Why do you not breed her to the same stallion that you bred Shella to? Also that site has some gorgeous horses!!! Good luck, Can i come and live on your farm?
I hope you and Peter are okay after your accident…
When is Shella due?
Shella is due the end of May, maybe June 1-2, in theory 
Nobody knows how it will be in reality. About Brenda we do not have even a hint. Maybe before Shella, maybe after. Just guessing. Before. She looks more pregnant than Shella, but not much. Just my opinion.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/09-02-09/PICT9312.jpg
Brenda is the darkest on the left, Shella on the right of th picture. Must be taken into account that Shella is a bit on a fatty side but Brenda had not had enough food for past 5 years at least.
About Giva: Giva herself has a lot of hano in her and she deserves more than a Latvian draft boy as we are thinking about jumping prospect - Giva herself comes from a good jumping line but with a Latvian stallion there might be only a dressage prospect (Latvian breed is not for jumpers) - as we do look to the jumping and not to the dressage in general, then she needs somebody suitable for jumping - that’s in short my idea when I look for a stallion for Giva.
Other is - new imported blood. I do not want to keep a boy and by bringing in a new, modern hano blood I will not have any problems to sell the boy. In theory, of course. Who knows, how the situation will be after 4-5 years?
We are ready to adopt you (then we should save on salary) But seriously - maybe it is worth to plan a trip to Europe and here too? We keep our doors wide open for any of you, COTHers! You are such a great company!
Oh Anna I’m so sorry to hear about your accident and I’m SO glad you two are OK. Take some time to rest (if you can!) and settle your mind a bit. Give the horses an extra hug and let them help you heal from the trauma. They are the BEST at helping with soothing when their human needs it!
So happy that your happy farm is doing so well. Next time I’m in Latvia, I’ll be dropping by! 
Oh, thank you, but we were lucky actually with the accident - Peter got us out of it really well.
We were driving after the riding lesson home on the highway, completely covered with black ice and Peter was driving on 70 km/h - slowly for safety (usually he likes to speed, but he is for safe driving).
One boy with old, heavy Mercedes-benz decided to pass us and completely lost it on ice. He hit us from the left side, spun around himself to the other side of the highway and on the way with his back hit us again and spun us as well (our car is way smaller), so we nearly went down to the ditch. It was like watching action movie on TV… 
The left side of the car is quite damaged and I presume the whole frame is out of the shape and also the steering system + other things. But we are ok - Peter was able to keep our car on the road, the cars from opposite side spotted situation and were dropping gas as well (you can not use breaks on such a road) so all went OK.
Glad to hear you are ok after the accident. Thank you for the update on all the horses. I think a lot of us would love to be living the life you are! I only discovered your thread a couple of months ago, so I spent 1 whole evening reading through the whole thing. I really think you have the potential for a really nice book.
Snow and fog, but nice overall here, and we decided to let Nelson out. he was brilliant - no crazy running and so on and Puika thinks he must protect and care abiyt nelson so Nelson has a big friend now. (Filthy pictures - Nelson is hopelessly dirty boy, I gave up trying to keep him clean - soon the long fur will go anyway).
My favorite picture of today - Nelson in snow
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/13-02-09/PICT9347.jpg
Peter and Nelson
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/13-02-09/PICT9445.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/13-02-09/PICT9407.jpg
Nelson greets Puika
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/13-02-09/PICT9355.jpg
2 buddies
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/13-02-09/PICT9359.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/13-02-09/PICT9386.jpg
Peter cuddling Prega, our problem girl - http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/13-02-09/PICT9431.jpg
Actually we have good news: the boarder called, they have found her a buyer so my fosters will leave on Sunday probably - what a relief! It will be sad day, of course, but also a relief) So it means 4 horses + a foal and one boarder who was waiting long for a free box
Wow! I love reading your stories Anna, and I am only a third of the way through your adventures. I agree with everyone that says both you and your husband appear to be ‘naturals’ which is another way to say you are attuned to the horse and finding ways to communicate. Good job!
I actually had some misty-eyed moments when I read of how sweetly Pulka helped Peter ("Then Puika bent his front legs and kneeled down to Peter and with gentle phurr, phurr licked his neck first, then with his head tried to roll him over. Peter let him. Then started to talk with Puika, put his hands around Puika’s neck and Puika gently and very slowly lifted him up. Peter hold reins with one hand, other hand on withers heavy and he let Puika walk him. Puika did it and took Peter very slowly directly to our doorstep. I was not able to believe my eyes. Peter played the whole scenario of riding accident and Puika did it from this whole heart! He would not try do it better! " - WOW, what a wonderful horse.
