Macaroni SELLS to the highest bidder at the Twin Cities Appaloosa, Paint, & Quarter Horse Catalog Sale on April 4th, 2020! She does not have a hip number yet but as soon as it has been assigned we will update this page. Phone bids welcome — just call Simon Horse Company at 507-263-4200 to set it up!
As pictured here, Macaroni is used to having animals like goats, guinea hens, and chickens under her feet while she’s being ridden so she is very well exposed to a busy atmosphere! Not pictured here are some of our other animals that she is used to having all over the place, like our pot belly pig, ducks, and other goats!
VIDEO COMING SOON!!
Keep checking back to this page to see video and more photos of Macaroni! We will continue adding to this page and will post all videos on this page as well leading up to the sale day.
This is a photo of Macaroni and Sienna in fall 2019. She has a trace clip here!
This adorable little pony, known affectionately in the barn as “Macaroni,” is a buckskin pinto with adorable markings, especially her unique white socks! She has a great build and is very stocky for her size. She is very sweet and loves attention, especially from kids! This is another pony that has been used in our program and we would be very happy to keep her if for some reason she doesn’t sell on April 4th!
Sienna and Macaroni. Macaroni is the sweetest!
Often when we sell nice horses and ponies like Macaroni, people ask, “why are you selling?”
It’s a fair question! Macaroni is so cute, versatile, and has such a good temperament so it makes sense that people that don’t know us would ask a question like that.
To that, though, I will tell you that we are very blessed to have a large lesson program with about 15 horses and ponies that are ridden every week in horse camps and lessons. On top of that, we personally own another dozen or so riding horses and ponies. So, we already have a full barn full of horses and ponies just as nice as Macaroni!
Every year, we get one or two horses or ponies with the intention to eventually sell them after they’ve been used in our program. Macaroni is one of those ponies. We love seeing ponies like her go on to new homes to be the star of someone’s life! Consigning these horses and ponies is also something very fun for me (Samantha) and my little sister (Sienna) to do together.
Therefore, we are proud to offer this little pony as well as the other mare we are consigning, Frankie, at the Twin Cities Appaloosa, Paint, & Quarter Horse Catalog Sale on April 4th, 2020!
Breed: Quarter Pony
Height: 13hh – Very stocky and stout for her height.
Weight: Approx. 750lbs
Age: 16 years old – confirmed by vet when teeth were checked
Health: UTD on coggins, vaccinations, farrier. Teeth checked March 2020 and did not need to be done. Zero health or lameness issues. Totally sound. Never foundered as far as we are aware.
We’ve owned her since Fall 2019
Very patient
Loves attention
Loves kids
Used to a busy atmosphere with lots of kids at our riding school
Great walk/trot/canter
Direct rein, and started on neck reining
She’ll give you as much speed as you ask for, and will slow down when you tell her to.
Super cute, smooth trot
Easy to catch
Respects fences
Low maintenance — doesn’t NEED grain but currently gets Purina Senior, black oil sunflower seeds, and ground flax
She loves treats and isn’t picky about what kind she gets!
Stays fat, shiny, and dappley on just grass hay!
She is fine left out in the pasture 24/7 or stalled! Has been stalled at night the past couple of months.
Stands for vet, farrier, clipping, grooming
Very patient
Will stand tied all day, anywhere
Clips great, and will be body clipped before the sale
Rides western or English
Has shown with previous owners in gaming and low-level jumping, and was ridden in beginner jumping lessons in previous owner’s lesson program. Sienna and other students of ours have also ridden her over small jumps and she has never hesitated to jump anything!
Rides in a smooth 3-piece snaffle
NO spook, rear, or buck
Loads in a trailer great and with zero hesitation
Stands tied to the trailer
Stands great in cross ties
Stands for bathing and clipping
Backs great
Great stop
Great out on trails alone or in a group
Was ridden in horse camp during the 2019 fall season
Well exposed to guns, 4-wheelers, skidsteers, tractors, tarps, water, cows, pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, and loud, crazy kids!
Safe for beginners
Very eager to please
Will be used in a busy program for horse camps and riding lessons until the day of the sale
She rides well with a martingale or without! We just often use one when kids are jumping the horses because then even if the kids are a little clumsy with the position of their hands, it keeps the reins in a more comfortable position for the horse.
Located in Buffalo, MN — but shipping can be arranged anywhere!
She sells at the Twin Cities Appaloosa, Paint, & Quarter Horse Catalog Sale on April 4th!! If you can’t be there in person, set up phone bids with Simon Horse Company by calling 507-263-4200. Come see her on the day of the sale!
We have had a lot of inquiries from lesson students and parents about attending competitions with our lesson horses. We are always trying to figure out new ways to expand our program so that our riders can continue to further their riding education and accomplish new goals. Therefore, this is definitely something that we have thought about for a long time!
