Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jul 15, 2011, 6:55 pm
Whew!  I can’t believe how time has slipped away from me, once again.  My poor, neglected blogs…  In one of my last posts I alluded to some exciting news that I had yet to reveal.  That news is one of the biggest reasons why I have been absent from the blog world recently (well, that and my ...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 22, 2011, 6:11 am
I know that my “30 Day Challenge” is becoming more like a “90 Day Challenge” at this rate, but there are a lot of exciting things going on in my world here.  I’m looking forward to sharing them soon, and thanks for bearing with me as I muddle along.  On to Day 10…. Past and Present S...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 19, 2011, 6:05 am
Alright, Ed is killing me over at Sunday Stills with these challenges!  I can’t seem to fit these last few challenges into my self-imposed horse theme, so I’m just going to break down and go with what I have in the archives.  Enjoy…. This photo was taken on a recent camping trip to Manatee ...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 16, 2011, 6:29 am
Most challenging horse Photo courtesy of Larry Williams Another easy topic!  In 1998, I decided to add Zippo Par Three to my show string to take my game to the next level.  Par Three, or Spanky as I called him, had spent the previous eight years in a successful breeding program but we all felt ...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 8, 2011, 9:13 am
Event you want to try I’ve tried a lot of things over my years of riding.  Most of the events I’ve never tried are because I didn’t want to.  (You jumpers scare the heck out of me!!) But there are a few things I’ve just never had the opportunity to do.  One of them is dressage.  The cl...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 7, 2011, 7:46 am
Favorite event Over the years, I have competed in a lot of events and tried almost everything a time or two.  My favorite events have always been the showmanship and equitation classes.  I have always been a somewhat shy and reserved person in my daily life, but something about the thrill of a h...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 7, 2011, 6:00 am
Favorite event Over the years, I have competed in a lot of events and tried almost everything a time or two.  My favorite events have always been the showmanship and equitation classes.  I have always been a somewhat shy and reserved person in my daily life, but something about the thrill of a h...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 7, 2011, 12:08 am
I was checking my analytics today and I noticed that I have recently gotten a large number of hits on search terms involving the western horse trainer Cleve Wells.  I became curious as to why he is suddenly such a hot topic and began to search around.  I was set on my heels by what I found.   Th...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 6, 2011, 6:07 am
Most accomplished horse My 1996 show string: Chiped Ice (Icy), Prince Tyler (Tyler), and Some Kind of Gin (Floyd) This is an easy pick.  Of all the horses I have ever had the pleasure of loving, Chiped Ice was in a league of his own.  He was a rare combination of talent, personality, and try tha...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 5, 2011, 9:59 am
Worst horse related injury I’ve been pretty lucky in this department.  In spite of my propensity for falls (See Day 4′s post), I have been relatively injury free.  I like to think it’s because I’m so good at falling off!  I better touch wood here….=) My worst injury was the one to my...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 5, 2011, 6:00 am
Keeping it simple this week… all photos taken at my nephew’s 3rd birthday on Saturday. Please visit Sunday Stills to check out all of this week’s contributions!
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 4, 2011, 11:28 pm
Your first fall I’m just going to say that I have fallen a lot.  Like, if there were a prize to be awarded for perfecting the art of falling off, it would be retired with me because I would have won it so much.  For the record, my falling habit is not restricted to horse activities – I fall...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 3, 2011, 6:29 am
When and why I started riding… I remember a few of us bloggers debating the existance of a “horse gene” a few years ago.   My very scientifically educated self argues that Yes!  There is absolutely a horse gene and I am a prime example of its expression!  I grew up obsessed with horses. ...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 2, 2011, 6:30 am
Photo of your first horse   I guess I fall in love easily and for all the wrong reasons…the first horse I ever loved was Eagle, the twenty-something leopard gelding that was so different looking; then came Dusty, the troubled Quarter Horse that had a permanent chip on his shoulder; and finally,...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 2, 2011, 6:01 am
Once again, it’s time for Thankful Thursday! I hope this post inspires you to consider the things in your life that you are grateful for. If you have a blog, consider posting about it there and link back here. If you don’t have a blog, please feel welcome to comment here on what you are grateful...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 1, 2011, 6:21 am
This review is cross-posted from The SlobberDog.  Apologies if you have already seen it, but I felt this product was too good not to share with my horsey friends too!  It would be perfect for a horse show weekend with the kitties included! As you already know (if you don’t, you can read about i...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 1, 2011, 12:12 am
In my efforts to catch up on all the blogs I’ve been behind on for so long, I just recently stopped by A Good Horse, a blog I’m ashamed to say I haven’t caught up on in awhile.  I noticed a few blog posts referencing a “30 Day Horse Challenge” which seems to have been started over at A H...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 31, 2011, 10:22 pm
