re:for Patryjak
This message is from: "Saskia Ringsma" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi I am 11 going on 12 in june, wat do you mean you cant find the 13th warier?
[no subject]
This message is from: "Saskia Ringsma" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi my name is Saskia, and I live in canada, I have one fjord his name is Little Ben, he is a 5 yr old Gelding and he is 14.2hh we got Ben from a move wrangler 2 yrs ago when we were looking at him to by he was in a small paddock with no blanket (in the winter) the owners got him from a move set he was in the 13th warier, the owners sad that he had no personality and that he was dumb. I am training him to be an eventer!
Havenly! Havenly! Havenly!
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I just wanted to ask my Santa a second clue When rang the postman at half past two! Thank you Catherine L. for the awesome presents!!! The beautiful Hestehaven-cap hasn't been from my head since I unwrapped it and the beautiful red sweater fits snugly and is already my favourite. And the earrings are gorgeous I have been singing and dancing all day! I really feel like in h(e)aven! Thank you!!! Hope to meet you soon, here or there! Merry Christmas to all people and Fjords! Saskia
Re: Last chance to sign up for Secret Santa Exchange !!!
This message is from: saskia schoofs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi, Can I still participate? thanks, happy Fjording! Saskia > YOUR NAME Saskia Schoofs > MAILING ADDRESSOmmeweg 1 > CITY, STATE, ZIP 2223 Schriek (Belgium)_ > PHONE # 32-15-34.89.49 > EMAIL [EMAIL PROTECTED] > FAVORITE COLOR_red_ > SHIRT SIZE (OPT) ___XL___ > GLOVE SIZE (OPT) __ > > MY HORSES NAMES ARE _Sybren and Zeno > _ > > MY WISH LIST IS > 1. something funny > 2. > 3 > MY HORSES WISH LIST IS ...(PLEASE REMIND HORSE OF GIFT LIMIT!) > 1. something edible (sigh!) > 2. > 3. > WHAT DISCIPLINES I DO WITH MY HORSES ... (EXAMPLE, TRAIL, DRESSAGE, DRIVING, > ETC. ETC.) trail > > MY BARN COLORS_- > > AND IF MY SECRET SANTA WON THE LOTTERY, WHAT WOULD I WANT MOST! a pasture without mud! > > WOULD YOU MIND BEING A SECRET SANTA TO SOMEONE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY ? (USUALLY > INVOLVES MORE SHIPPING COST) no > > MAKE SURE YOU ANSWERALL THE QUESTIONS!! > >
blizzard
This message is from: saskia schoofs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Do you think you could bring a Blizzard from the Dairy Queen with you? > Oh geee I would have to go to Minnesota first to get one. Oh, sorry! I didn't know that!!! please come without, we have plenty of ice cream here and I will get you as much as you want, but I dare not pretend they are as good as the Blizzard, about which I have a very idealistic idea, though I have not the slightest idea of what flavour it is etc.! > have them around here I am afraid. You might have to attend the Blue Earth > show next year and then I will arrange to get you one (or 2). How about that? :-))) I have been thinking about that since I read Lisa's mail this morning. In which state is Blue Earth? There is a formula here at the travel agency that you can rent a car and have vouchers for Motel 6 or how is the other one called?, Best American? I would love to make a tour and haven't been on holidays since years... it is so sunny here today, I think I will continue Sybrens "education". He is very sweet (I have quietly begun riding/sitting on top of him), and he is so willing, but he really doesn't understand why I think eating and walking are two seperate things... (the world is a walking buffet!) :-) Saskia
Re: American vs. European Evaluations
This message is from: saskia schoofs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Mike, > I am sure that could be arranged Saskia. When is the next > studbook-birthday-evaluation? Hopefully not another 25 years from > now! :- We'll celebrate the 26th birthday next year! I will lobby a little! :-) Do you think you could bring a Blizzard from the Dairy Queen with you? :-))) Saskia
Re: American vs. European Evaluations
This message is from: saskia schoofs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all! Our (the Belgian, we're neighbours of the Dutch) studbook had it's 25th birthday in September and we had a big (big for us, that is) meeting with lots of Fjords to be evaluated. The fun thing was that there was an international jury, with: for Denmark: Niels Mortensen for Germany: Herr Eitenmüller for France: Richard Gerst and Jacky Ernwein for Holland: L. Van Hout for Norway: Arne Presthus (president of the jury) and Kari-Anne Indrebo for Switzerland: Oda-Münch-Bronk For me it was a great day, because I met again my neighbour from when I was a child, who had a Fjord and laid the first seeds of my Fjord-love! I hadn't seen him for 15 years (he was very angry at me that I hadn't visited meanwhile, and I was happy he was angry because I've missed them very much too) and we amused ourselves at guessing which Fjords would get the "first premie" in each category. The funny thing was: we always agreed and every time our favourite Fjord get the first prime indeed. Each member of the jury individually judged each horse, and the marks were averages, but it was clear that there were no big differences in judgment between the different members of the jury, on the contrary. I have the strong impression that a good Fjord is internationally a good Fjord and that people like my neighbour and me, who haven't seen so much Fjords in their lives as the members of the jury, are very well able to see what the "perfect" Fjord should look like, as Plato would say: there is an universal idea "Fjordhorse" (hence the "ideal Fjordhorse) that you get to recognize when you see a lot of them and you really don't have to be born in Holland for that! (Though I must admit I think Plato didn't mention among his ideas the idea "Fjordhorse" in particular, but he could have) About Bob Van Bon: far from denying his merits to the Fjord-world, I am always very surprized to see him get something like a divine status by some people on this list. Holland lies only a 100 miles north from the center of Belgium, but exactly the same Fjord costs 2 to 3 times more in Holland than in Belgium. Questioning some members of our board about that, they said: "Van Bon keeps the prices artificially up". I don't know if that is the reason, but it indicates that he is not so much adored everywhere as in some parts of the USA... Of course, he is an excellent judge of Fjords, but so many people are, and of course it can be interesting to have international jury's sometimes, but when I see pictures of the gorgeous Fjords grazing on the American planes, I can just say: can we please have an American judge at our next studbook-birthday-evaluation too? Happy Fjording! Saskia
help on Sybrens head!
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dearest friends, I have been silent again for a while (a long while), but you must know I have read everything and have carried your joys, difficulties and losses in my heart, wishing you all the best constantly. I have been and am very ill, so I can't promise to be a more active list member very soon, but I will as soon as I can. And am looking forward to that very much! :-))) But whenever I feel well, I try to ride a little bit on Sybren. He's really great, very calm and trusting and very willing to learn. The problem is: I use Kitty's rope halter and that doesn't fit him. So I wanted to order a new one, only, the lady who will make it for me lives in the USA and she needs me to measure him (his head) in inches. So I calculated my centimeters to inches and got: 12" around the nose 32" around the throat (behind the ears) Now she mailed me to express her surprize about these sizes. She says it sounds very small to her. So I wanted to ask you: can someone who's used to measure in inches tell me what his/her Fjords head is like? Sybren is a small size of Fjord. Thanks and happy Fjording! Saskia in Belgium (cold and very wet... again!)
Re: Fjord Chat erratum!!!
