Stallion Parade

I have made the decision to not take Shell Fire to the stallion parade this year.

His hoof abscess is a lot worse than I initially thought. It has worked its way through the entire hoof capsule. Its going to take some time to get rid of the 'black crap' left from infection and for him to grow out the cut away part of his hoof.

While this is disappointing news, it means I can instead focus on getting him under saddle and prepare him for the Waikato Show. Will look at just doing the in hand with him at this stage for that show.

I am now looking at buying an Arabian Show Halter from First Choice over in America. I am guessing I will have to get a bitted one seeing how Shell is a 'real' boy still lol!

I am looking at buying this one:


Its called "Elegance" from First Choice Halters and I think it would suit him nicely.

I will be also getting these conchos if available:


and then a gold throat chain and chin chain, as well as a leather lead.

Fairly expensive exercise all up (total of almost $200US), but will be worth every penny :D

First day of work

Shell has now had his mane washed and loosely plaited to keep it looking nice. He still manages to get his whole head horrendously dirty. I decided yesterday to watch how he rolls. He stays balanced perfectly on his back upside down and then proceeds to rub his entire face, head and ears into this 'wonderful' dirt patch... *rolls eyes*

Such a typical boy.... loves being dirty and is quite miffed to be turned out in such a tidy state....I swear, stallions are such little 'boys'... lol!

Shell Fire is finally almost sound from his hoof abscess so I decided to have a play with him on the lunge today after bringing him in and cleaning the mud off him (much to his disgust).

I dont have a lunge cavesson small enough yet, so I just clipped the lunge rope to his halter.

It took Shell a while to realise that he needed to go round me at a walk and NOT sniff every poo he came across in the paddock.... (its currently the 'let off steam' paddock). Once he had figured that out, he lunged around at a walk and trot very well. He is just so lovely and such a quick learner!

Looking forward to riding this horse once we have built up our relationship a bit more :D

He's here!

Yes, I am very late with this post..... Sorry! But I have had a horse up for sale and with it being the weekend have had lots of people out to look at him, so havent had much time to grab photos.

I am so excited about Shell. He is so lovely and the photos will not do him justice as my battery was running out in the camera (if it isnt one thing its another).

I havent been able to get any moving shots of him as he currently has an abscess in one of his front hooves so he is just a bit too sore to run around properly. After these photos were taken I put some animalintex onto it, bandaged it and now will just have to see if I can draw it out. :S

Anyhow, here are some photos :D

Exciting news!

Haley emailed me yesterday to confirm that she will be bringing Shell Fire up this Friday.

I think this is a wonderful option as it gives her a chance to see the facilities (which I REALLY have to get onto taking photos of....) and we get to meet each other which is just lovely.

She will be staying the night with us and returning the next day. That gives her a chance to see how he settles in.

I am so very excited!

Update

Just waiting to here back from Haley about how loading Shell Fire into a float went this weekend. She needs to move him to a place that has a loading bay for a transport company to pick him up.

I am now debating how much it would cost me to go and pick him up.... Might be easier and less stressful for him.

I am desperate to see him in the flesh. He just looks so lovely and I remember him from so many years ago. He is just lovely.

I have a paddock and stable all set to go for him..... just need the little horse now to fill it!

Which reminds me.... really need to get some photos of the paddocks and stables onto here.

Disappointing...

Its now been confirmed that I will not be going down to Eketahuna due to the pictures taken of the float not quite meeting what Helen wants in a float... which means I wont be able to pick up Shell Fire this week. :(

On a brighter note, Haley (his owner) contacted Woodville Horse Floats and they are prepared to put some time in loading him, so he might actually get up here this week via them :D
I have only ever heard good things about this company and previous mare owners have sent their beloved mares to my last stallion via this service. The horses have always arrived in great condition despite at times being on board for more than 12 hours.

Its nice to be able to recommend a horsey service :D

A Little Disappointing :(

Dear little Shell Fire didnt want to load the other morning, so he is not as of yet gracing the paddocks with his presence. I am guessing that he didnt want to leave his 'mummy' behind.

Thought I had better write something and explain as I have given out the address of this blog to a few people now and they will all probably be checking in seeing if he has arrived :D

Plans are to hopefully pick him up when I head down with Helen to go and look at a float she is looking to buy. If she does buy it (she is pretty sure, but you never know) we will look to going and picking up the little man at the same time.

Will update as I hear more.