Well we had our first show of the season on Saturday the 26th April at The Caves.... The Saturday saw the miniature horse and pony and shetland show and the Sunday was The Caves Agricultural show. Jolly was such a good boy and it was a big weekend for him. He placed 3rd in the yearling and under class. That was the only class for the mini show that he could enter, and on the sunday with the ag show they had all the males in together.... I thought that was a bit unfair... babies competing against stallions.... but he got 2nd!!! He was beaten by his brother (Kildaire Rock-a-billy Rebel) and bet 2 other stallions.... I couldnt believe it, I truly was on top of the world. I now know what the standard is like so aim to do just that aswell...... but the experience and fun was certainly something and the lovely people I met was great. Jolly, being so little was a real hit with people and kids and other horses. So keep watch on this little man..... he is destined to be a real head-turner!!

His next show isnt until June.... at Finch Hatton, just north of Mackay.

Wow.... time has flown so fast!!

My little monkey boy is now 5 months old. He is changing so much. Spirit went through a rather naughty phase where he would rear up or turn and kick if I was to go down to his level or if the kids were near..... but he now has realised he gets in big trouble so he hasnt done that for a while now... he is so gentle and loving and smoochy!! He is now weaned nearly fully..... we started that about 4 weeks ago when Jolly came to live with us..... Spirit was draining Lassie so we took it as a a sign and the fact Jolly came, meant they could support each other with new surroundings. He still goes for a run to Lass when let out and has a quick suckle but I think its more a comfort thing than a feed. Spirit now shakes hands, bows, and lays down. I havnt been doing much training as such as I have been focusing my time on Jolly instead, prepping him for the shows that have been coming up. Spirit's first show will be in June...... the Finch Hatton Show, which is here just out of Mackay..... So lots of homework for him now.

11 weeks......

Well so much for my promise of getting back on track with my posting in here.... I found a new mini forum and have become terribley addicted so its like nothing else matters on my c0mputer LOL.... but finally have been inspired to come and add some more!!

So much has happened this last fortnight. Spirit is coming along with his leading around and has settled down alot too.... he went through a phase of being really naughty and rearing up or biting or ambushing if I was to squat down etc..... he now is a lovely little monkey who loves a cuddle and I think has learnt quickly that if he is nice, he doesnt get into trouble!!

He now can laydown and bow and gives kisses!! He loves a smooch!!

On Monday the 4th, He had his second bath... and also got clipped!! Although it isnt a "show clip" it was more to just do the deed and introduce him to it all..... the silly clippers ran out of charge just as I was nearly done, so his legs still arnt done and his face is only half done LOL... but he was soooooooo good!!!! He had a bit of a spack with the hose, but soon calmed down and not one bit of trouble with the clippers!!! I was in shock!!! He was sooooo into it, I think he loved the massage he was getting!! I can't believe the colour change... he is more chocolate..... I just sent away my rego papers saying he is a bay..... gosh, I hope they still think he is!!

Wow!!! 9 weeks allready!!!

Well time has certainly flown by!! I was a bit sidetracked with family commitments and other stuff happening, so ive fallen behind on posting in here :( .

I measured monkey yesterday.... he is growing so fast..... he is now 29 inches. Im not sure wether to be happy or sad, haha, cos I want him to be a mini.... but he's growing so big!!

We have had a tremendous amount of rain this last 3 weeks so havnt really been doing much, just letting him out of the yard every arvo for a play and run around the place..... he is hilarious to watch....... just zooms everywhere......

Last week he discovered my sons bmx bike he got for xmas.... He was really stand offish and it was so funny, he'd sniff it.... then back up.... then sniff again, then go for a zoom.... then come back as if to say.... come on.... play with me..... then he'd squeel at it and turn around and boot out at it just before zooming off again.

I've been wanting to clip him, but with the yukky weather around.... I havnt..... I might this arvo if I get a chance..... If not.... sometime on the weekend.

Anyway, next week will be our 10 weeks.... so i'll post again to get back into routine :D

Cheers for now Barb

6 weeks old.....

He officially doesn't turn 6 weeks old till tomorrow, but was on the puter now so thought id update for you all. This last fortnight has seen him starting to eat food now that I put out for Lassie which is good as it hopefully will mean he isnt relying so much on her.... I feel he is draining her atm.....little guts. Today when I measured him he is now 27 inches (68.5cm) tall to the wither... so he has grown 6 inches in 6 weeks. He likes to have a daily visit with the big boys now and more often than not I find him in with them rather than with Lassie. They are very patient with him, he gets in under their chins while they are eating or he nibbles at their legs etc..... He's a cheeky little monkey, and I affectionatley have labelled him just that... Monkey!! It has been rainy here over christmas so there is now lots of fresh long grass coming up so he is revelling in that.

The first meeting....... I got a pic!! yay!!!

I managed to get hold of a piccie that I took on my phone and then finally got it on my computer. This was one of the initial meeting through the fence. I am so proud of how well my boys behaved!!!

Gotta love technology!!

Cheers for now and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.

from Barb and all the gang :D

4 weeks already!!!

My little Spirit is growing bigger everyday!! He is now 4 weeks old. He is starting to lose his baby hair around his muzzle and eyes.....

This last week saw Spirit have his first bath. He was curious when I was bathing Lassie, so I thought id try him.... he was a bit uncertain at first but decided the back rub he was getting was really pretty good, so he relaxed into it and I had to stop him leaning into me as he was enjoying it so much!!!! After he had his bath I introduced the clippers to him. He surprised me so much with this as I truly was expecting a fight... he stood there calmly and no worries at all.... I clipped parts of his chest, shoulders and little on his face. I didnt want to push the boundaries and left him like that, so we ended on a positive. I will bring them out again in another week or so and see how he goes with them again.

This last week also saw him introduced officially to Lassies old paddock mates... Tebby and Bobby. As we have moved house and paddocks I had had them apart and the boys were now closer. I was apprehensive about it, and very nervous as he is so little and the boys are so big.... but wow!!! I was surprised!!! The boys sniffed him through the fence and even were happy grazing with him grazing only about 20cms away!! So I took the chance, as I was going to do some work with Teb and let Bob out for a graze on some other long grass where I could tie him out..... and Spirit came over ...... there was sniffing going on and Spirit was doing plenty of mouthing at them (telling them that he's only a baby and means no harm) then he decided he wanted to try and convince Tebby to play , that was really funny, Teb was walking around in circles trying to keep up with Spirit who was zooming around!!! I was just in total shock and kicking myself that I didnt get this moment on film. All this time poor Lass was calling out for him to get back to her.... but he was being naughty and ignoring her. In the end I put a stop to playtime and led him back to her, where he lunged straight for her teats for a well deserved drink. I really know wonder why I was so worried about it in the first place. But that was my biggest hurdle really for now with him, and he has passed it with flying colours.