Painting & Drawing Horses by Jennifer Bell

I bought this book for my great-granddaughter. She is only 6 years old, but she not only LOVES horses, but also loves to draw them. She's always asking me to show her how - all I can draw is a cartoon horsehead...

The author includes text with her artwork - about what started her "horse doodles" as she calls them, and instructions with the sketches. She explains that one must use geometry (circles, ovals and triangles) as well as different shapes such a a kite for the horse's head. Very clever and imaginative.

She shows poses and horses in action, breeds, different disciplines, foals and even cartoons. I love where she explains how to show expression with the horse's body language.

This may not be quite right for my young horse lover, but she will appreciate it as she grows up I'm sure. Meanwhile, she may color the sketches and get a sense of the equine.

Buy American this Holiday Season - Start a new tradition!

I received the message below as an e-mail today; so timely!

How about buying a book by an American author for a holiday gift?

My dog's second book, WOOGIE'S TRAVELS - DISCOVERING AMERICA - will be released early December. It's about Woogie traveling cross-country looking for adventure, and a place to swim. This soft cover book has color photographs throughout, and is 8.5 x 11, landscape format. Retail $15.95. Order by calling me at 814-937-0704 (Visa & Master Card accepted, or ask me where to mail a money order) and receive FREE shipping. Each copy is personally signed. Great bedtime story or Beginner Reader.


Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is! It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned
Detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running. OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion
Groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?

Click here: Made in the USA Products Directory

http://www.americansworking.com/

Ride from the Heart DVD

The Art of Communication

By Jenny Rolfe

Cracking Media

50 minutes - $37.00

To purchase on-line, go to: http://www.spanishdressagehorses.com

Also available on Amazon

Reviewed by Carol M. Upton

Training is about connection with our horse with love, harmony and respect. The more we understand the ways of the horse, the more we understand our own feelings. As a result we can live in more harmony - not only with our horse - but with ourselves. ~ Jenny Rolfe

U.K. riding instructor Jenny Rolfe teaches innovative techniques of core breathing to connect with the horse and help the rider to find harmony in body, mind and spirit. Now these techniques are available in progressive and well-organized detail on the DVD Ride from the Heart.

Rolfe’s principles are based in dressage, but applicable to all forms of riding. She demonstrates with her Iberian stallions using liberty work, not only as a training aid, but also as a warm-up, re-establishing connection on the ground prior to riding. The object is calm, assertive leadership, and total empathy between horse and handler.

The DVD includes common training tips such as not pulling on a horse’s head when leading. There are also excellent demonstrations of Rolfe’s exercise system to improve the rider’s body awareness. Exercises, loosely based on Tai Chi, are done in standing positions. The rider is then soft and relaxed when mounted, and thus the horse is as well. Most athletes already use such techniques prior to competition, but not much has been offered on DVD for the equestrian.

Instructors will value this DVD as a teaching tool for all levels, but it additionally offers fresh perspectives on position and groundwork. It is really for anyone who wants to help their horse become a more confident athlete and simply create a better ride.

Jenny Rolfe’s clients come from all over the world and include those professionally involved with horses, among them BHS trainers, physiotherapists and natural horsemanship instructors. She is also an artist and author of the book Ride from the Heart.

Celebrate National Book Month!

October is National Book Month, and one way to enjoy horses is to read about them! How about reading my Beloved Horses series? Or, give them as a gift to a horse lover!

I'm offering a special on the set: $50 plus $5 shipping. That's like buying three and getting one free! All will be personally signed to you or a gift recipient.

My Beloved Horses series are illustrated collections of true short stories about the special bonds between horses and their riders.

The first one, Beloved School Horses, features stories from my Unicorn Stables I operated in Maryland and Pennsylvania from 1975 until 2000. It also includes riders from some of the five summer equestrian camp programs I directed, and the stories are funny, uplifting and educational.

Beloved Horses From Around the Country is the second in the series, and the stories are about the amazing relationships between riders and their mounts in a variety of locations including a handicapped riding program in Hawaii as featured on the cover.

Beloved Sport Horses describes horses in diverse disciplines including the cover horse owned by Katie Prudent. From polo to fox hunting, and Western to Dressage, horses give their heart to their riders for the sport they both love.

Beloved Horses in Second Careers is the latest edition and features horses who have participated in two or more equine activities including international teams and backyard owners.

In 2012, the fifth book of the series, Beloved Horses From Around the World, will include a variety of breeds from several countries. If you would like to have your special horse considered, please e-mail me information about you and your beloved horse to sharonminer@yahoo.com.

To order this special set, call me with a Visa or Master Card at 814-937-0704. Orders will be shipped the next day with Priority Mail.