October, 2015

Our latest masterpiece!   Triunfante H

Some of you know that I had the opportunity to have two glorious outside mares here during the last year.  My friend, Alice, was not planning on breeding her two mares and offered to let me breed them.    The stud muffin above is the latest arrival - he is out of Kisia, who Alice bought in utero from us (Kisia is Habana x Gitano) and by Kairo.   He is the image of his sire and the photo above was taken at 17 hours old.    I had been intending on making a new colt to keep, figuring when a colt was breeding age, Gitano would be approaching 20 years old.  I even bought frozen semen from Spain to create such a creature.  Making zero sense whatsoever,  instead, I don't think I can part with this special, delightful colt.   Should anything happen to Gitano or Kairo, Triunfante can step up to take over and carry on their lines.  Makes no sense to keep one that is related to nearly all the mares and fillies, which tells you how crazy I am about this colt!   I am way too far into my horse business to try to start making sense now.   I'll be eternally grateful to Alice for allowing me this opportunity and to Kisia for making this mini-Kairo.

To the left, you will see the other recent arrival resulting from the "borrowing" of Alice's mare, Valencia ADP.   Named Tara, this filly is the image of her gorgeous mother with an especially lovely head and neck.   So far, she is proving to be a little character in personality and likely will be for sale.   She has a pedigree that anyone would be impressed with and hopefully, will find a perfect home while her gorgeous mother is still visiting us to see who she comes from!



After a somewhat more difficult than usual winter and early spring, this Fall finds us healthier and doing well.  Valente is back to working full capacity and doing beautifully working Kairo under saddle.    All medical reports are that he is doing fine and back to his normal self.  I had my knee replacement the end of June and am grateful with every pain free step that I take that I had it done and am back to zooming around the place.

The horses, too, are doing well, with somewhat of an exodus going on.   In the last weeks, Dulci left for her home here in Texas and special thanks to Vicky for adopting her into your family for a breeding and pleasure riding career.  My friend, Melinda, has been so important in my horse life and recently purchased giant Quiana to add to her broodmare group.  Quiana is here with us until at least spring when we'll be breeding her for Melinda to Kairo.  Maximus, the lovebug of a half-andalusian went to former buyer Robin who is as loving an animal owner as I know.   Max, who shipped last week,  already looks so happy at his green and lovely home in Florida.

Tephra and Realengo have quite a journey to make through Washington State, across the border into Canada and on a ferry to Vancouver Island.   Their owner, Beverly, has become a friend and has built a brand new barn and new fencing so that they will live in luxury.  Thanks, Beverly, for being willing to buy from us and from so far away!   Cadiz is likewise heading to a wonderful home complete with brand new fencing, a soon-to-be-built new barn and with two new pasture buddies.  Thanks, Carol, for taking the leap of faith in purchasing Ibiza's last foal in utero.  Who would have guessed that he would be this super tall black sweetheart?  I figured a sweetheart, but never guessed would be a black!   Finally, angel sweet Tiersa is heading the first week of November to her new mom in Michigan.   I am certain that Lori is going to be smitten in no time with this engaging and personality-plus filly.  Niza's statuesque colt, Travieso, by Kairo, will be heading to his home in South Texas the end of December. 

We couldn't manage without our wonderful boarders and have room for even more if anyone has retired or pasture horses needing a home where they will be loved and spoiled.   Thank you to Katy, Melinda, Katherine and Whitney for trusting us with your horses.   I love them all!

One more Fall baby due who is sold if a filly.    I can always count on the cross of Destinada and Gitano to produce a wonderful offspring.   Then we have a bit of a wait through the worst of winter until Otamisia will be the first to foal this spring with another of her black Kairo offspring, and then Flama with a Gitano baby and then Isabelina with a Gitano baby.    Right now, Gentileza, Hipolita, Prisca and Niza are open and the goal is if they are cycling in November, to get them bred for next fall babies.  I am still doing "my thing" of playing on paper with who gets to breed to which stallion

Since I don't tend to write on this blog very regularly, I will go ahead and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a season of having many things to be thankful for.     Best, Terri

All spring foals have arrived

What a wonderful spring we've had and as of this morning, all of the foals have been born.   Moms and foals all healthy and I am very grateful.

First, most grateful that Valente is doing great--back to full time work and working as hard as ever.  The winter without him almost did me in, but he is back to save the day when I needed him most with babies arriving and breeding.  He is just walking for the most part, but still fabulous to see him back in the saddle. 

First to foal was Flama-- a big relief after a couple of complicated pregnancies.   She had a black/bay filly named Tyche who has a first time to own andalusian owner locally.   Congratulations, Milly, on choosing this spunky, athletic and ever-curious lovely girl!

My friend, Donna, brought her two mares here to foal out and be rebred.   The next arrival was Fantasia's super tall grey filly by Gitano and after, Leia had a bay colt by Kairo. 

Otamisia was the next of mine to foal - she had a solid black filly named Tephra who will be going to Canada when she is old enough to travel.   Her forever mom was here for a week and helped me more than I could have ever known at Nationals and I know Ota, as well as Realengo, will have a wonderful life with Beverly.   Thank you for buying two of these special horses.

I sold Isa this winter when I needed to sell and fortunately, the nicest lady who is a great animal owner and Arabian and dog breeder came along to adopt my friend, my counselor and this beautiful mare.   The top photo is Isa with this spring's Tosca by Gitano.   I know that Isa meant for this to be her special gift to me and I will keep Tosca.  No animal can ever replace what Isa means to me, but Tosca is so special that I feel like it was a miracle to have her.  Isa will stay until fall when Tosca is weaned and leave rebred to Gitano.  Thanks, Victoria, for making a home for this enchanting mare and also for bringing your stunning black Arabian mare up to breed.  It was our pleasure having her here.

I was very excited to welcome Prisca's first foal and lo and behold she had a black filly by Kairo.  This is my first Wanapum grandbaby so I named this one Tamarinda, after Wanapum's grandparents.   She is very like Prisca in her conformation and hopefully will have her momma's movement too!

