The Kids Korner!

Today we're introducing a brand new page just for kids!
We'll have fun info on horses, riding, etc. We'll have quizzes and you'll be able to win free Kindle editions of my books if you know the answers so let's get started.
Today we'll talk about Clydesdales. Do you know what they look like? They're really tall and hefty fellows (and girls). They're the horses you see pulling wagons in Budweiser beer commercials. Do you know how horses are measured? They're height is determined by how many "hands" high they are. Each hand is four inches. If you have a Clydesdale horse who measures 18.2 hands that would be 74 inches.  
Clydesdales are sometimes called "Draft Horses" because they're very good at pulling heavy loads. They can haul things or pull wagons and it's no trouble at all for them.
What colors are they? Clydesdales are usually brown, or a reddish color, called chestnut. But some of them want to be different. They have Sabino or spotted patterns on their tummies. They're called "Strawberry Roans" if they are chestnut or bay (brown) colored. What are they called if they're black with the spotted tummies? Did you guess Blue Roans? That would be correct if you did.
When you were a baby, your mom was thrilled if you drank a few ounces of milk at a time. What about Mama Clydesdale? Her little bundle of joy weighs a whopping eighty pounds when he's born. He needs about seven gallons of milk a day to keep him growing!
One more fun thing about Clydesdales. Did you know they have feathers? Not all over their bodies like birds, but around their hooves (feet) they have long hair. It makes them look like their dressed in flared pants. Here's a picture of one. Handsome, isn't he? 

I hope you had fun learning about the Clydesdale Horses today! Please come back soon and learn more interesting things about horses. Thanks for stopping by!
The Budweiser Clydesdales!
Did you ever hear about the Budweiser Clydesdales? They're world-famous. They stayed at our farm when we lived there.  They're treated like movie stars. How many horses do you think it takes to pull those big wagons? It takes ten of the big fellows to pull each wagon. Each group of ten is called a "team."
What are some of the special things the Budweiser Clydesdales get to make them special? Each of them gets a total of six blankets to wear in their stall. The blankets help the horses look their best.
Remember we talked about the long hairs on the bottom of the Clydesdale's legs called feathers? How do you think they stay so white? Is it magic? Not exactly. Each time the big horses come in from working, the grooms scrub their legs! Nothing magical about that, just hard work.
You might have guessed the horses wear a special big harness when they're pulling the wagons. Every time the harness is used, it's cleaned. How long do you think that takes? Can you believe ten hours!
I hope you liked learning more about the amazing Budweiser Clydesdale's lives.

I know this is not a horse-related thing, but I thought you'd like to meet Louey the Lazy Elephant. He's a brand new story written  by my friend, Janice Spina. Here's his cover picture.

If you want to take Louey home and read about him, here's where you can find him:


       FB:  http://www.facebook.com/janice.spina.9

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/janice_spina

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/janice-spina/59/321/a01

Google+: 

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/janicespina

Purchase Louey, the Lazy Elephant at Amazon and CreateSpace. http://www.Amazon.com/dp/0615836534

http://www.createspace.com/4324983

Blog:  https://jemsbooks.wordpress.com

Website:  http://jemsbooks.com

What did Horses Look Like Thousands of Years Ago?

Have you ever wondered what horses looked like thousands of years ago? Do you think they looked the same as they do today? You'll be surprised at the answer to that question because horses looked very different all those years ago than they do today.  The first horse that we know about was the Hyracotherium. He looked a little bit like the deer do today. He weighed about 50  pounds.

Hyracotherium Horse

He was about the size of a hefty cat. He didn' t have the nice, neat, hooves, or feet, that he has today either. Instead, he had toes. He didn't even have the same number of toes on each foot like you and I do. He had three toes on his hind feet and four toes on his front feet. Each toe was like a tiny hoof.  Don' t you think he must have felt a little strange having three toes on two feet and four toes on the other two. Are you wondering what happened that the horses' feet changed so much to look the way they do today? Horses who lived thousands of years ago traveled a lot on rocky land. Over a long period of time, their hooves changed to look the way it does today. It isn't as though the horses suddenly woke up and their feet were totally different. It took forty million years for the small toes to break off so that there was only one large toe, which is the hooves horses have today.
What kind of diet did horses have many years ago? They ate mostly small bushes and grass. It doesn't sound  too tasty does it? But the good thing is that there were plenty of little shrubs and grass for the horses to munch on so they weren't hungry.
Guess what happened about five thousand years ago? The Chinese people decided it would be a great idea if horses could carry things so they made them pack animals. The Chinese people also discovered that some horses could run very fast. They learned that horses would be excellent at pulling chariots ( a kind of wagon) during battles. 
The Chinese people were clever. They thought they should design a saddle, which would make riding long distances much more comfortable for them. After they perfected their saddle, they were comfy when they rode, but there was still another problem. How could they steer their horse? It wouldn't be a good thing if they couldn't direct their horse to where they wanted him to be, would it? The horse could take the rider anywhere. But the Chinese people created a bridle so that they could steer their horses. Now they had control over their horses and they were comfortable as well! They were clever people, indeed. Now you know more about what horses looked like a long time ago and you can explain everything to your friends, Good Job!

