BADLANDS FARM

Once again there has been some coming and going around here (I think if it stopped I would get bored!).

I gave Pebbles away to a local fellow who I sold a pony last year. She was past her breeding days I think, and he was happy to take her on as a pet.

I sold Danza (he leaves this weekend), because our paddocks are back to dirt again and the lack of rain has seen the dam slowly drying up. I just couldn't afford to keep him any longer with problems at work and everything, so I made the hard decision to sell him. I will really miss the big fellow, it took me a long time to find a horse I felt comfortable riding again after a two year break from the saddle, but I was stupid to buy a Thoroughbred because I know they are like bottomless pits.

Then last weekend (13 December) I took Ginge and Shadow to the MH&PE Open Mini Classic show at Rossmore (Bringelly). It was a very hot day and I don't think either pony had ever been to a show before (certainly not Ginge), but both of them scrubbed up well considering I only pulled them out of the paddock the day before. Duke was pre entered into the halter and performance classes, but he got bitten on the nose by a spider a few days beforehand and his face was swollen up like a balloon, so I scratched him and decided to take the girls. Ginge got 2nd place in her age class (out of two), and Shadow was 1st place broodmare and then went up against Ginge for Reserve Champ Mare. Shadow won - and got a broad sash and trophy which I am rapt about! Not bad for an old girl!

This week I somehow, accidentally, managed to buy a new broodmare. She's an 11yo chestnut pinto (pintaloosa maybe), very pony type but great movement and lovely conformation. She is registered as Philiby Winfred Jean. She was actually bred locally, but has had several owners and I bought her from Grahame at Reel Action Film Livestock where she had been kept with intentions of breeding from but it just never happened. She has a few little funny quirks, but she is sweet girl who can be handled by young kids and will be a welcome addition to our growing colourful herd. 

I also bought (rescued) from the sales a sad old palomino mare whom I have named 'Hope'. She is approximately 15 yrs old, 14.2-15hh and is terribly skinny. She was destined for the doggers and she was a nervous wreck in the ring. She has either just lost a foal or just had one weaned off her, but she has an udder the size of a cow's and I really felt sorry for her. I can't afford to keep her, but I bought her with the sole intention of buying her a few days more to find a proper home where she can get the TLC and nurturing that she deserves. She has settled in very well and although nervous at first, she is okay to handle once she realises she can trust you. Since posting the ad for her several days ago, I have had an overwhelming response from people wanting to help her, but unfortunately the timing is bad for most people because it is so close to Christmas and it is hard to arrange transport for her. Until she finds a permanent home, you can see more about her on her very own page HERE.

I have finally found a palouse mare, Golden Reins Fyrestorm, and she is better than I ever to expected to find so close to home! She is a three year old, by an overo bred stallion out of a palouse mare, so I have no doubt that she will throw some wild coloured foals. She will be a valued member of my broodmare herd with her colourful breeding and delicate leggy horse quality. She will be bred to Jabiru Salt N Pepper once she settles into her new home. Her paddock name was Fyrestorm or Stormy, but as we have already had a 'Storm' here before, I thought she needed a name of her own and started calling her 'Misty' as she somehow reminds me of the pony in the book "Misty Of Chincoteague". I later realised than her dam's name was also Misty, so it seems unfair she has to share a name with her mother, but the name has already stuck and she has only been her for 24 hours!

A huge thanks to Sibby from Golden Reins for allowing me the privilege to purchase this mare and giving me the time to look at all her other beautiful girls.

In other news, Tammy has found a new pet home and will be leaving some time before the end of November. Robbie has been sold to an exporter of zoo animals. He is currently living on a stud farm in Bathurst before leaving for his new home overseas next year. Pebbles is still looking for a good home as a companion, pet or lawnmower. I feel she should be retired from breeding as she doesn't do as well as she used to now that we have no grass and she is relying on being hand fed.

As mentioned in the last update, Bella and Mindy have gone out west to retire from breeding and are living it up in a big grassy paddock of their own with a sheep who now thinks he is a pony! Robbie was temporarily withdrawn from sale so I could show him a bit more. He went to Grenfell Show and won his age class, and then went on to take out Champion colt or stallion. He probably could have won Supreme too if I hadn't have stuffed up the workout! I didn't end up taking Prince to Grenfell for the show.

Melody was sold to a local man to have a foal to his gorgeous chestnut stallion before he is gelded. Pebbles was tested negative to being in foal, so she is up for sale now.

Two more new mares arrived today from a local breeder. A 35" brown mare whom I have named Sheba, and a heavier Shetland type brown 4yo 38" mare whom I have named Tammy.

Sheba is almost like a mini Arabian, and has a lovely long neck and a pretty head. She is heavily in foal to a grey stallion. She has already had one foal to this particular stallion, a black filly in 2008 which I was fortunate enough to view when collecting Sheba. Apparently this grey stallion has not thrown any grey foals yet, so hopefully he won't fail me this year! Sheba is branded O|C and 4 over 6, so I hope to trace her pedigree.

Tammy is a larger, heavier type maiden mare who has an absolutely gorgeous nature and a chunky Shetland head. No history is known of this mare other than that she originally came from Glenorie. I had intentions of keeping her as a broodmare, but it seems she is not the breed worthy quality I originally believed her to be so unfortunately she will be rehomed.

Both mares have lovely, quiet natures and are welcome additions to the farm.