The Phantom Stallion

Phantom Stallion E-Newsletter December 2008

Happy December!

This month Northern Nevada's cold clear days begin to alternate with gray snowy ones. Deer sneak in to eat the last autumn apples under trees. Birds unwillingly share their feeders with squirrels. And out on the range, mustangs shelter close to each other in canyons, turning their tails to cold winds and pressing together for warmth.

Whatever the weather where you are -- even if you're enjoying summer -- make the most of the very last month of 2008.

The cowboys of northern Nevada use deep, soft snow to train young or tricky horses in the same way some Native American tribes use rivers. Water and snow slow horses reactions to new experiences, making training safer for horse and human. A horse isn't likely to do much bucking in deep snow, and if he does, it won't last long. If you've ever shoveled snow or walked a few blocks in it, you know exercise in snow uses up lots of energy.

For that reason, you'll want to remember not to overwork your horse in snow. Pay attention to your mount's respiration and use your own temperature as a reminder.

Riding in snow, it's best to dress in layers, but remember to be safe when you start warming up. Taking both hands off the reins while you wiggle out of a coat or pull a sweater off over your head can be dangerous. Always wear a hat (you lose lots of body heat through your head) and gloves. You don't want to be handling reins with numb fingers!

Whenever you ride in winter, WATCH FOR ICE. Not just under your feet and your horses' hooves, either. If you ride anywhere near traffic, remember cars slip around, too.

If you try to exercise your horse every day, you know that winter days are short. Riding at dawn or in the evening, be sure to wear a reflective vest. A good tack shop can guide you to stirrup lights, or reflective bridle nosebands, or you might check out a local bicycle shop for reflective plastic strips that Velcro around your arms or legs.

For most of us, celebrations will be a bit smaller this year, than last.

Terri's online blog at TerriFarley.com, will feature some low cost and free ideas for presents for all the two and four-footed members of your family and it's good to remember that the things that count most, can't be counted.

Happy Holiday Trails!

This just in . . .

Want to win a plush Phantom Stallion to cuddle all winter long?

Answer this question: What is the name of the horse on the cover of book #3 in EITHER the original Phantom Stallion series OR Wild Horse Island series?
Email your answer to farleyterri@aol.com no later than December 14.
Please put the words PLUSH PHANTOM in the subject line & your answer in the body of the email.
If you have a correct answer, you will be entered in a random drawing
If your name is drawn, Terri will contact you for your mailing address.

Whisper: Prepare to win Terri's next contest by: thinking about a PHANTOM STALLION movie and teaching yourself to make a movie trailer! Terri might let a few hints about this drop on her blog at TerriFarley.com.

Sam's blog

I love Christmas at the ranch!

After spending last night tossing in my sheets, worried over having zero money to buy gifts, I woke up to the aroma of Gram's baking. That cheered me up a little bit.

Where is Terri Farley?

December
When: Friday, December 18, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
What: Holiday Booksigning
Where: Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Paradies Gift Shop

Did you know?

There are ways to persuade your family you should have a horse. Lots of people have been successful and here are their best tips.

Suzanne: Get a job and start saving money. Show your parents that you're willing to WORK for your horse. Try to save $500-1000, and make a list of what it will cost to buy and board your horse. If you have your own land, you might not have to save as much, but don't forget to figure in a farrier and vet. Your parents will notice if you leave anything out! And write a contract or something, saying you will keep up your side of the bargain if they do.

I know this sounds impossible, but I did it -- my mare's name is Lady.

JoLynn: I couldn't afford a horse, even after I got a job, so I looked online for all the barns close enough, then got on the phone and talked to managers at barns where they rented horses by the hour. Especially in the winter, when people don't ride as much and the barn needs money, they would let me pay half the board of one horse. I picked the barn that sounded nicest and got to pick from 12 that suited my ability level.

I picked a 14 year old black gelding, half Arabian, named Dandy. We're perfect for each other and ride him whenever I can get over there and he's not out on a trail ride. Now my best friend is convincing her parents that they should pay the other half of the board on Dandy, so that he will almost be ours.

If that doesn't work, I have a back-up plan.

The barn manager said if I last through the mud and bad weather, she'd give me half price riding lessons. My aunt already said she'd pay for them for a present. If I can get a paid job at the barn, I want to buy Dandy and work off his price instead of taking the money.

Bette: I knew my parents weren't happy with me hanging around with friends who partied and one who got caught shoplifting at the mall. Even though I wasn't involved, they were starting not to trust me, so I made a deal with my parents.

I did NOT say I'd drop my friends, but I started doing a lot of housework after school. I helped them set up some online stuff on Friday nights (they're lame at it, and I'm not) and I watched my brother on Saturdays so that my parents could be the ones going out.

They kept saying "We'll see," so I put everything in writing. I kept track of the hours I wasn't with my friends, and told my mom I'd keep working around the house if they'd pay for me to ride more, or maybe -- ha, ha -- they could buy me a horse. They knew I would rather spend time with horses than anything, so now they're renting Crackerjack, a gelding that belongs to a friend of my grandmother. We pay $50 a month toward his feed, plus I groom him, clean out his corral and exercise him. I can ride my bike there (which was important because my parents couldn't drive me), and if my grandmother and Crackerjack's owner think I've been responsible, I might get Crackerjack for my birthday.

I'm pretty tired, but I'm not bored, and I still have friends, just not the same ones. My grades have gone up, too, and that doesn't hurt!