Today we're going to talk about how to handle disappointment. When I was little, it was a hard thing to manage because I was born with a disability that affected my legs. I lived on a riding school so I loved horses and riding. But I had to work much harder than most people to learn how to ride. Most of the time I fell off a lot. That part wasn't fun. But I kept thinking if I tried hard enough for a long enough time, I'd succeed. I have 2 sisters and we were never allowed to give up on anything we started.
After I'd been riding for a few years, I started competing in horse shows. I practiced every day, thinking if I worked hard,  I'd be sure to win. But, I didn't. I thought that was unfair. But my parents always said it would take me a little longer to learn certain things, but that shouldn't stop me from having big dreams. I held on to my dream and kept working. It took a long time, but eventually, I started winning at shows. My dad bought a very special horse for me to ride in shows. Her nickname was "Peach." You cand read more about her in my book Tails of Sweetbrier. 
Most of all, I hope you remember to never give up on your dreams. You don't know what you can do until you try. You might even surprise yourself.


Today I'd like to introduce you to a wonderful, fun, adorable, book that you will love. It's written by a young man who is sixteen years old and he's very talented. I hope you'll adopt his book! It will help you learn really important things, while you're having fun reading the rhymes. Here's the cover:

Here's where you can find it:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_20?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=clothes%20have%20feelings%20too&sprefix=Clothes+have+Feeling%2Cstripbooks%2C293&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Aclothes%20have%20feelings%20too

 

Introducing the Arabian Horse!

The beautiful horse in this  picture are called an Arabian Horse.  Did you notice that his face is curved or "dished?" Did you also see that the horse in this picture has a wide space between his eyes? People who lived in the Middle East a long time ago thought that horses with this type of head were very smart. They even gave the wide space between the horse's eyes a special name. It's called the "Jibbah."  Many people believed that the bigger the "Jibbah" the more talents the horse had.  Some people would describe the Jibbah as a broad forehead. You may also have noticed that the horse has very large eyes. That's another sign of kindness in a horse. Experienced horsemen pay close attention to horse's eyes and the expression in them. They don't like to buy horses with small, sunken eyes because it shows that the horse has a nasty disposition.

The Arabian is the oldest breed of horse in the world. Many years ago, they only lived in the Middle East. The people who lived there at that time were called nomads. The nomads loved their horses so much that they used to let their horses sleep in the tents with them! Can you imagine your mom letting a horse sleep in your bedroom? The nomads gave their horses a special job, too. They knew that the horses would protect them while they slept. They relied on the Arabian's keen senses of smell and hearing to warn them of danger.
The horses would know if anyone was outside and they would warn their masters! Weren't they smart?

Did you know that when a horse is smart it can be a tricky thing? If you had an Arabian horse he would learn quickly. That means he wouldn't only learn the good things fast, but he would also be very quick to pick up bad habits! For this reason, you should be an experienced rider if you own an Arabian.
Are you wondering what colors most Arabians are? Most of them are bay (brown) or chestnut (reddish)
There are grey Arabians, too. The grey ones start out very dark, but eventually they turn white. Arabians always have dark skin, to help protect them from the sun.
Finally, I'll mention that Arabians can run fast. That's one reason why George Washington used Arabians when he was going into battle.
Now you know quite a bit about these beautiful horses. I hope you had fun learning about them. 

Let's Talk about the Thoroughbred-Fast and Beautiful!

  When you hear the word “thoroughbred” you probably think of purebred. But “Thoroughbred” is actually a breed of horse used for racing. Just like the Arabians, Thoroughbreds are one of the oldest breeds of horses. They are the fastest breed of horse, because racing is their specialty.  Some of them can run as fast as forty miles an hour! The Thoroughbred is known for his bravery, too. All Thoroughbreds are related to the Byerly Turk, the Godolphin Arabian, and the Darley Arabian. The first name refers to the owner or importer, and the second part of the name is the special breed. Thoroughbreds are nervous and sensitive, so they are not recommended for beginner riders. 

The first Thoroughbreds came to North America around 1665. Just like the Arabians, they are one of the oldest breeds. Both Thoroughbreds and Arabians are called, “warm blooded” animals. This has nothing to do with the temperature of their blood. It’s an expression that means they are brave and spirited. A “cold blooded” horse would be a mixed breed that would not be as sensitive.

Thoroughbred racing began in England in 1175. But racing wasn’t popular there until the eighteenth century. Even then, the English people called it “the sport of kings" because only the wealthy people could own race horses. People published a racing calendar and advertised the dates in the newspapers. Racing and all kinds of events starring horses are still popular in England. In fact, Queen Elizabeth has many race horses in her stable. Her daughter, Princess Anne, is an excellent rider, who had ridden in international shows for many years. Also, Prince Harry and Prince William are very fond of playing polo.
Every year on the first Saturday in May, racing fans watch the Kentucky Derby. This race is held at the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky. The first Kentucky Derby race was held in 1783. That's two hundred thirty years ago! People come to Lexington, Kentucky about a week before the Derby and attend all sorts of parties and special events before the race is held. The very first winner of the Kentucky Derby was a horse named Aristides. Can you think of anything else special about the Kentucky Derby? It's the first race of three, which are called "The Triple Crown."  The same horse would have to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Races. It's so difficult to win the Triple Crown, that it hasn't been done since a horse named Affirmed won all three of them in 1978. You can see that it would take an extraordinary horse to win the Triple Crown, can't you? One of the other famous, talented horses who won the Triple Crown was Secretariat. His picture is on the top of the page, just above this story. Isn't he handsome? His nickname was Big Red.
I hope you had fun learning about the Thoroughbred horses. Thanks for coming by to read about them!
 
