Progress and just stuff

Yesterday was a pretty good day, Chickory continues to improve, and I had a nice ride on Gussie. Started out in the round pen, and then took the dogs and toured out in the hayfield.Sorry, no ear cam photos, left the camera at home. I think Gussie is easier to ride when she is pregnant, either that or she is much more emotionally secure this year.
We were putzing along through the crop when the mosquitoes found us, I guess they live in the tall grass because we have very few at home. I notice a lot of those mosquito eater bugs here this year, so maybe that's why.
Both Gussie and Chickory are in the "Jenny Craig" pen, no grass, and they aren't too happy when the other horses get to go out. I've seen them down on their knees, butt up in the air, sneaking mouthfuls of grass under the panel fence, of course I didn't have my camera at that moment. But I did catch this one first thing in the morning:

Nitro, Kai and Beamer were all lined up snoozing in the top of their respective pens. Kai and Rio live in a pen between Beamer and the mares, and it works out well as it gives Beamer some buddies he can touch - and boss around- and I think it makes him happier.
Kai is coming along nicely, he's filling out and losing the last of his winter hair. We have been doing some ground work on him, getting him leading properly, respecting our space, and found out that he was really worried about getting his tail brushed, so yesterday I worked him through that and I think he was actually enjoying it by the end of the session.
Kai and Rio have really buddied up, and they play rough like brothers do:

They have about equal amounts of bite marks on them.

After a rousing session of play fight, off they go at a gallop before they stop and bury their noses in the grass.

Meanwhile, in the adjacent pasture, little brother is doing some performing of his own...

Airborne again! His face is shedding out pretty good, and it's lighter than his brothers. I plan on doing a post when he's 3 months old to show all three brothers at 3 months of age, just for fun and to compare them.

Wordless Wednesday-meet the neighbors

A quick update

What a difference a day makes. This afternoon when I went to take Chickory out to hose her feet, she let me know her displeasure at having to live in the dry pen- and showed how much better she is moving. Heat is about all gone, but I'll keep hosing her twice a day for a while.

She even had a little attitude- must be feeling better!

She is still a little ouchy on the hard rocky ground of the driveway; this mare used to be able to walk across any kind of ground barefoot with no problems. We'll get her back that way, soon I hope.

Chickory

You know how you have those feelings that something will go wrong just because it can? The day I had Chickory's international health papers in hand, I found myself fervently wishing that she could leave that day. That little voice was talking to me. Yesterday when I brought the mares in, Chickory was pretty sore. Yep, heat in her feet. A few phone calls and some good advice later, I cold hosed her, gave her some bute, and worried all night. This morning, at 6 am, more hosing- she was still pretty sore- and a little later more bute, hosing and handwalking. After that she came around really well, even to the point of trotting when I turned her loose; last night she didn't want to move much at all. Midday, more hosing and walking- moving out well, just a little footy on hard surfaces- and I'll give it another go in a little bit. Although she improved dramatically, I won't take the risk of a two day trailer trip- yes, today she was supposed to start her journey to Texas. This is the only window of opportunity to get her there, at least in the near future. Needless to say we are all disappointed, but the welfare of the mare has to come first.

This video was taken after her second treatment today.
*****
I have a nice low spot for her to stand in when I hose her down, it's as good as standing in a bucket of cold water, and she stands nice and still.

Just in after treating her again- the heat is about 75% gone and she is moving easier, you don't notice much walking on the grass but as soon as we hit the packed dirt you can really see it.

Vacation's over, Gussie.

I actually found time today to get back in the saddle- not for long, as I'm trying to get Gussie in riding shape after having been off since October, and she has gotten pretty fat and lazy. Speaking of saddles, I've acquired another hand made saddle; this is the one I used on Beamer during our Rocky Mountain Blogger trail ride in the summer of 2010- it wasn't for sale then . It fit him really well, and it fits Gussie too, but best of all it is super comfy for me. Here it is:

Here is the maker's mark:

I only worked Gussie in the round pen, I figured that would be enough for her fatness on her first day back at work.

She's  a pretty girl, and after a about 10 minutes of this,

I rode for a while- and I sure don't like having to climb aboard those tall horses, I'm not so spry lately. Gimme my short horses any time! Gussie alternated between softness and bracing, but over all it went all right for her first ride in over 7 months. She has the smoothest little trot, it's a real pleasure to ride. Now I just have to ride her nearly every day and get her conditioned to go on some trail rides with my friends this summer.

