COUNT OUR BLESSINGS
Over the last few weeks Victory’s Gait has been richly blessed. We have been given a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what it really means to be grateful this spring season. We have been blessed with new gravel for the arena and the barn at the bottom. The Mountain stewards came out and did many wonderful things for the farm such as, steps to the bottom, a walkway to the barn, and a bridge on our new TRAILS!!!!

Trails are the new focus for our upcoming season. We will learn proper trail safety and preparation for trails.

We were also able to purchase a club car for the farm thanks to the combined fundraising efforts of all the team members. It is proving to be a wonderful blessing around the farm!
FAITHFUL IS HE! “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. I Thes. 5:24” God has indeed been faithful to us!

SAFETY FIRST
We were given the opportunity to have one of our dad’s come out and talk to us about safety and first aid. We covered basics, but also more advanced first aid and first responder responsibilities.

As our program becomes more advanced with our new trails and such, we desire to have the knowledge of what we can best do in more severe emergency situations. We will be having more classes upcoming to correspond with each season at the farm.

WELCOME BACK KIRA
We have just resumed our K.I.U.W.K lessons. We are continuing to increase our skills and refine our savvy during the first half of lessons.

The second half Kira is helping us work on our songs for the achievement picnic. We are so blessed and thankful to have Kira helping us advance our skills and the Victory’s Gait program!

OH IT’S SEEDING TIME (AND LOPPING) AGAIN…
It’s that time, Spring over seed and lop those briars
If we don’t seed the horses don’t eat
So it is in Spring and Fall, fertilize and over seed
Briars create thickets and thorns that prove hard to deal with
During Summer weather
Bring your loppers and we’ll knock it out together!

TEAM DEVOTIONS
In the upcoming week VG would like each team member to find a devotion to bring and share one week. It can be just a short piece that can be shared over lunch with the team. So be prepared to bring a devotion for us to grow and learn in the knowledge of our beautiful Savior together!
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
One of our devotions this month was on judging others.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1

EXTRA! EXTRA! GET YOUR BOOKS HERE!
Thank you team for all of the effort put into the book sale! And Thank you, Thank you to all the Moms who helped prepare the book sale! While we did not get as much traffic as we hoped it was a great time of growing together as a team.  Our families where able to fellowship and get to know each other better through this event, we added a lot to our relationship bank account, which is even more important that our physical one! The event raised a total of $150 plus donations. The consignment proceeds were $59! The Book Sale fundraiser continues to be a work in progress. We will continue to sell books at local consignment sales. This week we will prepare for a book sale at the Cornerstone Church in Dawsonville, following up with a couple other sales through the summer… please pray that these wonderful books find good homes!

GENERALLY SPEAKING
Here a few friendly reminders for your day at the farm:

• Please drive slow as you come up the driveway. There are kids, horses, cats, and dogs all running here and there, so please be cautious as you drive.
• Unless you are dropping kids or stuff off please park in the parking area by the round pen. It can get crowded with lots of people coming and going, so if you would please save parking at the top of the driveway for drop off only. Thank You!
• Just a courtesy to Mrs. Vicki and her farm, please pick up your trash when you are out in the arena, arbor, or barn. Part of being good stewards of Victory’s Gait at Sweet Dreams Farm is leaving it cleaner than we found it!

VICTORY’S GAIT VISITORS!
Victory’s Gait has had a few visitors come to live at the farm for a short time. Hope and Mercy are miniature ponies that belong to a good friend and are staying with us for several months.

It has given the team a wonderful opportunity of learning how to take care of these little guys! The Big horses are having quite a time trying to figure out what these little guys are.

Our other visitors arrived just this month. One of them was a familiar face to Sweet Dreams Farm, our very own Sallie, who was born to Rhett and Mandi here at the farm 5 years earlier.

She came with her friend blaze from Leah’s farm. They are in the process of moving from their old home and fixing fences at their new one, so that Sallie and Blaze can have a place of their own.

VICTORY’S GAIT IS EXPECTING!!!!
Millie May is expecting a foal!!!

We will be celebrating life in the wonderful spring season. This is a wonderful opportunity for the team to learn about foaling and the preparation for foaling. It will be an incredible experience to witness the miracle of life and also learning how to train a foal (And who doesn’t love baby horses!). Hopefully, in the next month or so Victory’s Gait will be welcoming the newest member of the herd into the world!

