Novice needs advices on naughty horse (We have a baby!)

I’m with everyone else- I think it’s the right choice!

Plus, you’ll have more time to spend with Shella’s baby if the breeding took!

Proof once again that not only do you have a big heart, but common sense (which is not always easy to come by)! :wink:
I hope those people find a great home for their horses! Enjoy the ones you have now, there soon will be three (I know Sheila is pregnant, I just know it)! :slight_smile:

Whew, yes, I was hoping you would make that decision. The family of Puika and Shella and new foal will be quite enough for you, I think. Horses are much easier to care for in the lovely summer weather, but when winter comes you will be glad you have kept your horse family managable size.

Today was very interesting day - we put a complete beginner on Puika! And they both did very, very well. Our friend is tehnically fit, was prof dancer, is good climber (mountains and industrial), but never ever had chance to try riding. So firs we put him on Shella, on lead, let him adjust and see, how he is doing, and then we put him on Puika, so he can learn right way to trot (Puika is great trotter, much easier than Shella, and trotting is not good for Shella’s health).

That was perfect part of the day.

And later, when my niece walked Shella, they both lost attention, and Shella stepped on niece’s foot. She is shoed, so it was not a light thing. But niece did great - one scream, did not lost reins, and when we carried her in to take spot shoe off to see how the damages are, she said nothing.

After she analysed the situation, worked out why accident happened, and was really worried in case I will ban her from horses. She tried to convince me that it is only bruised, that she can move all toes, so nothing is broken, and that she is not in the pain. Brave girl as it must hurt a lot, but her love to horses is bigger than pain. But seems that nothing is broken, so this will be another lucky accident. I cheered her up that she has only one thing to become a proper horse girl - to fell off from horse. :slight_smile:

If that child at the end of the summer will be still in one piece, she will be addicted to horses for her whole life.

Hope your niece’s toe is all better and she’s back to riding! :slight_smile:
Any news on Shella? Is she pregnant? If not she should have been showing signs of heat in the last couple of days! Did you take her to the vet yet to check?

H![](! Do not know is she pregnant or not yet, but so far no signs of heat. Vet is visiting us quite often but she said that she will be sure on day 40 (or so). By some reason I have feeling that she must be, but it is just feeling.

Today was quite exciting day - we went to my first local horse show and we put my mum (she is 75!) on Shella.

Of course, niece is back on horse - I banned from riding just for a day, no point to ban for more, she is really lucky and just had a bruise.

So, here we are trying to get my mum on horse
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/summer08/13a-07-08ilona/PICT5290.jpg

Luckily on :slight_smile:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/summer08/13a-07-08ilona/PICT5291.jpg

And here they go! :slight_smile:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/summer08/13a-07-08ilona/PICT5294.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/summer08/13a-07-08ilona/PICT5295.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/summer08/13a-07-08ilona/PICT5298.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/summer08/13a-07-08ilona/PICT5302.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/summer08/13a-07-08ilona/PICT5308.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/summer08/13a-07-08ilona/PICT5311.jpg

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/summer08/13a-07-08ilona/PICT5312.jpg)

I’m really proud of my mum! She was doing really good, I bet better than me, and the only problem she had - to lift leg over the back to get off the horse - she was shocked about poor movement of her leg on hips (to be honest I’m surprised how good she is doing).

Sonora is slowly learning how to turn horse and how to use legs to give Shella commands. Strange thing - seems that Shella respects her and niece is in charge!

Later I will post link to pictures from today’s show - it was local, rural show, only about 50 horses participated, but it was really interesting for me, and Sonora was over the moon already, and it inspired my mum to be a brave girl and try out :slight_smile: So another good day in our lives!

Haven’t checked the thread for awhile…your mom looks great, Anna! Hope she wasn’t too sore. Sounds like you all are doing very well, and Shella looks wonderful. :slight_smile:

Your mom is amazing… if she feels tight in the hip joint, riding is wonderful therapy. Let her ride at the walk, feet loose (without stirrups) and let the movement of the horse loosen the joints. Can’t wait for show pictures! I am afraid now that Sonora will soon want to take Puika to the show!

