Farrier Fun

The morning started out with the load noise of the workers spraying the orchard with clouds of I-don't-know-what, so I called Tomas to give him the heads up.  He didn't mind when he arrived so off to wrangle the days victims.  Yes, my horses (almost all) view farrier visits as some sort of torture I've devised to ruin their day.

Today is the babies first (or second or third) trims to we know it will be fun.  Thankfully Tomas has the patience of a saint and loves the babies.  Kiega is the first baby, although at five months old he's pretty substantial compared to month old Fifa.  Tomas trims a few mares while we're locating the appropriate foal sized halters (halter's disappear here faster than socks in a dryer), change out lead ropes - we're in favor of the thick soft cotton ones.  Foal size look good but, OMG rope burn and I don't have child-size hands.


Kiega is sure we're torturing him as we tie him next to his dam, while Bruiser and Fifa inspect the implement of torture (i.e. halter).  Then it's his turn.  Kiega is very sweet, personable and actually likes people - well not today.   He was out to prove the rodeo was missing a star!  Tomas picks up hoof one and he goes straight into Tomas and knocks him on his ass.  This is a first!  In all the years he's been here (two times a month for five plus years), and Tomas was caught off guard by the dingleberry.  Thank goodness he laughed about it.  Kiega then impressed us through his whole trim with his above the air moves, ability to rear and overall I'm going to be a real @#$%-head today!  He got me a couple times and almost landed on my broken toe, fortunately hitting the others.  His reward for such a great display of a temper-tantrum.  Dewormer and being tied up, messed with continually, while we did ALL the rest of the horses.


Fortunately the rest of the gang were in decent moods even with the noise (thank God it wasn't hot today!), and the mares were all done calmly and quietly.  Rose and Bruiser both did great for their second trims, very little antics and Rose (being female we're sure she's smarter!) did the best walking on the lead rope. Fifa surprisingly for his first time on a halter and getting trimmed was really good.  He's so funny, he'd plant his feet and close his eyes straining against the lead, but wouldn't notice when it was completely slack on the ground, as his concentration was so hard.  I'd talk to him, and it was an "Oh!  I'm suppose to be hating this moment."  He really is a nice colt, and it looks like the blue eyes are going to stay blue.


The worst news of the day, Woody is trying to founder again.  We don't know how or why he keeps cycling about every 3-5 months but he this is the third time.  Tomas is wondering if he's having early stages of Cushings (Woody is eleven), as we've really been keeping his weight down, he's on crappy pasture, gets plenty of exercise and only gets alfalfa for breakfast, but something isn't working right with him.

I'm of the opinion its bad genetics as Woody is our only horse that has such bad feet.  He grows so much toe, no heel and even trimmed you look and want to do something to them.  His sire's side though, had a few iffy foals (the D word), and we purchased Woody as a pet and he was gelded at nine months, which I've never regretted.

So, he's locked up with Charm and Lalique for the next....?  At least he has company, this time around.


On a good note, my favorite gaga mare - Silhouette - is in the backyard.  I'd have her in the house if I could, but at least she's in the backyard.  She's such a good horse, and is the last one I'd ever let go.  She has the most interesting personality, as I'm not sure she thinks she's a horse.  I've never actually seen her groom another horse, she tolerates her foals, but never misses them, and doesn't ever scream or nicker to be back in the herd.  She's perfectly content to hang out by herself, although she does have friends here, she's not particularly attached to any of them.


So, why is it so exhausting on farrier day when the farrier is doing on the work?  LOL!  I've yet to figure that out, but Tomas' visits wipe us out and it's all of 2-3 hours.  Next visit is in August, more mares and likely Woody to be checked again.

Misc Monday

It's hot.  Summer has arrived finally, don't get me wrong I've thoroughly enjoyed our coolish June, and would gladly have a summer in the mid-70's, but it's not to be in Northern CA.  We're hovering in the 90-100 range this week which is normal, but - dry and hot - bleah. Fortunately all the horses are doing well - fat and shiny.  


The alfalfa we had delivered last week, is absolutely gorgeous - heavy, leafy, green and, you know the smell of really really good hay?  Yeah that's it!  So we're having zero waste and the horses are being pigs.  I wish I had the money and storage to safely keep a years worth - no more stemmy stuff midwinter.  It would be lovely.  Or maybe only a herd of horses that consumed 100 bales a hay a year (the max I can safely store)!  What a thought!