Buy Phantom Stallion

Phantom Stallion books are available at your local bookstore and online at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Indiebound.org


	Newsletter \| Newsletter Archive
	Phantom Stallion E-Newsletter December 2008 Happy December! This month Northern Nevada's cold clear days begin to alternate with gray snowy ones. Deer sneak in to eat the last autumn apples under trees. Birds unwillingly share their feeders with squirrels. And out on the range, mustangs shelter close to each other in canyons, turning their tails to cold winds and pressing together for warmth. Whatever the weather where you are -- even if you're enjoying summer -- make the most of the very last month of 2008. The cowboys of northern Nevada use deep, soft snow to train young or tricky horses in the same way some Native American tribes use rivers. Water and snow slow horses reactions to new experiences, making training safer for horse and human. A horse isn't likely to do much bucking in deep snow, and if he does, it won't last long. If you've ever shoveled snow or walked a few blocks in it, you know exercise in snow uses up lots of energy. For that reason, you'll want to remember not to overwork your horse in snow. Pay attention to your mount's respiration and use your own temperature as a reminder. Riding in snow, it's best to dress in layers, but remember to be safe when you start warming up. Taking both hands off the reins while you wiggle out of a coat or pull a sweater off over your head can be dangerous. Always wear a hat (you lose lots of body heat through your head) and gloves. You don't want to be handling reins with numb fingers! Whenever you ride in winter, WATCH FOR ICE. Not just under your feet and your horses' hooves, either. If you ride anywhere near traffic, remember cars slip around, too. If you try to exercise your horse every day, you know that winter days are short. Riding at dawn or in the evening, be sure to wear a reflective vest. A good tack shop can guide you to stirrup lights, or reflective bridle nosebands, or you might check out a local bicycle shop for reflective plastic strips that Velcro around your arms or legs. For most of us, celebrations will be a bit smaller this year, than last. Terri's online blog at TerriFarley.com, will feature some low cost and free ideas for presents for all the two and four-footed members of your family and it's good to remember that the things that count most, can't be counted. Happy Holiday Trails! This just in . . . Want to win a plush Phantom Stallion to cuddle all winter long? Answer this question: What is the name of the horse on the cover of book #3 in EITHER the original Phantom Stallion series OR Wild Horse Island series? Email your answer to farleyterri@aol.com no later than December 14. Please put the words PLUSH PHANTOM in the subject line & your answer in the body of the email. If you have a correct answer, you will be entered in a random drawing If your name is drawn, Terri will contact you for your mailing address. Whisper: Prepare to win Terri's next contest by: thinking about a PHANTOM STALLION movie and teaching yourself to make a movie trailer! Terri might let a few hints about this drop on her blog at TerriFarley.com. Sam's blog I love Christmas at the ranch! After spending last night tossing in my sheets, worried over having zero money to buy gifts, I woke up to the aroma of Gram's baking. That cheered me up a little bit. read more Where is Terri Farley? December When: Friday, December 18, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. What: Holiday Booksigning Where: Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Paradies Gift Shop Did you know? There are ways to persuade your family you should have a horse. Lots of people have been successful and here are their best tips. Suzanne: Get a job and start saving money. Show your parents that you're willing to WORK for your horse. Try to save $500-1000, and make a list of what it will cost to buy and board your horse. If you have your own land, you might not have to save as much, but don't forget to figure in a farrier and vet. Your parents will notice if you leave anything out! And write a contract or something, saying you will keep up your side of the bargain if they do. I know this sounds impossible, but I did it -- my mare's name is Lady. JoLynn: I couldn't afford a horse, even after I got a job, so I looked online for all the barns close enough, then got on the phone and talked to managers at barns where they rented horses by the hour. Especially in the winter, when people don't ride as much and the barn needs money, they would let me pay half the board of one horse. I picked the barn that sounded nicest and got to pick from 12 that suited my ability level. I picked a 14 year old black gelding, half Arabian, named Dandy. We're perfect for each other and ride him whenever I can get over there and he's not out on a trail ride. Now my best friend is convincing her parents that they should pay the other half of the board on Dandy, so that he will almost be ours. If that doesn't work, I have a back-up plan. The barn manager said if I last through the mud and bad weather, she'd give me half price riding lessons. My aunt already said she'd pay for them for a present. If I can get a paid job at the barn, I want to buy Dandy and work off his price instead of taking the money. Bette: I knew my parents weren't happy with me hanging around with friends who partied and one who got caught shoplifting at the mall. Even though I wasn't involved, they were starting not to trust me, so I made a deal with my parents. I did NOT say I'd drop my friends, but I started doing a lot of housework after school. I helped them set up some online stuff on Friday nights (they're lame at it, and I'm not) and I watched my brother on Saturdays so that my parents could be the ones going out. They kept saying "We'll see," so I put everything in writing. I kept track of the hours I wasn't with my friends, and told my mom I'd keep working around the house if they'd pay for me to ride more, or maybe -- ha, ha -- they could buy me a horse. They knew I would rather spend time with horses than anything, so now they're renting Crackerjack, a gelding that belongs to a friend of my grandmother. We pay $50 a month toward his feed, plus I groom him, clean out his corral and exercise him. I can ride my bike there (which was important because my parents couldn't drive me), and if my grandmother and Crackerjack's owner think I've been responsible, I might get Crackerjack for my birthday. I'm pretty tired, but I'm not bored, and I still have friends, just not the same ones. My grades have gone up, too, and that doesn't hurt! Buy Phantom Stallion Phantom Stallion books are available at your local bookstore and online at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Indiebound.org