Updates

Well, I seem to remember introducing Marshall's QH foals that are here for only a short time long. My my are they looking good! I've dubbed the one "Wylan" so when I call him in for dinner I'm not yelling "You with the white leg and blonde hair!". He is really thriving on good food and the lush, hilly pasture. The other, dubbed "Nelson" for his unusual whinny, is also enjoying the pasture.

The final tally on mares due for 205 is 13. A lot for me but spread across the breeds. Two Fjord mares, five TB mares, three Welsh mares, two Irish Cobs, and one Somali.

I picked up a two year old colt to add to the show string. Meet Calling all Gunslingers. He goes back to my favorite Winchester Performance horse Black Tie Kustom on the top and bottom. He's been hanging out in the pasture for a couple months recovering from a speedy cut but next month he'll be heading to the barns for training. He has figured out how to undo the hose ties by the water tank, and I've found the hose pulled as far into the pasture as he could get it. Little smarty pants. Hopefully he'll be that smart about his lessons.

Year 204 Breeding Plans

17 mares bred. Pat is sure I'm crazy, he's talking about padding an empty stall in the show horse barn and locking me in it next spring! :laugh: The show string has taken a hit as far as the mares go, but I'd rather get a foal from these girls while they are still young and fertile. I hope Faye takes, she's the only one with a breeding career ending injury. What I was aiming for was some line diversification and some solidification at the same time, which for the Welsh's meant using an outside stallion (wait til you get a look at this boy! Ooh La La!).

Fjord

 Marit Arla (Pearl) x  Leif Henning  Confirmed
 Berthina (Berti) x  Mork og kjekk Re-Bred
 Edirenstad (Edi) x  Hvit Lagerforing Confirmed

Irish Cob

 Saraid Aislinn (Best Dream) x Connor of Samhradhan Re-Bred
 Credenza Raven (Credenza) x Oran Phelan Re-Bred
 Falon Zabrina (Falon) x Cynfor Arnallt Confirmed

Somali

 Adaeze (Princess) x Zawadi Giza Re-Bred
 Kivuli Msichana (Shy) x Minkah Bem Confirmed

Thoroughbred

 SharpShootingLady (Annie) x FarmOut N Groovy Guy RightOn Re-Bred
 Jarmila (Glow) x RightlyIvory Re-Bred
 Ashlyn Ivory (Ashlyn) x Garrick Confirmed
 Ravenna Agate (Raven) x Randolf Confirmed

Welsh Cob

 Dawnsio yn y Dew (FireCracker) x ThunderSnow Re-Bred
 Hydref Noswyl (Eve) x Blankity Blank Blank Confirmed
 Ysolte Gwlithyn (Sweets) x ThunderSnow Re-Bred
 Dawnsio I Dream (Kira) x Blankity Blank Blank Confirmed


Faye did not take, she has been spayed and will compete until a forever home comes available for her. Best Dream will go to her forever home (one has been selected already) if she does not take. There are three stallion changes in the list. Best Dream is bred to a different stallion, Annie is bred to an outside performance lined custom owned by Wyanet So'quili Waga farm and Aiyana. FireCracker and Sweets are bred to a gorgeous wild stock stallion owned by Bactris and ColorBlind Farms.

Foals Everywhere!

Well foaling season is well under way here, in fact we are impatiently waiting on Gabby and Polly to get under way. We have two additional foals here waiting for GM 2455, when they are getting trailered out to Winchester Performance Horses. I'll introduce them first sense they are out playing in the pasture with the mares and foals, stealing milk from whichever mare isn't paying attention. These are sharp little boys Marshall!

Marshall's First colt

Marshall's Second colt

For the farm's foals we are 50/50 2 fillies and 2 colts. First born was a mousy grey TB filly. I assume her to be Bay under the grey, nice temperament on her I'm interested to see how she shapes up as she matures. I just brought her and her momma in tonight so she can get worked in the morning. The downside to this pretty girl is she is Affected by the Genetic Disorder.

Lily - Grigio x Annie

The next born was also a filly this time an Irish Cob. Ailleacht Dorcha means Dark Beauty and that is exactly what she is. While she isn't shiney like her momma she is the base we are aiming for with our Irish Cobs! This little girl, yes little!, can be a bit standoffish at first. She's only about 90 pounds, our custom foals were huge at over 100 pounds. Don't be disheartened if she scampers behind Dream and peaks through her tail. She'll soon get bold and march over to you for pets and kisses as if she is a princess and earned them.

