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December 11, 2015
Serving the mid valley & upper lackawanna valley
Horsing Around
ON THE INSIDE
Nearby stables supply horse-and-carriage rides
Around Town
The latest happenings in our area Page 2
School News
What’s going on with your favorite student Page 11
HOLIDAY GREETINGS May the beauty of the season lift your spirit in song and fill your heart with warmth and happiness. From our families to yours, we wish you the very best this holiday season and throughout the New Year. Dr. DeCarli & Staff
New patients Welcome Most Insurances Accepted 570-876-6722 Main Street, Archbald
www.thevalleyadvantage.com
Burdyn said staff fields many questions from visitors. “A very common question No public event in the area, is whether it hurts the horse to especially this time of year, is kick or use a crop. They say they complete without horse-drawn don’t want to hurt them, but we carriage rides. And maybe you’ve assure them it won’t. They tend wondered: where do those horses to forget they are on a 1,000- to and carriages come from? Who 2,000-pound animal.” takes care of them? She said the most common One such operation is Happy question asked of guides on the Trails Riding Stable in Waymart, trails is: “how long have you which has brought its horse and been doing this?” carriage to the St. John’s Russian “This answer varies from guide Orthodox Bazaar in Mayfield, to guide but between us, we have the Dickson City “Let There Be 69 years experience total. Lights” event and the recent EyAmong the horses, Burdyn’s pernon Fire Department/Christmas sonal favorites are Dallas and Max. Light Committee event. Max is an 18-year-old, 17.5-hand“We currently have 21 horses at high percheron, that is so gentle this property and 14 more at a propit gets used for therapy. Dallas is a erty in Hamlin,” explains Nastasha 6-year-old paint “whom I love with At the recent St. John’s Russian Orthodox Bazaar, Burdyn stands beBurdyn, the manager at Happy my whole heart,” she said. side Toby the horse as Brandon Applegate assists passengers wishing to Trails. “This is our third year of She said the biggest problem business here, though Happy Trails go for a ride with Santa. first-time riders have is learning Stables has been here in northeastto relax. A typical day at the stables starts between ern Pennsylvania for more than 25 years now.” “Horses can feel the fear or emotion you 8-9 a.m. with filling the feed buckets and callBurdyn says many people in the Lackawa- ing in the herd. express,” she said. “When you get upset, so do nna Valley are surprised to learn that a riding “Each horse’s body if fully brushed out, they. Horses are very emotional beings. Once stable is so close. hooves picked/cleaned and manes brushed. you realize this and can connect to the horse, “We run over 367 acres, with many trails Then, they are ready to be saddled, bridled, or simply relax, so will they.” and sights to see,” she said. “We also offer sleigh and put out on the hitching line for the work When not brushing down her charges, Burrides and carriage rides, pulled by our gentle gi- day,” Burdyn explained. dyn is busy preparing to take tests for certificaants, Max and Toby, both percherons. We allow Much of the day is taken up keeping tions in therapeutic horsemanship, which will youngsters as young as 6 to ride alone, depending things clean. allow them to do more horse therapy. on their size and strength, but also include dou“Our barn is like a family,” she said. “We “‘If there’s time to lean, there’s time to clean. ble riding, where a young one can ride with an A clean barn is a happy barn,’ my boss always are all part of a tight-knit family, and that inadult. We also offer lessons. We are also opened says. “Our horses are like our kids. They are our cludes all of our four-legged children too.” 365 days a year, rain, snow or sun shine. If its world and we do all we can to protect and keep The stable is open seven days a week. Call safe, we ride. And, boy, is the snow fun.” 570-488-6996 to make a reservation. them safe.”
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TS_CNG/ADVANTAGE/PAGES [A01] | 12/10/15
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