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Category Archives: Horses

Aug 05 2010

All the Pretty Little Horses: M & M Lucky Hooves

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to visit Mary Gallant in Bloomfield, PEI and her fabulous minis Prince, Gidget, Fidget, Bartoya and 7-week-old Chakyra. They were so well trained I was inspired to try to work more with my horses. I have lots to learn and Mary was wonderful in sharing her knowledge with me. Her horses are awesome. This lady knows what’s she’s doing! Mary runs M & M Lucky Hooves, a non-profit organization promoting the love and awareness of Miniature Horses through therapeutic healing in the community. This involves bringing the horses into senior care facilities, hospitals, schools for the special needs, to the homes of learning and physically disabled individuals, and anywhere that therapeutic healing of minis is needed. I love minis and have worked with therapeutic riding organizations but never knew that minis could be used in this way. Seven-week-old mini Chakyra was very affectionate with me and I posted a fun little video on my facebook page of her trying to sit on my lap and give me kisses during the shoot. And yes… I loved every minute! Visit M & M Lucky Hooves at www.mandmluckyhooves.com to find out more about the magic of minis. Enjoy!

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Posted in Horses, Mini Horses

Aug 04 2010

Gingerwood Charity Classic

The Gingerwood Charity Classic was held July 30 to August 1 in Stanhope, Prince Edward Island and is Atlantic Canada’s largest outdoor equestrian event. All proceeds from the equine events support Oak Acres Children’s Camp, a great cause don’t cha think? I love that! So a bunch of us jumped in the truck and drove over to sit on the lawn of this absolutely fabulous facility and enjoy the day. So relaxing. So fun. Life is good. (Geez I wish I was a better rider.) Here’s a few shots. Enjoy!

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Posted in Horses, Photojournalism

Jun 12 2010

Terpstra Percherons

Terpstra’s is the place for winter sleigh rides here on PEI. A family-run vacation destination, they have a bunch of really beautiful Percheron horses who pull the sleighs and wagons. Daughter Emily even rides them bareback. (So cool, eh?) The big news is that they have two new foals! Big foals! At 6 weeks old they are very long-legged with rumps that already come up to my neck. We were in awe of how incredible they were. Beautiful! These gentle giants were very open to a little cuddle and pat, which of course they got a lot of from us. Oh and they had an awesome dog too! Here’s a few shots. Enjoy!

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Posted in Horses

May 30 2010

Pretty Little Horses

Here is the first series of photos for my mini horse project! I have been waiting for the good weather and it’s here at last. I have been in touch with many mini horse owners over the past few months and have a bunch of sessions planned for this summer. I’m so thrilled about it. I have always been horse-crazy, but when my mini May showed up I fell head over hoof. I never knew how wonderful minis are. I’m crazy for them now.

Minis are everywhere on Prince Edward Island. These four minis live across the road from me. They are HILARIOUS. I was laughing and giddy the whole time. The followed me all over the place so incredibly curious about me and what I was doing in their field. Luckily three of them lost interest in me after a while so I was able to get some shots, but there was one who just wouldn’t stop following me and snuggling… I can’t wait to go back for more!

Miniature horses are not ponies. While miniature horses are usually less than 34–38 inches, they are considered “horses” by their respective registries because they retain horse characteristics. (Ponies have different characteristics altogether.) Minis have various colors and coat patterns. They are very funny and friendly and are often kept as family pets and primarily serve as a companion animal. They can be ridden, pull carts, and are also trained as service animals for people with disabilities. Yes, you heard me. I was quite surprised. One of my sessions this summer is with a woman here on PEI who uses minis as service and therapy animals. While miniature horses can be trained to work indoors, they are still real horses and are healthier when allowed to live outdoors with proper shelter and room to run. They are generally quite hardy, often living longer on average than some full-sized horse breeds; the average life span of miniature horses is from 25 to 35 years. They are very wonderful little beings that will fill you up with joy.