Sales have been a bit slow, but I haven't been doing much to change that.  Life's been busy, and when you make your priority list, some things have to drop down on that list!  It would help if I'd put ads out, but again that ol' time thing...

Lalique and Charm update
I should mention - Lalique and Charm are both doing well.  Continuing to drop weight (I wish someone could do that with me), and after the last trim, Charm is actually taking steps, not a full stride, but she's no longer on full hobble.  Lalique is still angry I'm not letting her out with the balance of the mares, but until Tomas green-lights her that she's truly past any danger (founder, etc.) she's being restricted.  So screaming at her old buddies when they go out on the hills and visit through the fence, is her options.


For those that missed the Lalique and Charm adventure.  They are two mares that I were released back to me by their owner.  Life gets in the way at times, and both had gorged into obesity on too much feed, and a lack of a good farrier had foundered with severely overgrown hooves.


I called them the hobblers the first month they were here as they couldn't really take a stride.  Tomas (my wonderful farrier), thought likely a year to rehab them, and then they'd have to be monitored on feed in take and hoof trims.  


Lalique, 14,  is doing really well, down to one really troublesome hoof, but she can bear weight on it and walk - looking forward to hopefully seeing her run one day.  Charm, coming 5-6, has issues with all four hooves, so her progress is slow, but she can walk now versus the shuffle she had when she first arrived.  They both do think they're in hell though on a straight grass diet (okay I cheat and they get a few handfuls, only handfuls!) of alfalfa sprinkled around their pen.  

Upcoming Posts
I have started a couple of posts on more of our older herd.  I'm actually enjoying going through old photos (which I have a ton of), and pulling out information on the gang.  Coming up - Lady, Tina, Maria and Houdini, then we'll start working on the younger (mid-teens) horses. 


Another post I'm working on, questions I ask first time buyers.  Yes, I tend to quiz people when they come out!  It gets me a feel for them, and the potential home they'll provide.  Plus I'd one day love to have a really good FAQ of the most often asked things.

Posionous Plants


Something we all need to be aware of - what will kill your horse!  


We tend to have an abundance in the summer of yellow star thistle (grown locally for cattle feed and the wonderful honey), which my horse's ignore except for the yellow flower.  


I hate it more for the vicious thistle's that go through everything and the tenacious ability for it to survive almost everything to eradicate it!  It sets seed after its out of the ground - argh on it!


In all the research I've done over 11 years, I've yet to get any conclusive information on how much and for how long a horse needs to eat star thistle - the whole plant? stems? flowers?  It's always good to know, although my horses do not believe in the 'list'.  We just try to keep the majority of the super-toxic ones out and away from them.

Poisonous plants link at Cornell University - http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/

A Horses View of the World

• Arena - A place where humans can take the fun out of forward motion.
• Bit - A means by which a rider's every motion is transmitted to the sensitive tissues of the mouth.
• Bucking - A counter irritant
• Cross Ties - A gymnastic apparatus
• Dressage - A process by which some riders can eventually be taught to respect the bit.
• Farrier - A disposable surrogate owner, useful for acting out aggression without compromising  food supply!
• Fence - A barrier that protects good grazing
• Grain - The sole virtue of domestication!
• Hitching Rail - A means by which to test one's strength
• Horse Trailer - A mobile cave or bear den.
• Hot Walker - The lesser of two evils
• Jump - An opportunity for self expression
• Latch - A type of puzzle
• Lunging - A procedure for keeping a prospective rider at bay
• Owner - A human assigned responsibilities for one's feeding, care and expenses
• Ride - Owner overstepping its bounds
• Trainer - Owner with mob connections
• Veterinarian - Flightless albino vulture

West Coast Buena Callita

WEST COASTS BUENA CALLITA

We first saw Callita in 1999 when purchasing our first Minis.  She was and is truly eye-catching with her gorgeous color, presence and attitude.  Daughter of National Champion, Kay’s Calico out of Hobby Horse Patches, Callita has the wonderful movement her sire was known too.

