Saturday, April 30, 2016

I think weaning is over, finally!

I turned the mares back out with the whole herd today.  They'd been in an adjacent pasture.  The babies always seemed so interested in them and still are, but I think the mares are finally over the baby thing.  Neither mare let their babies nurse today and both kicked at them.  I thought Cody might still let Charlie, but she actually kicked her and made contact!  Catlow mostly just threatened.  The babies only tried that initial meeting and now they are all fine.  I haven't even seen them try again all day.  Everyone is happy.


Shimmer is such a beautiful filly.  Inside and out.



Charlie has finally officially caught up to Shimmer!  Yearling versus 3 year old.


I put Chico's grazing muzzle back on for the "summer".  It's been warm enough that the pastures are coming in and Chico is really fat already.  He's the only fat one.  Denny doesn't understand what's on Chico's face!  Isn't this boy going to be a handsome horse?


Flaxen mane!





Making baby mouth!  Trying to understand what is up with Chico!  Chico just wants this thing off his face.





Charlie is still shedding her coat.  Her winter hairs are dull and brown.  But she is shiny and black in the few places she has nicks or bite marks, giving a taste of what's to come!



Sunday, April 10, 2016

Working with Shimmer

Weaning babies is still ongoing.  They still try to nurse every time they get with their mamas and the mamas for the most part would let them, so I'm being very careful.  I've got Charlie with Chico, Shimmer and Catlow.  Denny is in a separate pasture with Cody and Stormy.  Charlie tries to sneak in and nurse on Catlow, but she won't let her.  The mares are finally drying up.  Cody and Charlie still whinny for eachother though.  They are so dependent!  So close!


I've been working with Shimmer.  Today with did some ground driving for the first time and she was amazing.  It started out a little rough, but she really figured it out.  And I also sat on her for the first time!  I can't wait to work with her again.  She is a fast learner and is really going to be a great kids horse someday.  Nothing really bothers her and she is just a good girl!