Looking for volunteers!

We have a table booked to sell raffle tickets at the two Gingerwood shows at the end of July. But, we need people to man (or woman!) the table. I can tell you, it's a lot of fun, you meet all sorts of people and you generally get to sit down, which we all know doesn't always happen at a horse show. Just a couple of hours would be great and it sounds like a great family activity! Not only that, but we'll put you on the blog! You'll be famous!

We have time slots of:
Stanhope Equestrian Challenge
Monday July 27 10-12, 12-2
Tuesday July 28 10-12, 12-2
Wednesday July 29 10-12, 12-2

Gingerwood Charity Classic
Friday July 31 10-12, 12-2
Saturday August 1 10-12, 12-2 Draw at 2:00

Here's what they are saying about the shows at Gingerwood:

Gingerwood Charity Horse Shows

Get ready for a week of fun and entertainment! Atlantic Canada’s largest outdoor equestrian events, the Gingerwood Charity Horse Shows, are back for another exciting week this summer. The event kicks off on July 27th with the Stanhope Equestrian Challenge, running until July 29th , followed by the Gingerwood Charity Classic; July 31 to August 2.

Guaranteed to be a fun filled week for the whole family; with free pony rides each day, a petting zoo, a country canteen, Grand-Prix show-jumping, and so much more! Only $5 a car load, with all proceeds going to Oak Acres Children’s Camp.

Event Location: Gingerwood Farm, Stanhope Lane, Stanhope, PEI ( Follow Rt 25 to Rt. 6 - Watch for Signs)

You can check out their website at www.gingerwoodfarm.com.

Star Yankee

I promised a blog on Yankee, when I had a bit more information on him. I have a couple more pictures and a bit more of his life history.

Yankee, or Yank, as he is sometimes called, lived his entire life in the same stable.

He raced a couple of times as a two year old, then was injured and was given a year off to heal. He came back as a three year old, raced again a couple of times, then was injured again. Another year's vacation...get the idea he's actually smarter than the rest of us? Hmmm, couple of days work, off for a year. Sounds good to me! It was during his return as a four year old that his breathing problem became apparent--while trotting a fast mile (less than 2 minutes to finish), his palate would flip up and interfere with his breathing. He is still good for any number of other jobs, but this issue willl always have to be kept in mind. He has a good work ethic and, while he goofs around and has fun when off duty, he knows when to get down to work, which sounds like a pretty cool personality to me.

He REALLY likes dogs. Really. Alot. His best friend is a big yellow lab named Pudge. They like to lick each other's faces. I dunno...guys. Just don't get them. But they're darn cute.

Yank's groom, Amanda, says she would like to keep him herself, but she has no room, so I expect she will be very jealous of whoever gets to take this darling guy home. We have already had some interest in him, but, if you are interested, please fill out the form on our 'Want to Adopt?' page and send it in. There are always adorable horses with personality plus looking for a loving home.

Enjoy the summer day, everyone! And don't forget to hug a horse today!

Another fun day at the horse (duck) show!

Well, anyone who was at the Storybook Stables Horse Show this weekend knows where the duck reference came from--it RAINED!!! Not only was there thunder and lightning (and torrential downpours) on Friday night, but it started raining again as soon as we were ready for the outside classes. Everyone was soaked. We were all hiding under every available bit of shelter. But it was a lot of fun and, let's face it, this is PEI--if we didn't have the weather to complain about, what would we do?

Anyway, it was a fun time and we would like to say thank you to everyone that bought tickets for the raffle draw and the 50/50 draw. Look to see us at other venues around the island over the summer. Just a quick pic of our lovely ladies who volunteered to man (or woman!) the table and to harass, ummm, canvass (yeah, that's the word...) the crowd to drum up more ticket sales.

We have, from left to right, Bila, Jordann, Wylie and Bridget, who gave their Saturday morning sleep in to help the horses. Thank you, ladies and gentleman! You can also see on the table the prize for the raffle draw, draw day July 31st at Gingerwood. Starting from the bottom left, we have a burgundy suede-like saddle pad, summer riding gloves, a horse themed diary, a silver brooch shaped like a full cheek snaffle, a pair of socks which say 'Love riding, hate flying' (you know, the kind of flying that happens when you horse suddenly decides that there's a horse eating monster hidden behind that stump you've passed everyday for the past 6 months), the show cooler (beautiful forest green), a pink horse girl hat, horse treats, Show Sheen, and a really nice grooming box to keep your things in. There is a lovely little charm to go on your bridle, as well, though I can't seem to find it in the picture. Just a wonderful package of things and tickets are very reasonable: 1 for $2, 3 for $5. Remember, less than a month left to get your tickets!!

