Samaria Creek Morgans News
April 2008
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I'm so late writing this that I've just got home from the National Show and AGM and my brain is full of meeting so many friendly Morgan owners that have up until now only been phone or email connections. I enjoyed catching up with Sandy Curtaine again (she came to Samaria with Daniel when he trimmed the horses in February) and chatting with her Mum Margaret who was instrumental in bringing Nimrod to Australia. I'm looking forward to them visiting in the future. It was fantastic to learn a bit more about the breed I'm addicted to and although I'm still not sure if I have what it takes to prepare a horse and myself to show ring standard, I have a much better idea of what to aspire to after watching other owners with their gorgeous Morgans. Congratulations to you all for your incredible effort. At the AGM I accepted the position of Victorian SLO which will finally, (hopes Judi A.) have me write a bit each week, improve my keyboard skills and get articles in on time. The highlight of the past two months for me was the visit yesterday of Noni Martin, Kelly Murphy , Di Howard, Lynnie Bennett and instigator of the visit Leonie Cable. Hearing stories of Nimrod, Tanjil and Christa before I knew them was like meeting the in-laws for the first time. The foals were particularly mischievous and Aramis managed to nip both Di and I on the bum. The vet is coming next week to remove his and Argentina's colt status which will improve their game playing. Nimrod and I attended another Clinic with Carlos at Whispering Acres and once again had fun and learned a bit more. That's one of the things I love about horses - the learning never stops. Carlos used a picture of himself riding Nimrod in the March edition of Horsewyse magazine for his article on balance.
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Photos: Top Left - Noni and Tanjil, Top Right - Nimrod and Child, Middle Left - Aramis and Judy, Middle Right - Avatar, Bottom Left - Aquila, Bottom Middle - Folie's First Ride with Judy on board, Bottom Right - Tanjil and Judy at work. I also took Mt Tawonga Cascade (Cassy) to Carlos for three weeks of training under saddle to further her education for Caitlin. Leonie Cable and Jo Hayes kept me company when I visited Whispering Acres to watch how she had progressed after two weeks work. There was a lot of Morgan talk with the almost five hours driving there and back. Jo said she didn't want to sit in the front with me because I talked too much, but I'm sure she managed to get a few words in between Leonie and me. The consistent three weeks really settled Cassy who was inclined to be a bit reactive and Leonie took some great photos. Her TAFE course is paying off.
I have been restarting Mt Tawonga Christa under saddle (after 15 years maternity leave). The photo on the right shows Christa is happy with a rider, although it wasn't all smooth sailing. She sure surprised me when I first saddled her; I didn't think a well endowed 18 year old could get that high off the ground. In fact she bucked so hard the crupper broke!
On the work front I've run several “Confidence with Horses” days and had a family stay in the cottage over Easter where Mum, Dad and their 10 and 8 year old daughters all wanted a horse experience. I've sold all my ponies (except for Sailor a black Shetland who is pretending to be a mini Morgan) and my Quarter Horse since deciding to quit teaching children unless their parents learn too, and in keeping with my goal of having only Morgan horses. This meant the only horse I had for teaching balance was Tanjil who has probably only just clocked up her 20 th riding experience. True to her breeding she adjusted to fit each of the families riding needs and gave confidence to them all. The Dad who mainly came along to spend quality time with his family caught the bug and after his riding and several nights helping with foal checking has asked for first offer on Aramis when he is ready for sale as a yearling. The girls had seen Nimrod in Horsewyse and wanted their photo taken with him. I decided he would be fine for them to sit on for the photo and when he was so gentle and careful with them it progressed to them riding him through a small obstacle course in the round yard. The 8 year old had had 4 lessons in Melbourne and the 10 year old had never been on a horse until her morning experience on Tanjil. The Mum kept saying “I can't believe my daughters are riding a stallion and bitless too.”
February 2008
Mt Tawonga Folie had some extra training at Whispering Acres on 19th February.
I feel the extra experience helped her confidence and will benefit her when I bring her back into ridden work.
She is now looking plump and pregnant and will have a rest from ridden work until after her foal (due September) is weaned.
Left: Carlos Tabernaberri and Cassie
Right: Caitlin's on Mt Tawonga Cascade at first ride at Whispering Acres
I also took Mt Tawonga Cascade (Cassie) to Carlos for three weeks of training under saddle to further her education for Caitlin. Leonie Cable and Jo Hayes kept me company when I visited Whispering Acres to watch how she had progressed after two weeks work. The consistent three weeks really settled Cassie who was inclined to be a bit reactive and Leonie took some great photos.
