Pony Farm Session 5B - Rocking a Rainy Day

Dear Camp Families,

This is my last blog of the camp season.  It makes me sad to think that Saturday we return your children to you and start sending our visiting horses home. 

People often ask me if I am glad that Pony Farm is over for the year. I am never glad camp is over. When the final session is done, however, I will admit I'm glad the responsibility of camp is over.  I love it, but it is a lot!  (And that is what they call an under statement.)

You might be wondering what your cherubs have been up to this week. We have been busy with riding lessons, camping trips, trips to swim at the falls, catch riding, carriage driving, hanging out with the small animals, and swimming in the pool!

You might also be wondering what we do on a day like Wednesday when it poured all day. I'm happy to report that after 43 years, Pony Farm knows how to make the most of a rainy day.

Campers find out the rainy day plan of attack

 
In the morning we started with tack cleaning. That's a job that comes with the sport of riding, and every rider needs to know how to do it. It's no one's favorite task, but it that makes it kind of a life skill as well!

After tack cleaning, we had a barn competition to get the barns (upper, lower, and outside) spiffed up.  The barn crew who cleaned the best, cleared away the most trash, and returned the most items to the lost and found won ... a whole candy bar.

Now you might think a candy bar isn't much of a reward.  But typically there isn't any candy at Pony Farm. A whole candy bar is a big deal in these parts.  In fact, the competition got pretty steep. Some campers took other team's trash and then were eventually disqualified because they continued to not listen to the rules when they were VERY CLEAR.  (Who knew trash could be so valuable? And that barn cleaning competition turns out to be a life skill, too!)

In the afternoon we played a horse trivia game with five teams of campers. The trivia topic was -- you guessed it -- horses!  (There might have been candy involved in this too!)

The horse trivia board: "I'll take Clydesdales for 500, Alex."

 Wednesday night we played Personal Scavenger Hunt, one of my favorite camp games. We divide the camp into teams.  Then, we ask a trivia question about the farm, horses, maybe pop culture, or the campers might have to sing or dance.  Each team sends one member up to slap the table to answer the question.  The first person to slap the table gets to answer.  We keep score and the team with the most points wins.  In good weather, we play on the back lawn, but it was too wet for that, so we played in the indoor arena. Not as pretty inside, but very dry!

Thursday, we swam with the horses and had lessons, and after dinner had another OAPF event -- Pony Farm's Next Top Model. Today your campers were busy with lessons, and packing, and working on the specialty they'll show you tomorrow.

We will be seeing you all really soon!

Best,

Becky
Co-Director, Pony Farm

PS Did you miss our amazing Session 5B campers taking the "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge"?

Post by Pony Farm.

Pony Farm Session 5A - Eating Chocolate with Socks, and a Dog Worth 200 Points

Dear Camp Families,

If you've followed our daily schedule, you know that we played the Chocolate Game last night.  I often feel like a pit boss during this game.  It is a high energy, fast paced game, similar to what I imagine a casino environment is like.  But instead of dealers calling out, "Changing $100!" I have campers shouting for more chocolate bars!  Does this start to paint the picture for you?

The Chocolate Game moves so fast it's all a blur!

If you wanted to play the Chocolate Game at home, here's how you do it:

Materials:

• A platter (to put the chocolate bars on)
• 2 dice (or 3 dice to make the game harder)
• A fork and a knife (use a spoon instead of a fork if you want to make it more interesting)
• A pair of sock, preferable clean ones (Dirty ones could put an interesting spin on things.  We always use clean ones.)
• Hersey's chocolate bars (freeze them to make the game harder.)

Directions:

Players take turns to roll the dice. The first player to roll doubles gets to put the socks on her hands, pick up the fork (or spoon) and the knife, and start cutting up the chocolate bar. She tries to eat as much as she can until the next camper gets doubles.  Then it is her turn to cut up and eat chocolate with socks on her hands. 

The game goes on until you cry for mercy, you run out of chocolate, or you have to roll the children away from the platters. (I envision a scene from  Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.)  At Pony Farm, we usually just run out of chocolate.

