Happy Belated Birthday to all the Equidae....

[horseyrider]

I don't know of any registry that doesn't count birthdays as of January 1. I was doing chores this morning, and then it hit me; as I looked at my little herd I realized my old man is 22 this year, and my youngest is three, ready to start some semi-serious work. This is the year we start under saddle work, and I'm wanting to get started like yesterday. She's extremely sweet and intelligent, very calm and willing, and amazes me with how much she wants to please. 

Omigosh, I can hardly wait!  We'd done some light longe work and long-lining last year, and she did fantastic.  I hope it continues; she's likely to by my last horse I start alone, maybe even my last horse.  Friesians aren't known for living long lives, but hers should be long enough for me.  I still have her mama; she's late teens and done having babies.

And if she turns out to be a nut, she'll go down the road and I'll get something else.  Maybe something about 14.2, something easy on and off.  I've had nothing but big horses for years.  This filly is almost too big already.  I'd still ride my old man if I don't have anything else, but he's 16.2.  I showed the hair off him in HUS and HH, and he deserves a long and relaxing retirement.

What are your springtime horsey plans?  Anything you're itching to get started with?

[here to stay]

I actually found my 16'3 gelding to be easier to mount than my 15 hand replacements. He would blessedly sidle up to any stump, picnic table, fence, tree I asked him to. He would stand in ruts, with his forehand down a steep hill or anything at all so I could mount. Once I even piled sand up on a beach to give me the 6 inches I needed to get a foot in the stirrup.

Being so large, my "hang time" while I crawled my way up didn't bother him at all (not Mr. Sensativity).

The girls on the other hand....

[aoconnor]

I know all registries go by January 1, but I still won't start my youngsters until their actual birthday is pretty darned close! I start all ground work, carrying a saddle, long reining, etc, at 2, but I don't step up until they turn 3.

I have a 3 year old Friesian/TB filly that I adore! She is just so sweet and honest, no naughty in her. She is already under saddle as she is coming 4, but I have a few other youngsters coming up this spring that are being started, it is so much fun getting to know them from the saddle like I know them on the ground!

My 8 year old grand daughter has her 1st show coming up this coming week. She will ride in the Chisholm Challenge at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. She is deaf, so is qualified to ride in that portion of the shows going on. She will do a walk/trot Western Equitation class, a Trail challenge class, and then run barrels.