What's New at Jandana Ranch
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What's New at Jandana Ranch
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So many interesting and wonderful people crossed our doorstep this year. Traveling from many corners of the world but also those from our own province and community we shared good times, great stories and strengthened a human connection which in this age of technological speed and being just plain too busy was encouraging and gratifying. “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” -Mahatma Gandhi Velocity sport VS the Tree! (Or… how Janice actually gets to know a real plastic surgeon.) Never underestimate the speed of a horse. Never assume that a human’s reaction time is fast, because it is not! Never assume that because you have been riding all of your life and have had experience riding dozens of different horsenalities and that every thing that you try to do is right, that you will always be safe. I am forever amazed that of one of earth’s most wondrous of creatures will allow us to enter their world and agree to have us sit on their backs and be guided. On June 3, while I was enjoying a leisurely stroll through the Bush Trail, my horse, for one reason or another I will never, know did a lightning quick 180 turn (as horses do when spooked by something) and my head encountered a tree. Poor tree..Within moments the ranch was alive with first aiders, ambulance attendants, a helicopter and from there it was cat scans, Twin Beaver to Vancouver, 3 plastic surgeons and a cozy room at VGH with much time to reflect. I reflected on the fact that I was wearing a helmet. I reflected on the fact that my only child did not become motherless and my husband become a widower. I searched and searched for some clue as to how I could have done things differently and when I couldn’t find anything I just collapsed into a depressed heap (drug induced I’m sure)and decided that maybe raising African Violets would be a good idea after all. Now, we should never stop learning and listening. I received a great insight that day. A dear friend came by to visit who tuned me up with a few words of wisdom: “Riding is a velocity sport.” Hmmm….as is skiing, motor cross, hockey, car racing etc. and no matter how skilled we are in sports such as these, if we do them long enough our name is going to come up. Oh, thank you Cheryl! I love you! No African Violets for me! I can go back to sleep now. So, yes I am back in the saddle again! Much sooner than the doc recommended but I had the itch. My face looks pretty good. One more surgery in January and I will be able to breathe through my nose again! Oh, one of life’s little pleasures! Saddles For Nicaragua Jandana Ranch is donating several saddles and a collection of assorted tack to Lorena Mantica’s Riding School, Haras de Albanta, in Nicaragua. Janice had the opportunity to visit Lorena in July and help develop ideas and inspiration for her natural horsemanship program, the only one in Central America! NEW FOR 2008 -no new goats, no new alpacas, no new dogs, maybe new chickens…. Visit our calendar of events posted on our website. Dates for the following activities and events will be available in the new year. Ellen Hockley driving clinic, Clinics and lessons with Janice, Bi-Monthly Theory series beginning late April on many different topics, Scheduled Playdays, Trail Clearing Day and Barbecue, Kids Camps, Quadrille Practice, Other: Ideas appreciated! You can complain because roses have thorns or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.” -Ziggy Christmas in the Barn Visit our nativity which is set up in the barn. Sydney the donkey , the 2 alpacas and our crazy crew of goats round out the picture nicely when they are in the “stable”. Father Derek a friend of Dani Schoof was invited to come to the ranch on Sunday Dec. 9 to bless all of the animals including the wild ones living in the hills. Such a nice way to begin the Christmas season! More Chickens! We now have a new family of Banty chickens:Kelly Cluckson and the Dixie Chicks! More new chickens! Thanks Tara for Spanky our new mini muscle Banty rooster! He caused quite a stir in the hen house I tell ya. New People! Welcome Ken and Donna Endean and beautiful Tara. Also welcome Val Pryce and her recent purchase of Leroy! Congratulations to Pippa Lewington on her purcahse of Spitz!
"Just a Horse" From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse,” or,"that's a lot of money for just a horse". They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a horse." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a horse," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman/man." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they "just" don't understand. unknown author News from Jandana Most recent! Daena and Janice bring in the Christmas tree from the Moose Loop Trail! Out riding with Dani and Gail on Saturday December 15, our 2 tree consultants agreed: “Yep, this one has needles!” "Johnny Cashmere and his mom Norma Jean"
Happy Birthday to the two eldest horses at Jandana. Maureen Tomsich’s QH Tylor, turned 30 in July! Cake was served and Tylor in his party hat looked very festive! The beautiful white Arab gent, Caliph, owned by Sharon Norris turned another year older making him 26 or 27! Both old men are healthy and happy and enjoying their retirement walking the hills and socializing with their friends. New horses to the ranch: Bandi, Jenna, Dolly, Roxy, Lady and Jimmy. They have adjusted to their new life well. All of the horses came from a city life and to discover the freedom, natural handling, and kind consistency offered at the ranch has directed them into a life they never thought could have existed. Saddle up for natural horsemanship; Ranch
northeast of Kamloops teaches riders the 'whispering' method to bonding
with a mount
That's not as easy as it sounds if you are a 28-kilogram, nine-year-old girl being spun in circles because of a bee sting on the backside of your trusty steed. A little coaxing with words of wisdom may not get anyone confidently back in the saddle, but a little education in equine communication will. Jandana Ranch, northeast of Kamloops, is the perfect place to reunite with a horse. As Bonnie, our reluctant rider, walked to the small corral, her body language said it all. She was afraid of both ends of the horse but help was on the way. Janice Jarvis opened the big wooden gate and welcomed her into the world of natural horsemanship by handing her the lead attached to a 12-year-old spunky pony named Roxy. There is no saddle in sight. "It's not about domineering a horse, it's all about creating a partnership of leadership, language and trust," said Jarvis. "We want the horse to trust and respect us, and in turn, we give that back." Her methods are based on the Parelli natural horsemanship method, often referred to as "whispering." The first lesson sounds simple. To enforce dominance, Bonnie is told to stand on a plastic bucket lid and not step off. She can't let the horse shift into her space. It's not easy to stand up to a horse, but with the aid of the lead rope and a "carrot stick," she learned to persuade the horse to not bully her. It wasn't long before she had the horse orbiting around her. Of course, it takes more than a few power games to teach horse and rider to work as a team, and Jandana Ranch offers lessons year-round to anybody willing to learn. Guests are invited to stay in one of the cosy cabins or bring their own RV. There are other activities, including volleyball, horseshoes, swimming and fishing in Pinantan Lake. Any offers to help in the daily operations are always cheerfully accepted. You can bring your own horse to work with, but there are close to 50 to choose from on the 200-hectare ranch. After 90 minutes, Bonnie was bonding with the pony and was even running with her and guiding her over jumps. But there was no mention of a saddle. Did that disappoint the girl who now wasn't afraid to groom the backside of the horse? "Not at all," said Bonnie. "Because, now I know there is more to riding a horse than sitting in a saddle. And learning all that was way more fun." "All it takes is a little horse sense and mutual understanding," said Jarvis.
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“Praise the Tall Ones, Ride the Small Ones." (Cowboy Wisdom) I used to be very much part of the competitive dressage community in every way, shape, size and form. I discovered that the politics involved with the sport considered that the size and breed of the horse to be of supreme importance. I soon figured out that all this could be compared with the status of owning state of the art transportation, and the difference between Gucci/Walmart or Nike and Zellers. Go figure Yes, I had my beloved Ben, all 17:1 hands of Hannoverian breeding and huge of heart......but more than often I had admired the smaller horses of the show ring....Susan Gorris's beautiful little QH mare, Tara or the snappy little FEI Morgan stallion, Beaux Heir. Now that I am finally older and possibly wiser, the horses that have now entered my life are of the compact variety with hearts like that of lions: Little Marie, AKA Hot Wheels-14:2h of tough, flashy Standardbred. Stanfield, Daena's fabulous Arab/Welsh gelding with a sharp mind and quick beautiful body. These are just 2 of many smaller horses that have touched my life, all of whom could get you out of a bog, slug through a snow drift, stand ground to a bear or moose and get you home again against all odds. And yes, they too can passage, piaffe and do tempe changes. Just watch them practising those moves freely and with exuberance, out in the pasture with their friends.......naturally! More Cowboy WisdomIf it don’t seem like it’s worth the effort… it probably ain’t. Never miss a good chance to shut up. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. Don’t worry about bitin’ off more’n you can chew; your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger’n you think. If you get all wrapped up in yourself, you’ll find you make a pretty small package.Dictionary of Cowboy EnglishOrgan- definition, the state next to Washington War- definition, to don. Eg. She’s so fat she’s got to war a girdle to get into her moo-moo. Pale- definition, to remove the outer covering. Eg. His breath could pale the skin off an onion at thirty paces. Alky-haul- defintition, strong spirits.Eg. That drunk needs more blood in his alky-haul stream.Die-definition, a 24 hour period.Eg. A die away from him’s like a month in the country.Bustid- financially embarrassed. Eg. If Dolly Parton was a farmer, she’d be flat bustid. Burrocrat-definition,a government employee. Eg. A camel is a horse designed by a burrocrat. *************************************** A letter from Diamond: (Diamond, a 4 year old Tennesee Walker owned by Fay Zilkowski. entered Janice’s life in April to be started under saddle. What a wonderful little mare!) Dear aunty Janice; You should have seen the places I have been and the things I saw!! I was really good in the trailer even when they stopped and got themselves lunch and not us! When we got there mom put us in the yard to mow the lawn and I couldn't shake Tia. I kept trying to run away from her (cause I am not a baby like her) and she kept screaming and running after me. geeze--I like MY space. The first day we went riding in a wind storm. Terry rubbed his nylon coat against a tree and freaked me out! THEN I had to go through MUD. My legs got covered in mud--I didn't like that. We went through a logging slash, creeks, bush crashing, you name it. My mom says I am a star! The second day 2 more horses came with us. Well, we HAD to watch a choo-choo train! Mom made me watch the whole thing even though my eyes were bugging out. It even blew a whistle to try to scare me The 3rd day we found a beautiful spot to ride so we did 19 K's. All that happened was 2 deer were sneaking around in the bush where I couldn't see them. Didn't like that much. Then I got upset when the oldest horse galloped away from me on way home and mom made me stay behind an appaloosa. Then when we got home to my family, my black and white mom really checked me over good! I am tired and happy. Diamond FLASH! Norma Jean is expecting! More goats! “No way!” says rancher Dave.(Think of some cute names, readers. It will most likely be twins.)
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In PassingRudi, our infamous goat passed away suddenly in March from possibly heart failure. We were never sure how old Rudi actually was but he was missed so much by so many people (and not at all by some!) that 3 more little goats soon filled the void. (See “New Kids…) Meadows Ebony, our beautiful black Standard bred mare was humanely euthanized in June of this year. Ebony had been diagnosed with Cushings disease in December and was happily enjoying her retirement when she fell and fractured her shoulder. Ebony will be missed by all who knew her, as will her equine friends who looked up to her as their alpha. Both Rudi and Ebony have been laid to rest on the ranch.New Kids on the Block and other AnimalsMurray and Dickie are twin African Pygmy goats who are loved by everyone until they get on your cars. (We are working on that!) Their role model is a very calm, deep thinking Cashmere goat named Norma Jean. She holds herself together very well until the terrible 2 get out of her sight and then we are convinced that she is going to lose her tonsils one day hollering for them! Other animals include Henny Penny and her wild looking hybrid offspring, Tonto the rescue cat, 2 alpacas who terrorized the horses for at least 2 months,Mr., The very dapper buckskin QH that all the kids call Spirit and Beautiful Cedric, the tall elegant thoroughbred who really has no clue that he is the loveliest horse on the property.Oh Well…. GlobalWarming……humans are a curious species. Why do we choose to ignore the scientific statistics regarding temperature change and weather pattern disruptions? Mother Earth will even up the score one day. Ever read the paper?? Our personal wake- up call happened this spring with our failing water supply. We now have a new, very expensive almost dry 420” hole in the ground. Sometimes we gaze at it and say yep it has nice simplistic lines but we sure could have used a back hoe instead or a nice useful excavator. There is a valuable lesson here though …we must NOT take our resources for granted, especially water! **************************************** |
Last updated May 13, 2008
