Mother's Day Greeting to Willow (and mares everywhere) from Haley Rose May 2012
My mom Willow's not back from Dr Toni's yet...She must be doing something real important! I hear Zipper is coming soon with a special surprise.
Old Uncle Jack watches me good, except when he's napping or soothing the mares when they're 'feeling funny'.
It's grownup stuff! Hurry home, mom, you won't recognize me...I'm rose-y gray!
Jack helps Heavensent relax, then treats himself with a sandy roll. Aahh, spring!
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Spring came earlyMarch temps in the 80s = horse bath time. Everyone got scrubbed (and then promptly rolled, of course, but we got the winter dirt off. All shots, dental and farrier done so we're ready to ride. Dakota and Ginger are at the reining trainer and Willow is in Illinois to be bred.
Haley, the fuzzy caterpillar, is a pretty butterfly now at 9 months. And she's been hiding a silver tail! (see picture below) She is starting to roan out slowly. See her first trip up the hill with Bill on youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P8UkmtH7WY  |   Jack, now 21, takes his responsibility for Willow's baby very seriously and watches over her faithfully while Willow is off at "the spa".
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February 2012...into March 2012
Christmas 2011
OCTOBER 2011 Ellie earns Top Ten at U.S. Nationals in Tulsa
 |  Little Miracles and a Big Try: Kathy Braden gave Ellie the edge she needed to make Top Ten out of 13 entries and finish 6th in the final at Nationals ..."against all odds". Great job, both of you!
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Fall Color 2011 arrives at Happy Valley
 |  Willow and daughter are thriving. The filly has been out grazing with the herd, especially Jack and Dakota who are great babysitters and Ginger is a gentle playmate. They all seem to take a little bit of responsibility for her safety. Haley Rose also enjoys time spent ground training with us...leading, negotiating obstacles and learning to behave with the humans.
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Ginger's growing up...she's been started under saddle this fall....see riding pictures
Cowboy Classic 2011
Glen Rose, Texas: We took a trip to Texas 8/25-28 (yes, 108° the entire time!) to a working western show to see Ellie compete.
(Stayed at an awesome guesthouse that we would recommend to anyone visiting the area; Fred and Vickie are your hosts and everything is perfect there. www.sunsetridgebedandbreakfast.com) Took lots of pictures of the cutting.
(Stayed at an awesome guesthouse that we would recommend to anyone visiting the area; Fred and Vickie are your hosts and everything is perfect there. www.sunsetridgebedandbreakfast.com) Took lots of pictures of the cutting.
Adventures with Haley Rose....Beating the Heat this Summer...
Desert Baby HALEY ROSE & Willow
  |  First bath
6 month UPDATE January 2012 below:
Haley is now part of the herd. She bunks next to Ginger and across the aisle from Jack, goes out with the group, and still loves to run with Willow. She is super furry and we can't wait til she sheds this spring to see what color she'll be this year as she grows up gray. She has explored the trailer, plays with empty feed bags and her jolly ball and 'backs up into her parking space' just like Uncle Jack across the way. Like her mom, she is all about carrots and apples, which she likes to lick while you hold 'em.  |
Willow & Haley Rose 7/11
We brought Haley Rose home to Iowa over the 4th of July. She's so fun to watch as she explores her new home. She thinks Payton is HER personal dog.
| Willow has her foal June 2011
Willow presented the world with a little gray filly, BA HALANYA, in the early hours of June 14. We'll call her Haley Rose. At one day old, she is even starring in her first YouTube video, featuring Dr. Toni's son Jake using Enhanced Foal Handling techniques with her. Watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BvOxBJI3Og
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