Author Archives: Pat Miran

Equine Dentist or Vet to Float Teeth

What does floating teeth mean? Simply put, floating teeth can be compared to trimming a horse’s hooves. Both require filing, smoothing and evening out rough areas. Since equine teeth never stop growing and wear unevenly; it is advantageous to file … Continue reading

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Horses and Native American Trade Routes

When I was young the idea of a vast inter-continental network of Native American trails, weaving across the North American continent was unheard of. It was Lewis and Clark who blazed their way across the American wilderness to the Pacific … Continue reading

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Dawn Bellis at Rising Hope Farm

Dawn Bellis had an extensive background working with horses. At the age of 13, she began training horses for other people. Her mother owned a riding stable in Litchfield, PA, where Dawn learned to ride at an early age. She … Continue reading

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Shadow Goes For Training

Sunshine hit the truck’s windshield as Ballentine’s Horse Heaven. The pleasant June and July days passed by as Ann and Shadow settled into the new home. Dawn Bellis became an important part of their lives. Other people often joined Shadow … Continue reading

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Farewell Murray Creek Riders

By May all the Murray Creek Riders had left Ballentine’s Horse Heaven, except for me. There were numerous reasons that they left; training, internships or new horizons. The barn was quiet as the days grew longer. Then in June came … Continue reading

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Homemade Fly Spray for Horses

Flies pose problems for animals and people during summer months. Pepper or Robin. The ingredients were simple: water, vinegar and a little soap. I read that flies don’t like peppermint and added some to the mixture. The peppermint gave the … Continue reading

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Desensitizing Horse to Blanket with TTouch

The stable was quiet in the early morning. The weather had been rainy and cold. I found CJ and TTouch method designed to relax the horse. I decided to give it a try. The TTouch method was developed in the … Continue reading

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Barefoot Horses – Soft Soles and Dry Hooves

The stables have been quiet for the last few weeks. Donna moved her horse, Socks, to another stables, Emma left for an internship in Kentucky and I found myself without any riding buddies. To compound the feeling of melancholy, the … Continue reading

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Dean Krissler – Farrier at Ballentine’s Horse Heaven

There are several farriers who come to Ballentine’s Horse Heaven. Pepper, Sam and Myrtle. Unfortunately, Gene retired due to health reasons. A career as a farrier can be short or long but it is always dangerous. A farrier works on … Continue reading

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Sleipnir – The Eight-Legged Horse

Winter has been long and so far, spring has been cool, except for this week. The weatherman promised temperatures in the 50’s, even 60! As the thermometer climbs, everyone begins to think about the start of ‘horse season’ when the … Continue reading

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