An update on Andy: after further consultation with the vet college, Andy's mom has decided that he would be better off if she donated him to the vet college. Not only will he receive the best of medical care, but he will have a very relaxed, lazy life where his main job will be to just look absolutely spectacular and hang out with a bunch of friends. Hmmm, where do you go to sign up for one of those jobs...?

Check out the website to see our newest potential adoptee: Yankee Star. I'll be blogging him later on this week, once I have all his information.

Well, I have to go squelch my way over to clean the barn. Have a great week and enjoy the sunshine!

Out one door, in another!

I must say, we really don't do things by half measures, here at Sadie's Place. What do I mean, you ask? Elementary, my dear Watson.


Horses, horses, everywhere!

Dottie, our OTSB(off track standardbred) has found a new home with Ian and Jennifer Steeksma. Not only that, but Dottie's new mom and dad are so happy with her they are going to send her to school! Dottie is going to learn all about those riding horsey type things, like saddles, and giving to leg pressure, and bending! Dottie tells me she's quite looking forward to trying something new, because one can only take so much just standing around looking gorgeous before it all gets a little stale. So, please, join me in waving bye-bye to Dottie, as she heads off for new adventures.

Well, with Dottie leaving, you would think we would have all the time in the world to sit around and discuss the merits of brown vs. black tack on various colours of horses, but, fate had something (or rather, someone) else in store for us. Actually, several someones. However, I won't load you up with lots of names to remember yet, but I would like to tell you Andy's story, because it's really kind of sad.




Andy is a 4 year old Trakhener, just gearing up for what he was sure was going to be an Olympic career. He had a new mom, who he adored and was all set to go out and wow the ladies with his astonishing good looks. Then, one day, his bum felt kind of funny. His legs didn't work like they should. His left leg would flex way up high when he tried to step forward. He still tried to work, because he loved his mom and he didn't want to disappoint her, but he could tell she was worried. That made Andy very unhappy. One day, Andy's mom told him they were going a little trip, a vacation, to the land of Anne. "Does Anne have treats?" was Andy's first thought. His second thought was, "Does Anne have Gravol?" because he had to ride on a boat. Woohoo! Was that ever strange! Whatever was going on with Andy's legs, the boat had it too! Boy, was he ever excited when he got out of the trailer. Andy's mom left him at the Atlantic Veterinary College, where lots of nice people patted Andy and made him feel at home. They did some yucky things too, but Andy likes people so much, he forgave them right away. But then Andy's mom got the bad news--Andy had 'Shivers', which meant that his leg muscles didn't work right and he wasn't going to be able to have that Olympic career after all.


Andy is hoping someone has a soft spot for handsome, easy going, eager to please young geldings. He needs a temporary home for now, as his mom can't afford to keep him at the AVC. She already has one (older) horse that she can't do much with and, while she loves Andy and wants the best for him, he is never going to be able to do the things for her that she wants to do, so she is hoping that we can find a home for him where he can be appreciated for his stellar personality.



If you might be interested in Andy, he is a timid horse and dislikes thinking that someone is angry with him. In the herd, he is submissive. He isn't spooky--when startled, he freezes or walks sideways, but doesn't bolt, according to his mom. Andy should be kept on turnout as much as possible, as prolonged periods of standing make him stiff and his walk awkward. When lifting his feet, he may snap them up high, but will bring them down shortly after. There is some evidence that a high fat, low starch diet is of some help with these horses, combined with a regular exercise program. The most quoted option is alfalfa pellets with some sort of vegetable oil (20% of calories from fat), instead of a regular grain mix. He should not be used in areas where he would really need his hind end for impulsion (jumping, riding in hills, etc). This is a progressive illness, but slow, and can be even slower with proper management.

Andy needs a foster home soon, as his mom has to decide what she will do with him. If you have space, even just for the summer, please contact us. And, Andy is not the only four-legged friend needing our help. Even if you don't feel Andy is a good match for you to foster, there are others, that will be featured in coming weeks. Our email is sadie@sadiesplace.ca.

Visit us at our website, http://www.sadiesplace.ca/, to stay on top of everything that's going on. We now have a new page, the 'Bridle' Registry, for things that are in short supply.


Thank you for your support! Don't forget about the raffle for all the show gear. Tickets go on sale at the Storybook Stables show on July 4th, at Storybook Stables in Brookfield, right on the number 2 highway. Guaranteed to be lots of fun--come on down! I hear rumours of cookies...