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Paydela Farm

We are located in Albemarle County, Virginia. We start young horses with a natural horsemanship approach.

11/06/2022

Having fun with Stewy on our attempts to get the bow without my manipulating him so much. The goal is to have him do his bow on one small cue. We will keep playing and having fun doing it.

09/01/2022

Here I am teaching Z to touch a target. From there I can use that skill to move him to different positions like the Jambette we are working on, or a new fun game called dance moves, or standing on his hind legs, etc.

08/16/2022

I am taking a virtual course from an accomplished Dressage/Natural Horsemanship professional - Karen Rohlf. Finding the Sweet Spot of Biomechanics is about finding the combination of balance, energy, and relaxation in the horse in order to accomplish healthy movement and a happy horse.
Lily has a lot of inner tension that I am trying to break through and it took us a while but I finally got what I was looking for- that combination of balance, energy, and relaxation with her poll high and her body and neck and head rounded and she went there on her own, in self carriage, and there was no pulling the reins on my part or pushing her into the bit. Well she actually wasn’t even wearing a bit!
Just the beginning.🙂

07/22/2022

Z decided to check out of our connection and see what was up by the barn. Good news is that he decided that I was a better place to be than where he was headed. Such a good sign as I try to build our communication and partnership. He loves to canter around me. Here my hope was to work on the spin off the circle and he knows what to do but I would like him to have more energy while doing it.

07/14/2022

The Spanish Walk

I saw a beautiful picture recently of a white horse standing next to a ballerina, both doing the Jambette.
Well here is my sort of white, sort of horse (really a pony),doing a Jambette and doing a pretty good Spanish Walk.
Stewy you are so cute!👏😄

06/22/2022

LIBERTY FUN

Stewy, Z, and I are taking David Lichman’s course, The Heart Of Liberty, once again. Even though we have done this before there always seems to be a new thought or new words that will help us move forward.
Doing Liberty with your horse is not only fun for both of you, it also is a great way to connect on the ground which always helps when you are in the saddle. I love when my horse loooks to me with that question- what’s next mom!
Here Stewy is just starting to learn the Spanish walk. When you get it smooth it looks like horse ballet.
This is a short clip from my practice with Z on the circle where we are practicing different gaits and going away and coming closer to me.

06/22/2022

I haven’t been posting on this page recently, but I have thought a lot about my hopes to have people see horses as partners instead of machines and decided that if I influenced even one person about communicating with these wonderful animals it would be worth it to keep getting my word out. So here goes.

06/02/2022

Looking for someone who wants to ride and doesn’t have a mount of their own. This guy is easy going, has done it all, and needs some exercise to keep up his muscle and mind. We have a riding ring and lots of trails. There could be possibilities of trailering to other places. In exchange I need some horse care help at my farm. You can respond here or PM me.

03/12/2022

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM.
Here you are 73 years ago in Central Park, NY.❤️

03/12/2022

Princess girl, dancing girl, pony and little girl.❤️

02/25/2022

Z is making friends. With who you ask? Why the metal cow in the corner of the arena, who scared the dickens out of him when he arrived at the Baar ranch. Good boy Z. This cow won’t eat you!

02/22/2022

My guy “Z” is in Kentucky with Kathy Baar.
From Kathy’s website- “Kathy Baar is a USDF Gold Medalist, Author, Horse Development Specialist and Natural Horsemanship Instructor. She has been studying and teaching Natural Horsemanship for over 20 years, combining the happiness of the horse with the results needed for competition and Horse Development.”
Z is there for a month so Kathy can help me improve his foundation training and be able to move on as he and I learn and progress together.

02/18/2022

Ok, here we go! Little Campbell following in her sister’s “horse steps”!!

12/18/2021

Good to see Sydney riding Lily. She had talked about wanting to ride her for a long time. Lily is just starting getting back to ring work and Sydney did a great job staying calm and soft with her.
Yeah!😄

11/15/2021

THE GIRL IN THE PRINCESS DRESS

So if you are in your long fancy pink dress and it’s time to ride why bother changing - just hop on. Maddy, you are the best!😍

11/15/2021

Last time Campbell saw this pony she screamed and cried when we tried to put her on him. This time she screamed and cried when we took her off.
I think she is hooked!

08/31/2021

Take Off The Halter

Doc and Z and Mariah and me having fun with practicing our Liberty. This is just the beginning- so many more tasks to learn and do.
And guess who gets the cookies!

08/28/2021

Come on guys- you have all this property to graze on and you pick my front yard. And that is after you were hanging out on my front porch eating my potted plants. PLEASE!😂

05/01/2021

Z and I had finished up a great clinic with Jodi Grimm and Dave Ellis at Lucia Farm in Lovettesville. Always fun being with like minded people who truly care about the horse/ human partnership and bring new and exciting ideas to our groundwork and riding. This was the perfect situation to get Z off the farm and practice relaxation before, during, and after our learning sessions.
As we know without relaxation there is no learning!