As Callita wasn’t for sale at that time, we ended up purchasing her daughter (Mardi Gras) and son Val (Spiriwalker) a year later.  While both have since gone on to other homes, we still have down-line through Mardi Gras (Calypso>Jamaica>Vanna) in our breeding program as well as Val’s full brother Eagle (Una>Blessings).  The unfortunate side affect, is we’ve lost Callita’s knockout color, but have had three generations of under 28” in Calypso’s line, while Una is keeping us in the B size with her daughter Blessings.  We also have her daughter Baybee (my Callita replacement), sired by Grosshills Littleman’s Anticipation, which we look forward to continuing Callita’s line yet again.

Frenchie

Her son Frenchie (Wesco Farms Frangelico Flashback, sired by Little Kings Russian Revelation) has sired some of our nicest foals and is now in Oregon as a breeding stallion and learning to drive.

We do miss Frenchie, but not his jumping abilities!!  Although we’re very happy with his contribution this year, joining his spectacular foal crop from last year, Fifa (Wesco Farms World Cup Special FF), out of his half sister Bayee.  Proving good lines do cross well!  We’re expecting a couple more ‘surprise’ foals from Frenchie this summer as well.

All her down-lines have Callita’s great conformation, presence, performance ability and abilities.

Callita lived here for two years, as the lead mare of our substantial broodmare band, before we were able to purchase her in 2004.  Not aggressive or mean-spirited, she’s been a good leader with her best friend, Libbe until she was retired in 2008.  We’ve enjoyed Callita and she’s on the very short list of horses that stay no matter what.

Las Doradas Etoile de Mar

Las Doradas Etoile de Mar, (French for the star or March), affectionately known here as ET,was our first Miniature Horse along with her daughter Silhouette and nephew Woody that we purchase in 1999.

ET's been a wonderful mare to learn about Minis with as she's very intelligent, a bit hard headed in what is right (in her opinion), tolerant of my noobish ways over the years and a great teacher.

She's a fantastic broodmare - gets pregnant usually in one cover, foals out without assistance and is a fantastic mother - all the desired attributes.  Along with a sound mind, robust health, smart, well conformed, great feet - things I consider very important in a breeding program.

We bred ET successfully for six years and in 2005 decided to retire her.  Not for any glaring fault or bad genetics (she is a bit older style for my current very leggy tastes, but not a walking dumpling in anyway!), but we never sold her foals, so had to stop collecting them!

Silhouette, Una, Ray, Bug (doa), Ivan, Rohan and Cookie were her contributions up to that point.  She tends to breed somewhat to the stallion as her foals are all over the board on looks (and heights).  She is black and gifted us with three black daughters, one silver daughter and a variety pack of silver based sons (until blue roan Keiga).

We recently sold Rohan to a wonderful lady in Colorado where he seems to be doing well.  My daughter's two Ivan and Cookie are also for sale as she's lost interest in Minis.  As circumstances dictate I reduce the herd, I've regretfully agreed with her. (My ET's babies Sissy, Una and Ray are not for sale - lol - although I think Kiega needs to go before I get attached!).

Random photos

Took the camera out while feeding and snapped a few photos.  Nothing special, and not very good.  I don't think all the photography lessons in the world could make me into a photographer!

This is what greets us at the fence in the morning, our patient herd of horses.  They're very 'intune' when we'll actually feed them as the time varies depending on the time of year. Winter we wait until it's not freezing cold so usually 10-11 a.m., summer we feed before the head, so usually 6-9 a.m.  They monitor the movement in the house and around the yard from the hills which overlook our house.

A close up of the munchkin squad - April, Vanna, and Jamaica (Sarah, April's dam is behind her) and Woody's big ol' 37.50" roany-appy butt is on the left.  Jamaica, her daughter Vanna and niece April are all under 28" (close to 27" on Vanna and April).

What I DON'T want to see when I go out to feed.  Butcher-fat Ray!  He's going in the fat pasture for awhile before he ends up foundering.  Ray is very old style Mini as was his sire (but he's one of our gaga pets, and we love him). Right now he's a good 50-75lbs overweight which doesn't help that he always has a huge girth and the fact he's right under 30".

Had Tomas out yesterday to trim. As we only had ten to do, it went fairly quickly (less than three hours!)