Niza had a black colt by Kairo who was sold in utero and my thanks to Jeorge for taking the plunge to commit ahead of time to a dark colt.   You lucked out as this is such a tall and statuesque colt.  His owner chose the name Travieso which I like very much.

Hipolita had her second grey (I think?) filly in a row by Gitano and Tiersa is the outgoing, in-your-pocket girl of the year.  She makes us laugh and everyone who has come is enthralled with her outgoing and fearless approach to life.   Feminine and sweet but seems to have a sense of humor about her.  What a delight!  Tiersa is for sale.

Last but not least, Gentileza had a grey filly who I named Traviata.   Two fillies this year so beautiful they needed to be named after operas!   Like Gentileza's other Gitano babies, Traviata is long legged and beautiful.  Traviata is for sale.

We had late foals this year and so in quite a rush to try to get as many as possible back in foal before we quit breeding in a few weeks.  Because of the heat and my June surgery, anybody that doesn't take in the next couple of weeks will be left open until fall.  Speaking of fall, have Destinada's (Gitano), Valencia's (Gitano) and Kisia's (Kairo) foals coming to enjoy when all the spring babies turn into teen agers and no longer want to play with me as much!

Another huge bonus this spring has been my growing friendship with professional photographer Kristi Johnson.   Kristi is as nice as she is talented and I am overwhelmed by the photos she has gotten and her generosity in allowing me to post them here (she took both of the photos I have on this post) and facebook and my website.   If I am not looking at horses outside, I pretty much want to be surrounded by art or photographs of them inside!

In short, life is wonderful.   We survived a nearby tornado, haven't washed away yet with all the rain, Valente's surgery and that scare and birthing season!   I have never felt more fortunate that I have so many things to be so be happy about and when I get my new knee next month, whoa----you'll have to get out of the way when I get going full speed again!  I hope all of you that read this have had a wonderful spring and have a wonderful summer ahead full of things to be happy about, too.

Happy New Year!  Thanks to Marsha for sending me uplifting info like the quote above.  I hope this is an incredibly great year for everyone.

Where, oh, where, did the fall go?   I wish I had appreciated more back in the days when I had two full time guys---now that it is just Valente and I, I have no time and feel I am losing contact with people that I think of all the time and should keep in better contact.  Thanks for putting up with me!

Gee.  What has happened since I posted in August?  Several babies went to their new homes, we showed Prisca and Kairo in October and I put up the art booth at the IALHA National Show.  It was sad to know that this was probably the last Ft. Worth show---so many years we have gone and gotten to annually see so many friends.  I will miss it and since we are not in a position to travel due to no help at home, it may be our last nationals after 21 years of showing. 

Had a great fun visit with Michelle from Virginia and now she and her husband are the proud owners of Nemo, Danzarina and Saragossa!  I couldn't find a better home with their gorgeous pastures and passion for horses so am very grateful they once again chose me to buy from.  Also, unending thanks to Hernan, who has now bought Querendona, Sarape and Soldado.   We look forward to having Querendona back this spring to breed to Kairo.   My wonderful boarders are keeping me afloat financially and it is such fun to have humans that are so delightful occasionally come to visit.   Naturally, I fall in love with all the horses that live here, whether they belong to me or now.  Especially fun is having Salvador and Quebracho back.  I so rarely get to see my former babies so having these two back in bigger body forms to stay with us for a while is heaven.

The sad news is that my beautiful and too special for words, Gita,  passed over the rainbow bridge last week.   Gita was born without eyes and many thought I was insane to not put her down at birth.  But for thirteen wonderful years, she managed without so much as a significant cut or injury and all those who met her immediately felt her soulfulness and what joy she exuded.   She slipped in the mud and tore her hind leg ligaments and tendons so that her femur dislocated and the only option in view of the seriousness of her injury and her situation was to euthanize her.   I feel so fortunate to have experienced this happy horse who taught us so much and was never a day's trouble.

My big, sweet mastiff, Yoshi, was also put to sleep.    She has been such a comfort all the years I have had her and I miss her terribly.   My way to try to heal was to immediately go and get another dog--but one that absolute opposite of giant Yoshi.   The new one is Jackie, an australian terrier.   My wonderful friends Terrye and Joel have an animal sanctuary and when I went down to get a dog,  they had 50+ mostly small dogs.   Jackie has had a different background and is settling in to our wacky lifestyle.  Of course I adore her.  

Myrtle, my great dane, is 12 to be 13 this summer so I am also getting a great dane youngster from these same friends in the spring when they bring up a mare for us to breed.    Vette, the new one, (named for Star Wars' character that is a bounty hunter by previous owners) looks like Myrtle's twin so I am counting the minutes until she arrives and becomes part of the canine family.   Am I the one who said I would like someday to get down to one little and one big dog?

Hereje looks impossibly good as he turns 23 but looks about 10 and still takes my breath away.  Gitano is happy to breed, doesn't care if he only gets ridden occasionally and stays the studmuffin that he has always been.  Kairo is maturing more beautifully than I could have hoped.  He is over 16.2, has a fabulous breeding/pregnancy record, and is starting out under saddle perhaps the easiest and fastest of any of the stallions we've started over the years.  His first two colts last year looked like his clones and we are very excited to welcome some more of his babies this spring.

The mares are fat and happy.   Destinada turned up not pregnant so we bred her (to Gitano) as well as our two visiting mares, Valencia (to Gitano) and Kisia (to Kairo) this fall for fall, 2015 babies.   It will be wonderful  to have 3 babies next fall but that sounds far away so I am focusing on the 7 coming this spring.   3 are sold in utero if turn out the right colors and sexes--I need one big black/bay colt, one dark filly and one bay or black of either sex for customers who are anxiously awaiting the babies' arrivals with me.   

My days seem to be full of horse chores so my endless emailing days seem to be over.   The art business is still fun for me as I can do at night when outside work is over.   We have our property listed for sale, but like all the other horse properties in the area, not alot of traffic so waiting for the perfect person who could come close to loving this place as I do.   I will stay as close to where I am as possible as I love Denton, need to be close to my brother and his family in Dallas, and want to be close to my long established vet, shavings and feed deliverers, etc.   Valente's son is the varsity football kicker (last year as a sophomore) and his wife works literally up the road from us, so trying to stay convenient for them and so his two kids don't have to change schools.  We'll see when the time comes.    I trust the perfect place will be available when I need it!

