Trailer Tune Up before Summer!

If you are like most you haven't been able to get out lately due to current circumstances, chances are your horse trailer has been sitting around. That's why it's important to do a trailer tune up before summer so it's ready to go when you are! "A well-maintained trailer will be safer for both you and your horse than one in shoddy shape(Equisearch)."

Here's a handy checklist from an article at Equisearch to get you started.
(Note: Unless you're a truck/trailer-maintenance expert, ask a reputable trailer dealership or an experienced trailer-maintenance person to perform most of these tasks for you. With this information in hand, provide this person guidance, and check the trailer over when you pick it up.)

• Check all tires.
• Invest in spares.
• Rotate your tires.
• Check the brakes.
• Tighten the lug nuts.
• Enhance your tire kit.
• Remove and clean the mats.
• Check the floorboards.
• Lubricate the metal. 
• Make sure all the trailer lights work.
• Check the lights.
• Bonus: Apply reflective tape.

For more tips and details on the ones above, click here for the article link.

If you are looking for a new place to call home for your horse later this summer visit www.southwindfarminc.com to see if we're the right fit for you! 

Staying Motivated While At Home

Some days at home during self-quarantine (especially without barn time!) can feel as if they drag on forever making it hard to be productive. It's important to find small ways to keep positive as best you can.

Here are a few tips to keep your spirits high while at home:

1.) Adjust your thermostat to your perfect setting before you get up so it's ready to go.

2.) Open the windows for some fresh air and allow as much sunlight to come in as possible!

3.) Customize your alarm: Start out the day with a song that motivates you and gets you in a good frame of mind.

4.) Find a friend: Lean on a friend or family member for social interaction through a call, text or video chat service.

5.) Dress the part: Dress for success to help you feel good. Just because you might not be going out these days, it doesn't mean you can't dress up if it makes you feel better!

6.) Add green to your work space to to add life and warm it up! If you have fresh flowers blooming outside, bring a few in. If not, you can also have some artificial plants.

7.) Add a photo or inspirational item that make you feel happy to your work space.

8.) Go outside and take a walk to get some fresh air whenever you need the break.

9.) Keep planning for the future! Make a list of all the things you'd like to do once this is over and restrictions are lifted. (#1 on most lists... RIDE THEIR HORSES!!)
If your plans are to find a new barn for your horse(s) to call home this summer, consider coming to Southwind Farm where all types of boarders are welcome and treated like family!

www.southwindfarmin.com

Southwind Memories (Photo Fun!)

During this strange time at home we want to compile some photos of better days had at Southwind Farm. We hope these photos bring a smile to your face this morning! Thank you to everyone who shared them with us!! Enjoy!

www.southwindfarminc.com

Share Your Southwind Memories With Us!!

During this strange time at home we want to compile some photos of better days had at Southwind Farm. If you have a photo of something or someone special from Southwind or a great memory had with us, send it via Facebook messenger with a quick description or caption. We will be sharing them soon to hopefully bring some joy and a smile to our viewers. Hang in there everyone and thank you for your continued support of Southwind Farm during this unprecedented time. We look forward to seeing your photos!!

Learn more about the farm and our welcoming boarding opportunities at: www.southwindfarminc.com .

Goal Setting While at Home

Although we don't know when barn life will go back to normal and competitions will resume, setting goals now while at home can do two things: provide hope and help prepare for when the time comes! With the extra time at home, riders can re-watch old videos or go over old test scores to see what areas can be improved upon through goals.

Thanks to this article (click to read more) from Dressage Today magazine, here are a few goal setting tips to keep in mind.

1. Small accomplishments are still accomplishments.
2. It’s human nature to be critical.
3. When you set a goal, use positive language to phrase it.
4. If we set goals in such a way that it makes the first step difficult, it is unlikely that we will attain the goal.
5. Remember that goals are helpful tools, but they do not exist in isolation.

Southwind Farm has the facilities and support network to help all of our boarders achieve their individual goals, whatever they may be! With an indoor arena, two outdoor arenas, some XC fences, trails and more, Southwind is the place to be! Learn about our current boarding options by emailing Sheri Thornley at: sherithornley@msn.com today.

Ideas for Stay-at-home Equestrians

Looking to keep your mind sharp and learn new things while you are at home and show season is postponed? Here are a few ideas of things you can do to fill your time:

-Go through and read your local show or organization's rule book(s) so you can learn new things and be better prepared when competitions resume

-Re-watch (or watch) your favorite horse-themed movies!

-Update your yearly goals list and detail out smaller goals to start with

-Re-watch old competition videos, both of yourself and professionals and see what you can learn!

-Read a new horse-related book! Whether a training book or a work of fiction.

-Meet up with fellow equestrians in online meetings or hangouts to get your fill of horse talk!

Hang tight everyone and stay safe!! We will get through these challenging times one step at a time!


Learn more about Southwind at www.southwindfarminc.com!

COVID-19 Barn Safety Tips from AAEP

In this unexpected time of life we wanted to share this info graphic from American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). Southwind Farm is home to a wide variety of equines and their people so we want to make sure that everyone stays safe!

To learn more about Southwind Farm and our current boarding opportunities, email owner Sheri at: sherithornley@msn.com or visit, www.southwindfarminc.com