Saving a life - and giving hope

First off, I do not pass judgement on the previous owner of this mare.  I pray to God that I never have to walk a mile in her shoes.  She has suffered and continues to suffer tragedy.  She does what is right now by finding homes where the horses will be loved and cared for. 

This is just to document little Dreams journey into a new life.

From a tiny stall in a pitch black barn emerged this little mare; having not seen the light of a bulb or daylight for years.  Bless her soul, she broke my heart and found herself in my mini van on the way home.  I sang lullabyes to her to keep her calm, but she is so sweet and calm there was no worries of her freaking out.

Here was her condition upon arrival:

And here she is after 2 hours of intensive trimming, brushing and combing.  Still so much to do, but in small steps.  Last two pics are the pieces of hoof I hacksawed off.  Then I nippered another ~1 inch off. 

And here is her beautiful face.  This mare is an Angel.  I had to use a hacksaw to take off the worst of the rears and she didn't fuss at all.  She knew I was helping.  God love her, I already am in love with this doll.

Her world changes today....  Welcome home Dream!!

April 2013 updates

Wow, well first things first.  Pebbles was tested and was not pregnant.  So I bred her with Taylor and hope that she is now at the start of her 11 month pregnancy. 

Marcella foaled a lovely little silver dapple colt for me on March 11th at 830am.  Here are some pics of little King Solomon

He will be for sale when weaned. 

Next up are Nellie at day 326 today and Ladybug at day 310.  Both are looking very close and I figure on at least one foal but this time next week. 

This is Nellie and her belly :)

and this one is Ladybug who is carrying on her left side which usually means a filly.  Here's hoping.

Taylor has been very busy breeding the open mares in hopes of a 2014 foal crop.  So far it looks like maybe Fly and Pebbles are pregnant, but wont know for sure until I test them at 4 months.  So towards the end of summer I should know more about that. 

Show season isn't long away and summer flies by.  Life is good at my little barn. 

Fly has once again tested negative for a 2013 foal.  So she will be ready to go in April when the weather warms up and hearts turn to that type of thing. 

Marcella is at day 285 today.  He shape is changing, belly is hanging lower and she has a bit of edema.  She is not developing an udder yet, but she will be soon if she follows her past foaling here last year.  She foaled on day 317 last year and looks to be right on schedule to do the same this year.  Wont be long now.  I am firing up the MareWatchers camera next week and she will be viewable at nights.  Come help watch!

http://www.marewatchers.com/cam/huybersutopiaminiatures.htm

Nellie is at day 270 and is looking huge.  Going to be a strapping big foal in there perhaps. 
Ladybug is at day 240 and in her typical way is waddling around like she'll foal any second. 

I'm excited to see these foals as they are the first foals out of my 2 year old stallion Taylor. 

As April approaches, breeding season begins and I've got a bunch of open mares just waiting for their own dates with Mr. Taylor Man.  He's going to be busy!

Long overdue update

I have co-bought a pony mare that may be pregnant with my friend Terri.  Will test her next week with a weefoal test.  Here is Pebbles.

Missy our Great Pyrenees is now about 75 pounds and is almost 7 months old.  She's a wonderful but very independent creature, I guess that comes with the breed.  She has been guarding the nonpregnant horses at night for a week now and everything is going fine.

Marcella is at day 322 in her pregnancy today.  She foaled at day 317 last year, so we are very very close.  Here is a pic of her poor little belly

Look fro updates on the foal very soon.

quite a bit of news

Missy the Great Pyrenees is growing like mad and is a fabulous addition both in the paddock and in our home.  She is very versatile and knows the daytime she is allowed to come in if she wishes, but nighttime is her time to guard house and horses. 

My last 2012 foal is sold and with the money for the foal I invested in the future of my little barn.  Here is a 6 year old appaloosa mare who came from Ontario originally.  Shes a shy sweet little one.  She will be bred to Taylor when she decides the time is right.  I anticipate some colour out of her as I am told she throws VERY colourful foals. 

Life with puppy!

Well I have to say I was not sure if a new puppy was a great idea but I'm sure now.  Missy (our new Great Pyrenees) is awesome.  She is an independent, ADD little bugger but just so sweet and lovable.  She is already spending about 75% of her time outdoors.  She sleeps on our front stoop and on days when it is not raining she spends her time in her chain link fence 5x12 kennel inside the horses paddock.  The horses are adjusting very well to her and basically ignore her when she walks around them now.  That took a bit of time as my other two dogs are very nippy and irritating to the horses (which is why I have an electric fence system between them).  Here is our Missy.

Charlie and Kato have gone to their new homes and I only have Terre from this year's foal crop left.  I have been natural horse training him for a few weeks now and am so very pleased with his progress.  He is now leading perfectly beside me with no rushing or lagging behind.  He will put his front feet in a tire and do a 360 degree turn with only his back feet.  He is lunging nicely; but best of all his personality is so much calmer.  If he is still here in the new year I'll be showing him in halter classes and in hand classes.  He's got show horse potential for sure.

The foals for 2013 are making their existance known.  Both Nellie and Marcella's foals are now kicking at mealtimes in their momma's bellies.  So far three mares are confirmed in foal for 2013.  Fly turned up non pregnant so I bred her one time only in September and have not seen a heat since, so she may give me a late summer/early fall foal next year. 

That's all that is new in my world.  My two children and my hubby are all still attending college this year, so it is a hard year financially for us.  Hopefully next year, with both Mart and Lynds being done school things will return to normal.  It will all be worth it in the end.  :)

two more mares tested....

Tested Ladybug and Fly.  Ladybug is pregnant and Fly is not.  So Fly gets the year off, too late to breed her now.  One more to test next month.  So far, three pregnant out of 4, not too bad for my stallion who was only 1.5 when he bred these girls.  Can't wait to see what he produces.

The new Great Pyrenees puppy arrives tomorrow.  Got a crate ready for her and a new collar too.  It's been a long time since we've had a new puppy (11 years).  Looking forward to it.