IT'S A WRAP (WELL ALMOST!)  SPEAKING OF THE END OF THE YEAR, THAT IS!  IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR, TO PROBABLY MOST OF US, AS WE APPROACH THAT HOME STRETCH. WRAPPING IT UP ISN'T ALWAYS SUCH A NEAT LITTLE PACKAGE. IN FACT LOOKING AHEAD CAN BE VERY COMPLEX. LEAVING THE OLD BEHIND, PRESSING ON TO WHAT LIES AHEAD AND SOME OF US ARE ASKING, "WHAT IS AHEAD, FATHER"?, AND WHERE DO WE FIT IN THE GREATER SCHEME OF THINGS? AS THIS SEASON WINDS DOWN, TAKE TIME TO REFLECT ON WHERE YOU'VE BEEN THIS PAST YEAR AND WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO OR BETTER YET,) WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR YOU TO BLOOM? DESTINY, KINGDOM PURPOSES, IT'S ALL IN THERE (YOUR HEART), YOU KNOW. IF YOU ARE PURSUING GOD, YOU CAN'T MISS IT..PLANTED IN THE VERY CORE OF YOUR BEING, IT'S A WRAP!

MILESTONES..INSTRUCTORS AND THEIR HORSES IN TRAINING! We’ve made it to at least sitting on Shiloh and Billy..They are doing well, but here’s an important reminder: For SAFETY sake, Always have a SPOTTER with you when working with our “Green”, newbie horses!
 
BLAZING A TRAIL...When The Mountain Stewards lead man, Don Wells came to visit and explained what his team would do to prepare a wooded trail through the hills of Victory’s Gait, we didn’t realize it would be a reality so soon. Today they were here, bright and early (8 AM), when I called to check in and offer hot drinks, MR. wells, said they were too far down the side of the hill for me to walk the distance!..He is hoping to have at least side ONE finished before the holidays..side TWO after January 1.  It’s coming along, team. Next, we will be spending time walking and clearing limbs and debris left along the way.Then at some point we will incorporate “BOTANY” learning skills, reference the trees and terrain..Oh YEAH, and let’s not forget the opportunities to ride and teach others about BLAZING A TRAIL!
 
SPEAKING OF TRAIL RIDING, SEVERAL OF US DID JUST THAT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. WE HAD A ROAD TRIP (SCARLET, PAL & GRACE) OVER TO REEVIS MOUNTAIN SADDLE CLUB..ABOUT 5 MILES. THE BOYS AND I TRAILED OVER AND LEAH AND THE GIRLS MET US THERE AND TRAILED BACK..WAY TO GO TEAM!
 
 

A.S.S.E.S.S..M.E.N.T.S. - SO, DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!  IT’S JUST AN END OF THE YEAR CRAM N JAM!  YOU’VE GOT THIS!  IT’S ALL ABOUT YOUR LEVELS, YOUR LOVE FOR HORSES ABSORBED AND RELEASED, NATURALLY!
KIRA WAS TELLING ME WEDS HOW WONDERFUL THE TEAMS HAVE COME ALONG THIS SESSION.  HER LAST TEACHING DAY IS THIS FRIDAY,  UNTIL MARCH, 2016. UNLESS THERE ARE FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT ARE STILL INTERESTED IN YOUR STUDENT CONTINUE LESSONS WITH KIRA??? IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, WE WOULD CONTINUE IN JANUARY.. PRAY ABOUT  IT, THINK ABOUT IT. KIRA NEEDS TO KNOW IF IT’S A WRAP TILL MARCH  OR DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE??
 
LETTER FROM KIRA;  HELLO EVERYONE! I AM EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL THE AMAZING PROGRESS THE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN MAKING THIS SESSION!@  tHEY HAVE COME A LONG WAY AND i AM SO PROUD OF THEM. IT HAS BEEN THE GOAL OF THIS SESSION TO EXPLORE THE 7 GAMES IN A WAY THAT IS FUN FOR BOTH THE HORSES AND THEIR PARTNERS. i HAVE SEEN GREAT CREATIVITY FROM THE STUDENTS AND A GENUINE DESIRE TO UNDERSTAND ‘WHERE TO BE, WHEN TO BE, AND WHY TO BE AND WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET THERE.” PAT PARELLI. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE A PART OF THEIR JOURNEY INTO NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP! I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR NEXT SESSION!
 

 
END OF THE YEAR - TAKING THINGS SLOWER. WITH ALL THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE, I AM PROBABLY THE LAST PERSON TO ENCOURAGE YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY TO DO AS PAT PARELLI SAYS, “TAKE THE TIME IT TAKES” FOR YOUR TIME TOGETHER AS A FAMILY. IT’S NOT ABOUT THE PRESENTS, IT’S ABOUT THE ETERNAL GIFT OF GOD. IF WE ARE SEEKING HIM, WE WILL FIND HIM. HE KNOWS RIGHT WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE NEED TO BE, SO THERE IS NO RUSH TO GET THERE. ONE OF MY SPIRITUAL MENTORS USED TO REMIND ME, “YOU CAN’T MISS YOUR DESTINY, IF YOU ARE PURSUING HIS KINGDOM PURPOSES FOR YOUR LIFE, HE WILL MEET YOU”. SO, DETERMINE IN YOUR HEARTS, TO SET THE RIGHT EXAMPLE. SLOW DOWN AND TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE GARDENIAS!


