Choices

As Spring comes on - the question is - who do I turn my time to? Bonnie? Pixie? Raven? Image? I would like to concentrate on one horse for my partner for a couple of years. I am leaning toward Bonnie - and then after a couple of years move to Tango as a 6yo gelding. but then there is Image - and of course Pixie as a good riding horse. hard t- feel like I will make the wrong choice. I think Jenny would say Pixie--- for ease of use.. but that is not where my heart is.

What to do what to do

Midnight Black Diamond

I don't want to forget this day - the way the snow sparkled in the moonlight - and the sky was brilliant with stars and darkness. Today we celebrate the birth of our last winter foal.

I want to remember the small foal covered with ice and still strong. The generosity of colostrum rich first milk in abundance, the nicker insistent on being heard and fed.

I want to remember Maria and the fear in her eyes that somehow we were going to take this little one like last time - and she would be helpless to stop us. The look of fear passing with pets and rubs as we set her in the special stall reserved for foaling Moms. She needed comfort and reassurance that this was going to be HER foal. And that he is -- he has claimed her and she him.

Even in his little foal coat.. she moved the back up so she could lick and nibble his back as she positioned him to nurse, and bonded with him gently.

It was January 4th at 10:30pm when we last checked .. all was well - no foal tonight. Then I checked at 12:30 am January 5th - and there he was-- new and fresh and COLD - but very very vigorous and the LARGEST foal we have ever had. Maria looked no different - no tell tale signs other that a little red icicle on her ankle. She is such a stealthy foaler...drop the foal then stand up and say -- hmmm look at that - I wonder how that happened?

Mike rubbed and dried Diamond - put on his foal coat and put the pair in a stall with heaters and a fresh bed of hay. Still very cold... but bearable.

After hourly checking - little Diamond and mom are doing well. And yes - we know how to prevent Winter foals!!! As I said- we celebrate our last Winter Foal!

Part of the Herd

Yesterdya and today - we had horses out...and milling about - it was wonderful . I really enjoyed my time. Had success with Pixie at liberty - she followed ME!

Tango goes to School

It was a big Day - we took Tango to Tony and Jenny Vaught for training - to prep for his Kuering in September! He will be staying in a stall and has gotten used to the idea. Mike and I got to see Tony get on him for the first time EVER and he did really well - he looks so regal!!

Stone Dragon

I have the the privilege of living with a large herd of horses most of whom are big black percherons. The mighty Normandy horses of old over 17 hands high with great intellect and gentleness. I have often said that Percherons are related to dragons. When distressed they snort and stomp and I swear I have seen fire coming from their nostrils on occasion. The eyes flash - the head turns to arch the neck. The beautiful black dragon lives.

Enter the Stone Dragon. Image came to us as a 4 year old - in foal with great bloodlines from the breeder we like so much. She could ride and drive - was excellent for beginners - perfect. We went to Iowa to pick her up- she was very easy and compliant never spooked.. in fact - never even looked me in the eye.. enter the stone dragon.

Image had been trained by the Amish not how I train my horses. As I got to know her.. she was so introverted that I could not reach her. Her eyes were glassy and she never blinked. I rode Image and I was surprised by two things. She was compliant and did what I asked but sitting on her what like sitting on a brick wall. I don't know how to explain it... I could not feel the life in her when I was sitting on her.... still..... no emotion at all... when we were finished I scratched her and patted her..... but she stared off into space.

The only time there was any response was a dinner time. Very Introverted. No amount of scratching or touching could get a response. She had her foal - and was even fairly disconnected from him. A strange sight -

It was like she was always looking for something. Hollow inside.....She started to walk up to me but would not respond only stare straight ahead...So I decided to start from Scratch....

Fast forward to 9 months later... I had asked for very little from her... worked on the basics of respect and dignity... and then one day when I was playing with her - it happened... she spooked!!!! WOHOOO - I was so excited that she showed me her true feelings......then again when I went to a 3 hour clinic with her-- she spooked BIG TIME and galloped off down the arena --- in all of her dragon splendor... WOHOOOO - I was so excited... she was giving me the privilege to see who she REALLY WAS..( a good reminder that drafts can be VERY VERY fast!!) fast forward again...

Colt start... my dear friend and mentor Susan volunteered for the task of working with IMAGE for 3 days to restart her... reaffirm to her that she was indeed special and worth taking the time it takes...It was a wonderful time and so sweet to see my small and mighty friend - in the shadow of the dragon....they played the 7 games... lots of dwell time and affection.and treats.. perfect for my introvert..... lots of repetition -- attention and did I say treats??? She followed Susan round like a Puppy -- and tried very hard to do as she asked....and grew and grew and grew..

Then it happened I looked over my shoulder...and what did I see but Susan scratching Image and Immy stretched in appreciation....NEVER -- no NEVER had she responded to that before - I cried quiet tears as I watched them... then told Susan that she had NEVER responded to scratching before today......I think she had a tear in her eye too...so the stone dragon had shed her gruff exterior... and never did I see that Glassy inanimate look nor have I since....

What I did get to see was a changed horse- 9 months of rest and love and leadership--blooming into an interactive partner. I saw her ridden and trot - all without retreating inward. And she is SOOOO SMART....Then I got to ride her and well-- it was a teeny bit scary -- because I could feel the horse beneath me.. and she was powerful!! and she had her own mind....and she was looking for me to be the leader....

There are so many wonderful events that I will remember from that day - but my favorite was seeing Susan scratching Immy the wonder horse and seeing just how high she could reach as Immy stretched out.

The other is how SMALL and Petite one looks riding a Black Dragon!

Colt start

We took Shadow, Image and Scotty to colt start --- so many wonderful things happened there.. Susan took Image to new openess, Shadow learned to do many things and Scotty found a new home with Nicole.

We could not have found a better home for this little guy -- I hope they will grow and learn together as time goes on ... she cried and hugged his neck when she found out he could be hers....:-)

Clip Clop Nammy

So Mr. Skye - is continuing to do well - is is now 6 weeks old and drinking 3 gallons of milk a day -- he plays with Mike playing catch me and run with me... It is so cute.