Putting our Breedings 'On Ice'

Winter made a brief appearance with another famous Hereford Zone 'Ice Event.' This New York/Connecticut transplant still can't quite get over the Maryland version of 'Snow!' With plans to take a break from on-farm breeding this spring and enjoy the coming April foals, plans are being finalized to breed three top quality mares to Katje off-site. This will dwindle down the old fellow's 'frozen DNA' so it was an excellent time to purchase a Nitrogen storage tank and bring the rest home. This also allowed us to make some exciting plans for the future, including securing a dose of Lingh semen for use on one of the fillies when they mature. Breeding may literally be put 'on ice' here for 2012 but with temps in the 50's on the forecast for the entire last week of January, February seems more likely to bring crocuses than snow, and I am betting that we will blink and it will be time to deliver those April babies.

Winter???

With temperatures averaging in the mid-fifties it has been hard to accept that winter has arrived. A few nights in the single digits reminded us that it is indeed mid-January, and that the '90 Day Countdown' has begun! Tanzer and Anna are due mid-April so daily checks of udders and vulvas are part of the routine along with some appropriate expansion of their girthlines! To add to the excitment we are finalizing plans for an indoor arena, construction of which will begin in May. The structure will allow not only for all-weather riding but will facilitate the free-jumping training that will required for the developing young adults in preparation for their IBOP and MPT's. We are very excited about this addition to the farm. To add to the joy, three stunning mares have been booked for Katje for foals for the Farm, including an amazing Oldenburg mare with an equally amazing owner, and two highly bonited and bred mares, one Dutch and one Hanoverian. We are extremely grateful for the support of these quality breeding farms and their owners, two of whom are knowledgable and skilled veterinarians. With his semen supply dwindling these will some of the last foals of Katje's in the United States and we are extremely excited.

Good Luck Amanda!

It is with mixed feelings that we say goodbye to barn manager Amanda Dreyer. The most caring and compassionate of horse-people, our horses, goats, cats and I were fortunate enough to have Amanda here for over eight years beginning as a high school student. We will all miss her dearly, but are thrilled that she has entered Nursing School full time. With her amazing intelligence, diligence, and kindness we know her human charges will benefit from her care as much as her equine benefactors and that she will have a shining future. Good Luck, my dear friend. You will always be a part of this farm.

Kaareltje will Breed Again in 2012

We have been blessed with a spectacular colt thanks to the generousity of Dr. Harrison who leased her lovely Dutch mare Tatiana for breeding. As we await the arrival of Tatiana's second foal for us due summer 2012 we are ecstatic that we have been given the opportunity to lease another wonderful mare for this coming spring. Many, many thanks go to Markim farms for allowing us to breed Katje to their very special Oldenburg mare Revlon. Revlon is elegant with a special nature and brings to the breeding the blood of Rhodiamant and Tarim. She has had two amazing foals to date and with a little luck we will see her third in 2013. We are very excited about this breeding. Thank you Kim!

Season's Greetings!

Happy Holidays to all of our wonderful extended horsey family! This year has been a challenging one for many in countless ways, but we are on the brink of a New Year and a new beginning. Tanzer gave me my best moment for the year when the 'teen greenie' graciously allowed me to ride her today, for my first ride in over 3 years. It may take another twelve months to wipe the smile off my face. Have a safe holiday season and we will see you all in 2012!

Windtanzer and Kastiana go on Maternity Leave

We wrapped up training for these two young 'working mothers' this week with two fabulous rides. Despite only having 16 sessions under saddle Kastiana, always the quiet natured girl, was trotting poles in her last session and enjoying her last ride with 'Uncle Fred.' Tanzer had a equally impressive final ride with trainer Margaret Hawkins who introduced her to bending and connection during three months of dressage basics. Tanzer is really showing great promise in this discipline and we hope will be respresenting the farm in the show ring in 2012. Both mares are entering their third trimester and will now get to lounge in anticipation of their babies, due in April. Thank you to these two gifted riders who gave our talented young mares a great start in sport. Both girls will return to the arena after maternity leave and will begin preparing for more concentrated work next fall.

Genovia Goes Home to her New 'Momma'

Kastiana's sweet and incredibly tall filly Genovia went home today to new owner Laureen. This special girl is with a special person who understands her needs and
will help her to reach her full potential. The gawky 6 month old will eventually fill into all those legs and we believe she will one day be as kind and wonderful to ride as her dam. Congratulations 'Momma!'