Death of Fairacres Sonja
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre redb...@sympatico.ca My beloved, loyal and honest Sonja has gone from our lives. Yesterday, Tuesday, April 19, I received a call at work that she was cast against the barn and had injured her face. My non-horse DH had pulled her away from the side of the barn and had her up. The vet beat me home, her right eye was completely destroyed and the surgery to remove it was iffy, she was full of painkillers and tranquilizers. She had caught on the one spot of tin siding that was loose. Due to the damage internally the vet wasn't sure if they could remove the righ eye without loss sight in the left. It would be a three hour trip each way. I made the decision that sudden blindness in a 20 year old, strong willed horse would not be accepted easily. On the only sunny day in a week (and it's storming again) she grazed new shoots of grass behind the barn and I stood honour guard to a great friends passing. She is buried next to the fenceline of her pasture and will live in our memories. Her grandson Edgar had been sold in March to a home that will work him and she was now my only fjord, with our little, ancient shetland as companion. Our youngest child starts school this fall, I was finally shopping for a harness so Sonja and I could enjoy her great training from Pat Wolfe. We will get a mini for companion to the pony, the vet is helping us look for one. Gwenn Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Update on getting my first Fjord
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre redb...@sympatico.ca al...@4km.net said ... ... a commitment to a breed with special history and talents. I know there are other wonderful Fjord farms around the continent and the world, and I wonder if part of that comes from what Fjords teach us, and the nature of the people drawn towards this breed. Beautifully said. I look forward to your eloquent writing about your journey ahead with Bocina! Gwenn Ontario Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
6 yo fjord gelding for sale
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre redb...@sympatico.ca 1) In September my dh was diagnosed with a immunodeficiency muscle/skin disorder that is degenerative. Bad enough until they said it is normally linked with cancer. When they looked they found it in spades, advanced prostate cancer. He's 44 and fit, so we're hopeful and prayerful. The Canadian medical system is not as all inclusive as you might think. 2) I'm a permanent novice rider and have a fjord horse who needs a confident and skilled rider. He was started by an excellent fjord trainer two years ago. I've had talented riders coming in to ride Edgar off and on since. This past summer he was introduced to dressage and loved it. I've listed him on Kijiji, here is the ad: http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-pets-livestock-for-sale-Norwegian-Fjord-Horse-Seek s-Work-and-Play-Partner-W0QQAdIdZ259230250 Please contact me off list if you are interested in Edgar, he is all personality and people-love. The goal is not just to sell him, but to the right person. Gwenn Near Ottawa, Ontario Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
RE: fjordhorse-digest V2009 #228
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre redb...@sympatico.ca Hi Anthea - I hate to canter, at all, on any horse. My fjord mare broke into a couple steps of canter and we did the whole field, I hated to slow her down (although she was ready for it!). We'll call it training that we cantered as much as we did. The truth is that it was smooth, relaxing and exhilarating all at the same time. Her trot is pretty nice too. My gelding (her grandson) also has very, very smooth gaits that are ground-eating. ...Gwenn Subject: rideability I've had some horse people tell me that Fjords ride like a pony - very jarring. Is this true? Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
re: just a little ugly stage and farriers
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] Edgar also has been looking like I picked up his parts at different thrift stores stuck them together. I'd put of registering as I can't get a decent picture of him, finally gave up sent Mike May a couple very bad photos. I'm expecting condolence letters as to how he looks.. (grin) I'll send in more photos next year, or the year after... on the other subject, my farrier loves my fjords feet. They are lawn ornaments at this point, but once trained in use we'll evaluate if any shoes are needed. The farrier said that as long as I'm not doing daily road rides shoes will probably not be necessary. Gee, save money on hay and grain, save money on shoes, save money on a mounting block... I should talk to my hubby about getting another fjord, we could be rich with all we save! The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
RE: horse sweater patterns
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] Of course when I read it my perverse mind immediately thought... gee it must be cold there, my fjords are warm enough without sweaters! Gwenn (Sonja and Edgar-fluffy beasts) Just outside Ottawa, Ontario -12 Celsius + windchill to -25 Celsius The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
RE: two cents laid back fjords