LIGHTING THE HOLIDAY CANDLES! FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 IS OUR ANNUAL FAMILY HANUKKAH & CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION. THE STUDENTS WILL HAVE SCIENCE IN THE KITCHEN TO HELP PREPARE FOR OUR EVENING MEAL..MENU IS STILL IN PROGRESS, BUT IT’S LOOKING MORE AND MORE LIKE BAKED ZITTI!  WE WILL HAVE A “RE-GIFT” WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE..SOMETHING NEARLY NEW OR USEABLE RELATIVE TO THE FARM, HORSES.BRING A GIFT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE.. IT’S HIS-STORY!

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN - Not that kind of fire..we are talking HOUSE FIRE..One of Victory’s Gait special friends and volunteer (teaching, trailer, support), PAT , lost her home  to a tragic house fire. Besides praying, we are working on encouraging donations as the family lost most everything (including 2 cats). We will be making a contribution as a ministry outreach. As her neighbor and friend, I would like to ask each family to consider a simple donation of $5-$10. We will have a donation jar on the cubby on the porch. We plan to offer the family a Community Service Project Day after the holidays..Thank you for your love, prayers and support!
 
FINALLY - AS WE END THE“IF MY PEOPLE SERIES”, PRAYING FOR OUR NATION, LISTENING TO THE NEWS, READING THE PAPER, WATCHING FB SOCIAL NETWORK, YOU WOULDN'T THINK ALL THAT PRAYING AIN'T WORKING, MRS. VICK!
WELL IT IS.. GOD IS EXPOSING THE ENEMY’S DEEDS. WHAT WE DON’T HEAR IS THAT REVIVAL IS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE WORLD..PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED..PEOPLE ARE COMING TO KNOW JESUS. THEY ARE GETTING SET FREE AND GIVEN THE MOST GLORIOUS CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT - ETERNAL SALVATION!   KNOW REVIVAL HAPPENS, ONE HEART AT A TIME. SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD (ALWAYS ADVANCING, NEVER RETREATING), REMEMBER, IF GOD BE FOR HIS PEOPLE (THAT IS US) WHO CAN STAND AGAINST US? THE VICTORY WAS WON ON THE CROSS! IT IS OUR HERITAGE!

Cracker Horse
The Cracker horse is the oldest breed of horses in Florida. The Spanish brought horses over to Florida in the 1500’s by Ponce de Leon. These horses were known for their gait and also for agility and speed. The Cracker Horse is 13.2 to 15.2 hands and weights anywhere from 700 to 1000 pounds. As time progressed the Cracker horses were used to herd cattle. Florida cowmen were given the name ‘’Crackers’’ because of the sound of their cow whip and their horses were also given the name for herding cattle. The Cracker horse has a variety of names the Chicksaw pony, Marsh tackie, Florida cow pony and Grass Gut. Florida cracker horse are also willing workers showing spirit, amazing stamina and endurance. They are used for trial riding, team roping and pulling wagons. Cracker horses were great at herding smaller cattle but when it came to the big western cattle they were having trouble. Then that’s when the Quarter horse was brought in and the Cracker horse almost became extinct. But there was a few families the kept breeding the Cracker horse which kept the Cracker horses alive. In 1989 the Florida Cracker Horse Association was established with 31 Cracker horses registered. Today there are over a thousand registered. Every year in February the Cracker horses participate in what is known as the Cracker Trail Ride. This trail ride is 110 miles across the Florida terrain this last for a week. Other horses come from Kentucky and Tennessee to participate in this event and cannot keep up with the Cracker horses. The Cracker horse may be small, but their endurance can last more than other horses.

Hawaii’s Donkeys
            On Hawaii’s Big Island lives a population of about 400-600 feral Donkeys, locally called “Kona nightingales”. That is about 6 Donkeys for every square mile. They were brought to the island in 1825 to be used as pack animals on farms, sugar and coffee plantations. When you drive around the island there are donkey crossing signs and you can sometimes see them roaming about. However because of a bad drought season the donkeys started to wander into people’s backyards looking for food and water. This was a big problem because of their excessive numbers.
          The Donkeys have been found drinking out of people’s swimming pools. They’ve been found eating grass at schools and other public places. They were crossing highways causing hazards for people and themselves. The island cannot support their numbers because their population has not been kept in check.
          In 2010 the Hawaiian government rounded up most the donkeys and sent a portion of them to the mainland. Those that made the 2,500 mile trip landed in Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue in California. They plan to re-home all of the donkeys. The end goal in Hawaii is to create a local sanctuary for the wild herd, giving the beloved donkeys a safe permanent home and help control the population.

