Brigita's Blog

Here are some horse terms I wanted to share with everyone, horsey and non-horsey people.  I think all will enjoy these.

Glossary of Horse Terms

Hock:  Financial condition of all horse owners

Stall:  What your rig does at rush hour in an unfamiliar coty on the way to a big horse show.

A Bit:  What you have left in your pocket after you've been to your favorite tack shop.

Fence:  Decorative structure built to provide your horse with something to chew on.

Horse Auction:  What you think of having after your horse bucks you off.

Pinto:  Green coat pattern found on freshly washed light colored horses left unattended for 2 minutes.

Well Mannered:  Hasn't stepped on, bitten, or kicked anyone for a week.

Rasp:  Abrasive metal tool used to remove excess skin from ones knuckles.

Lunging:  Popular training method in which a horse exercises their owner by spinning them in circles until dizzy.

Gallop:  Customary gait a horse chooses when returning back to the barn.

Nicely Started:  Lunged, but not enough life insurance to even think about riding him.

Colic:  Gastrointestinal result of eating at horse fair stands.

Colt:  What your mare give you when you want a filly.

Easy to Load:  Only takes 3 hours, 4 men, a 50lb. bag of oats, and a tractor with loader to get the horse on the trailer.

Easy to Catch:  In a 10 x 10 stall. 

Easy Rider:  Rides good in a trailer: not to be confused with "ride-able".

Endurance Ride:  End result when your horse spooks and runs away with you.

Hives:  What you get when you receive the vet bill for your 6 horses, 3 dogs, 4 cats, and 1 donkey.

Hobbles:  Walking gait of a horse owner after their foot has been stepped on by their horse.

Feed:  Expensive substance used to manufacture manure.

Dog House:  What you are in when you spend too much money on grooming supplies and pretty halters.

Light Cribber:  We can't afford to build anymore fencing or box stalls for this buzz saw on four legs.

Three Gaited Horse:  A horse that 1- trips, 2- stumbles and 3- falls.

FOR SALE: 11+ acre horse farm in Carbon County near Beltzville Lake, close to Pennsylvania Turnpike, major routes, and shopping.  Located on a quiet road surrounded by horse farms, farm land and woods.

450 Lonesome Lane

Towamensing Township, Palmerton School District, Carbon County

4 bedroom, 3 bath, unique log home

with a detached 3 car garage and a loft with many possibilties.

Home includes a coal/wood stove between the living room and dining area for cozy warmth during the chilly winter nights.

Master Bedroom has a sitting area with doors leading out to a private deck, with a gorgeous view, which also overlooks the barn, pastures and mountains.

Master bath has lots of room and has skylights for added light.

2 year old barn with 4 stalls, wash stall and heated tack room.  Barn includes hot and cold water and electric.

Barn has dutch doors at each stall leading out to the fenced paddock and fenced pastures next to the paddock.

A view from the pasture looking towards the house and the garage.

The property has beautiful views and lots of open space for the nature lover.

Home has a finished full basement, oil heat in addition to the coal.wood stove, air conditioning, hardwood floors, paved driveway leading up to the garage, sidewalks, decks and porch.  This is a MUST SEE for those that are looking for a quiet place to enjoy nature and their horses.

Property is listed at $585,000

Saturday, October 17, 2009, I attended the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg with a few friends and my son.  (Harrisburg is about 1 1/2 hours from the Lehigh Valley.)  We walked through the stable area to see the different horses, including the Budweiser Clydesdales.  The Clydesdales are HUGE!  My Thoroughbred is a big horse and these Clydesdales make him look like a small horse.

Many events were going on such as horse drawn cart races, amateur jumper classes, side saddle classes, and many more.  The Budweiser Clydesdale team showed everyone their expertise in pulling the big Budweiser wagon.  That is quite a sight to see.

We also strolled around the area of the many different vendors.  There weren't as many this year as there were in previous years, but there were still plenty.

We then took our seats for the main event:  The Grand Prix de Penn National World Cup Qualifier.  There were 27 riders in this event from different nations, including the US, trying to qualify for the World Cup competition.  The fences were challenging and were on average 5 feet high, some a little higher than others.

Out of the 27 riders, 6 had clear rounds and were able to go into the jump-off.  The jump-off was really exciting to watch.

