Dawn to Dusk………….

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 At Redhearts, we are no different to any another horse owner during these winter months, finding the long months a challenge. Irrespective if your horse/s live in and worked or live out or come in during the night, the work load is immense. The commitment to strive through the elements of the weather is the small price you pay for the satisfaction of being a horse owner. Taking on the frozen pipes, the extra manure due to the longer hours spent in the stable and ad lib hay. Not to mention the muddy fields……..I could go on!

None the less I look forward to the winter, “letting the horses down”, letting them get muddy, grow a winter coat and be “horses” is all part of their education, especially for the young stock, I believe this is one factor of many that is key to their future.

Although I find it a challenge, with work, the school runs and general family life, it is only what I know now. The race against the day light hours,I find preparation and organisation at the weekends without compromising the care of the horses makes life easier. Long gone are my days of changing rugs and warming the bit up…..

Today the sun shone and I had time to take some up to date images. It is amazing to see what a bit of sun can do, the young stock certainly had fun……

The broodmares grazed….

The Redheart fillies played……

Reus constantly annoyed the pony……..

      

Despite a thick  dirty coat, an over grown mane and  splashed with mud, he still looks a “handsome two-year old colt”…..

 

 

Who is the Appaloosa?

 

The cold dry days are far more enjoyable than the wet windy ones and the horses actions support this quite clearly.

The race against the clock from Dawn to Dusk has been captured beautifully by my very patient daughters.

 

Dawn, the time that marks the beginning of the twilight before the sunrise, time to get those horses out…..in aid of Easter because of her night blindness.

Dusk, during early stages of twilight, there is enough light in the sky under clear-sky conditions to get the horses in without the aid of a torch….

 

When twilight sets the scene, when the Sun itself is not directly visible because it is below the horizon, it’s the countdown to wash your boots and lock up……

Weeping at weaning time….………

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Over the last four years, I question myself why am I breeding when it comes to weaning. I feel so much pain for the mare and foal it’s pathetic but perhaps it has something to do with motherhood?

Easter is now six months old and I have observed her very closely over the last few weeks. During the day (out in the field) I have noticed the distance between her and Catori and Easter’s strong bond with Evee has developed considerably. Catori (although five months pregnant) has been content being with her best friend PP, a perfect match for scratching and grazing.

Being one of the most stressful experiences in a horse’s lifetime (never mind the owners)  my aim is to minimise the stress for mare and foal. I have ensured Easter has had a good start in life, she is up to date with her jabs, her feet have been regularly trimmed and she’s carrying enough weight to head into the winter months and cope with the weaning process. She is a greedy little filly and I have no doubt her digestive system is ready.

So I did it, yesterday Catori was loaded into the lorry as a vacancy arose at Will Hunt’s yard, taken away out of ear shot from Easter for a holiday to allow her milk to dry up.

Today is the first day Easter has been without her mum, although a constant neighing last night, the other horses constantly replied to her. I guess, reassuring her they were only next door or telling her to shut up?

Today, the appropriate company was Evee, PP was stabled as I believe three could be a crowd. Evee was so quiet and calm with Easter, no running around, no bossing about, just a quick meet and greet then graze. What a relief and wonderful to see.

Before it got dark, I took Easter for a walk around the yard and made a fuss of her……..

No neighing at this present time.

No more weeping at weaning time.

Calendar Girls…….

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What a lovely surprise this morning on the Face Book media page  Appaloosa Calendar,  as I celebrate my birthday I also celebrate seven enjoyable years working at the Three Counties Equine Hospital LLP.

The photo below of my mares Princesse Pascale and Peyres Catori Cat take the 2015 Appaloosa Calendar month of July.

 

 

No surprise what close friends and family will be getting for Christmas. Both mares are the back bone to Redheart Appaloosas and mean so very much to me, their progeny seem to be stealing the limelight at present but today it is the Calendar Girls turn.

Progress at the Nationals……..

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Keen to leave at 5am, I then realise it was too dark to turn Hevans EV Cateaster out into the field because she has night blindness. As soon as it was light enough Easter, Catori and PP were turned out and we loaded Hevans EV Pascalius and Hevans EV Catorrius into the lorry.

A straight run up the M5 to Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell for the ApHC UK National Breed Show.

APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (19)

Frank very kindly warmed Reus up, he always needs to exert some energy.

 

Crystal ensured Evee had stretching her legs, had a good look around and was settled.

APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fantastic day for Crystal and Evee, 2nd in the Yearling USA filly class, 4th in the FPD Halter female open and following in her mothers foot steps (PP) she won the UK Yearling filly class taking the APHC UK Nutland Carpet Salver. Crystal qualified for the ApHC UK young stock championship and was placed Reserve Champion. Absolutely delighted for Crystal and Evee, a promising second show and an exciting future for another potential brood mare at Redheart Appaloosa’s.

APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (8)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (1)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (3)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (7)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (2)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (4)

I have worked Reus hard over the last three weeks to enhance his performance at the shows. I believe this effort had paid off, he won the ApHC USA two year old colt class and the USA FPD Halter open male. He then went USA Grand Champion Stallion winning the USA bronze trophy.

In the UK class for two year old colts he took first place which qualified him for the UK Grand Champion Stallion which he won and was awarded the Tiptoe Stud Shield.

We also won the Spotless Salver in the non characteristic class.

APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (13)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (11)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (6)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (12)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (9)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (16)

 

However, he let him self down in the ApHC UK Supreme Championship, even though I believe we were in the running for Reserve (being asked for a repeat show), Reus clocked him self in the arena mirror and was very aroused by his reflection. I totally get that!

Reus APHC UK NATIONALS 2014ApHC UKEvee APHC UK NATIONAL 2014

ApHC UK National Breed Show 2014

A well deserved day for the horses and a very enjoyable day had by all, topped off with a super picnic supplied by Frank. Just Brilliant.

More pictures updated on the horses pages.

Another huge relief…..

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  Awaiting the following cycle after her foal heat, Peyres Catori Cat was booked in at Three Counties Equine Hospital LLP for an Artificial Insemination (AI) package with the semen from RDF Ti Kha Atta Rain.

 

Peyres Catori Cat - 14Day 2014Princesse Pascale - Heartbeat

     Peyres Catori Cat had her 1st pregnancy scan today,

    which proved to be positive!

 

 

                    Princesse Pascale also had a scan to  confirm a

                    heartbeat and healthy maintained pregnancy  !  

                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

As I look out across the field I see the mares happy and content, pregnant for 2015 and my two Kiss My Finest Heart fillies growing and enjoying life……ALL THE GIRLS

 

What a relief, very excited about the new arrivals out of Peyres Catori Cat & Princesse Pascale by RDF Ti Kha Atta Rain.

 

Great Friends…………

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Last night Hevans EV Pascalius was prepared for her first show, she is an amazingly quiet yearling, bathed, clipped, dressed over and braided with out a care in the world! Because Hevans EV Catorrius was entered, this meant two trips with the lorry so Evee was booked a stable the night before. She loaded and travelled beautifully and settled in the main barn at the ApHC UK Midland Show at Summer House Equestrian Centre, Gloucester.

Evee was entered in ApHC USA Reg – fillies/mares and Main Reg – Fillies 3 years and under. She won both classes and was awarded a special for the best yearling. This was a wonderful introduction to her showing career, Evee wasn’t naughty but scared. The judge was very obliging, I was allowed to encourage and relax the filly before leaving the ring on a “good note”. Very much appreciated, all the work at home vanished into thin air, there was so much for her to observe and I was relieved when her head started to lower!

2           5

 

Reus was entered in Best Condition & Turnout 3 years & under, ApHC USA Reg – colts / stallions / geldings and Main Reg – Colts 3 years and under. Again, taking first place qualified both horses into their own class Championships and Young Stock Championship.

 

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Qualifying a colt and a filly in the Young Stock Championship meant an extra pair of hands!

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My mother came to the rescue, as always!

Hevans EV Catorrius took the Championship with Hevans EV Pascalius as Reserve! 

History repeating itself, it was only a few years ago, my Mother and I stood with Princesse Pascale and Peyres Catori Cat, the Dam’s of these young stock!

Such a wonderful experience again to be stood in the ring with my mother!

 

 

During the morning, to my delight two very good friends Frank and Crystal who I work with turned up at the show! These two people have years of experience with horses and are more than capable of dealing with any situation……..Evee & Reus were taken from me in turn as one went in the ring, one came out etc…….Frank walked Evee around showing her the sights of the showing world and Crystal ensured Reus was kept occupied out of the way of the fillies!

Phew…….so very much appreciated and so glad to have such GREAT FRIENDS! Thank you both x

 

 

Confirmed…….

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 A quick trip to Three Counties Equine Hospital LLP this evening proved to be great news!

Princesse Pascale has successfully conceived as the scan image shows the embryo (gestational sac) at 15 days post ovulation.

 

By RDF Ti Kha Atta Rain Out of Princesse Pascale

By RDF Ti Kha Atta Rain
Out of Princesse Pascale

PP lost her pregnancy last year, so I will try not to get too excited.

We will confirm her pregnancy is maintained with another scan later in June.

Every thing crossed!