Before we get into all the information about attending shows off of our property, I do want to mention that we plan to host a couple of schooling shows at home starting with the 2020 season so that our lesson students can practice in a competitive atmosphere but without leaving the farm. Costs for this will be less than the fees for traveling off the farm since there is far less liability, wear/tear on our trailer and equipment, and it’ll just be easier in general! We will keep students updated on any schooling shows that are planned once the weather warms up because we plan to have them in the outdoor arena.
We have decided to offer the opportunity for regular riders at Enchanted Hollow Stables to attend shows while riding our horses. There are opportunities to compete in both Western and English disciplines, with an emphasis on WSCA competitions (gaming events or pleasure) and jumping schooling shows. Riders can only be eligible to attend shows with us if:
They ride in at least 4 lessons per month at Enchanted Hollow Stables. This is to ensure that they will be well-practiced and well prepared for a competition in whichever discipline they are focusing on.
They have been approved for eligibility for attending a show by Mary and SamSansevere. With Mary being the barn owner and Sam being the head riding instructor, they both know the horses and riders the best and will need to determine if the pair is prepared to have a positive experience at a competition.
The fees for attending an off-site competition with an Enchanted Hollow Stables horse are all-inclusive (aside from office and class fees at the show for each individual) and the services covered by the fees include the following:
Coaching/instructing/tacking for the day. We will handle everything so that the friends and family of the rider get to just enjoy the day and cheering on their rider! We will coach them throughout the day and during their classes just like we do during lessons and horse camps. We will also help them tack up and groom if necessary.
Use of an Enchanted Hollow Stables horse. For leasers, half-leasers, and non-leasers. We can also transport and coach riders that own their own horses and board them at Enchanted Hollow Stables.
Help to prep the Enchanted Hollow Stables horse for the competition. Usually, the horse will need to be groomed, bathed, and stalled the night before a competition. We definitely recommend that the rider join us for this portion because it’s a huge and really fun part of the process, but we will help them with any step that they might need help with!
Transport of the horse to the competition. This covers gas as well as wear and tear on the vehicle. If the competition is more than 50 miles away, an additional fee may be incurred.
The option to use Enchanted Hollow Stables tack for the day. Some of our riders have their own tack that they are welcome to use, but we do provide the option to use any of our tack. Specific tack is reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis but ultimately is at the discretion of Sam or Mary because some saddles, bridles, etc. will be more appropriate for each specific horse or rider depending upon the discipline.
A non-leaser is any rider that will not be competing with a horse that they own and does not currently have an active lease or half-lease on any Enchanted Hollow Stables horse.
Pricing for the services listed above is as follows:
$250 for a 1-Day Show for Non-Leasers
$200 for a 1-Day Show for Half-Leasers
$150 for a 1-Day Show for Full Leasers or riders that will be competing on a horse that they own
Office fees and class fees are NOT covered by Enchanted Hollow Stables through the fees laid out above. Those show fees are necessary in order to actually compete once you are at the competition. They are not covered in our fees laid out above because each show varies in cost for classes, and not every rider will choose to compete in every class while others might. These particular costs will vary depending on the particular show we are attending, but for an idea of what to expect, most WSCA shows charge somewhere around $5 for an initial office fee and $5 per class.
At this time we do not have plans for offering rates for multi-day shows that require an overnight stay for the horse, but if a show like that is something that we end up planning for with some riders we will adjust fees accordingly for that particular situation.
As of March 2020, we are currently looking over the calendar for the year and figuring out a competition schedule. If you would like to inquire about attending a show with us this year and/or have an idea for a specific competition you’d like to attend, you can shoot Sam or Mary a text, call, or e-mail (enchantedhollowstables@gmail.com) at any time.
Enchanted Hollow Stables reserves the right to change any of the fees or terms outlined above at their discretion and at any time.
This post was updated on May 21st, 2020 to reflect changes that have occurred due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Over the past couple years, we’ve seen a really great sense of community and friendship develop at the barn. A lot of the riders that have become good friends through riding at the barn started calling themselves the “Pony Club,” and thus, the idea to start an official organized “Saddle Club” with a variety of benefits was born!
A membership with the Enchanted Hollow Stables Saddle Club includes the following:
WSCA Saddle Club Membership – This membership to the official WSCA “Enchanted Hollow Riding & Driving Club” allows you to be eligible to qualify for the WSCA championship show through competition at local WSCA shows in pleasure riding (English and Western) and western gaming. This is valid for 2020 only. ($50 value)
COVID-19 NOTE: At this time (as of May 21, 2020) WSCA shows have all been cancelled. We will be organizing schooling shows at the farm to make up for those missed opportunities! Anyone is eligible to participate in schooling shows at the farm but Saddle Club members will receive priority preference when being assigned specific horses.
This does not apply to anyone registered for the Saddle Club after May 2020 due to WSCA membership deadlines.
