What a wonderful season we have been having. With the tourist season winding down for the next month, it is a great time to take a breath, and remind ourselves how lucky we are to be here in Costa Rica. 

Everything is so green right now, we have had small patches of rain but it has spruced everything up. Chris has been a very happy man this week as he works along side our new employee Paulo getting all the little jobs done that he doesn't have time for in the midst of the tourist season. Paulo and his wife Tina arrived to live full time this week with their beautiful little girl Alondra. It is great to have them and welcome them to the Discovery Team.

The horses are looking so fit and shiny and have come through the season incredible well, and so they should. We are dedicated to making their lives fun, engaging and as stress free as possible. They too are winding down now and today several enjoyed a good massage. They love to be rubbed, they get aches and pains just like we do. We use their own signals to guide us to where they like it. Deep sighs, blinking and shifting of their weight all show us where they are enjoying it and where they are not. It is lovely to see them so sleepy with it afterwards.

Hopefully tomorrow i have time to go riding with Julia our guide. She is going to show me a new trail that combines the beach and the wonderful mountains near our beach ride location, that way people get the best of both worlds. She has been seeing lots of monkeys up there too, can´t wait. 

Those of you who are interested in our Parelli in Paradise program, it is looking like David Lichman (5 star Parelli instructor) is coming down the first week in January. Places are limited, so if you are interested you should get in contact soon. Davids style of teaching and immense experience make the learning process so much fun.

The birds on the farm have been unreal this week. It must be to do with the changing of the season. The Orpenolas (their call is the most amazing i have ever heard on a bird) have been hanging around the main farm area. Also we have been seeing a pair of Mot Mots on the waterfall trail. The best though was a toucan who doesn't seem to notice we are there! He is not shy and has been coming right down on the ground whilst we sat near the waterfall!! Incredible. The tour that day were so excited.

My new blog for Parelli Central went out this week too, so if you are into Natural Horsemanship, you may want to check it out! http://central.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com/2011/04/walk-before-you-can-run/