Filed under: September 2022 | Tags: draft events, Draft horse fun day, Draft Horse Training Methods, horsepower, Lake Farm Park, riceland meadows, Suffolk Punch horses, training drafts
September 27, 2022
We went to a local Metro Park in neighboring Lake county. We went to support their annual “Horsepower” days. We went to show our Suffolk Punch draft horses to a welcoming crowd. We made it a learning session for our son Jake’s youngest horse, Anna. She is the smaller one in the photos. She is a 3-year old and learning fast. The people, flags, balloons, noise and other horses were new to her. She looked and learned. She stayed calm and watched her teammate Amee for clues. She/We had an outstanding day.
We raked the brush hog debris off of the field that we would be plowing. It was Anna’s second or third time on that piece of equipment. She was confident and willing while we raked. We next hauled bundles of corn shocks off the corn field following a corn binder demonstration. The horses had to stand, wait and move up as the volunteers loaded the wagon. The chattering binder being pulled by a team of Belgians, went by us several times. Our horses made no move, other than to watch them go by.
We were just one team among many. The Belgians, Percherons and Suffolk breeds were well represented. The following day (Sunday) was a bit rainy, but the fun moved inside at times. We did not attend the second day. The weather looked ominous, so we went to church instead. The horses stayed home, but we harvested the Word and mingled with a different flock.
We are making plans to attend again next year and take at least 2 teams of horses. There were many things to see and do. We had fun. We met some new friends and cemented relationships with old ones. We represent different breeds. We all choose to do different things with our horses, but all of us come together to play and learn.
As we train our young horses, we expose them to as many things as we can. We do this first at home where things are familiar. Slowly, as the horses gain confidence, we introduce them to even more outside noise and situations. This training is to build confidence, character and to help eliminate fear. When a fearful thing does happen, they look to us for clues. We can calm them with our voices and line pressure. The training, teaching patience, and consistent methods, pays off big dividends in times of trouble or insecurity.
Our rain total yesterday afternoon. The rains continue to fall as a big storm comes to us from Canada. The storm moves over lake Erie, then dumps the moisture on us. We had a dry summer, but we are now starting to get a bit soggy. They say we still have another rainy day coming after today. No worries. The trees and grasses are gulping up the moisture in the waning days of the growing season. The other benefit is that we don’t have to shovel rain! The almost three and a half inches of rain that fell yesterday has been added to significantly over night. The sun is shinning for the moment, so I am headed out to do all things “Riceland”.
Filed under: April 2021 | Tags: RFD-TV, riceland meadows, Rural Heritage magazine, Suffolk Punch horses, Thank you
April 14, 2021
Yesterday, we completed filming for a few more videos that will appear on RFD-TV. One will be shown in late June. We had a good time. The weather was perfect and things went very well. It was a fun day.
I drove our mares and explained our newly built “sap rig”. Shout out to Joel Baldwin for all of his help in the build. The mares showed how well it travels, as well as, how easy it pulls. Our cows stood by the fence nodding their approval.
We explained our thoughts on the training methods that we use, gave a few grooming tips and even touched on the current barn renovation . Jake, our son, and I both hitched our young, in training, horses too.
These programs and the writing that I do for Rural Heritage magazine, gives me an outlet to share my experiences and knowledge with others. I do this to help pass along information given to be by others or learned through my own experiences. I want to be resource for those searching for knowledge on how to farm or garden. I like to share ideas with other draft animal folks. I will do my best to share this life that I love so much. Thanks for reading and watching!
Filed under: November 2019 | Tags: Cultivating Memories, RFD TV, riceland meadows, Rural Heritage, Rural Heritage magazine, Small Farming
November 12, 2019
It is my hope that the things I write, the stories I share and the tales I tell, will help someone.
I hope that someone looking for release from a busy world and busy life, will find a pause and a peace as they read about me and mine. I hope that I can brighten someone’s day, if only for a few minutes. I hope folks looking for information will also find value in this small farming BLOG.
My book, pictured in the photo above, has been well received by many. In the book are many stories from my life growing up in the country and surrounded by farm animals. The stories will make you laugh, as well as, tug at your heart strings. It is written for all audiences and will warm hearts and stir memories in the reader’s mind.