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Griet, sorry it is at 3 a.m. Belgian time! Saskia
Re: Fjord Chat
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hallo Griet, the Fjord Chat is at 2 a.m. Belgian time (2 uur 's morgens) - 3 a.m. in Finland :-))) It has been long since I had the courage to attend... but it is worth the effort! Saskia
Pongo
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all, This week has been so hectic that it's only today that I can announce the birth of Kitty's foal last Monday (blush, blush)! Everything went well, except for the fact that the after-birth didn't come out, but after all (an injection to cause new contractions and two anxious hours) that ended well. It's a colt and I called him Pongo Benedict (the Benedict just in the hope it will bring him benediction). As Kitty is a Haflinger, Pongo is only half a Fjord, and I must say he looks very much like a Fjord-foal, but you could never mistake him for one: his manes and tail are in three colours! (white, carrot-colour and black). While working (on my computer, which is in front of a huge window to the pasture), I can observe him and Kitty all the time (and at the other side of the fence, father Sybren does so too), so... I have been working most efficiently after dark this week... For those familiar with Pat Parelli, it is interesting to recognize the 7 games in what Kitty does with her foal. Friendly game in licking Pongo, porcupine game in pushing him away, the driving game in just making a gesture to him and he understands (hmhm! he's not an easy pupil) he has to move aside, the circling game when he runs around her. Now they're grooming eachother... what a happy sight! All the best from very happy Saskia in Belgium
Re: Camargue saddles
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Anneli, > thought that he had made his choice and I had to get used to it. Now I have > - I now think my saddle is VERY comfortable (proves that we can get used to > almost anything:o) I thought it looked very comfortable on that picture. And a beautiful form/colour! Strange, those Camargue-saddles. When I was there, along the roads hundreds of those horses stood waiting for tourists, and all had a typical Camargue-saddle (most of them not in very good shape). Well, alternatives enough in the Spanish/Portuguese saddles. I like western saddles as well (never been on one, though) and there is a big western-tack shop nearby, but all their saddles have such a funny colour... I like the colour your saddle has most of all. Through the window I see my Shet Janosch playing with Sybren. How nice it is to have horses!!! hjärtliga hälsingar from stormy Belgium! Saskia (having a mother who studies Swedish in the evenings and knows how to say heartly greetings ;-) I hope it's correctly spelled etc.!)
Re: Camargue saddles
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Anneli, > check this website out: > > http://www.freizeitreiter.de/rubriken/r7/s/r71_14.htm thank you! > They don't have camargue saddles but VERY nice Portugese saddles and > vaquero saddles the Portuguese saddle looks very much like a Camargue saddle on that picture. Very nice indeed! I will fax them at once! regards, Saskia Belgium
Camargue saddles, was Re: Safety stirrups
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hej Sini! > Have got two pairs of those camargue ones - bought them in Germany can I ask you where in Germany? I am dreaming since three years of a Camargue saddle, but I have no idea where to find one. I went to the Camargue a year ago, but couldn't find a saddlery there. As Camargue horses are rather robust, I think a Camargue saddle would be excellent on Sybren... :-) (The :-) is a nervous grin, as I've never been on a horse that never had someone on top of him before... In May it's gonna happen... :-)) happy Fjording! Saskia "still no foal" Schoofs Belgium PS I thought your post about punishment was really interesting.
Re: This morning's lost
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Renee, what a terrible news. I am so sad for you. Saskia
Re: winter foaling
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello Brian, > were the mare and stallion together and that's just when it happened? for me this was the case. It's still not born and I'm glad she keeps it inside as long as possible, impatient though I am. now her udder is feeling rather full, so I guess she'll have it soon now. My vet (last week) said this was impossible to guess and wouldn't even feel her udder as he said that made no sense. in two years I would like to have a "planned" foal, and then I would plan it for April or May. But what is the best time for a foal to be born? Is that geographically different? happy Fjording! Saskia
Re: mules
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jean, > Some horse friends stopped by to > visit for the first time since Gunnar. Of course he looks like a yak > (crossbred?) at this cold time but they also remarked "You know he reminds > me of a uh a duh" I chimed in and asked if they meant a donkey. Yes they > did and he does, best breeding and all. Jean Reading this, I felt like reading a paragraph from P.G. "Plummie" Wodehouse's books, he's one of my favourite authors. Brilliantly funny! hugs to the "unfriendly one" & happy fjording! Saskia
horror
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all, My farrier, who is a Fjord-breeder, had an accident a week ago and this Sunday I went to help his wife moving two Fjord-mares from a pasture about 15 miles (20 kilometers) away from them to a pasture next to the wife's job, which would make her life easier. We could only move one Fjord at once because of the small trailer, and because Nadine (the farriers wife) was afraid the horse that had to stay behind would panic, I stayed with this horse, "Kelly", while Nadine and a man from their village, who is a horse-seller (he buys horses anywhere and sells them anywhere) brought "Karin" to the new place. Kelly and I had a great time, becoming friends, but then the trailer came back and the man came to me and said: "Nadine told me you have a Fjord stallion, won't you sell him to me?". I said no, and that I was going to geld him at the end of this month, as soon as the weather allows it. Then he said it was very bad to geld a horse in the spring and that it was better to wait for the fall. I said that was impossible, because of my mare I didn't want to get pregnant again after foaling. But the man had the solution ready: well, until fall your stallion can stay at my place! I asked why and he said that that way he could breed him to his two (Fjord-)mares. Naively, I said that Sybren is not registered as a breeding stallion, but that was no problem, as he just breeds his mares to eat the foals after six months! When I was firm about not bringing Sybren to him, he was very sad, because he could use a different (non-Fjord)-stallion for the purpose, but out of experience he knew that a 100% Fjord-foal was best for meat. I know we Europeans all eat horses (except for the English :-)), but still, I was shocked and sad, especially when I heard the two mares were pregnant now of two "meat-foals" (full Fjords). I wanted to buy them immediately but shall have to win the national lotery tomorrow first. O!!! I really can't imagine how someone can do this! Saskia, who sometimes feels as if she would eat Sybren and Zeno too, but just because I love them so much and they are so sweet
Re: web site with new pictures of our foal
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> congratulations Fred and Lois! she's the most charming little creature! beautiful pictures! how is she now? Her mom looks great too! good luck! Saskia Belgium
sini
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> hi again Sini, I got a phone call and made too early an end to my e-mail. How are you? And I wanted to tell the list the photos on your site are magnificent again! For those who haven't bookmarked it yet: don't miss an enchanting visit to: http://www.saunalahti.fi/~partoy/Juhola6.html have a nice day & week-end! Saskia
Re: E-Z BOOTS & Saskia
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi Sini!
> Where are Saskia
here! :-))) just very very busy :-(((
> and the haflinger-fjord baby?!
still inside of Kitty! it's freezing again in Belgium, so I can only
encourage her to try to keep it inside of her as long as possible! (though I
have a strange tendency to shake her until the foal comes out at last :-)))
why can't they be like dogs, three months is long enough for a waiting
grandmother-to-be! :-)))
well, the merrier I'll be when it pops out! :-)
> How are you?
impatient and nervous! :-) sorry for not writing earlier to you, though I
have wanted to since a long time, I'm just a little overwhelmed by work.
for Christmas I got Miller's book about imprinting. you mentioned it in an
earlier post (thanks for all the foal-advices!). How do you do your
imprinting?
Yesterday the vet came for the annual vaccinations. He was afraid that they
would recognize him, or his smell, and run away, but they crowded around
him, impatient to be vaccinated, and especially when he started to deworm
("o!!! that man has food!!!") they were so enthousiast that we had to laugh,
because when he was deworming the little Shet Janosch, the Fjords Sybren and
Zeno both climbed upon Janosch trying to get some more of the stuff. Janosch
carried the weight bravely, and swallowed as much worm-paste as he could!