Dark Beauty - Cheif x Best Dream

 The next foal to drop was Pearl's first. I was hoping by crossing her with North I'd get a yellow dun, but I was going to be happy with whatever I got as long as it and she were healthy. I could have been knocked over with a feather when the tests for Dun came back negative, her colt really looks like a minimally expressed dun. What he really is though is roan like her, just not as lightened as she is. Great Eagle of the North, he has been named. Eagle behaves like one too, slow purposeful circles around his momma in the field and the stall as if he has a constant up draft to ride. He'll be a nice Hunter for sure.

Eagle - North x Pearl

The last foal on the ground so far with three left to foal is a Welsh Cob colt. This little guy even switched places with Marshall's second colt for a short time and Firecracker was none the wiser. Perhaps this means if I ever need one she'll be a good nurse mare. His barn name is in hopes that one day we can name a foal "Moves like Swayze", well that is provided that Swayze develops great moves. His parents are both strong there so I'm hoping to build on it.

Swayze - Red x Firecracker

Now we get back to the business of waiting. Edi will most certainly be next, she's in the run in stall under camera. She was building wax and it wasn't candle wax yet so I'll let you all know when it is. All of my maiden's tend to be pretty close to text book, the only difference is how long they stay at the stages. Pearl went pretty quick through them, Edi I forgot to time. Now to get some shows entered, I've been slacking in that department. Got a couple of 3 and 4 year olds ready to hit the ring for the first time.

New Bloodlines part three

Everyone has met the Somali boys, well the trailer just left after delivering the last of the imports.
We'll start the tour in barn one, the TBs.
First off was the performance bred foal, imagine my surprise when a dainty grey filly stepped off looking ready to play rough sports! She sports a grey face mask and patches on all four legs like knee and elbow pads! Athleta fit her well, the hands have already taken to calling her Leta (pronounced Leeta).

Leta

The second TB off the trailer was a stunning golden blonde, surely this was a filly too. No such luck this colt was all boy right from the start, not even all four hooves off the trailer and he threw himself to the ground for a good roll. Shaking himself off he stepped up to say hello. Countryfried came on the radio and his ears pricked right up and he started to bob his head. Needless to say a quick Studbook check revealed it to not be used. So Zac's name came as easily as Dom's!

Zac

Barn two houses the Somali's so we'll move on to Barn three and Irish Cobs. Bred for Strength and Smarts the first one off the trailer was a Bay temper tantrum waiting to happen. Two steps from the trailer he turned into a spinning, noisy beast. Pat settled him quickly, but the impression was already made. He sounded at lot like a horse my great gram bred when she had SSH and Racking horses. Wren was her name because she sounded like a type of wren. Flaming Wren became his name due to his odd cry and match like temper tantrums.

Flame

Next is the color bred colt. I have plenty of champagne in the herd so I went for bloodline diversity and ended up with a colt the same shade of chestnut as Crimson. Well marked Tobiano without being too white, the four white feet make him look like he's gone through paint. His exodus from the trailer was far less of a scene than Flame's. His name is reminiscent of how the Gypsy's horses were named, The Tinker.

Tinker

We'll be skipping barn 4 as those are the show only stock so on to barn five. The two fjord foals are pretty close to what I wanted. The performance bred foal is a filly, she's grey but she has both chestnut and black alleles in there. While she's good tempered she has much better behind her. She is bred to have really nice conformation as well as be a good English competitor. Skattekiste means Treasure Trove in Norwegian.

TT

The color bred foal had to have two people get her off the trailer. She decided this place was not home and the trailer was where she was staying. Silly girl, I was hoping for a Zebra Dun but I got a Grulla instead. She's gorgeous anyway, looking forward to how she shapes up. Ebony Pearl suits her, don't ask me why with that attitude.

Ebony

Barn 6 and the Welsh Cobs. The performance bred foal is a real head scratcher, greyed out to the point of white already. Nice temperament and good to look at. Night Spirits came as she was coming off the trailer, which was dark, into the light this girl was glowing. Like a ghost in the night or the wil-o-wisp over the swamp. All the other horses in the barn seem to want to stay away from her because of this glowing quality, hopefully they settle down soon.

Spirit

The color bred foal is far more popular with the rest of her barn mates. A spunky buckskin sabino filly with a cute pink nose. She is pretty much what I expected from her parents. Shifting Reality

Rea

That is the lot of them! I'm back up to 93 horses but that is okay by me with these new additions!

New Bloodlines part 2

The first of the new imports have arrived! The trailer from the Importer rolled up today with a spunky Grey Somali colt with great temperament! All I have to say is O M G! When he stepped off the trailer my jaw dropped and I immediately looked from him to the statue of Dom by the gate. The likeness uncanny, Pat looked at my pale face and disappeared only to reappear a few minutes later with a faded, framed photograph of Random Dissapearances. This boy is exactly what I was hoping for temperament wise! All I could do is stare in disbelief. I think my Great Gran has been watching and decided it was time to put the farm back in the news more often. I'd be overjoyed if everyone stopped by for a visit and met Dom. Excitement is high here on the farm while we settle the new boy in.

