After The Race Whangarei

02/12/2024

And a photo dump for TJ 🥰
He’s is quietly spoken for at this stage.

02/12/2024

Photo dump of ‘Alta Wiseguy’

02/12/2024

Clint ♥️
Beautiful and sweet yet sensitive. He arrived just over a week ago but has been taking his time to warm up and get to know me.
He’s still unsure so things will be taken at his pace even if that just means a few cuddles and pats loose in the paddock for however long that takes. He will NOT be available until I have handled him further and get a better assessment on him.

But omg he’s gorgeous 😍

02/12/2024

Another morning well spent with Stephen Clark 🦷

Challenger, Guy and Ollie today! They were all very good boys 🥰

28/11/2024

Beautiful boy Mason found his wonderful new home today! He wasn’t the intended viewing however they arrived and fell in love with him as soon as they saw him. Some cuddles and a brush before we saddled up for a quick test ride up the road - they told me he was sold before we even went out the gate! 🤯
I’m so so so happy for him! He’s going to get everything he could ever want with his new people 🥰

21/11/2024

👌🏼👌🏼

Something I feel like I bang on about too much is bitting a standardbred, I promise I'll stop when people pay attention 😉 but its something I'm passionate about because these horses deserve a decent education..
A large majority of them race in a half cheek or half spoon snaffle and an overcheck. The half cheek being the main bit, with the overchecks purpose being to keep the head up (with a rein that clips to the saddle) some horses may have a tongue tie but that is a story for another day. Not a particularly exciting set up, but a vital one none the less. There are other variations of bit for stronger horses, or less educated trainers but the half cheek is in my experience the most common.
What changes when they transition to ridden duties is the angle of the rein, the aids it gives, the angle of the bit and the way it can work. This can create a new pressure on the tongue and in an already confusing situation for a horse they may react accordingly. This includes sticking their tongue out, tongue over the bit, pulling and yanking their head all common symptoms of some form of discomfort. Once you have ruled out all the usual problems, I look to education. This is where these clever beasts are usually let down..
Sure it certainly seems easy to put the horse in a bitless bridle or even a harder bit and band aid the situation, but honestly you are not doing the horse a favor in the long term. They will head to a new home and face the same issues until someone finally accepts the horse actually has no idea. While they don't typically need to be remouthed, they do need to be taught what they new rein aids actually mean - particularly flexion and turning without a cart.
In terms of choosing a bit, I find the majority of standies to be fairly uncomplicated. They just want to be comfortable and confident in their contact. Most are happy with either a lozenge type or a ported bit of some variation, some do require a bit of experimentation and time. In general, I'm never in a hurry to change a horses bit when it is in the early stages of its ridden career.
Believe me when I say, when you put in the yards you will get the best horse ever!

20/11/2024

Buddys turn this morning!! Travels super well, takes a bit of encouragement to get on the float but once he’s on he’s a dream.
Not so fond of the mounting block but stands for a ground mount 👍🏼
Strides out nicely and happy to take the lead…until pigs come running out of their shelter 🤦🏼‍♀️
Biiiig spook! Led him past the demon pigs and hopped back on to finish the ride with very little fuss.
He’s got a bit of a hard mouth and does have a habit of pulling the reins out of your hands now and then 😬

16/11/2024

And another two - these two are tentatively spoken for.
Both have been out and about already.
Both 12yo trotters

Awa Rob (Awa) is a Continentalman x Sundon
And Forfeathers (Buddy) is Pegasus Spur x Brylin Boyz

12/11/2024

Another early trip to Auckland and I’ve brought back two very lovely geldings
Alta Wiseguy (Guy) on the left - 6yo pacer by Mach Three
And Break Free (Ollie) a 9yo trotter by Revenue

Straight after this photo they found the filthiest spot and got it all over themselves 🤣

Guy is friendly and inquisitive while Ollie is more reserved and timid 🥰

08/11/2024

Time to get stocked up for summer! 👌🏼

03/11/2024

My little pot of gold at the end of the rainbow 🥰

02/11/2024

Challenger came back from Auckland late last night.
He didn’t quite like the pony club life - thought it was stressful and scary.
So he’s back in Northland to find a happy hacking home only. He would turn into the ultimate trekking machine in the right hands.
Brave but cautious, very sure on his feet and happy to stride out in the front.

28/10/2024

Boris arrived in his new home this morning.
He travelled well and chilled out quietly while waiting. Into a yummy grass yard to settle in before he meets his new paddock mate Lily 🥰
Thank you for giving him an amazing home Kiri, all the best with him! ♥️

Check out that view! 🤩

28/10/2024

I have the best equine dentist ever! 🦷

All ponies got done today 🥰
They all behaved very well - no surprises there 😉
Mason and Maple were super easy and not phased at all. Johnny was a little more worried but was a trooper. TJ was gonna die when he saw gear but once realised what we were doing he relaxed right into it - even kept trying for more when his turn was finished!! 🤣
Then we whipped down the road to my friends place to do Otis and his paddock mate Joey.

A day well spent! Thank you very much to Stephen John Clark for always doing such wonderful work with my horses.
Super kind and calm, answers any questions I have no matter how dumb or annoying, he doesn’t mind me putting my hands in to feel what he’s doing/talking about and has the best banter! Always a pleasure having you visit! 😁

26/10/2024

TJ went to the dunes today!
Few things to work on but overall he was a super boy. Golf caddies are terrifying and going to eat us apparently.
Hes looky but brave and happy to take the lead, couple big spooks but came back quickly and nicely.

He does already have a home lined up (sorry!) but he will stay for a while to get some more mileage and build up his confidence ♥️

26/10/2024

Ponies all fed and rugged in their warm pjs for the impending weather. Snug as a bug!

Only four in the paddock at the moment - Boris started his journey to Hawkes Bay yesterday and my little old lady Cleo has gone to hang out with my aunts horse for a wee while 🥰