I love the last pic with the swan in the corner, face to camera, as if to say, “Aren’t they pretty 4-leggeds? Too bad they can’t fly…!”:lol:
The horses have settled into their herd so nicely… Giva looks like a wonderful alpha mare guardian, and Puika, well, he has got to be the happiest horse in the world after living alone in a box for so many years.
Latest news 
Last few weeks were a bit crazy as we admitted to take in 2 rescues - both mares, 16.2 h, malnourished and one is believed to be pregnant. They arrived tonight (will take pictures tomorrow). Long story behind them, they are coming from herd of nearly 20 horses and last two weeks people were working to get horses out - legally and safe. So they have arrived as boarders on boarding contract until 1st May next year - if owners will be able to pay for all boarding and additional expences, then they will get them back, if not, they are becoming property of peoples boarding them (I really do hope owners will pay for them and they will go back, we do not need more horses, really). But my problem was that we have space here in our stable and knowing their poor condition… we were not able to say NO and we agreed.
So our pack has increased to 7 now. (Do not tell us off, we are mad, I do know, I know, but this seems to be hard winter for many horses - economy is going quickly down and stables on country land where pastures are cheap and like we, self made hay is preserved, horses have a hope).
Brenda Pearl is 9 years old, 16.2h, dark bay with white sock, mix of WB/OR/TR, jumps at shows 120 cm, very technically perfect jumps, but not great speed.
Believed to be pregnant from Arab stallion, owners say that she is due to March or April (our vet had not checked her perfect, vet just helped to get them settled in today, and did not disturbed them with medical investigations, but overall look is - not really pregnant especially not at that term - very small belly for so pregnant lady), so lets hope that she is not pregnant - it would be so much better. The Arab stallion is good, and throws out good babies, but this mare really is not at the condition for happy pregnancy. All in all, she looks very similar to our Shella, about the same size, maybe not so sweet and looks darker.
Pregoria is also 16.2h (but looks much larger), bay, with white blaze on forehead, 7 years old, does not likes jumping much, jumps the same height but without technical finesses - like yeah, you wanted me do jump and so I did, whatever how it went… 
Big Teddy Bear, sweet and I’m in love with her already.
They are in their boxes tonight, next door to Nelson. They unloaded without any issues, and calmly went into the boxes. Pregoria and Neson excanged nice hello kisses, no signs of power games at all, like they just returned home after long journey. Let’s see how it will go within a week when they will get some strenght back - they are thin and very weak now.
Okay, I got to say it again: You guys are great!!!
Lucky horses!
Anna, that’s nice. I totally understand, you do not want your herd to grow, you don’t need more horses, but your heart bleeds when you hear of neglected horses in need and you know you have the capability to help.
I think you did the right thing. Lots of good karma for you & Peter :yes:!
I hope for you that the horses will indeed return to the owners.
If not perhaps you can nourish them back to health & fitness and see if they can be adopted or sold to a good home.
I just watched the other pictures you had up of the foursome playing in the pasture. They look VERY happy and well cared for. Giva looks wonderful. Well done!
I’m looking forward to seeing pictures of Brenda & Pregoria.
Good luck with them all. You are sure going to be busy.
You are wonderfull to this animals, eventhough I’d say : STOP there Anna no more horses, I do agree you did right helping these 2 mares, they’ll be forever greatfull to you.
It is 2 AM here, we just come back from stables. Outside is so bright and beutiful night - Moon is really shining, we did needed any light to go down to stables across fields.
Both mares seems OK. Friendly, allowing us to cuddle them and happy eating the hay. Our pack are hanging around outside, so probably they had talked a lot before we arrived.
So far (since arrival) the pregnant one had drunk 60 litres, other 50 litres. I’m a bit worried. Hope they will establish their water intake to a normal level soon - they are acting like they had been suffering not also from the lack of food but also lack of water.
No, no - we have Puika, Shella and Giva. Inka is here and happy and probably will stay here, but Nelson and these two are temporarily - I really do hope. Until May the first. They are nice and sweet, and care is easy, but it will be too much for Peter to work them all - Shella does not need much, she is well trained and will be busy with her foal, but Puika and Giva needs a lot of job.
You are wonderful! So devoted.
Yep yep Giva needs a job. I can’t wait to see her clear those jumps with Peter :).
It’s okay for them to drink a lot, they sound like they are dehydrated. I’m sure they’ll slow down by the morning.
You both need some rest I’d say.
How’s the winter in Latvia this year? Colder then usual or the same? I keep here from friends & family back in Belgium that his winter is much colder then usual.
Lieslot, special for you! Today Peter rode Giva for the first time! Look at them both - such a happy couple!