Dom

 

Dom will be named in honor of Random Dissapearances the first World Champion raised here on the farm. While Dom 1 was a regular import this boy will be just as special.

Before the trailer left it had one more special foal for us. A fiesty, hot tempered red headed colt. This mellow shaded sorrel colt will be giving the hands fits, I can see it already. Threw a fit about getting off of the trailer because it wasn't "his" idea. The folks that trailered these boys over are great, and the tantrum didn't last long at all. The vet has given both boys a clean bill of health and wished us luck. While Dom's name came easily I doubt the sorrel's will. Here he is anyway, just watch your fingers, clothes, bags, and especially hats. He seems to think they make a great play thing. He's vigorously shaking Pat's hat as I type, yes much like a dog. Which gives me a great idea for a name!

Elite

 

Alas the perfect one was taken, but he is behaving like he is from "high society" so UpperCrust fits too.  Slowly but surely making decisions for the others.

Time for new bloodlines

Yes you read that right, Magik Dream Acres is selling off almost all of the custom import stallions, all but Dew, Mars, and Wolf. If you have been dreaming of having Coaster in your barn/pasture or trying out a rare breed (both Star and Wizard are up for sale) check out the classifieds.
While I am waiting for them to sell I need to decide if I'm going to go performance lines or color lines. Since I have a narrowed goal for each breed as far as performance goes it will be a tough decision.
Below are my short list picks for each breed. What pairings would you go with?

Stallions I am looking at with breed that is in mind.
Thoroughbred:
Performance lines: Foreign Soquili Galiquog CFSIII (Intelligence and Speed both weak in herd), Foreign Soquili Gal'quadu CFSIII (Agility and Temperament), Foreign Soquili Sgigadu CFSIII (Intelligence, Speed, and Temperament), and Foreign Soquili Tsogadu CFSIII (Conformation and Temperament as well as Intelligence through Surefootedness)

Color lines: Dikanodi Soquili Tsosgotsoi CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Tsosgotali CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Tsosgonvgi CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Tsosgohisgi CFSIII, and Dikanodi Soquili Sgohi CFSIII

Somali:
Performance lines: Foreign Soquili Tsogadu CFSIII (Conformation and Temperament as well as Intelligence through Surefootedness), Foreign Soquili Nigadu CFSIII (Strength, Stamina through Agility), Foreign Soquili Gal'quadu CFSIII (Agility and Temperament), Foreign Soquili Talidu CFSIII (Agility, Strength through Movement),

Color lines: Dikanodi Soquili Tsosgotsoi CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Sudali CFSIII Dikanodi Soquili Soneladu CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili 'sunela CFSIII   Dikanodi Soquili Saquu CFSIII

Irish Cob:
Performance lines: Foreign Soquili Talidu CFSIII (Agility, Strength through Movement), Foreign Soquili Nigadu CFSIII (Strength, Stamina through Agility), Foreign Soquili Sgigadu CFSIII (Intelligence, Temperament/Conformation), Foreign Soquili Galiquog CFSIII (Intelligence and Speed)

Color lines: Dikanodi Soquili Soneladu CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili 'sunela CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Saquu CFSIII Dikanodi Soquili Hisgi CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Gal'quadu CFSIII

Welsh Cob:
Performance lines: Foreign Soquili Tsogadu CFSIII (Conformation and Temperament as well as Intelligence through Surefootedness), Foreign Soquili Tsunela CFSIII (Stamina, Movement, Strength/Agility), Foreign Soquili Sgohi CFSII (Movement, Agility),

Color lines: Dikanodi Soquili Tsosgotsoi CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Sudali CFSIII Dikanodi Soquili Soneladu CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Saquu CFSIII

Fjord:
Performance lines: Foreign Soquili Tsogadu CFSIII (Conformation and Temperament as well as Intelligence through Surefootedness), Foreign Soquili Neladu CFSIII (all but Speed and Temperament), Foreign Soquili Gal'quadu CFSIII (Agility and Temperament), Foreign Soquili Talidu CFSIII (Agility, Strength through Movement), Foreign Soquili Sgohi CFSII (Movement, Agility)

Color lines: Dikanodi Soquili Tsosgogaliquogi CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Tal'sgosaquu CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili 'sunela CFSIII  Dikanodi Soquili Saquu CFSIII

Mares I am looking at with breed that is in mind.
Thoroughbred:
Performance lines: Foreign Soquili Agisi Nigadu CFSIII (Speed, Intelligence, Conformation/Temperament), Foreign Soquili Agisi Daladu CFSIII (Strength, Intelligence), Foreign Soquili Agisi Galiquog CFSIII (Agility, Stamina, Intelligence/Strength), and Foreign Soquili Agisi Talidu CFSIII (Intelligence, Surefootedness/Agility, Conformation)

Color lines: Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tsosgo'sunela CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Sadu CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Sudali CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tal'sgo'sunela CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tali CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tsosgosaquu CFSIII.

