Will and Gwen's spring fling

William is officially over a year old now, and he's just a monster in size that is, not temperament.  He's got to be the largest foal I've ever had. He's pushing 15.3 hh at the hip. He is inquisitive, kind, smart, and just a delight to watch. 

I know I've posted many times before that I'm going to get video up of him running around, we'll I finally jumped at the oportunity when him and Gwen were running around because I was mowing the lawn.  She's the instagator he just follows suit.  Go figure they even had the energy as it was pushing 30 degrees celcius at that time.  This is actually a common occurance, not the heat but the running around, and it still never seizes to amaze me how he doesn't hit anything. 

Anyways heres the link for your viewing pleasure, enjoy! 

Oh so handsome... :)

My good friend, and stallion owner, and amateur photographer Shannon came for a visit this past week.  She brought with her, her camera and took some much updated (and beautiful) photos of Will.  He is just shy of 1 yr old. (born March 31/2011) and is just HUGE! I'm 5'8" by the way, so as to give you some perspective. 

I've am pleased to report he is fairing his first canadian winter (if you can really call it a winter) very well.  In the spring I am  going to have to give him a make over because he's starting to look a bit like a wooly mammoth.  Although his brown highlights in his mane make him look like a rock and roll artist.

Anyways enjoy!!

A much needed update

Finally I'm giving you all what you wanted, an update that includes pictures and video. 

This video is from his first outing into his paddock.  See the previous post to know what I'm talking about. 

It's kinda lengthy, I didn't really edit it just threw all the clips together and added a title.  He was 1 wk old when this was shot.

I know now why it's taken me so long to get these posted, my damn computer and internet are just so FRIGGIN TEMPERMENTAL!! it took me WAY too long to get these photos on for all your viewing pleasure, I still have a few more that I wanted to get posted but ran out of time because it had gotten so late. 

But here are a few to get you started.  I appologize as they are not exactly in chronilogical order, once again due to the unruly nature of the program, my computer, and internet. 

This picture he would be a couple mo's old at least, I want to say this was from late august. 

Here he is hanging out with his buddy, and my other filly Goldwyn AV (hann X dutch)

This one is very recent as you can see the snow.  Having a nap. :)

Clearly from the summer, chilling in his paddock, as you can see he is able to navigate quite like a normal horse. Yes it's electric fence, yes it's on, and yes he knows where it is.

The last 2 are from just prior to going out in the large field.  Mom and him would go out for walk/grazing sessions with Tony daily.  Mom was always happy to have fresh green grass and always stayed close to home and will would meander around closely monitored of course.  He was smart, he was also allowed to walk around freely, and the rope was no bother to him, and allowed us a way to catch him if needed without startling him. 

Always happy to have a good scratch on his neck.  About 1 mo old in these 2 photos. 

He continues to grow like a weed, and becomes more and more independent, playful and social with every passing day.  If I can ever get lucky enough to catch him on film tearing around the paddock I'll try to get up for you to see.  It's pretty miraculous to watch how he'll run around like a normal yearling, and avoid all the obstacles in his path.  He'll literally run straight towards the fence/shelter you think "eeks he's going to hit" then in just a few mere feet remaining he will stop and/or turn. 

Wow it's been ages... Weaning time is just around the corner.

I'm finally back for an update.  I know a few of you have asked for one and I have failed you :( I'm sorry.  This summer has been intense so much stuff on the go, including trying my hand at eventing, from working, training, teaching, haying, and just general barn chores.  Oh yeah and finding time for Tony ;) Really though it's been quite uneventful with Will.

He's growing like a weed, and he's finally figured out he has a friend outside of mom.  Him and Gwen are good buddies now.  They hang out all the time, she tries to play with him, although he doesn't engage as much as she would like.  Once she is 4 mo's they will both be weaned, I seriously think he'll be ok with the process, as he's used to being on his on every now and then, when the group leaves him and heads to the other end of the field.  He'll handle it better than her I bet, she's a bit of a momma's girl, and mom will just be changing paddocks not farms. This process will be starting in about 2 weeks, so I'll have something more eventful to report on.  His mom however will be leaving us and heading out to attempt to start a riding career.  

Will who seriously gets called Maximus more than Will now a days, is growing like a freaking weed.  His but is just below my shoulder and I'm 5'8". 

Poor guy did sustain a good cut to his face in July it was rather large, and fortunately he was a dream to clean it.  He shook his head in protest but that was it.  Everyday I would truck out there, I was wondering if after a few visits he would hear me and start to head in the opposite direction but no, not once did he attempt to do so.  It's all healed up now, and healed really well.  :)

They also got their first trimming in July, and he was awesome.  I've had sighted foals that were way worse than him.  He wasn't perfect but considering the situation I'd say he handled it really well.  I was interesting watching him react to his friends gettting done,  he was freaked out by the scent of the farrier, and the sound of the rasping.  What was more interesting was watching him run towards the electrical fence, then turn away 2 feet from the fence.  

