the Black Willow blog

Kenny Harlow and a Horseback Soccer Game!

2010-06-03T19:47:00.001-04:00

Jeff Wilson Performing at World Equestrian Games

2010-05-19T14:50:00.000-04:00

Local Horse Trainer Invited to World Stage
Jeff Wilson of Black Willow Morgans in Delhi, NY has been invited to showcase his Morgan horses at the 2010 World Equestrian Games this September in Kentucky.
Hosting Open House This Saturday

The World Equestrian Games, which are the world championships for seven horse disciplines, have never been held in America before this year and are being held in Lexington, Kentucky this September. Over 60 countries and 750,000 people are expected to converge on Kentucky for this sixteen day horse event.

With the Morgan being America's first breed, and the honor of America hosting the World Equestrian Games, The American Morgan Association recognized they had the opportunity to present the Morgan to the world in a powerful way. Jeff was hand picked as a member of a special team that was assembled for this important presentation.

Jeff Wilson from Black Willow Morgans Training and Breeding Facility in Delhi, NY, was born and raised in Delhi where he still lives with his family. “This area has been so perfect for me as a horseman to focus on my horses in an amazing setting,” Jeff said. His unique line of Morgans has its heritage in the Catskill Mountains. Black Willow Morgans will be having an open house this Saturday from 10:00am - 3:00pm. “We are going to showcase our horses and hold some educational seminars,” Jeff said. “I'm going to be demonstrating some parts of my World Equestrian Games presentation, so come on out, grab some lunch and see what we are about.”
Jeff has dedicated his time to preserving the beauty and character of the Morgan in his line of horses. His passion has been to showcase the Morgan for what the breed has to offer. He has worked with his horses in high end trick and performance training for the purpose of showcasing the Morgan. “I look at the World Equestrian Games as such an amazing opportunity to introduce not only the Morgan, but this line of Morgans from right here in the Catskills, to the world,” Jeff said.

For each of the sixteen days, Jeff's performance will feature his Morgans with high end movements, called haute ecole, from the classic dressage world as well as much of Jeff's trick training. “One of the tricks I will be bringing to Kentucky is my horse saluting from a two-tiered pedestal while waving an American Flag from its mouth. That’s going to be really unique,” Jeff said.

Jeff expressed that community support is going to be vital as getting ready for the games will be their biggest task yet. “We will need to raise sponsorships for our facility and programs as we have in the past. This community has been a great support over the years.” Jeff said.

You can follow the progress on Black Willow Morgans blog or Facebook under “The Road to Kentucky” both of which are linked from their website: BlackWillowMorgans.com. The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history.

Our 2010 Open House!

2010-05-13T17:08:00.000-04:00

Jeff Wilson, Allen Pogue, Matt McLaughlin & Kenny Harlow - 4 Amazing Clinicians Helping the Community at BWM's!

2010-04-09T09:59:00.001-04:00

Jeff Wilson's Clinics

Find Success

Break the barrier that you've struggled with and
come to one of Jeff Wilson's clinics. Jeff believes that
success between horse and human is proper
communication. After almost 30 years of success with
helping people and horses come together, he is doing
a series of clinics.

Clinic 1: Level 1 Horsemanship
Thursday, May 6th - Saturday, May 8th

Clinic 2: Level 1 Horsemanship
Thursday, May 27th - Saturday, May 29th

Clinic 3: Level 1 Horsemanship
Thursday, June 24th - Saturday, June 26th

Clinic 4: Level 2 Horsemanship
Thursday, July 29th - Saturday, July 31st

Clinic 5: Level 2 Horsemanship
Thursday, August 12th - Saturday, August 14th

Visit our website for more details.

Kenny Harlow Clinic

Training with Trust

Kenny Harlow, featured on Hard Copy and NBC's
Weekend Today Show, the horse whisperer from
Virginia is returning for his annual clinic. Taming the
once uncontrollable, Kenny Harlow's foundation is
training with trust.

Friday, June 11th - Wednesday, June 16th

Clinic Spots Still Available, to Audit $35

Visit our website or Kenny Harlow's.