Sunday Stills

Ed gave us a fun challenge this week, to use the names of musical groups or songs to inspire our photos.
This one could be either the Byrds, or North To Alaska:

And I'm sure this one is expected- the group Heart:

This next one, well, it reminds me of the song, "I will always love you".

Blood tells

I think Nitro gets his love for speed from his dam. I never had the opportunity to ride Belle, due to her injury, but she sure does get the wind up her tail now and then. Her maternal grandsire, Northern Times, was on the track in Saskatchewan, but I don't think he did much. Northern Times grandsire, Old Pueblo, was a Thoroughbred stakes winner of $205,000 in 1957- a lot of money back then, and he sired AQHA Superior racers and Top Race Earners. Sunday Seeker, who was bred to Old Pueblo to produce Sunday Times, the sire of Northern Times and a great sire in his own right was sired by Savannah Jr., All American Futurity Winner and 2 time running champion in 1963-64, earning $277,122 in those years. Sunday Seeker also has as her maternal grandsire Goldseeker Bars- AAAT running horse and AQHA Supreme Champion and Sire of AQHA Supreme Champion- not sure if that record has been beat, but I think it has. (Rugged Lark, maybe?)
Anyway, the love of running is deep in Nitro's pedigree, and he has plenty of top performance horses in there too; Coyote Belle's sire, Durable Shine, has a pretty good show record:

Superior Performance, '03 RN

NRHA money-earner
World Show Qualifier, '00 O Jr RN; '02 Sr RN
Performance Point Earner
ROM Performance, '00 O


 I think Nitro and all his brothers do well by their maternal side, as well as the outstanding cutting blood on Beamer's side.

Note to Tara- she's got happy feet!

Fridays- For Sale

Sherry over at Fern Valley Appaloosas invited us to do Friday For Sale posts, so this week I'm participating.
All three of the brothers are for sale: Midnight Coyote (Kai, owned by friends of mine ), Diamond Rio Peppy, (Rio) and Shining Midnite Moon (Nitro). Here is a link to Rio's page at All Breed Pedigree, of course they are all the same. I like the versatility of these bloodlines, there's run, rein and cow. So without further ado, here are this morning's photos:

Nitro:

Don't be fooled by that light brown color- he is shedding out the same color as his brothers.

Next up is Rio:

Sorry- a little blurry.

Rio is still intact.

And then the older brother- Kai:

Kai needs to shed out a little more, but he'll slick out quickly now.

And, he's learning not to take any crap from his stud brother!

Yesterday we got out the level and tape; Rio and Kai are exactly the same height at 14.1 1/4. Kai is expected to finish out around 15 hh, and Rio at about 15.1 1/2 hh. It's too early to measure Nitro, but we should be able to get a minimum measure by August. 

So here's the deal- if someone takes all 3 or even two of them, we'll work out a package deal. Contact me for individual prices.

Brothers

Rio and Kai are getting along really well, and it's nice for Rio to have a buddy that isn't a mare. They are enjoying their own pasture; mares on one side, Beamer on the other- oh, and cows on the south side.

In perfect unison!

It was nose down after a short burst of checking out their new digs....

even sharing the same space. (Why do horses do that?)

These boys are so similar, and yet different. Rio will be much taller of course, but Kai will be chunkier. They are both really easy to handle. They share the same color, but Kai has minimal white- a little on one pastern and a little wee star on his forehead. They both still have their greyish eyes. 

Little brother Nitro.... well he's a piece of work. He's just as  willing and gentle as his brothers, but he's much more active. Pesky, even, according to Chickory.

I was hoping to get a video of Rio and Kai playing, but they were much too busy chowing down. Nitro, however, was happy to oblige.

I'm pretty happy with this band of brothers. But really, Belle, I'd like a filly next year!

Wordless Wednesday

Alberta Grown

This is Ted's daughter Meaghan. Unfortunately she is not part of our lives, but we would love it if she were. Ted is so full of happiness from connecting with his son Dean, that if Meaghan would come in to his life he would about die of happiness.

Midnight Coyote

Look who's here!

