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Post by Kea's Crest on Apr 30, 2009 18:56:43 GMT -5
[quote author=mswan I'm most impressed with the one in the middle.[/quote] Well, the old tractor is cute but it's supposed to be about the horses. ha ha ;D Yes Emma is easy to fall in love with. She has the look, conformation, and the twinkle in her eye for sure. But Dutchess has her beauty as well. She is going to be a rock solid girl. She has that inner strength of an alpha but a softness in her eyes. And she is a platinum blond and who doesnt like those?!!! I felt she needed to find her "inner lady" so I'm going to try a little dress-for-success with her. I got her the pink Kensington fly mask and matching fly sheet for her spring wardrobe and she did some great fashion modeling for us. I'll have a picture up of her next week with it but it was clear she felt very "pretty" with it on. Both girls were running around the pasture showing off their new pretty coats to the neighbor geldings. They would go over to the fence and stand there next to the others for a minute, give a little squeal, and then run off for a loop around the pasture only to come back over to make sure all the boys were still watching. Such show offs.
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Post by mswan on May 3, 2009 14:29:51 GMT -5
Yes, I know how you like those golden girls! My best to all at Kea's Crest. Pink is a fine color for such a lady!
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Post by Kea's Crest on May 6, 2009 10:42:23 GMT -5
Dutchess modeling the new spring line from Ralph Lauren. OK, it's not really RL but I thought she had the look.
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jun 8, 2009 10:14:25 GMT -5
Here's the June update for Dutchess. I must say she is looking spectacular! She seems to be the easiest keeper and can gain weight quickly when on the pasture and grain. So, all good things in moderation. and light exercise has been keeping her looking great. Dutchess has come in at the last measuring at a little over 1000lbs and a solid 16hh. What a big girl she is. I was suprised as I thought she would top out at 15.3hh but, boing!!!, there she was. Dutchess goes to school next month on July 7th. Rapidly approaching her 3rd birthday seems the perfect time. It's a 10 week course 3hrs per day, 5 days a week. So she will get some real good basics in a natural horsemanship style. The school is only 10 minutes away so we will be able to easily check up on progress and actively participate during the last several weeks. With this in mind I have been focusing my training attention on Dutchess so "school" isnt so daunting for her. She is a sincere learner and soaking things up like a sponge. We have been practicing loading her into the trailer in addition to her other basics. She has been doing very well. We are just taking our time with it and letting her make the decision to step in and get comfy. Loose lead ropes and lots of praising have made it so she is feeling right at home inside the trailer. Fortunately it is a big 4 horse slant load so there is a ton of room to make it less scary. Here are Dutchy's latest photos.
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Post by mswan on Jun 8, 2009 11:07:52 GMT -5
How exciting for you and Dutchess!! Dutchess and Holly can compare lessons. I am riding her now and she is doing awsome in her training too. My best to all at Kea's crest!
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jun 8, 2009 13:10:23 GMT -5
That's great you are riding Holly. I'm glad she is doing so well. Our best to you too!
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jul 8, 2009 10:44:10 GMT -5
Yesterday was Dutchy's first day in training. We hauled her the night before and she did pretty well loading. We had practiced loading a few times on prior days just so it wasnt too scary and I think that helped alot. She did very well stepping into the trailer on her own. The part we hadnt practiced was the "staying in the trailer" for very long. After being inside a few minutes (and I had run out of delicious and distracting treats) she got a bit nervous and figured out something was up. But she calmed well enough and it was only a short ride to the training facility. The trainers said they thought she had great conformation with a leaning toward a Quarter Horse cross. I dont think there were any Quarters on the property so it is probably just a genetic link to a "sturdier" horse back in her lineage. Definitely no Arab in her. They think she is probably going to grow to be an even bigger girl than she is already. At first they thought she was a 4 or 5 yr old because of how good a girl she is. Of course they pointed out a couple bad habits we have allowed (who doesnt spoil their kids just a little?) but mostly were very impressed with how many things she did know and how quickly she progressed. She went right thru many of their "beginning" tests and passed with flying colors. We all thought she did pretty good since she was clearly still a little nervous about being in a new place with new people and horses all around. As she gets settled in the next few days I expect she will really excell.
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Post by leahlady on Jul 8, 2009 19:35:48 GMT -5
She looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jul 9, 2009 10:36:16 GMT -5
Yesterday during Dutchess's second day of class I couldn't help smiling. She is such a good girl and tries so hard to please. The trainers really appreciate her sincerity and desire to understand what is being asked of her. She is an apt pupil for sure so she must take after Janis.
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jul 19, 2009 9:48:51 GMT -5
Dutchess has finished her 2nd week of training out of 10 and at the rate she is going she will be ready for the dressage circuit by the end. She is really a good student and impresses everyone that is there to watch. It's tough for me to leave for work a week at a time because she changes so much by the time I get back. Janis is there for Dutchess's lessons almost every day so she keeps me posted on progress but it is always more fun to see the transformation up close. Dutchy is such a smart girl! The trainer says she is so smooth she could drink a glass of wine on Dutchess at a trot. ... I guess I have to be able to jump up and down on her without spilling the glass before we can rename her Temperpedic. ;D
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Post by mswan on Jul 19, 2009 10:12:56 GMT -5
I can't wait to see her later this month! By then she should be ready for the show ring. Or you can do some trick riding for us? Enjoy the journey!
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jul 19, 2009 10:21:51 GMT -5
"Trick riding?" More like a Jerry Lewis movie.
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horsecrazy
Junior BB Member
SAFE Adopter & Volunteer
Owned by Phoenix
Posts: 67
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Post by horsecrazy on Jul 20, 2009 16:14:34 GMT -5
So glad to hear that Duchess is doing so well. I believe Phoenix is a full sibling - hope he gets as big as she is We have to stick him but at about 2 years he looks to be about 15.2 hands. I can't wait until he is old enough to start!!! Thanks for the Duchess updates - she was one of the first horses that I fell in love with at SAFE. I think you will have a lot of fun going riding with her
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jul 20, 2009 21:42:58 GMT -5
Dutchess started week three of her training very well. She is now being mounted and ridden "off line" both in the round pen and arena. She had the weekend off so there were a few lessons that needed review before moving on to new material but that went quickly. She was sporting a training bit/bridle that is helping her be a little lighter on the bit. She was leaning into it too much and so this bit/bridle is supposed to give her some extra cues to help out. In this first photo, Kathleen, one of the trainers is mounting her off line for the first time. This is lesson 8 but she has been being ridden since lesson 3.... Look how soft her eys are. Kathleen and Rich going thru some drills. Dutchess is "joined up" with Rich so the test is to get her to go with Kathleens cues with the reins when Rich heads a different way. Janis gives Dutchess some praise and attention after her lesson winds down. Tomorrow Dutchess is going to get loaded and taken to another arena for the day to interact with other horses while being ridden. Lots of good lessons she is getting.
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jul 20, 2009 22:03:28 GMT -5
quote : horsecrazy
"I believe Phoenix is a full sibling - hope he gets as big as she is We have to stick him but at about 2 years he looks to be about 15.2 hands. I can't wait until he is old enough to start!!!" How funny, I was always a big fan of Phoenix's as well. Dutchess has just really started to grow and fill in all at the same time this spring/summer. I bet Phoenix grows like a weed for you next year. I havent ever found anything in the threads that was super conclusive on Dutchess's lineage but how fun if they were full sibs. Our trainer, as others, keeps thinking she is a mix. Whatever her "papers" would say: everyone agrees she is a terrific girl.
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