Oh how wonderful and sweet! Yes, horses can be cuddly lovebugs just like dogs. (“This time he was like saying “Thank you for at least this!” and he pressed his head against mine for the first time! Like saying “I love you, give me a hug…” so I did.”)
Anna, I just want to let you know I am in awe of what you and Peter have accomplished! You have no idea, I am sure, how inspiring your story is, of how far you have come how quickly, in your horsemanship journey. I hope it is alright with you, but I too am going to update my signature line, to include the “** I LOVE PUIKA & SHELLA FAN CLUB*** member” .
Jeanie
Oops, I forgot to say I also am very glad you and Peter survived that wreck! Your usual guardian angels surely were assisted by some horse spirit guardian angels who know how important you are to the wellbeing of some very special horses.
On the not wanting, or being worried about riding, that is perfectly alright. Riding is fun, but if you would rather just be around horses as companions, no one would or will think badly of you. Perhaps I misunderstood, but in ‘reading between the lines’ you seemed a little bit apologetic that you don’t really want to ride. That is OK!
I have seen the title of this thread for months now and never stopped to look at it until yesterday. After coming in from feeding the guys last night I stayed up till 2:30am playing “catch up”. I have now caught up and am just speechless at what you all have donein the past year. And yes as others have said, you should definately write a book as I feel I have “walked” every step of the way with you all on your journey.
Five years down the road I am thinking you all will either have:
A: A rescue/foster or layup facility or
B: A breeding facility
C: A riding facility where Peter can continue to hone his riding skills or
D: ALL OF THE ABOVE!
I probably should have spread the reading over the course of this next week as I am “caught up” but now have to WAIT to hear more. Booooooooo! 
I know it has been a year but if you stop now i just don’t know what I will do.:lol:
I am so glad you all are ok from the carr accident, I want to wish you a happy belated 1st anniversary on COTH and I am looking forward to hearing all about the upcoming adventures in Latvia!
At the rate Peter is going, he will be showing at the Grand Prix level soon! :lol:
Spring is all about love
First thing - we have good news about Nelson! His leg is healing really, really well, even better than expected and vet was really happy about the ultrasound results - tendon is healing great and approx in 6 mo time he will be back on track in full speed, 100% again. So his new owners are getting used to him and preparing to take him home after they will bond enough to take him to the new stable comfortably without a big stress. Nelson really enjoys his newly approved freedom but… Oh, shame on me… he can compete for the dirtiest horse title - his fur is really thick and long and hard to clean. Vet even suspect Cushing’s or some other possibilities - let’s see how the blood test will be.
Very dirty but happy and proud horse
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/04-03-09/PICT9525.jpg
Shella’s pregnancy is going great so far, and seems that her foal will be the first one to be born from that stallion - other mare that he had sired lost her foal at 7 mo after transporting to the new stables. Shella is really bored and each night taking her halter off so we do not leave it on at night anymore just for safety reasons.
Giva is OK and had put some weight on which was really welcomed. We had decided on the stallion for her (chilled semen import from Germany) as trainer suggested to give her back another year for complete recovery.
Had not deciced about Inka - breed or not to breed her at all, and if - to whom then.
Puika is just plain happy - my mum had not seen him quite a while and now she was really surprised how happy he is now. Big cuddly Teddy Bear.
And then out hardest decision must be made in few weeks - to add one more to our pack or not. We had been offered a filly, 8 mo old (so a gamble, of course) with quite nice pedigree. She is from this stallion
http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/stolpegaardens+castello
and so sweet and cute.
Here with white blaze:
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/04-03-09/PICT9582.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/04-03-09/PICT9576.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/04-03-09/PICT9583.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/04-03-09/PICT9577.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/04-03-09/PICT9578.jpg
And this is her sire Stolpegaardens Castello
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/04-03-09/PICT9575.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/04-03-09/PICT9585.jpg
We are still waiting for spring to arrive. Very frustrating. Giva has an itch to do something, Peter has the itch, but weather is holding back from any serious job. If you remember pictures from the last March with snow riding, today was again the same. At morning was nice sun and road was melting nicely so seemed that this will be the day for safe cantering… It was sunny until Peter saddled Giva… So again extreme riding
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/06-03-09/PICT9597.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/06-03-09/PICT9603.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/06-03-09/PICT9604.jpg
But at least Peter had few more lessons and last one was a good one - most of the time he actually looked like a rider on the school horse over the jumps. As in this weather there were not many chances for a lesson during the winter (Peter has had only 11 lessons overall), he had agreed with trainer on 2 week session, 2X day - I do hope that it will make him ready for Giva and coming spring.