To my big relief he said the stable was big enough for foaling, if I would
be on the premises to be sure everything was allright. I plan to let Kitty
choose where to foal, but it's good to know that the stable is okay if it
rains heavily etc., or if she should choose it. She enters it spontaneously
these last days, something she never did before, so I think she's preparing
to build a nest! :-)
Sybren was funny yesterday. More than a year ago, I taught him how to carry
a bucket. Just for fun. I hadn't played at that again since then, in fact, I
had completely forgotten that he could do it. Yesterday I had a terrible
headache and was looking rather grey I think, I was sitting in the pasture
to get some fresh air (it was cold but sunny), a feeding bucket was still in
the pasture, next to Sybren (not surprisingly), so suddenly he looked at me
in a funny way, as to say: "hey, look what I remember!". He took the handle
of the bucket in his mouth and brought it to me! When I took it over, he had
a smile from one ear to the other! Maybe because he thought I would fill it
again!
He can pull such funny faces! He will be three in May, and sometimes he
looks so big and impressive, he has a huge neck and is really sturdy, but
sometimes he can look so young and almost vulnerable, it's very strange.
Happy Fjording,
Saskia
Re: new
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> welkom, Marion! glad to have a "neighbour" on the list! Kimble really looks beautiful. Sad that it didn't work out between the two of you, but you'll surely find the "Fjord of your life" soon. I hope you'll keep us informed about how everything goes! Good luck on Sunday! Saskia and Fjords Sybren and Zeno (better known as the comical duo Zipper & Zender :-)) + Haflinger Kitty + Shet Janosch in Belgium
Re: the best?
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > If the NFHR were to award a horse of the century in the Fjord world, who > would you vote for? If it may be a European horse, I am terribly fond of Myrstein and his desecendants... but to elect a horse of the century, I think I know too little. > If they had an award for most outstanding breeder or influential person > in the Fjord world, who would you vote for? For Steve and Cynthia of course!!! And, secondly and personally, for the breeders of my Zeno. I'm sure their excellent care and love for him made him what he is now: sweet and gentle and easy to handle. happy Fjording! Saskia
Re: Christmas colt name
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> yes! or what about a "Christmas Carolus"? good luck! Saskia -- >From: "Teressa Kandianis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: >Subject: Christmas colt name >Date: woe, 5 jan 2000 18:06 > > This message is from: "Teressa Kandianis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Ursula: How about Dickens? Teressa K. > >
market
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all, this morning I went to the market in my village. There is a small animal-section, with some horses, cows, etc. As it is January the 2nd, there were only 4 horses, but... one of them was a Fjord! He looked young, I think 18 months or something, a gelding and so sweet! But I didn't dare to make enquiries, for fear to "end up" with him, something I really can't afford right now. It's the first time I saw a Fjord on this market. So, I'm beginning this millennium in a hard, though responsible way, I dare say... best wishes! saskia
Happy New Year
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Happy New Year to all of you! and good luck and fun in the next 1000 years (and later!) :-))) Saskia in Belgium where it is 2000 already and electricity and water are still flowing!
Re: List must move (READ and RESPOND!)
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dear Steve, everything you decide is okay with me. I think everyone is immune for ads by now, but please let me know if I you decide to take a paying option, I will be glad to contribute. Saskia
Evers
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > OH Its so good to see Saskia is with us again. Thank you! I remember writing under a picture of Sage "The Evers' Sweet Sage", but I am convinced he couldn't be something else than sweet, as he was born in such a nice family! Thanks for your friendship, I am very happy with it! To everybody on the list: a very happy and merry X-Mas and may all your wishes and dreams come true in 2000 and may every day bring you joy. And a lot of pleasant surprizes too! from stormy Belgium, where the snow has changed to mud, Saskia
Re: winterfoals
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Joanna! > babe when its drizzley and miserable. ( I remember Belgium in the winter) aargh! "drizzley and miserable" that's exactly the weather of today (and most days of Belgian winters). When were you in Belgium? I hope you had some sunny winterdays too (yes, they exist...) >after > listening to eating,drinking,farting,and pooping for a few weeks you'll be > exhausted by your own false starts but able to tell the difference between > a grunt and lie down and the uncomfortable turn ,sweat turn, ugh > contraction baby coming now sounds. :-) > Have on hand good betadine > to swab the foals umbilical. Your mare hopefully wil be fine, collect and > check your placenta once it is delivered. yes. I am glad your Hanoverian mare is well! I will look for colic-symptoms. Thank you for all the tips for what I should have in the medicine locker. I'll ask my vet to explain about taking pulse and temperature. Luckily, he can be here in 20 minutes, when he's at home. And I'll get baby-bottles. What I do know is frequently touch Kitty's udder, I hope to get used her to the nuzzling of the foal. Most of the time she likes it and pulls funny faces! But I don't know what kind of mother she'll be, sometimes I think all her nervousness is over, she's a calm, friendly, trusting horse and then something happens, the roof makes a funny noise or I clumsily fall over my dog and she's the same extremely untrusting, wild thing as two years ago. But luckily it doesn't take months now before she trusts me again! > mamas remember who we are. my gelding is the worlds best nanny. I think my Shet gelding (Janosch) will be a good nanny too, but I'll carefully try first if Kitty let's him. It was so touching, when my first Fjord, Unna, was very ill and we were waiting for a trailer to bring her to the hospital and she even couldn't stand anymore, but was lying on the ground, Janosch, who had never in his life been treated friendly by her (she bit and kicked him), gave her gentle pushes with his nose and when she wouldn't (couldn't) stand up (she died a few hours later), he understood and lay down next to her, as to comfort her. He's a very little horse, with a very big heart. Also, since I have my new Fjord colt Zeno, it is very strange. Sybren loves to play with Zeno, but sometimes Kitty won't let him. She has a way of telling him he's HER boyfriend and must stay with her and not run around the pasture with that new one. Zeno looks rather sad then as he loves fooling around with Sybren too, but Janosch understands immediately, and he goes and skips and runs around Zeno, until Zeno begins to play with him, and the strange thing is then that Zeno really looks like he's having fun, but Janosch looks as if he was hired to amuse Zeno. In turn, they chase after eachother and it's cute to see that Zeno (who can run three times faster than Janosch), gallops slowly when Janosch chases him, pretending he can't go any faster! Janosch then really runs as fast as his little legs can carry him, a hilarious sight! But I'm getting carried away... :- > Having > horse babies keeps you young. Good luck and 2000 joys! Thank you! Happy 2000 with lovely foals and a lot of fun with your horses! Thanks for all the advices! Saskia
Re: Winter Foals