AND - BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!
WELCOME BACK K.I.U.W.K! (Kicking It Up With Kira)
 
HERE WE GO..WE ARE OFF TO A GREAT START, TEAM!
 
SOME OF OUR SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS:
This year included in our devotions, we have highlighted states (countries) where student’s (or their family members) were born.
We briefly note the state coming into the union, it’s motto and interesting points on explorers. The students prepare assigned reports on horses in the region.

       This week Maureen, my long time horse-breeding friend from Wisconsin called to check in.


Maureen always is a chocked-full waling encyclopedia of horse breeding 101. She calls to check in and follow up on the horses that she has sold over the years to see what their accomplishments may be. It was Maureen who brought up Pal & Beauty when they were 2 and 3 Months old. It was also Maureen who delivered Scarlett & Rhett so many years later.


So while I had her on the phone I asked a few questions:

Q: What is the line of the breed of the Arab horses she breeds as it concerns VG horses (i.e. Pal, Beauty, Scarlett, & Rhett)?

A: CRABBET BREED - WHICH IS OF ENGLISH DESCENT

Q: Who was instrumental in bringing the Arab breed to the U.S?

A: A FELLOW NAMED BABSON (ILLINOIS) 1850-1930 BEGAN TO DEVELOP THE BREED IN AMERICA.

Q: Are there many other ARABIAN breeds?

A: YES, THERE IS FROM THE PURE BRED ARABS COME A POLISH BRED ARAB, KNOWN AS THE WITEZ II AND ALSO THE RUSSIAN BRED ARABS.

    Egyptian Arabians are considered the purest breed of horses. Among Arabians there are several strains, which means variations of Arabian horses with differing characteristics. Modern Arabians are different crosses of these strains. This is the predominate difference between Modern Arabians and straight Egyptian Arabians.
    Egyptian Arabians are blends of many pure strains of Arabs with distinct desert lineage. Ancient Egypt and many other African and middle eastern countries had established them as animals of significant importance. They were mainly war mounts, but were given the best accommodations at home in splendid stables and gardens.
     Most people refer to the purest breed as King Solomon’s horses. King Solomon was in possession of nearly 40,000 of these noble beasts. In I Kings 10:28 it says, “ Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue—the royal merchants purchased them from Kue at the current price.” The current price was 150 shekels of silver, which is almost 4 pounds of silver, which is equal to about 830 US dollars.
       They are respected for their beauty, grace, courage, strength, and intelligence. These horses have been decked with gold, walked down silk carpets, and feast with kings. King Solomon recognized the beauty and majesty of the Arabian horse which is still one of the most cherished and coveted breed to this day.

       The early Cumberland Ponies may have been shipwrecked on Cumberland Island by the Spanish; similar to other feral horses on the east coast. The Cumberland Ponies are a blend of wild and pleasure horses, brought by the island's inhabitants. The wild horses of Cumberland Island look different compared to their northern cousins. While Chincoteague and Assateague ponies are smaller in size and have fuzzy coats, the Cumberland Ponies have short hair, and long necks, legs, and backs.
      The Cumberland ponies eat a mixture of sea oats and beach grass that have become scarce, due to too many horses. With the lack of sea oats and beach grass the dunes of Cumberland are eroding faster that they should. Beach grass helps hold in the sand, but with the horses there, the grasses on the dunes are disappearing. The lack of sea oats and beach grass is bad to the Eco-system and to the horses. The horses can get Sand Colic, Painful and sometimes fatal to the horses' fragile digestive systems.

      Where did the saying "Justin Morgan had a horse." come from? Back in 1792, A farmer owed Mr. Justin Morgan a lot of money. To pay his debt the farmer gave him two colts. One was good looking and big; the other one was little and scrawny. When the scrawny little colt grew up it beat the fastest Thoroughbred at that time. It became known as the Morgan after it pulled an unmovable log loaded with three big men on top all the way to the mill without stopping. Descendants of the Morgan are the American Saddlebred, Tennessee Walking Horse, and Standardbred. Toady Morgans are sued for pleasure, pulling, and show.
 

My horse Justin
Justin is named after Mr. Justin Morgan. He is a Morgan mixed with a Welsh Mountain Pony. This mix of breed was bred for pulling carts in mines. Our horse is fifteen years old and fourteen hands tall. His coloring is bay with a black mane and black stockings. Justin is very sweet and gentle - a good kid horse!

