Windtanzer FM at Dressage at Devon 2012

It was a rough summer for Windtanzer, who graciously endured two months of stall rest when her filly Gailen injured her foot.   After a year of 'maternity leave' the kind mare allowed us to work her in hand for a week before taking her to the prestigious Dressage at Devon Breed Show.  Tanzer and her amazing amateur handler Calea placed 4th in the Broodmare class, making me especially proud knowing they had so little time to practice together.   Tanzer will now go back under saddle and prepare for the Mare Performance Test for the AHS as well as a career in dressage.   Calea will continue to work with Tanzer and Sagan in-hand and we look forward to many more wonderful experiences for the girls.

Sembagare Takes the Stage at the Maryland State Fair

This year flew by, and it's been far too long since we have seen Sembagare and owner Tony French, so it was wonderful to reconnect at the Maryland State Fair and see the now 2 year old gelding and his happy owner.  Sembagare is out of Windtanzer FM and by the Weser-Ems approved Welsh stallion Wedderlie Mardi Gras, making him a half brother to Hanoverian filly Andrea Gail.   Sember looks amazing, and the love horse and owner have for other is obvious, and the greatest joy of any breeder.  Congrats to Tony and Sember on a job well done!  We hope to see much more of you in the show ring in the near future.

Britta is in Foal to Kaareltje!

More great news today from the West Coast.   Britta, wonderful Gelderlander mare by the Ulft son Fair Play and out of the Vosmaer daughter Halekulani is in foal to Katje.   Enamored by this mare from the first glance I can't think of a better Dutch cross for our boy.  Britta combines the classic Gelders lines of Abolien and Indiaan with the refinement of the world reknowned Ulft.   We have our 'Final Four' mares in foal, and wish to thank all the mare owners who have made this wonderful endeavor a possibility.   Next spring will no doubt be for me what Christmas is to a child, and I can't wait to see what lies in those precious packages!

Donarsagan: AHS 2 year old Futurity

Sagan had her first trip off the farm on Saturday, July 21st.   Trailering to Hilltop Farm for the AHS 2-year-old Futurity she was relaxed on the ride and settled into her new surroundings with ease.  Sagan and handler Calea did well in the arena, and it was a wonderful first experience for the pair.  The toughest part of the day was loading to come home.   Apparently our little girl was extremely content at Hilltop's wonderful facility.   Who can blame her?!  

With a Reserve Championship under their belts, the pair will be heading off to Dressage at Devon in September, and we are all looking forward to exhibiting this talented young prospect.   Congratulations Calea and Sagan on a safe first trip and a job well done.

Time to Say "Goodbye" - Havendjur: 3/25/1990 - 7/14/2012, by Meistersinger out of Firemist

This is the hard part of loving any living thing, and this time it is especially difficult for me.   Firemist Farm said goodbye to Havendjur on Saturday.     Special literally from conception, Haven was the son of my first horse, and my second foal.   Born premature out of the donor mare of an embryo transfer he did things in his own unique way from the start, and defied the odds to the last.   Haven was half normal birth-weight, born with OCD due to his dam's uterine decline, and was never expected to survive.  Not only did this leggy grey fighter survive, but he thrived, and went on to become the best riding partner and friend a woman could have.   He taught me patience in spades, and demanded a sense of humor.  Together we braved search and rescue training and Dressage at Devon.  Always workman-like he was happiest when he was occupied, and lived his final days watching over and teaching the next generation of equines.   With his usual patience, he graciously told me that it was his time to go, then waited for me to hear him, and so was able to leave this world without the struggle that brought him into it.  As one friend said "Not a day too soon, and not a minute too late."

I credit Haven with the good health of so many foals that came after him, for his adversity drove me and so many others far and wide to seek the answers to the difficult questions that are part of development and foal raising.  His legacy lives on in every foal that does not have to struggle because of what he demanded that we learn.

I would like to thank everyone by name who helped us to care for Haven throughout his life, but it would be impossible.   There are too many dear souls who paved the way for his success, from doctors to instructors to boarding stables and of course friends.   Foremost among them would be veterinarians Dr. John Hurtgen, dedicated reproductive specialist, who never gave up on the little premie when many thought there was no hope.   Also  Dr. John Shull,  who I learned was visiting him daily "just to check on him" when I was at work - I never did get that bill.   Dr. Jim Juzwiak, orthopedic specialist, who kept Haven together "with duct tape and TLC" those first years.   Last in chronological order, but definitely not least, is Dr. Michael Harrison whose compassionate care made the last years of life comfortable for Haven, and the last days bearable for 'his' humans.   

