Round Pen near completion

With the help of Damon Tofte the round pen is almost done. Pat is cutting pastures today and is working hard to maintain the ranch. Trail rides are now 1.5 hours long. It seems the one hour activity did not leave enough time for beginners to enjoy the full trail ride. I look forward to riding with Bella this weekend. She is 6 and now goes on trail rides with Pat and I on her own horse. All is well at Horses of Sleepy Meadows Horse Ranch on Guam.

Summer is winding down

It's been a great summer! We did Freedom Fest on AAFB with the kind help of the Tofte's once again. No accidents, a great success. We also hosted the Guam Girl Scouts as part of their summer program. After a safety briefing and introduction to the horses all the girls were able to ride on a pony in the round pen. Deanna, Melissa, and I enjoyed walking the ponies for the girls. The girls were a pleasure to host. The trail rides and pony rides continue by apointment and we are pleased to welcome our newest volunteers - Melissa (AAFB) and Morgan (USN)both military spouses who volunteer their time on the ranch helping with all aspects of caring for the horses. Wonderful people who share a love of horses, a respect for hard work. We love and appreciate all they do.

Just a note about safety

A few pointers to our new riders to make your ride safe and enjoyable for yourself and the horses:

1. Always remember you are riding a live animal and not driving a machine. Horses just like humans express their excitement, joy, fear, discomfort, or pain you just have to pay attention the entire ride and be prepared for the unexpected.
2. Wear the appropriate attire, comfortable long pants or jeans, close toed shoes, a hat, and a light cotton shirt.
3. Listen carefully to the brief lesson before the ride and follow directions, the lesson and practice drills are carefully selected to ensure your safety and accurate communication with your horse.
4. Keep one and a half horse length distance from the rider in front of you, don't crowd, control the pace of your horse.
5. Do not rest your hands on the saddle, this blocks the communication between you and your horse and reduces your response time in case of the horse bolting out from under you or side steps.

Labor Day Rides at Anderson Air Force Base Guam

We'll be at the Anderson Air Force Base, Guam giving pony rides from 3-6pm for Labor Day. The children really enjoy the pony rides and it is a great to see how excited and happy they are after a little pony ride.

Horse riding on Guam

Guests from Italy, Taiwan, and Japan rode today. They have a good time on the sunset ride and relaxed by the camp fire afterward. Great time talking about different rides they have been on in New Zealand, Italy, Japan, Taiwan....another great day at the ranch.

Changes on the ranch

I went on a great trail ride with Kalila, Grace, and Pat yesterday. The skies were overcast, breezy day, and just perfect riding weather. We strolled past the war memorial and Teddy's fence line. The mama sows and new piglets were so cute and the cows were hanging in a herd. It was a pretty sight. Grace is improving in her horsemanship it is amazing to see how she handles Targa and Kalila is becoming a confident rider......great day....great ride... life is good

Preparing for July 3rd

Pat and Daman started building the round pen Saturday. I can't wait! Shanna, Dita, and I groomed horses and conditioned manes and tales. Deana helped with the Transportaion and the Trail Riders this weekend. The Tofte family are just angels they are just a blessing. Had a great day at the ranch just grooming the horses.