AT THE GAIT!          MICAH 6:8

         SEPTEMBER - 2015

Ahhh..We made it! Time for cool breezes, trail rides, and focus on the new school year! Yeah! Are Y.O.U. ready to advance! Well, come on, Savvy Students, just say Y.E.S.!  We, as a T.E.A.M. are ready to move FORWARD! So, let’s go! And remember, GOD makes all things new, so expect a fresh new beginning!

   Isaiah 43:19 English Standard Version (ESV)                                                      Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? 
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.

So, now that we know that GOD is making a way in the wilderness for us, (we did say we were going to blaze some trails this Fall, didn’t we?),

let’s look forward to our time together as a team, hey, did you know? We are growing, AND..It only gets better from here!

WELCOME NEW STUDENTS -

LAEL  (RACHEL & MATTHEW);

JAX  (MARIE & CHRIS)

LUCY  (LAURY & TIM)

We all made it through O.R.I.E.N.T.A.T.I.O.N. with flying colors, wew, thanks team! Now that everybody knows everything there is to know about Victory’s Gait, we are set to SUCCEED! It’s going to be a GREAT year!      

WHAT A TEAM, WHAT A TEAM!



O.R.G.A.N.I.Z.E.D.  M.O.M.S.

Well, you know the old adage (or do you?), cuz “Mums, the word”. Your mom, their mom, our moms are all pitching in to help make your day on the farm productive, efficient and effective..from 10 till 4:30 we’ll be managing the farm, playing with the ponies and the horses,  taking  lessons with Kira (remember KIUWK? How could anyone forget Kicking it Up With Kira?); Science in the Kitchen; Crafts; Journaling; Devotions; Projects, it’s ALL in there. Yep, team, Moms have definitely got US covered! Special thanks to Mrs. Ileen (A.K.A. the official “Bubble Catcher” and executive administrator), Mrs. Deanna (our terrific Scheduler), and our core moms who do everything from Birthdays to Balloons to CSP and more to keep the ball rolling on the farm!

All kidding aside, Victory’s Gait is family oriented and as such we depend on and encourage our participating families to get on board, give us a hand and join efforts to help us all have a safe, balanced, focused ride in all we do as a team at Victory’s Gait..


S.A.F.E.T.Y.

Ahh..the fresh air, the sound of animals, mucking (yes, some of us love to muck), dogs and cats, chickens (fresh eggs) and oh, the horses AND the ponies..we love them all. But with life on the farm comes  vigilant

need to be aware of closing gates, keeping itty bitty fingers out from fences and away from animals. Take HENRY, THE HORSE SWING..he’s y there for the little tykes (4 and under) to ride - if he is ridden too hard, his rope breaks and he lies in the dirt for days (and weeks sometimes) till he gets fixed. And falling is no fun. So, please watch the little ones.


C.A.L.E.N.D.A.R

Well, can we please get an AMEN and an AMEN for our school year calendar! Y.E.S.!  Please print this out and post on your student’s desk or mounting board month to month..it is my sincere desire that each student begin to take responsibility for his time and upcoming scheduled events to HELP you to remember and to order their day and time. Siblings, please, H.E.L.P. siblings!


P.R.A.Y.E.R

prayer

prer/

noun

1.    a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship.

2.    "I'll say a prayer for him"

3.    synonyms:

4.    invocation, intercession, devotion;

5.    archaicorison

6.    "the priest's murmured prayers"

○     a religious service, especially a regular one, at which people gather in order to pray together.

○     "500 people were detained as they attended Friday prayers"

○     an earnest hope or wish.

○     "it is our prayer that the current progress on human rights will be sustained"

In closing, Prayer says it all..Prayer is the driving force behind all that we accomplish. It is my passion to help your student develop and walk in a constant attitude of prayer, thereby experiencing God on a continual moment, by moment, day by day basis. Thank you for your prayers!


    Vicki Craig, Steward/Instructor, Victory’s Gait @ Sweet Dreams Farm

As we are growing and reaching out to more people, we are updating all of our tech! Our New website is here! so to make sure you don't miss any of what has happened in our past, we've made a post of all of our old blog posts from the old website. Please read! they are fill with more life stories and day to day "happenings" at Victory's Gait.