Dr. Harrison  encouraged me to speak to Haven as his soul left his aged body behind.  I told Haven the first four things that came to mind:   "Thank You.   I Love You.   Tell Firemist I miss her," and lastly "Find Dr. Hurtgen - he will be among the mares."    I believe the last is true, and if so, they are both truly in heaven.

We will meet again, my old friend.

A Break from the HEAT

Seems as though nature has decided to 'turn off the heater' for a little while.  After nearly two weeks of triple digits and record breaking temperatures this week started off mercifully normal for July in Maryland.  We took advantage of lower humidity and overcast skies to catch up on some outside chores and to do a brief evening photo session with Hannah, now 10 weeks old.   That 'patchwork quilt' look as they shed out their foals coats is always amusing.   More so at dusk.   Hannah is trying hard to become a liver chestnut, at least around the edges.   Here are a few photos of our "little Katjette," taken as the sun was setting on a 'cool' 90 degree day.

Littlest Family Member Gets Some TLC

Andromeda, the tiniest member of the Firemist equine family, is usually known only as Katje's side-kick and pasture-mate.   Once a broodmare, she has been lounging in the field, out of shape, for over 7 years.  Thanks to the patient work of our newest human member, summer intern Amanda, Andi has been receiving some quality time of her own, and seems to love every minute.    Her young handler has taken this 11 year old from pasture potato to working girl,  and has been schooling her in hand and over fences.   Today the pair had a photo session among the summer flowers.    Andi has really blossomed under Amanda's care, and they are working towards some miniature horse shows this fall.   The 30" tall mare is proof that big hearts and big attitudes can come in very small packages.  After all, who else could look so adorable, and still keep a 3/4 ton stallion in line?!

Kaareltje is 'Three for Three'

Good News Today from the Eastern Shore of Maryland - La Donnarina (by Donnerhall out of a Pik Bube mare) is foal to Katje.    That makes three for three with his frozen semen, with one mare yet to
be bred.  Big Thanks go out to Nancy Holowesko and her superb vet for their efforts to settle this incredibly well-bred mare.   There is very limitedfrozen semen left for Katje so these may be his last foals.   Kudos to Dr. Paul Loomis, Rossella, and the amazing staff at Select Breeders Services, MD who made it possible for us to enjoy future generations of this rare bloodline long after Katje's castration.   Truly a miracle!

New Photos - 2012 Fillies

                                                                                 

A handling session yesterday gave us an opportunity to take a few pictures of Gailen and Hannah, now 7 and 5 weeks old respectively.   Gailen is older, but Hannah is taller (and loves that!) and is really starting to challenge her bold older 'sister' for attention.   They are also beginning to shed out those furry foal coats and darken, and Hannah looks like she will be a very dark liver chestnut.  We always get a few chuckles out of those first changing  spots around their eyes and muzzles which make them look they are are doing their best baby racoon imitations.  All too soon they will be smooth coated and approaching weaning age.  Makes us wish we could keep them little fillies forever!

Revlon is in Foal to Kaareltje!

The phone call come came this morning with the wonderful news that the stunning Oldenburg mare Revlon is in foal to Katje! With Wieta declared in foal last week we are 'two down, two to go' of the four mares being bred to our boy this year. Revlon is a spectacular girl with an equally special owner and we are SO excited about the cross. Thank you, Kim of Markim Farms, for this opportunity. We know this foal will not only be high quality but well handled and in the most amazing hands until we can bring him or her home to love. Spring 2013 seems intolerably far away, but with two active fillies to keep us busy and two mares in training I know it will go fast. We can't wait to see this baby!

New Photos - 2012 Fillies

Here are the latest shots of the growing girls, now a month old. It's hard to get them to be serious (the same can be fairly said of their owner as it's so much fun to just PLAY with these two) but we tried a few 'conformation' shots in the field. I'm not sure what is more amusing - me trying to figure out my new digital camera or the girls attempts at posing for 'still' photos.

Hannah (above) at 4 weeks. Gailen (below) at 6 weeks.

'Hula Girls'

Has time FLOWN! Gailen is now 6 weeks old and Hannah 4 weeks today. These two forward fillies have been wonderful to handle and so far have absorbed and enjoyed every new challenge, so we decided to take 'baby bombproofing' a step further today and introduced them to Sagan's Hula Hoop. The old addage must be true that 'the earlier the better' as both girls were fearless (their dams have yet to recover!) and were competing for the new toy within minutes. Neither have quite mastered the art of true hoola-hooping (neither have I) but they had a great time trying! Gailen is sporting her new hair-cut, courtesy of the early heat and humidity. She stood for the clipper with no halter and seemed to enjoy it. Younger 'sister' Hannah was only ready for a 'little off the top' so had to settle for a bridle path.