Gunner: find him & your
team earns 200 points.
But where did he keep
his ticket?

Last night we also played Counselor Quest, a Pony Farm specialty!  It's hide and seek with some twists.

All the counselors, including honorary counselor, Gunner the Black Lab, hide on the farm. Inside the barns and other buildings, and where there are animals, are off limits for hiding. One counselor always stays in the lodge for safety (no hiding!).

Each counselor carries a ticket with her point value on it. When a team of campers finds a counselor, she hands over her ticket. The game is over when a car horn honks obnoxiously for an extend period of time and everyone comes back to the lodge.  The team with the most points wins. 

Counselor Quest is a fun way for campers to learn their way around the farm. It is also really popular with counselors. Even counselors who have the evening off come in just to play. 

Emma the Great with Thunder;
maybe Thunder knows where
she hides during Counselor Quest.

Emma the Great, also known as Emma Milford, one of our long-time counselors, has never been found.  Just saying!

Today - Friday - we had lessons in the morning, afternoon activities, and then tonight we are going camping, having a ship wreck dinner, and playing personal scavenger hunt.

Never a dull moment here at camp!

Best,
Becky
Co-Camp Director (and Gunner's "Mom")

Pony Farm Session 5A - What, Already?!

Dear Camp Families,

It has been a while since I have written.  I do apologize.  I can only make so many excuses for why I haven't written -- but here is my list!

• Hanging out and getting to know your daughters! (Who are fabulous, by the way. Maybe you already knew that.)
  

  

  You know, just hanging out with Jordan

• Helping out at our home horse show
• Playing personal scavenger hunt
• Playing the Chocolate Game
• Holding community meetings with campers
• Going swimming
• Taking pictures of camp activities
• Playing Counselor Quest (I always get found.  What's with that?)
• Petting ponies, horses, dogs, goats, sheep, and the donkey
• Talking to the chickens!

Oh and running a camp. I forgot to put that on my list.

In all seriousness, Session 5 has arrived. It's hard to believe it's come so quickly. Your daughters are a terrific group of girls!  Horse matching, the first order of business, went very well on Monday, with only 4 re-rides in the afternoon.

Heading back to the barn: the only drama is in that sky

 While re-rides happen, the rest of the campers play with small animals and take their swim test.  We have a jam-packed week coming up with a fashion show (the Pony Farm version, of course!), riding lessons, bag skits, Counselor Quest, the ice cream trough, swimming with the horses, carriage driving with Boo, and a whole lot more.

Guess what's the quickest path to a pony's heart?

 So, if you'll excuse me ...

Session 5A has an agenda!

 Best,

Becky
Co-Director, Pony Farm

PS: Speaking of the horse show, check out some photos on Facebook:

Post by Touchstone Farm.

Pony Farm Session 2 - We Have Momentum!

Dear Camp Families,

It is a warm day here in southern NH, and your girls are champs!  They did a beautiful job at our horse show on Saturday! All but two campers decided to show, and the two girls who did not kept busy helping their friends and cheering them on. We had many local riders showing with us well.

Boo expertly braiding Sophie's hair before Saturday's horse show

Ava & Ellie at the show

Sunday, we had fun sleeping in (no morning barn chores!), watching a movie, cleaning rooms and then hanging out at the pool.  We were surrounded by small animals, books, arts and crafts and friends.  The horses always have Sundays off.

Gruffy staying cool on his day off

Monday, we had lessons in the morning.  Choices for afternoon activities were Pair Jumping, Vaulting, Driving, Trail Ride, Swimming at the Falls, or Catch Riding.  The evening activity is Fashion Show, which is like no fashion show you've seen before (OAPF!).

All the ways we're having fun this week!

We have a busy week ahead of us, as you can see from our schedule!  We are camping overnight twice because everybody wants to go!  It is hard to take 28 campers camping at once, so we are going to take two separate trips!