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Sini! Thank you for your mail! You really made me feel more at ease! I was so nervous lately, as if Kitty were the first mare in the world to have a foal! But thanks to you and of course thanks to Pamela, Brian and Joanna and the knowledge this list exists, I begin to feel as if everything will be allright! I love your website! > We actually had to use a hair-dryer which she enjoyed so that she fell asleep in > our hands. (A good form of imprint training!) :- I have to find my hair-dryer! I only use it in summer (to stir up the barbecue :-))) > > Kaci also seemed to be happy to be able > to choose the actual place herself. aha. The (foaling) stall is in a small pasture with trees. If she foals by dailight and it doesn't freeze, it might be safer indeed to let her choose where to foal. >>From then on the baby and Kaci were outdoors all the time. If Kitty likes her > herd I would probably let her foal in the company of the others. It may be a > nice experience for her to know that the others are there to guard her safety won't the young colts attack the foal? Well, I hope to have them gelded still before the birth, but I don't know if that's possible in December. If the weather remains like this not, but maybe it will change. > I don't think it matters to the foal whether the colts are gelded. But I guess > you mean you can't put them together with Kitty so that they won't breed her. yes, also. and because I heard horror stories about colts/stallions killing foals. But on the other hand, my farrier (again him!) always lets his mares foal in the herd, with his stallion, and there has never been an accident or incident. > You could also check these sites out: > http://horseforum.com/tjones/manual.htm > http://www.cyberfoal.com/ good idea Thanks again for your help! Good luck and a lot of happiness to you, your family and all of your horses and other animals in 2000! Saskia
Re: winterfoals
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dear Brian, > I would second Pam's advice about having > blankets nearby, but not using them unless there are problems. You can > be prepared with some towels to dry the baby off. Yes. Will Kitty allow me easily to do that? She's a strange horse, she was extremely nervous when I bought her two years ago and has improved a lot, but I'm concerned about how she will react (it's her first foal - and mine!) I wonder... these last weeks (2 or 3 weeks) she has days that she absolutely doesn't want to be touched. Normally, she doesn't like big hugs, but she likes to be stroked, but now she has days that She runs away when I stretch my hand out to her, and other days she's normal again. Can this be caused by her pregnancy and maybe pain or discomfort? > You might start shutting her in at night and during bad weather starting > about two weeks before she's due. Also, you might want to put her in a > stall if you have to be away during the day for a length of time. Mares > are notorious for not giving you any advance warning that they are > preparing to foal. :-) > If they're just going to be across > the fence from each other though, that's fine too. yes, the three other horses will just be at the other side of the fence. > Some cons would be > that 1) sometimes a newborn foal imprints on another horse in the > pasture, rather than its mother. maybe even easier when it's another horse of it's own size? Thank you for warning me for everything that can happen. Normally it's enough for her to flatten her ears and everybody flees, but I don't know how dominant she'll be when the other three are curious to get near to the new one... > In general, though, if you can tell the mare has been in labor for > more than 15-20 minutes, and you're not yet starting to see part of the > foal, you've got problems. so, it's really important to have the birth alarm. > Something that usually helps predict when a foal is coming is the test > kit that tests for calcium in the mare's milk. Have you heard of these? No, never. I will ask for such tests. > Hope everything goes well Saskia! Thank you for everything! Saskia
Re: winterfoals
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dear Pamela, thank you for your mail. > First: a heat lamp. very good idea! I hadn't thought about that yet! As I go to the horse-shop later today (they just phoned me to tell me a book about foaling arrived), I will inform if they sell those lamps. > Buy a foal blanket, by all means. You > may not need it, but if you do need it, it is good to have on hand. yes, I will. But as I understand, I have a good chance that the foal will be born with a winter-coat! Still, it's better to have a blanket at hand if the foal should need it. > When the baby > is being born, have lots of clean dry towels handy to dry the wet baby off > (mom will do most of it, but if it is super cold, it's nice to do. haha! you should have heard my mom when she asked me this morning what I wanted for X-Mas and I answered I would be very happy if she could miss old towels (as long as they were soft, of course! :-)! > Our foaling stalls are > adequate size. 24 x 12. I almost asked: is that inch? :-))) But after a bit of calculating I think it's feet? That's good, because the stall I intended for foaling must be about that size. > I also bought a baby monitor so we could hear > signs of impending birth. yes. My farrier informed me I can rent in the nearest city's horse-shop. > Sent my husband out to the barn that night, he didn't believe me that she > would foal that night, I won a $20 bet! :-))) > Good luck and have fun with the new one. He may be one of the first > Millenium Fjords! Thank you!!! But he will only be half a Fjord, I hope you don't mind (Kitty is a Haflinger). I followed the discussion about cross breeding on the list, but we have a different approach here and there are a lot of cross-bred horses in Belgium and Holland (though I never saw a Haflinger x Fjord). But I have to add that I wanted to breed Kitty to a Haflinger stallion last year, but she didn't get "in heat", so vet and I concluded that Sybren (then 18 months old and "improbable" to could have done it, also because he was very small then) did it anyway. And she did get very large and thick, but when I called the vet again, because I thought she would foal in a month or so (that was in May of this year) he pronounced her belly to be caused by good food only... and found in her womb a very little foal of 3 months old... to be born in January! Now she's really like a balloon and I see the difference now between a very well-fed horse and a very pregnant one... (one learns by practice!) So, I'm sure the foal will be a funny thing, and as I have place enough, it can stay with me for ever and I won't breed it. And as Sybren and Zeno will be gelded as soon as possible, this will be the only Half-Fjord. Because I believe Fjords are perfect and can't be improved! Still, I'm glad (for strictly human and sentimental reasons) that the Kid (Kitty) and Sybren will have a foal, because they are so "in love" with eachother, always standing side by side, nose to nose, or heads on eachothers backs... so I imagine they really wanted their milleniumbaby :-))) merry X-mas and all the best for 2000! Saskia
winterfoals
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all, to those awaiting or having or having had winterfoals, please tell me all about it! Kitty will have her foal in January (at last!) and I begin to be very nervous: - should I buy a blanket for the foal? what if it freezes and the foal is wet and so on, how do you protect it? - does a mare sweat a lot during delivery (it's my first foal) and should I have a blanket for her too? - she's still full-time in the pasture now, with the other horses. Do you isolate your mare from the others? When? Do you lock her in a stable at night? Do you lock her when the birth is announcing itself and how long do you keep her "in"? - How big should the stable be? My farrier (he's a Fjord breeder) just told me that the stable I was arranging for birth is too small... so I'm arranging the carport now... - Do you have a warmth-giving lamp in the stable? - When I isolate Kitty from the others, is it a good idea to have my Shetland pony with her, to reassure her? He's a very calm and gentle little horse and Kitty's very dominant. - When can I return her and her foal to the others? Sybren (2 years and half old) and Zeno (16 months) are still not gelded and as Belgium is covered with snow now, I don't know if I'll be able to have it done before the birth. In each case they should be gelded before I reunite them with Kitty. - what should I have in my medicine locker? thanks in advance! Saskia
Re: beagle dogs
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all, I don't know any Beagles personally, but I can recommend (BRAG ALERT!) a breed of which I have the fun and love since two years. It's a Catalan Shepherd (Gos d'Atura Catala). They're the size of Border Collies (I think) and look like Bouviers (Flemish Shepherds), but with ears and tails. And they exist in several colours, from black/grey to beige. They're very intelligent. "Gossie" (his official name is Vasco, but names like "Gossie" are what jump into your mind as you see him) is the sweetest dog I ever met. Without any education, he knows how to fetch the horses and to keep them together (sometimes he's rather too enthousiast about that). He feels exactly when I'm sad and invents things to make me laugh, but when I'm in a happy mood, he's ready immediately to dance through the house with me. And he eats everything that accidentally fell on the floor! This breed originates from the Spanish Pyrenees, that's why they can both be perfectly happy with very cold temperatures and very hot and sunny days. They're playful and like to please and they love children and other dogs. The only problem I have with him, is that he knows he's cute and universally lovable. If a perfect stranger would open the gate, he would follow that person without hesitation. He can't imagine someone wouldn't adore him, and he seems not to care about whom he is with, as long as he's loved. But when he's with a person, he tries to make that person very happy. Saskia
