Domnarski Farm Blog Log

Barre Riding Club Trail Ride May 7th Canceled

2011-05-02T13:26:00.002-04:00

Got a call last night from the Barre Riding Club that they are concerned about the wet parking and forecast rain. The trails are marked so anyone that would still like to ride is welcome free of charge. Please call or text 413-262-8432 or e-mail DomnarskiFarm@aol.com anytime you would like for us to open the gate so we know who is out there :)

2011-04-12T13:30:00.002-04:00

8 mile:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/81997196
15 mile:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/81749953
Both rides go left up hill and complete 5 mile loop following yellow ribbons. Then both rides go right behind stonewall and follow orange/pink ribbons.
8 mile cuts back left at "BEGINNER" sign. 15 miler follows remainder of orange/pink ribbons.

2011-04-12T13:22:00.001-04:00

2011-04-12T13:20:00.001-04:00

2011-04-12T13:19:00.000-04:00

2011-04-12T13:18:00.000-04:00

2011-04-12T13:17:00.000-04:00

Barre Riding Club recon...

2011-04-12T13:15:00.000-04:00

Hopper.

2011-02-28T13:49:00.000-05:00

Henry & Ben Domnarski

2011-02-28T13:47:00.000-05:00

Ice hockey

2011-02-28T13:46:00.000-05:00

Yogi imitates Wooly Mammoth.

2011-02-28T13:43:00.001-05:00

Winter Sleigh Ride!

2010-01-11T17:14:00.001-05:00

Pattaquattic Mounted Patrol

2009-07-17T10:14:00.000-04:00

Rangers Henry & Ben

2009-07-17T10:13:00.000-04:00

Off to keep the wilderness safe!

2009-07-17T10:11:00.000-04:00

2009-04-06T17:55:00.002-04:00

2009-04-06T17:53:00.000-04:00

2009-04-06T17:14:00.001-04:00

Sabrina gets brushed...

2009-03-30T14:19:00.001-04:00

Draggin hay in 2007

2009-03-30T14:17:00.001-04:00

Henry headed to third floor.

2009-03-30T14:12:00.000-04:00

Lisa's cousin, Derek Swist takes his first ride on a perfect day.

2009-03-28T19:11:00.000-04:00

Away we go...http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.do?episodePk.pkValue=7888749

2009-03-28T19:10:00.000-04:00

Matt and Cocoa lead Derek and Roger up the hill.

2009-03-28T19:09:00.000-04:00

Amelia Bachand spends a dream day at the Domnarski Farm.

2009-03-28T08:49:00.000-04:00

OK...the bucket goes here...I'll be in the house....let me know when you are done with all twelve stalls!

2009-03-28T08:48:00.001-04:00

That's right...we have a machine that makes sure these stalls are super clean!

2009-03-28T08:47:00.000-04:00

That manure can be heavy!

2009-03-28T08:46:00.000-04:00

Saddle pad...

2009-03-28T08:45:00.000-04:00

Angry skies! Mimi dreaming that Cocoa is just like "Spirit"!

2009-03-28T08:44:00.000-04:00

Mimi on Cocoa while he looks for grazing!

2009-03-28T08:43:00.000-04:00

Mimi leads Cocoa to the barn to get a saddle.

2009-03-28T08:41:00.000-04:00

Good day for a trail ride.

2009-03-05T18:03:00.001-05:00

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/7736573

2009-01-25T09:54:00.001-05:00

First rides of 2009!

2009-01-25T09:48:00.002-05:00

First ride of the year: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/7492978

Second ride: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/7496059

Third ride: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/7500416

Lisa and I took out Cocoa and Roger for three rides in a row. They are fat, and getting old, so we took it easy on them. The plan is to get them in shape for lots of riding in 2009.

The most difficult challenge was the first stream crossing. I don't know a horse that likes feel of breaking through ice. Cocoa and Roger were hesitant, but relied on their trail experience and our trust to make it up the trail.

Chewbacca gets refreshment at the Hardwick Fair.

2008-09-25T09:55:00.000-04:00

Linda "Sabrina" & Ronda.

2008-08-22T11:12:00.000-04:00

Can your horse do this?

2008-08-22T11:02:00.000-04:00

2008-08-22T10:48:00.000-04:00

More practice...

First trail ride?

"take a picture of my horse...not me!"

2008-08-22T09:51:00.001-04:00

Matt on Roger.