By the Light of the Moon 01/18/2014

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     The dogs were barking. Not unusual for them to howl at the moon on a cold, crisp early January morning. Or was it? As I lay contemplating getting up to see if there was a "ruckus" to be concerned about, I heard a whinny. The horses were talking to each other at this early morning hour? Or not? It was so cold out there..maybe the dogs needed a snack? HA! Really, to keep them warm or just pacified? Deciding to drag myself up from beneath the warm comforter and pillows, I peered out the bedroom window to see Pal focused intensely down the drive. Slipping a warm jacket on, I grabbed a couple of meat bones out of the refrigerator and found a small flashlight. Daylight It was still a couple hours before breaking. A cold, crisp winter wind stung my face as I walked briskly to the back lot. Jake and Bleu welcomed my intentions, grabbed their morning snack and ran back to the dog house. As I came back around the barn to give Vinny his token, I noticed frozen manure  beside the barn entrance. Making a mental note to remind the volunteers be sure to clean up after their fun times with the horses, I tossed Pal and Mandi a flake of hay and headed back to the house. Now that my blood was pumping and my mind jolted from the winter air, I may as well check my email, I reasoned. An hour and a half later, I decided to turn back in to bed, relishing the idea of a Saturday morning sleep-in!  Tiptoeing back in to the bedroom, I took another gander out the bedroom window, squinting my eyes as I focused on " those weird shadows" in the front yard. At first I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, as I realized the "shadows were moving. The thought came quickly, "The horses are out! - how did that happen?"  Throwing my jeans and sweatshirt on, I grabbed my heavy jacket,hat and gloves..As I came out the front porch door, one or two of the munching horses raised their heads as if to acknowledge my entrance to their moon-lit foraging area.."OK guys, how did you get out?", I asked..without a response. Quickly reminded of another time long ago when Pal came and lay down in front of my window.. Then too, I was reminded of God's beautiful sense of humor and majestic ways. Taking charge again,the horses and I, one by one made our way back into the side paddock (first re-locking the forgotten gate) as all the beautiful Moon-lit  babies made their way back down to the bottom paddock.  Thank You Father, for watching over the herd tonight as they quietly found their way to the front lawn, before my bedroom window, by the light of the moon!

How it All Started and Where I am Now by Meagan Clukie 10/29/2013

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  It seems like I have always loved horses.  When I lived in Alabama, I was able to ride horses at Gaits of Grace Farm once a month through a home school group.  I then, started taking lessons there once a month and loved every minute.

When I first started working at Victory's Gait, I was learning so much and loved everything that I was doing.  One of the things I learned was that I had a challenge horse and a lesson horse.  I was mostly working with my lesson horse, Scarlet, but once I started working with my challenge horse, Rhett, well, he was definitely a challenge!

My highlight of working here was when I was riding Rhett in the arena when he got spooked and started bucking and rearing.  I did a front flip off of Rhett and landed on my left thigh.  I got up and went to the fence because I didn't know what Rhett would do next.  All he did was run off and graze.  So, once I calmed down I got right back on him, because I knew once I fell I would have to get back on him.  After I was done riding him and we were giving him a bath, he laid his head on my leg telling me he was sorry.  Rhett and I have a special relationship and I've conquered many fears with him.

I love working here and still learn something new every day.  My future plans are to work with horses and be a horse trainer.

Horse Testimony by Grace Isakson 10/25/2013

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   I love coming to Sweet Dreams Farm and working with Rhett.  He is a challenge most of the time, but that's okay with me.  I would rather have a challenge horse than an easy going lesson horse.  Being a green-broke and playful Arabian, Rhett likes to test who's the leader.  He helps me build my confidence in this way.  Did I mention he loves treats?  Oh yes!!  I would suggest NOT saying the word "treat" around him. 

Before I came to Victory's Gait, I rode horses at my grandpa's ranch in Wyoming.  I was intimidated by the horses up there.  When the horses gave me trouble I got tense and freaked out.  I never really knew what to do.  One year, I took my grandpa's spunky filly, Mandy, to a camp called Rodeo Bible Camp.  That was a bad idea.  Mandy was all over me.  I couldn't control her.  She would toss her head and wanted to take off running.  She was nothing but trouble.

When I first came to the farm, Mrs. Vicki had me start out working with the lesson horses.  As my confidence grew, I moved up to the challenge horses.  I found out that Rhett and Mandy are quite similar from the first time I worked with him.  Rhett became my favorite horse at Victory's Gait.  I always wanted to work with him.

The next year came around and I was going to take Mandy to Rodeo Bible Camp again.  This time I knew what to work on with her.  I taught Mandy the games and other techniques I learned at Sweet Dreams Farm.  Mandy worked out great that year and I can't wait to take her again.

Also, at Sweet Dreams Farm, my faith in Christ has grown.  Mrs. Vicki has taught me to include God in what I have a passion for.  I'm glad God gave me this opportunity to come and work with Mrs. Vicki and her horses.  He has blessed me very much.