Thought for Today: Aug. 6, 2013:
"You can do anything you set you mind to doing." My parents told me that all the time. Be determined.  You'll be surprised what can happen.

Presenting the Quarter Horse!

When you read the name “Quarter horse” are you wondering how he got that name?  The name came because Quarter horses were even faster than Thoroughbreds at running a quarter mile or less. You probably remember that a very fast Thoroughbred can run about forty miles an hour. These racing Quarter horses had very strong legs and lots of muscles in their hindquarters to help them run fast. Can you believe that Quarter horses can run as fast as fifty-five miles an hour? That’s part of the reason that some people call the Quarter horse the “World’s greatest athlete.”  That’s very fast indeed. You might have been thinking that the name “Quarter horse” meant you only get part of a horse. Aren’t you glad that’s not true? You can see the picture above of a beautiful Quarter Horse!
What are some of the things the Quarter horse specializes in? They are very versatile and can learn many things. Quarter horses are excellent western rodeo horses because they are very agile and can turn quickly and run fast. That makes them good at barrel racing, where they are judged in how fast they can weave in and out of barrels. Of course, these are some of the same talents that they would need if they were working on a ranch. The type of Quarter horse that works on ranches is called a Stock Quarter horse.
 What are some of the things the Quarter horse specializes in? They are very versatile and can learn many things. Quarter horses are excellent western rodeo horses because they are very agile and can turn quickly and run fast. That makes them good at barrel racing, where they are judged in how fast they can weave in and out of barrels. Of course, these are some of the same talents that they would need if they were working on a ranch. The type of Quarter horse that works on ranches is called a Stock Quarter horse. Suppose you ride English, (like Princess Anne does) rather than Western? (like cowboys do)  You might train your Quarter horse to compete in horse shows where you would jump. Then you would prefer a hunter/jumper type Quarter horse, who isn’t as muscular as the ones who work on ranches or compete in rodeos. 

Are you wondering how the Quarter horses got to America?  In the 1600’s, the colonists who lived in Eastern United States crossed some of their English Thoroughbreds with some horses that the Indians owned called Chickasaw horses. The Spanish people brought them to America and most of them lived in the area of New Mexico. Later on, the Spanish settlers became known as Conquistadors. They learned that if they crossed Quarter horses with wild Mustangs, the baby horses were naturally talented for ranch work when they grew up. 

By the nineteenth century, Quarter horses had become so popular that very large ranches were established, especially in the state of Texas. Two of the most famous are the King Ranch, located in Kingsville, Texas and the Waggoner Ranch, near Vernon, Texas. Both of these ranches still exist today and are famous for their Quarter Horses. Around 1940, the ranchers in Texas decided to start a Quarter horse registry to protect the breed and its history. The first Quarter horse to be registered was named Wimpy. Doesn’t that seem like a funny name for a Quarter horse who was probably muscular?  He lived at King Ranch.

I hope you've had fun learning more about Quarter Horses and what they like to do. Thank you for stopping by to read ab

out them.
A Christmas Memory
Most of you know I grew up with horses on a farm called Sweetbrier. Christmas was always special to my sisters and me. What was one of my favorite parts? Our Mom would always give us a present from our horse or our pony. Sometimes they'd give us a new girth to hold on our saddle, or some new riding gloves. Whatever my horse or pony gave me was one of my most favorite Christmas surprises. What do you think? What's your favorite Christmas gift? Do you have pets who give you presents?

me

Let's talk about the Welsh Pony

The Welsh Pony (Picture from internet)

 Imagine that you have been riding for a couple of years. You are getting to be quite a good rider, but riding is something you love more than any other sport. You have finally convinced your parents to buy you a pony.

Good job! Now, you want a pony with a friendly temperament and one that is easy to manage.  Maybe you can suggest the Welsh pony to your parents.You can impress your parents by telling them that the first Welsh ponies were found in Wales around the time of the Roman Empire. They learned to cope with cold weather conditions there. They have sturdy bones and strong hooves (their feet). They developed those strong feet and bones because they spent many years running through rough hills and mountains in Wales. You can even tell your parents that Welsh ponies are not picky eaters. They used to live on little bushes and grass when they lived in Wales.

Welsh ponies are not fickle and extra sensitive like Thoroughbreds so you know that your pony will be a special friend for you. He will also do well in horse shows because you know he will have a pleasant temperament and he will always try his best to please you. Even though your Welsh pony has a friendly disposition, you will need to have taken lessons for some time because little ponies will try to outsmart you sometimes.  If you don’t correct them, they can get bad habits.

  Do you know what size Welsh Ponies usually are?  They are often smaller than 13.2 hands high (that would be 52.8 inches) The Welsh pony will be a great first pony for you, as long as you remember that they are very intelligent and can develop bad habits quickly. Be sure to correct your pony whenever he does something he shouldn't and you'll be a winning team! I hope you've enjoyed learning about these adorable, talented, ponies.

The eyes have it!  

Have you ever wondered how professional horsemen decide whether a horse has a good disposition or temperment? They study their eyes! It's very important that a horse you are considering buying have a large, gentle eye. Experienced horse people study the expression of the horse's eye, too. My dad was an excellent horseman and he never liked to buy a horse with small, sunken, eyes. A horse who had this type of eyes was called "Pig eyed." Those horses were nasty and couldn't be trusted.

