One UK Foundation Appaloosa Stallion
As the weather has turned incredibly wet, all the horses are now in at night.
Our routine at the present time is turning them out in the dark mornings and getting them in during the dark evenings. A lot of work but it means I sleep well at night knowing they are warm and dry.
The last two weekends I have managed to capture some great images of Reus…
Just had to share our UK Foundation Appaloosa Stallion with you….
Rolling in the mud has many benefits for horses, not only acting as a barrier against insects / bugs and the weather (warmth in winter and sun block in summer) it is also an ideal method of natural grooming, removing hair, dead skin and aids relief, from those out of reach itchy spots.
It’s been noted that Catori the “leader” is sometimes the first to start rolling, it’s very contagious! The fields recreational activity requires “order” that allows the other horses (not always) to wait for Catori to finish. They then roll nearby or in the same spot! I do witness the most amazing “herd” traits.
Watching them roll, I am sure its their personal “treatment plan”, a massage that helps stretch out their muscles and joints…..yet us humans can pay a fortune for it?
After yesterday’s rain the herd certainly made the most of it….
Well at least they are consistent with their camouflage!
It’s not just a social event but its “Nature’s natural grooming session”.
Peyres Catori Cat
There is no doubt Peyres Catori Cat has a special place at Redheart Appaloosa Stud, not only my very first Appaloosa but a correct mare with an outstanding amount of intelligence.
In 2012 her first born, Hevans Ev Catorrius or Redheart Catorrius aka Reus. He won his first Top 5 International status as a two-year old colt.
We are delighted to announce his full sister Redheart Cateaster aka Easter is on the score board in 3rd place for the Top 5 International Yearling Fillies……
The Appaloosa Journal, November 2015
What an accolade this is….
I must give a special THANK YOU to my Mother, Katie Lynch, Crystal Radford and Margaret Lawrence who also played their part in showing Easter in her début showing season of 2015.
Taking a first place at each venue of her four shows, our little Easter has an International status from One mare who has two international progeny at Redheart Appaloosas.
This is just a personal thing……..
At the start of the year there is so much prep work that goes into a young horse. Before you know it the show season is upon you and every weekend or every other weekend is consumed. After assessing each show, gaining your goals or not, the show season has then finished.
Just like humans a change is as good as a rest so to speak!
I believe, turning a young horse away, allow them to become horses, settle in their “working clothes” is a huge asset to their future mentally. Allowing them to digest what they have learnt (as long as it’s on a good note) and switch off mentally is almost like a huge relief for them. Pushing a young horse can encounter problems and stress for a horses owner / handler alike. Although Reus is a strong-looking colt I must take a recheck, he still is only three years old and still has a lot of maturing mentally and physically to do. It is very important to allow him to grow up mentally and gain more strength physically.
It is generally thought good practice to turn a young horse away over the winter, he accepts the saddle, will walk around with me on his back and that’s enough. We have built a great relationship and left some positive happy memories with no issues for 2016. I am already looking forward to the Spring when we can continue.
I will be honest, the most Reus has done now is having his feet picked out. No brushing, no washing, no walks, no plaiting, no work and no education, may be a little fuss and a chat but that’s it….
Reus is now totally calm and relaxed, totally dirty and totally care free. He is turned out all day, waits at the gate at dusk to come in and looks forward to his evening meal in peace as the pressure is off.
He looks like something out of a horror movie with his rough dirty coat and spiked mane and tail, slowly growing back from the intense pampering over the year but he is happy, content and in a new routine……so am I!
I don’t think horses have a sense of time, one week off or six months off is still a break for them but six months fits well with the dark winter months and my personal life.
It can only be beneficial to us all at Redheart Appaloosas as we enjoy our Time OUT……
This is the deer that lives around here…..a wild beautiful creature that we see quite often. It’s never that close to the horses but if she see’s you she’s gone! My daughter captured this gorgeous photo a few weeks back and as you can see she fits in quite well with the Appaloosa’s, although she does have more spots than most of the Redheart Appaloosa’s!
The horses are all settled BUT when the deer is hiding in the hedge, then it only takes one horse to convince the other horses there is a lion, tiger, or bear hiding…..
On this occasion it was Evee….
*******************************************************************************************************
Tail up, snorting and running around the other horses aimlessly until they agreed….run for your life !
It wasn’t long before they were just trotting around wondering what they were running away from?
PP and Ben stayed close…..
So did Catori and Blanc……
I adore seeing the 2015 foals move, it doesn’t happen very often but when it does it’s just lovely!
They show the extent of movement they have, hold them selves and look outstanding.
It’s not long before the adults take charge and set the example, back to grazing thank you Evee.
Easter the yearling was the only one that was either prepared to stay and fight or may be she saw the deer and was confused why Evee was so scared?
Either way, she is so laid back neither a deer or her half sister was going to disrupt her grazing.
Despite the horses seeing the deer most days, they usually don’t bother to even acknowledge it but some times, just sometimes it’s O’deer….
