Gelinas Farm, started by Bob Gelinas, is family owned and run and has been in continuos operation for over 50 years. It is a working horse and cattle farm spread out over 100 acres, of which nearly 50 acres is fertile pasture.
The farm's beginnings were centered around a small cattle operation and the transportation of livestock. Over the the years, horses were incorporated into the farm as they began to play a larger and more important role in both the family's personal lives and then, as a natural component, to the operations of the farm.
|
The driving force behind our horse operation, simply put, is "Quality Horsemanship". Horsemanship can mean different things to different people. To us it means providing the horseman with the knowledge and skill that allows them to communicate with their horse in such a manner that brings out the full potential of both parties. It's not "horse whispering", but rather a body position, a touch, a feel and so on, that "asks" the horse. You ask the horse for things in such a way they want to respond and respond as we would want. Also, it's us knowing, or trying to know, what the horse's concerns are and what they are telling us so we can provide them with what they are asking for and in a format they can understand. Horsemanshp is a practice that is performed at all times and crossess all disciplines and breeds.
|
There are two separate barns for horses that are outfitted with large box stalls with the horse, and handler, in mind. One barn is attached to the indoor arena and the other is standalone horse barn about 75 feet from the indoor.
We feel that a horse is at their best if they are allowed to graze, move around and socialize with other horses. Therefore, we encourage putting all horses out on pasture during the day, with some staying out overnight depending on conditions. Allowing the "horse to be a horse" helps them learn from their herd mates the boundaires of acceptable behavior, trust and confidence.
|
We want our horses, and your horses, to be a dependable part of the team.... the team being you and your horse. Quality Horsemanship is the foundation for this relationship. Our professional staff of instructors work hard at expanding their horsmanship skills while transferring this knowledge to their students. Our instructors attend clinics throughout the year and in all parts of the country. The beginning thoughts of most all of the great horseman include, "what is this horse going to teach me today." It's not all work an no play. Above we are having some fun "milking a cow". Not the preferred techinque, but that horse holding the slack out of the rope is just a youngster. He's learning patience and commitment. And he's having fun too!
|
|
