Something to make me smile on a sad day. (Vale Sandy)
Flair (Celebration x Sunstream) is the Golden Retiever puppy of this year's "litter" (small animal vet breeder who refers to each year's foal group as a litter...)
She loves people - they scratch her on demand, and she demands a lot of scratching, lol. She's leaning into Kiki so hard that she almost falls over-
Sandhaven Shameless - this 12 year-old gelding hasn't done an Ease of Handling course in 3.5 years. I pulled him out of nanny duty - his little harem was outraged - and let Seth Marshall see what he could do with him. This is Shameless' fifth ride back in work, and Seth's second ride on him They did a less than 5 minute warm up before Seth started on the course. Some bobbles when the big guy wants to offer lead changes, but what a good, good boy he was!!!
And, ok, I guess you could say Seth was nice, too. ;-)
Look for these two. I think they could be contendas...
Well, it's safe to say she's a pretty confident little girl...
Sandhaven Kudos (Kirkby's Stud Credit x Sandhaven Catcandu), 2.5 months, dark bay filly, gives as good as she gets (or more) in play with Sandhaven Cedar (Chalani Sunstream x Sandhaven Castille), 4.5 month colt. He is the nicest minded colt, and she's a pistol...
Sandhaven Cedar (Chalani Sunstream x Sandhaven Castille), chestnut colt, 10 weeks old. Kiki was filming into the sun, but you can still see that this is a pretty special guy. I don't think jumping will be an issue. (that's a BIG part of the dead oak that he is clearing so effortlessly...)
...and now I can just say that the reason that pieces of the dead tree are still in the paddock is not because I am a disorganized mess of a land steward, but because I am an astute breeder who recognized this talented baby needed an exercise course. Yeah, that's the ticket...
Sandhaven Flamenco and Kiki- first lesson- canter and downward transition (or abrupt halt, lol).
Kiki says that he will teach her to be specific with her cues-
But look how uphill he travels! I am so excited for his future-
Sandhaven Flamenco, (Palmers El Condo x Sandhaven Castille), 4 year-old gelding. The trot. Kiki's first lesson on him the morning that she picked him up from Wendy Mikal Bailey Robinson Mikal Robinson. Kiki and Flamenco were feeling each other out, but she called me on the way home and announced that she would be more than happy to show him.
Sandhaven Cash (Kirkbys Stud Credit x Keystone Angelita) - 15 weeks post-op for a displaced fracture of the right humerus. We pick him up on Friday!!!
He has some recovery still to go, and will probably not be fully released to crash and bash with the other foals until closer to Christmas, but what a great outcome for this Heritage bred boy!!
Many, many thanks to the dedicated crew - Drs. Norton, Watkins and Glass and the army of interns and students- whose knowledge, nerve and dedication gave Cash a chance to live.
You all did good- you did great.
Sandhaven Cash- 10 weeks post-op, displaced mid-shaft fracture of the right humerus.
UPDATE ON CASH:
Something to make you smile. How about a happy colt jumping for the joy of life? He still has some management to go as he continues to recover, but look at him move! He and his saintly (recipient) dam are coming home soon.
Thank you, God, for the dedicated team at Texas A&M that provided him with a chance for life, and who have gone above and beyond while trying to protect and tolerate a rambunctious baby. As they told me early in his recovery, "The fire is strong in this one." (after he had tagged 2 members of his nursing staff ...)
Cash walks 7/9/22
Better living through chemistry- Cash has a MUCH calmer stroll on a dose of Trazodone. A little while longer little guy. Every day gets you closer to safety- in 3 weeks you'll be home and happier in a (small) pen...
Cash - 2 months post op
UPDATE ON CASH:
As you can see, Cash is healing. He has developed some issues on his support (left front) leg, but his doctors are hopeful that those can be corrected. Even sedated on Trazodone he can be a handful. Poor little guy, he just wants to play, but you can imagine the heart attacks he gives his handlers when he jumps around. He has 1 more month of hospitalization, with several hand walks a day, before he comes home. They tell me they are fond of him...I guess they are adhering to the adage, "Love the sinner (baby Cash), hate the sins (had to use the plural to include his rearing, leaping, bucking and double-barrel kicks)
I just tell myself that the students he is abusing are experiencing their first exposure to "Compassion Fatigue"...
Cash- 5.5 weeks post op!
UPDATE ON CASH- He is 5.5 weeks post-op and nearly ready to come home. The main nerve for the front leg crosses over the fracture site and, as is typical in these cases, took a hit at the time of the injury. He is expected to make a full recovery but is still weeks away from getting to run loose. Walking great and - at least in this video- trying (with the help of sedatives) to behave himself.
I think the Texas A & M Equine Hospital division will throw a block party when he leaves...he has tagged almost every member of his treatment team at one point or another- SORRY!!
Sandhaven Oro Escondido
Another VERY HAPPY MOMENT for this breeder.
This is Sandhaven Oro Escondido, 3 yr old (Chalani Sunstream x Sandhaven Castille), learning at liberty. Castille is the beauty, Sunstream provides the brains- and what a combination this cross has proven to be!
Thank you, Maggie, for sharing. I love getting this feedback!
Sandhaven Raphael
Sandhaven Raphael (Doongara Manpower x Sandhaven Justine), 2 months old, comes home after Justine was rebred. He is special...
Sandhaven Pagan Dancer and her premature foal, Sandhaven Condor (El Condo = sire) have their first walk outside the stall.
Sandhaven Flamenco, (Palmers El Condo X Sandhaven Castille) 9 months old. This guy is going to cover some ground as an adult.
Glencoe Pretty Neat in her first release at Sandhaven after an around-the-world trip to her new home. We're pretty psyched...
The Ochotorenas have arrived from southern California to pick up Rough and Sudden. We are thrilled that this caring couple has selected 2 Sandhaven babies to love. The Ochotorenas are spending two days getting familiar with the boys before departing for home, and this is a quick video of Mr. Ochotorena doing some desensitization on 8 month old Sudden. All of the Sandhaven foals are intensively handled from birth, and it shows as Sudden calmly tolerates new people and new experiences.