Re: Zeno 2
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Elaine, > Congratulations on your new Fjord,"Zeno." thank you! > I was curious what his gaits are > like since he comes from such a good stallion. Have you seen him trotting and > cantering, yet? yes, a lot, and he's really beautiful in his trotting too... (how to describe a trot?!) cantering I only see him when Kitty chases him, or when Sybren and he run around playing and then he looks like a real foal, head stretched out in front of him, mouth open (when Kitty chases him), running as fast as he can (but I guess that's gallopping?) after getting his papers, I saw his mother's father is Tunar. Do you know him? I've always liked him very much, too. Here in Belgium farmers tend to be rather unsentimental about selling animals, but I'm touched by Zeno's ex-owner. It was the first time in his life he sold a horse (and only because he's retired and his wife and he decided to go and live on a boat, he was a sailor when he was young and misses the sea) and he has already phoned twice to ask how Zeno is and each time he says: "hug Zeno for us!". I invited them to come as much as they want, as they live so near me, but they say, maybe in 2 months, as it's too painful now. So each time I promise to take good care of Zeno and then I go and hug him (not that I need an excuse to do that!!!). I hope to have some pictures soon, to put on my website and to send to the farmer, together with a bear in sailor-clothes. I hope they will like that... happy Fjording! Saskia
Zeno 2
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> dearest friends, I was very moved by your kind re-reception! thank you all! just a quick note to tell you about the Zeno I saw on Saturday (and -spoiler!- bought on Sunday!). Sunday-evening, I was thinking about Zeno and what to do, so I thought I'd drive by where he lived, 5 miles from my house to see if I still liked him (I hoped he was in the pasture). If not, I could stop thinking about him! I thought this a very smart and non-risky idea, ;-), so, I went, but in the meadow boarding the street, there was only his mother. Zeno himself was behind the farm, I saw his tail and stood patiently waiting for him to fully appear, when the farmer (his owner) arrived. He invited me to come and look nearer... It was not at all my intention, when I left home, to come back with a Zeno, but I liked him even more than the day before and half an hour and a wild drive to a banking machine later, he was in the farmers van... I was very nervous about Sybren, but I shouldn't have been! After some minutes of showing who was the boss (Kitty) and who wasn't (Sybren and Zeno), though one of them (Sybren) thought he was :-), "the boys" decided they liked eachother immensely. They are great to watch! They play, groom eachother, rest with their heads on each others back... Kitty (my Haflinger mare) is still very busy showing she's the alpha mare, so when Zeno comes too close, she chases him, but only a few yards. Janosch, my little Shetland pony, is in his usual gloomy mood and gives me looks full of reproach: "O NO!!! not again such a big one!!! when will you get one of my size??? this is NOT FUNNY!!!", but when Sybren is too close to Kitty for Zeno to follow him, he pairs up with little Janosch, who than looks as if he's very responisble for the welfare of the new one! Zeno (who'll be 14 months next week) is already taller than Sybren (28 months next week). Very strange... (In width, however, Sybren is 2 x Zeno's :-)). I will have them gelded together in October. He, I'm so happy!!! Not only with Zeno and of course sweetest Sybren and the Kittenish (= Kitty) and Janosch, but also with this list! This is an exceptional collection of extroardinary nice people! I've missed writing to you, but reading the stories about Tank, Ellinor, Emily, Taffy, Bjorn, Vedas, Pookie, Sylvi, Dorina, Aagot, Malla, Bjarne, Stella, Bjorken, Adel, Bas, Lilla, Mira, Lars, Buller, "the unfriendly one" (sorry Jean, I forgot his name! But in Belgium this would be called a "geuzennaam", it begins as a not very loving name, but gets said with more and more tenderness until it's like the sweetest nick-name) and forgive me for all of those I don't mention, though I'm thinking of them too, all those Fjords we're so happy to be owned by!,has helped me through the most difficult moments. Thank you all! I wish you all every happiness and good luck in everything! (this sounds like an adieu, but in fact I plan to write more in the future, only maybe I will not sound like an "old sentimental" then, so I do it fully now! ;-)) I think very hard of those manaced by the hurricane Floyd and hope everybody will be safe and everything undamaged. Happy Fjording! Saskia and Sybren, Zeno, Kitty and Janosch
zeno
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> dearest friends, How I've wished to write again for a long time! and planned such a long e-mail that it is still not written... ;-) I read (almost) everything though! Maybe it's enough to mention that I passed a terrible year, with losses of the people dearest to me, horrible accidents and all kinds of disasters. I was so lucky, however, that among all the bad luck, the ponies/horses are in excellent health and we (the animals and I) live now in a nice little farm, with plenty of space, in a nice area too. Now, I have an urgent *problem* :- and will write more in my next e-mail. Yesterday, I went to an "agricultural day" in my neighbourhood. There were 87 Belgians (draft horses, they are so impressive!), 151 Shetland ponies, about 30 Welsh ponies, 40 Haflingers, 4 Highland ponies, 80 Belgian warmbloods and 60 Fjords. There were "keurings", but it was not a selling show. Upon entering the grounds, however, I was struck by the appearance of a Fjord at the other side of the grounds. Far away from me, but not for long, as I hurried to him/her! >From nearby, he was even sweeter and lovelier and had the most gentle temper! As you hear, I fell completely in love with him. Things got worse when I saw a paper saying "for sale" on the ground, next to him. So... I talked with the man to whom he belonged. His name is Zeno and he's just 13 months old, which surprised me enormously, as he's already as big as my 2 year old Sybren. His father is Keldar, a Belgian Fjord-stallion, who's father is Myrstein, a Dutch stallion, whom some of you probably know. I've always had a fancy for Myrstein and his descendants, so... Zeno got an "A-premie", so I know I'm not the only one who thinks him beautiful (not that it would matter if everybody called him ugly, it's as bad as that already with me!) and he's still not gelded. They ask 500 dollars for him, which is, for Belgium, a normal, even rather high prize for a one year old colt, but that's not the problem. I'm only wondering... I have three horses now: a Shetland gelding (who, being so small, counts for zero :-, a Haflinger mare (5 years old and pregnant) and Sybren, my Fjord, who is not gelded yet neither, but will be as soon as it gets less warm and fly-y! What will happen if I buy Zeno? What will Sybren do? Will it make a difference if Sybren is gelded before I move Zeno hince? Or will he understand Zeno is still a baby? Or is it just a bad idea, adding a colt to this kind of herd? What would you do? More later! Happy Fjording to all of you! Saskia (promising to work very hard on the introduction page now that I'm in calmer waters)
Drageset
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I just heard about the death of the Dutch stallion Drageset, whom might be known to some of you... Drageset was a wonderful horse and he'll be missed. He died of colics. love to all of you! Saskia in springy & melting snowy Belgium
Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> following my dictionary, a mile is 1.609 KM Saskia -- >From: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: RE: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge >Date: don, 4 feb 1999 14:41 > > This message is from: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Check that - I am sure that the mile is even greater than 1.2 KM. > >> -Original Message- >> From: Mike May, Registrar NFHR [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Sent: Donnerstag, 4. Februar 1999 14:22 >> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Subject: RE: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge >> >> This message is from: "Mike May, Registrar NFHR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> >> At 08:15 AM 2/4/99 -0500, you wrote: >> >This message is from: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> > >> >A mile is a greater distance than a kilometer. 1 Mile equals roughly 2 >> >Kilometers. >> >If the pacer trots the mile in 1.41, then he/she trots approximately 2 KM >> at >> >that speed as well - >> >the Standardbred needs about 1.48. At least that is how I understood it >> :o) >> > >> >> Well that is a close approximation. There are actually 1.2 km per mile. >> When they are measuring in hundredths of a minute I think the .2 is pretty >> important. >> >> >> >> === >> >> Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry >> Mike May, Registrar >> Voice 716-872-4114 >> FAX 716-787-0497 >> >> http://www.nfhr.com >> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: clinic
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Marsha! >I know someone named Gail Ivey---wonder if it's the same person? She >lives near San Jose, California, trains horses via "natural >horsemanship" techniques, yes, I think that must be her. thank you for your mail! I think she will be an interesting person to meet! Saskia
RE: Fahrenheit - Celsius (off topic)
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Fred, >One correction to your chart, it must have been a typo, 59oF=15oC which is >Standard Atmospheric Temperature for all nautical and aeronautical >calculations. thank you! >As a international airline pilot (now retired) we had an easy method for >calculating Celsius to Fahrenheit in our heads: and thank you for this method!!! it is a lot easier than what I did!!! Is everything fine with you and Lois and Hiejenta and the mini's and llama's and other critters? See you! Saskia (in grey and wet Belgium)
Fahrenheit - Celsius (off topic)
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> A little incrowd-mail for those who are puzzled by questions like: >>Susan in balmy (13 degrees!) Minnesota. is it spring already in Minnesota then? >It's supposed to hit the 20's tomorrow!! whow, that's summer! or not? >We are at I think +1 right now. hm, Mike just stopped freezin'! I found a little list in my dictionary: FahrenheitCelsius -- 212° _ 100° (boiling point) 104°___ 40° 95° 35° 77° 25° 68° 20° 59° 14° 50° 10° 41° 5° 32° 0° 23° - 5° 14°-10° 5°_-15° To calculate Fahrenheit to Celsius: 5/9 (°F - 32) The inverse: (9/5°C) + 32 I hope this helps someone... I have it next to my computer from now on! Happy Fjording! Saskia who in wet and muddy Belgium (about 5° C - 41 ° F) suddenly realizes that you are all very cold!!! except for our PAV's Lisa and Jackie! :-)
Re: Sun. night Horse room # 1 9:00 PM Eastern Time Chat! " Heat "
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Lisa! nice to hear from you!!! If you knew how many times I have planned to get out of bed at 3 a.m. and then... (well, you can imagine what followed...). Sybren had *growing pains* again this last month. He is 18 months old now and some months ago, I was worrying because he seemed to have stopped growing. For the *worse*, I had been to an evaluation in Holland and all the yearlings seemed so much bigger than him. Well, one evening I was hugging him and thinking that it didn't matter how small he would remain... the following morning, I went to feed them and he came trotting to me from the back of the pasture... I really called out: "What happened to you!!!" - he really seemed to have grown tremendously in a few hours time! And he went on and on, every day he seemed bigger than the day before. His face is changing too, though he can still pull 'foal-faces' very well, when Kitty is chasing him! Of course it really doesn't matter how big or small he is, but it is so amazing to watch that growth! Do other people with yearlings remark this too, or do they grow in a more steady way? As for our farm, we will be moving in March at last!!! (Time goes slowly when you're impatient!!!). And Flor is coming with us, but right now he is still at the riding school. I really don't dare putting him in the mud here and the stable here is too small for four. So, he must wait to move until we all move. But I'm going to pay him off soon, and then pay for his lodgings, so he will be a "private" horse which means I can put him in the pasture of the school whenever I want (the school's horses never are). And ride him (which I still never have done, but I've watched beginning kids ride him... a reassuring sight!!!). >Yea Yea, its nice, but we have Earthquakes, Fires, Floods, El Nino, LA Riots, >Scorching Heat in the summer, and 2 and 1/2 hour commutes to drive 16 miles >every weekday, which 100,000 more people line up to do each year, and now we >get to pay tolls 2 X's for the benifit of THAT ! hm! sounds nice!!! :-) We have had rain, rain and rain and then some rain too. Everything is mud, the earth is over-saturated... even after a few dry days (like now), you still have to wade through water and mud... :-( Steve, I joined the clicker-list some time ago! It is really fascinating! I ordered the book, but it seems to take some time to get it... I love Tanks picture with the ball (voted for him, of course! he's at 73 % of the votes!!!). Does anybody know Gail Ivey? I am thinking of doing a clinic of hers (with Sybren), but never saw her at work, only heard that she was very interesting... Happy Fjording to all! And a very Happy New Year!!! Saskia (from Belgium, waterland) + Zipje (new nick-name for Sybren!), Kiddo & Janosch. ps Lisa, see you tonight! It's a promise! (BTW almost every movie I see these last weeks has or the Dairy Queen in it, or a Blizzard or a Sundae or how do you call it?)
Re: Fair Trade?
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi Lisa!
>Lisa Pedersen, whos ducking the flames of dual Fjord, and Halflinger
>folks
>out there.
well, you asked for it!!! :-) flame on you! :-)
Saskia ("Have you ridden a Haflinger lately?" - "No thanks!").
PS just jokin'! My poor Kitty! (though I must say she tries to improve
herself by hanging out with Fjords...!)
Re: Merry Christmas
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Merry Christmas from me too to everybody on this list and all your beloved ones!!! Saskia
thanks!!!!!!!
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dear Steve and Cynthia! Thank you very much for the wonderful wooden Fjording I found in my mailbox today! I have put him next to Unna's picture in the living room so that I can always see it and it will have a special place in the new house too! It is so beautiful! Thank you! Merry Christmas! And a very happy Newyear to you and yours!!! Saskia.
Re: Gelding
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Jean, >Brian and Saskia, Remember the Fjord is a stoic creature, not showing pain >like the throughbred or quarter and arabian. yes, but Janosch is a Shetland-pony and they're a breed that feel very quickly very sorry for themselves!!! :-) (don't they, Fiona?). Though they have in common with Fjords that they forget everyting when there's a carrot on stage! Saskia
Re: Gelding
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi, Brian, thanks for the interesting text on gelding! >To me, laying a colt down completely, the way your veterinarians do it >now, is the most humane. it was done with Janosch that way. He was put totally asleep but in a light sleep that only lasted 15 minutes, so it had to be done quickly. I had been very worried about the reaction of Janosch on this operation (pain, anger, etc.), but nothing of that all. He woke up, scrabbled to his feet, and after some minutes, he began to graze as if nothing had happened and has never shown signs of pain. It was a big relief. Saskia
Re: Welcome Jean!!!
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Jean, >>Do you mean the Fjords-book? Carol? >Yes, I feel her book approaches a good >standard for fjords. I should still order it... shame on me! >>Also, I give them (winter) carrots or beets. >Saskia, I never thought of giving horses raw beets, only apples. How >unimaginative of me. We do use dried beet pulp here, I have never used it >as yet. I wash the beets, so that there's no earth on them and then I cut them (with a spade) in 4 pieces. Maybe that's not necessary. >Saskia, I give mine rabies shots every year, Potomic fever, and about four >different pneumonia and flue types. Rabies because I have bats who love to >terrify me by flying in the barn aisle during rain storms at night. Ugh We live near a wood where there are foxes, but my former vets said that there was no rabies anymore... maybe I should ask my vets now. I feel it would be safer. >>I worm every four months altho we are worm free and I use ivermectin or >equimectrin. Jean Aha! Yes, I heard good things about that. Saskia
Re: Welcome Jean!!!