Now you learned a really important thing about horses! 

No hoof, no horse!

As you may know, my dad was a professional horseman for most of his life. He studied all kinds of things about horses so that when he bought one, it would be a good choice.  One thing he always believed was if a horse had small, compact, feet they would have problems with them. He liked horses with big, well-shaped feet. He used to say a horse like that was "platter-footed" so if you imagine a big platter, you'll understand what he meant. If a horse was platter footed, he had a good foundation to stand on and he wouldn't suffer from foot issues all the time. Remember, if you can't ride your horse because he's always lame, he's not much fun. I hope you enjoyed learning more about a horse's hoof (foot) today! Thanks for stopping by.

The Chincoteague Pony

 You might have heard about the Chincoteague ponies because Marguerite Henry wrote a famous book called “Misty of Chincoteague”.   Chincoteagues are wild ponies living on the coast of Maryland and Virginia. There are two pony herds that live on a small island called Assateague Island. There is a fence along the border of Maryland and Virginia.  The ponies are healthy, strong. The Chincoteague Valley Fire Department makes sure that the ponies are well fed and cared for.  Only one hundred fifty ponies are allowed on Assateague Island so an auction is held every year in July to sell some of the ponies.  The pony auctions began in 1925 to help raise funds for the fire department that cares for the ponies. How do people get the ponies to auction? They round them up and the ponies swim across the channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. Thousands of people come to meet the ponies and try to buy one. What would you do if your parents bought one for you? You would need to have him professionally trained. Remember he’s a wild pony, even though he looks cute and sweet. He needs to learn manners, just like you did when you were younger.
Even if you can’t come to the Chincoteague pony auction, you might be able to visit Virginia between May and October. That’s the time of year that you can take tours of the Islands and watch the ponies roaming around. You can admire them and see the little baby ponies (called foals) exploring their world

(picture from the Internet)
(c) Deanie Humphrys-Dunne 2013

The first thing you notice about the Appaloosa Horse is his unique spotted pattern on his coat. All Appaloosas have a spotted pattern somewhere on them. The spotted pattern that Appaloosas have is called a "Leopard Spotted Pattern." It's the result of a mixture of many different patterns so there are variations of it.You will see variations of the spotted pattern  on this page. The horses are not always born with the spotted  coats, but you will notice them when the foal (baby horse) is a bit older.

In ancient times, Greek people favored art work featuring Appaloosas. People who settled in the Northwest part of the United States began calling them "The Palouse Horse". That may be where the name "Appaloosa" came from.

Today Appaloosas are very popular in Western riding events, but they can be seen in English events as well.

They are also often chosen for movie roles.

One health related issue that Appaloosas are prone to is called "Moon Blindness" or "Periodic Opthamia." No one knows why they are more likely to get this disease, but we know that they carry the gene that makes them more susceptible to the condition.
I hope you've enjoyed learning about these beautiful horses.

(c) Deanie Humphrys-Dunne  2013

*(some information and pictures from the internet)

• 

What is the proper position when you're riding?

Let's imagine that you are about to begin riding lessons, or perhaps you've taken the first one. There are so many things to remember. Sometimes you don't ride by yourself in the very beginning. You may have someone leading you while they're riding another horse. That's okay because it's a good way to start. I"m sure your horse or pony is very calm so you don't have to be nervous. 

• Leg position:  You should have your knees hugging the saddle and your heels pointed down. If your toes are down, you'll have poor balance. When you look down toward your feet, you should not see it ahead of you. If you see your foot, it means that your foot is too far forward. By the way, be sure to wear shoes with heels, if you don't have riding boots yet. Also, remember to keep the stirrup on the ball of your foot, instead of all the way in the stirrup.

• Can you lean on the saddle? Yes, even though English saddles don't have the big horn to hold, you can keep your hands on the pommel (the front of an English saddle)
• What happens when you're walking? The rhythm of the horse walking will feel a little strange at first, but just try keeping your legs in the proper position. It will help you feel comfortable.
• What happens when you trot? Trotting is the next step. It's faster than a walk and you'll be bouncing around at first. But eventually, you'll learn to stand up for one step and sit for the next step. This is called posting. It takes a little while to get used to it, so don't be discouraged. But once you get the hang of it, you'll be comfortable and very proud.

Presenting the Connemara Pony

The beautiful pony pictured above is a Connemara Pony. His relatives come from Ireleand. Connemara ponies have wonderful, gentle, dispositions. They are often used as show ponies because they are athletic. They are very fine jumpers and they love to please their owners. My sister, Holly,  owned a beautiful little Connemara pony named Dark N Fancy. He was black with an unusual white blaze on his face, as well as white stockings. Holly and Dark N Fancy entered very challenging jumping classes when she was just eight years old! Dark and Fancy loved jumping and nothing intimidated the little fellow.  he was  13.2 hands high (54 inches), but he could jump anything a much larger horse would. He and Holly were champions many times. He was also the "boyfriend" of my horse, Peach. They loved going to shows together and playing in the fields together.

Holly and Dark N Fancy jumping
illustration by Holly Humphrys-Bajaj
From Tails of Sweetbrier

The Australian Pony

This is a breed of pony that I had not heard about before so you and I will learn about it together. These ponies are strong and gentle. They can grow as high as 14 hands, or 56 inches high. Did you remember that there are 4 inches to each hand and that's the way we measure the height of ponies and horses?