The two guests here, Lalique and Charm are doing much better.  They've dropped a bit more weight and they're both able to finally get around without incredible pain.  Charm can actually take real steps versus hobbling everywhere.  She still has a long road to recovery and soundness but seeing her able to walk is wonderful.  Lalique thinks she's fine and desperately wants out with the rest of the herd.  She's looking better, and can stand and bear weight correctly on her front legs.  She can actually walk fairly well, but her one front hoof, well we're not risking until Tomas says she's as close to 100% as he can get her.

I'm very pleased to see both of them getting the sparkle back in their eyes and showing an interest in everything going on here. They both should full recover over the next year.  I'm going to be so happy to see them able to run and play again one day.

I forgot to take photos of them, but I want to show the wonders correct trimming can do for a horse.  I'll post next week the before and after.


 The boys were also in spectacularly good moods so it went very smoothly with them.  They're all really good anyway, but even Hot Topic who hate's being caught actually stood for me to put his halter on.

How we started...

I thought I'd start doing a weekly bit on some of the different horses we have, especially some of our foundation stock.  So, naturally figured I should start with our first Mini - Las Doradas Etoile de Mar (known as ET), but first I thought I'd give the background as to how we ended up "in Minis".

In 1999, my real estate mentor/trainer did a personality profile on me for my strengths and weaknesses in business.  One thing that came up numerous times (I don't remember but they had it on recording!) was my NEED to have horses around me as I derived a great deal of happiness and pleasure from them.

I had always wanted either an Arab, Morgan or the ultimate a Fresian.  After my unsuccessful attempts to convince my husband that I really really really needed a Fresian, I suggested we look at Miniature Horses.  We were only on 2.5 acres so, that seemed ideal, as I really didn't have time to ride then as work and school kept me pretty busy but I wanted a Fresian!

So while we're up on a weekend getaway I mention we could go by this Miniature Horse ranch and look.  My thinking this will give me my horse fix and until I've banked the money for that Fresian, it would work.

We end up at Las Doradas Ranch early in the afternoon - it's cold, wet and drippy drizzly grey day in November - and are presented with a sales list and over 150 Minis!  Not knowing the first thing about them other than brief research online,  I'm lost as the names Buckeroo and Rowdy and Banana are tossed around, I just shake my head in agreement - such a noob!

We look at a number of Minis - okay we were mobbed by about 40, and keep insisting we only wanted pets, as sticker shock set in midst the sea of Minis.  Finally the breeder asks what we like in big horses, and I reply Fresians.  She points out the black mare and her weanling in front of us, explaining she'd had a huge foal crop with an abundance of black horses.  So she offers us a great deal on the mare and foal.  My husband points out another (black of course) colt that he likes.  Obvious pet quality even to my untrained Mini eyes, so we end up buying Etoile, Silhouette (her foal) and Woody.

That started W-E-S-CO Farms.

Summer officially arrived!  100 degrees yesterday and the same today.  The hills are crisping up and going brown (the Golden State - yellow-brown grass I think!).  So very hot and we're up earlier to get things done before hiding inside.  Even the dogs don't want to be out in the heat.

I've tried to explain this to potential buyers as to WHY the horses don't really want to be bothered at three in the afternoon - its bloody hot!  I've had to convince a couple that before noon in the summer is best.  I don't like being outside in the heat and the horses do not want to be messed with either.  Oh well.

The foals are all doing great, Keiga is officially four months old this week and thinks he's all that.  Bruiser is still a momma's boy, but maturing very nicely. While Rose is Miss independent, rarely with Chiclet (all her babies are that way!), and Fifa is turning out to be quite handsome and keeping up with the others.  We definitely have World Cup fever here, poor Fifa stuck with such a wonderful name! ROFL!

We do need to get new photos of the foals as they've changed so much and poor Fifa being the last gets skipped alot.  It's always amazing the first foal we take numerous photos of but the the later ones get random shots, kind of like the second or third child in a family versus the first baby.  

We're still waiting on Libbe and Maria, as they get bigger and bigger.  I hate not knowing a foaling date as you watch horses for months - fence jumping is a major PiA!  Fortunately we've had none this year, so unless Ringo does get creative somehow, we should actually know foaling dates/sires next year - yeah!  Love being back on track!!!  