Here are the results:

1st place                        Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil riding Let's Fly

2nd place                       Erynn Ballard with Robin Van Roosendael

3rd place                        Ljubov Kochetova from Russia on Aslan

4th place                        Ken Berkley from the US on Carlosboy

5th place                        Mario Deslauriers riding Vicomted

6th place                        Leslie Burr Howard from the US on Lennoxlewis2

It was an enjoyable evening for all.

Yesterday, parts of the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos here in Pennsylvania saw their first snow.  Yes, I said the dreaded four letter word, SNOW.  (I have to admit, it does look pretty, though.)  The funny thing is, this is October, not December. 

Our area doesn't usually see snow in October.  It has been unusually cold this week.  The temperatures have been at 40 degrees or the upper 30's.  Our normal highs for this month tend to be in the low 60's.  Quite a big difference I would say.

The forecast through the weekend is for more snow and rain, depending on what your elevation is.  The higher you are, the better chance for snow and more of it.

It seems to be temporary though.  The long range forecast for next week is nicer weather with temperatures back into the low 60's.  Now that's more like it!

The Lipizzaner Stallions are coming to the Lehigh Valley this weekend!  Sunday, October 18th, 2009, they will be performing at Lehigh University's Stabler Arena at 2PM and 6PM.

The Lipizzaner breed originated in Vienna, Austria around 1700.  The horses and riders ride the routines to music.  It seems as if they are dancing.

The highlight of the performance is the "Airs Above the Ground".  This routine includes leaps and maneuvers once used by soldiers in he battlefield to protect themselves.

The horses show strength and skill in the Levade, in which they maintain a hunched position at a 45 degree angle, The Capriole, in which the stallions leap into the air, simultaneously tucking their forelegs under their chests and fiercely kicking out their hind legs, and the Courbette, in which the horse rears on it's hind legs and hops forward.

Tickets are availalable in advance or at the show.

If you missed last weekend's Northampton County Open Gate Farm Tour, don't fret.  You have another opportunity.  This Sunday, October 18th, 2009, Lehigh County is holding theirs.

The Lehigh County Open Gate Tour will run from 1-5PM, rain or shine, and it's FREE.  Fifteen farms will open their gates for the public to see their agriculture based operations.

The participating farms will include an equestrian center, a vineyard, a native plant nursery, restored historic farm, fruit stand with cider mill and an alpaca farm.

Some farms will be selling cider, pumpkins, apples and other locally grown items.

Click here for a list of participating farms, their locations and if you would like more information.

Every have a pumpkin ale?  No?  Well here's your opportunity to sample one and many more brews.

Saturday, October 17th, 2009, will be the Lehigh Valley's Brewfest, held at Hugh Moore Park in Easton this year.

Over 30 mid-Atlantic breweries will be there from 2-6PM. 

Brewfest will offer tastings from all microbreweries, in addition to a tasting mug, for $30 in advance and $35 at the gate.

While enjoying the assorted brews, listen to the music of the Peter Stevenson Duo, Electric Boots and the duo of Sal Ritz and Joe Mixon.

The microbreweries included this year are: Allentown and Bethlehem Brew Works, Weyerbacher, Victory Brewing Co., Boulder Beer, Flying Fish, Harpoon Brewery, Stoudts, Long Trail, Cricket Hill, Dogfish Head and Kostritzer.

Added this year is a Connoisseur Tasting Session, 12:30-2PM.  The cost for this is $75 in advance, which includes samplings from Sagra Cooking, Pearly Baker's and Bethlehem Brew Works, along with beer and other goodies.

Click here for more information.

Here is what's happening in the Parkland and Northwestern Lehigh Area School Districts in Pennsylvania  for September 2009 in Real Estate:

Recommendation:

If you're buying a home, it is important that you work closely with a highly-motivated agent who understands what's going on with the real estate market and local economy.  He/She will be able to advise you on how to get the most for your money and what homes you may want to avoid, as there are homes on the market that are not priced at their fair market value.

If you're selling your home, it's also important that you work closely with a highly-motivated agent who understands what's going on with the market and local economy.  Your goal is to net top dollar - which you may not achieve if you overprice or underprice your home.