Somali:
Performance lines: Foreign Soquili Agisi Tsunela CFSIII (Conformation, Speed, Intelligence/Stamina), Foreign Soquili Agisi Tal'sgohi CFSIII (Movement, Surefootedness, Temperament), Foreign Soquili Agisi Sudali CFSIII (Surefootedness, Intelligence, Strength/Temperament), Foreign Soquili Agisi Sadu CFSIII (Strength, Agility, Surefootedness/Movement), and Foreign Soquili Agisi Galiquog CFSIII (Agility, Stamina, Intelligence/Strength).

Color lines: Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tsosgosudali CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tsosgosaquu CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tsosgohi CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tal'sgosonela CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tal'sgosaquu CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tal'sgo'sunela CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Daladu CFSIII.

Irish Cob:
Performance lines: Foreign Soquili Agisi Daladu CFSIII (Strength, Intelligence, Movement/Surefootedness), Foreign Soquili Agisi Talidu CFSIII (Intelligence, Surefootedness/Agility, Conformation), Foreign Soquili Agisi Gal'quadu CFSIII (Intelligence, Stamina,  Surefootedness/Agility, Strength), Foreign Soquili Agisi Sadu CFSIII (Strength, Agility, Surefootedness/Movement)

Color lines: Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tsosgo'sunela CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tsogadu CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tali CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Sgohi CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Neladu CFSIII

Welsh Cob:
Performance lines:  Foreign Soquili Agisi Galiquog CFSIII (Agility, Stamina, Intelligence/Strength), Foreign Soquili Agisi Sadu CFSIII (Strength, Agility, Surefootedness/Movement), Foreign Soquili Agisi Sgigadu CFSIII (Movement, Strength), Foreign Soquili Agisi Sudali CFSIII (Surefootedness, Intelligence, Strength/Temperament), Foreign Soquili Agisi Tal'sgohi CFSIII (Movement, Surefootedness, Temperament)

Color lines:  Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Neladu CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tsosgosudali CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Sadu CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Soneladu CFSIII,

Fjord:
Performance lines: Foreign Soquili Agisi Neladu CFSIII (Stamina, Speed, Agility), Foreign Soquili Agisi Sudali CFSIII (Surefootedness, Intelligence, Strength/Temperament), Foreign Soquili Agisi Tsunela CFSIII (Conformation, Speed, Intelligence/Stamina), and Foreign Soquili Agisi Talidu CFSIII (Intelligence, Surefootedness/Agility, Conformation)

Color lines:  Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tsosgohi CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Tsosgogaliquogi CFSIII, Dikanodi Soquili Agisi Soneladu CFSIII,

Year 203 + GM2439 Update!

Well after the recent sale of a good number of the stock that was being kept and not used the farm is down to 89 horses. Not a bad number. Below are the breedings I plan on making this year. Some are maiden mares at least one is a first time bred stallion. Looking forward to these crosses, and hope that at least one becomes a champion.
Projected breedings:
Fjord:
        Stallion: Hjertet av Nord
                    Mare(s): Pearl   Confirmed!
                                   Edi   Confirmed!
Irish Cob:
         Stallion: Cynfor Arnallt
                     Mare(s): Best Dream    Confirmed!
Somali:
        Stallion: Mulogo
                    Mare(s): Abagebe
TB:
        Stallion: Grigio's Sound
                    Mare(s): Annie   Confirmed!

        Stallion: Ivory Gold Ghost
                    Mare(s): Polly
Welsh:
        Stallion: Windswept Dreams
                    Mare(s): Thrill
                                   Angel

        Stallion: Rhudd Hydref
                    Mare(s): Firecracker   Confirmed!

Speaking of Champions! CaviarDreams earned her Draft Grand Champion Title at the beginning of Bercna 2,437! On to Nationals with her! Her only foal Aingeal Aisling has her first Beginner point and is on her way! Due to a breeding injury DA (Dream Angel) will be Caviar's only foal, I am hopeful that she will reach Grand like her momma.
Hydref Noswyl earned her ACh and is now competing in Expert Draft. Winford earned his BCh and is now competing in Intermediate Draft. Aasta Veronika and Skuespiller both earned their English BChs and are competing in Intermediate. Berthina earned her ICh and is competing in Advanced English. 