Allen Pogue Clinic

Become a Trick Trainer

Featured in Trail Blazer Magazine, The Voice,
and on Animal Planet, this top level horse trainer
who takes the gentle, soft approach training
techniques brings tricks to all horses and all people.
A fellow trick trainer with Jeff Wilson, Allen Pogue is
coming to your back door with a bag of tricks and
treats to get you and your horse to show off in front
of your friends!

Friday, April 23rd - Saturday, April 24th

Clinic Spots Still Available, to Audit $20

Visit our website or Allen Pogue's.

Matt McLaughlin Clinic

Get Confident in Dressage

   Trainer, entertainer, and equine production director...
Matt McLaughlin's whole focus is dancing horses.
World renowned and well respected, his focus is getting
horses to be as passionate about dressage as he is.
    Don't miss this opportunity to have a top dressage
trainer bring you to the next level in your own backyard!
     All disciplines welcome.

Friday, April 30th - Sunday, May 2nd

Clinic Spots Still Available, to Audit $20

Visit our website or Matt McLaughlin's.

Local Talent Going to 2010 World Equestrian Games ... Black Willow Morgans Personally Invited to Perform

2010-03-23T11:36:00.000-04:00

The most thrilling of all horse sport is coming to the United States for the first time. The World Equestrian Games, an event that is an Equine Olympics, is being held this September in Kentucky. It will be a buzz of the elite and the top horse enthusiasts from all over the world.

This event would not be complete without the Morgan horse, America's first breed, to be at the first American hosting of the World Equestrian Games. The American Morgan Horse Association will be there with every day demonstrations in celebration of the Morgan breed. A team of some of the top Morgan breeders and trainers have been invited to showcase America's first breed in front of the world this September 25^th through October 10^th in Kentucky.

Among this stellar group of people is local horse trainer and breeder Jeff Wilson. Wilson, who was personally invited to be a part of showcasing the Morgan breed, will be taking his two Morgan stallions to do Baroque, which is a form of dressage and artistic style that has been a passion of the Spanish Riding School in Austria.
This is sure to be an amazing event with stunning performances, and the Morgan breed will be spotlighted on the stage of the world. On the road ahead there will be a lot of training and excitement at Black willow Morgans, and they plan to have updates and videos concerning the World Equestrian Games on their blog.

Be sure to stay in touch with what Jeff's doing at blackwillowmorgans.com and blackwillowblog.blogspot.com, as this is the chance of a lifetime for one of our own local talent. This is history in the making.

BWM's Featured in AMHA Magazine!

2010-01-25T12:29:00.000-05:00

This January, Black Willow Morgans was featured in the Official Morgan Horse Magazine! Jeff Wilson, in an article about how he celebrates America's 1st breed, has a three page spread. The Morgan Horse Magazine has Jeff talk about his passion and his training techniques and how he uses his love of the Morgan in trick training.
Visit blackwillowmorgans.com for more details!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-21T10:07:00.001-05:00

2009-12-04T11:04:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone!

Just a quick note here to let you know that we're now on Linked In.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/blackwillowmorgans

Have a great weekend!

Thanksgiving...That Time of Year

2009-11-24T11:29:00.004-05:00

When the end of November rolls around, it just makes you feel warm and cozy. It truly is that time of year when we reflect on the last year, reveling in the good and learning from the bad, and giving thanks for both.
We have so much to be thankful for this year. Four beautiful healthy foals, four beautiful broodmares happy to rejoin their herd after a summer of close mothering, the remembering of our wonderful border collie Tess who passed away in August, new friends acquired, new places we've gone, and the view of next year is wonderful.
Thanks so much Everyone, for helping us make a great year.
Let's give thanks. Drop a line to let us know what you're thankful for this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Italian Glamour Features Black Willow Morgans

2009-11-05T16:13:00.003-05:00

Jeff Wilson, owner and trainer at Black Willow Morgans Training and Breeding Facility in Delhi, N.Y., received a call in May from Italian Glamour Magazine inquiring about his horses. They were planning to do a shoot somewhere in the region and they were looking for some horses to be a part. They were a little reluctant as to what kind of horses they would work with because they had very specific needs.

“They said they needed good-tempered but energetic horses, as they would be doing some intense shooting. The question really was about our ability to control even the smallest actions of the horses.” Jeff said. “The backdrop for the shoot needed to feature meadows, trees and be accessible for all the people and equipment. I invited them to come and see our location for themselves. They were so taken, not only with the horses but the whole property, and they decided to do the photo shoot at the farm as well.”