Vet was here today to give tetanus injections to Giva, Nelson and Inka, and also checked Shella - she is looking great, foal is kicking nicely and under influence of some COTHers we are now working hard on foal’s name to start talking and to let the foal get used to the name We all must wait until the end of May and then… hopefully our first foal will be here!
Wonderfull news all of this :).
And as always Giva & Peter look marvelous together, both very winter-ized ;). You can see they have a special connection. Love the saddlepads on Giva, looks very nice. Love her trot, wiht those loooong legs 
.
Have you made a decision on the 8 mo old filly? Looks very pretty and very sweet. But yep I understand, tough one to decide on.
Ohoh, Nelson is d i r t y. :lol: But he doesn’t seem to realize it in the slightest by the looks of things. Glad to see him so happy and it sounds like his new owners are caring, considerate people, .
Giva’s saddlepads are posh Natural sheepskin to protect her withers - it is her weakest point at present and needs all the protection. Withers has healed well and not even a white hair there - all red is growing back so it will be very easy to forget about the nasty wound. Peter says that she is a dream to ride - easy gaits and soo keen to do anything that you just ask her to do. And even at nasty snow yesterday she was not happy to go back, she just wanted more and more.
Little filly is a hard decision - she is cheap but not really cheap (1000$) and as we are looking for jumping prospect it is a big gamble. She might be and might be not. The plus - she is raised by nice owners, not only very sweet but also very well raised so no general worries about her health and so on. Her pedigree is nice but that’s all that we can say just now.
Next week we shall try to get some outside pictures of her, her movements, but it is still too hard to predict anything at this age.
I think Giva and her posh saddlepads should be shipped to Michigan immediately for full rehab possibilities. I shall await her plane in Detroit ASAP. :lol::lol::lol:
Oh Anna! She’s gorgeous and Peter is obviously turning into quite the rider. He looks so comfortable and correct on her. What a nice pair they make! Congrats on your 1st anniversary, and congrats on your horsekeeping skills. I admire you no end!
I am still astounded at the well bred, quality horses you are offered!!! If there are too many to take, you could probably do a business shipping them here to sell. Giva is unbelievably nice horse and it is wonderful to see the beautiful relationship between her and Peter. This is such a great story to follow!
Oh, Giva is our HRM Queen! And worth all the love, really. But yes, majority of horses here are at the hobby quality. Latvian warmbloods are quite well know for their nice temperament which fits well to hobby riders and makes life easier for beginners. Really hot ones are exception.
For example, this is 4 yo boy that Peter was riding today - normally 4 yo is not suitable for beginners, but this one has a great character and Peter had a great time - and I think that Peter is getting better, getting closer to do something more than just trotting with Giva.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGTuacw8ikU&feature=channel
Peter’s main training now is trott and canter - to get the base for jumping right. With right horse Peter can jump 4 ft easy, but HOW he does it - that’s another story so trainer works on his technics.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/08-03-09peter/PICT9650.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/08-03-09peter/PICT9685.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/08-03-09peter/PICT9693.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/08-03-09peter/PICT9694.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/08-03-09peter/PICT9686.jpg
But… I can promise now that there will be pictures this summer from the first shows (Am I proud or what? )
Do you remember how it was when you got the horse fever for the first time? How long it lasted?
It is over a year now here and I’m getting a bit frustrated with Peter. Tonight again I needed to go down to search for him to stables and quess where he was again - sleeping like a baby in Giva’s box.
It is snowing hard at present and our stables are not warm, at least not warm enough to sleep there. I can understand that they must get really bonded but this is… You know what I mean.
Of course, Giva enjoys his company such a lot, I can get the point but… Tell me please that soon he will outgrow this stage.
Oh, Anna. :lol: I so hate to tell you this, but I’ve had horses for many years and I still used to go read/snooze/listen to the radio in my horse’s stall. I doubt I’m alone in that! If Peter gets cold, he’ll just do what the rest of us do and wrap a horse blanket around him.
I stumbled across your thread months ago and read the whole thing in one sitting…and let me say that I want to come live with you!!! I love your farm, your growing herd, your family and the incredible devotion that you have to all of your horses. How lucky that Puika, Giva, Shella and the gang all have you and Peter for their mom and dad.
Please keep writing about your adventures…I’ve forwarded your thread to my family and friends, and we all enjoy hearing about the latest news from your farm. :yes:
