Kindergarten Begins for the New Arrivals

Just a few weeks after arriving at the farm Katje's foals began to attend 'Kindergarten' and I could not be more impressed with the three youngsters.   They each have different natures, with their own strengths, and it has been fun getting to know them and how they think.   Italics, pictured above, is a 'chip off the old block' when it comes to his nature.   He is kind and generous like his sire, and seems to take new things in stride. He has had his first 'shave,' and sporting a new bridle path, for which he did not flinch, he donned a saddle pad and surcingle for the first time and headed for the arena.  There he negotiated a wooden pole and got acquainted with the various letters and flower boxes.  Nothing seemed to surprise him.   I think he will be a lovely riding horse, calm and willing and not easily flustered.

Imari, (above) is the 'thinker' of the three.  Stronger in nature, she learns very quickly and likes to size up the situation.   She was the first to accept mane pulling, and is hence sporting the best 'hair-do' of the three.  She is intelligent and more competitive than her siblings, and the most sensitive of the three babies.   I think she has the qualities to be an exceptional broodmare as she is instinctive and already the dominant one of the group just days after arriving and has an incredible ability to find her place in a new herd quickly and easily.

Ishin Maru, here the longest, is completely at home and acts much older than her 7 months.   She is now confidently bathing, clipping and walking over obstacles in the arena as well as navigating the entire farm.   She remains the boldest of the babies, an 'old soul' who is equally at home with the adult broodmares or her young companions.    She has the temperament and constitution for any discipline.

Our leased mares and their amazing owners/managers have given us a unique opportunity to make the best matches for our boy's personal characteristics, and we are enjoying every minute with his offspring.  It's also a great learning experience as after 28 years of breeding we are on the receiving, not the shipping, end of the weaning process!   A humbling and  educational experience as it has been years since we raised foals not born on the farm.

Katje's Foals Arrive at Firemist Farm

Mid-October brought two new arrivals and lots of excitement to Firemist Farm.   Kaareltje's filly Imari arrived home to join sister Ishin Maru, and just five days later In Italics joined the herd.   Imari is a sensitive, intelligent filly who will be a huge asset to our breeding program.   Italics, a sweet, personable baby who reminds us in many ways of his father, was calm and collected when he stepped off the trailer.   He will be an amazing riding horse with his lovely movement and wonderful nature.

Imari (above) has joined sister Ishin in the field while Italics (pictured below with friend Amanda) enjoys his miniature companion Andromeda as he settles in and will then join his siblings and Jastriad in the pasture.   It's wonderful to have Katje's babies all home safe and sound.   We will spend the winter getting to know them as individuals and handling them daily.   It will be a very special winter, indeed!