04/03/2021

Bella settling in to her new forever home with her new herd.
Thank you Julia, I know she will have a wonderful life with you.

03/30/2021

Rainy day, no riding!.Hey, let’s wash the pony!

03/30/2021

Maddy’s first trot!
Lots of bouncing!
Lots of smiles and laughing!
Thanks Stewy!

03/17/2021

ISO a small barn or home for a free lease arrangement for this wonderful and talented pony. MUST be in the Leesburg area where my granddaughters can come and visit him. Please contact at [email protected].

03/16/2021

Bella’s first Dressage Test in an arena she had only been in twice before and no judges car was at the end of it. I told Taylor she might have a reaction when she notices the car. I guess I was wrong!

03/13/2021

Alystair K’s Beautiful Bella
Hanoverian X, 6yrs old
Contact at [email protected]

Beautiful Bella looking for forever home.Contact at paula.c.mcconnell@gmail.com

03/12/2021

Beautiful Bella looking for forever home.
Contact at [email protected]

03/12/2021

Beautiful Bella looking for forever home.
Contact at [email protected]

03/06/2021

Bella, 6 yr old, Hanoverian x
PM Paula McConnell for information.

03/06/2021

Bella and Taylor-both did a great job today during a lesson at Millington Stables. This was Bella’s first time in the ring with horses she didn’t know and a new rider.
Bella is looking for her forever home and she will make a great partner!

02/24/2021

Are we done with the freezing temps, the snow, the ice! Tired of putting on so many layers of clothes to go out and feed and muck! Even had my trusty head lamp- add dark to my list!

02/24/2021

I know this is not about horses. I don’t usually post about family on Facebook. I just couldn’t resist with this picture of Maddy.
Who remembers the static electricity machine in the science museum! 🤣

02/13/2021

Stubben Roxanne Saddle with Biomex Seat for Sale
Very good condition. 18 inch seat
1350.00

01/23/2021

I love playing with this guy. He finally got it- trot next to me when I trot and canter with me when I canter. Most important is his connection to me which helps our partnership grow!

12/19/2020

Is there a kid under that hat?
Maddy and grandkids pony, Stuart Little.
A partnership in the making. ❤️

12/01/2020

Round and round we go.
Not! lunging. Teaching her that her responsibility is to maintain direction, maintain gait, and look where she is going. My responsibility is to not act like a predator, to set her up and allow her to do the task.
This is Bella, 5 year old, 16H mare who is looking for her forever partner. She is a pretty mover, good jumper, sweet personality and has great foundation. She is ready for refinement and fun.

11/15/2020

A reunion between Bella and Stewy. ❤️ Both taught each other a lot about riding. A little girl and her pony, a pony and his little girl!

11/07/2020

So happy with our boy, Z!
We went to a Parelli clinic and he was such a good boy. He was a little “ADD”with all that was going on and all the new things and horses for him to see, but with a little help from his leader, who would be me, he really tried to do what he was told.

10/08/2020

I am becoming increasingly interested in the idea that we ask our horses to be athletes for certain disciplines but if we only walk, trot, canter, and jump as our basis for teaching them to do what we want, we leave out a big part of their physical development. It is not only horses who are under a rehab program that need attention to certain muscle groups, but also the working horse who might have some irregularities in their movement that are rarely looked at and rarely addressed. What you end up with are horses with back problems and pain, and other issues that hinder them and our plans to do what we love to do. There is information online and in books( imagine that - we still can read an actual book!) where you can find exercises that fit your horses needs.

09/25/2020

Our Beautiful Bella continues with her refined training. Foundations are really good. We are looking for a forever home for her. Message me for more information.

07/09/2020

Sydney had a good time yesterday at the Farmington Hunt Club Gymkhana!
She and Doc were a great pair! Doc, 18 years young, was the best boy, just hanging and doing! Sydney had what we all need when riding- a great big smile on her face!😃

Address

1495 Lost Valley Road
Earlysville, VA
22936

Telephone

(434) 981-2040

Website

facebook.com

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Videos

I am taking a virtual course from an accomplished Dressage/Natural Horsemanship professional - Karen Rohlf. Finding the Sweet Spot of Biomechanics is about finding the combination of balance, energy, and relaxation in the horse in order to accomplish healthy movement and a happy horse. Lily has a lot of inner tension that I am trying to break through and it took us a while but I finally got what I was looking for- that combination of balance, energy, and relaxation with her poll high and her body and neck and head rounded and she went there on her own, in self carriage, and there was no pulling the reins on my part or pushing her into the bit. Well she actually wasn’t even wearing a bit! Just the beginning.🙂