Zoie's Heart 02/06/2013

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  Zoie's growing up! Last week the sweet little-girl-turned-young-lady reached the ripe age of 11!  While our culture teaches that milestones are made by one's age, it serves us well to remember that God sees the heart as man looks outward (1 Samuel 16:7). Especially in young Zoie's case. 
  On the day Zoie was to have her Pony Party,the weather called for a blistery day of snow.   Worried about the cold-tollerance level of the root-n-toot-n cowgirls that would celebrate, thought came to change the party date. However, the morning of the Pony Party, I awoke thinking it may be good for the party-goers to see that horses need to be handled in all weather conditions. So, THE PARTY WAS ON!  Amazingly, as the large snow flakes fell immediately prior to their arrival, I whispered prayers for the Lord to come and have His way.  My awesome volunteer Kayla came bundled up to help. As we began demonstrating the "Games Horses Play" in the round pen, I was taken back by the number of guests that continued coming and coming, until there was a line of cars across the breadth of the roundpen, extending even closer to the front porch! The eager young riders, some experienced, many not so, were very patient and loving with the horses and each other. It was obvious that God was in our midst.  The families of the guests helped where help was needed, effortlessly! And then as the weather continued it's wintery advance on the day, the party ended with Birthday Cookie and drinks, lots of hot chocolate in the basement canning kitchen. A HUGE SUCCESS!  Who would have thought, but GOD?  After turning the horses out with the herd, I made my way to to the back of the house saying goodbye to the families and their winter-brave students along the way. As I stood talking with Zoie's family in the canning kitchen, Paula, her mom, handed me a little gift bag. "Zoie wanted to do this for you, Mrs. Vicki". As I peered into the bag, I caught my breath as I saw a mulitude of bills, 5's, 10's, 20's! When Zoie had sent out the original invitations to the party, she asked her guests in lieu of presents, to make donations to Sweet Dreams Farm. OH MY HEART BE STILL - ZOIE'S GROWING UP!!
Thank you Father, thank you Zoie, thank you families that came and gave your time and contributions!

Leah's Fall 01/21/2013

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       Her frame petite, like that of a model Barbie Doll; her smile and contagious giggle, beckons you join her  excitement about life!  It is her trademark Red Flaxen Hair that captivates your attention as it flounces about her  quick movement.
      Last Spring, Leah came to get vegetables with her little man Emmet and we soon became good friends..Conversing about the Atlanta Carriage Horses, her passion for their well-being and proper care revealed the nature of her heart and her compassion for Kingdom animals.
 Leah is a promising young horse enthusiast eager to learn the ropes of  Natural Horsemanship  and most recently willing to take the "fall"  for no other reason than to add a "notch" to her growing level of equine experience. Wow, that was a thought-ful!  While In all the years I've worked with students to develop a strong foundation in horses through their  Natural Horsemanship skills, I can't recall a single student willing to take a fall. Until Leah!  In fact my primary goal is to train and equip students to avoid the pit-falls of the horse's unpredictable  prey-mentality. .
     Don't get me wrong, Leah's not  self-indulgent for punishment - not by a far stretch of the imagination!  She follows instruction  and adapts readily to the task. Her small frame is stronger than appears and she handles her stead with finesse! 
     So when Leah began pairing with Pal, the largest, strongest lead gelding in the herd, I certainly had no qualms. She handled
him confidently and Pal responded lovingly .  It was when he bolted into a gallop around the bend and down the hill, that Leah kept going at that 90 degree angle. As she tumbled off his back, Pal stopped less than 5 feet from his rider's fall as if to wait for her return to complete the ride they began at the barn. Jumping to her feet, Leah shouted "I'm ALRIGHT'! We hugged and prayed and breathed deeply and sobbed. The fall had happened, the notch was made. Facing her fears, Leah  re-mounted her waiting steed and chalked it all up to the experience she would need!
     Psalm 91 Is a wonderful reminder of God's loving care and compassion for us. "He gives His angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways". Yes, He really does loves and cares for us Leah, more than we will ever know!

Winter's Frame of Life 01/06/2013

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  When winter's place has come, all barren are the trees;
The grass has whithered gray, the green no more to see. The brisk air, the frozen ground, seems hopeless to surmount. My hands so cold, my ears turn red, my cheeks and nose aglow. The heavy coats, and gloves and socks and boots so weigh us down.
 Oh come, let's go on to the meadow!  Look o'r  there,  through  branches;  the thicket can I see; in places once grew  dense, now opened up for me!
Oh beauty of the form of life seems stillness and on hold. Oh peer with me through barren sea of winter's frame of life. The things we see and depth of view still lingers fore our eyes. In past once hidden, now clearly seen quicken from within.. So walk with me, yea contemplate the Frame of Winter's Life..

