Daisy and Denali
We actually have two new fillys at Kilkenny Crest. Daisy arrived in April and has won all of our hearts - and Wanna is her usual best mom ever! We usually wait about a week before we merge our new foals with older foals. However, just the day before Daisy was to get a new playmate, our newest filly (Denali) had a trip to the Bend Equine Clinic with her mom and came home alone. Fortunately we made it to the clinic in time, as Mirage was taken to surgery with a twisted colon. Fortunately she is doing very well.
And thank goodness for Toy - the 23 year-old former hunter who has taken on an entirely new role at the farm. He is the best substitute parent one could imagine. As Kasi brought him in near dark, she said that he was calm and just knew he had another young horse to oversee! He kept Denali company for two days - and then - it was so exciting to take Denali back to the clinic and see the her reunited with her mother. And two days after that, both mom and foal returned to Kilkenny Crest. Both are doing well - thanks to the good care they receive by Mindi and her team (including Toy!).
And thank goodness for Toy - the 23 year-old former hunter who has taken on an entirely new role at the farm. He is the best substitute parent one could imagine. As Kasi brought him in near dark, she said that he was calm and just knew he had another young horse to oversee! He kept Denali company for two days - and then - it was so exciting to take Denali back to the clinic and see the her reunited with her mother. And two days after that, both mom and foal returned to Kilkenny Crest. Both are doing well - thanks to the good care they receive by Mindi and her team (including Toy!).
A new start...
Bringing our show string back to Portland (Wilsonville, no less) is also bringing us back full-circle. The good news: it has refreshed our burnt-out souls and we are excited again!!! The bad news: I miss seeing the babies every day and having our horses at our own farm. But, I have to say I think the grass really is greener at Whip'n'Spur. The horses are still enjoying daily turn-outs and the same euro-walker. And I, Kasi, am receiving lessons that are taking me back to basics. It feels great. Rich has a strong, and so far simple, approach. We are directly working on things to help our horses currently sore backs and sour attitudes. So far- I've already seen and felt the results. He really LOVES his horses. Its also nice to be around Shelly, Robyn, and Michelle.
I've participated in a few "half and half" lessons. Smoother than cream. It is great to be in lessons with other students again, I forgot how much you learn from watching others. We start these with a small lecture-ish conversation. These have been to catch me up on the foundation of the program. We reviewed the types of flat work: 1) Transitions 2) Lateral 3) Lengthening and Shortening. Now that makes sense. What types of flat work can you think of that don't fit into those three categories?
I've participated in a few "half and half" lessons. Smoother than cream. It is great to be in lessons with other students again, I forgot how much you learn from watching others. We start these with a small lecture-ish conversation. These have been to catch me up on the foundation of the program. We reviewed the types of flat work: 1) Transitions 2) Lateral 3) Lengthening and Shortening. Now that makes sense. What types of flat work can you think of that don't fit into those three categories?
