Training Refinements

As I continue training, I continue learning.  Gammy said I would and that I needed to feel my way through it and figure it out on my own once she showed me the basics.  And she, as usual, was right.

Preg tests are in!

And I am going to be twice as busy next year!  Literally.  I have 6 mares confirmed!

New babies and new titles!

Oh, my gosh, I always feel like I am so far behind, but life, as always, has been crazy!  Having not had any foals for almost 3 years, I forgot how much work is involved.  And right in the middle of it all, we lost one of our most valuable employees. 

Seiki is passing up April

I knew it!!!  Seiki also is getting milk in her teats and I will not be surprised at all if she foals before April.  Silly mare, just hates to be last for anything, especially dinner.

Again, let me know if you see anything on the cams that I should check out.  And don't laugh at my polka dot jammies if she foals in the middle of the night.  Lol!

First foal eases pain

Well, we had a little gathering at the creekside last week and laid Natalie to rest.  We are going to scatter a packet of wildflower seeds over the patch of bare ground when it warms up enough.  Then we had the future to look forward to and last night, our first foal arrived!

As new life arrives, an old one ends

Don't get me wrong, I put implicit trust in each and every member of my staff, but I do not sleep at night until I have done the rounds of the pregnant mares when foaling season arrives.  They all do their checks too, and I encourage that, the more watching, the better.  But I have to personally lay eyes, and hands, on them and have our private talk about how they are going to wait for me before they foal and they are not going to have any problems and they all get their favorite treats.

Foals due this year

I have a big foaling season, at least for me, this year.  3 mares due!  Lol!  One of each breed so it will be a motley crew in the pasture.

Another Futurity Winner!

I only entered Laiko in one class, Open Halter, but he won the blue ribbon and nice pile of cash, along with a pretty trophy for the display case.  His score was 77.79 and he won almost $8000! 

Laiko is AMAZING!

I am in love with my wonderful colt, Laiko, by Grecian Fire, out of our homebred Pop Music.

PS

Ruby now has all 5 majors needed to move into the upper level shows when she meets the points requirements, yay!  And Netty scored over 84 points in her Halter class last month!!! 

More new horses!

I couldn't resist trying to add some roan to my Ardennais' so I purchased a lovely imported colt that is grey but both parents carry roan. 

Quick brag!

2 of our girls are new Beginner Champions!  As I thought, as soon as her younger sister moved up a bracket, Foxy went out and showed those judges who is boss and captured the last 2 points needed to gain her championship.  And, against much greater odds (think evil Kiso's from the Valley of Unrest) ChiChi was able to grab, not one, but two majors and become a Beginner Champion!  I happened to be at the show when that happened, although I am usually found at the Western shows, so I was thrilled to be able to witness the event.  Here are the show results from the newspaper.  You'll notice she also snagged HPE.  So proud of this girl!

New Hokkaido Blood

I have been thinking for several months about adding some new blood to my Hokkaido band and finally bit the bullet and sent away to Japan for a lovely young colt. 

More good news!

This morning I was very excited to see another of my lovely young mares become a Beginner Champ!

Catching Up

It seems all my blog posts have this title, or should.  I have just been falling behind on keeping you folks informed as to the goings on of the ranch, but things are progressing.