It's not over yet!

While Christmas may be over, for those of us who celebrate it, New Year's is yet to come. For all who make New Year's resolutions, good luck to you. Let's hope for a good end to 2007, and a wonderful start to 2008. As always, may the coming year be better than the one that preceded it.
With well wishes in mind, I turn to another subject. While finishing her Christmas shopping my co-writer ran across a wonderful artist named Sharon Lamb. Her store is run on E-Bay, and can be found here. One of her paintings is pictured above. She was also kind enough to provide us with a bit of information about herself and her artwork.

A Brush With Fine Art

Here you can view gorgeous lifelike hand painted paintings of your pets portrait. Painting is a way of life for me and I truly paint from my heart. Each painting is in very fine detail using the tiniest brushes. All pets are captured in the fine essence of their true nature and are painted with extreme detail with life like captures. Any animal is welcome even reptiles.

Pet Paintings are a great way to keep a pet close to you at the office, at work, or in your heart. This is where you can have any pet painted on canvas in a beautiful lifelike portrait. Available in many standard size gallery wrapped canvases for easy framing. Thank you for your interest in my art. I look forward to hearing form you and your pet!

Check out my web site store at: www.stores.ebay.com/abrushwithfineart

Best Regards

Sharon Lamb

Studio: 860-268-2620

Her link can also be found to the left of this post, under the heading of Equine Art & Literature.

That's all from the Equisport crew for now. Have a happy and safe New Year!

"Closeness, friendship, affection: keeping your own horse means all these things."
- Bertrand Leclair

Has everyone finished their holiday shopping? I know I haven't, but I'm getting there. There's still a few days left, after all! In searching the internet for original gift ideas I ran across the website for Horse Art Collection. If you have always admired the artwork of a particular equine artist, but haven't found a way to get a print or painting for yourself, then check out this page.

It starts with a list of featured artists, and provides a biography for each. You can view some of their artwork and purchase prints online. If you are looking for something specific then try searching by breed, subject, or medium. It was my search for Christmas horse images that brought this website to light, and I'm glad for it. Not only can you find artwork for yourself here, but the website provides a wealth of information as well. There are art tutorials available, such as this one by Toni-Marie Hudson that features carriage horses. Informative articles, such as the one giving tips on taking good photos, are also featured. Oh, and did I mention their free clip art page? There are detailed images of all breeds and disciplines to be found there. The one shown at the top of this post is one of my favorites.

If artwork won't please any of your gift recipients then check out HorseGift.com. Here you can find something for you or your horse friends at any time of the year. They'll even gift wrap your items for you before mailing them! Surely you can find something here for that horse person who has it all.

Are you one of the lucky ones who has their holiday shopping complete, but you have a wish list of your own? You can find horse-themed home decor at the Horse and Hound Gallery. From horse racing gifts to gift certificates you should be able to find something that would be suitable for your own home, or as a housewarming gift for a neighbor or friend.

Have you remembered to get something for your hooved family members? If not then why not purchase some Stud Muffins horse treats? I have yet to meet a horse that doesn't go crazy for these sticky treats, and I'm sure they'd love a few on Christmas morning.

Well, I still have a lot left on my shopping list. Time to hit the road to get this done. Good luck to all of you that are still searching for that perfect gift!

"A man on a horse is spiritually as well as physically bigger than a man on foot."
~John Steinbeck

Tis' The Season!!!

Last night when going down to my little barn to tuck in our equine kids...I was met by the sound of quiet nickers and content munching of hay. I paused for a moment..enjoying the moment. All was well in the barn...It makes me contemplate all of the people that are imperative in taking care of our horses.

Good horse management does not happen by chance...it is not luck...it is diligence and most of all having a support system you can trust. It takes a village! Who is that you trust? Who is it that you can call with your questions, who has held your hand when you were losing your best friend? Who has ridden with you on a beautiful autumn day? Who has spent all night with one of your horses when he/she was ill? Who has found you the perfect horse? Who has given you knowlege? Who has taken your child into their arms at their first championship? Saved your horses life? There are so many people that are a part of our lives that support us, help us, guide us...During this season of giving. Make a list of those people. No need for an elaborate gift...just a note of thanks will make the difference.

Looking for gifts? Here is a place to look for a beautiful photo canvas. Randi does amazing work. Take a look for yourself! http://www.kalispellcanvas.com/ The photo at the start of this post is a canvas that Randi did for my pony crazed daughter.