One (1) free riding lesson the month of the member’s birthday in the year 2020. If your birthday falls in a winter month with temperatures too cold to ride in, it can be carried over into a warmer month. If you join the saddle club after your birthday month has passed, it can be redeemed at a different time as well. ($40 value)
$10 off regularly priced Enchanted Hollow Stables 2020 horse camps – text Sam or Mary for the discount code to use at checkout on the website
Eligibility to participate in Saddle Club Days and Weeks. Saddle Club Days are opportunities for veteran riders of our program to join us at the farm for the day and help with different chores, tasks, and projects before they have an opportunity to ride later in the day. The riders will have a list of tasks that must be completed before riding activities occur. It’s similar to a horse camp, and they are still supervised by an instructor, but it is less structured, allows for more independence, and the riders are trusted with more responsibilities. It is essentially a horse camp day but for our advanced riders. This is a cost efficient way for some of our most dedicated riders to enjoy the horses while also being able to contribute and help at the farm that they love.
Cost for a Saddle Club Day is only $45.Compare to a one hour lesson at $40 or a one day horse camp which is $95! Typically they will go from 10am to 3pm, but these times may vary.
Cost of a Saddle Club Week is only $150 for Monday-Thursday or only $200 for Monday-Friday!These will typically go from 10am-3pm. Due to busy horse camp schedules during the main riding season, it’ll be tough to get these on the schedule, but we will when we can!
Participation in Saddle Club Days can also be earned by helping at horse camps as a Camp Leader! Ask Sam or Mary for more info on becoming a Camp Leader.
Since they will be expected to help with various tasks around the farm and will operate a little more independently in terms of saddling and riding than during a typical lesson or horse camp, we do ask that riders that participate in Saddle Club Days are at least 10and have approval from Sam or Mary to participate.
In order to join the saddle club you must be able to saddle and bridle a horse independently.
Saddle Club Days/Weeks will not be publicly posted on our website, since they are not a service available to the public. They will be organized privately and posted in our Enchanted Hollow Stables Barn Family Private Facebook Group. If you’d like to request that we organize a Saddle Club Day on a specific date that hasn’t been offered, feel free to message Sam or Mary!
Please note that a 2020 Saddle Club Membership is valid until January 1st, 2021.
You must be pre-approved to join the Saddle Club by Sam or Mary. Generally, we ask that you have ridden with us for at least one year before joining the saddle club, but this is at Mary and Sam’s discretion.
Please contact Mary and Sam about joining the saddle club. We no longer allow people to join and pay online.
When you don’t have a heated facility to ride in, it can be very tough to figure out how to dress appropriately for the cold weather! Here are some tips and products that we have found to be very useful over many years of riding in Minnesota’s frigid winters.
Dress in layers!
The best tip we can give is to dress in several layers. Dressing in layers provides better insulation so that you stay warmer, and on the off chance that you do end up feeling overdressed and too warm, it’s very easy to take off a layer so that you can stay comfortable! It is much easier to take off layers than it is to add them once you are already at the barn and riding.
A base layer of a long sleeve shirt and leggings made of fleece or a good wicking fabric is a great start. For example, Under Armour ColdGear Baselayer is a great line of products specifically designed to serve as a base layer in cold weather.
A second layer could be a sweatshirt and sweatpants, or anything made of fleece, wool, or cotton material.
A top layer would be a good waterproof/windproof jacket and snow pants or bib overalls. Yes — you can ride in snow pants!
Wear snow pants or bib overalls.
As mentioned above, you CAN comfortably ride in snow pants or bib overalls. It’s almost necessary for Minnesota’s most frigid temperatures!
When worn over some functional base layers, a good pair of bib overalls or snow pants make for an excellent top layer. If you end up being much warmer than expected, it’s easy to take them off, too!
Carhartt Youth bib overalls are a great option to help your children stay warm while they are at the barn. They also have adult sizes for our adult riders, too!
Get a fleece polar helmet cover.
Sienna Sansevere wearing her polar fleece helmet cover.
All of our lesson students (and any riders that are under the age of 18) at Enchanted Hollow Stables are required to wear ASTM/SEI certified equestrian riding helmet.
Generally, it is hard to wear a hat or headband underneath your helmet — unless it is very thin and low profile, which often means it is not very warm!
Polar fleece helmet covers are designed to fit over your riding helmet and are a great option to keep your head warm for winter riding. The velcro closure used in most designs gives a snug fit around the neck.
Bring two pairs of gloves and mittens to the barn – gloves for when you are riding and mittens for when you are not!
The first parts of your body that will get cold when you’re out in the barn are your hands and your feet. Combining the right gloves and mittens with hand and toe warmers (we will get to those in a moment) usually does the trick!
Mary Sansevere affectionately calls this style of mitten “choppers.” They are her favorite for winter barn work!
The issue is that when it is cold enough, even the best quality gloves are often not quite enough to keep your hands warm for long rides or chores around the barn. Mittens work best for keeping your hands the warmest but are difficult to wear when riding because you need to have individual dexterity with your fingers to perform precise rein cues and keep your horse under control.
The solution: gloves for riding and mittens for general wear around the barn!
We encourage those that ride and work their horses all winter to always have extra hand and toe warmers on hand for the frigid days at the barn.