Ponies can be as tall as 58 inches high. After that, they are considered horses. Australian Ponies are often used for riding. They are known for being very smart. One of the most common colors for the Australian Pony is brown and grey. There is a picture on an Australian Pony below.

tags, animal stories for kids

(c) Deanie Humphrys-Dunne 2013 Photo from the internet

Today we're going to interview the main character from my second book, Charlie the Horse. His story is now available in a second edition on Kindle.

"Charlie, I'm so excited to have you as my guest today. 

"Thanks, Deanie, I'm happy to be here too."

• Charlie, have you always known what you wanted to do when you grew up?

"Yes, I think I'm lucky to have wanted to be a famous racehorse, even when I was a baby. I used to talk about it with my mom. I told her I wanted to be a well-known racehorse like my dad, Charles the Great."

• How did you discover that you liked running?

 "One day I played tag with my friends, Glory and Buddy. We ran around the field to see who was the fastest. It turned out that I won, but I tried to encourage my friends, because they were quite close to me. More importantly,

they tried their best. Besides, it was just a little game, not a real race."

• Did you have trouble with your training in the beginning?

"In the beginning, I thought that that learning to become a good racehorse wouldn't be very tricky at all. But I found out through experience that it was not as easy as I imagined. For example, I had no idea what was supposed to happen when I was in the starting gate, I wondered if I should just get out because it was a narrow space. Then when I heard the bell, instead of running, I stopped and looked around. It took me a little while to figure out I was supposed to run as fast as I could when the bell rang."

• What was the hardest thing for you to learn?

"One of the hardest lessons for me to remember was to focus on my work. I was always tempted to eat the flowers that were on the outside of the race track, instead of thinking about running as fast as I could. Eventually, I found out that if I wanted to be the first one to the finish line, I couldn't stop for snacks!

• What else would you like your readers to remember, Charlie?

I hope they learn to set goals because I think that's something they need to do if they want to succeed. It helps keep them motivated and reminds them to stay focused on what they want to achieve. There was another lesson I learned from a very wise friend.

• Who do you think would most enjoy your story, Charlie?

I think any child between about 7-10 years old would love it, and also children who like horses would enjoy this story because I tell it from my own point of view and it is amusing. Kids can read about funny things I'm thinking as well. If I had to sum it up for you I would say it's a captivating story, with important life lessons.

"Thank you for chatting with me today, Charlie. It's been fun finding out about your story."

"You're most welcome, Deanie. I love kids and I hope they have fun reading about my adventures."

What if you want to start riding?

Let's imagine that you want to start riding. What should you do first? Well, you've probably spent a long time convincing your parents that you're ready,willing and able to start on this journey to become a rider.

First: Visit some of the local stables. Check out the horses. Do they look happy and well cared for? Are they well kept? That means are they nice and round, or are the horses' hip bones sticking up. If they look too thin, then the owner isn't looking after them properly. You should look for a riding school where the horses are properly looked after. That way, they'll be more likely to be happy when you're riding them. Also, are the barns clean. If they are, it's a sign of good management.

Second:  Talk to the instructors and/or the owner. Are they polite? Do they seem to be knowledgeable? Did they take the time to answer all of your questions. Ask how long they've been in business. If they've been operating for many years, it could be a sign that the stable is good and well-established. You might ask the teacher how long he/she has been working there and what kind of experience they've had as a teacher. You want a teacher who has had experience so that he/she is more likely to make good decisions when they're teaching you. Ask the prices of private and group lessons and how many students are in the groups, so that you can gauge if it's likely students get their fair share of attention.

Watch a class: See if you can listen in on one of the classes. Are the classes too crowded? How are the horses behaving? Is the instructor working hard with everyone and giving each student enough attention?

These are just a few things you should look into when you're looking for a good place to start your riding career. If you take lessons and you love to ride, I hope you follow your dreams and achieve a great deal.

Website address:

www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com

What should you do if you fall off?

Let's imagine that you've been riding for a while and your pony was feeling feisty one day, so he started bucking. That means he hopped up and down, rounding his back. You didn't know that the first thing you should do when your pony bucks is pull his head up. Once you get his head up, he'll stop bucking. Since you didn't know what to do, you fell off. You're not hurt physically, but your pride is bruised. You're embarrassed to fall off just because your pony hopped up and down a little. Well, guess what? My dad taught me to ride. He used to say, "Anyone who says they're an expert and they've never fallen off, either isn't a very good rider, or he's not telling the truth."(about not falling off) Everyone who's been riding for any length of time has fallen off. Now that we've gotten that sorted out, what should you do? If you've always dreamed of being a great rider,who can win in competitions, hold on to your dream. Dust yourself off. Get back on your pony and make sure he behaves properly. It's important that you get back on so that you conquer your fear. Aside from that, you need to be sure the pony knows you are in control. He needs to realize you will get back on and correct his bad behavior. Otherwise, your pony will remember his naughty behavior and try it again. If you give up, your dream of becoming a great rider dies. My advice is to keep following your dreams. Failure is giving up, not falling off.  Another thing my dad said was that falling off helps you learn how to stay on. In this case, you learned that if you want your pony to stop bucking, you pull his head up. You should also keep your heels down and sit up so you don't lose your balance.

So, if you have a bad day with your pony, figure out how to correct the problems and continue working toward achieving your dreams. You'll be glad you did because anything is possible if you never give up.