Photo Day for Fillies

Today we had a few extra hands on the farm and it was the perfect opportunity to do some 'baby bombproofing' and a little photo session with the new fillies. Gailen, now one month, as usual was the little ham, fearless and ready to show off. Hannah did remarkably well for 2 weeks of age and we were actually able to get some 'conformation' photos (well, more or less...) I somehow managed to get grease on the camera lens, of course, as they were behaving so well, but otherwise it was a successful session. It's been tremendous fun working with these two engaging and very different personalities. We are planning to do some breed shows and inspections this year and so far we are off to a good start!

EM Wieta is in Foal to Kaareltje!

We received the wonderful news this evening that EM Wieta, winner of her performance test and a proven producer of nine wonderful Hanoverians including a stunning stallion, is in foal to Katje for 2013! This lovely mare is a breeder's dream girl. We want to thank Dr. Steve and Bettie Carroll for this amazing opportunity. It is truly an honor and a pleasure to work with such amazing people and such a special mare.

She's Here!

And here comes the second filly of the year. Anna delivered her LONG legged Licosto foal on Thursday morning at 4:20 a.m. A lovely baby, tall like her dam but with more refinement and a sweet, quiet nature, the moment of truth arrived when Anna nursed her for the first time. We had been holding our breath as an apparent oxytocin defficiency had made Anna's first delivery tough and robbed her of most of her maternal insticts. Indeed, we had prepared the ever-nurturing "mother of the year" Jastriad to raise this filly in the event of a similar failure, but so far Anna has been a great mom, and it appears that little Hannah Boden will stay right where she belongs, beside her dam. Sorry, Stri! You are a special lady, indeed, but this is what nature intended. We are anxious to see how this little girl matures, as so far she appears to have the best qualities of her two parents, but it be several days until she is finished unfolding those LEGS!

Andrea Gail at 2 Weeks

Gailen hit the ground running, and running she is! She is testament to the expression "an object in motion will remain in motion." This strapping little filly is a powerhouse - bold, curious, and an athlete to the core. She has begun to show off her trot, and I am pleased to report that it is as lovely as her dams, but that she is also more powerful and should be very versatile in sport. At 15 days of age she is walking, trotting and halting in hand, and has already been to the arena where she is walking over the plastic poles! We are having an amazing time with this friendly filly, and would like to extend our thanks to Klaus and Larissa at High Point Hanoverians for helping us to make this 'best of both worlds' cross with their gifted jumper stallion Coeur d'Amour and our lovely dressage mare Windtanzer.

Donarsagan Prepares for the Show Ring

Sagan, by Donarweiss ggf out of Wrave, turned 2 in late March. After a winter of lounging she is back in 'kindergarten' and preparing for the breed show arena. Always eager to interact with people, we decided to engage this forward thinking filly's mind with some in-hand work. Friend Calea works beautifully with the intelligent young mare who we hope to see at the Hanoverian breed shows this year as well as at Dressage at Devon. The first step was some 'posing practice' and a few photos to see the changes from last fall. It's so much fun to watch them grow, even more so when you have one as engaged and willing to connect as Sagan.

Andrea Gail - 1 Week Old Today

Gailen is a week old today, and true to form is either running full tilt or nudging for attention from her human companions. She is anxiously awaiting the birth of Kastiana's foal so she can have a four legged playmate. Anna is eleven months tomorrow, but so far doesn't appear ready to oblige. For now Gailen will just have to be content with her two legged pals!

She's Here!

Tanzer delivered her second foal this afternoon in the pasture. After a fairly quiet night but lots of waxing I was suspicious she might try a daytime foaling - and at 2:00 p.m. down she went! The filly by Coeur d'Amour was up and nursing within half an hour and is a strong, correct, athletic little lady. 'Andrea Gail' is friendly and fearless, as evidenced by these photos taken at 18 hours old. Way to go Tanzer!

Happy Birthday Havendjur!

Havendjur, often referred to as our 'miracle foal' turns 22 on March 25th. Out of my first mare Firemist and by the Trakhener stallion Meistersinger, Haven embodies the meaning of survival. This extremely premature colt taught me the joy of the 'less than perfect horse' and despite multiple conditions that should have been terminal not only survived but thrived. Haven patiently helped me to fulfill such dreams as riding at Devon and also filled the roles of search and rescue horse, show hunter, and schoolmaster before retiring to perhaps his most important role as 'Uncle Haven' to dozens of Firemist foals. Haven is the reason I began studying Developmental Orthopedic Disease and he is a constant reminder that with hope, faith, and a little TLC that miracles can happen. Defying the odds repeatedly as a young colt, he is also the motivation behind the farm's successful involvement with many client owned high-risk foals. Congratulations, my dear friend, for showing us all how to live life to the fullest. HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY!

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.