I wish I heard more from those of you with horses that originated here.  I just got some remarkable footage from Courtney who has Melegant doing amazing liberty tricks and jumping that I can't believe!   Karra has kept in touch and showed Khan in dressage and has Palisandro and Obriza training to show next year.  Lucie sends me the most wonderful slideshows and videos of Principe and Romeo and I wish I could write as beautifully as Sarah who keeps me updated on Romantica.    I won't ramble on about the rest of you I hear from but invite anyone else to send photos or update--I really do love hearing how the horses are doing.   

Thanks for looking at my posts and my best wishes for a terrific year.   Terri

August, 2014

As corny as it sounds, this truly is my field of dreams.    Never a day goes by that I don't look out and think I am the luckiest human in the world.  I was taking pictures of some youngsters and looked out and noticed a bunch clumped together in one of the pastures so had to snap this shot.

Major congratulations are due to Karra!  Although it is difficult to read the scanned image below, Karra and Khan are number one in the All Breed Awards for USDF at training level in their first year of showing!  Khan was Flama's first foal and by Galisteo and Karra came down from way up north and scrutinized my foal choices and selected Khan as a baby.  It appears she made an excellent choice.   You don't get much better than owners who train and show their own horses.   I have such heartfelt pride that I don't deserve since Khan and Karra did all the work so congratulations!

 

 Speaking of congratulations, lots are owed to Audrey Seling, pictured below with Opus.  Audrey recently graduated from vet school and so is not only working as a vet, but she and Opus have become the cover models for the vet's marketing.   The photographer who took this lovely photo generously allowed me to use it and you can see his work at www.dustyperin.com.   Audrey's mom came down and bought a brand new baby from me.  Several years later, sight unseen, Audrey and her mom agreed to buy Opus (Hereje x Colombina).   From everything I've ever heard, Opus has declared Audrey as "his person" and they are one of those magic pairs such that he prefers her to anyone else for any type of handling or riding.   Opus is another one, like the Cooper's Decio H, that is by Hereje and ended up super speckled, which I love, love, love!   A spaniard years ago told me that the flea bitten were the purest of the bloodlines.    Apparently, he loved speckles too!

 

I would enjoy other people sending information about what they are doing with or photos of our former horses.  It is such a treat to see how they mature and to hear stories to know how they are loved, cared for and adored. 

 

We are ready for summer to wind down and looking forward to a full and busy fall.  I may be hosting Ancce revision, depending on how many horses sign up to make the Spanish vet's trip to Texas worthwhile.  Also in September, I am looking forward to buyers/now friends coming for a weekend from Mississippi.   They are allowing me the privilege of having two of their mares with us for a year and a half or so and we will not only be presenting them for revision this fall or next spring, but breeding them.  One is Kisia, sold in utero (Habana x Gitano) and it will be so wonderful to see her grown up after all these years.  The other is Valencia who was here last year to breed and I feel for her head and neck, her eyes, her movement.....well, I fell for her.    So I am counting the days to have two more mares here to love on and hopefully, if they cycle in the late fall, we'll get them bred in November or December.

 

We will be taking Kairo and Prisca for the pre 3 year old halter classes and the futurity classes.  Kairo's will be oh-so-exciting as he is the only one in his futurity class.  Bummer!  But for the last show in Ft. Worth and most likely, the last Nationals we'll ever attend, it will be nice to have a quiet and easy show with no stress.   I may or may not put up the art booth, depending on if I can get some images to make some new andalusian items before the show.   We'll see on that part.  In November, I will set up my art booth at the Feathered Horse Classic (gypsy vanners and friesians) that I was forced to miss last year because of health gunk.

 

This has been a strange year for me but for sure the worst is over and I am very much looking forward to what life has in store for me in the future.   Even though seeing a number of my mares off to new homes was excruciatingly painful, I must say with less help now that it is just Valente and I, the lower number of horses has allowed me to enjoy the ones still here even more and having fewer foals is definitely less work!   Losing so many of the older mares, all in just a few months, seemed totally surreal but as one of my horses friends wrote, it makes me feel better to think they have been together for so long that they wanted to leave together.   And how wise to go before they had to suffer another brutal Texas summer.   We lost Sweet Life Beliza who was 30, Dehesa, who was 26, Ibiza who was 24 and though I had sold her, Karina still lived with us and was mine in all ways but legallly, who had a a freak injury requiring that she be put down at age 18, leaving us with her 3 week old filly.    As all stories should have a happy ending, the filly tolerated us and the milk replacement every few hours, had an older pony friend that she bonded with and now is a big 5 month old that lives in a little herd and you would never in a million years know that she had a rough start in life.

 

On a rare topic other than horses, my mom passed away in April and although I had thought I was prepared as I watched her decline daily the last few years, you are never ready to lose anyone that you love.   Fortunate is an inadequate word to describe how lucky I was to have the two best parents imageinable.   My health has been a challenge with my various autoimmune problems now including Meniere's disease which is basically an inner ear issue that comes on suddenly and leaves you so dizzy that you end up flat on the floor and nauseated and/or violently sick.    The worst of it is that you couldn't tell when it was coming on and when I had big  plans for major video fest or something to do, instead I'd have a whole day in bed and many days, I was unsafe to drive.   I had surgery scheduled last fall, but then had the opportunity through the Affordable Health Act to change to much better insurance, so cancelled surgery until I got through birthing and breeding season.  So I finally had the surgery the end of June and thankfully, the surgery seems to have resolved the worst of my dizziness and sickness issues.   I've lost almost all the hearing in the operated on hearing and am trying out a variety of amazing devices that transmit sound from my good ear to the not-so-good ear.  So bad news for everyone that knows me, I am probably speaking even louder than I used to!!!!!