Norman Returns 01/02/2013

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  Has it been 3 years since that fateful day in North Ga where we first met Norman? It was a day I will never forget. Having previously encouraged Farmer Jerry and my son, Craig and granddaughter Kaylee, to plow and plant a garden for a woman's rehabilitation center, we were all pitching in to get-er-done! The day was clear, sunny and humid, a late Spring day in May .  When we first arrived I noticed off in the distant field 2 horses in a wire fence lot, but did not pay particular attention until a lady in charge of the facility pulled in the drive close to the garden area we were busy in. She leaned out her window and motioned to the horses in the field, commenting that the younger of the two had been ill and knowing that I worked with horses, wondered if I would take a look at him before leaving, which I agreed to. As we finished up in the garden,  I beckoned to Kaylee to walk with me over to the field where the horses stood gazing out as we approached. As we walked closer, I could see that Norman was a young frail little guy. His red fur was scuffed and he had huge open sores on both sides of his withers that poured out infection, blood and cankered dirt and debris. Besides all his obvious injury and illness, Norman was seriously emaciated.  Tears welled my eyes as the question, "Can you (I) help this horse"? rose up from my belly. I grabbed a bucket and began to wash Norman's wounds..
Three years later, with Norman now a household name on our farm, Norman's been "companion" sitting with a neighbor's mare while she has been off to college. The timing of Norman's visit was perfect , for he needed Savannah's acceptance to bolster his deflated ego.Three years of abundant TLC, extra feed and smelling like an emergency room from antibiotics and healing salves, kept Norman at bay from the other horses who  had refused to accept him into the herd. Savannah needed a companion and Norman needed acceptance. Now it has been decided that  the mare will go to college in South GA with his owner as she pursues an education and Norman will return home to our farm.  Today I brought him over to spend time alone in the pasture with Pal, the masculine leader of our herd. As I watched them playfully nibbling on each other and then resume to grazing the bare winter fields, I had a peace that Norman will find his place in the herd as he returns to Victory's Gait!

 Rain or Shine! 01/01/2013

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  Here we go 2013!    In the early morning hours, as the rain steadily  comes down, we contemplate snuggling under the warm covers, just a little while longer. Before heading out to brave the cold, the reality of  life on the farm seeps in to remind us that staying on track with chores early helps to keep one's whit as the day goes by. So much to do, so little time, as they say!
Enter Victory's Gait volunteer, Amy. Recently she and another helper/friend, Anna came one afternoon to help with the horses and hopefully have a little fun playing with the horses.The plan was to help with evening chores, have dinner, spend the night and as I overheard their up-n-meet-plan, I wondered if the forcasted rains would hinder their great expectations!  Little did the young  equine enthusists know that heavy down spouts of rain would try to interfere with their plans. As I woke in the morning, I caught glimpse of the industrious young gals heading out the door.   They diligently pursued their efforts to help
 maintain life on the farm. Pouring a second cup of Mate green tea, I peered out the window to see them through the downpour, working the games with the horses in the arena! What a dedicated volunteer crew the Lord has sent, I thought to myself..it isn't too often that I get a day off, much less, a rainy day off!
Psalm 20:2  reminds us that God sends help from His sanctuary He gives us strength.. ...It doesn't matter our circumstance or situation.Our hope and expectation comes from the Lord (Ps 62:5). When our ways are committed to God, through prayer, He sends help from His sanctuary to give us exactly what He already knows that we need!

Get To Writing! 12/30/2012

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  For years many friends and acquaintances have encouraged me to write. Seems like just being busy  taking care of the farm has been a good enough excuse why not to write.. So determined to be obedient, as 2012 draws to a close, I feel the Lord's prompting to begin to write the amazing stories that our family has experienced on the farm on this blog. At least for starters, I need a place to begin.. We have witnessed some amazing miracles that need to be recorded and documented. Who knows, maybe a book will come out of this after all?  My heart is to be able to relate some of the conversations and practical lessons I've been taught by God, penned (if you will), in  an equine devotional form.   It seems that one of my primary roles (besides tending to the herd), is mentoring the students and sometimes their families that come to the farm. Teach, train and equip is a primary function..Many think it is just the skill of horsemanship that they are coming to learn,. But honestly, our relationship with the horses only mirror our Creator's intention to draw us closer to Him through His Creation in the horse. Facing our fears, remaining steadfast and believing Him to find and to reach  out for our destiny and purpose to come to pass. Regardless of the seemingly  mundane or nothingness we face daily, we must learn that faith comes by trusting God in all of our circustances and situations, Focus on Him will build our confidence to know  that He has given each one of us a hope and a future. So make a decision today to press on to the higher call.. Listen, can you hear Him calling you?  "Then they heard a loud voice saying to them, Come up here.." Revelation 11:12