February 2025 Newsletter

4/11/2025

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February 2025 Newsletter

Dear Friends of Storm Chaser Stables,

I hope this message finds you warm and cozy! Though the weather this week has been beautiful, Winter has certainly made its presence known here at the farm—we’ve been hammered by multiple winter storms this year. These storms have delayed our projects and kept us busy with the daily challenges of horse care in the cold. Despite the weather setbacks, we’re making steady progress and have some exciting updates to share!

Class Delays, Enrollments Open, & Other Program Updates

Due to the ongoing winter weather and project delays, we are pushing back the start of all lessons to April 6, 2025 at the earliest—this includes Team Classes. Please stay tuned for more updates!

A few Horsemanship Classes still have space available. Once the weather improves, spots are expected to fill quickly! Don’t wait —please complete updated enrollment forms and waivers to reserve your spot!
Despite class delays, Equestrian Team Commitments for 2025 are still due by March 1st. I will reach out to schedule the first Team meeting after this date. If you’d like to join, be sure to submit your application HERE!
All students must submit updated enrollment & waiver forms before attending any classes at the new farm. Links to forms:
- Horsemanship Class Enrollment form
- Equine Activity Liability Waiver form

Summer Day Camp dates and Farm School Co-Op class options will not be finalized until some additional learning space projects have been completed. We appreciate your patience and will keep you informed as camps and additional classes become available!

Equestrian Team 2025 Application

Herd Updates: New Additions & More

Two new horses have joined our herd since the last newsletter! Bree is a sweet black and white pinto mare that came to us from a dear friend to join our lesson program as a team mount. Along with her came Tempest, a spunky older Irish Draft X gelding joining us as a retired boarder. We are so excited to welcome these two into our herd!

The whole herd has been getting their share of groundwork, handling, and care time this winter. It has been a challenge with all of the snow, ice, and mud—everything is taking extra time! We are working to help each horse settle into their new environment. While none of the horses are ready to be ridden yet, your favorite horses and ponies of SCS are building their stamina up to be ready for lessons when they resume this Spring!

Farm Progress & Upcoming Projects

Between snow, ice, and high winds with the last couple of storms, keeping up with farm improvements has been a challenge. However, we’ve still managed to make crucial repairs to the barn’s roof supports and put up a temporary holding pen and treatment area in the farmyard. We also acquired a tractor (woohoo!!), which has been a total game changer for getting hay out and stabilizing high-traffic areas with gravel.

Next on the list:

Constructing permanent run-in shelters for each field to replace our temporary setups
Transitioning temporary fences into permanent 3-board fencing and enclosing the arena space
Creating a visitor parking area by the entrance gate
Interior barn improvements – constructing feed room, kickboards, stalls, and exterior door

While progress is happening, the biggest delays have been due to the three major storms we’ve experienced plus financial constraints. That’s why we appreciate every bit of support, including signing up for upcoming classes, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about what we do. We appreciate you!

Behind the Scenes: New Offerings!

While farm work has been a huge focus this Winter, I’ve also been busy creating printable PDF mindful journaling prompts and coloring pages for our revamped Etsy storefront, Gallop N Grow Printable! Coming soon:

□ Early Learner Worksheet Packs for little ones
□️ More mindful coloring pages & journal prompts
□ Planners for wellness & homeschooling

These resources are designed to support mindfulness, creativity, and early learning—perfect for farm families and anyone looking for engaging, screen-free activities! I’ll be sharing links as new products become available on the farm’s social pages. Keep an eye out for more releases on Etsy and in our merch store!

View SCS Merchandise

Community Involvement & Supporting Our Growth

A huge thank you is in order to everyone who has offered support during our transition to the new farm! Every hour of hands-on help, every word of encouragement, and even simply checking in on our progress has kept us on track to make this place special for our community. As we continue working on farm improvements, we’d love to welcome more helping hands. If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d be happy to have you! Just let us know when you’re available and we can work together on fencing, barn projects, or simply visiting to say hello. Just send us a message if you'd like to lend a hand!

We’ve had a lot of interest in ways to support the farm as we continue settling in and preparing to reopen. If you’d like to contribute, supporting and sharing our GoFundMe, signing up for classes, and telling your friends and family about us is a wonderful way to help. Every little bit makes a difference in keeping our programs accessible and ensuring our equine partners have the best care possible!

□ GoFundMe: Growing Future Leaders: Support Our Community Farm School

Equine Lease Program Now Accepting 2025 Applications

We’re excited to offer a limited number of equine lease opportunities! Leasing is a wonderful way to spend more time 1:1 with a horse, focusing on bonding, grooming, groundwork, and skill development beyond regular lesson times. It’s a great option for those looking to deepen their connection with a specific horse and take a more active role in day-to-day care. Several horses are still available for lease and we’d love to help match riders with the right partner. If you’re looking for a more immersive experience, this could be the perfect next step! Please reach out to us with questions or submit your application HERE.

Quick Winter Tip: Staying Warm & Dry Outdoors!

When working or playing outside in winter, layering is key! Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add an insulating middle layer (like fleece or wool), and top it off with a windproof, waterproof shell to stay comfortable. I also love to add a scarf or wild rag this time of year to keep my neck and face toasty. You won’t want to forget warm socks and a good hat—lots of heat escapes from our heads and feet, which contributes to feeling cold faster!

□ Bonus Tip: When handling horses, avoid thick, bulky gloves that reduce dexterity. A good pair of isotoner or lined leather gloves will keep your hands warm and allow you to safely handle reins and lead ropes!

Mark Your Calendars — Important Dates Below:

Team Commitments Due March 1st (first team meeting TBD)
All Horsemanship Classes Resume April 6th — this is a change and is contingent on project completion rate

Despite the challenges we’ve faced this season, we’re so incredibly grateful for you, our little community, and all the encouragement we’ve received. Whether you’re a student, a volunteer, a supporter from afar, or someone who just loves seeing farm updates—thank you for being here!

We’ll continue pushing forward, one step at a time. If you have questions, want to sign up for classes, lease a horse, or volunteer, just reply to this email or reach out on social media.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!