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8420.jpg
We both are soooo happy about her! What an angel she is! Giva enjoyed soooo much, so happy, responding to any lightest command, easy as a couch ride and light as feather, taking great care of Peter. Car went past - she was great with it too!
OK, this was going on for 20 minutes only, just light trott and walking, we still must be careful with her back, we put medical gel pad on, of course, but still… This is the only first step, but what a step!
Now just go slowly, grow her muscles back in right places, and it will be not long when you will see them clearing jumps! Yahoooooooo!
Not bad for a horse that cost us 464$ (including vet bills)
Wow, what a lovely photo! Both Peter & Giva look fantastic. Come spring, I think your show circuit better look out for these two.
Wow, she looks like an awesome ride and Peter is really getting a better position in the saddle. I must say the free horses in our area and no where near the quality you seem to be able to find!!!
Not at all sure how I’ve missed this so long, but I jusy had an enjoyable read and missed the first service this morning at church! Next one in 30 minutes, so I’d better run. (Somehitng in there about priorities, but I don’t want to pursue that! )
Will be checking in again soon.
NJR
Very well done Peter!
OMG, just WAW!! I’m awestruck,… I knew it. They are a pair made for each other! They look just awesome together. Fantastic!! I tell you, Peter will be showing her in no time, and people will be turning heads looking at the pair of them.
Peter has improved SO much. He’s sitting really well on her. Very nice trot of Giva. Perhaps, some dressage in the future :yes:!! I think they can both do it.
Thanks for this picture. Very exciting.
Lieslot, so far we are thinking about showjumping - in Giva’s pedigree there are few very good jumpers, and in theory she was bred for showjumping. but if she will like dressage, we shall probably go that way - Peter will try anything that she might like. Our trainer probably will be here next weekend to look at her and decide which way would be better for her. Let’s hope it wil be jumping - she is 7 now, and just right age to start do thing proper and with fun.
Few more pictures of Giva’s big event
Getting ready for the big event
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8371.jpg
How does it feel? Would you like to try, darling?
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8377.jpg
Warming up
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8380.jpg
Off we go!
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8406.jpg
And now both our new girls
My mum and new pregnant mare (good news - not due March - April as expected earlier, it looks more May-June - at least a bit more time to beef her up)
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8354.jpg
A little walk outside - she is ok on lead
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8361.jpg
And here my mum feeding the morning snack to other mare, who looks big and acts big - a lot of groundwork is needed, but in general she is complete Teddy Bear.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8351.jpg
We took her out for a walk
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8355.jpg
but she just pulled Peter off the feet, and run to say hello to our horses
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8358.jpg
(good part - they all seemed very happy and friendly)
Quick hello kisses
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8356.jpg
And then Teddy Bear run back and nicely showed that she wants back into the stable and into her new box.
Winter coats are thick so they do look much better that they are - you can feel every bone when touch them. And they stink terribly! With this chilly weather at present moment we do not risk wash them properly, and somebody already scraped off the biggest lumps of manure, but they are still so dirty and smell like they had slept in human poo…
Anyway, Nelson already adores them and is extatic for having a company now
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/14-12-08Giva1ride/PICT8352.jpg
Weird feeling
Today we spent all day mucking out the boxes. And by some unknown reason I feel sooo happy!
Our last addition - two rescues arrived a week ago, on Monday we went into a huge ice storm and all 7 horses were locked in (and still is) as we can not take them out until that icering will melt away at least a bit.
On top of that we run out of sawdust and were not able to clean boxes until this morning when we made a trip to the sawmill. So horses and boxes were a mess. A big mess!
We spent all day cleaning until it was too dark and at the end I was tired but felt like I had a wonderful day, a great party or something like that. Weird feeling Really weird.
I hate house cleaning (nothing is done - we do not have done the Tree, presents not wrapped, due to the extremely icy roads our fridge is empty and in kitchen only few lonely tins of canned beans and pineaples have been left… ), but I LOVE cleaning horses - they do have boxes decorated with fresh fir tree branches, stable is clean and I’m happy…
My son called yesterday and asked which supplements for horses I prefer as my Christmas present…
Is this is just a novice fever or you too like spending all day in stables just cleaning, brushing and talking with your horses?
Oh Anna, it’s typical horse fever! I do some of my best thinking cleaning stalls and I never have to worry that the horses are going to think I am stupid when I bounce ideas off of them. They are precious (and very good listeners!) 
oh anna your a horse mom for sure!!! you described my house, barn and life exactly!!! totally in love with being a horse mom and so happy!!
Yes there is something soul soothing about working around the barn, it’s like mental therapy.
Oh and I just adore the picture of your mum feeding the horse! Her smile it too cute!!!
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh don’t tell - everybody will want to do it and the cities would empty!
