West Wind Stable

September 2009 WW Hoofprints

Hey you! Listen up!
• Keep an eye out for a horse blanket catalog at
the barn. Horsetracs will be allowing our barn
members to preorder winter blankets at a dis-
counted cost! Shhh it’s a secret!!
• Check out the new setup in the indoor! This is
designed to keep traffic out of the riding area, so
you can enjoy your riding time uninterrupted. The
ground has also been leveled, as well as the
addition of more sprinklers to keep the dust down.
Thanks Ken!
• Get ready for a new tack room—it’s in need of
a facelift! Everything will be getting rearranged
and reorganized, but everyone will still have a
space.
• We will be on a friend’s radio show soon, and
we want you to call in! More info coming soon.

So Long, Summer!
It’s hard to believe how fast
the summer goes, but school
is back in session so that
means it’s really gone! Our
summer was just chock full of
fun with summer camp going
on. We had great kids both
new and old. For those of
you who joined us for the
first time in summer camp
and are now here for les-
Volume 2, Issue 3
family. Everyone is very far has been spectacular
friendly, so if you have any and we couldn’t be more
questions please feel free to proud of our students. Eve-
ask. ryone has been working so
hard to do their best. Keep
We’ve also been busy these
up the good work, guys!
past few months showing like
crazy. Summer is only part
of our show season, so look
for us still keeping it in high
gear as the summer turns to
fall, and the fall closes in on

sons: welcome! Hopefully

you will jump right in to our winter. Our show season so

Growth in the Lesson Program

Our lesson program contin-
ues to grow. As it grows, we
add new horses to the mix.
It takes us a very long time
to find the right horses for
Inside this issue:
our specific needs. They
need to be calm and safe,
Reminders 2 but also athletic and tal-
ented. We search high and
low in all different places to
Welcome and Congrats 2 Next we have a pony who
find horses.
Tips and Tricks
3
Waaaaay out in Pennsyl-
Paddock Pals vania we found a horse
3
named Dominick, a ten year
old Appendix (Quarter
New Email 4 Horse/Thoroughbred mix).
Dominick is a buckskin and a
Horsetracs Moved 4 dun, and his buckskin color is
very unique. Robin said he
What Our Horses Teach Us 4 looks like milk chocolate, and
I think that’s a good descrip-
tion. Dominick is an easy
Keep your eyes peeled, you
going guy who has done
never know when the next
both English and Western.
one is going to come and
We hope to see great things
join us!
from him!
we haven’t named yet. No
name is a four year old
large pony, possibly a Hack-
ney. He is very fancy, easy
going, and a very fast
learner. We brought him
home and got right on him,
and he did so well! We
can’t wait to see what this
little guy can do!
WW Hoofprints Page 2

Just a Friendly Reminder

It’s been a long time since our
last newsletter, and this is al-
ways a good place to alert
the masses of the general go-
ings-on at the farm. First, a
few reminders: please turn the
pump on as soon as you turn on
the water in the wash stall.
The sand and mud clogs it,
makes the pump slow, and
makes it easier to flood the
tack room. With that being
Volume 2, Issue 3
tended in the aisle way. If you packed with lessons, and times
are using the lounge, please when there is more room. We
keep that clean as well. work hard to accommodate
everyone, and the best people
In our ring, please let the les- to ask about the schedule are
sons have the right of way.
the trainers.
Try to continue tracking in the
same direction, and give a The indoor has been reworked
bubble of room to our newbies so as not to inconvenience the
so they can feel comfortable. riders. If you are driving the
If you are not on a horse, golf cart or walking a horse,
spectate from outside the ring. you must go around and

said, do not wash anything
that can be swept down the
drain – this is what causes the
clogs. Please don’t also forget
to sweep/scoop up after your-
self and your horse in the aisle
way before you go and ride.
Please don’t leave horse unat-
You must ask before entering through the “walk way” that
the ring, as a courtesy. If in- has been created with fencing
clement weather forces the panels. No one on foot or on
lesson into the indoor arena, a vehicle is permitted in the
please ask when would be riding area.
best for you to ride since our
space is slightly limited. There Please follow these guidelines
are times when we are really to keep our barn safe and
happy!