We make movies here for RFD-TV. Several episodes can be found on YouTube. Just type Riceland Meadows into the search bar. I believe there are now 7 shows there. “Rural Heritage” films, edits and promotes my farm in these videos. Again, it is my hope that I can help someone in their quest for information on small farming, draft horses and a host of other topics.
I write for Rural Heritage magazine. I have been writing for them since 2002. I write some “feel good” stuff, but also many ” how-to” articles. I try my best to detail the subject with enough information, based upon my experience, to encourage someone to try it for themselves.
I trust that folks who follow my BLOG have found information, entertainment, and a feeling of well being as they read my words. I thank all of you for following along. The holidays are coming up. If you would like to gift a copy of my book to someone, I will waive the shipping cost for anyone in the continental United States until December 24, 2019. The cost of the book is 15.00 dollars (US) Email me at RicelandMeadows@roadrunner.Com
For copies of my book, my videos and others like it, you can also contact MischkaPress.com Joe, Susan and Kelly are great people whom have helped me beyond words.
Thank you for following!
Filed under: March 2016 | Tags: birdsong, draft horses, Mental Health, RFD TV, riceland meadows, Rural Heritage magazine, Small Farming
March 25, 2016
In life, it is the simple things that matter. We all get too busy, caught up in the world and all the drama that goes with it. We need to slow down, take a minute to rest our brains, and let our hearts and souls talk to us. This is where true peace comes from. The kind of peace that restores us.
Last night we got a good amount of rain. The grasses and this field of spelt greened up over night. They know that spring is here. I was a little miffed because I had a different plan, but looking around the farm, I can see that the rain was needed. It is also forcing me to change gears, slow down and enjoy a rainy day….and I am doing just that!
Once I settled into the fact that my plans changed, I am making strides in a different direction. I am making progress in a couple of areas that were very needed and all because I had to slow down to think about them. I am sure that I will be better off and enabled to make even more progress once the rain stops, all because I slowed down.
Yesterday, I got to spend a little time with family. I worked on an old firewood tree and completed a list of errands. As I walked among the trees listening to the spring birdsong, I was refreshed almost by accident. Who would think that singing birds and the feeling that comes from completing a job, could make a man feel so good?
The documentary that we filmed here the last few days will air on RFD TV in May. It is two episodes shown on four different dates. It is my hope that folks will watch my horses work and understand why I choose to farm in this manner. I do tell our farm’s story, but the show belongs to the horses. They are the stars.
It is the simple things like harness bells and birdsong that keeps me going…not to mention a good morning kiss or an I love you spoken from a grandchild. The flame of a fire in the dark or the taste of a home canned peach on my tongue fills me with emotion and restores my soul.
Filed under: June 2013 | Tags: barn swallows, man and beast, rainy weather, riceland meadows
Hay and Pumpkins 2012
June 18, 2013
Wow, what a difference a year makes in farming. Last year at this time we had the first cutting made and in the barns. This field of hay was actually second cutting. The pumpkins were beautiful…right before the drought came.
This year is a very wet one. I did cut some hay last evening right before a pop up shower gave us 3/4 of an inch of rain on already saturated ground. The pumpkin plants wait in little plastic plugs struggling just to stay alive. I hope to plant them by the weeks end, but now there is no dirt…only mud.
My field corn was off to a great start. It is now a bit yellow as it begs for some sunshine. The weeds are thriving threatening to choke out the corn. I could only cultivate now with a row boat. Riceland Meadows might have better planted rice this year 😮
The weatherman says 5 days of sun coming, but they are more like weather guessers that weather predictors this year. So we shall see. I do have some hay down, hoping to use the 5 day window, but what I cut today lays on standing water … not good.
The animals are enjoying the cooler weather. The flies are a bit behind, but will soon be out with a vengence, biting man and beast. I think those night time blood sucking insects are building up to large levels… I just hope the bats, barn swallows and purple Martins eat them quickly.
I will keep plugging away, working around the wet, rainy weather, after all … that is what we farmers do 😮
RicelandMeadows 