Expressions of New Hope – Thomas (T.J.)
By Dan Roark Thomas – he prefers TJ – is one of the new riders for the Fall session of lessons. Due to various issues he needs to be propped up on the horse. In the picture to the left, you can see the wedge behind him. We are trying various wedges and techniques to […]
A Variety of Volunteers is Needed
By Dan Roark At volunteer orientation, the concentration is on volunteers to work with riders, whether it be side walker, horse leader and the like. These are the immediate volunteer needs. Yet there is a myriad of volunteer duties that are available. Special projects pop up all the time. Projects which, if volunteers are not […]
Horse Highlight – Flash Meets Dr. Scholl, Part 2
By Dan Roark And now the culmination of the story of Flash meeting Dr. Scholl – through Wyatt Myr, farrier. Wyatt made time in his schedule to give Flash his new shoes when it wasn’t his scheduled New Hope visit, which is every four or five weeks depending on circumstances. Wyatt is not only a […]
Horse Highlight: Flash Meets Dr. Scholl, Part 1
By Dan Roark Well, ok, not Dr. Scholl really, but you’ll see what I mean in part two. To start at the beginning, Flash was walking a little funny. And he was acting like something was wrong. Kim, barn manager, thought he might have an abscess in one, or both, of his front hooves. She […]
10 Days – 10 Reasons to Get Tickets For the Gala
By Dan Roark Or more correctly, 10 posts. The days may not necessarily be consecutive, but we’ll do what we can. New Hope Gala posts on Facebook will also intermingle with the posts containing blog links there. Regardless, the next 10 posts will each give you a reason why you should get your tickets to […]
Volunteer Highlight – Madeline
By Dan Roark I was taking pictures the night Madeline went through orientation. During orientation, one can get a sense of which potential volunteers will actually follow through and sign up for lessons. I had no doubt Madeline was earnest in her desire to volunteer. I was not wrong. She is cognizant of the riders […]
Horse/Dog Highlight: Tommy and Dani
By Dan Roark Last Saturday morning, as will happen with any of the horses at any given lesson, Tommy was tacked up and ready for a lesson, when a rider – for whatever reason – was unable to make it. Since it would be a while before Tommy would have a rider, Emily took him […]
And They’re Off!! – Fall Lessons Begin
By Dan Roark Using the theme for the New Hope Gala, – “And they’re off!” – the beginning of the season’s lessons kicked into full force last Saturday, September 7. Due to the rain the first of that week, Saturday was “opening day.” The current riders enjoyed starting back up after the summer. The two […]
New Hope on Local Podcasts
By Dan Roark New Hope has had the good fortune to be featured on two local podcasts. Sharla and Dave spoke to Nicole Osei on the WBAP Impact Texas podcast on July 16. They discussed the history and purpose of New Hope with insights that had shown themselves along the way. But the highlight of […]
Caring For an Ageing Herd
By Dan Roark When the heat kicks in, so does its affect on the herd – particularly an ageing herd. Horses get cranky, too (it’s not just us), which cannot only exacerbate symptoms, it can also be a sign of symptoms. Yet, beyond that, the heat does have a negative effect on the horses in […]
Saying Good-by to Missy
By Dan Roark Knowing that it is an aging herd still doesn’t prepare all of those involved for one of the horses being let go. Our dear Missy was ravaged with tumors as a result of colon cancer and it was necessary to let her go today. Although it isn’t any comfort for those still […]
Barn Manager Highlight – Kim Martin
By Dan Roark When you have a herd of 11 horses and a mule, two goats, and a pig, you would think that the barn manager was the hardest working person on the property. With Kim Martin, barn manager at New Hope, you would be absolutely correct. She manages the people on the feed crew […]
Cooling Vests, Fans, Heat and Horses, Oh My!
By Dan Roark I frequently borrow and alter my favorite line from Wizard Of Oz, like I did in the title. It’s actually one of the few lines and songs that I remember from the movie. Because it oozes urgency and and anticipation of unknown forces. Which certainly applies here. As we approach what’s called […]