The Farm

I got to the farm around 8:30am, fed, watered and turned Lily and her filly out into the field for grass. I was hoping the filly would run around but she didn't instead she thought she would try some of the grass her mom was eating. It was funny to watch her try new things.
The dentist was not able to get to Raven but I know he needs his teeth done so I will call Dr. Hoerr and schedule it when I schedule the Andalusian's sonagram so I can share the farm call with her.
After I took Raven over to see if Lady was in, she is not, I brought Lily and baby back into the stall then went to check Big Sally. Sally decided to lay down and roll as I was coming so I got a good look at her udder and she is very bagged up. Just in case, I brought her into the barn and put her in a double stall. I'll give Steven a call to see if he will check on her. I would like to do the predictor kit on her but my day is just going to be too busy. I got every one fed and headed for home to start working on my house. I put another picture up of the filly. I really need a name for her, does anyone have any good ideas?

Darcy

Rachel Sauder of momentscapturedbyrachel is coming to my house today to take pictures of my granddaughter. Ben and Taunya are going to meet her here so she doesn't have to drive out to Bloomington. I need to clean my house and will probably have to kick Darcy out or lock her in Rhoda's room. I have the equine dentist coming today to float Raven's teeth and if we get enough time I was going to have him do Paris also.
Darcy is going for her pet therapy interview on Saturday. St. Francis has 3 dog trainers that will be watching every move Rhoda and Darcy make from the time she gets there around 1:00pm until the interview is over at 3:00pm. I can't imagine she won't be accepted. Darcy loves everyone, has never bitten, is not food aggressive, will sit, down and stay with just a command and doesn't bark uncontrollably. So even though we know she is very sweet, I don't want her around my new grand daughter. She just might drool on her. Last night Darcy came in our room about 3:00am and fell asleep on Pip's bed that I haven't yet removed from my room. She started snoring so loud both Mark and I woke up. We just laughed, I don't know how Rhoda gets any sleep at all with Darcy in her room.

Heavy Rain Expected!

This is unbelievable, the weather man just told us that heavy rain is predicted for overnight. I think we are going to drown in mud! Thank goodness for our stalls and thank goodness the barn was built on high ground. From 1:00am to 1:00pm Peoria area has a flash flood warning because of the downpour of rain expected, then on Friday more heavy rain. I think we are ready to start building an ark. Steven drove out to the Hanna City farm to let Lily and her filly out into the field as for sure they will be locked up in a stall overnight. While Lily was grazing, he cleaned the stalls again so tomorrow they should be easy for me. He also checked Big Sally and she is starting to bag up. I guess I need to prepare another foaling stall. She really isn't due until May 12th but it is not unusual for mares to foal out early. She is a lovely mare, she reminds me a lot of Lily but Lily has better gaits. If Sally has a filly soon the girls should look almost identical. The picture is of Big Sally last winter. Doesn't she look Friesian?

Lily's Filly's Turn Out

Today when I got to the farm, I took Lily and her filly, still to be named, out into the field for grazing. The filly had so much fun running around her mom. The filly started with small circles around her but it soon grew too large for Lily's comfort. She is a little over 1 day old and is so big and strong. I let them graze while I cleaned stalls, water buckets and the aisle ways, then brought them in for Lily's grain.
Lady is not in, that was disappointing, I sure hope we didn't miss her. With the sonagram, Dr. Hoerr told me to try her in 2 days and that should have been today. I'll have Mike try tonight and then I'll try tomorrow. She is great to get out of the paddock. I called her, she was laying down in the hay, she got up and came right over so I didn't have to walk in the mud. We had more rain yesterday and it was sprinkling as I was driving out to the farm. We usually have around 6 inches of rain from early March to early May but as of yesterday we have had 13 inches. No wonder we have mud. The farmers cannot get into the fields for planting. This week doesn't look any better with rain predicted for the next 3 days.
Chiquita's owner called and he is coming early next week to pick her up. She has been a nice mare to have around and if someone wanted to buy her the owner is willing to sell.

Lily's Filly

Lily had a filly! We are so thrilled, this is her first one and this one will NOT be sold. Lily is our pride and Joy and I have wanted a filly from her for 4 years. Her first 3 foals by Raven were colts so each year I would let the colt be sold in hopes that the next time she would have a filly. This filly is EVERYthing I have been breeding for. She is ALL black, strong, big, and she has great conformation.
I put Lily outside last night and wouldn't you know she foals! We had an inch and a half of rain last night and rain during the day yesterday so when the sun broke through, I let her out into the paddock for some free time. By the time I got there, the baby was standing on her own and nursing well. I'll have to borrow Mark's camera for pictures.
Anni was bred today but Mike thinks she is going out. I'll try Lady tomorrow. Emily Ricketts is going to take Anni as soon as she is confirmed in foal for training. Emily did such a good job with Big Sally that we are thrilled she is willing to work Anni. Anni is going to end up being a favorite, she already is sweet and willing.