An eleven person crew, including world-renowned photographer Christian Anwander, arrived at the end of May and shot with Jeff for three days.

“The Italian Glamour shoot lasted two days,” said Jeff, “with each member of the team bringing their own expertise to the set. The beautiful seventeen year old New Zealand model trusted us around the horses and seemed to be very comfortable. Delivering 'the horse factor' in a unique way to this predominantly Austrian group was my challenge.”

“A large herd of horses running behind the model created a lot of energy and captivated everyone, as did a month old foal lying in the model’s lap. The most complicated undertaking was to complete a standing pose on a bareback horse with the model’s arms stretched out - and a large white sail in the air for lighting – and, oh … ask the horse not to flinch!” Jeff said with a laugh. “Sitting atop one of our Morgan studs bridleless completed the truly amazing results to this shoot.”

“Christian loved what I could do with the horses so much that he asked if he could stay a third day to specifically shoot our horses,” said Jeff. “Our friendship evolved into a wonderful opportunity for us to get some quality shots.”

Jeff Wilson, who served as the coordinator and director of the horses working with the model, said he was delighted to work with such a skillful and professional crew, including Art Director Tina Preschitz, and Fashion Editor Sabine Schreder. “You know, you are working right next to each other for three days, it's no wonder that by the end, you part ways as friends. They all have an open invitation to come back and visit anytime. ”

Some of the photos from Italian Glamour are on his website, www.blackwillowmorgans.com

Italian Glamour's October issue featured the pictures taken at Black Willow Morgans Training and Breeding Facility.

Concerning Our Horsemanship Training Courses

2009-10-14T12:12:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone!

Some of you have been wondering when our next course will be, and it is planned for next spring. If anything changes, you guys will be the first to know!

Thanks so much!

Black Willow Morgans Staff

We Love Comments!

2009-08-17T19:27:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to give a quick shout and say that we love your comments!
So don't be bashful...leave us a blurb on our blog.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Summer Horsemanship Training Courses

2009-08-10T12:58:00.000-04:00

By Jeff Wilson

Our Summer Horsemanship Training Courses were filled with the most enjoyable people and horses, and we had a great time.

The first day is always the icebreaker; everyone is getting to know each other and getting into the training groove with their horses. But everyone was extremely motivated, and by the second day it seemed as if everyone had found their way through the learning process and was at ease with one another. That afternoon we found ourselves in the middle of our “on the trail” part of the clinic - in the woods eating lunch. Though the sandwiches had unfortunately gotten smooshed, it was still a great time spent together.

The third day was the crescendo; multiple teams of two were doing teamwork exercises and competitions, all designed to utilize what had been learned. It was an amazing and truly unique experience for our riders, and I believe all of their expectations of what the clinic would accomplish were met.

I had a great connection with everyone. The riders, regardless of their differing horse experiences and riding backgrounds, left empowered with a better understanding of how to speak horse, and most importantly, how to be more “one” with their horse.

I will be doing another course in October, and I can't wait to see more people benefiting by what I love to do.

Until then, keep riding and stop by sometime!

Our June Happenings

2009-07-14T10:33:00.000-04:00

Well, June was a whirlwind! But a great whirlwind.

It started out with the arrival of three new foals, and it's "the year of colts": "BW Alois", our Del View Catskill Valiant / BW Hallelujah cross, was the featured star in our Italian Glamour photo shoot; "BW Riordan", my daughter's foal out of her show mare BW ChynaDoll and sired by BW Augustine, was center stage in my lap for our Open House; "BW Christian", a BW Tamarac foal also out of Augustine, who's steady and gentle temperament mark him as a future sire, was one day old for our Blow the Barn Doors Off for Spring Open House. Since then, our good friend and supporter, Donna Hadley, was presented with a colt from her BW Morgan mare "Dolly"who foaled in early July. "Solomon" is doing well, and getting his legs underneath him, also out of Augustine. BW Augustine - now known as Ramm - is being trained and added to the equine team of Kenny Harlow and his Training with Trust program. How cool is that!

