Our 2013 filly, Kiva, enjoys being a member of a mare herd. She is almost as tall as her mother and clearly showing the build and structure of her sire. She has inherited her mothers grey gene but in all other ways seems to be like her fine father. Her temperament has quieted from the playful foal we saw early on and is my most "laid-back" horse. Besides normal grooming we have started working on trailer loading, going slowly & making it interesting.
Kiva's mother Kisia is back to riding. We're lucky to be close enough to trailer for some dressage lessons at the wonderful facilities at Cedar Winds. After almost two years off and the stress of pregnancy and birth, Kisia has had some kinks to work out. Help from the chiropractor, regular stretches and just getting moving again has all helped her. We had what was probably the most fun riding lesson we have yet to have last week. Evie at Cedar Winds had us try a new exercise to supple Kisia. It went something like this.....make a large turn with the rider's body turning from eyes to hips to look over the back of the horse almost leading the horse, ask for movement with the inside leg, allow the horse forward then leg yield to the side. We did this at walk & trot. Kisia came ALIVE! It felt like we were both having fun and I could almost imagine the lightening quick power & grace of these horses in the bull fight, such was her enthusiasm and sensitivity to all that I asked. She & I are working at 1st level and, excluding getting our canter depart more consistent, are ready to show at training level.
Zorra is on a bit of a break after getting started under saddle last October. She looks amazing as always. She gets stretches (which she begs for anytime I work with Kisia). I continue to moisturize the scar on her leg and do a bit of light massage as suggested by our favorite local physical therapist. She will go out for some training next year to get her established riding.
Valencia is now well into the 3rd trimester of her pregnancy. She has been very peaceful and content only just recently seeming to appear somewhat tired. Her pregnancy has been quite uncomplicated. Her foal is swimming around seeming to be "awake" in the afternoon. The mares are off the foaling paddock which is getting a good rest, has been limed and treated for ants in anticipation of a new baby spending some time there next spring.
My retired dressage horse Miles is a few months from turning 23 years old. He is doing well this winter, so far keeping his weight on which has always been a challenge. We built him a smaller paddock just about in the center of the mares pasture where he can always see the other horses. He has slowed down somewhat which for an old racehorse means on occasion standing still. He is a grey horse who when I got him at 10 had melanomas. They have yet to cause any issue for him. I do think that one area of growth may have affected his hearing which has surprisingly lead to less worry and spooking for him. Always a difficult to please horse, he seems content in his retirement.
A few more months of muddy cold and spring is just around the corner with much to anticipate! Kiva pictured above on a cold winter morning. Kiva is a grey pure Spanish Andalusian filly.