Update!   

Five of the mares are confirmed, the rest are rebred and now the wait is on. Two new Beginner Champions join the Intermediate show ranks. Jarmila and Friskt Ansikt both earned their BChs one in Dressage and one in English competition.

Time for some changes

Finances are getting tight at the ranch despite some of the recent herd reductions. It never fails that when I reduce staff I need them more so that is out. The only course of action is to reduce the herds more. I'm going to go about it by focusing my discipline goals to one per breed and cull any horses that don't do well based on the discipline guide. This will be a HUGE blow to the barns but in order to keep this place going something has to be done. I will not be dropping any breeds, but I will be tightening up my standards.

The Fjords will be aimed at In-Hand and Hunter over Fences, the Irish Cobs will remain Pulling/Plowing and In-Hand, The Somalis will be aimed at In-Hand and Jumping (returning to the roots of the farm here), the TBs will be either English or Dressage, if English they are expected to go Pleasure and In-Hand if Dressage they are expected to do Dressage and In-hand, and the Welsh are doing well in Draft, Dressage or English. I am down from 115 horses to 97 with 6 for sale. Once those 6 go I'll have 91 horses with 11 of those 20 years and over.

Polly and Edith are huge and excitement is rising as they get closer to their due dates.

Dew earned his Expert Championship in Draft last month! So proud of the grey boy, now for his get to follow. Crimson is sitting tight with 6 more points to go before he gets that coveted Grand Champion title. Maybe now that he's not alone in the chasing of it he'll get his act together?

General Update Continued

Foaling season closes with five gorgeous fillies. The Welsh and Fjord you have seen already, so I'll include pictures of the other 3.
The Somali filly has the worst temperament of the crop, but not as bad as past Somali foals. Not as good as I would have liked but I'm not going to discount her just for that. She is a looker with those high classic Sabino stockings and blaze and that dark classic red coat.

 The Irish Cob filly is a beautifully marked Tobiano on top of Lilac or Classic Champagne. She is coming along with her training, but there is no rush as none of my babies are getting pushed for the Futurities. I want solid show and breeding horses and I am picking and choosing my pairings to try to reach that goal. Color is just the bonus on this girl.

The TB filly is the real surprise of the group! She is homozygous for red and black and her sire, Ivan, passed along his copy of Champagne! She also has a flaxen mane and tail! That was the big surprise of this cross. Without further ado here she is.

Now to come up with names for the girls. I wasn't going to breed at all this season, but I looked at my records and realized that Polly and Edith are both up in age and I have only two foals from both of them! A colt and a filly each, so I bred them both. We'll find out next month if they took, my fingers are crossed from now.

In other news we added two new title plaques and ribbons to the trophy room. Falon brought home her Beginner's title in Draft with 16 points. She is out of our own Faye and by Three Sisters' Pride. In fact she'll be joining her dam in Intermediate classes later this month! Our Pride is our other title earner, he completed his Intermediate Draft title late last month with the requisite 20 points and over 100 horses beaten (he needed only 40).

General update

Well it is foaling and breeding season again here at the farm. The boys have all been informed that they have the year off, but that doesn't stop them from strutting their stuff in their turn-outs. While the excitement of the new foals lifts spirits the work of determining who gets sold and who stays on is sad. Two foals have hit the ground this year so far a Fjord and a Welsh Cob both fillies.

First born was this lovely Grey Welsh Cob filly. She appears Bay Silver under her Grey dapples and I swear I see Pangare but her face is so greyed that I can't be positive. Her dam is chestnut under grey (genetically) and was born grey so I have no clue what color she truly is. It will be interesting to see what she throws when she goes to the breeding shed. In the meantime I am looking forward to watching her develop and hit the show ring.

The second foal born was a gorgeous Zebra Dun Fjord filly. This filly has a nice temperament and the bloodlines to go places. I am in love with her dorsal and shoulder barring, the frosted mane and the prim black anklets paired with a white sock and a heel spot. With such neat feet I hope she learns her leads solid as a missed change could mean a judge looking at her feet.

The weanlings/yearlings are coming along nicely as well, no strong standouts just yet. Well except for the Grulla Sabino TB colt I purchased from Valley Top Ranch. Not only does he look amazing he is the fastest, most agile, and nicest mover among them.

Very exciting news!

Year 200 already?! Where has the time gone? Chief's second foal is on the ground and what a stunning colt! So pleased with Chief as a stud, even though he is not a stunner in the show ring. Last year's Filly and this year's colt have great temperaments. Chief was on the list to sell, but with full siblings showing such good temperaments; he'll be sticking around and working in the breeding shed.