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Jean, >Hi Saskia, my word "top" is a kind one please. Yes, I know. It just reminded me of a long and hard discussion I had last week with a very dear friend and so I thought it important to let you know... well, you understand I hope (I'm a terrible explainer :-)) >When you ask an author, ask >Carol too, about their book look out as you may hear volumes. Do you mean the Fjords-book? Carol? >It is called, >"The Colonel's Daughter". I will try to be brief. I lived in Germany for >three years after the war. Daughter of a handsome Col. I had a fascinating >life as Germany, conquered, struggled to regain itself. Castles, >blackmarket, concentration camps, riots, romance. Enough. Whow! I will look for it! (I am a book-o-holic) >What do you feed your horses in Belgium? Well, we have a really poor pasture at this moment. They have been eating hay all summer and will be eating hay until February or March, when we move to a farm with a splendid, green pasture, to which I will have to adapt them slowly. Sometimes I take them for a walk (on halter + rope) and let them graze. To this farm I am taking also a Fjord I am in love with since February. His name is Flor, he's in a riding school nearby and I would love to have him here now already, but... (the stable is too small, the pasture is a pool of mud and water and he's not used to being outside, he's a horse-in-a-box, but I frequently visit him with carrots (never rode him though! but he's the sweetest horse there, they use him for the most beginning beginners...). Besides the hay, I give Kitty (4 and half years old) a mix of grains, Sybren and Janosch (both 18 months old) get a special mix for yearlings. They can eat as much hay as they want (my vets told me that was good for them). Also, I give them (winter) carrots or beets. >What kind of shots do they get Each year a shot against the flu and tetanus. Every 3 to 4 months I de-worm them, changing the brand of worm-paste every time. Mostly I use Furexel, Eqvalan and Horseminth. And you? Do you have other shots? >and do you find adequate vetting? I'm very happy with my vets now. After having two vets I didn't like at all, now I have a couple of vets (husband and wife) who are both really good vets and very pleasant people. Though I didn't know them when Unna died, they know everything, read the autopsy-report, and told me (over-anxious person now) that I shouldn't hesitate to call them if I felt uneasy about one of the horses, even when I thought I was imagining things (as you can imagine I do). Just knowing that made me very much at ease, so (luckily for them) I have only phoned them when there was really something wrong (Sybren had colics in August) or necessary (gelding little Janosch - poor chappie! but he didn't seem to mind) or promising (feeling if Kit could be pregnant and yes!!!). bye! Saskia
Re: Welcome Jean!!!
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Jean, good morning! >>Hi Saskia, When you wake up brrr to that first Belgium cold, tell me >where you are in Belgium. I'm near to Leuven, the old university-town. 20 miles from Brussels. (For you this would probably mean "very close to Brussels", but we have totally different ideas about distance here... :-)) >I can not top your inability to walk following >your loss O, I didn't want to boast about that, I'm very sorry. Also it was not because I was physically so weak, but because I was mentally so tensed that I cramped my legs. It was all in the mind! I just wanted to explain in what state I was when I bought Kitty and that that was not a smart thing to have done (though now I'm very happy to have her, so maybe it was smart after all). >but I did go to my eye doctor thinking I had pinkeye disease to be >informed that I had cried so much that I had irritated and inflamed tear >ducts. Arent we something? yes! :-) What is your book about? Saskia
Re: Welcome Jean!!!
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Jean, >I am looking and have tried several geldings but it is so hard to find >a well trained dressage beastie. Am still looking. You are right! It is very important. After Unna died I was getting very weak and after 3 weeks I couldn't walk anymore and the doctor told us that I should have a "new" horse immediately. So Tom (my husband) carried me to Kitty, whom he had found in an ad, and I said: "Whatever" (I was totally indifferent), so she came, which forced me to feed her and care for her but we had very hard first months because I didn't like her and she didn't like me. So you are right to wait until you see one you like very much. Everything is fine now between Kit and me, I truely love her and wouldn't miss her for anything in the world, but we passed a very, very sad time together, which I would have preferred to have spared her from. With Sybren it was love at first sight and we have not had one difficult moment, I've always loved him since the first day. He felt at home here immediately, is friends with every other animal (our dog licks his face while Sybren gently gnaws in his back!). Bye (it is long passed my bedtime here!!!) Saskia (first freezing night in Belgium, br)
Welcome Jean!!!
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Jean! Welcome! I am very happy to see you on the list! This is such a warm, dear "place", I really hope you will like it. I am very sad about your Fjord. I hope you won't mind me writing this, but I think it would be good for you to find a nice gelding soon. Nobody will ever be able to replace your sweet friend, but I can assure you that it will be a comfort to you... I just speak from my own experience. After Unna died, I was so miserable, but I had to stay on my feet because I had little Janosch (my Shettie) and then Kitty (my Haflinger) and Sybren (my young Fjord) came. In the beginning it was very hard, because I wanted Unna to come back so badly that I was almost angry with those three that weren't her. But I don't know what I would have done without them. Well, I remember that everything sounded empty to me after Unna died. I just hope you know we're all here to be with you if you need us. Saskia
branding
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Arthur Rivoire wrote: >Regarding the questions about Dutch fire branding. I've also seen it done >in Holland. The flank area is widely shaved, and then the red hot branding >iron is briefly applied. It's very fast. I haven't seen the older horses, >or the foals, act like they experienced a lot of pain. No turning around >looking at the flanks, for instance. Well, even if it's fast, it makes a bad burn and I wouldn't allow that to be done to my horse. Also, we hear a lot about brands that are messed with in a very professional way and so it is even not a reliable identification method. I think microchips are a lot safer. But it would be good to have the same kind of microchips around the world. >the Dutch have stopped branding and gone to micro-chips is that branding >has been completely outlawed in all the European Union countries. Well, not in Belgium and I think there are more European countries still branding. Holland is often pioneerish in such matters. >Bobbing >the tails of draft horses is also not allowed anymore. The same. It is still done here... :- Saskia in Barbarian Belgium.
oops
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> thought I sent that mail to Fiona only... but I was planning to send the soccer-story to the list too, so... about the Highlands: there's no way that I will commit adultry, but I would just like to see them "in real" after having seen one splendid one in "Mrs. Brown" (a movie) and when I phoned to the guy of the studbook to ask if they ever had shows and when he heard I had a Haflinger-mare, he was interested to breed her to his Highland-stallion. Their policy is that half a Highlander is better than none, they even have a special studbook for the halves. Saskia
Re:
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Fiona, sorry for this slow answer! Thank you for the interesting Highland-link! I talked to the people of the studbook again and will soon visit them. I didn't get any information about Fjord shows in Holland in 1999 yet, but will keep you updated. It would be great if we could meet there! How was the National Equine event? I'm sure the Fjords made a big impression again! I can imagine how everybody loved Buller last year! I took Sybren for a walk to the woods on Saturday, the weather was splendid and he got cuddled and touched by more people than he's ever seen, but he really enjoyed it. A lot of people even here have never seen a Fjord and asked what breed he was. He was funny, because we had to walk past a field where there was a game of soccer and each time the supporters cheered, Sybren thought that they were whinneying at him and he whinneyed back!!! I laughed so hard! He really thinks everybody loves him and he's so loveable that it doesn't surprise me. He is so easy to walk with, easier than my dog! Everything is interesting to him, nothing scares him... well, I think he's a real Fjord... :-) How are the Shetties? Janosch is a real teddybear now, you can hardly see his eyes! Give them and Buller a big hug from me! Happy Fjording! Saskia
Re: Question about Dutch brands
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Meredith, >People have commented on how Dorina's Dutch brands are neither >white-haired like a typical freeze brand on a Quarter Horse or an >Arabian, nor is the hair permanently burned off like the traditional >Western brand. >So, what kind of brand is it? That's exactly the brands we have here too. In winter you can hardly see them, in summer it looks like thicker hair, or hair in the wrong direction... I know they do it with a hot iron, but I must say I didn't have a close look. I'm glad that they stopped doing it in Holland in 1997. Sybren was actually the first foal there to be chipped. (toot toot for Sybren who has been wonderful today - as always!!! we have been walking in the woods, it was such a nice day here today!). Here in Belgium they still do it and that's why I keep Syb in the Dutch registry. Saskia
Re: Blatant Advertising on the list
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all, as the worst of my busy-ness is over now, what if I promised to adapt the sales-page of the lists website as soon as someone mailed me horses, harnasses, carts etc. for sale (or standing studs)? I could add a "wanted" page, for those looking... I can keep this promise now and so anyone looking for something could look at that page. it would be less volatile than an e-mail-message as well... and nice for fanatic window-shoppers like me! At this moment the "sales"-page shows some horses I think are sold since long, so it would be nice if I could be kept updated, so that I can remove them. it is at: http://fjord.hypermart.net/mail/sale.htm I know I have been a very bad site-keeper these last months (blushing ashamedly and looking at my feet), but I hope to prove better from now on... yours truly and faithfully! Saskia
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #232
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >SASKIA is very tall and big. She has a beautiful head >with huge eyes. Her temperament is SENSATIONAL Her manners just about >perfect. well, well, well... I'm blushing like a tomato!!! :-) no, to be serious: I hope you will find a very good home for Saskia. She sounds wonderful. And Briggen is a gorgeous stallion indeed. Saskia (very proud of her namesake and sad that I don't resemble her... :-))
Re: I am back!!!!!