Remember Kai? This is Rio and Nitro's older brother; he's here to take advantage of our lush pasture, and to start his groundwork.

I put him in Rio's pen by himself and let Rio meet him over the fence.

Then I put Beamer in his stud pen, which is on the other side of Rio's pen, and he got reacquainted with his son.

Beamer sure puts his stamp on his get.  After a while I put Rio and Kai together, and they got along great- even when I brought the mares in. Coyote Belle and Chickory remembered Kai, and I'm hoping that once he gets used to the grass, I can put him in with the mares- he's gelded.

Sunday Stills

Think pink for today's Sunday Stills!

My bleeding heart bush is the earliest flowering plant in my garden, and it brings such joy  because of that.

All over town there are cherry blossoms. Last year, this tree had darker pink blossoms, but I rather like the delicate shade of pink that they are this year.
The horses wanted to get in on the act, so here is their version of pink:

Gussie

and Rio.

But I think I prefer the pretty Magnolia blossom!

Beamer's brats

This photos shows Rio's submissive behavior towards Beamer. He comes trotting up, lowers his head and shoulders, and mouths -kinda like clacking his teeth. Sometimes he even pees like a dog does when it's submissive. Beamer accepts it as his just due as herd sire. Then he strolls off and grazes contentedly; all's right in his world.

There's that 12 o'clock dog again; tough to get a photo without Reba in it!

Rio is in another growth spurt, I'm having a hard time putting weight on him even though he has feed in front of him 24/7. I plan on measuring him again this weekend.

In these two photos you can see that the injury on his right front is healing well, no proud flesh and the swelling is mostly gone. Tomorrow I'll put him in the round pen and video his movement, I'm pretty sure he doesn't favor that leg at all but it's good to see it on a video so you can be sure. Nice to see that his heart marking stayed. 

I went to see Janice today, and had a look at Rio's ( and Kai's and Nitro's) full sister, Jazz (Sparkle N Peppy). Janice did a post over on her blog on Jazz, with photos from yearling up to date. She sent me the photos too, and here is one of Jazz, who is now three years old

Ain't she a beauty? I'm hoping Belle will give me another filly next year.
See those greenhouses in the background? That's what Janice does for a living, and I had a nice visit and picked out more plants for my flower gardens, and some tomatoes. Planting tomorrow.... and mowing... and hauling hay... and getting horses feet trimmed.... and feeding horses at my friends place... Sunday evening we're having a backyard bonfire....yep, going to be a good weekend! Have a great long weekend everyone!

The Nitro Express

Here is a video- and I apologize in advance for the poor quality- of Nitro doing what he loves best- running for the sheer joy of it. I was bringing the mares in for the night, and had Gussie and Chickory already in, and when I came back for Belle and Nitro, Belle was willing, but Nitro- well, take a look:

This colt is destined for a career in a speed event. There is no doubt in my mind at all about that. The nice thing about him is that 10 seconds after him running so hard, I walked up to him, haltered him and mama, and led them quietly to the mare pen. 

  He is also shedding out an unusual color- not just brown, I think he may end up the same color as mama.

AQHA has a new deal for color testing, for $80 you can get a blanket test done that covers everything but dun zygosity, so I might just do that with this colt. He has the silver in his tail like all his brothers, but didn't have the grey eyes, but he just might be  a smoky brown. 

Wordless Wednesday

Chillin'

When it gets hot out, Chickory loves to be sprayed when I'm filling the water tubs. Take note, Amy! You may have to set up a sprinkler for her until she gets accustomed to the Texas heat!

Yesterday I noticed that the mares were galloping around the pasture, and when I stepped out to investigate, Rio was the cause. He was pestering Chickory, trying  to mount her, and she was running away from him- and double-barreling him but he kept persisting. It took me a while to catch him, but I did, and he has earned solitary confinement. All the mares are bred, but just to be sure I will tease Chickory with Beamer. She was bred April 6-14, and has shown no sign of coming in to heat again. If she didn't catch she should have been in heat again over a week ago. But we'll check her back to make sure. 

Woe is meeeee.....

Did it work? Can I go back with the gurlz now?

Do these photos make my butt look big???

Weeeeelllll.......

Yes, they do.

That's because it is.

And I'm ok with that.