Aug. 7th 2012 updates

Both Buffy and Carmel gave me gorgeous little pinto colts in June/July.  The top photo is Kato, Carmel's foal, for now he's a keeper until I see how he grows.  He's a small guy at this point.  something I like in a breeding stallion.

Charlie is the second photo (Buffy's foal).  He is already sold and will go to Antigonish in October. 

Charming has been sold and is now living in his new home.  He will be a show horse someday for Karen, his new momma and is a beloved pasture mate of Flash (a gelding mini horse). 

All the mares have been rebred except for Carmel who had a very difficult delivery (dystopia) and had alot of trouble shedding her placenta as well, so she will take the year off and I will think about showing her in Novice class next year. 

Daisy the new show horse is a keeper.  I have paid a deposit on her and will be paying the balance over the next few weeks.  I have shown her in 3 shows will wonderful results.  She seems to enjoy the games part of showing and is not fearful of anything that is asked of her.  I'm very pleased with her.

Sugarplum is now back with us.  I bought her back from the lady that had her for the last year.  She is back in show condition and has attending the last 3 shows with us as my daughters trusted show mare.  I'm glad to see her back in the herd and she seems to be happy too.

Have begun ground driving the stallion, Taylor since he has not much to do now that the mares are bred.  HE did well on his first lesson and I see lots of potential in him as a drviing gelding someday after I've got a few foals out of him.

Progress report

Wow, so much to cover. 

The new lease show mare, Daisy is working out wonderfully.  I showed her in Windsor at the spring Warm-up show in early June and she was wonderful.  She fussed a few times, but never acted frightened or freaked out.  I felt safe and in control at all time.  So I am pleased as punch with her. 

The four March foals are growing fast!  Hat Trick and Blossom are now sold and will go to their new home after Hat Trick is gelded and they are both weaned.  As of now, Charming is a keeper and Terre is still for sale.  All foals have had a bit of lead line training and have had their hooves trimmed twice.

Buffy and Carmel are about 14 days from foaling!  Both have substantial udders but their milk is not testing ready yet.  The next few weeks will be a busy time, as I have a wedding (nephew's), a horse show and these two girls to foal out.  What dont kill me makes me stronger (sure hope so anyways)

The new girl Daisy has had several online horsemanship lessons, which she took to like a flie to crap :).  We've begun ground driving, with focus on standing still when asked and backing straight and happily.  she shows no signs of resentfulness at all.  She seems pleased to have something to do.  She has made friends with Carmel and Penny in the paddock.  She has the kind of personality that just doesn't take no for an answer.  When someone chases her off, she immediately goes right back to that spot.  So far, so good. 

Wow, a little behind the times here.  Taylor has successfully managed to breed two mares, Marcella and Nellie.  And by success I mean he completed the task, whether or not they become pregnant remains to be seen, but Marcella was due back in heat mid week last week and has shown no signs of it.  So that is positive news. 

Since I did not have a show horse for this year I was planning on sitting in the bleachers and cheering on my daughter; but a friend of mine offered to lease a mare that I helped train to drive, to me.  I happily agreed and have started working with Daisy using Parelli and John Lyons methods.  She learns quickly and I have high hopes that I can have her ready for the summer show season. 

Buffy and Carmel continue to grow in girth.  Their foals are easily felt at meal times.  60 more days or so and we will get to see those two gorgeous babies.

The other 4 March babies are growing like mad.  Terre seems to be catching up to Charming in height and Hat Trick is turning out to be taller than I initially though also.  Charming and Blossom continue to be bright spots in my day, as I pay extra special attention to them as they are probably keepers.  All foals have had a small leading lesson, which is no ones favorite activity :)

That's it for now. 

Buffy and Carmel

So now that the March babies have all safely arrived, it is time to take a look at Buffy and Carmel. They are both fast approaching 8 months gestation. Both are of very nice weight, a little pudge is nice on a pregnant mare and are very healthy. Wont be long before we will be seeing their precious little one too.

Meanwhile my 2 year old stallion, is chomping at the bit to be allowed to 'visit' with the girls. So I am setting April aside for him and the March foaling mares to have some alone time. He's new to the game, so should be interesting to see if he has any success.

Way overdue for updates.

It's been so busy foaling out the 3 mares and getting the little ones used to our usual barn routines that I have slipped up a bit on updating the blog. So here are pictures of the little ones.

The first one is Blossom our pinto princess. She is around 23 inches and will finish up at 34 or a bit better in height.

The second picture is of Hat Trick, a black colt. 19 inches at birth, will finish up around 31 inches.

Next picture is Terre, he was 22.5 inches so will end up under 34 most likely around 33.

All foals are double registered and the colts will be for sale. I will keep Blossom until Buffy and Carmel have their foals and then I will decide who I will keep.

1 down, 3 to go for March

Well Marcella's milk tested positive at 10pm on March 1st. By 12am she was down and pushing. Foaled out a lovely long legged little colt - Huybers Utopia Prince Charming, at 1212am March 2nd. He's good and healthy and has two descended testicles. Can't ask for more than that.

Now for a filly..... I continue to wait.