Weaning Day for Envy

Today was weaning day for Envy.

She will be 5 months old in 9 days and in 8 days I will be moving Indy out to Middle Grove leaving Envy here. I was pleased she let me halter her outside and followed me into a stall but when she realized her mom wasn't coming she wasn't at all happy. Easter Bonnet was brought into the stall across the hall and both fillies grained but Envy wouldn't even taste hers. I moved Easter Bonnet into Envy's stall but each time Envy went near her while Bonnet was eating the grain she would threaten to kick her. The grain was scattered on the hay, the bucket taken away and the two fillies left. I went inside and turned the monitor on to keep an eye on them. Envy reared up and stuck her leg in the water bucket, so back out to the barn to remove the water bucket. By this time though both fillies were eating hay together. Later the water bucket was rehung but higher up on the stall wall. It should be safe now.
Karin arrived after work. She had to work indoors again, it just gets dark too fast. While she got mares in and tacked I watered the arena. She started out with Indy. The other mares were just loose in the arena. In the front is Jenis, Zalena is in the middle, Karin is on Indy and Rosalie was busy playing with the mounting block.

 Rosalie was fascinated with the mounting block. She first tried to climb up on it.

 Then knocked it down with her nose. Of course now that it was on it's side it looked different and that was another thing to snort at and check out. Rosalie is really showing her pregnancy. She was bred to Evan and is due April 6th, now less than 4 months away. 

 We just have to laugh at this 4 year old. She is curious about everything. Indy (pictured below) at 7 years old is doing so well. Even though her filly was in the stall barn and calling, she focused on what Karin was asking and did it well. This mare is beautiful inside and out. She is the sweetest most emphatic mare we own.  I think it was a couple years ago when Karin was introducing the big pirate flag to the mares. Zalena was scared out of her mind. Indy went over to her and started nuzzling her until she calmed down.  Indy has that beautiful thick long mane and tail. She is also huge for a Friesian sticking at 16.3 hands. 

 Indy's filly Envy (who we are weaning today) was the biggest filly born this year on the Horsemeister farm. Indy is considered more baroque, she was bred to Evan and is pregnant but not due until Sept 2nd, 2018 Once Indy was done, Karin tacked up Rosalie. Indy was sure if she would follow Rosalie and Karin, they would lead her outside. Instead I took her out. 

 Rosalie is doing very well in her training. Her canter is becoming balanced enough to easily canter a 15 meter circle. For such a big mare, at 4 years of age she sticks at 17 hands,  she is light on her feet and can really move out. She is one of Karin's favorites. 

 Below Karin is asking her for a bow. The mares know once they bow they are finished with the work out. Karin is still using the rope, for reinforcement but most of the mares will also bow with just using ones hand to pull back the leg. 

 Below Karin is working with another of her favorites, Jenis. This mare is so intelligent she figures out very quickly what is expected and sometimes is almost too quick to anticipate the next movement. She is also probably the most athletic of all our of our Friesian mares. 

 Karin is working with her on her rear, giving very specific cues so she will be able to tell Jessica exactly the cue for the rear as Jessica is her lucky rider for the March show. 

 Below Jenis is finishing with a bow. 

 Zalena was the last worked. As Karin was riding her I went in to refill Envy's water, give her another scoop of grain and move Easter Bonnet out of that stall. When I came back in Karin had finished with her and was asking her to bow while Jenis looked on. 

Both mares were put away and the arena cleaned up before heading back to the house. It never got above freezing today and the wood burner was kept burning all last night and all day.
I'm thankful we have an indoor arena, thankful we have a heater that takes the chill off and very thankful for these beautiful mares.