#appaloosa

Sergio and Maria

Franco and Nero’s parents meeting for the first time. The moment Sergio saw Maria he was starstruck by her icy blue eyes and pale face. He was only able to visit her a few times, during the days when the farmer was out of town or at night so he wouldn’t risk getting caught. Although he desperately tried to convince Maria to leave her farm and start a herd, she denied him every time for she feared the unknown.

The whole family:

Horseland TV Series (2006-2008)

“Lots of Spots”

Ember has gone to the vet and her leg is more just some mild stocking up at this point. Whatever initially caused the swelling has healed.

She has been cleared to ride!

Max has been very excited and for not being under saddle in a month she was rather pleasant!

We plan to keep her in the soft sand for some time before trying trails again.

Second ride on Booner! So far no silly bucks, doing very well. Not great at steering but all I care about is good ol forward motion! Done walk, trot. I won’t canter until ride 5.

He is very smart, willing, and playful. He is extremely mouthy, chews on.. everything. Wasn’t paying attention and he got the stirrup stuck in his mouth and was bent in half, was surpised he didn’t flip himself. He just stopped and stared at me until I got it out. I like that he looks to people for help. Felt bad for the guy, was totally shaken up. But broke himself from eating the stirrup.

All around he has been a pleasant 3 year old.

I believe as he ages he would be good at either Westren or English, and trails. As the owner says “He is just too short back for runnin’, but could do go for anything else.”

And I agree!

Here is a more decent photo of Booner. This has been fun, I have known this horse since he was 10 minutes old so it is fun to have this opportunity.

Booner boy is doing great! Just chilling with him after all the fun saddle stuff!

Terrible photos of the 3 year old I have been breaking for my neighbor! Another Appaloosa. Gelding, named Booner. My neighbor was so impressed how good I did with Ember he asked me to break his 3 year old. He breeds for racing but says Booners back is too short to run, and wants him to still have a good life.. requested I train the guy and get him a good life! I agreed, earnestly. Love starting 3 year olds, no bad habits, just all play and wanting to have a good time.

What a joy!

Ember is getting started on the trails! So far so good! This is trail ride number two. I like this trail because it is wide, and medium busy. Hikers, bikers, and other horses often visit here. Plus cows and sheep on the side. Plenty of potiental ‘spooky’ things to desensitize too while having plenty of room - aka no cliffs.

Featuring my husband.

Ember on ride… 25 or so. Just starting to ask more with bit, but still riding 90% loose rein. She is sure a hoot.

Sorry for lack of updates, just been busy preping for spring!

This is ride #2.

She is doing fantastic.. with that said, I want to make it clear this horse has 0 buck/rear. None in the pasture, none in the ground. Her method is pushing/biting/frontal strikes.. which we have worked 99% of that outa of her from the ground.. I had a feeling she would have no buck in saddle.

Her first day under saddle she was fine until we got near the chain link fence — where the demon piggies are!!!! Though she had plenty of confidence on ground, getting on her back made her loose confidence… and all forward motion stopped and all we got was very nice backing up. She can’t care less about squeezing/kicks to go forward.. so after using all my leg strength to get a forward motion I was satisfied for first ride.

This ride, I added the crop to make the point pretty clear that forward was the way I want , not backwards.. I felt like leg was mostly muffled signals at this time. Only two spanks and it was a hand ornament from that point on.

She did way more for the 2nd ride than I was planning, I just see what she offered. The canter was spurt of the moment just to see..and she did great!

Anyways she is coming together pretty nice. It is amazing that when you finally break down the barrier of human hatred they give you the world.

Guess who is saddle broke???

Also I don’t know if announced her name ever … Ember!

She has come such a long way.

New pony in snow!

Just another photo

Newest member to the ranch. A appy horse! She is in her 20s and the owner is starting in dementia. They asked my farrier to take her, but he feels too busy. He offered her to me and I accepted. She has not been used for 10 years, so we will be starting with basics. She is super fat too, which is kinda nice for once hahaha.

Anyways, if yall have a name let me know. I am not sure with this cutie.