Best,

Becky

Pony Farm Session 2 - Keeping Busy

Dear Camp Families,

Yay! We passed the swim test!

Session 2 of Pony Farm Summer Camp has started off with beautiful blue skies and amazing weather!  We haven't had a drop of homesickness, which is always nice.

After our trial rides this morning, we had 5 re-rides for the afternoon to make sure every girl is riding the best horse for her. 

During re-rides the rest of the camp take their swim tests and play with the small animals.  We stay pretty busy here at camp.  It is a little bit different than sitting at your desk at school.

Small animal parade

This evening we play bag skits.  It is a fun and funny game!  Each room of campers gets an empty bag and goes to their room and puts 10 items in the bag.  Then everybody comes back out, and we switch all the bags around.  The campers go back to their rooms to make up a skit using the items in the bag they were handed.

Everyone has a certain amount of time to make up their skit, and then it's showtime!  As I said, it is fun and funny - to pick the items in the bag, to figure out your skit, to see what another room did with your items.

Tomorrow night is shipwreck dinner. You just have to wait until next time to know how that one goes.

Best,

Becky
Co-Camp Director

3 out of 4 campers prefer this T-shirt.

Boo's Update

 [Editor's Note: As many of you know, Boo is recovering from injuries due to a fall last month. She's making great strides in her recovery, and emailed us this update.]

The sun is shining bright down here at the Rehab Center where I am getting all strong and ready for the Pony Farm Reunion weekend in June...and for Pony Farm's 43nd summer of camp...my favorite time of year....I am calling my physical therapy Boot Camp and applying every smile and muscle to get better and get back to the farm I LOVE...and you all!!!

I am soooooo sad to miss the Pony Farm Gathering in Natick tonight.  I shout out a thanks and a 'love you' to John and Anet for hosting this fun evening for us.

 I HOPE lots of you show up to celebrate the farm and our 'farm family'.  This was such a super evening last year that I am just so sad to miss it. I will be there in spirit and will be toasting you from afar.  Maybe you all could call me sometime during that night. It would be sooooooooooo fun to hear your voices and make missing it a little easier.  Do take a look at the website for address and details.  Here's to PF Strong!

My entire goal is to get back to the farm and fit & firm for the Pony Farm Reunion weekend (June 6-8). It is so fun seeing the attendee list building...I hope lots more of you join us for this fun weekend of "Grown Up Camp Fun"!!!! Be in touch with Kris and join us for a full weekend of farm, friendship and good cheer.

However, the thing I am long time most excited about it having camp get started. We have a super full camp with great horses and wonderful staff. We could be ready to open tomorrow. With the upgrades to the lodge and the new rings and fencing, the farm is in tip top shape.

One of the other exciting things is that we really worked hard this winter to create a full curriculum for each riding group. Andi and I divided up both the riding, horsemanship and stable management skills that we hope each level can achieve during each girls' stay with us.  We are just concluding with lesson plans, games, activities and obstacle or jumping courses to hone each mounted skill in  a fun, interesting and creative way.  We want to be known as a specialty riding camp that has top flight teaching staff and horses.  We are shooting to have each camper's riding instructor be delighted with the progress she has made when she goes home to her barn.

We have spent hours on this and we will be presenting the results on the Pony Farm pages on our website and on the Opening Day of camp for each session. We will also feature the proud results of each group's progress on the final riding exhibition demo for each session.  We want our parents to be thrilled with the riding and horse ability of their daughters.

So....with lots of time on my hands as I wait for the next therapy session, please email me (bmartin@touchstone-farm.org) and give me your news. I am hungry for news 'of the outside world.'  Hearing from people definitely keeps my spirits bright and happy.

With much fondness, good cheer and a big smile,

Boo

Tuesdays with Boo

Mike & Ben are READY to get back to work.

I was so delighted to see everyone at the Open House for our spring lesson programs. Having everyone enjoying the farm and being together after this long, long winter, made my week. It is such a joy to stand at the barn door to greet old and new friends.