Are you looking for a some horsey related gifts? I just put Gayle Kushel on my list. She is an amazing horsewoman who is taking care of my retired show horse Kyle. Kyle has the biggest heart of any horse on this planet. Gayle has the human heart to match. I am going to give Equine Tack and Nutritionals

They have the best prices, the best service and the knowlege to help me always choose the right product. Gayle is going to be getting a gift basket from the fine folks over there. Another great thing about "Equine Tack." If you are like me, you have horses in a few places. My caregiver of the retired boys can call them for any supplements, medication etc...and it is on the way. (Look for a featured weekly item coming soon..) I am going to stop by and see them today...and buy some stocking stuffers for my horses. I will be back tomorrow with their suggestions for healthy horse treats.

Miguel...the most amazing barn manager. I still don't know what I am putting under the tree for him. If you have help with your horses be sure to thank each of them. I know Miguel will get a bonus check but I also want him to have something special. He said his best gift this year was his showmanager software. I will get back to you on that! I did get an idea from Ellen Toon of JT Farm She was visiting Carrie who has a wonderful store called Personalized Products Carrie is going to embroider vests with Ellen's farm logo for her clients and her grooms.

I know what I am getting for my trainer Heather Irvine of Hillside Farm. I am going to get her a subscription to Phelps Sports Website. She loves reading all of the up to date columns, interviews and watching the video the fine folks over at Phelps Sports provide. My favorite..Hildegard Frostbite. This would be a great gift for yourself!

I have so many people on my list...I better get moving! Dan Hausman, the blacksmith, Dr. Naiomi and Dr. Patterson from Palm Beach Equine, the wonderful woman in the office at Littlewood Farms , My daughters trainers, Ali Oakly and Katie Sparks at Sweet Oak Farm, My head is spinning...so many people on my "Nice" list. Santa is going to be very busy!

Ho Ho Ho!

Winter Wonderland

As I write this I can see the snow falling outside of my window. Some moments it's drifting gently down to the ground, and other times the wind blows it back and forth, creating a chilling image. Thanksgiving has come and gone, bringing December on its heels. It is truly winter now, and as with every season, this one brings its fair share of trials and triumphs.

For those living in the southern regions this might not be so bad. True, the temperatures may drop, and there may be the occasional thirty degree day, but overall things appear to stay relatively pleasant. For everyone in the northern regions and a few in between, this means its time to batten down the hatches, pull out the shovels and plows, and hunker down for the season. Unfortunately the horses still require care. Some things, like stall cleaning, feeding, and riding won't change too much. Others, such as turnout and keeping water buckets and troughs from freezing, may require a bit more imagination.

For a few suggestions we'd recommend checking out Shadowood. This is a pretty extensive site, including information about the authors, dogs, gardening, writing, and best of all...horses. Not only will you find information about winter horse care, you will find informative articles on both horses and riding. There's a question posed by a visitor to her site regarding how her horses are weathering the beginning of winter, then an article that discusses winterizing both your horse and your farm.

Once you've moved beyond the cold weather articles you could venture over to the writer's story about her first horse, Albert. There are horse quizzes that both old and young might enjoy. Both education and entertainment can be found on the horse articles page (did we mention that Laurie has had published articles in several national equestrian magazines?). She has even gone so far as to list several schools on one of her pages that provide majors for the equine-inclined.

If you tire of perusing her horse pages you can venture on the rest of the site. If you don't want to explore her site then try surfing one of the horsey web rings. If you want to keep up with Laurie's site, then check out her 'What's New' page. She keeps this up to date with the most recent changes.

For something a little more in line with the holiday spirit you could venture over to the Simply Marvelous blog. The current article on top shows some wonderful pictures of the Belgian Draft team that delivered the official White House Christmas tree to its designated location. While this is the first article of its kind posted this season, I'm sure there will be more to come. The variety found in this blog is refreshing and enjoyable. They highlight breeds and events, show photos, and even find the odd moose logging story to tell!

Between those two sites you'll be able to find more than enough to keep you occupied for a few hours. Of course, those few hours of freedom are bound to come after several hours of cleaning stalls, shoveling snow, feeding and watering the horses, rounding up the cats and/or dogs, teaching a few lessons, cleaning the tack, feeding and watering again after turnout is complete, and oh...we can't forget feeding yourself! At least if you know your farm and your horse are insured that's one less worry.

Finally, something that applies to both human and equine:

"The wagon rests in winter, the sleigh in summer, the horse never." ~Yiddish Proverb