Hellos, Welcomes, and Congrats

If anyone is There have been a few addi-
tions since our last newsletter,
interested in West and congrats are in order!
Wind winter Welcome to Bailey, Carly
Asanza’s first horse. Bailey
loves frosted mini wheats –
jackets, please let
he’ll do just about anything
Ken know. We for a treat! He also loves
people, and thinks he’s a big
may be doing an dog. So don’t forget to stop
by his field or his stall and
order this year,
give some kisses. Watch out
for those two in the equitation
depending on the
ring!
amount of interest.
Madison Katz has a new
horse, and his name is Oliver.
Oliver is a big grey quarter
horse with great big ears and
an amazing personality. He’s
quiet, easy going, and is up
for just about whatever
Madison can think of.
Oliver is nine years old,
so they have lots to con-
quer together. Catch
them popping around
some jumps, or at horse
shows throughout the rest
of the season, and wish
them luck.
Congrats to Marianne
Stefanik on her new
pony, Cinnamon. Cinna-
mon is an adorable Haflinger
who she happened to stumble
upon at a horse show in her
quest for a new horse. He
wasn’t even for sale, so it must
have been a match that was
meant to be! Cinnamon has
the smoothest canter, and will
surely be Marianne’s friend
for life. Congrats!
Sundance, Marianne’s previ-
ous horse, was bought by the
Zarkiewicz family. Anna and
her daughter Riley both take
lessons, and are now proud
horse owners! Riley is cer-
tainly enjoying a horse to call
her own, as well as kiss and
brush and hug. We wish them
the best of luck and know that
they’ll do great things to-
gether. Sundance is such a
great horse, and they are
such great people! Best of
luck!
A former lesson horse now has
a mom of his own! Nicole
Cardinale bought Hottie, a
big Thoroughbred with a
heart of gold. Hottie surely is
happy, since he gets to keep
living with his best friend
Sherekhan! Nicole has just
started her first year at Cen-
tenary College, so she comes
and rides on the weekends.
Her and her boy are doing
amazing things together.
Enjoy, Nicole!
Oddly enough, we’ve had a
complete switch of ownership.
Sue’s old horse, Jack, is now
owned by Amy Kadubic. Jack
is a sixteen year old Thor-
oughbred, and his personality
is perfect for Amy. Amy’s old
horse, Mickey, is now owned
by our trainer, Sue. Mickey is
a five year old Thoroughbred
with the sweetest disposition.
Sue is working on introducing
him to as much as she can, and
he’s soaking it all up. Con-
grats to you two, it really
couldn’t have worked out any
better.
Finally, an “old” friend has
returned to us. Courtlyn Cros-
son and her horse Hero are
back! I’m sure you’ve all seen
Courtlyn and Hero hopping
around some big jumps in the
outdoor ring. They are truly a
match made in heaven, and
we’re so happy to have them
both back with us. Say hello
to both, and wish them luck in
all they do!