Leah and her daughter holding Sabrina.

Signing in with Diane Godek aka "Mrs. GRHC"

Pictures by Ronda!

2008-08-22T09:45:00.002-04:00

Sherri on "My Sexy Boyffriend!!!!"

Some Canadiens!

May as well warm up on the trail trials course...

George on "Blondie". That's a big horse.

Linda on her Paso, "Sabrina".

Domnarski Fun Family Ride

2008-08-02T20:06:00.003-04:00

The whole Domnarski Family rides! When you imagine how many things could work against you, its amazing that we have three horse, four family members and it all works out to perfection. Even "Puppy" joins us! Priceless.

2007-11-06T19:05:00.000-05:00

2007-11-06T19:02:00.000-05:00

2007-11-06T18:26:00.000-05:00

BSTRA trail ride a new record for the Domnarski Farm!

2007-07-18T14:47:00.001-04:00

Thanks to all who attended Sunday's Bay State Trail Riders ride at the Domnarski Farm. 51 BSTRA riders and 4 Domnarski Farm boarders made the total of 55 horses for the event. 34 trailers of various sizes attended and parking got a bit tight at the peak, but no problems. Looks like closer parking might be necessary to beat the 55 horse record.

Lisa and I really enjoy having visitors with horses. As I put it to one rider, "Its really fun to meet new horses and not have to pay for them!"

I've posted a few pictures and have many more but it takes time to upload them. Please feel free to comment, especially where there is no title to help identify the horse, rider and origin. If you click on the photo they enlarge and if you right click on them, you can save and print them for your personal use.

Again, we were very pleased to have you and look forward to setting a new record next time!

Happy trails!

Matthew, Lisa, Henry and Ben Domnarski
Domnarski Farm

2007-07-18T14:46:00.000-04:00

2007-07-18T14:16:00.000-04:00

2007-07-18T14:14:00.000-04:00

Madeline is ready.

2007-07-18T14:12:00.000-04:00

2007-07-18T14:10:00.000-04:00

That blue thing is the future site of a water well/hand pump.

2007-07-18T14:07:00.000-04:00

2007-07-18T14:03:00.000-04:00

10 in a row!

2007-07-18T13:54:00.000-04:00

2007-07-18T13:45:00.000-04:00

2007-07-18T13:37:00.000-04:00

Madeline starts up the trail with Yogi.

2007-07-18T13:34:00.000-04:00

Suzanne on Roger

2007-07-18T13:31:00.000-04:00

2007-07-18T13:27:00.000-04:00

2007-07-18T13:22:00.000-04:00

Up, up and away from the Domnarski Farm parking area.

2007-07-18T13:16:00.000-04:00

More trailers park.

2007-07-18T13:11:00.000-04:00

2007-07-18T13:08:00.000-04:00

2007-07-18T12:56:00.000-04:00

2007-07-18T12:53:00.000-04:00

Madeline Pranaitis with Yogi.

2007-07-18T12:47:00.000-04:00

Cocoa is ready for the trail.

2007-03-29T20:45:00.000-04:00

Lisa, Puppy and I got a good ride in yesterday on Cocoa and Roger. There is still lots of frost yet to thaw in the ground so the footing wasn't all that great. Hooves would break through, sometimes as much as six inches. We aren't much for galloping, and all I could picture was a broken horse leg if we did. Then the wind kicked up. I still enjoyed the ride and saw a few brown and yellow butterflies. lisa hates the wind and was glad when it was over. Puppy slept well since he had gone out with Danni and Nikki to "the picnic area" aka the old Brown Farm ruins, earlier in the day.

If you look closely, you can see enough fur to make a second horse after brushing Cocoa. Its getting warmer and he is really shedding out.

I think I'll mount the GPS to my horn today.

2007-03-29T20:36:00.000-04:00

I've been experimenting with a GPS to mark the trails but the Garmin 305 Edge does so much more than that. Combined with www.motionbased.com software it will keep track of your mileage, the weather, wind, temperature, heart rate (for you or your horse depending where you put the sensor). You can view your trip on a road map or on Google Earth. Here was the ride that Lisa and I took yesterday on Roger and Cocoa:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2339952

Maybe not practical but good for satellite reception.

2007-03-29T20:33:00.000-04:00

Garmin Edge 305 mounted on the horn.

2007-03-29T20:29:00.000-04:00

Lisa, Puppy and I get ready to go as Sister sends us off.