Chief's filly, Alaina:

Chief's colt, Fire Stone

First foal born in year 200.

Foals born last year include two Fjord colts; Luft and Norten, Chief's filly seen above, two Somali fillies and a colt; Bina, Meena, and Everlasting Peace, and two Thoroughbred colts; Randolf and Garrick.

In show horse news Crimson is points away from earning his Grand Champion title. I think he is deliberately making me wait though, as he went from earning points every show to Dew and Caviar earning the points. Maybe he's waiting for them to catch up?
The two project horses Dolton and Stibb Cross. Dolton has gone on to a new home, Stibby continues to be refreshed on the basics. As a Futurity Winner I am hoping he'll get back to the track, but I'm waiting to see how he fits up to place him. He is not pleased to be back in Saddle training with some Harness work thrown in. He was enjoying the time out in the pasture, but he's adjusting.
Indio passed near the end of 199, month 2395 to be exact. The farm just hasn't been the same. Two of the Standardbred stallions; Watcher and Melchior have taken well to Rodeo training. Watcher drew a tough lot of cows during cutting and we are working with him at home to build his confidence back up. Meanwhile he's been taking Sira around the barrels and doing pretty good. They need to tighten up those turns a bit and they'll be good to go. Melchior has taken a liking to cows so far, but who knows what he'll settle on.
Sira has been doing lots of shows with us since Spinn passed away. Lager has been out in the Grand Champion English ring with her, Ashlyn has been out in the Beginner Dressage ring, Watcher in Beginner Rodeo, this month Norway in Beginner English. Norway adores her as much as Lager and he's really putting his best effort into bringing home ribbons for her. Watching post show videos with her been fun because she is so serious that even the judge told her to smile in the Pleasure class! The video from the late month Pleasure Driving class is playing now and she is smiling! The score was good for that class but Norway's frame could use improvement, third isn't bad though! Trail on the other hand, all the scores were kinda low but they pulled off a point!
Off to plan breedings for this year.
Oh, there are five more mares to foal this year.

Many Updates

Every morning I start with a mug of coffee and go through emails from friends, neighbors, and the vet with digital copies of the Coggins tests while the print copies are on their way. I then take those digital versions and add them to the horses' farm record keeping system. I make a second mug of coffee and head out to the Somali barn where Pat has set up an office to leave me messages if needed. Every day I dread looking to see what is there. With Indio well over 30 I do not want to see a note that he has passed away.

In other news our two project stallions, both Standardbreds are improving nicely. Dolton has recovered fully and been given a "back to work" approval from the vet. With a couple of attempts to sell him in pasture condition I took him up to the show horse barn and am going to have him refreshed in ground manners. Stibb Cross is almost 100% again he's going up to the barn and going back to work too. If no one wants these nice boys they might as well earn their keep!

I've missed a few months of entering shows, someone remind me to never do that again? As I've been typing the English events for the late month shows have been texted in. Pearl, our color custom import Fjord mare, has earned her BCh with a win in the Pleasure class!

All of the custom imports on the farm have had the photographer out to see them. All that I have requested anyway, I think Siri does not have a special picture.

It is hard deciding who to sell and who to keep when you have several unproven horses of similar fitness and training. Unproven either in the ring or in the breeding barn or both. Some horses I know are just not show horses and no attempts to cajole them or coerce them will work. Those horses may or may not do well in the show ring. So as the days to fall wound down I made some last minute breedings, since the girls were in full heat. I'll add a post another day with the list of expecting pairings.

With so few of my Somalis active in the show ring and with the success of my ancestor with them in English competition I've brought Harvy out of retirement and back into training. His Dressage foundation will surely help him in the Hunter and Pleasure classes. After this month's Draft show Conqueror will be making the change too. He is just too agile to be allowed to get ring sour because he isn't as strong or flashy as the rest of the drafts out there. 

Many changes taking place

Well much has been going on here at MDA. We found room for several of Hayden's Fjords as you may have seen. We are very pleased to have them here, but that means some adjustments need to be made here. So the easiest and simplest for me to do is sell off the Standardbreds as they were really not up to the level I'd like to seem them at. All but my custom boy that is. I also put up a bunch of horses that were just not performing to the level that I was hoping to see them at. Too much going on at work for me to work with the horses so the training costs are killing me. I've parred down on the show string quite a bit and have a couple of Hayden's Fjord's entered in their first shows GM 2363. Very very excited about the young horses on the property, lots of potential there. I'm back under 100 horses in active training and maintenance exercise. Of those 46 are show string. The rest are heading for the show string when they are ready.
I'll be revamping the ranch page over the next couple of months using Bita's layout as a base. She gets full credit of course!