Chiquita

Dr. Hoerr came out and sonagramed Chiquita and she is in foal. Yeah!!! we can send her back to her owner. The other good news is that the Andalusian mare is finally out of season so I can start counting the days until her sonagram. Tyler Joos, our farrier also came out at the same time and got Lily, Sangria, Salena, Dakota, Myrrhcedes, Sunny, and Bunni trimmed and put shoes on Mika.
Lady is just coming in season and will be bred this week. She had 2 follicles each about 40 cm and some edema so we know she is close. It helps so much to have Dr. Hoerr sonagram and tell us where each mare is in her cycle.
On a sad note, Grace had to be put down. She was a wonderful mare for us and we will remember our good times with her. She was the horse that taught us combined training. She was so fun to jump and wow did she ever have the speed. One time Karin was riding her in the Spring Pony Club show, she and Grace went flying by and Cathie Trent said, "that's it, Grace has lost her mind and so has Karin." They ended up taking second place in that show. She got penalty points for going too fast. Grace's last filly by Raven, we named Jewell, we will want to keep. We need something to remember her by.

Potluck

Diane called while we were at Potluck and told me that Anni was covered tonight. Potluck was wonderful, Carol Scholl hosted it. She made glazed ham rolls that were the best I've ever tasted. Ron and Janet Blumenshine brought the potatoes made with thinly sliced potato strings cooked with 3 cups of heavy cream and a stick of butter. Tim and Robyn Feucht brought the salad and it was filled with wonderful things like crispy nuts and fruit with poppy seed dressing. The bread was a soft, fragrant cheese bread with butter. Mark and I brought the vegetable. I made my mom's green bean recipe where the beans are cooked with a ham, chicken stock and sauteed onions. Roger and Melanie brought the dessert. Melanie made a wonderful Terra Misu that went well with the flavored coffee. We had a great time visiting. Time just flew by and before we realized it the time was 9:30pm. We are home and ready for bed. Tomorrow the farrier is coming and I have so many for him to do I'll have to get out there early to dry off the mud.

Our Day of Rest?

This morning we need to be at the Peoria county jail for church services at 7:45 so I'm getting ready and remember my skirt is in the washer. It is in the dryer now, hope it dries in time or I'll be trying to figure out what else I can wear. We will have 3 services at the jail then head to church in time for lunch and the second service. We will have 4 baptisms after the second service. Once we get home, I'll just have time to make my vegetable for potluck tonight at 5:30. Potluck always lasts late so I know I won't have time to get out to the farm. I've asked Mike to get Anni covered if she is still in and check the Andalusian mare. She was covered yesterday but I want to know the day she goes out for the sonagram.
I also need to know how Grace is doing so hopefully Mike or Diane will check on her. Emily Ricketts wants her and is also willing to take Knight, Joan and Tim's pony to go as a companion. Emily has 6 brothers and sisters and they will enjoy riding Knight.

Clara and Steven

Steven had a VERY good training session with Clara today. He got her bridled, saddled and ponied behind Mike on Mika. Then Steven got on her and again she was ponied in the indoor arena. She is doing very well. She doesn't care at all about having someone on her back. She still doesn't know how to go forward but she is learning. She is also responding to the bit. When Steven is asking for a whoa and gently pulling back she is stopping. He did a lot of ground work first to teach her to go off his voice. This really helps once Steven is on her, if she listens to his voice when he is on the ground it is a small step for her to listen while he is on her. I've included a picture of her, she is a very pretty mare, big bodied, with a good disposition. This is our first time to try for a buckskin foal and if we were going to try, we wanted the best conformation we could find. Clara had only been a brood mare for her first owners. They bought her as a weanling for $5000.00 and showed her in halter where she won grand championships. We were honored to be able to have her for our brood mare herd. But because of the economy we are going to put her up for sale. We would like to only feed about 20 horses for next winter instead of the 32 we fed this winter. Diane and I were going over which ones to place for sale. Each of our mares are chosen for their quality and it is hard to decide which to sell. We will leave it up to our buyers.

Rain, Rain, Rain

It is 7:50am and it is AGAIN POURING with rain. The weather man last night talked about what a beautiful weekend we had in store. I think God has a sense of humor. Hope all the tenters are out of the woods, small hail is hitting my window as we speak. On a good note the lilacs are starting to bloom. Spring must be finally here.

