Malik's first filly crop is 4 years old this spring. That first year
(2000) he gave us all fillies but that's where the similarities ended! Luna
is out of our grey grade mare, Cherokee and is a pretty little chestnut with
flaxen mane and tail. Steppin' is out of a black Foxtrotter mare named Star and
is a frosted grey at this point in time. Badar is out of my sister's black TWH
mare and is a gorgeous blood bay. Luna is about 14:2 HH and has the sweetest
disposition, quiet, willing and smart as a whip. Steppin' is nearly 15 HH but is
long and lean and while also sweet, is just not ready mentally or physically yet
for any major training efforts. She gets another year to grow up. Badar is over
15 HH, full-bodied, long legs, elegant neck and quiet and willing much like
Luna. All three of the fillies are going through growth spurts right now (croup
high) so their work is limited to mostly training but this weekend, my sister
and I ventured forth on a couple of very short rides away from home on Badar and
Luna. I was unable to make the Oak Leaf Spring ride so my sister trailered over
and we set up corrals in the front yard for the other two sisters. However,
Nelson fried something in the wiring of the horse trailer trying to "fix"
something so we slept in the house, not in the trailer! The fillies loved the
adventure. Badar quickly got zapped trying to make friends with Luna and Luna
went straight to the hay. Both good things! We practiced giving them pro bi and
electrolytes by syringe. They both received their first sets of shoes as all we
have to ride on here is gravel road. It used to be soft dirt road but they added
gravel this past fall so shoes are necessary. We also practiced all the vet
check procedures and Badar finally figured out that she CAN have someone put
their fingers in her mouth and that getting her gums rubbed can feel NICE. :)
Luna took everything in stride with a "What's next?" attitude. We went for a
very short ride (maybe two miles) to the Muskegon River and back on Friday
night. We passed a backhoe in the neighbor's yard digging a hole for God knows
what, barking dogs, galloping horses and mules that came to greet us, rushing
water at the drain and visited the "big" river though they did not go in. We did
not make an issue of that this time as they had done SO well with everything
else. We will save that for another day and perhaps pony them in the first time
though they have both been in it before having been ponied without someone on
their back. Back at home, they both got some nice wet slurry and beet pulp which
they relished. They passed the night in their little corrals like troopers. On
Saturday morning, we saddled them up for a little longer ride. Apparently they
had passed the night plotting how many ways they could frustrate and disgust
us!! We headed out of the drive and down the road and lo and behold, the ditch
with the rushing water made NOISE that necessitated balking and backing. One
would balk and the other would follow suit. Neither has ever refused to go
forward! We did circles to no avail. So I backed Luna most of the way
across and then Mary got off and led Badar and away we went again only to balk
when the horses and mules greeted us a little way down the road. Circles and bad
words and lots of encouragement! After torturing us for the time they had
alloted us, away they went with no problem again though they had to throw in a
spook here and there at things they had just seen twelve hours before and at
which they didn't blink an eye! I was determined to at least make it to the
river!! It's only a mile from home!!!!!
We made it to the river! Nelson showed up in the van and followed us across
the big bridge that spans the river and Mary led us across. After the bridge, it
was new territory and the two sisters decided to give their human sisters a
break and we continued an enjoyable ride down a nice dirt side road that
winds along the river, little to no traffic, just a couple kids on bikes and a
few dogs barking. We trotted a little bit. That Badar has a HUGE stride and will
eventually be hoofing down the trail and making her competitors look over their
shoulders! Luna has shorter legs but can really boogey along herself. She is
still getting her balance with a rider but has greatly improved. She was so sick
of riding in the front yard and going over my log obstacles and ignoring all my
despooking devices! I don't doubt that she will intimidate her fair share of
competitors as well someday! We made it home without incident, ears forward and
any remaining tricks deferred for another day. They had a wonderful time and
gave their riders a wonderful time as well. Who would have known 5 years ago
when we bred the mares and 4 years ago when they hit the ground
running, what fun and what joy it would be to start a new journey
on hopes and dreams we could only imagine when Malik first joined our family?
Badar and Luna will be starting some 25 mile rides this season and maybe Malik
will join them on the trail for the fun of it. Limited distance certainly has
that FUN aspect!! Have a wonderful Easter and a terrific ride season
everyone!! :)