They can be ordered from Amazon, or found at most stores in the wintertime.
Get a good pair of winter boots and wool (or wool blend) socks!
It is so important to get a good pair of winter boots and combine them with a pair of wool (or wool blend) socks, too. Be sure to not get boots that are too tight — you need a little extra room in your winter boots for thicker socks and some air in between for your feet to stay as warm as possible!
There are great options available for warm winter boots that can also be worn while riding. To be suitable for riding, they must have a pronounced heel and be low profile enough to fit into a standard stirrup.
Our favorite winter boots for adults are the Noble Outfitters Perfect Fit Cold High Boots, but really any waterproof winter boot should work great when combined with a suitable wool sock.
Okay, so you have an idea of what you want to get to prepare for winter riding… But where should you go?
Any specific items named in this article were linked, but you can easily find most of these products through an online search or at Dover Saddlery, Tractor Supply, or Fleet Farm.
Another great option for anyone local to the Twin Cities western suburbs near Enchanted Hollow Stables in Buffalo, Minnesota is Windward Farm Equestrian Consignment Tack & Apparel Store. They are also located just a few minutes away from our facility in Buffalo and are a local family-owned tack and apparel store that keep many of the items mentioned in this article (as well as countless that aren’t) in stock.
Most importantly – be smart!
The most important thing to keep in mind when riding in the winter is to be smart, listen to your body, and keep your horse’s welfare in mind, too. Stop to warm up when you can’t feel your fingers and toes. Don’t push your horse into a strenuous and sweaty workout that they will struggle to recover from in the cold. And of course, remember to dress appropriately!
Here at Enchanted Hollow Stables, we are blessed with a 44-stall barn, indoor arena, indoor round pen in a separate shed, an outdoor arena, an outdoor round pen, fields, and trails. We are thankful for what we have and for the program that we are able to operate from our facility.
That being said, we don’t have a heated or insulated riding space. Being located in Minnesota, this can lead to some very cold rides in the wintertime! As a result, for the safety of both the horses and the riders, we do have some restrictions regarding winter weather riding.
Lessons are canceled when temperatures are predicted to be below 20 degrees at the scheduled lesson time 24 hours prior to the lesson. If temperatures are above 20 degrees but there is a severe wind chill, heavy snow, or extremely inclement weather lessons may be canceled. Lessons may also be cancelled if there is any severe weather advisory.
When it’s too cold, our students (especially the majority of which that are children) do not focus well or have fun, and often they want to stop riding early because they are freezing. They’re also at risk of frostbite as well as poor road conditions while traveling to the barn. This means they don’t get their money’s worth AND they are in physical danger.
Here’s our policy for winter riding at Enchanted Hollow Stables:
Lessons are canceled when temperatures are predicted to be below 20 degrees at the scheduled lesson time 24 hours prior to the lesson.
If temperatures are above 20 degrees but there is a severe wind chill, heavy snow, or extremely inclement weather lessons may be canceled.
Ultimately, you know your child best — if you don’t think your child can last an entire riding lesson comfortably in the cold, please be realistic about that and don’t be afraid to chat with us about rescheduling or canceling! We are very understanding and just want everyone to be safe.
Leasers and boarders are still welcome at the barn to ride throughout the winter regardless of temperature, but we ask that they are mindful of their horse’s wellbeing and do not put them through a strenuous workout in sub-zero temperatures. If you are interested in leasing a horse through the winter, please email us at enchantedhollowstables@gmail.com.
If lessons are canceled, you will be notified as soon as possible. We do have the right to cancel lessons at any time, but try to give everyone at least 24-hours notice.
REMEMBER: Whether riding lessons or classes are canceled or not, our family is still out in the barn working either way. It’s miserable sometimes, but animals still need to be cared for and horses still need to be trained! We never cancel for our benefit — we are trying to keep our riders and our horses as safe and comfortable as possible.
UPDATE: LADY BUG SOLD FOR $10,100 AT THE TWIN CITIES APPALOOSA, PAINT, & QUARTER HORSE SALE ON APRIL 6TH, 2019. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT WAS INTERESTED!
Sale results courtesy of Simon Horse Company.
Miss Ebony Rose (also known as Lady Bug) is hip #122 and she SELLS to the highest bidder at the Twin Cities Appaloosa, Paint, & Quarter Horse Catalog Sale on April 6th, 2019!
Half-Arabian: Miss Ebony Rose (HAHR*1A3777764) PtHA: PPF Maleeka Rafaad (132167H)
Known affectionately in the barn as “Lady Bug.” All the good looks and endurance of an Arabian, in a small & stocky quarter pony body.
DOUBLE REGISTERED Half-Arab and Pinto
13.2hh
Weight tapes just under 900lbs
12 years old
UTD on vet, farrier
Zero health or lameness issues
Never foundered
Great hooves
Easy to catch
No vices — doesn’t bite, paw, crib, windsuck, or anything like that.