 

So for those of you who wonder why I've quit emailing or seemed absent, I have had a few months that was focused on the horses, my family and myself.   But now, I hope all my challenges are in the past and I am looking forward to the future and what life is going to be like in the next chapter.  If the first two Kairo colts are an indication of the quality he will throw, I lucked out again buying a colt that has turned into a phenomenal horse.    I have a ball helping Lesley Harrison with her art business.   I hope some of you look at Lesley's art website, www.harrison-keller.com, my business on the side, as Lesley has new paintings coming more frequently of late and we are about to have some new products that would make great holiday gifts like teapots with "The Romantic" on them -- how can anyone with a Remate relative not want something with that image?   And of course, "The Gentleman" is an image of our beloved Dadivoso who has been gone so long that probably fewer of you have any of his relatives.   "The Guardian" and "The Tempest" are images of Hereje and "Pint Sized Friend" is Pinturero.   One of the newer paintings entitled "A Soft Pillow" is from a photo I took of Ibiza's last colt laying on the teddy bear that I borrowed/commandeered from one of Valente's kid's room.   "Mischief Makers" is from a photo of my last litter of corgi pups.   I have not coerced Lesley to paint Gitano yet and she has the weird opinion that he is always too fat when she comes every few years!    She has some photos that I would love to see her paint of Wanapum, but silly Lesley seems to be focusing on people who pay her for commissions than doing more of my horses!  But someday, I'll nag her until she has painted Gitano, Kairo and Wanapum, too.

 

I would love to hear all of your news and hope that anyone reading has the same feeling of peace and truly looking forward to fall and winter.    Terri

 

 

 

Spring, 2014 breeding is finished

 

This little stud muffin photo'd above is Sarape, Kairo's second colt out of Niza.    Thanks to Hernan who is buying from us for the multipled time in taking the plunge to choose this one in utero.   If this colt ended up to be shown in dressage when he matures, I'd say he'd be getting 9's on his walk and trot.   Kairo has simply outdone himself on his first two colts this year.

 

Also thanks to Jenni who bought the giant, big boned and impressive Quiana (Wanapum x Destinada).   Everyone who meets this filly in person refuses to believe she is a mere 1-1/2 years old with the presence she has.

 

With the heat upon us, we are so pleased to be finished with our spring breeding season and a successful one at that, with all our mares that we bred in foal.  Next spring we'll be having 4 Gitano babies (Gentileza, Flama, Hipolita and Isabelina) and 4 Kairo babies (Niza, Otamisia, Prisca and Destinada).  The first black or bay filly is sold and the first black or bay colt is sold, but the others will be available for sale in utero.    If next year's crop is anything close to as nice as this year's group, I will feel happy for sure.   I may say this every year but Valente and I feel like all 6 this year are particularly spectacular.

 

I may have written previously but in case I didn't, in the fall we have the huge honor to be able to welcome a 16.2 bay mare back that we will breed in the fall if she is still cycling.    Valencia has an allstar pedigree that explains why she is an extravagant mover that has to be seen as my words are inadequate.  (see more information about her coming soon for her own mare page).   Val was here last year to breed to Gitano and I fell in love with her face and everything else about her and she had a very special Gitano filly.   So Val is coming here and if she'll be ready to breed in the fall, so that her foal won't be alone the following fall, we will probably go ahead and also breed Lisa, our solid black filly bred by Ami MacHugh.    Val will be back to Gitano and Lisa will be to Kairo. 

 

Now with breeding over, we spend our days playing with the babies and mowing and weedeating---praying for lots of rain so there is alot of mowing and weedeating to be done.   I hope anyone reading this has more exciting summer plans such as vacations and the like.  Wishing cool summer nights and lots of rain for all the drought areas!

 

 

Foaling is finished for 2014!

I don't know how the end of March, all of April and half of May have flown by....but an email from a long time friend reminded me that I haven't added photos or blog info in a long time so here I am!

What a wonderful foaling season we have had and the cutting way back on number of mares and number of babies is agreeing with us!   Above is Soldado (Gitano x Isabelina) who has personality plus and movement that is quite extravagant.  My theory is when the Remate daughters have bay foals by Gitano, they are more similar to Gitano than their moms.   But when the Remate daughters have greys, like Soldado, Saragossa, and Serpico, they end up with Remate's upright neck and hopefully, some of his movement.   Soldado is for sale and soon (hopefully) my website will be updated and a slideshow with lots more photos taken today at 28 days old will be on there.

I was very fortunate to have sold 3 in utero.   The result of the breeding of Otamisia x Kairo was a solid black colt that the buyer named Sonador.  He is all boy, round and beautiful.   The other Kairo baby was also a colt, out of Niza, and his buyer named him Sarape.   A photo of beautiful Sarape at 12 days old is below.

 

 

The last one that was presold was the Gitano/Destinada foal which turned out to be a huge filly that is of the same great quality as the other 3 of this cross, all of which are now under saddle.

 

Gentileza once again threw the giant of the year---the last two of her cross with Gitano look like will be at least 16.3 and Serpico, from this year, will be that, too.   He is friendly and everything that anyone could want.  I hope someone wanting a gelding for dressage will come along as he is a perfect candidate.  

 

Last but not least is Saragossa or "Sara" named for my niece who is feminine, upright and just a beauty.    Daughter of Gitano and Hipolita, she will be the only filly we'll have for sale this year.   She is grey----it is odd that we had 10 in a row dark ones from the Ibiza/Hipolita/Isa and Gitano breedings but this year, both Hipo and Isa had greys.   When they are this nice, I'll take them whatever color:

 

 

 

Tomorrow will be a sad day as Romantica and Romeo are leaving and heading to Ontario and Quebec, respectively.   Also going to her forever home,  Conesa's new owners are coming down and will be heading to Kansas on Sunday.    What a wonderful mare and the gifts she has given us year after year in her awesome moving babies.  She is in foal to Gitano and hopefully, the lovely new owners will get a foal of their dreams.

 

We've had several outside mares here to breed and working on getting our mares back in foal.   Otamisia, Niza, Prisca and Destinada will be bred to Kairo.  If his first two colts are any indication of the quality of what he is going to throw, it will be exciting to have more of his babies next year.  Flama, Gentileza, Isabelina and Hipolita will be bred back to Gitano.  When crosses work year after year, it is difficult to change--even if Kairo looks as if he is going to match Gitano in terms of awesome offspring.  Hopefully, we'll have a visiting huge bay mare come to breed to Gitano in the fall---she was here to breed last year and I fell in love with her so if the stars align correctly, she'll be coming back to spend some time with us.