Fall is here!
Enjoy the nice weather on
your horse...no need to
bring gallons of water with
you to survive, no super
sweaty horses, and less
flies!
We love fall!
Tips and Tricks of the Trade, Part One. Patience and Soft Hands
Even though we are riders of
many different disciplines we
have much in common. All of
us were taught how to steer,
stop, and go for example.
Each of us will also continue
learning for quite some time.
If we could pick any quality to
impose on all of our West
Wind riders, it would be pa-
tience. If we could teach all of
our riders one skill, it would be
quiet, soft hands.
Patience is important
in all aspects of life,
not just horse back
riding. Even the most
seasoned profession-
als continue to work on
this virtue nearly every
day of their lives.
Patience is defined as
quiet, steady perse-
verance. It is also
dealing with annoy-
ance, misfortune, or
pain without complaint, loss of
temper, or irritation. Sounds
like it was written for an
equestrian, right? Each time
we ride, we challenge our-
selves or our horse. If not, then
we are simply sitting on top of
a horse and not riding. We
strive to better ourselves as
riders and better our horses as
athletes, and we should expect
to meet with challenge on a
daily basis. Patience is the
A New 4H is Coming!
We have had such success with
our 4H program in the past,
but it’s time for some changes.
First, if any child is interested in
becoming a new member,
please see Ken. We have lots
of eligible children that would
have fun and do well in 4H,
and we’d love to see many
more of you give it a chance.
ability to meet those chal-
lenges and stay calm, being a
good rider is meeting those
challenges, staying calm, get-
ting through them, and moving
on having learned something.
Along the topic of patience is
the rider’s greatest asset: soft,
quiet hands. Many of us for-
get that we are directly con-
nected to our horse’s mouth,
and rough direction leads to
pain and injury. The best rid-
ers communicate with their
horses seemingly effortlessly,
and that is what we should all
emulate. It is never okay to
yank on your reins, and it is not
tolerated at any equine facil-
ity. Teach yourself how to talk
through your reins in a soft
way: with pulsing squeezes,
with gentle tugs, or with soft
vibration. Teach your horse to
Second, we’re reaching out to
parents of interested children,
or just some helpful parents, to
see if there are any new lead-
ers out in our mix. Even if you
don’t have any experience,
Ken is available to help. It’s
easy, it’s fun, and it’s very re-
warding.
Interested children and parents
should speak to our commander
Page 3
respond without needing your
hands: to slow down with half
halts through your body, to
turn through your leg cues, or
to lower his head through im-
pulsion and proper muscling.
All of these ideas will not only
make your hands softer, but it
will bring your riding to an-
other level. If you have any
questions at all, please see an
instructor who would be more
than happy to help you on
your way to being the
most patient, soft rider
you can be. Happy trails!
Stay tuned for a
new topic in
future
newsletters as
we try to add
new tips for you
hard working
riders!
and chief as soon as possible to
get the ball rolling. We have
lots of 4H contacts, and leaders
who are still hanging around to
help, so just ask.
West Wind Stable

1270 Cox Cro Road

Toms River NJ
08755
(732) 557 - 5533
Horsetracs has a new home!!
NEW EMAIL:
If you visit the store at its old Route 9 location,
WestWindStableNJ@gmail.com you’ll be met with an empty store! Come see the
new gorgeous store in the Whitesville Mall, at
2119 Whitesville Road (the corner of Whitesville
and Route 70). It’s still just as close to West Wind,
but much more convenient.
With all of this new space, Horsetracs is able to
stock much more great stuff for you and your
horse. Also, keep an eye out for store hours on
Sunday coming soon.
We’re on the web!
Keep an eye open for the Grand Opening sale
www.westwindstable.org dates!
Check out the Horsetracs facebook page too!

What Our Horses Teach Us

Many of us work towards
a goal, and every time
we ride we look to better
ourselves and our horses.
While that is an amazing
feat, sometimes we forget
(your author included) just
how lucky we are to be
allowed into these ani-
mal’s lives. When was
the last time you sat atop
your horse, closed your
eyes, and took a deep
breath? Or how about
wrapped your arms
around a warm pony and
gave a big hug?
that we often forget. our new email address,
They teach us patience, which is listed above and
as mentioned before, and also is on our website.
perseverance. Have you Please include your name
ever been bucked off? and age. We’ll post your
Have you fallen off be- ideas on our website, and
fore? Did you get back the best entry will win a
on? That is persever- special prize.
ance : never giving up no
matter what is handed to
you. Put those thinking caps on!
But we would really like
to hear what YOU think.
What have horses taught
you? Think hard!

Horses teach us so much Send your submissions to