New Projects

Well, once again Penzance will start a new project this spring. Besides the PPL Pony Academy, we'll begin to take in throw-away horses who merely need hoof and health and emotional attention to become special, healthy horses to make little girls and boys' dreams come true. This will serve two purposes: to begin to record, formally, with veterinary verification, remediations of hooves that have foundered, navicular, or otherwise deemed to be "too far gone" for recovery by traditional means and 2. to give the horse a 2nd chance with a loving, caring family for life. We'll be doing this one or two horses at a time as space allows. Our recovery and rehab spaces are still available for horses transitioning from shod to barefoot or those who need special attention that owners may not have the time to give and as of this writing we have a waiting list for training boarders.

Continuing farm improvements include new fencing this spring, more trails and woods clearing and possible barn relocation and reconstruction. The acquisition of a tractor is 1st on our list - (know of any used ones for sale?) and a space for a trailer to store hay is definitely needed. Picking up one ton at a time is getting most tiring as well as expensive considering the time and gas to get 3 or 4 ton a month as we go through it.

Clinics this year will include week-end 2-day Natural Hoofcare or Progressive Partnership clinics with tent camping here on PENZANCE or motel/campground stays in neighboring facilities for clinic students. One day clinics are also on the schedule. The 10 week course for Natural Hoofcare is on hold at this time pending time and energy constraints. Last summer brought in a good number of hoofcare emergencies that needed weekend and evening focus in addition to the regular clientele and trying to juggle everything became exhausting. It *is* good to have at least one day off a week or month. (or even in 2 months!)

We're excited here with the new projects coming up and its nice to be planning them while the snow is on the ground and weather is miserable. We're so looking forward to not having to haul buckets upon buckets of hot water to the tubs that are 400 feet in the woods! or, breaking up the ice with sledge hammers every morning! All this while dressed in 5 layers of clothing just to keep warm. I'm partial to shorts and T-shirts with sneakers for daily attire while working on farm! One *can* dream, right? *grin* I'm still dreaming of moving back to Florida. Soon! Tomorrow? This week? In reality ... retirement isn't that far off and what we do here at Penzance is easily picked up somewhere else. (where its warm!)

Online courses continue with great success. Our "mini courses" begin in March. Those will be fun! Be sure to pass the word on if you know of anyone who might be interested. Check out the schedule on the Penzance page "Online Courses".

Well, hungry critters are lining up at the fenceline waiting for their morning hay toss. Onward and forward ... always.