We have some really great giveaways that are already underway for June at Pets Blogroll.  You won’t want to miss these ones!  Read on… First Giveaway:  Lucky Me, a book by Christi Drue Dunlap About the book: “Lucky Me”, narrated by a rescued dog named Rocky, provides a guide to childre...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 29, 2011, 1:56 am
This week’s Sunday Stills challenge was to photograph a variety of weeds and grasses and I had some fun with this one.  I think my new BO thought I was a little nutty when she walked out of the barn and saw me crawling around taking photos of what she (very scientifically) described as “poopw...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 17, 2011, 8:14 pm
The other day I was at the grocery and I realized people were looking at me oddly.  I started thinking about it and I realized this wasn’t the first time I’d noticed that recently… Why on earth were people giving me strange looks?  It wasn’t until I got home and kicked off my boots that th...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 15, 2011, 12:18 am
This week’s Sunday Stills challenge was to shoot up or down the subject.  I had some really great ideas for this one, but due to a crazy work schedule and horrific weather, the shoot never materialized.  I still came up with a few that I liked as I was hanging around the barn waiting for the st...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 11, 2011, 6:23 pm
Now that it’s been almost two weeks since Tiny and I have relocated our horsing operations, I thought it was time for an update on barn life.  I got permission from the new BO to talk about the happenings there and take photos (which I’ve yet to do, unfortunately).  Tiny is settling in great....
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 8, 2011, 12:29 am
This week’s Sunday Stills challenge was to photograph knobs and handles.  I had trouble with this and had NO inspiration.  So I fudged a little and did my own interpretation of  ”handles.”  Enjoy!
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 7, 2011, 8:08 pm
It’s so hard to believe that today my little pony is 17 years old!  She was such an unexpected gift to me in so many ways.  When she was born a month early, with twisty crooked legs, no one knew what would become of her.  She was so little and so awkward that she got lost in the foal crop. �...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 6, 2011, 10:49 am
You’ve ridden your horse diligently, practiced your event until you are prepared to excel, and you arrive at a horse show ready to be a star.  So what separates the shooting stars from the falling stars?  It’s all in the details.  I’ve learned a lot of things about competing over the years,...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 4, 2011, 10:09 am
May is an exciting month over at Pets Blogroll. If you haven’t joined up yet, or if you haven’t visited in awhile, you should think about stopping by. We have two great giveaways lined up for this month and SlobberDog has been most excited to sample the products and tell everyone how much he app...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 1, 2011, 5:00 am
This Sunday Stills challenge was to take creative photos of rust.  While packing Tiny’s things for our move I came across a bucket of old horse shoes.  They were perfect for this challenge. A Study in Horseshoes Thank you so much for visting!  I hope you enjoyed my interpretation of this chal...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 29, 2011, 8:41 am
Yesterday was Tiny’s final night at her current barn.  The plan is to move her to a new place today.  I had gone over there last night to ride and pack my things, but I ended up not even getting on her.  We spent the evening just being together.  Yesterday I read a post over at Camera-Obscura ...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 27, 2011, 8:27 am
I started using the Schneiders Mosquito Mesh fly protection products several years ago, when Tiny was at the peak of her sweet itch problems.  They grabbed my attention because they are advertised to protect against bites from the smallest insects and the tiny Culicoides gnat was causing her the...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 24, 2011, 5:00 am
This week’s Sunday Stills challenge was to photograph flowers and wildflowers blooming in our areas.  Believe it or not, wildflowers aren’t terribly common in central Florida, especially right now with temperatures heating up and very little rain in the forecasts.  So I thought I’d do a lit...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 24, 2011, 4:59 am
Here are the horseless flower photos that I’ve taken during my travels.   Hope you enjoy! The first photo was taken at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden  near Cape Town, South Africa.  This place is a playground  for those of us who enjoy nature’s gifts.  The  second photo was taken on a fa...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 22, 2011, 8:08 am
Pray to What Earth Pray to what earth does this sweet cold belong, Which asks no duties and no conscience? The moon goes up by leaps, her cheerful path In some far summer stratum of the sky, While stars with their cold shine bedot her way. The fields gleam mildly back upon the sky, And far a...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 20, 2011, 8:35 am
The Achilles Heel.  This phrase often refers to something that leads to a downfall.  Over the past year, I’ve often questioned whether my horse affliction has become my Achilles Heel.   What?!  I know, I know… Let me explain.  As you know, I have been obsessed with horses from the time I c...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 17, 2011, 12:31 pm