Website address: www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com

The Miniature Horse

Have you heard about the Miniature Horse?  It actually is considered a horse, not a pony, which is any horse under 58 inches (14.2 hands, the unit of measurement for horses) He is usually kept as a pet. A Minature Horse must be a maximum of 34 inches tall. He is measured at the last hair of his mane.(the hair on his neck)

The life span of the Miniature Horse can be over 30 years, but they do have some health issues. People tend to overfeed them, which can cause obesity and colic(a serious tummy ache,which can cause horses to die)

These little horses are also prone to dental issues, where their teeth are crooked. But most of these problems can be avoided through proper care and diet.

There is a Miniature Horse Registry, where owners can have their tiny horses registered. That means they  can get a pedigree for them, which will show their family tree and prove that they are purebred Miniature Horses.

Even though many people keep the Minature Horse as a pet, they do have other uses. They can be shown in special classes just for them. The little horses can be taught how to pull a small cart and enter in shows that have events for driving horses.

Now you know something about Miniature Horses. I hope you enjoyed learning about them.

copyright 2014 Deanie Humphrys-Dunne

Website: www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com

California Chrome and disappointment

California Chrome was adorable as a baby. One of his owners had a dream that he was going to win the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown. are you wondering how he got his name? He was born in California and the Chrome part of his name came because horseman call white socks "Chrome."

California Chrome's story was a Cinderella one from the start. Most racehorses cost many thousands of dollars, often hundreds of thousands if they have an impressive pedigree. But California Chrome's parents weren't well-known as racehorses. There was nothing remarkable about their records. The owners paid only $10,000 for Chrome's parents, not a big investment for a racehorse. But he was full of surprises. He won his last six races before today. He seemed to have a second gear when he was challenged and he'd leave his competitors in the dust, racing to the finish line first.

Today was the Belmont, a difficult race because it's a mile and a half long. It's the longest track that the young horses have ever seen. Today, California Chrome met defeat. He tried his best, but he ended up in fourth place in the Belmont. His many fans were disappointed. His owner and trainers were crestfallen. But they realize nobody wins all the time. The owners should know that the race is not only a test for California Chrome, but a measure of their own character. Losing is part of the game-the part that is hard to handle.It's a difficult task to lose graciously, but it's a lesson we all must learn. What can you do? Be grateful for the blessings you've had. California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, two of the three jewels in the Triple Crown. Many horses never have the opportunity or the talent to enter any prestigious races. It's always good to remember another day will come and California Chrome will be basking in the glory of the Winner's Circle (where trophies are presented after winning a race). He's still a champion by any measure.

Whenever you are disappointed because you didn't earn the grade you wanted in school, or your team lost a game, or anything else, remember that you'll have other opportunities. Try to be polite to the winners. Congratulate them on their win, so that they might remember to do the same when your team wins. These kinds of tests make you wiser and kinder people. You'll be glad to have learned the important lesson of being a gracious loser. You'll also be an example for your friends and they will admire you.

Website:childrensbookswithlifelessons.com

pictures from the internet

Be firm with your horse!

Let's imagine that you've taken lessons for a few years and your parents finally bought you a horse. Naturally, you're thrilled to finally have your own horse. You think you should treat him like a pet. You pamper him and you feed him whenever you think he is bored. When you ride him, he doesn't behave the way you'd like. He begins to pin his ears back and stop short. When he stops, you fall forward and you're worried that you might fall off. You decide maybe your horse needs to rest so you put him back in his stall.

This is a big mistake. You should always correct bad behavior before you put your horse away. Encourage him with your legs until he moves forward if he stops. Horses learn by repetition, so you repeat the good behavior and reward your horse when he does the right thing. With that in mind, you correct the bad behavior. You might need to give your horse a little kick with your heels to move him forward. You might even need to tap him with your riding crop. The main thing is to do what is necessary to correct the wrong habits before you put the horse away. When you don't do your homework, don't your parents give you a punishment? They might ground you for a few days, or take you television privileges away. If you have a consequence for your actions,  you'll remember not to do the wrong thing in the future. It's the same thing with your horse. If your horse has any bad habits, it's important to get some professional help to correct the problem. This way, you'll enjoy riding your horse and he'll learn to do the right thing as well.

Website: www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com. You can download a free chapter of my book and read about amazing kids there.

An interview with Althea

 Althea with her dog, Apple and her favorite chicken, Wobble

“Althea, I’m so excited that you are spending time chatting with me today. I know my readers will love learning more about you.”  Now we’ll get to our questions.”

How long have you been riding?

I have been riding for about 3 years.

Do you have a favorite pony? If you do, please tell us his/her name and why he (or she) is your favorite. You may describe him for us if you like.

My favorite horses are Rosie and Mi Jito. I like Rosie because she is very sweet and        gentle and listens to you. (She’s a school horse trained to listen but she’s still great.) I like Mi Jito because you really have to work with him a lot, and he’s got some trouble in him but he’s a very sweet horse and has a really great personality.

What else do you like doing for fun?

Some other things I do are ice skating, art, piano, fencing, skiing, and climbing.

Have you even ridden in a horse show? If you haven’t, would you like to? If you have, did you like it?

I have never been in a riding show, but I would like to!

What do you think you might like to do when you grow up?

A job I might want when I grow up is being a dog vet (only for dogs!), or an artist.

What are some of your favorite books?