Along with our Minis we do have a few other inhabitants here, including our four llamas that wander around scaring coyotes and the occasional two footed trespasser.  

Surprisingly they don't seem to care about foxes!  That's the dogs job to contain the foxes to the other end of our property and away from the poultry buffet!

I absolutely love this, unfortunately too many people do fall into this category.

Inheritance Ignored

By Robert M. Miller, D.V.M.

"It's a shame," I said to Walt.  "Her conformation's filled with fault.

Her head is plain. Her neck is ewe.  Her back is long. Her tail askew.

Her shoulder straight, back at the knees; She toes out in front, you'll notice please.

Offset cannons and splints you see.  This mare, I fear, will never be

A racing prospect, or good for show; Brittle feet with seedy toe.

Four years old, already lame in both forelegs; in back the same.

Problems to worsen eventually, because she's built inadequately.

Her hip is short. Her croup is low.  The right fore-tendon's begun to bow.

She cribs, you know, and lolls her tongue - too many vices in a mare so young.

And when she's worked to desperation, she wheezes with each respiration.

Her teeth are bad. She overbites.  With other mares she always fights.

When she trots she'll weave and bobble.  Her hind end has a definite wobble.

Now melanoma in horses gray is very commonplace I'd say.

But these masses `neath her tail are bad.  In a mare so young it makes me sad.

I hate to bear such tragic news:  You might as well just pull her shoes.

And stop her training as of now.  You cannot ride her anyhow."

Walt looked at me and then replied, "The guy who sold her surely lied.

He told me that she was so great, And I so eager, could hardly wait,

To load her up and take her home, To pay for her, make her my own.

Well, no matter," said Walt aloud, "She'll make a broodmare fine and proud.

We'll breed her soon and get repaid for the investment that I made.

I know a stallion with a fee so low, he's laid up for a year or so.

He's got navicular disease they say.  But his stud fee I guess I'll pay;

And raise a foal so this young mare  Will pay her way and earn her fare.

Don't you agree, Doc, with my plan?"  I answered him ... I told the man:

"Like begets like. You've heard that said?  This foal you're planning, in your head,

Is good for business-mine, I mean.  Foals like this, I have seen,

Are useful to support a vet.  Because of many defects, yet

Our voice is often heard alone warning breeders, `Do not condone

The breeding of inferior sire to inferior mare if you desire

To produce foals to improve the breed.  Breed best to best, that's all you need.

Now listen you breeders of puppy dogs and cats and sheep and cows and hogs,

For your own species just change the name.  The principles are still the same.

Like begets like. It's in the genes, controlled by DNA it seems.

Breed best to best, it's your only chance for offspring that will the breed enhance.

Hoof Preparation Tips

Hoof Preparation Tips

If you show at all, polishing your horses hooves is pretty much required.  Doing the job correctly and easily is not a daunting task, but should be done at home in a relaxed environment if at all possible.  You relaxed will make the task that much easier.

If it's a one day show, I would do all the sanding prep a day or two ahead and then do the final polish either the night before or early a.m. at the show, assuming you don't have the first class.

Final prep work can be done at the show (applying the actual polish, etc.)

Preparation:

• Pick out the horses feet
• Scub them clean (you can do this before or after sanding).
• Sand all the horse's hooves. (don't over-sand and make the hooves week, just smooth is the goal). Sanding is the key to that smooth glass-like surface.  Using different grit sandpaper is the best, although some people swear by electric sanders. Using a Dremel to sand. Be careful the first time as you don't want to over-do this process and weaken the hoof wall.  Sanding does not need to be done before each show as you don't want to weaken the hoof, just smooth out the ridges.
• Buff with Extra Super Fine steel wool. 
• Clean the hooves for dust/dirt 
• Apply the hoof polish. 

Miscellaneous Monday 6-14-10

It's hot hitting into the mid-90's, and we're still waiting oh so patiently on Libbe and Maria to foal.  My preference would be tonight, but I don't think they're going to oblige me.  At least we should be cooling down back into the 80's this week.