This week’s challenge was a hard one to come back to after my break!  Anyone who knows me KNOWS the kitchen is not a safe place for me to be.  And recipes?  Hmph.  But as I recovered from my initial panic then procrastination, I thought maybe it was time to make some of  Tiny’s favorite pep...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 15, 2011, 12:49 pm
Things on the horse front have been pretty quiet.  I opted to move Tiny from Emma’s place in December, for a number of reasons.  After I moved in August, it became a lot more inconvenient to go ride as she was now more than 30 minutes away from my house.  Plus, going to visit your horse that li...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 14, 2011, 8:26 am
Once again, it’s time for Thankful Thursday! I hope this post inspires you to consider the things in your life that you are grateful for. If you have a blog, consider posting about it there and link back here. If you don’t have a blog, please feel welcome to comment here on what you are grateful...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 22, 2010, 7:00 am
As some of you may know, my cousin Jenn moved to Vermont a few months ago.  I was so surprised to get a package from her for Tiny a few weeks later!  Apparently she ran into this adorable 10 year old entrepreneur – Emma –  at a local feed store, and the treats she was selling looked so good t...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 20, 2010, 7:00 am
Whew!  This week was a challenge…I had a clear idea of what I wanted to photograph, but between prior commitments and bad weather it never materialized.  My “cheat” was to abandon my self imposed horse requirement and pull from the archives, but even that has proven difficult due to some mem...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 17, 2010, 7:00 am
Thankful Thursday is going on hiatus for a little while, but will be back soon! Stay Thankful! I was wandering through the displays at the Equine Affaire in April, when a large poster caught my eye. Of course, being a spot lovin’ Appaloosa girl, the photo of a striking blue roan horse with a dis...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 15, 2010, 7:00 am
A few weeks back I heard about a terrible vehicle accident involving a horse trailer in Ohio.  The truck’s front tire failed and caused the vehicle to strike a tree and overturn.  This sort of story is a nightmare for any traveling horse owner.  I used to be the primary driver of our rig for ma...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 13, 2010, 1:00 am
This week’s topic is “Eyes” and if you’re a regular reader, you know how fond of this topic I am! Tiny's beautiful eye   My cousin John's dog, Kodi, waiting for visitors   This sheep resides in Western Pennsylvania at Round Hill Park.    Check out Sunday Stills for other entries, ...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Jun 10, 2010, 7:00 am
Once again, it’s time for Thankful Thursday! I hope this post inspires you to consider the things in your life that you are grateful for. If you have a blog, consider posting about it there and link back here. If you don’t have a blog, please feel welcome to comment here on what you are grateful...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 27, 2010, 6:23 pm
Once again, it’s time for Thankful Thursday! I hope this post inspires you to consider the things in your life that you are grateful for. If you have a blog, consider posting about it there and link back here. If you don’t have a blog, please feel welcome to comment here on what you are grateful...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 15, 2010, 2:55 pm
A long time ago, I came across a website that featured a number of historic hikes through central Florida neighborhoods.  I was shocked to find Geneva, Florida on the list – Tiny’s hometown!  I vowed to one day take that hike through Geneva on horseback and explore all the secrets this little ...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 9, 2010, 1:00 am
This week’s challenge is to photograph things that start with the letter “B” and I could have gone forever with this one!  Just a few of my many selections….. A water bucket waiting to be scrubbed   A brush and a bottle of fly spray Bridles...well, technically headstalls, but I loved t...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - May 2, 2010, 6:00 am
Some commonly seen controls in the barn… Check out Sunday Stills for other entries, as well as Laughing Orca Ranch, The Skoog Farm Journal, All Horse Stuff, and Baba Yaga’s Mirror,  all of whom frequently participate in the challenge.
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 29, 2010, 7:00 am
 Once again, it’s time for Thankful Thursday! I hope this post inspires you to consider the things in your life that you are grateful for. If you have a blog, consider posting about it there and link back here. If you don’t have a blog, please feel welcome to comment here on what you are gratef...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 25, 2010, 1:00 am
This week’s challenge is to photograph barns.  Here is my contribution… Check out Sunday Stills for other entries, as well as Laughing Orca Ranch, The Skoog Farm Journal, All Horse Stuff, and Baba Yaga’s Mirror,  all of whom frequently participate in the challenge.
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 22, 2010, 7:56 am
Image courtesy of lulinhapato10, Photobucket   Once again, it’s time for Thankful Thursday! I hope this post inspires you to consider the things in your life that you are grateful for. If you have a blog, consider posting about it there and link back here. If you don’t have a blog, please fee...
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Michelle DiPiazza posted an article on FromTheHorsesBack - Apr 21, 2010, 12:32 am
John Lyons discusses collection of the horse at Equine Affaire 2010 John Lyons is a well known clinician and horse trainer, especially in the western stock horse world.  He has been active in the horse show community for many, many years and has won numerous accolades and awards for his riding and...
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