Foaling season has started with...

a bang!

Here at MDA. I started the month working with my two hand trained babies Aasta and Anna. I got the other 8 to the point where I felt comfortable turning them back over to the hands to train. I will be picking one, yes just one, of this years foals to work with. I have a feeling it will be an impossible decision! Why? Well if the first two foals are any indication the task will be impossible as I will have 5 for sure and I have a feeling there will be a 6th but there could be 7. I just don't think the 7th mare is pregnant.
Both were born in the pasture run-in stalls. Rose's second foal and the first of hers to be born in the pasture she went to the run-in on her own accord and her friend, my disabled girl, Amalia stood guard. Not the first one born this season but the first I saw as Rose, Amalia and still damp baby met me at the gate this morning. Without further ado Buff Roan Tobiano Filly. A check on the other mares in the pasture that were expecting yielded nothing. A count of heads revealed 18 (counting Rose's filly), who was missing? A scan of the horses did not show my coppery bay mare Suede, she should stick out in all of the dull bay mares. A check of the runs found her and her dry foal. This baby was less wobbly on its legs and I approached cautiously this was Suede's third foal but Rose and her filly were close behind me. Amalia, ever in her herd protection mode, stopped Rose from entering behind me. I made a mental note to put up the gates before they get dinner, so I can keep the other mares "safe" from the herd. I stared in awe of this foal as I pet Suede and let the tall leggy baby come up to me on its own. It did after seeing the other horses were not coming in and mom was relaxed with my presence. A quick peek revealed another Filly this one as black and shiny as a fine automobile with spots?! I slowly crouched down and studied this fine creature more closely with Suede nuzzling my shoulder. I found random spots from pinky tip size to thumb print size on her face, neck, shoulders, barrel, rump, but not below her knees and hocks combined with a perfect star and a sweet temperament. I have a feeling the other foals will be really something too. Suede's Black Filly.
I brought both mares up to the barns for a vet check for the foals. Settling them into the large stalls I went and checked the other pastured pregnant mares more closely. Edith, who is new to me this foaling season had the beginnings of a baglet. She would start getting closed in at night in the run-in stalls. From the mares pasture I headed to the Somali barn where Roama lives. I'm pretty sure she's pregnant but I'm not sure. From there to the Irish Cob barn to check on Caviar, my gut says she's not pregnant but she's under watch to be sure. To the Fjord mares next, Freedom was also not showing any signs. Then to the welsh barn to check on Boo, no signs there yet either. I am excited to see what these mares are hiding!

Some Changes taking place

Well I've thought about it long and hard and some changes will be taking place here at MDA. I've got some horses up for sale and I've put in for less hours at work so I can put 10 sessions in with my horses myself. Now to figure out what horses to work with so I can fire those hands. I really don't know if I want to start with the babies or the older horses that need to refresh on their ground manners and saddle/harness basics.

Thrill, shown under the name Ariannaid Aur, earned her Beginner's Championship title and plaque last month! Very proud of this Dew Granddaughter. Her dam has stalled at 12 points perhaps she needs a refresher from the ground up. Might put some time in with Snow, we'll see.

I think I will work with the older horses first. Now the question I have is do I work with 10 horses or spend more time with just a couple? Thoughts and guidance please!


In other news, there are five mares confirmed pregnant and two more that I missed getting the vet out for. Since none of the foals are nominated, taking some time off to get settled in a new routine, I am just hoping both mares caught and only have one foal in there growing. I'll post updates on them as I know them. 

Eyz year 195!!!!

Daaz came to a close with me not getting entries in for early Eyz shows. I did manage to get my Advanced Draft entries in for the early shows. As CaviarDreams was only one point away from her Advanced Championship. She earned that last point and Clabar Pale Face is only one point away from his now. Caviar has been retired to get a few foals from her as her pedigree is great and with hopes that she will pass her love of competing to her offspring. Caviar has been bred to Pride Of Caerul lots of potential between these two!
Caviar has earned a new photo! The photographer is on her way over!

I brushed some flowers on her hip and brushed out her mane and tail. I opted not to clip her and up to the mountain we went. The preview image is :

Waiting on results from the late classes there are several horses that are close to titles. I think I will be cutting down on the herd a little more, some I just don't see myself breeding so a vet visit is in those boys' future. Maybe that will get their minds on working a little better. Lots to do and not enough time as usual.

Busy couple of months!

Well it has been busy here on the farm. I got called away on a business trip, no I did not bring back any horses! I actually missed 5 out of my 6 expecting mares foalings! Normally I miss only one or two on trips into town for supplies. They do wait for you to leave after all! I did get to be with Aware when she foaled this lovely filly.
Here is the line up of this years foals. Now I have to figure out names for them!
In order, as near as the staff notes indicate, by birth.
First on the ground was a gorgeous TB filly.