Was ear shy when I got her 3 years ago but is not now. Sometimes pulls her head away if you grab her ears quickly and surprise her but not any more than any other horse would. Do not consider her ear shy at all now,
Hasn’t had any kind of injury that I’m aware of in her lifetime — and zero during the 3+ years we’ve owned her. Can’t even remember her getting a scratch!
Respects fences
Will stand tied and cross tied all day with no fuss
Extremely low maintenance and easy keeper — doesn’t NEED grain but currently gets Purina Enrich Plus
Stays fat and shiny on just grass hay!
Very fit and has been ridden all winter, but rides the same if she sits for a long time, too
Stalls well — sometimes calls for her friends at first but settles in quickly
Stands for vet, farrier, clipping, grooming
Rides western or English
Rides great for kids, adults, and DINOSAURS
Rides in a plain 3-piece snaffle
Rides bridleless with a neck rope
Handles a chaotic environment very well
NO spook, rear, or buck
Loads well
Side passes
Cute turnaround
Backs great
Goes over, under, or through anything you point her at
LOVES attention and affection!
Very willing and wants to please
Very low key when she is in heat; doesn’t act like a typical mare
Not a dead head, push-style pony — doesn’t take much to get her moving but she is very obedient and well trained, and it doesn’t take much to get her to slow down.
Naturally has a fast walk and trot but has been trained extensively for rating her speed and slowing down
Good out on trails
Goes out alone
Very fancy and could excel in any arena
Have owned her for 3+ years
Well exposed to guns, 4-wheelers, skidsteers, tractors, tarps, water, cows, pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, and loud, crazy kids!
Was minimally shown before I owned her in leadline and in-hand classes on the Pinto circuit
Has been ridden by 9 year old rider at WSCA gaming shows in the last year
Safe for beginner youth but recommend instructor or parent instruction until they are 100% comfortable since she is a responsive, forward, and well trained pony
Has played around with poles and small jumps
Easy to teach
Will be used in a busy program for horse camps and riding lessons until the day of the sale
In my opinion, would excel best in dressage, hunter under saddle, jumping, or endurance!
This is a pony that has been exposed to just about everything you can possibly imagine. She is an amazing and fancy pony that can head in ANY direction happily and willingly!
With offspring from coast to coast, in the USA and exported to China, the Middle East and England, TALI SAHIB has become a stallion of International and National acclaim. Homozygous black. SCID & CA clear.
Some of Lady Bug’s half-siblings, also sired by TALI SAHIB!
RF FOR GREATER GLORY – Arabian Regional Champion Western mare
RF WANDERLUST – Canadian National Champion Dressage Horse
Check out her long YouTube video! We will be posting daily photos/videos leading up to the sale so be sure to watch our Facebook page closely. Yes, it’s a long video — but we wanted to show as much of her as possible in a lot of different situations to demonstrate her true self to anyone interested that may not be able to attend the sale in person! She DOES ride great outside as well though there isn’t a lot of that in the YouTube link here — our weather in MN just hasn’t made for good and safe outdoor riding recently. Once footing is better we’ll post more clips of her outside. Just don’t want to risk any slipping on ice and slushy mud!
Located in Buffalo, MN. Shipping can be arranged anywhere!
Hip # 122 at the Twin Cities Appaloosa, Paint, & Quarter Horse Catalog Sale on April 6th!! Set up phone bids at 507-263-4200. Come see her the day of the sale!
Some of our lesson students have been asking how they can help or what they can do to show their respect after our lesson horse Bud’s passing. One thing we are suggesting they could do is make homemade horse treats for the other two horses in Bud’s herd of “old guys,” Chester and Destiny.
Chester and Destiny also escaped from their pasture and were right by Bud when he was hit by a car. These three horses have been together for years and it is very clear to us that Chester and Destiny understand that their friend was hurt and is no longer with us, and they have really been impacted by this terrible tragedy. They have been spending a lot of time in their shelter, and since Bud’s death they haven’t seemed interested in going out into their field to graze. They seem sluggish and sad. They need our love and affection as they adjust to not only losing Bud, but also their fellow herdmate Biscuit just a few weeks ago as well.
Bud’s friend, Destiny.
Bud’s friend, Chester.
By making them some homemade horse treats, you can brighten their day as well as give yourself or your child something to do that you know will help make a positive impact on two horses that were very close to Bud, thus helping both you and his friends. It is a productive and therapeutic way to pay your respect to Bud’s memory.
Please note, we suggest some modification to any horse treat recipe to make them as soft as possible. Both Chester and Destiny are senior horses (late 20s) that have lost a lot of teeth over the years, so they need soft foods.
You can come to the farm to bring any homemade treats and feed them to these sweet old horses, or if you live far away, you can also mail them and we will be happy to take a video of us giving them to Chester and Destiny. They will really appreciate the affection and tasty treats.
1/2-3/4 cup flour (or make oat flour by throwing some oats into a blender/food processor)
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or coconut oil
1 tablespoon water (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 300-325 degrees
Grate the carrot and finely chop the apple
Mix together all of the ingredients. Please keep in mind that depending on variations such as: the size/type ofapple, what kind of oats you use (rolled or steel-cut oats don’t absorb as much moisture as quickly as quick oats), whether you use honey or molasses, etc. you may need to tweak the amounts of the ingredients. You should be able to squeeze a ball of dough in your hand and it shouldn’t fall apart.)
Roll and press into balls with your hands and place on a greased baking sheet. If dough is too sticky add more flour and/or water
Bake for about 28-32 minutes on the middle rack, checking on them often, until golden brown
Cool and store in a sealed container and use within a week. They’ll stay the freshest stored in the fridge
Tip: Cut the batch in half for less cookies. A full batch makes about 24 cookies depending on the size you make them.
Bonus Tip: Some readers swear by blending all the ingredients together in a blender/food processor before cooking. I don’t do this but if you try this let me know if you prefer this method in the comments below!
Bonus Bonus Tip: These treats can be enjoyed by humans and dogs too!
The Good Stuff
Now here’s the fun part. Consider the above your base recipes, perfectly fine on their own but even better when you add one or more of the following:
Low sugar: Use cooked sweet potato instead of apples, and a little flaxseed and egg instead of molasses
Reader favorite: Peppermints – crushed and added to the dough or place a whole one on top (perfect for the holidays)
Raisins
Add chopped up dates in the dough
Add some bran
A few coconut flakes on top
Sugar cubes (go easy here – too much sugar isn’t good for your horses health or figure!)
Blackberries
Banana can be used as a substitute for the apple
Reader favorite: Applesauce (try replacing part of the molasses with applesauce to lower the sugar, or if you can use in place of the apple)
From our main riding instructor, Sam Sansevere’s, post on Facebook:
Thank you so much to everyone that has left flowers where Bud passed away.
So many beautiful photos of our students and Bud have been shared, as well as amazing stories about the impact that he’s had on everyone that met him. Here are some of the photos that have been shared with us.
Registered?: No, but is eligible for buckskin, dun, or quarter pony registries.
Been used for: Group riding lessons, trail rides, horse camps, cow sorting, general riding.
Best suited for: Either kids or a small adult. He is fine for beginners and has been used in beginner riding lessons. When I got him two years ago he wasn’t very pushy but he has come a long way. Still, he will do better with a somewhat experienced handler/rider that knows how to demand respect when necessary through good ground work, etc.
Been exposed to: Many many many things around Enchanted Hollow Stables including but not limited to a busy atmosphere, cows, dogs, chickens, ducks, guinea hens, goats, pot belly pigs, miniature horses, ponies/minis driving with carts, 4 wheelers, tractors, trucks, traffic, busy roads, kids on bikes, gunshots, fireworks, tarps, obnoxious little kids, and much more. Nothing bothers him!
DESCRIPTION
Gru. Gelding. 14 hands. 13 years old. Silver grullo. Easy keeper. Not registered. UTD on coggins, shots, teeth, farrier, and chiropractic. Collects great w/t/c. Bathes, stands for grooming/clipping/etc. Great stop off seat cues or rein cues. ZERO buck, bite, or kick. Rides well in a rope halter or three-piece snaffle. Responsive to leg cues. Flexes well. Has had extensive ground work done with him, and as a result from the ground he lunges well, sidepasses, backs, yields his hindquarters, and ground ties. This adorable boy has been used in our riding lesson program in both groups and individual private lessons, as well as our very busy kids horse camps. He is often ridden by beginners and is suited for either kids or a small adult, but I suggest a handler/rider that will demand respect when necessary. When we first got him, he was very pushy, but through two years of ground work and demanding respect he has much better ground manners – he is good now but I wouldn’t want him to ever fall into old habits! No spook. Goes over, under, or through anything you ask him to. He will pack around a kid all day in the arena or on the trails, even with other horses trotting or cantering up behind him or alongside him. He does have some minor vices, which are detailed farther down in this post.
Why are you selling him? I buy, train, and sell ponies often. I have held on to Gru for two years, which is much longer than I normally would keep a project before selling. He’s been used a lot in our riding lesson and horse camp program, but we are lucky to have many good lesson horses and ponies for our program, including some of my younger up-and-coming projects and it’s time for him to graduate and move out. 🙂 He does his job well here, but I think he will be happier with more one-on-one attention where HE is the star and gets to bond with an individual rather than having so many different riders.
Can he do gaming? If you train him for it, sure, maybe. But he is not a trained gaming or barrel horse, I can’t guarantee that he’ll be any good at it, and I have not personally shown him aside from doing organized cow sorting events.
Is he fast? Not really, but I’ve spent most of the time that I’ve ridden him working on a good frame, going slow, and being responsive to my seat and hands. I haven’t ever had a need or desire to push him for speed, and neither have my students.
Can he be ponied or has he been ponied off a different horse? Yes and yes. He does fine either way. 🙂
Is he stalled or out in a pasture? He has been both stalled and out in a pasture 24/7. He does both just fine either way.