I don't need the ground hog to tell me that spring is on its way. Seeing all those bright and shining faces, eager to get on a horse, ushers in spring for me!

It has been many years since I have been this excited about the coming season and all the fantastic things that are happening at Touchstone, Pony Farm and Horse Power. We are truly 'on a roll' and 'on the move'. With such great staff, horses and the facility upgrades, it is a pleasure indeed to show people around.

Two weeks ago, we had a terrific group of folks who gathered to learn how to start their own programs for therapeutic riding. Being able to inspire them with what our team has accomplished over 42 years was moving indeed. How did I get so blessed to be surrounded by such a great team...and so much for look forward to in life.

I hope you are as energized as I am...and will come soon to visit to share the energy of the farm and the birth of springtime. Until then, stay well and know that the farm gates are always open for YOU!

With a hug and a big smile,

Boo

Tuesdays with Boo

We love our strong fences!

The sun is shining. The snow is leaving. Spring is here (on the calendar at least!). It is such a please to stay connected while we wait for spring weather and the return of YOU, our beloved lesson students of all ages, abilities and walks of life…and then YOU, our Pony Farmers and Day Campers this summer.

I truly don’t know when I have been more jazzed about the happenings at the farm. Between the beautiful horses, safely corralled by our new fencing, and the ring surfaces prepared especially for riding and driving fun, and our terrific staff, board and supporters, I feel so very blessed.

Someone asked me just yesterday to envision my dream job and life. I said, without a moment’s hesitation, that I already had both. My dreams have come true. I wake up every day to eagerly get back to making Touchstone, home of Pony Farm and Horse Power, thrive and bloom. Having you all as ‘farm family & friends’ sure makes the magic happen for me!!!

Ian on the AT

Alec on the slopes in CO

Speaking of magic, I had some at Disney World with Jamee and my two granddaughters…What a time we had, followed with a delightful trip down to the start of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia with son Ian who has begun his life’s adventure of a 2,000 plus hike to Maine, with its own blend of “Trail Magic”.

Then, to visit Ella in her glorious NYC Park Avenue apartment, living the exciting life in the Big Apple, only return home to see the pictures of Alec who has been out West skiing. Who could ask for anything better???

May magic be winging its way to you, bringing goodness and light into your life. Also, may the road lead you to the gates of Touchstone Farm. The Welcome mat is always out and magic is happening indeed!

Hugs,

Boo

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

Say hello to Ted and Bill.

On a working farm, every animal has a job to do. Just as we think carefully before adding human staff, we also deliberate carefully before adding to our animal “staff.” 

But sometimes, we make exceptions. 

Last week, the farm got an emergency call about farm animals who needed a new home where they could immediately receive proper care and attention. 

Bill filling up on fresh hay

Boo and Kris Young visited these animals and made an on-the-spot hiring decision: Bill the goat and Ted the sheep were coming to Touchstone Farm.

The two buddies now share a box stall in the outside barn while they await some vet care and neutering. Eventually, they’ll join Morgan the sheep and Kiwi the goat in the small animal barn and paddock. 

The farm cannot usually take on rescue animals. But, like Bill and Ted, they sometimes come our way. Kris once found 80 (80!) chickens abandoned by the side of the road. She found homes for 77, and kept three laying hens for the farm.

Thundercat supervising during
the National Day of Service

This summer, Thundercat showed up one day and appointed himself Head Greeter. 

Thundercat, so named because his coat is the color of thunderclouds, was a big hit with Pony Farm campers and instructor training candidates of the Horse Power Instructor Training School. He patrols the property, introduces himself to everyone he meets, and escorts them to their destination. 

For now, Bill and Ted are luxuriating in their deep bed of clean shavings and are eating and drinking their fill. We’re looking forward to seeing them put on weight and shed the traces of previous neglect.

Ted is just as sweet as he looks.

Both are very friendly. We think they’ll be excellent in their jobs on the small animal team and can’t wait till they’re ready for “work.”

Can You Help Us on Giving Tuesday?