 

We hope everyone has had a wonderful spring despite the odd weather across the continent.   Our fingers are crossed for a less than brutal summer with lots of rain and plentiful hay crops.   

 

 

 

Cadiz is growing and weaned!

You may have seen the post several months ago of Ibiza's colt, Cadiz.   Well, he is now weaned and has just blown me away with his wonderful personality.   Put in with all the older spring foals, and being the only fall foal, he fit into his little herd immediately and is so easy for anything we ask of him.

This photo is of his stupendously great foal blanket that his owner sent---it was a Christmas gift from her parents which is so special on so many levels.   And proof that Cadiz will live a luxurious and spoiled life--having only the best.   

I am still not sure if he is going to be a true black or a black/bay like his daddy.   We bred Ibiza back to Gitano and should know this week if she took.    Reproductively, she is so healthy and in heat, literally begged to be bred.    Poor mature mare that I debated about retiring, but when I think there may be another one like Cadiz for next year......well, you know me, I couldn't resist just one more.  

 

The best time of year!

After a winter of weirdo weather, some health issues and the bummer of Flama having aborted, I was tired of myself whining and ready to move into over-the-top joy mode.   So here it is!

Friday night, Otamisia had an easy delivery of her first foal who happens to be Kairo's first offspring/first colt!   I am beyond thrilled as the colt looks like mini-Kairo (at least for now) and is I can see in the flesh just exactly what I hoped the Gitano daughters would produce with Kairo.   Thank you Carlos for your leap of faith of buying this guy in utero--you were rewarded bigtime with this special, wonderful black colt.   I'm not sure if Carlos is picking his name or I am, but he is the first "S" baby and since I can't go without a name instantly, I've been calling him Samson for the moment.   Here he is photo'd at 48 hours old.

 Seems very calm, despite his first time mom still trying to figure all this out, no white markings and looks like Ota x Kairo will be forever paired!

An outside mare is here to breed to Kairo and so he was collected for the first time last week and just as we experienced with his live covers, he is a perfect gentleman, patient and easy breeder.   If a young stallion gets any better than this, I don't think I can stand it!   We also bred Sirena, the half-andalusian champagne to Kairo.  I'll be breeding several more of my own this year to Kairo but only a very few to my customers or special circumstances as he is so young that he doesn't need to be overbred!

If anyone has any great ideas for names beginning with "S", please send them along.   I have a list but never know if a name suits the babies.   Since I've sold another couple in utero, I don't have that many to name, but still, it adds to all the fun to have extra-special names ready.

Still on cloud nine from Ota's colt being born, and within twenty-four hours, Melinda Hallmark's filly pictured to the left arrived!   This is another of the great cross of Karina and Gitano.   Melinda named her Danzadora and of course I'm already stuck on calling her "Danza".   She is calm and friendly and Karina, being so experienced, the best possible mom.    The next two coming won't be mine---Melinda's next one, Karateka x Gitano should be by the end of March and Katy's Gracie x Gitano about the same time.  I can't wait---I enjoy them the same whether they are mine or not!

photo taken at 24 hours old of Danza

 

Congratulations, Carol!

 

This little dreamboat is named Cadiz--- a special reason why I agreed in utero buyer, Carol, should not follow my usual alphabetical requirement that all babies of the same year have names starting with a certain letter.  What a dollbaby and I am so grateful to Ibiza, who perhaps should be retired at her age, but who seems to be clear that she is willing to continue her job as one of the great broodmares of all times!  Sired by Gitano, this fellow was born  last night, 10/9/13 at about 11:15 pm--Ibiza even thoughtful about not keeping me awake until the wee hours of the morning.  This colt will be a real gem.  Leggy, beautiful head and personality plus.  I think it would be impossible not to fall for him and of course, within less than 24 hours, I am in love!  Thanks, Carol, for taking the leap of faith and choosing Ibiza's baby in utero--you did well.  VERY well!

 

 

Thanks also to Carlos who has bred to mine and bought two from me in the past for purchasing Wanapum's bay son, Realengo.  Since Carlos has a grey Hereje son, he needs a black colt to have the grey, bay and black trio.   I am tickled that he is also buying one of Kairo's coming babies if we have a black colt.  Or when we have a black colt in the spring.

 

One of the real blessings that I've had is that my friend and one of our mentors, Molly (who trained Galisteo when he was started under saddle and given Valente riding lessons on Gitano, Chulo and Wanapum) is buying Kidron.   Having all competitive dressage swedish warmbloods, I could not believe it when she fell head over heels and wanted Kidron.  She needed him like a hole in the head but like we all do, Molly followed her heart, took him home to ride 6 days a week for about 6 weeks and finally concluded she could not part with him.  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect home for this unbelievably soulful horse.

 

Next week is my first foray into the art booth business and I hope my friends at the IALHA national show will come by. I am so excited about several of our new products and Lesley's new andalusian images. Not showing horses, I will spend more time watching classes and in the arena than my last 20 years of going to Nationals.

Will start our fall breeding the first of November if the open mares are cycling and have a couple of outside breedings lined up.  No more babies due for a while so we can spoil Cadiz rotten.   Next will be Karina, if she hasn't headed to her home by February and following or near Karina will be Otamisia's and Kairo's first offspring.  So much to look forward to.   Happy fall to everyone---we are so delighted fall decided to finally show up in Texas.

August

Counting the seconds until August ends so we can see the possibility of fall weather.  The poor horses just manage our gross Texas heat somehow.

Please say prayers, send positive energy or cross your fingers that Kidron has found his permanent home.   My good friend Molly (who has given Valente all his riding lessons and trained our Galisteo for me) is a grand prix rider who heretofore has owned all kinds of horses, mostly imported Swedish Warmbloods, but never an andy.    Just as everyone who has met Kidron since he returned here, Molly simply fell in love with him and I couldn't have wished upon a star for a more perfect owner.