Have you taken him camping? I personally have not, but I would not hesitate to do so. I just usually take my personal horses on trips like that. 🙂 He trail rides great anywhere and I would be totally comfortable tying him up for a night while on a camping trip.
Why was he adjusted by a chiropractor? Firstly, I get all horses I am preparing to sell adjusted by our chiropractor, Brent Holtz! Secondly, he has a habit of opening his mouth when being ridden, so I wanted to get him adjusted to rule out any issues there that could cause it. I have had him adjusted twice by our chiropractor during the time that I’ve owned him.
PAWS WHEN TIED. Only for the first 5-10 minutes or so. If you are with him, grooming him, saddling him, etc. he will stand great. But if you walk away he will paw at first. I have tied him up for extended periods of time and after 5-10 minutes he DOES stop, relax, and rest his back leg. UPDATE 7/30/18 after a week of horse camp at our farm in addition to hauling to a fair where he spent a good amount of time tied up, he has become much more patient after initially being tied and paws only occasionally.
OPENS MOUTH A LOT WHEN BEING RIDDEN *WITH A BIT*. Rides with zero issue in a hackamore.
If you are interested in this pony, please either e-mail enchantedhollowstables@gmail.com or message our Facebook page, Enchanted Hollow Stables.
Posey and Charlie, the first two ponies that I rescued from the kill pen. Spring 2016
By Samantha Sansevere
Rescuing animals has always been a passion for me and my family. It always will be. Even when we’re stretched thin, busier than ever, have plenty of other animals to take care of… When there’s an animal in need, we step up to do whatever we can. I personally try to do my part by rehabilitating and retraining rescue horses, whether they are rescued from kill pens, neglectful situations, or just a bad circumstance in general.
Sometimes my efforts all work out beautifully. Like Posey — a terrified and flighty reject from the kill pen that I worked with who became a competitive children’s hunter jumper pony. Sometimes everything works out the way I wanted it to. Other times, the kill pen rescue I am trying to rehab breaks my collarbone. And then six months later another kill pen rescue comes along and breaks my other collarbone.
This is a video taken by my mom when I got bucked off of a kill pen rescue pony I was working with in the fall of 2016 and broke my right collarbone. This was one of the first times I’d ever been bucked off, and the first time I’d ever been seriously injured from riding. I work with a lot of troubled horses, but I have never been bucked off of a full size horse, which is why when this happened I was confident in my ability to keep my seat. Unfortunately though, when a pony bucks and you’re a full grown adult, it can be difficult to keep your balance. One moment that pony was under me, and the next she had tucked her head between her legs and was gone from under me. Full size horses are much easier to ride the buck out of!
Working with horses is such a remarkably humbling experience because you can feel so in tune with them and so connected with them one minute, and the next you’re lying on the ground broken.
It isn’t always easy. It doesn’t always work out. Working with horses is such a remarkably humbling experience because you can feel so in tune with them and so connected with them one minute, and the next you’re lying on the ground broken. I didn’t lose confidence in my riding ability or being around horses in general — I never blamed the horses for me getting hurt, I blamed myself. It was my fault and I knew it. So, I spent the next year trying to educate myself and read every training book I could come by. I went to every clinic I could. I traveled to Arizona to learn from some of the best trainers in the country. I studied, studied, studied just so that I could understand what went wrong. How I could’ve let something like that happen. How I could’ve been so out of tune with those horses, and how I could’ve misjudged those situations so much. How I could’ve rushed things when my philosophy has always been to do things on the horse’s time. I lost faith in my ability to help rescue horses. I lost faith in my horse sense.
I stopped posting about my horses on social media. I stopped taking clients. I stopped responding to messages other than for lesson students or camps — I believed in my ability to teach people, I just doubted my ability to help troubled horses anymore, and that was hard to admit to people so it was easier to just not respond. (As a side note, I am so sorry to anyone that ever reached out and didn’t get a response for the last year about horses for sale, training, or anything else. This was a difficult time for me.) I avoided risks. I took it too easy. I only rode horses I knew well and trusted. I tried to figure out what I should’ve done differently — to understand how I misunderstood and misread a situation so much that it resulted in broken bones after being tossed off ponies I was just trying to help, TWICE.
Taken right outside the hospital after I broke my second collarbone in six months. Ha, this was a rough day.
Time passed. I kept riding the horses I knew like the back of my hand, kept giving riding lessons — because fostering a passion for horses in children is such a huge passion for me, and is so therapeutic and rewarding. I started training horses that I knew, and even put a couple first rides on some horses — horses that didn’t doubt humans, horses that trusted me, and horses that were calm. Horses that weren’t rescues with an unknown history. Horses that weren’t risks.
Meanwhile, my rescues waited in the pasture until I was ready. They waited for me to be ready because there’s no way in hell I’d ever actually rehome them until I know they are equipped with skills that make them valuable enough to go to a home that would never let them end up in a bad situation ever again. I owe my rescued horses and ponies better than that. So they waited until I was ready to give them the training they deserve.