A few of my favorite books are the Tintin series, the Narnia series, and Obsidian Mirror by Catherine Fisher.

Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?

In Charlene the Star and Hattie’s Heroes I really like the character Hattie because she loves hats and is very silly.

Thank you for interviewing me!  

“Thank you so much for letting me talk to you today, Althea. I loved getting to know more about you. By the way, your picture is lovely. I’m so pleased that you included your little dog, Apple and your favorite chicken named Wobble. You did an excellent job naming them. Hattie would be hopping around with joy if she knew you had such a cute chicken friend!”

The Peruvian Paso Horse

Some history:
If you ride horses today one of the first things to learn is how to post when the horse is trotting.Did you know that in the 1500's horses who trotted were so uncomfortable they were called "boneshakers?" They must have been no fun at all to ride, especially if you were traveling a long distance. In those days, even knights who were going into battle used trotting horses for fighting but they used horses called "naturally gaited horses" for long trips.
After a couple hundred years went by people started buying land for farming, At that time they were more interested in trotting horses because they used them to pull various kinds of wagons. Most people would rather have trotting horses than the naturally gaited ones during this time, But a lot was happening behind the scenes. Some people began breeding naturally gaited horses named Peruvian Pasos. Today they are very popular as riding horses because they are so comfortable.
Origins:
Where do you think the Peruvian Paso horses came from? The Spanish people introduced them in Peru. At one time Peru was the leading horse breeding country in the world.There are three different bloodlines in the Peruvian Paso. They are: The Barb, the Spanish Jennet, and the Andalusian.Today every purebred Peruvian Paso horse is guaranteed to have the perfect gait that these horses are known for.
the gait:
What kind of gait does the Peruvian Paso have? It is a four-beat gait called "piso." Today it is known to be the smoothest in the world.The Peruvian Paso has a gait that's a little faster than a walk, called the Paso Llano, the Sobreando, which is similar to the canter, the Huachando, which is a pace, and the gallop. Peruvian horses are very proud. They have an "inner energy" called "Brio." They feel like they are always on display. All of the gaits are completely natural. That means no training aids are used. They even have a special gait called the "Termino" where the legs swing to the outside, like a swimmer's arms. It's a beautiful thing to watch.  The Peruvian Paso horses don't even wear shoes.
Dispostion:

The disposition or temperment of the Peruvian Paso horse is one of the best in the world. People who breed the horses are careful to choose only the ones with kind dispositions.
Size and colors:
Peruvian Paso horses are usually between 14 and 15 hands. Remember that a hand is equal to 4 inches. They can be a variety of colors: black, brown, bay, grey, buckskin (something like a palomino, with a black main and tail), roan, chestnut and palomino. The Peruvian Paso is famous for his/her beautiful long mane and tail.
Uses:
Peruvian Pasos are often used for trail riding or show riding. Both children and older riders enjoy riding them.
Thank you for stopping by and learning about the beautiful Peruvian Paso horses.

An interview with Hattie the Chicken

"Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Hattie the Chicken, one of the stars of Charlene the Star and Hattie's Heroes and Charlene the Star and Bentley Bulldog. Hattie, I'm so excited that you're my guest today."

"Why, thank you, Deanie. I'm thrilled to be here. You can tell because I can't sit still. I'm hopping around, flapping my wings."

"Hattie, you're making me laugh." We need to get down to the questions now."

• Hattie, how did you get your name?

"Oh, I'm so happy you started with an easy question so I wouldn't be nervous.

My Mama said when I was born there was a piece of shell stuck on my head. it looked like a hat so she thought I'd like wearing hats. She decided Hattie was the perfect name for me.

• How many books have you starred in?

My first book was Charlene the Star and Hattie's Heroes. Oh,that story was fun.

My friends loved my talents. Wooliam, the sheep, Elliott the dog, and all of our other friends helped show me that I was a really good organizer. I have such good beakmanship (I write with my beak, you know) that I wrote a cute ad for the Gazette when we  started our own business. We had a great time and we helped so many horses overcome their problems. Tiger Lily was afraid of EVERYTHING when she started her training. But she was so talented. We had to build her confidence. Elliott helped a lot with that. Oh my, I'm talking so much I have to take a rest. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the gorgeous red horse, Charlene the Star. She's such a talented jumper.

What do you like to do?

Oh, that's a good question! After I finish hopping around I'll be able to answer. Ah, that's better. Now I can tell you that I LOVE  to wear pretty bonnets. I make them myself. Now I have so many colors! I even have a blue one with bright yellow polka dots! Other than wearing my beautiful hats, I like to plan events, like fairs. it's so much fun.

You mentioned Wooliam. Tell us about him.

Wooliam is a super-friendly Suffolk sheep. He told us that all of his relatives have black faces and black legs, just like him. Wooliam did something special for Charlene the Star. But I can't tell you everything about the story.

Tell us about your new book, Charlene the  Star and Bentley Bulldog.

Well, you probably guessed that Bentley is one of the stars. He was absolutely obnoxious when we first met. My goodness, my soft red feathers are getting ruffled just thinking of him. But eventually he does quite a few good things. You'd be surprised. Here's a picture of him escorting me across the street. He was wearing his crossing guard jacket to keep me safe. We made a plan because my friends were feeling very sad and we had to do something to cheer them up. Our plan worked out perfectly. Charlene also had some new experiences. It was so exciting.

What do you think children will remember about your books?