2007-03-29T20:27:00.000-04:00

Lisa and Roger on the trail.

2007-03-29T20:16:00.000-04:00

Just as we were coming back, Linda was headed out with Sabrina.

2007-03-29T20:12:00.000-04:00

Linda and Danni hanging out before yesterday's ride.

2007-03-29T20:10:00.000-04:00

The Danni that we know and LOVE!!!

2007-03-29T20:08:00.000-04:00

2007-03-29T20:04:00.000-04:00

Dr. Sarah Newton gives Roger the Yearly Shots

2007-03-29T20:00:00.000-04:00

"Does my ass look big in these cross ties?

2007-03-29T19:58:00.000-04:00

Nikki & Danni ride for "Team Deutschland"

2007-03-29T19:52:00.000-04:00

Lisa spreads some hay in the pasture. Chance eats it. Danni looks on.

2007-03-29T19:49:00.000-04:00

Got Shavings?

2007-03-29T19:46:00.000-04:00

But first I needed to install the new 2" ball & hitch that was stolen while skiing at Wachusett Mtn.

2007-03-29T19:41:00.000-04:00

"Mom, Its been a long time since I petted animals."

2007-03-29T19:38:00.000-04:00

Good Puppy!

2007-03-29T19:31:00.000-04:00

Maya brings a basket of treats!

2007-03-29T19:24:00.000-04:00

Lisa Turcotte and Fizz in the round pen...

2007-03-28T08:05:00.000-04:00

Linda and Ronda look on...

2007-03-28T08:01:00.000-04:00

2007-03-15T21:29:00.000-04:00

One of the MSP Lawrence Air Base pilots, and good friend, John J. Hanafin took his first trail ride on Roger at the Domnarski Farm after our monthly unit Safety Meeting at Westover. The 68 degree high temp was unbelieveable. Almost as unbelieveable as the Nor'Easter headed this way tomorrow.

I brought the Garmin Edge 305 GPS with us but didn't have a place to mount it. It worked accurately in my pocket for the first 3 miles or so but didn't register properly ascending Rondeau Road and north on St. John's Road and back via Tavern Road. I might rig a clip to the horn for better satellite acquisition.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2245497

Some terrain was sloppy but we enjoyed a slow deliberate ride. The only part that bothered the horses was breaking through some frost about a half-dozen times and some ice on the first brook crossing. It was satisfying to see them meet the challenge and persevere, thus gaining trust in our direction.

John has a mare named Beth that he keeps near hi home in Burlington, and pledge to return this year for more riding.

Danni & Nikki return from a ride while John and I head out.

2007-03-14T20:51:00.000-04:00

2007-03-14T20:38:00.000-04:00

John J. Hanafin with The Domnarski Farm behind him.

Climbing the unmaintained portion of Rondeau Road, we met two dirt bikes and a 4 wheeler. It was nice to see trail courtesy extended to us. The horses didn't mind one bit.

2007-03-14T20:31:00.000-04:00

Sister aka "Twisted Sister" gets her vintage sign mounted on stall #6.

Lisa Turcotte and Fizz

2007-03-10T14:13:00.000-05:00

Henry & Yogi get in a Winter Ride, Feb. 17

2007-03-05T16:53:00.000-05:00

The helmet cover wraps right around the bike helmet for warmth, comfort and protection.

Pony turns Sweet 16!

2007-03-05T16:50:00.000-05:00

The Domnarski Family celebrated Pony's 16th birthday on January 15th. Yogi has been a great addition to the family and we hope for many more happy, healthy years while living here happily ever after!

Happy Birthday Pony!!!

2007-03-05T16:49:00.000-05:00

2007-03-05T16:45:00.000-05:00

Pony enjoys his grain/molasses/carrot and apples cake while Henry reads him his Birthday Card. Ben helps sing Happy Birthday to You!

Domnarski Farm welcomes Lisa Turcotte and Fizz!

2007-03-05T16:38:00.000-05:00

Lisa Turcotte from Ware MA and Fizz, a 12 year old Saddlebred gelding from a rescue in NJ have arrived at the Domnarski Farm, Stall #10. The trailer arrived during the Friday downpours, but everything went well with the move. Currently we are at 10 horses and will have room for two more after some more fencing is completed. Welcome Lisa and Fizz!

2007-03-05T16:37:00.000-05:00

2007-03-05T16:36:00.000-05:00