Gru, a pony I rescued in late summer 2016, the day that he came home. He was skinny, cut up, dirty, and had no energy.
Slowly, I started working with them again. I started bonding with them again. I started trying to understand them again. And finally, when that naughty kill pen rescue that nobody wanted and has been waiting so patiently for a chance to show that he’s worth something gave me the best ride I could’ve asked for one day and showed complete trust in humans, I felt complete again.
These kill pen rescues, these rejects of the equine world, these backyard throwaways… They have so many stories to tell us, if only we’d listen; so much to teach us, if only we’d slow down and pay attention; so much to give to the world, if only we’d give them a chance.
There a lot of rescue horses on our farm right now that I could write about in this post, but this one is about Gru. Gru is just under 14hh, and according to our vet, he’s in his mid-teens. Gru was the last pony I rescued before I broke my collarbone for the first time. Gru was the pony that I thought would be my biggest challenge, but he has become the pony that has made the biggest impact on me.
Gru was rescued from the kill pen in the summer of 2016. I broke my right clavicle in the fall of 2016 working with a different rescue pony, and my left clavicle in the Spring of 2017 with another different rescue pony. And to be honest, it was really hard for me. The first collarbone break didn’t really damage my faith in my ability with horses, but after it happened a second time just six months later, I really started to doubt myself. How could this happen to me, twice? How could I have messed up so badly? I blamed myself and my training abilities completely for getting hurt. I never once blamed the horses that hurt me. It was my fault for not retraining them properly. So I spent the last year healing, reading, riding, teaching, and trying to get back to the groove that I felt after training ponies like Tater Tot and Misty. Now, these days, because of horses like Gru, my pony Louie, and my mustang Clark, I finally feel like I am back to myself again.
Me with Gru and the blind miniature appaloosa that we rescued him with, Cowboy.
When he got to the farm, he was skinny, and crabby, and angry. He was a biter, and he turned his butt to people. He kept his head down low. He didn’t run away from us, but I think that is mostly because he just didn’t have the energy to. He was frustrated with the world. He wanted us to all think he was the toughest dude on the farm. I could see through it, though — we rescued him with a second horse, a tiny miniature leopard appaloosa that is almost completely blind (who has a permanent home with us because of his vision problems). For all the crabbiness Gru showed us when he arrived, he was so sweet and kind and protective over that little appaloosa. So, I named him Gru, after the character in Despicable Me who tried so hard to be a villain but deep down was actually so sweet and kind-hearted.
Gru is a really pretty and uncommon color — a silver grullo — which attracted a lot of attention to him when he went up for adoption in the kill pen at Simon’s Arena. Several folks inquired about him, but the staff at the kill pen said that three people backed out from adopting him after they heard he was a biter, a fence crasher, and just had a bad attitude in general. He has come such a long way, and he has taught me so much, and I am so proud of him. It turns out he just wanted to be seen and heard and wanted a job.
So I tried to give him one. I started bonding with him again, and taking it slow. Until one day, things just started to feel right again.
Gru amazed us all when we took him cow sorting in the fall of 2017. I put my first ride on him in the OutWest parking lot fifteen minutes before our team’s turn! Risks like that are probably lead to my broken bones, but for some reason, that day, I had 100% faith in Gru and it paid off.
My mom was very concerned when I decided one day that my first ride on him would be at cow sorting practice at Out-West Arena (sorry ma, even two broken collarbones later I still take risks). For some reason, it just felt right that day. I suddenly felt like it was the right thing to do. I felt compelled to take him out and ride him. I had faith in him that day, and he amazed us all. He wasn’t spooky. He watched intently before his turn to go, and for the first time, I felt a change in him — and a change in myself. After that day, he was a different pony. Since then, we’ve used him as a camp and lesson horse and he loves attention and having a job. When he has a purpose, he is such a hard worker. It’s been a journey, and he didn’t always make it easy, but he has helped me feel confident working with rescues again.
That’s Gru’s cute grullo butt! Gru has been ridden in our day camps for kids, and at the end of the day, he’s the only horse that isn’t tried and crabby. He rode the same for every kid, and at the end of the day, he still wanted more.
In just a few months, Gru will be looking for a new home. It will break my heart to say goodbye to him, but it will also be such a wonderful moment for both of us, because I know that he will be going to a home that will love him the way he deserves and he will make room for me to rescue and rehab another pony like him, which I wasn’t sure that I would ever have the confidence to do again. Because of him, I know that I can move on and begin rescuing and rehabbing again, and for that, I am forever grateful to him.
He will become a little girl or little boys best friend, or maybe he will become the beloved family member for a small adult rider. Either way, I know that he will move on and find the home that he is meant to have, and that he will be treasured the way that he deserves, because he is finally a pony that has proved he is worth being treasured.
Thank you, Gru. You’ve helped me more than I could ever help you.
“There is no mysticism, no magic, or only one method in the realm of good horsemanship. It’s knowing that everything you think you know about horses may change with the very next horse.” – Tom Dorrance
Name: Gru