They'll remember how much fun it is to read them. They'll learn about sharing, helping others, teamwork, setting goals and working hard, just to mention a few things. They'll love the covers and beautiful illustrations by Holly Humphrys-Bajaj! They're remarkable.

Well, Hattie, it's nearly time for your lunch, so I think we'll have time for one more question. Where can people buy your books.

Our books are on www.Amazon.com and www.barnes and Noble.com. If people want signed copies, they could email you at: deanie@dhdunne.tk. And everyone would like to know that our books are on Kindle, too. If anyone wants to find out more, they should visit your website: www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com  If they want to listen to your interview they can go to:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjoluP0q3ZU

"Thank you so much for this delightful interview, Hattie. It certainly was fun."

"You're most welcome, Deanie. I hope I'm invited to come back."

Interview with amazing little boy, Brandon Allen:

"Hello everyone. Today I'm so excited to be talking with a wonderful little boy, Brandon Allen. Wait till you read Brandon's story. You're going to be impressed for sure.

Thank you so much for spending time with me today, Brandon.

"You're welcome, Deanie. I'm happy to be here to talk about my adventures with my horse, Karazan.

We'll get right to the questions, Brandon.

Brandon, I know you did something special for an ex-racehorse. Can you tell me what you did and how you got the idea?

I saved Karazan from slaughter, I saw her in a website that my mom was looking at and wanted to save her.
That was a wonderful thing to do, Brandon. I can see that you and Karazan love each other very much.

Tell us some of the things you do with Karazan every day.

I brush her and feed her treats, like carrots and apple treats and I get to ride her

when there's no snow on the ground.

I'll bet Karazan loves those carrots and apples. I've seen a video that your Mom 

sent. Karazan behaves so well for you. You make a great team.

What do you like most about Karazan?

I like that she has the same hair color as me. She's a redhead just like me! I

like that when I go in the field, she comes over to see me

What are some of the things you like to do when you're not riding

Karazan?

I like to play hockey, play baseball and football, horseback ride lots of horses, and

explore outside.

I'm glad you have fun doing all of those things, Brandon.

Do you have any idea what you might like to do when you grow up? 

I want to be a vet and run my own animal rescue.

Oh, that's exciting, Brandon. I know you'll be a wonderful vet and all of the 

animals you rescue will be so grateful. We have a dog that we rescued and he's the

best dog you could ever imagine.  His name is Elliott. He's even in some of

my children's books.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I don't think so.

We had fun together, Brandon. I'm so glad you came today. By the way, I love all

 of the pictures of you and Karazan. I hope all of your dreams come true.

copyright 2015 Deanie Humphrys-Dunne

pictures from Brandon's Mom

Courage: What exactly is it?

Have you ever heard someone say, "That takes courage?" or "She has courage." What do they mean exactly? Sometimes it means you stand up for what you believe in.  Maybe you're in school and you defend your friend against the class bully. Maybe your best friend is gossiping and spreading nasty things around. But you won't be one of those people who participate in doing the wrong thing. Sometimes having courage involves making the right choices. You can do it. Try to remember to listen to your intuition. Do what you feel is right. You'll grow into a marvelous person if you stand for what is right, even though it's not always popular. The world needs good examples and you have a chance to be one of them. Good job!

Non-Fiction Kid's books: Attitude

Have you read riveting non fiction books for kids lately? You need to have an engaging story if you want young readers to keep turning the pages. Sometimes you entertain children with your non-fiction book, and other times you inspire them. Today you’ll find out about an amazing little ten year-old named Sunny Logan. She really lives up to her name because she has a remarkable attitude. She managed to stay positive, even when doctors said she had a rare form of cancer called Burkitt’s Lymphoma. When Sunny heard about her disease, she told her Mom ‘Well, if I can go to St. Jude, that’s where I want to go.” Sunny must have realized St. Jude was the place with the most advanced treatments for cancer. Sunny went - See more at: http://childrensbookswithlifelessons.com/2015/08/10/non-fiction-books-for-kids-attitude/#sthash.bmQVM6bt.dpuf

To read more of this post, please visit my website at the address above. You'll love this inspiring story!

Attitude matters!

What are some of the things that will help you succeed in riding? (and other things)

One thing to keep in mind is your attitude. I think it's important to remain humble because no matter how long you ride, there is always more to learn. That's one of the things that makes riding a great sport. You can always improve on something.If you remember this little hint, it could even make you a happier person because "Know-it-all" kids don't seem very happy or well adjusted. What do you think?

A New Budweiser Baby!

I just read there's a new baby horse (foal) in the Budweiser family and had to share the news with  you! He's just adorable. I don't have permission to post his picture here, but his name is Mac. Do you remember what the Budweiser horses do? When they grow up, some of them pull big wagons in parades. They're quite famous. When I was growing up, the Budweiser horses came to stay at our farm during a summer festival. I know you'll love to see Mac's picture.

Stop by to meet him here:

http://news.yahoo.com/budweiser-welcomes-baby-clydesdale-horse-171218700.html

Don't be afraid of a challenge!

Do you have a big dream, but you're afraid to go after it? Don't worry, you never know what you can do until you try. Reaching your goal might be easier than you think. What if you've been trying for a while and it seems like you're going nowhere? Keep working on it, you could be so close to victory. If you quit, you'll never get where you want to be. Remember the last line of my book, Tails of Sweetbrier: "You have the power to make your dreams come true so reach for them and don't accept anything less!"