 The above filly is a Bay Tobiano with possible Splash markers. She is a granddaughter of Ivory Gold Coast and is 100% foreign bred lined. I wish her temperament was a little better, but she is a good bit sweeter then her momma!

The next foal to slip out into the world a couple of days later was this stunning Fjord Filly.

She is our most extreme expression of pangare that we have had born on the farm. The rabicano is just icing, if only she had inherited her sire's dun. I am very pleased with her temperament and hope she develops into a nice mare.

The third foal is a blue eyed Standardbred colt. He was born the same day as the Fjord filly. My hands didn't mark down am or pm on the chart and of course they don't remember, I feel lucky when they mark down a time at all!

His blue eye is Splash coming through from his maternal great-granddam (mother of his mother's mother), who had a high white hind stocking and a cornet ring. He is on the low side of our aspirations for the Standies, but he will be trained up and given a little time.

The next foal was a linebreeding experiment. Her sire is her dam's grandsire. The result a striking grey Welsh Cob filly.

Her temperament leaves something to be desired as I am hoping to start moving up in that area, but Dew's get are doing well in both Draft and Dressage so I have some lofty dreams for this girl!

The next foal, our second colt of the season, is probably the most anticipated foal of the season. Our Irish Cob colt out of our Dikanodi lined mare by Three Sisters' stallion Pride Of Caerul is not exactly what was on our wish list, but is no less stunning in every way.

Ivory Amber Silver with a Cornet Ring on his left hind with a sweet disposition. He's got the look to add to our Champagne hitch that is slowly building up.

I returned home to find I had missed all of the above babies being born and miss Aware uncomfortable and huge. I knew she would only hold on for a couple of days tops, and I was right. One good nights sleep was all I got because the next night she was in labor for hours, poor girl. It was like she was giving me the dramatization of the mares I had missed foaling. In the end when her, grey, filly slid out into the world I was overjoyed that I had been able to attend one of the foalings this year. Here she is the last foal of the season, Somali Filly

I am currently plotting out breedings for next years foals, far less as I am only AI'ing this year.

 

Newest Champions!

Well I had a whole other post planned, but our newest Beginner Champion has postponed that idea!
A couple months ago Thorsen earned his BCh in Three Day Eventing. Ever so pleased with this boy. At 10 years old Thor has been nothing but a pleasure to have on the farm.

The early Draft shows brought home another BCh title for the farm! Hydref Noswyl earned her last two points following in her grandsire's hoof prints. She is a Dew Granddaughter and I couldn't be more pleased with her progress!

Month 2333, Qerta

As Spring turned to Summer here at the farm the trailers coming and going with the show string for the late month shows. Two of the foundation line Somalis brought home points, not two I bred however.
Bamidele; whose name means Follow me home. He earned it too. When I was in Africa selecting horses from this rare breed to ship home, this boy as nearly a yearling followed me where ever he could. When I was out of his reach he stood at the place that allowed him to be closest to me. Of course I shipped him home. He hasn't disappointed me either. I had him gelded to reduce the temptation to keep breeding him and getting a thick inbred herd. His two sons, one now gelded will carry on.

The other point earner was Nthanda; whose name means star. I selected this boy's parents as a custom brood from the importer. I was so excited almost exactly what I hoped to get from the parents. I really really wanted a clear filly, so of course I got a carrier colt. But Star hasn't let me down one bit. Earning his BCh in Draft against an established line of Irish Cobs and his own farm mates he still picks up a point against a nice line of Haflingers and his farm mates.

The other three winners the farm had last month rounding out our months points to 7 were two homebred Welsh Cobs and one of the farms Irish Cob studs.
The two Welsh Cobs, one in Beginners Draft and one in Beginners Dressage brought home 4 points!
Thrill and Red. The IC was Crimson in Advanced Draft.

No shows for us this month, getting some of the show string refreshed on their ground manners. Nothing like watching a nearly 30 year old horse drag someone across the driveway. He knew his manners, but a reminder now and then is a good thing.
Until next post!

Welcome!

Magik Dream Acres now has a blog! Here we hope to keep everyone updated on the progress and goals of our herds. Yes herds, TBs, Somalis, Welsh Cobs, Irish Cobs, Fjords, and Standardbreds all call this farm home.

I am hoping to get up to a post a day, but for now three posts a week is my goal.

For those browsing this blog is based on a fictional ranch in a game called Equine Ranch.

I plan on including a story about special horses, milestones in our breeding program, and anything else that I find worth sharing.