I will try to get some new photos of him up soon for you to see.  And I'll be back to report on his weaning.  I should also report that he has fully shedded out and is completely black now... He's so handsome.

Were on to larger pastures!!

So, I come home one day and their field is empty! I mildly freak out wondering where they are, I thought maybe Tony moved them inside, but no he didn't.  But he did move them.  Apparently he's been taking them into the larger field to accustom the kid to the larger paddock and to let mom stretch her legs.  Well he let the kid loose and he's been out there since.  He is handling it very very well, he walks around very slowly and doesn't go anywhere fast.  He's bonked into a few things but overall makes out very very well.  Who knew?? 

It is electrical fencing, and when he touches it he just turns around and ventures off somewhere else.  Has been out in the large field now for almost 2 weeks, and I'm pretty pleased to say the least.  I'm glad now I don't have to worry about what I'm going to do with him come the crappy weather.  And now he has a few other friends, not that he thinks they are friends right now.  The other broodmare is decent enough to him, he can actually hear when she comes at him and he jumps away.  He's so smart it's scary.  Sometimes I swear he can see the way he looks at me. But I think his hearing has just become that intune to the environment that he can hear the subtlest of noises.

So now I just have to introduce a new friend so he can be adjusted before mom gets weaned.  It's official she is heading home upon weaning so he's going to have to find a friend within 2 months because he will most likely be weaned by 4 months. I did find a great option but tony was wondering why get another horse when we have so many others.  Makes sense, but I hate the idea that I may sell them then he's going to lose a friend.  It would be nice to have a constant figure in his life.  But for now he'll probably have to deal with the other filly in his field and I may be able to move over Encino my 2 yr old by my stallion who is just so laid back.  They can be temporary friends.

Growing like a weed!!

This is basically going to be a picture post, there really isn't much new to report.  He's doing really well, he's getting more and more independant.  Mom and him get out for a graze practically everyday, he gets to go loose for the most part as he stays close to mom, and doesn't go far when he's scared.  I think he's finally learned the no bolting lesson.  I have this feeling he's not going to be much of a problem, as he takes most things in stride and since he can't really see what we are about to do to him  he tends not to over react, which you would think would be the opposite.  He did cut his leg sometime between yesterday and today so today we had to clean it, there was a mild fuss but overall he delt with it better than most sighted horses I know.

 Here we were learning not to over react to my weight lightly on his back... he's a fast learner. 

 Really he's not that bumb high there is a bit of a dip where his front legs were...

My favourite thing to do is cuddle with him, he's just so DAMN cuddly. 

We are officially 1 month old!!!

Yeah, we've made it a month and things are definitely looking up.  I'm falling more and more in love with this guy.  He's is turning into a social butterfly, and has really begun to learn how to follow his ears.  Now when we go up to him he begins to investigate with his nose, and will stick it right in your face to get your scent.  Weather has been miserable the last few weeks, so the paddock has been less then desirable.  I usually go get him when I'm still in my work clothes, so the last thing I want to have to do is go into the paddock to get him if I don't have to, and I don't!! He will now follow my voice and comes to the gate all on his own.  He knows now where it is and that he has to step up to get out, however he's still hesitant about stepping down into the paddock, once it starts to dry up some more I want to get some screening in to fix that, but it will have to wait for now. 

Will has received his first visitors outside the family.  My good friend and her boyfriend came up to see him, it was interesting because he knew they were there, and he knew they were strangers.  He was more spooky when they came up to him initially and a little more alert, which he no longer is with Tony or I.  But he enjoyed their company and soon was investigating them with his nose. 

He's just so smart, I love watching how he investigates his surroundings, and is starting to adjust whenever it's necessary.  Poor kid needs a friend though, mom isn't too happy about being stuck in the paddock all day, and wants desperately to go back out with her buddy Eliza.  She's always running up to the gate if we go up to it for any reason, and she is becoming a little less tolerant towards her kid when it comes to nursing.  He tries to play with her but she just gives him that old broody look (even though she isn't old at all) of get off of me you goofy child, and go play with yourself. 

BOY has he grown though, he's getting so tall, and big and HANDSOME!!!  I think he may just be the most attractive blind horse in the world!!  His back is getting strong, and his chest is so wide, his neck is muscular, and he has the most handsome expression in his face that a camera just doesn't capture.  I smother him to death with contact/affection, and where I used to be able to wrap my arms almost all the way around his girth area I can barely do that now.  Fortunately I did enough work with him when he was younger that he doesn't fight as bad, or as long now.  He usually gives in pretty quick and thats the end of it.

Soon I'm going to forget that he is blind, he's handling his environment that well. 

Anyways I'm out thats my update for now, there isn't too much to say lately... so I'm sorry for the delay in updating. 

Thanks for reading.  :)