Nimrod and I attended another Clinic with Carlos at Whispering Acres on 23rd February and once again had fun and learned a bit more. That’s one of the things I love about horses - the learning never stops.
Carlos used a picture of himself riding Nimrod in the March edition of Horsewyse magazine for his article on balance.
21st January : When the mares were in for pregnancy testing the foals enjoyed the toys in the yard
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Photos courtesy Carolyn Hill
Andrew Bowe instructing correct barefoot trim. Andrew will be giving another information day here Sunday 9th March (Check out his web site in Links) |
I was so impressed by how relaxed and responsive Nimrod was in the Dr Cook bitless bridle at the Carlos Tabernaberri clinic I attended on the 25th November that I ordered one of my own and hosted a barefoot and bitless bridle information day here on the 20th January.
(It was also a good opportunity to show off my Morgan horses.)
I received my new bridle early in the New Year and only had time for half a dozen practices before the Information day. Three days before the demo we went out for about an hours quiet trail ride with Caitlin on Holly, (an Arab mare who we can’t breed due to internal scaring) 14 year old Kristy on a 12 hand pony gelding and me riding Nimrod. On the way back all three horses travelled happily side by side along the road with Nimrod in the middle. It rained for the next two days so we didn’t ride again but I felt confident to do a pairs riding demo on Nimrod with Caitlin on Holly.
We had 17 participants so with presenters, helpers and family there were over 25 people.Well you know what they say about children and animals. Holly (who had been bred to Nimrod several times until the vet diagnosed her problem) thought the earlier ride was foreplay and was in full oestrus.
All went well until I asked Caitlin to get her trot rhythm started so I could move alongside on Nimrod. Caitlin and Holly established a steady trot, I cued Nimrod to move across, Holly instantly stopped and squatted,Nimrod elegantly leapt the three metres between us and asked permission to climb aboard.
Ysabelle Deaninstructing Nimrod and I on the correct use of the Dr Cook bitless bridle photo courtesy of Carolyn Hill |
Yes he was totally responsive to the bitless bridle and to the oohs and aahs of everyone watching backed up and turned away without resistance. I’ve ridden Nimrod in a halter on trail rides and at clinics with Holly and other mares in oestrus with no trouble. I think my stress level on the day and not paying enough attention to what was happening with Holly inspired him into thinking it was a new kind of hand service. I’m lucky Nimrod is so kind; he is really patient with the mistakes I make as a first time stallion owner. After the ridden demo and all its excitement Nimrod stood quietly in a group of people and fell asleep while Andrew Bowe demonstrated barefoot trim. Andrew will be using Nimrod at Equitana this year for his hoof care demo. While Nimrod was asleep a friend of mine who is in the middle of Chemo therapy after having both breasts removed came up and scruffed Nimrods muzzle. I got a fright and thought the surprise might cause him to nip but he gentle reached forward and tweaked her nose with his lips then playfully nuzzled her almost bald head. She is still giggling about it. My amazement at, and addiction to Morgan horses is continuing to grow. (Miles told the vet last week that if Nimrod wasn’t a horse he’d be jealous.) |
All the pregnancy tests are done and this spring we will have seven equine babies AND another grandchild. (My son Steve and his wife Sally are expecting their second child in September.)
My son Steve and grandson Jayden with Aquila
Aquila now has a reverse Panda look as she is losing her black baby coat and her new colour is blue roan or grey. She’s cute, athletic and very friendly but colour wise could be gorgeous or weird.
Aquila 2 weeks old with Avatar 7 weeks old
I’ve had very little horse related work due to the quiet brought on by EI, but Christmas holidays brought with it loads of visitors as family and friends took advantage of the fact that we like lots of horse owners at the moment are tied to the farm with animals to supervise and lack of funds. I enjoyed the company and proudly showed off the foals who in turn loved the parade of new humans to check out.
Nifty my grey Stockhorse mare had a filly three weeks early on the 8th of December. She looked very odd with curly black hair and a ridge of hair sticking up the length of her tail. Even though she is seven weeks younger than the others and much smaller she’s got plenty of spunk and joins all their mad games.
Aquila one day old
Nimrod is running with the mares and foals with Tanjil as the herd leader. The mares keep Nimrod polite and it has made horse management so much easier. I just call the mares to the gate I want them to come through and Nimrod rounds up the stragglers for me. Because it’s so hilly and I’m learning to act my age I lead the horses over the farm from my old Landcruiser. Nimrod isn’t bothered by me either catching him and leading him out for a ride or taking one of his mares and foals out. I spend so much time hanging out with the herd that he just accepts that I’ll bring him or the mares back.
