little tenderfooted in the Spring), size changes when they fatten up on summer pasture, and level of training changes when they gain experience in the therapy arena. Through all the seasonal and experiential changes we rely on temperament to remain the same.