After weaning Evee and Easter were back with their dams with no problems, the pecking order was established and each horse respected the others place. Since the birth of Ben and Blanc earlier this year, Evee and Easter have been in an adjacent field.
Now the show season has come to an end, it’s time for Evee and Easter to re-join the herd, they will be turned away for the next six months to mature mentally and physically.
A mares bond with her foal is strong and I question the reaction of the mares when they are re-introduced to their previous foals? Although all the horses have talked over the fence the surprise to see them in the same field was extraordinary….Camera ready!
Catori, Blanc, Ben and PP watched the new arrivals enter their “territory”.
Evee and Easter stayed together in their comfort zone…until Catori chased them, exercising her dominant trait, as head of the “herd”. It was PP who was the first to say hello to Easter, Catori was having nothing to do with the new arrivals and was determined to keep her foal Blanc well away.
PP immediately greeted Evee, her 2013 foal and their affections for each other confused Ben her 2015 foal…
Then the fun began….the 2015 foals became excited and started to show off….
It was no surprise, Ben would be the first to approach the girls, so submissive yet so brave…
It wasn’t long before they all settled, lovely to see the “herd” establishing and learning their social skills. Catori keeping her herd in order and having nothing to do with her previous foal? Everyone knows their status in the pecking order and they happily graze….
***********************
How do you make the decision to end a showing season?
It’s the horses that tell you……
With so many shows still available, the horses still look good in their coats and although experiencing their growth spurts, they have all held their top lines and condition. But last night we decided to make The British Appaloosa Society National Show at Hartpury our last show of 2015.
Redheart Pascalius is experiencing the two- year old tantrums, trying to test and push her handler’s boundaries. We have also experienced a different side to her during her season but sometimes this is just part and parcel of having a filly. Either way a break is exactly what she needs and deserves. Winning the two and three-year old filly class with Margaret Lawrence at our last show of 2015 .
***
Redhaert Cateaster has completed four local shows in 2015 and pulled another win in her yearling class with my mother leading today. This filly is delightful, nothing phases her, everything is taken in her stride and she always looks professional. A fantastic start to her showing career with so many positive comments from the Judges it is only responsible to turn her away.
***
Redhaert Catorrius has now finished his in hand young stock days. He has finished the season with the Champion Young stock tittle and Reserve Champion Male taken from all ages of colts, geldings and Stallions. Reus is at a stage where I can confidently say there is nothing for him to prove, he is a licensed stallion who deserves to move on into the ridden side of showing. His break will be appreciated before we start to ride him away over the winter months / early 2016, after we get his semen tested.
A super show that was attended and supported enormously, I can honestly say the competition was of a high standard exceeded by quality turn out of horses and handlers alike.
I feel the Redheart young stock have excelled themselves in 2015 and have Ended The Season’s Round Up On A Good Note…..
I really notice the work load getting three ready for a show and Friday night was a very late finish. As the sun came up Saturday morning the day started to unfold with an awe of excitement as Katie and Crystal turned up and we headed off too the Appaloosa Horse Club UK annual National Breed Show at Moreton Morrel. A two-day show full of APPALOOSAS, run exceptionally well by the ApHC UK directors who exceed themselves organising the whole event including a social evening with line dancing and silent auction to raise funds for the Club and maintain their Grass Roots Database.
Outside, we started the day under the UK judge Theresa Simkins where the three young stock competed in the Non Characteristic and Most Colourful Other class’s. Later the three horses continued to excel in their UK classes relative to their sex and age.
Indoor, Reus started the day under the USA Judge Michelle Pfender in the ApHC USA three-year old colts, FPD Halter for colts and Stallions. Easter and Evee both stepped up to the mark in ApHC USA yearling and two-year old fillies respectively. Later in the FPD Halter mares/fillies a very good friend Margaret Lawrence took Easter with ease giving her a lovely lead as I competed with Evee to comply with the ApHC USA membership requirements.
Throughout the day Reus was very calm and relaxed, he certainly is learning to stand quiet and switch off but he still likes to take advantage of a moment to “show off”. There is no reason other than “look at me male syndrome”. There are times when he grows to 17hh, screams and shouts then when he has everybody’s attention he looks embarrassed!!!! Taking USA and UK Stallion Championships, Young Stock Champion and Reserve Supreme made the day.
The pictures below are of Reus being awarded the M&J Walsh Shield for the Young Stock Championship.
The two small children are Youth members Poppy Spivey and Daisy Williams, they were so very sweet and quiet and gave Reus a kiss. They held a teddy bear named Liberty (aka Bertie). He was on his travels representing a charity called Lighterlife, who are a leading national weight loss company helping individuals to change their lives.
I think this picture shows clearly the sensitive nature of horses in general with regards to small children and hence why so many unfortunate children with disabilities gain so much happiness from horses. A wonderful moment captured by my mum and Simon Coates Photography.