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] Carol, keep on posting, I love your descriptions, you write well. You are also a refreshing email to receive when I've been hitting delete on all the what kind of bit/saddle emails that come across in waves. Mind you, I'm not complaining about those types of emails, they are useful to someone, and I do know how to delete. Climbing off soap box, now for fjord info... When she arrived home Sonja was nearly two inches off the tape that ended at 1440 lbs. She had made it to a svelte 1220 lbs when the grass arrived... I'm afraid to pull the tape out. The first day I put them all out for 30 min. the two fjords did not move, although the ponies moved around. I don't think Sonja even moved a foot. After a week of building up I left them out for 4 hours, when it was time to go back into the paddock Edgar was laying down. I approached pulled on his halter, he wouldn't move. I was all worried that he'd foundered (he's still putting on the weight he needs, so it shouldn't be a concern) , so felt his feet, he was fine, he laid there and grazed around himself. I finally just straddled him and sat down. After 5 minutes of sitting on him (yay, I sat on my horse!! He's just coming two won't be started until at least October) I stepped off, picked a few blades of grass held them just away from his nose. He stood up in a flash, shook went into the paddock with me... silly boy!
RE: BDF Xaviera
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Carol - suggestion on name... shorten to al call name of Xara, pronounced either Zara or Zera at your choice.. excellent university, excellent name idea!
re:Guard Fjord
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] My mare Sonja has only been here seven months, a couple weeks ago the standard bred x that boards here decided to be dangerously spunky while I was putting her hay out. Sonja rushed the fence and snorted and pawed until I was back into her paddock, trotted over to check me out (actually trotted!!), then when Kiara came with her head over the fence at me Sonja screamed at her and stood between us all puffed up. She's big to start with, but WOW! I finished barn chores as I went up to the house they were being best buds over the fence, scratching each others necks. The next feed, Sonja walked the fence line while I was in with Kiara, then trotted over to check me when I came back to her side. Sonja is too funny though, when I go into the paddock with her, her grandson Edgar and my two ponies she keeps them all away follows me with her ears pinned until I put her hay out. (very scary the first couple weeks while we got used to her, she is not at all aggressive to people though, even if you don't feed her)
re:geography for Ellen
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] you said - - it's an experience to see the US education system at work. ... I'll respect of course this American way of life since I live here now. ... Hi Ellen - just to let you know that Ontario and Nova Scotia (Beaver Dam Farm) are both provinces in Canada, the neighbours to the north. Might look a little alike, but quite different in education systems. I love the places you've managed to live though!...Gwenn
RE: Salt Blocks plastic rakes
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] We have a mineral block made for horses beside the plain salt block. Both were blessed heavy to haul out there too! I put them across the paddock from the water they were all over each of them for the first week have now settled to an occasional stroll by. Except of course for Sonja who will nip off a chunk spit it out .. then Edgar will pick it up throw it back... then Sonja will decide she wants to keep it ... A couple months ago someone mentioned using a plastic rake, well, I've tried it. Now I cant rake my stall floor because Sonja will come stand over the rake lean towards me until I scrub her belly. What a great idea for getting all the paddock yuck off the bottom of the horse belly without getting a face full... particularly since Sonja is sooo wide you cant just reach under. Edgar and the ponies have all taken to it like crazy too. My neighbour pulled into the driveway as I stood upwind and scraped the dried muck off, he laughed like crazy. An older French gent who has had horses for 60+ years, he though I was nuts until he watched the horses jockeying for a turn. He's trying it on his haflingers now... you've started a trend!
re: a fjord story
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] ... from: Larry Goss ... the next morning the entire feeder was down and over on the other side of the corral. now that is a fjord story. Sonja has a head like a sledge hammer and isn't afraid to use it. When we go into the barn we cant secure the door from the inside, so just loop a bit of twine around a peg on the back of the door... she wants to be inside where we are getting the groceries ready, so she puuushhhes on the door with her head and has now damaged the door frame for the second time, the door just wont close. Dear hubby (non horse guy he is) will re-fix it on the weekend. He'll grouse how he hates horses, and then will pet scratch Sonja, who will be supervising over his shoulder... The other day she I both went to reach for the grain bucket at the same time collided heads, she looked indignant backed up right away, at least I thought so through the stars swirling around my head... hard headed ... I remember hearing that about fjords...