Camping

Last night the kids and Karin decided to camp down on the trails. This was the first warm day and even the night wasn't suppose to be too cold. They put up a tent and had to cram 9 kids in it. Mark and I drove out at 8:00pm to grain Grace and decided to join the camp fire but first we had to find them. We grabbed a couple of chairs from the regular camp fire place then drove down to the bottom lands. Anni met us at the road with a light so we could see where to drive in safely but I still got stuck. We have just had too much rain this year. Anni, Mark and Sarah pushed me out so I parked at the end. As we were hiking the trail we met up with Rachel, David and her 2 boys Logan and Luke. Mike, Diane, Karin, Anni, Steven, and Ryan were all sitting around the fire cooking big slabs of bacon. Ruth had dropped off her boys Steven and Ryan, stayed a while then left for bed. Mark and I stayed until 10:00pm. The fire was great but I decided it was getting too hot so I went to move my chair back and I moved it a little too far, it fell off the ledge into the creek. That's what I get for coming after dark. I had no idea the creek was so close. It was Sarah Reinhards 16th birthday and all the kids were moaning about her not being able to celebrate it with a big party at the lake. Sarah is helping her older sister Kristin get ready for a new baby. We heard she was going out of pizza but that just doesn't cut it for a 16th.
I woke up this morning and realized it must have rained during the night. No rain was predicted but there are fresh puddles. I'll have to find out how wet the kids got, at least they had a tent. If they did have to walk out it was a long walk. The kids are all going to be riding the trails this morning. Mike is taking his chain saw as he is riding Mika to cut low branches.

Salena's Video

Rachel came over and helped me take a quick video of Salena and her colt by Raven. He is 19 days old today. He didn't show off, it was in the 80s after have a very cold spring and they just wanted to eat the wonderful green grass coming up.
On another note, Anni is in season and she stood very well for Raven. I'm pleased he got her covered and once confirmed in foal we will place her for sale.

2 New Fillies

Steve from Texas called and both of his mares delivered 48 hours apart. They were due within 2 weeks of each other so he was pretty thrilled. One filly was a dark bay and the other pitch black with not a single white hair and both look like Raven. At least that was how he described them. Hopefully he will send pictures. Our count so far for 2009 is 3 fillies and 3 colts.

Rhoda's New Car

Rhoda and Anna drove to Lexington, KY to pick up Rhoda's new car she bought on ebay. They left this morning around 6:30am. The funny thing about this car is that it is a stick shift and Rhoda will have to learn how to drive it. Anna had to drive the car back with Rhoda following. They made it back by 7:30pm what a long day for them.
I drove out to the farm this morning to check on Walker Sally. She was dripping milk last night so Steven left her in a stall. She is not due until June 24th so we are hoping all is well. She is still very pregnant so I let her back out with the herd and will keep an eye on her. I grained Raven, checked the Andalusian mare who is still in season but as she was covered yesterday she doesn't need to be today. Grace was already turned out so I just called her in for her senior feed, then left the stall door and barn door open so she can come and go at will. There was no change in Lily. All 4 Friesian mares came up to be petted and given a treat. They LOVE it when I bring out visitors. Funny story, Steven called last night to tell me that Rhoda will be the first one on Lady. He put a saddle on her and she bucked so hard with all 4 feet off the ground. This is not really unusual, The first time we saddled Ranger he did the same thing but once he was used to the saddle getting on was no big deal.

Tall vs Short

What is it with all the short Friesians out there? I was reminded of this today as I was showing Selena and her colt. The man kept commenting "WOW they are so tall!" You should have seen his reaction to Raven! We don't just breed for height, we also want good conformation and beauty. No one wants an ugly horse even if it is the best riding horse around. I was looking on the internet for a purebred Friesian mare to replace Samantha and Sanna as I had a lady interested in buying them as a pair but I can't find any purebred Friesian mares over 16 hands for less than $30,000.00 I will have to tell the lady interested in them that I just don't want to sell them. Samantha is a true 16.1 and Sanna sticks at a little over 16.2. I didn't realize how special that was. Watching the Friesian horses at the Midwest Horse Fair, made me realize how truly blessed we are.