All of us were delighted at the support from the community for the Open House event. There was a great turnout for the day, everyone had a really good time, and I think folks learned a little something about horses, and what we do here, and maybe even left a little inspired. I couldn't have been more happy with how it turned out. But what was really neat was to see the gentle outpouring of the community afterward. Letters with pictures from the event were being dropped off, emails, and folks stopping by to say what a great time they had. I felt my connection with the community growing and strengthening.
Following the Open House was our annual Kenny Harlow Clinic. Our clinics with Mr. Harlow are a community outreach to truly help those people who really struggle with their horse and genuinely want help. Professional horsemanship means helping and guiding those in need by doing what we do. If horse training was merely just training horses for our own benefit, then I am not really accomplishing anything. As Kenny correctly said, “If we train a horse and cannot hand the reins over to the owner, then we haven't really done anything important or worthwhile.” So holding a clinic for the community to come and see and learn, is why we do what we do.
I'll write again soon. Who knows what August and September will hold? Maybe I've got a surprise up my sleeve...
Oh, and don't forget, my Black Willow Summer Camp Enrichment Program for Gifted Horses is August 6-8, so sign up soon!

Thanks for reading,

Jeff Wilson

The Skinny on Skin Disorders

2009-07-08T17:44:00.000-04:00

The Skinny on Skin - Breakouts That Won’t Give You a Break

“Where are all these bumps coming from?” your riding partner asks you. “Just look at this rough patch on my horse’s coat, and these scabs on his pasterns and fetlocks?” After inspecting the horse’s coat with your fingers, you venture down his leg to examine the scabs before you pronounce your opinion, “Rain rot and scratches.” Upset with your analysis, you’re riding partner grumbles, “How can this be? I thought I took great care of my horse!”

It isn’t fun to get smacked with a diagnosis of dermatitis - the heartache of believing that your level of care for your horse is excellent - but those tell tale bumps, well, they don’t lie. What did you miss?

Well, first of all, you’re not alone. Many local horse owners complained last season about skin afflictions. It was during that time that I personally discovered the difference between rain rot, or rain scald, and dew poisoning, or leg scratches – the list of names goes on – and how much of a nuisance these skin problems can be.

I discovered that rain rot and dew poisoning, both bacterial skin diseases, can in fact become a plague all their own, regardless of how much good care and attention you might be giving. My learning curve came as a result of having to deal with rain rot and dew poisoning, interestingly, during the driest part of the summer. So what’s the deal? And, how can a horse be stabled indoors and still come down with dew poisoning? What is the deal?

As we approach mud season again, let’s resolve to be ready. I have two great articles to share with you that handle these subjects from start to finish, from minor concerns to severe ones. One big thing to remember when dealing with skin irritations is how contagious they are, so it is important to sterilize any equipment used on the infected horse, before using it on other horses. It is also advisable to use a completely different set of brushes and equipment for the affected horse. Finally, don’t forget to wash your hands between horses.

Thanks for reading,

Jeff Wilson

Links:

Dew Poisoning/Scratches and Rain Rot

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-22T14:58:00.001-05:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
We would like to wish all of you a
very very joyous holiday season!

Enter the Blog...

2008-09-20T13:42:00.000-04:00

Welcome! Welcome to the world of the Black Willow Morgans!
This is a special place. A place for testimony, a place for questions, and a place for answers. A Black Willow Morgan is like none other, and we invite you to take part in our extraordinary treasure.

This blog isn't about us, though. It's about you, and what you think! Enter the Black Willow Blog!

Many thanks,

The Black Willow Team

the Black Willow blog

Kenny Harlow and a Horseback Soccer Game!

Jeff Wilson Performing at World Equestrian Games

Our 2010 Open House!

Jeff Wilson, Allen Pogue, Matt McLaughlin & Kenny Harlow - 4 Amazing Clinicians Helping the Community at BWM's!

Local Talent Going to 2010 World Equestrian Games ... Black Willow Morgans Personally Invited to Perform

BWM's Featured in AMHA Magazine!

Happy Holidays!

LinkedIn

Thanksgiving...That Time of Year

Italian Glamour Features Black Willow Morgans

Concerning Our Horsemanship Training Courses

We Love Comments!

Summer Horsemanship Training Courses

Our June Happenings

The Skinny on Skin Disorders

Happy Holidays!

Enter the Blog...