Speaking of friends, Julie and Wanapum headed to another dressage show this weekend and on first ride, fresh off the trailer, got a 68.5%!   Of course he seems to have a particular talent for scoring well on the classes she hasn't signed up as qualifiers and not nearly as well on the qualifiers.   Since I don't care about the scores and just want him to be his best, be fun for Julie, and get out in the world more than he ever would here, I am just delighted that Julie has ventured to the 3rd show in the last couple of months.

Lesley just finished a painting of an andalusian so I ordered prints and have been spending money like a crazy person to have some new products for the upcoming shows.   October is IALHA nationals and the problem is there are so many images and so many products depicting them, that I don't know how I can cram all into a 10 x 10 booth.    Then in November, heading to Belton, Texas and so excited to get to see a friesian/gypsy/drum show--talk about gorgeous horses.   Lesley has numerous paintings depicting those breeds and for them, too, I'll have wallets, kindle covers, iphone covers, compacts,  afghans, baby bids, short and long sleeved tees, new cards and more!  

I hope I'll see some of you at those shows, with or without horses.  Is always a wonderful time of year and a reunion of sorts with the friends I only get to see annually.

Is it fall yet?

Cleaning and came across this photo---how old do I feel when one of my childhood photos looks this aged?   Anyway, this is me with my beloved Apache.  Apache made up in heart what he might have been lacking in looks.    Over the years from when I got him around age 6, I gave up taking piano lessons, new clothes and all kinds of things when my parents would attempt to bribe me that if I gave up Apache, I could have this or that.  I made the right decisions!   I had him until I was 16 when we moved to Texas and I had to sell him......  one of the biggest heartbreaks of my life!  I have come a long way both in quantity and arguably, quality.

Just when we Texans cannot be more sick of summertime, August arrives and gets even hotter.  A good time to catch up on indoor chores, paperwork and all the things I only do if I can't tolerate being outside.  It has been a very slow season for horse sales-I've had some wonderful sounding prospective buyers, but somehow the perfect matches just aren't happening.   Hopefully, will pick up soon. 

 

Have been busy as Lesley's 2014 calendars are in and thankfully, lots of orders.   I didn't order as many this year as so expensive, so if anyone wants one, better order sooner than later as may run out this year (hope so!)   http://www.harrison-keller.com/calendars.php .   I am planning to do a booth at the IALHA national show in October and Lesley is, as I write, painting a new andalusian so that I'll have several new andalusian images with some various products depicting it, for the show.   I only have a very few of each thing made, but will have some large kindle covers, some compacts, wallets and a few "new" products by October.   The next goal is to go to Belton, Texas the end of November for a gypsy vanner and friesian show as we have tons of images and products depicting those beautiful breeds.

 

Probably will have more interesting news when I next write but wishing all of you the best for the remainder of summer.   

Breeding season over! Yahoooooooo

 Lucky Sarah who purchased Romantica, pictured here on the left last week.  She is another giant filly from the pairing of Gentileza x Gitano.                                                                

Although I love having the babies, the making of them gets old, especially when our Texas heat is upon us.   (I'm sure the stallions don't agree).   Poor Valente makes a zillion trips to our too-busy-to-come-here vet and the poor mares and babies in a trailer gets us anxious to finish the whole process by the first of June.  Besides, it is simply too hot for later babies to be born in the oppressive heat.

 

As usual, we were super fortunate to have had a successful breeding season with every outside mare that chose one of my boys having been confirmed in foal and all of mine except new Scarlet (more about her later) and possibly Conesa.   In the fall, Ibiza is the lone foaler, with her foal already sold.   In the spring, we'll have 7 or 8 coming, with 3 purebreds by Kairo, all of which could be black and one of which for sure black, and 4 purebreds by Gitano.   Then Sirena (more later) is bred to Gitano and could have a champagne, bay or black three-quarter andalusian, if she is still here.

 

Too long a story to bore everyone with, but two IALHA registered half-andalusians have joined us, brought here with the promise of either keeping them or finding them perfect homes.   Information about both is on my sale page of my website.   Scarlet is a pretty and sweet, timid but loving bay mare that has a trot that is jaw-dropping.    We didn't see her signs of heat and now too hot to breed her.  If she is still here in the fall, we'll be breeding her to Gitano or Kairo to keep color.

 

Sirena de Oro is a bold champagne pony-type that we are told has been ridden by youths and shown in english pleasure and hunt seat a few years back, but the last few years, not ridden frequently.  She has had one bay colt (an Hereje grandson) by a grey stallion and is an amber champagne.   We did not make alot of effort as did not take her to the vet, but she teased, I inseminated her with Gitano's semen and lo and behold she took so she'll be having a spring, 2014 foal that could be the colors referenced above.  So if she hangs around that long, will be super fun to see what she throws.

 

So now the time of year we try to stay indoors as much as possible and keep up with the mowing and fly-spraying and bathing sweaty horses.    They all manage the heat without complaint, unlike moi!  Wishing you all great summers with hay aplenty and temperatures enough to enjoy your horses. 

Last spring foal arrived

This is Riqueza, (Conesa x Gitano) and a great way to end this spring's foaling season!   Leggy, feminine and sweet, pending dna verification of color, she is hopefully sold.  As I predicted last blog post, Conesa chose a cold night so we took down fans, turned on heaters, locked down windows and welcomed this beautiful filly into the world.

We still are busy breeding before the heat forces me indoors more hours than out.    Two of the outside mares were confirmed in foal and headed home and Sylvanna shipped out to her forever home in California and lucky Quebracho arrived yesterday in his dream home in New Mexico.   I've gotten great reports of Quintina and Octavia settling in well in New Jersey and Florida, respectively, so the revolving door spins with horses coming and going.

Riqueza is Gitano's first and for sure I'll be breeding Conesa back to Gitano unless the gentleman asking to buy Conesa's next, if a colt, in utero, decides he would prefer another stallion.   Destinada didn't take the two cycles that we bred her to Hereje so I trust nature is telling me something and bred her last week back to Gitano.     I have not heard back from a couple of people with mares who supposedly wanting to breed to one of mine and reminder, if you are reading this, that in the next couple of weeks, we will stop breeding until next October.