Grace

I had to go to the hospital today to see my new grand daughter, my mom went with me to see her new great grand daughter. Did I mention she is the sweetest, most beautiful baby I've seen in about 19 years?
After we got home from Bloomington, I drove out to the farm with more Senior feed for Grace. It is $16.26 a bag delivered to Bridlewood. One of our more expensive feeds but for Grace we will buy it. The Andalusian mare is still in and Raven was very anxious to get her covered. She stood well with no sign of going out. I'm waiting for her to go out to call the vet for sonagrams. We want to get Chiquita, and Lady sonagramed and Grace and Raven's teeth done. Poor Grace. She was beat up pretty badly while I was in Wisconsin. She was accidentally put in with 3 other mares and evidently they picked on her terribly, broke fences and kept Grace away from the food and water until Rhoda found her on Sunday and rescued her. Steven stayed up all night feeding her senior mixed with water every 2 hours. She is on Banimine and today looking better, she may still make it. Rhoda thought we were going to have to put her down. Grace is 24 years old and to put it nicely NOT an easy keeper, this is the last thing she needed. I also started her on pasture, the grass is coming up well and that is very good for her. She is grazing and that means she is walking around. I am still giving her Senior feed but now only 2 to 3 times a day. This morning I had Sarah Reinhard let her out of the stall, then I got there around 1:30, fed her and put her back out into the field. I left the door to the stall area open so if she wants to come back in she can. I'm encouraged today that if nothing else happens she will be ok.

I'm a GRANDMA!!!!

Addyson Faith Sceggel was born today at 1:30 pm. Her proud parents are Taunya and Benjamin Sceggel. She weighed 7 and a half pounds.
I'm sure she is the most beautiful baby ever born.

Vaulting Day Camp

Our Day Camp is Saturday June 20th, 2009

About The Sport
Vaulting is a unique and growing sport that combines gymnastics and dance on a moving horse. It's a wonderful way to develop coordination, balance, strength, and creativity while working in harmony with your equine partner. If you love horses, gymnastics, dance and fun, Vaulting is for you!
The Heart of Illinois Vaulting Team
The Heart of Illinois Vaulters was founded by Karin Meister. Karin has 12 years of experience teaching vaulting. She is a certified therapeutic horseback instructor for NARHA and also trains horses. Our team has worked with Jeff Moore, the Olympic Vaulting coach, and have been invited to perform at many horse fairs and shows.
Vaulting Day Camp!
The camp is a combination of fun experiences while learning about this exciting new sport. The campers will receive individualized gymnastic instruction on our vaulting barrel as well as on the horse. Ages: 8 yeas old and up. Space is limited! For reservation contact Karin Meister email Karin at meister.karin@gmail.com or call her at 309-368-8504.
Camp Info
Arrival time 9:00am for the Saturday Clinic.
Registration from 9:00am to 9:30am
Day camp runs from 9:00am to 4:00pm
Lunch and a snack included
Saturday schedule include Barrel, horse, video gymnastic instruction, and other fun activities such as fishing, canoeing, and swimming.
Price: $75.00
Sign up now with more information to follow.
Parents are encouraged to stay and watch

Friday and Saturday's Vaulting Performance

We got home around 9:30pm from Madison, WI and I could hardly wait to get this video up. I am so proud of EVERY one of our vaulters from Caleb to Hannah they worked so hard and did so well. I put both performances on youtube as they were both so good. Friday's was held in the Nutrena Arena a much smaller arena so I was able to get close up videos easier.

Success!

WE DID IT! We actually wowed the crowds at the Midwest Horse Fair. Karin is sure we were the second best act in the entire horse fair. She thought the Andalusians were better but not by much. I'm kind of scared that we won't have any hats big enough for Karin's head if this continues. Many, many people followed us out of the coliseum to tell us how wonderful our kids did. Now I'll tell you how the day started. The practice was scheduled for 11:00am in the practice arena. It went terrible, the kids could not get their mounts, they were falling off, getting dropped from long distance and nothing looked like it was going to work. We were very discouraged as they finished the practice then Karin went to loosen the surcingle and realized that she had never tightened it in the first place. No wonder practice went bad. Karin sent everyone to the stall while we went for FOOD. We had 10 hungry vaulters to feed before they are due on and we thought they all needed protein. We got a shock when we saw they were selling water for $3.75 a bottle and the sandwiches were $5.50 each. Now was the time to be thankful that we stopped at Family dollar yesterday to by bottled water. We bought 10 roast beef sandwiches. Then mom and I headed for the coliseum for a good seat. By the time the vaulters were ready to come in I was so nervous that as I started video taping I realized I was shaking so had to find a place to hold the camera steady. The announcer is the same one from the Northern IL Horse Fest and he gave them a good introduction. When Hannah started trotting up to Ribbon we heard the crowd go awe, how cute, then as she was lifted into the air it was gasps all around and it just got better. By the time they were finished they had totally wowed EVERYONE including the announcer. I can't wait to get the video up on youtube but as we are at the fair until late Sunday I know it won't be done until early Tuesday.