"Gracious Cloud"

Great service from North Kaludah!! Christine sent through some photos of Cloud beautifully presented by Jeremy before she came home after her breaking-top-up. She's working very kindly indeed!

Rockstar in Aiken,

Rocco was supposed to have a Preliminary (1*)run at Pine Top Advanced Winter Horse Trials last Saturday, but it snowed. The dressage couldn't start in the morning so Kate and two students, Kaden Weaver (back from Christmas in Oz) and Brittany Meyer, went for a bareback ride in the snow. Looks cold! The event went ahead on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, but the re-scheduling put Rocco back to the next event in a fortnight!
Not yet sure how Rocco came to be renamed Rockstar; probably because he enjoys playing to the crowds!

Homecoming

Jeremy brought Cloud home alone in the truck; her first solo transport..no issues. SHe checked out the back paddock on her own and then I let the other 3 in to meet up. After some quiet chat she took Laddie and Paeon for a few laps of the dam before coming back for a quiet drink near me and the dogs.Happily back with her mob.
Laddie had some memories of "stallion status" but as nothing's happening he settled quickly.

Breaking Cloud!

Cloud back in work with Jeremy Janjic, progressing from her preliminary three weeks of handling/breaking. This would be her third week of being ridden; after 2 weeks she was moving freely forward in all paces; this third week has shown a noticeable consolidation of her understanding of the aids; she's more forward moving, into the bridle and more adjustable with her paces. Still a baby, she can come home next week to grow into her physical frame some more and "think" about what she's learnt. This really seems to work well with the Saddlebreds; sfter a few months off they go back to work physically stronger, without having forgotten anything they've learnt, and ready to progress further in their training.

Bloomsbury's Mai Ssandro

News of Ssandro, brother to Maybellene:

Paula Hamood has advertised him for sale in the February version of Horse Deals; now 6yrs old he looks physically mature and is advertised as a dressage prospect + currently jumping 1.20metres.

Australia Day 2010

Gracie, ("Amazing Grace") checks out young Laddie, newly gelded at 13 months, then meets him without fuss, allowed into her paddock, on her terms. Why did I worry! She managed him perfectly!

Then Paeon joined them at the dam; all very civilized really!

Gracie then visited the other paddock while the boys "went for a burn" around their new one, without her.

Grace is already much happier with company; she was really looking like a tired old lady in the paddock on her own, with Maybellene and Cloud away with Jeremy. She looks instantly younger and more 'involved' now she's got the youngsters to take charge of. I hadn't expected that! I underestimated her skills in managing the herd!

Vet top-up

To start the year, Joe Raines checked all teeth.

Cloud, almost 3 yrold, lost two caps top and bottom and had wolf teeth removed 0n top; next check in 6 months as she's losing more baby teeth.

Paeon, 4 y.o., (shown here at first treatment losing wolf teeth as a 2 y.o.) needed 'balancing; and sharp edges filed and 'rounded'.

Maybellene, 5y.o, needed front teeth filed to balance back teeth, and edges rounded as annual routine maintenance.

Gracie, 23 y.o. and pregnant, will need to wait till after foaling to have her sedative and teeth rasped,k so as not to be stress affected.

Big news; Laddie met the Vet, Peter Tabak, and 'lost his manhood'! No suitable owner presented for a young colt at this stage, so he now has the opportunity to pursue his athletic career without being distracted by his sexuality!!.

He's recovering well, and doesn't appear to be blaming me for his discomfort, thank goodness!