Hi Anna,
I just read throughyour story. I loved the whole story. It shows what we all go through with our love of horse. I have loved horses my whole life but due to finances had to wait until  I was 42 to finally get one. His name is Cisco a 15 hand Quarter gelding. Of course, we had to get him a friend so we have a shetland pony who keeps him company

Good luck in all your future work with your horses.

Hi Anna,

I have enjoyed your story as well as everyone else! I am a decendent of Latvia too. My father is from Riga. He came over when he was just 6yrs. old (now he is 69yrs.)as the times were very bad for everyone, and chaos with the goverment. His sister used to go back to the old country until she got to old to travel that far.

I love seeing all your pictures, since I don't have any from Latvia. Dad wont talk about it due to bad memories. You have given me such a wonderful visual now, thank you!!! I wish I know more about the it.

I myself have had horses since I was 4yrs. old, and can't live with out them. I only have 2 horses and 2 cats, even though I live on a farm. It would be great to rescue all the animals like you do! You are an insperation to many. Keep up the great work, I look forward to seeing the babies when they come.

Vonnie

Vonnie, if you like, you can talk with me about Latvia - I was born in Riga, grew there and still have an aparment there, and now I'm a bit more than an hour drive from Riga - not so far actually. You can write me on barryz15@yahoo.com

I know how your father feels - mine was sent to Siberia, to coal mines as a prisoner by soviets, so we have similar family situations. My father was really lucky to get out there alive, and even return home, but it was not so easy overall... But he was alive - it counts. So many died... It's what we call live history there... :) We are surviving with it, it becomes part of our lives, and you just carry on. Such things must be taken easy, with pride and inner smile otherwise hate just eats you alive.

Haven't heard from you for a while.  How are things going for you, your husband and the critters?  Any foals yet?  Any new animals?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Spotted Pony

 Hi! Quick update from our end of woods.

At present we do have 5 horses - Nelson we adopted out just a few weeks ago and few days ago went to visit him. I'm proud about the match that we have find for him.  As he must be on limited job forewer, I needed to find a owner who would ride him carefully and who has enough savvy - and I found one, the family was coming oer to visit him, ake friends, and now he is so happy in his new herd and is looking forvard to became a movie star - new owner'sbusiness is offering their farm and animals for filmmakers when they need old fashioned farm for a movie. The family have few cows, sheep, goats, pony, 3 horses, dogs and so on,all pets, friendly and well cared, socialized and ready to walk from left to right and from right to left on the background :) And Nelson is eady to became a star. 

Nelson and one of his frieds - pony mare in their pastures

In March we took in new rescue - 8 yo, 17h 2 gelding Guido. His owner wanted to send him to slaughtery as he has misterious behavioral issues.In general he is very, very sweet horse, cuddly and kissy, but out of 10 times once he acts crazy for 5 sec. - when he arrived, he was really nervous, sweating all the time, but now he already is much more relaxed, and we are trying to work out what's wrong with him.Teeth, blood and so on, as my gut feeling says that it must be something medical, similar like it was with Puika.

Here he is

Here he is playing with Peter and Puika

A bit of work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWbYub8qAxM&feature=channel_page

In general new boy is keen to work, happy to please and trying hard. We are not asking him do any heavy work yet, because by my opinion now the main thing is to get him relaxed when working.

He has been never really abused - best farrier, best feed and grooming (previous owner is a millionaire with really posh small stable), but owner's horse savvy and riding skills... That's the problem. Guido was his first riding horse, and green on green... You know the problem.

Shella is due on May 26th, but seems that this year foals are arriving few weeks later so we are just watching and waiting.  The tension is crazy - honestly, I was not so worried with my own first pregnancy as I'm now :) Shella is taking it very easy and relaxed, so fingers crossed  that all will be OK.

Here she is - not even looking very pregnant, sweet as usual.

All 3 girls together

And, of course, Puika.

He is much slimer  now, looks like a horse (not that big fat pie), had not colicked this year at all, and in general very, very happy about his new life.

yesterday when we fiished lunging Guido, Puika decided that it is a new thing to keep us happy so he "lunged" himself - 5 circles trotting in one direction, then to Peter for a pat, then other direction next five circles, and back for a pat again :)  He tries so hard to be a good boy. 

 Vet says that my gut feeling is wrong and all they boy needs is a good, soft rider to put confidence back in him.

Here he is today under saddle

And a bit of jump

He is not streching himself right, but vet says that it could improve with right exercises.  Let's see as he really deserves a nice life.

Hi Anna,

I've been reading your story, and wishing you well! Hopefully, we will be hearing (and seeing)about your newest addition! I love your GSD's! I have a 5 year old GSD that is Czech bred, and comes from the lines from the Police Boarder Patrol kennels...absolutely the smartest dog I've owned!

 Your new addition is a truly beautiful horse. Such a big boy tho'. I think I would be scared to get up there. I have a 10 yr old 1/4 horse, Cisco and his little companion Shetland pony, Bailey. I had wanted horses my whole life. The dream finally came true when I was 45. Cisco has been perfect and every year he gets a little better. We understand each other now. Keep letting us know what's going on in your world. You are such a good writer. It almost feels like we went through the whole thing with you. Can't wait to hear the next installment

How do you add your pics???

 Adding pictures is easy. I upload mine on photobucket.com, then select the last line (IMG) and copy here. Or open the image icon on top of the window, where you type your text, and copy the direct link in there.

 Oh, Guido is beautiful and I am SURE he wants to come to America and be an eventer with me!!!

Anna I swear you always seem to end up with the tallest horses out there. LOL. The newest addition is georgous.

 No, I don't :) It is just probably a bit different here - horses under 16 h here are "children" horses, and I had seen few  18h+ as well. For me it seems that at your end are a lot of 15h horses who are ridden by adults - just different traditions, probably, that's all.

The good news about our new boy is - he just needs a good schooling, and  trainer is sure that he will be absolutely OK. It is not clear how much job his injured back leg will take, but in general - he might be even a good jumper and not a slaughter prospect at all. If you would know how happy I'm at present moment!!!

Our trainer was here today, she tried him in many different ways and had not had found any faults except poor training. She is sure that within a month of proper training she will be able to give full evaluation but it is clear already that he will be OK - sports horse or just a hobby one, but he will be alive, and happy. What a relief! Vet gave the clear health bill, now trainer... And every next day he is more relaxed, more happy, and responds better!

That's great news Anna.