The Spanish Walk

I saw a beautiful picture recently of a white horse standing next to a ballerina, both doing the Jambette. Well here is my sort of white, sort of horse (really a pony),doing a Jambette and doing a pretty good Spanish Walk. Stewy you are so cute!👏😄

LIBERTY FUN

Stewy, Z, and I are taking David Lichman’s course, The Heart Of Liberty, once again. Even though we have done this before there always seems to be a new thought or new words that will help us move forward. Doing Liberty with your horse is not only fun for both of you, it also is a great way to connect on the ground which always helps when you are in the saddle. I love when my horse loooks to me with that question- what’s next mom! Here Stewy is just starting to learn the Spanish walk. When you get it smooth it looks like horse ballet. This is a short clip from my practice with Z on the circle where we are practicing different gaits and going away and coming closer to me.

THE GIRL IN THE PRINCESS DRESS

So if you are in your long fancy pink dress and it’s time to ride why bother changing - just hop on. Maddy, you are the best!😍

Last time Campbell saw this pony she screamed and cried when we tried to put her on him. This time she screamed and cried when we took her off. I think she is hooked!

Take Off The Halter

Doc and Z and Mariah and me having fun with practicing our Liberty. This is just the beginning- so many more tasks to learn and do. And guess who gets the cookies!

I was at a Liberty Clinic with Parelli Instructor Jodi Grim this last November. Z was a lot of fun as we did group activities to help the horses find and stick with their human partners and solo games in the round pen to help the horses learn what exactly you are asking of them and to stay keyed into you to get it done. As Pat Parelli says “when you take the halter off all that is left is the truth.” There is so much you can do at Liberty and the horses love it!

Looking for someone who would love to be riding but doesn’t have the opportunity. Well here it is. This guy is Mr. Easygoing, but still can compete in Dressage and Jumping, great on the trails, and Foxhunt. He is ready for an on-site free lease where we have a riding ring, cross country and ring jumping, lots of trails. He has been training with Natural Horsemanship and there can be teaching sessions worked out with that. I am only asking for someone to help with horsecare. Respond to ad or email me at [email protected]. Someone might know of someone so please share. Thanks.

Bella will definitely be a fun ride. Never have to push her over the jump.

Our 4 year old Bella is learning new things and refining the old every time we ride. She has beautiful movement and starting to respond to my body cues for turns and transitions. She will mature over 16H. She is currently for sale as a green prospect but we will continue on her training journey with flat work and jumping. Write to paula.c.mcconnell@gmail with any inquiries.

Free On Site Lease- Come ride my “been there done that” gentleman. He is a solid guy for the rider who just wants some fun time on the flat or over jumps. We have a riding arena, lots of trails,and nice usable barn. Doc also has been trained with Natural Horsemanship techniques and we can teach you some cool stuff. In turn, I need periodic help with horse care. Message Paula McConnell or email me at [email protected].

Love that Doc! Sydney loved riding him and said she felt like she was flying over the jumps- she was so happy with her accomplishment.

Pat Parelli says to put a principle to a purpose. Our principle here is backing and our purpose is getting out of the ring. This really does help the horse to want to do the task at hand. Z and I were having fun!

Bella, our 3yr old is learning to negotiate jumps while playing the circle game. No big deal, she comes across an obstacle while maintaining her gait and easily jumps it and continues on with the pattern. So much easier for them to learn first without the extra added task of balancing a rider while jumping. This youngster is by Rachel Spencer’s Alystair K and will be for sale next Spring.

Paydela Farms Solo, son of Concerto Grosso, having fun with his new owner. He was a real character from day one. Lovely horse all around.

Figure 8 at Liberty with Doc. The important action here is the timing of the draw to me and the push into the change of direction. The first couple of times around I was too quick after the draw so he didn’t go around the barrels. Eventually we got in tune with each other. So cool!

Yeah, Lily is coming along nicely with this task. The goal is to just raise the carrot stick for her cue to move her hindquarters to the fence. It takes more time and patience to teach them to come towards you rather than away. You are still using the idea of movement away from pressure which is why I️ started this task using the stick to tap on the side of her body that is away from me to encourage her to come towards me.

This is what NOT to do on a young horse- look at your husband videoing instead of where you want to be going.

Wow, you should always video yourself but be prepared to be a truthful critic. I took this video to show how easy Tango is to transition up and down without kicking and pulling on the reins. She is more whoa than go which I think is better for a beginner rider. During the video we were bombarded by horse flies and so you will see a little head shaking. And I will be much more cognizant of my posture while just walking around!