Show pictures here - a lot, not good quality, but at least you can see how our local training show goes.

http://s103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/13b-07-08part%20two/

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/summer08/13b-07-08cepure/

Wow, what a great horse Shella is and I must say your mom has balls, good horse or not, that’s still a long way down! :wink:
I always love seeing the pictures and envy you for all those nice green pastures! Here it is brown, dry, hot and smoky from all the fires that are burning throughout the state! :frowning:
Looks like you had perfect weather for the show and everyone was having a blast! :slight_smile:
By the way, I’ve also had a feeling that Shella is pregnant and now that you say you didn’t notice any signs of heat, I’m sure! Even if she isn’t interested in Puika anymore after meeting with the stallion, I’m sure Puika would have let you know! :smiley:

i was drawn to reading all your posts anna and enjoy hearing about your beginnings with horses…i too simply love my horses and have no desire to ride them…i got my first horse when i was 40 years old and now at 56 i still just love having them in my life to care for! they are our very special babies now that all our kids are busy with their own lives…we have a simple but safe and comfortable home for our horses too…the most important thing they need are people who love, respect and understand them…that is all that you are doing very very well!!!:lol: thank you for sharing your compassion and inspiring me to never forget all that is most important - the love between other living beings:winkgrin:

Look what he did!!!

I was just bored cooking dinner in the kitchen when dear Peterknocked at the door… When my shock was over, I got camera, so sorry for untidy dining room… Honestly, it was not planned, Peter is just mad as hatter…

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/21-07-08/PICT5345.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/21-07-08/PICT5344.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/21-07-08/PICT5346.jpg

His excuse was … in case if the next spring is bad and she must foal inside, it is better for her to get used to it…

oh how funny! Your home looks lovely as well especialy with such a nicely behaved horse in it!

oh what a wonderful life you have with both your husband and you loving horses!!! our dream home is actually a dream barn where we could all live together under the same roof!!

:smiley: Good job that we have original brick floors on the ground floor.

Anticipation is overwhelming… Tomorrow vet will arrive to do the ultrasound check up - do we have a hope for a foal or not. So please keep fingers crossed…

Annacrew-you guys are amazing…first no horses now 2 and maybe one on the way! Can you potty train Shella and Puika? heehee! How is the riding going…any more trails?
How is Shells breathing? That worries me the most…She seems like a nice horse too…

Most amazing thing is that Shella is potty trained! At the beginning I was freaked out - first night she refused to go into barn. She was standing at the door and froze. Ouch, I was worried, this horse has vice! Nooo! She just needed to do her business outside before she goes inside… And in her box she always does business in one place… so I would agree to keep her inside, much better tenant than my cygnets that already are living in dinning room (in largest dog cage, but anyway… lil stinkers!)

Shella’s breathing is much much better now if only she is kept outside 24/7. Then you need a vet to tell that she has heaves - you can gallop and canter her, and no coughing, no wheezing - nothing - happy and healthy horse all in all.

Few past days were really hot here so horses must go in during the day othervise gadflies drives them crazy, and - wheezing was back for an hour or so. She just can not stand even few hours inside. Outside only, and she is healthy and sound horse, ready to get wind in her mane anytime.

The most exciting part about riding - we found a saddle that fits Shella perfect, so now we shall be able to go for trail riding both in saddle. But until next weekend no riding on trails planned. Too hot and we must rush with hay. Peter has established our “private gallops” and each day he spends a bit time there with both horses, but not much (+30 C here is a lot) and Shella is not used to rough outside life.

We must prepare excess hay for at least one horse, as it really seems that this autumn will be many horses “free to good homes” and we are considering about another mare - I doubt that we shall find another one as good as Shella but at least we should be able to keep one more. No stallions and probably no geldings - Puika is our priority and he would not like another boy around him :slight_smile: But another princess to love… who knows :smiley: He has big heart! And we are looking… we have 90 acres - I do not want get into dairy, to small area for serious crops, so horses seem the only real possibility to keep our land neat and tidy

Why is it that every time I come on to check out this thread I end up crying? :sadsmile:

It’s all just too lovely…

[QUOTE=Bluesy;3386234]
Why is it that every time I come on to check out this thread I end up crying? :sadsmile:

It’s all just too lovely…[/QUOTE]

:yes::yes::slight_smile:

:eek: Am i seeing things or is that a horse walking through your kitchen? :yes:

I can not thank you enough for writing us and telling us your adventures, for some reason your life seems like a fairy tale