Getting ready to ride
 in Horse Power

Have you heard about Giving Tuesday, the nonprofit world's answer to Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Tuesday, November 27 is Giving Tuesday, a day on which supporters are encouraged to make donations to nonprofit organizations whose work they value.

You may know us best for Pony Farm summer camp or our riding lessons, and may not be aware that Touchstone Farm is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. We have programs for both able-bodied individuals and those with physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges.

If you are in a giving mood on Giving Tuesday, your donation to Touchstone Farm will help fund programs such as:

• Horse Power, our therapeutic riding and driving program for individuals facing physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral and learning challenges.
• Barnyard Buddies, our summer day camp for children in  grades K – 5 and for children and adults with specials needs.

Punch on parade
during Barnyard Buddies
summer day camp

Your donations help us keep these programs affordable for the participants. For example, we maintain a scholarship fund for Barnyard Buddies so that we can offer reduced or waived tuition to those who cannot afford the regular fee.

Your donations also defray the enormous costs of caring for the wonderful horses and farm animals who are essential to these programs. Horses such as Gretsky, Roxy, Annie, and Socks, whom you may know from Pony Farm or riding or carriage driving lessons, are also specialists in therapeutic riding. We owe it to these terrific animals to give them the best possible care, and that care is expensive.

Dunkin the donkey
and friend

We are grateful to you and all of our supporters for everything you contribute to Touchstone Farm -- time, money, and good wishes. We thank you for all that you do for us.

If you would like to donate today, or anytime, click here to be taken to our online donations form.

Again, we can't say it often enough: thank you. Together, we can do great work.

Escape Artistry

Blue: Don't be fooled
by all the cute.

The recent rain has greened up the lawns at Touchstone Farm, and the cool days have re-energized the animals after the summer muggies, renewing their spirit of adventure. That’s my explanation for a sudden increase in escapes on the farm.

I arrived at the farm on Saturday morning to find Blueberry, that wily pony, munching happily on a patch of grass near his paddock. On Sunday, as Roxy and I worked in the Hacking ring, I could hear annoyed squeals coming from the barn. That was Blue, shut into a stall to keep him from wandering while the barn staff figures out how he is getting out of his paddock.

It really IS greener.

One of the sheep has been getting out, too. He doesn’t go far – just to nibble grass on the other side of his paddock fence. You put him back, and minutes later he’s mysteriously out again.

The farm has two other determined escape artists. Kiwi the goat is one. He is smart, friendly, and curious. You never know where Kiwi will turn up, but it’s seldom where you want him to be.

Kiwi: He's everywhere
he shouldn't be.

Kiwi and I went head to head on Sunday when I was tacking up Roxy in the lower barn. I heard thumps and crashes in the locked grain room. When I unlocked the door and slid it open, there was Kiwi, trying to get the lids off grain barrels.

I shooed him out, only to see him nimbly re-enter from the unlocked side of the sliding door. He and I went another few rounds, and then Jordan Reynolds, a member of the barn staff, found a barrel to wedge against Kiwi’s personal entrance.

I think Kiwi knew I ratted him out to Jordan. As Roxy and I walked to the ring, Kiwi followed us, head-butting me along the way.

Goat-proofing the grain room

Later, I saw Boo take him firmly by the collar and stuff him into the stall next to the incarcerated Blueberry. Busted by the big boss.

There’s little love lost between Kiwi and the farm's other great escape artist, Roxy. The only time I’ve ever seen Roxy put her ears back is when Kiwi gets in her face.
 
I thought they might see each other as kindred spirits, sharing their love of freedom and food. This is not the case. They are fierce competitors in a contest of unauthorized eating.

Roxy: "Can't comment. Eating."

Roxy keeps to her paddock these days, but her adventures in breaking and exiting have set the bar pretty high, even for clever Kiwi. Next week, I’ll tell you about Roxy’s Greatest Escape.

See you around the farm, and watch out for that goat.

Kathy McDonald
Rider and Volunteer at Touchstone Farm