Champion & Reserve Champion Young Stock. Margaret Lawrence with her two-year old gelding Teddy Crookberrow
HEVANS EV CATORRIUS’S DAY
__________________________________________________________________________________
Evee in my opinion is still growing through the “gormless” two-year old stage just like her mum did but her neck is developing and she doesn’t look as bad as she did. Evee is very well in herself and coat but we are experiencing some two year old “tantrums” and “sulking”. One common factor I have experienced, – BEING TWO YEARS OLD. Just like my children and when showing Peyres Catori Cat, Princesse Pascale, Reus and now Evee at two they just want to see how far they can push you before you lose the plot!!!! Pushing the boundary in the ring where I am 100% sure they know they cannot be reprimanded…… None the less by the end of the day she was tired and gave some beautiful shows, taking the UK Reserve Female Championship with Crystal.
REDHEART PASCALIUS’S DAY
___________________________________________________________
Evee & Easter with Margaret
Eaters’s first show with Evee at the ApHC UK Midlands show was very relaxed. They didn’t even know they were both at the same event. Easter took everything in her stride and relied on Crystal as her security. It’s a bit different now, poor Katie and Crystal had to stay either end of the show ground and whoever was in the ring had a task obtaining the fillies attention. Both horses have bonded too much and Easter’s insecurity shows by consistently shouting for Evee. They got better as the day progressed and Margaret and Easter took the USA Reserve Female Championship.
One lesson we have learnt about the girls, they now need separating from each other, especially before our next event.
REDHEART CATEASTER’S DAY
Two classes we have never been able to enter, “Get of Sire” and “Produce of Dam” but this year we qualified for both. Having all three young stock (the only three in the UK) by the Stallion Kiss My Finest Heart, qualified us and brought home a first place.
Peyres Catori Cat the Dam Reus and Easter enabled them to compete in Produce of dam, again bringing home a first place.
For me this was the highlight of the day, competing against other superb breeding stock and to my delight on this day the Redheart young stock were clearly both Judges “type”. Their comments were flattering and very sympathetic towards the fillies performance because during their shows they were frightened from some rather distracting noise from dogs in the gallery but credit where credit is due, Crystal and Katie handled the situation well and there were no loose horses as they attempted a flight reaction…
A huge recognition for us, putting the Foundation Appaloosa Horse on the map in the UK and one moment of tense pressure that brought beaming smiles from ear to ear.
The three Redheart Young Stock taking the Get of Sire – Kiss My Finest Heart
Reus and Easter taking the Produce of Dam – Peyres Catori Cat
THE REDHEART YOUNG STOCK
A day when the ApHC USA & UK Judges gave the Redheart Young Stock the “GET” in the UK……
This morning we headed off to the American Pleasure London Counties Horse Show run by the United Saddlebred Association-UK – American Saddlebreds. A wonderful opportunity for us to compete with the Foreign Breeds.
Our two and a half hour journey was straight forward and the M25 was clear during the early morning……We only had Hevans EV Catorrius / Redheart Catorrius on the lorry as poor Redheart Pascalius was still recovering from her slip at the ApHC UK Southern Show, fingers crossed for the hair to regrow before the ApHC UK National Breed Show.
We had a wonderful day competing in a handful of classes against some stunning seasoned horses.
After a successful day unfortunately our journey home was spent sat on the M25
BUT
It’s my pleasure to be promoting the Foundation Appaloosa……..
To breed your first born is a special moment and will be treasured.
To be fortunate to breed and keep your first born is very rewarding.
This Blog is a little insight of Reus’s journey to date, from Catori’s 14 day scan to the arrival of two very important certificates.
9th August 2008 Reu’s Dam was born, Peyres Catori Cat.
February 14th 2009, we imported her and started her in-hand showing career.
Kiss My Finest Heart
Catori was inseminated 21st July 2011 with the imported semen from Kiss My Finest Heart.
Peyres Catori Cat
17TH August 2011 Catori finished her in hand career.
Winning the British Appaloosa In Hand Championship at The Royal County Berkshire Show.
13TH June 2012, we had the most unexpected surprise, with no signs of foaling!
A brown non-characteristic colt, Reus.
Over the next 12 months he was educated and his future planned…..
We started 2013 with a few in-hand shows as a nice introduction. Reus proved to have inherited his mother’s confident traits and it was obvious we had our hands full.
As a two year old, 2014 proved to be a very testing show season. The high level of testosterone alongside his two year old tantrums gave us more determination to prove him. We persevered and happy to say we overcame a few issues, exceeding my expectations towards the end of the season.
The start of 2015 has been pleasant so far but the one major event we anticipated was Reus’s third birthday…..
To comply with the British Appaloosa Society and the Appaloosa Horse Club UK stallion licensing requirements, it was agreed to complete the five stage vetting with the independent vet on the same day for both societies. Reus’s application for his stallion license was organised a while back and booked for Monday 15th June.
After liaising with both societies, completing the necessary documents, tests and fees, I am now very proud to announce, Reus’s is officially recognised as Hevans EV Catorrius with the ApHC UK (Grade A) and Redheart Catorrius with BApS (Grade A) as a registered licensed Stallion.
We will continue his competition career in hand for the remainder of 2015
The plan is to “collect” from him and hope to have semen available for the 2016 breeding season.
What a memorable Life Event….