 

Crazy as it seems, I have two horse surprises coming so check back with us for more news.  Our thoughts and prayers to everyone who has been affected by the terrifying weather extremes.

 

Gitano's daughter

How cute is this filly?
We had the privilege of breeding a truly lovely paint mare last year and her owner just shared the photo of the resulting foal.    Mamma's name is "Princess Joy" so how perfect is the filly's name: "El Gitano Alegre" (The Joyful Gypsy).

Yesterday, I mowed and got sunburned and today, temperature dropping to freezing tonight which pretty much assures that Conesa will foal.   This will be Conesa's first by Gitano and although every anticipated foal is exciting, these first crosses are even more so.   No sleep for me tonight and guess I'll get out the gloves and winter garb that I had put away!

Baby magic

Okay, so not the most flattering photo of me, but my friend took this one of her QH/TB mare's day old Gitano daughter, Conesa, and I taking a nap in the sun!    More proof that I love the horses who end up here as boarders or otherwise at my place just as much as my own.  This filly is a particular gem!

Has been an exciting week.   First time mom produced a wonderful Wanapum bay colt I named Realengo just in time for us to host Revision.   Dr. Arnau Garriga was here and a lovely and charming man that I got to spend a little time with.   Under the new rules, Ancce is now taking measurements of every spot and angle one can think of, from the length of lips to the width of forehead all the way to the hind end of the horse.  In addition, inspection includes movement in a walk, trot and canter in each direction.  The entire process was almost an hour for each horse.   I am pleased with the changes as the criteria will gradually get more and more stringent and the approval process have more meaning.

 I am happy that Niza is now revised, even though getting her lunging with her brand new baby was not as pretty as it was 2 years ago when we showed her in the pre classes and she behaved without trying to be such a good mom!  Thanks to those who brought their horses here to be approved so that there were enough horses that I was allowed to host.

The other news that I am most excited about is that my great friend, trainer Julie Van Zee in Michigan, took Wanapum to his first big dressage show.   As she had no way of predicting how Wan might respond to the more crowded venue than the pre classes at our IALHA national show, she signed up for 4 first level tests.   Lo and behold, Julie and Wan were the first level grand champions!   I am so thankful to Julie for wanting to work with Wan and so proud of him.   Hopefully, in June, he'll be at another show and at second level.

Pictured above, Lady had a special bay Gitano filly and now we await Conesa's foal for the last spring baby.   We are working at getting everyone back in foal and have 4 outside mares currently as guests to breed.   A hopping and happy time at Herradura.  That is alot of H's....

Gotta love April!

This lovely girl is Romantica, daughter of Gitano and out of Gentileza--the third of this cross and as special as the first two were!  Sold within 6 hours of birth, this photo taken at 4 days old.

Names this year starting with R and what more perfect than to name the first of the year that is a Remate granddaughter for Lesley's gorgeous painting of Remate entitled "The Romantic".   That she is such a sweetie makes the name fit too.

First time mom Niza is outdoing herself in kindness, attentiveness but not overly nervous with her bay Wanapum son, Realengo.  Realengo means "kingly" or "royalty" and he has an enormous personality packed in his few day old body.  I think his photo should appear whenever the term "animal magnitism" is used--he makes me laugh every time I enter the stall or get near him.   And first spring one for sale since Romeo and Romantica are sold!

Julie and Wanapum head to a dressage show this weekend in Michigan, will be hosting revision next week, have 4 visiting mares and one stallion here to breed, and family coming into town next week to visit.   So many fun things going on which balance out the fact I turn a year older in April!

Another big excitement for me is we have our black mare, Otamisia, confirmed in foal to our black, Kairo for our first baby coming spring, 2014.    No rationale person breeds a young stallion at age 2, but I simply couldn't wait and lo and behold, these two first time breeders paired like veterans and Ota got pregnant first try.   I hope will be the first of many blacks since so many people want them.  It took many years for me to finally find the dark bay I wanted in Gitano.  It has taken equally as many years to find the black stallion I wanted for my breeding stallion and Kairo is for sure the one.   Otamisia means "perfection" and she is stunning.   We have a number of other mares that may have black some day with Kairo and for sure, our black weanling filly will throw black with Kairo.   I now have all the color bases covered so this means I will never want another horse.  Right?   Well, except every single baby that is born...

Our boarder qh/tb mare will be next to foal and then Conesa so will keep anyone interested posted.  I hope your April is filled with beauty and enjoyment, like mine.    T

March madness already

February was a month of great joy but also grieving.    Heaven is now an even more beautiful place as Remate is there.    Zeus and I miss our special friend but mostly, I feel fortunate for all the time I had with such a wondrous stallion.  

 

The good news is that with Rafael's departure and reducing to one full time worker, I have had a ball doing alot of the stall cleaning and feeding and have felt better than I have in a long time with the increased physical activity.    And bonded closer to several of the horses that I have shamefully not spent enough time with like Hereje who returns my special affection for him.

 

Quantico is ready to head to his home in Colorado any time now to make room for the new arrivals---the fewest since 1993!!!    The photo above is 2/28/13 Gitano/Hipolito son, Romeo at about 11 hours old.    One of my favorite people, Lucie, who bought Principe, chose this one before he was born and lo and behold, he came out just to order--a male and bay and the supersweet personality she prefers.  To know he'll be going to an A+++++ home makes his arrival all the more special.   About a month at least until Gentileza has her Gitano baby, undoubtedly another treasure like Perfeita and Quebracho and we anxiously await Niza's first foal who is by Wanapum.

 

Speaking of Wan, Julie reports that he is doing well and not at all bothered by the severe winter that northern Michigan has experienced.  Hopefully, Wanapum and Chulo will be heading to the first show of the northern season for Julie, the end of April.

 

Hoping that the spring brings all great things to all of you.  Stay tuned for more baby news!

 

 

 

 

 

When there is such tragedy and horror in the world, how fortunate are those of us who have such beauty in our lives as when have animals?   

When our wonderful Rafael left to go home to his family for Christmas, I took over all his tasks and of course, that meant freak horse illness, weather in the teens, etc. but I must say, the day to day work that I have been so spoiled to leave to my two guys has been great therapy for me---I've cleaned more stalls in the last ten days than in the last ten years.   Why is this so much more acceptable than cleaning my house, I ask?