The foals are all doing well, Kiega has completely shed out. Bruiser is not a blue roan, but a black; Rose is the prima donna with all the boys, and Fifa (we're naming him after the World Cup - big football fans here! So it looks like Wesco Farms World Cup 2010 maybe his name - lol!) is enjoying his play time with Rose and Bruiser.  Kiega does play but thinks he's the 'stallion' in the mare/foal pasture, so he'd rather follow the mares around then play with the babies!

The rest of the herd is waiting for me to start bathing/clipping/general clean up on them.  

Tomas was out last week, and we're officially all caught up on trimming - yeah!  We have visits planned out through the Fall, so we shouldn't get off schedule again until December-ish.

Sent off a huge stack of paperwork to both registries.  Late stallion reports, transfers, permanent registration and DNA/PQ tests.  A chunk of change as I've procrastinated for so long.  ** AMHA coupons are still good for horses that have RV paperwork!  Check out their site - AMHA.org registration.  These are good through the end of the year.

Other news –

Little Kings Dream Demon and Lucky Four Colorcard Miramax will be out on lease soon.  Demon will be going to Imperial Acres for a couple of years, and Miramax is off to Redbud Ranch for the season. 

Little (Grosshills Little Mans Anticipation) is off to Wee Gems Minis along with one of our mares Libbe (LGF Miss Liberty Belle on lease) and two mares that came back for re-homing, Charm and Lalique.

It’s going to be nice with less mature stallions, but I’m going to miss these guys and their individual personalities.

How "NOT" to photo a horse.

Trying to take photo's of a weanling can be oh so fun.  These are a series of Wesco Farms Count Your Blessings, Ringo's 2009 filly, out of Una (Wesco Farms Bella Luna).  They have a serious love affair, and I'm likely going to repeat this breeding in 2011.  Blessing (we call her Pretty Girl), thought the whole lead rope and set up was pure torture - we were laughing at her posture!

Maxim steps in to assist.

Finally - a decent shot!

We haven't had a photo-op session with her this year, but she's one of our favorites - 

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Glossary of Horse Terms

• Veterinarian: That career you wish you had pursued whenever you open your monthly vet bill.
• Horse Shoes: Simply-styled flats which come without a designer label, only last 5-6 weeks, but cost the same as Ferragamo's.
• Horse Show: The ultimate goal and destination of all training, feeding, shoeing, medicating, equipment purchases, and  free-time hours whereby for approximately 6 minutes your horse shows you just how badly behaved he can be (see also: Show Horse)
• Hock: Financial condition of all horse owners.
• Stall: What your rig does at rush hour in an unfamiliar city on the way to a big horse show.
• A Bit: What you have left in your pocket after you've been to your favorite tack shop.
• Fence: Decorative structure built to provide your horse with something to chew on.
• Horse Auction: What you think of having after your horse bucks you off.
• Pinto: Green coat pattern found on freshly washed light colored horses left unattended for 2 minutes.
• Well Mannered: Hasn't stepped on, bitten, or kicked anyone for a week.
• Rasp: Abrasive metal tool used to remove excess skin from ones knuckles.
• Lunging: Popular training method in which a horse exercises their owner by spinning them in circles until dizzy.
• Gallop: Customary gait a horse chooses when returning back to the barn.
• Nicely Started: Lunges, but not enough health insurance to even think about riding him.
• Colic: Gastro-intestinal result of eating at horse fair food stands.
• Colt: What your mare gives you when you want a filly.
• Easy to Load: Only takes 3 hours, 4 men, a 50lb bag of oats, and a tractor with loader.
• Easy to Catch: In a 10x10 stall.
• Easy Rider: Rides good in a trailer; not to be confused with "ride-able".
• Endurance Ride: End result when your horse spooks and runs away with you.
• Hives: What you get when receive the vet bill for your 6 horses, 3 dogs, 4 cats, and 1 donkey.
• Hobbles: Walking gait of a horse owner after their foot has been stepped on by their horse.
• Feed: Expensive substance used to manufacture manure.
• Dog House: What you are in when you spend too much money on grooming supplies and pretty halters.
• Light Cribber: We can't afford to build anymore fencing or box stalls for this buzz saw on four legs.
• Three-Gaited Horse: A horse that. 1) trips, 2) stumbles, 3) falls.