RE: BDF Christmas newsletter
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] One of the reasons we are not doing our big Newsletter this year is that the NFHR Roster has grown so large that there are over 1,000 names, and mailing that many Newsletters is a big job -- not to mention a big expense. So, if you'd like to get this year's little Newsletter plus photo, just email us and we'll make sure one goes out to you. Carole - what are the chances you will put in on you website? I love to read your writings but don't want to put you to the expense... I'm sending Anna out to do photos of Sonja and Edgar (pending) for registration this weekend... we're expecting 30 cm of snow in the next couple days (pray for more!) so the photos should be nice! Finally they'll keep clean! ... Gwenn
Hate to make you all envious...
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hate to make you all envious... but I happen to have the hands down winner, world champion, best you have ever seen mud puppy fjord out in my paddock right now. Sonja in all her (1330 lbs plus) glory is no longer a lovely brown dun, but a solid bay, no markings. Who said fjords don't have lots of different colours?? When she arrived we used the weight tape on her.. it goes up to 1330 lbs, but left an inch of horse at the end, with no tape... I have to scrape enough mud off her to get the tape around a clean spot to check her weight again, but she now happily trots around the paddock chasing the ponies, who are not quite so happy. Yesterday I came out of the barn into the paddock with an armload of hay and she suddenly realized it was grocery time from the other end of the paddock. It is some impressive to see that much horse coming straight at you at a full canter. Amazingly enough I held my ground, she arrived, screeching to a halt a couple feet away, sooo daintily accepted a nibble, then cantered around the paddock with an incredibly floaty, beautiful gait. I groom her to beautiful every second day, then open the door and watch her Clairol girl colour change moment. She takes three steps and drops like a king-sized mattress down a staircase, WHUMPH! Straight into the deepest mud she can find. Yup, she's a champion all right! I cant wait for all the clean snow to arrive! Gwenn Sonja - mud puppy extraordinaire Edgar - golden retriever with a dorsal stripe (and cute!) ponies Nancy and Fiona getting lots of exercise with a bossy new pasture mate (thanks Lynda!)
RE:a hunting story
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ok, Phillip, I'm as sissy about hunting, but cooking dining upon the results. Your story brought goose bumps envy. Thanks for sharing... Gwenn
re: Ironwood Galiana arrives ...congrats!
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Ironwood Galiana arrives in Florida :) Ironwood Galiana arrived via shipper on Wednesday . Hi Paula - I'm jealous waiting... congratulation on your new baby! Gwenn
Exciting news to share!! Yippee!
This message is from: Gwenn Berard Beaupre [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm on another Fjord related list as well and saw a posting for horses available... you can guess how the rest of this story goes... Thanks to Lynda for Sonny and to Rachel for Sonja. The fact that you both stepped forward when you were needed by these animals has given this fjord groupie an opportunity to join the exclusive Owned by a Fjord Club. Sonny will soon receive his Norse name, my idea was Hamar, DH suggested Hagar the Horrible after the comic. His horrible should be all done for his lifetime, but Hagar seems to be winning the family's name vote. The current thread about saddles now has me wondering if my Wintec is going to fit MY (note possessive tone) fjords.. Sonja will be going for lots of lead-line walks to drop a few pounds (she can say it's so I can drop the pounds) before her training begins Sonny is a baby, so I don't have to figure out the saddle right away. Lynda thanks for the calls, information, arranging for Rachel and I, and most importantly, support. Even DH (Paul, who is a vey patient man) is looking forward to opening the trailer! I'll now go back to lurking listening, but first a few cartwheels around the living room (MY fjords, My fjords, My fjords...) ... Gwenn