Besides enjoying the horses, I have enjoyed my new business venture and sending out xmas gifts ordered by customers of www.harrison-keller.com that undoubtedly will be enjoyed by the recipients.  How I have resulted in another business that revolves around beauty and animals is a wonder to me!

Several of the outside mares headed home, bred and I am delighted that Ibiza and Flama are back in foal to Gitano.    We wait for time to check to see if Isa also settled. 

Desti's daughter, Quiana (by Wanapum) is nothing short of a sensation.   If only I could get around to video to capture movement that we all dream of producing.   

I wish I was thoughtful enough to send each person that I care so much about a personal note and Christmas card, but I seem to not even make time to post here each month.    I hope that 2013 is a peaceful, healthy and tranquil and prosperous year for everyone.    Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years------------------------------

November

This is a photograph of Lesley Harrison's fabulous "Mane Attraction", a depiction of Indiano, Conesa's sire.   As many of you know, I have been a long time admirer of Lesley's work and as of November 1, I am now handling the prints and gifts line depicting her art.     I have MUCH work to do to get the website fully stocked, order new products and just figure the whole business out.   I am excited and hopeful that my new business, HK Prints & Gifts,  will be a success!

I'll probably bombard everyone with information but for now, should you be considering christmas gifts, the current website has alot of information at www.harrison-keller.com.   Please let me know if any questions and check back as we will be adding more images and items.   Many products need to be ordered in mass, but for most any image on the website, I should be able to order giclee prints on canvas or paper or have them digitally printed, which is less expensive.   We may get low on the supply of Lesley's marvelous 2013 calendars so if you are interested in those, order or contact me soon.

Last week, I made a trip to Lesley's studio in Sutter Creek, California.  What a gorgeous place to visit and charming town.   I had fun even though we were working 12 hour days in anticipation of the trailer arriving to pack up and ship the inventory down to me in Texas.  Those of you who know me well can imagine how difficult it was for me being away from the farm but all went well and I am glad to be back home.

Since I wrote in October has been extra  busy.   Julie and Ron came and we had a magical visit.   Letizia and Mistera came along for a couple of week stay and then headed to their new home in northern California.  Thanks, Deb!  Julie headed back to Michigan with the lusitanos, Alegre and Izzy, and my big news is that Julie also took Wanapum.    Wan will be with Julie for much more exposure than he receives here on our quiet farm, and hopefully to be able to go to a number of dressage shows before they head back next October for IALHA nationals.   Therefore, Wanapum is not available for breeding this year but we'll be happy to book for 2014!

Also in October, Quimbara headed to Colorado and Kristin advises that she was, as predicted, a calm and sensible filly from the moment she arrived at her new home. Thanks to repeat customer Becky who had Bienito shipped to his forever home in Michigan.   Dolly and Querendona headed to southern Texas and several of our boarders moved into their owners' new properties.   October was, in short, coggins month around here!

Tomorrow, Quillotro heads to his home in Oklahoma.   We are enjoying two mares visiting that came to breed:  A big black tb/any cross and a beautiful-tempered andalusian mare.   More visitors should be coming and Gitano seems pleased to have a busy fall schedule.   A new boarder pony should be here too!

Karina delivered an outgoing and bold bay filly, Brianna, so congrats to Melinda and Tim on her arrival.   Destinada should foal in the next ten days or so.   This week, we bred Isabelina and Flama back to Gitano so fingers crossed some of these fall breedings result in great foals.

Our best wishes and thoughts to those in the east devastated by Sandy....

This another one of Charles Hilton's lovely photos of Wanapum.  Big gulp as I think about and write this but next week, Wanapum will be heading to Michigan for a year of training and hopefully exposure to a number of dressage shows with good friend Julie Van Zee.  Julie has done a fabulous job with Chulo--I could never have sold that big, black gentle giant to anyone else.    So now I entrust her with our  ultra talented Wan.   I can't imagine how much we will miss him being here but what an opportunity to get him exposed to a much more vibrant world than our quiet one here!

Julie is driving down this weekend and will be bringing with her Mistera, Chulo's full sister, who will be heading in a few weeks to her forever home in Northern California with now friend and multi-times customer, Deb.  Deb writes about how close she and Bielsa are--another magical home.

Also coming with Julie is Letizia, a Gitano daughter.  4 years ago, Julie was here picking up Urucum, the chestnut lusitano stallion,  and while in our neck of the woods, brought her Fariseo daughter, Hermosa down and we bred her to Gitano.  I have to see Letizia first but she'll probably be added to my sale page as soon as I can get photos and video.

Speaking of photos and video, the goal is while Julie is here to get videos and some more photos of some of the lusitanos that are on my website, so check back if a lusitano is a possibility in your wish-list, please.

My darling friend, Robyn (in Dallas) took in a near starving and heavy pregnant young dog that is charming and lovely beyond description.  Last week, she had TEN puppies that are the cutest things ever.  I went down to see them and ended up staying six hours as impossible to not hold each one as long as they will let me.   If anyone able to adopt a pup in about 8 weeks, please let me know.  They are living in a lovely sunroom, around other dogs and being handled tons so will be lovebugs by the time ready to go to homes.  Please help!

On the subject of babies, Fantasia had a super-lovely, feminine and tall filly by Hereje.  This baby was sold in utero (thanks, Debora!) and her owner chose the name Sylvanna.   Since Fantasia is going to her forever home this spring, I didn't see the need for the owner to stick with my alphabetical naming since Q is a pretty difficult letter.   Sylvie is a charmer and what a beautiful time to be warm with fall having finally arrived in Texas.   What joy to be able to spend hours outside watching Sylvie race around.

Karina is due soon and Destinada in November.   Then for 2013, will start with R names so send any ideas you have.  


Last but not least is my news that Kidron H, a 6 year old gelding, is back with us.   The son of Remate and Epica H, this tall and soulful big boy has only been here 9 days and I am already impossibly in love with his gentle and deep personality.    We'll let him get settled in this new environment and then hopefully get him started under saddle.  

Happy fall!