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It's been another year.Last year the young horses broke into the mare's field and then all of them broke through the outside fence lines and
escaped 10 times.
One time they even walked down the river but then decided to come back, only they didn't come home. They went to the neighbors..all the neighbors. The results of these 10 escapes was several mares got pregnant, as the mares in heat went over and flirted with the stallions. We expect several foals by the end of March. We normally breed from May foals because this is when the weather finally starts to warm up. We will have some May foals from mares that foaled last year in May.So this year to thwart the escapees from getting loose, we bring everyone inside for the night. All the mares go into the big 'foaling stalls' while the youngsters are in the small stalls and the doors tied with lead ropes. This year, so far, no one has escaped.This was a sad year for our 'dog herd'. In the late '90's we took in a number of Humane Society dogs and this past year, four of them died. They were all over 13 years and all lived a wonderful life. Now there is a row of cremation canisters on our fireplace mantle. We loved each and everyone of them. Over these years, though, we managed to replace our loses with another dog that needed a new home. All the dogs are neutered and have the run of the farm and house.The impact of the economy has hit everyone, especially the horse world. A friend of ours has taken in 40 horses that were given to him for free and he turned away 20 more. Just like us, we have the room, but hay is expensive because of the past droughts and many hay fields converted to soybeans or corn. It is hard enough to 'find' hay and the hay that is available is expensive.Our stable might venue into the 'public market'. This coming year we have looked into the 'boarding business'. It's a cautious adventure because money is so tight. We've considered the idea of constructing an indoor. Winters are brutal and we would need an area to ride all year long.We are still just 'thinking' and checking out the pros and cons.Several horses have found new homes. Four '09 foals were purchased by a wonderful gentleman from Appleton, WI. He is starting his own herd of Friesian crosses.. This fall, we sent two horses, Harmony and Millionaire, to a nearby trainer. Michelle Macha did a wonderful job getting these youngsters going under saddle. She took them on several trail rides. She works them in an open field so that they don't become ring sour. Right now she has Eclipse, but the weather is putting the brakes on riding outside. Most of our snow has turned to ice or very crusty snow. When spring gets here, Eclipse should be going well under saddle.We still have a nice selection of Friesian crosses for sale.Harmony, a Flurry x TB mare has been sold and will be doing some eventing and general trail riding in Illinois. We still offer a free DVD to any potential customers who are thinking of breeding or purchasing one of our Friesian sporthorses. We are also going to combine with Michelle and help her ship fresh cooled semen from her new Friesian stallion and possibly even her registered Quarter Horse stallions.n fact another friend raises registered American Saddlebreds and he has some very old bloodlines.He too can ship semen through our farm.In this day of economic hard times, it is best to diversify.I was laid off from my part time teaching position. I had taught 37 years at the Lena School District, but the economy forced the school to dissolve my position. Another teacher that has 38 years in and another who had 42 years were also laid off. Four other teachers were let go too. Hard times for everyone.At least we have the horses and dogs to drive us crazy and there will be no 'down time' to relax for us.Hopefully we will have more time to trail ride and go to horsemanship clinics in the coming year. Hang in there everyone and see you on the trail.
Kris
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