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hurray! O Jackie I am so happy for you Congratulations!!! Saskia
Re: Vacation
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dear Steve and Cynthia, > If you have > time for a cup of coffee around your kitchen table, we would love > to visit with you. If you don't, we understand. I have time, coffee and a kitchen table, but unfortunately I think I'm a few miles too much out of your way... enjoy yourselves and come back safely and happily!!! Saskia (in rainy and muddy Belgium)
Re: FH-L www address?????
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Meredith! it is fjord.hypermart.com/mail/ bye, Saskia
Re: FH-L www address?????
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi again, Meredith! A million apologies!!! It is http://fjord.hypermart.net/mail/ I already thought so, but this is the proof: I lost my head somewhere!!! Sorry!!! Saskia
Re: New Dressage Test
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Mike, I laughed so hard!!! What a relief! I think Kitty and I are ready for our first dressage test!!! :-) Saskia
Re: Bye for a while
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> good luck jackie!!! I'll think of you!!! Saskia
Re: Update on Asta
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Marge, I am so happy!!! Please hug Asta from me and Sybren! Saskia
Re: Purdy Horses, PetsandVets,E-Bay, Real Men
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Lisa and all! > It has been said that a special friend from Belgian will try and get up to >join us this week! Hahaha, Lisa, you know how to DARE me! I've set the alarm (3 a.m.) already... Maybe I can eat some mountains of ice-cream tonight, so that I won't be able to eat anyway... >Saskia, my usually lurking husband, ( 6 ft. 5, 240 lbs. >firefighter/paramedic ) has a message for you. REAL MEN " DO " HAVE >PONIES!!! What a relief! :-) >See you soon! Yes, tonight, if you get out of the Dairy Queen in time! :-)!!! Saskia BTW October 4th is Animal Day here. Do you celebrate it???
Re: Fjords Smiling!
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Congratulations Pat!!! Saskia >Hi! I saw a Fjord smile today. It was at Julie Will's farm, Old Hickory >Farm. Today was a special day... My daughter and I put our down payment on a >mare I've loved for a long time, Annie. I swear I saw Annie smile as my >daughter, Maggie, wrapped her arms around Annie's neck today. I smiled as I >hugged Julie in celebration of buying this lovely mare. She's a beauty! >Pat McCurdy
Re: do horses smile???
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Meredith! >> Did you ever see your Fjords smile? >> >Yes, Aagot wears a permanent, sweet, little smile. Sometimes it is more >pronounced than at other times. I think it might be a special Fjord >trait! They are sweet horses! My Shet Janosch doesn't really smile, but he grins, especially when we're playing. As soon as he hears me saying: "This little pig needs a bath!" (a silly but fun game in which I tickle and hug him) he grins from ear to ear. He's still a baby (18 months old), that's why I play such silly games with him if that's an excuse! :-) Saskia (as red as a tomato)
Re: Balding Lady Fjord
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Marsha Jo and all! >and it's a common topic during the >spring shedding season. My Shet Janosch had it in spring! Bald, round spots. I was really in panic, but it lasted just some weeks. You can't see the spots anymore. >(The other >theory is that it's something they do on purpose, just to freak out >their new owners) ROFL! Saskia
do horses smile???
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all! Last year, Tom and I were struck when we were building a new stable for Unna, by her smile. I had seen it, but I thought it was impossible and then suddenly Tom exclaimed: "Look at Unna! She's smiling!". After that, I saw her smiling several times. But I never saw an other horse do it, and as she's dead I began to think that maybe we just imagined it, that maybe she had a strange formed mouth that looked as if she smiled when she was just relaxed... Now today, I was playing with Sybren and suddenly he showed exactly the same smile!!! It is not really a big smile, it's rather like the idea of a smile, a faint smile, but too much a smile to ignore it or take it for just an illusion. Did you ever see your Fjords smile? Happy Fjording! Saskia (now convinced they do).
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #186
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Joel, >It is enough to make me sell all my fjord horses ( >since NO self-respecting man has "ponies"). Now, that's strange!!! Where did you hear that? Is it the common definition of a "self-respecting man" in the States or only in the area you come from? I must admit I never heard something like it. Here (in my part of Europe) I always heard that it is not the kind of animals you have, but the way you treat them, that matters... Saskia
Re: Ido :o)
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all! >>> o, thank you thank you. i'll tell you something about him: >>> i bought ido two years ago an he was at that time 8 years old and >very >>> fat. he is a 146 cm high gelding and he has a very strong will of his >>> own (a REAL fjord). This summer I passed a week-end with Ilona and Ido and so she announced I had to ride Ido. Knowing his reputation (he once jumped on top of a car with Ilona), I was rather nervous (I'm not very heroic) and mounted him all pale and shivering... (this is a little exaggerated, but you have an idea of my feelings!). Well, as soon as I was in the saddle, I felt totally at ease. I have never felt so safe and happy on a horse I never rode before. He took big steps and is a fast mover, but so nice and smoothly... I really love him! Thank you Ilona and Ido! Saskia
Re: hay flakes & raspberry leaf
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi JoAnn in Japan! (How exotic! Where exaclty are you and are there many Fjords in Japan?). >One more question - is garlic (raw cloves) all right to give horses as a >treat? There are plenty of supplements with garlic as an ingredient, >but I was wondering how much raw garlic a horse should eat. I've only >given one clove (not head) to my horse, and he thinks it's the best >thing since carrots. I once heard that it was used a long time ago for >worming, but then again so were cigarettes, so I thought I'd see if >anybody here knows the up-to-date scoop :-) I give my horses a clove a day, it helps in summer against all kinds of insects, a lot of people give it here (in Belgium and Holland) and they even sell it in powder-form in horse-shops. Sometimes I put it in dry bread, or I put it in their food, or I give it to them raw. Of course, they smell very garlic (keeps away the vampires in the same time)! Saskia (in Belgium that is still half flooded but sunny today).
Re: long time, no see
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> long time no see too Ilona! welcome back! Saskia
Re: Fjords in costume
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Marsha Jo Hannah wrote: >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> >> Does any one have a pic of a Fjord with a Viking? I need it for a >> costume class. > >Poke around on the group's web page that Saskia did for us. (Oops, >can someone fresh my memory about the current URL?) it's http://fjord.hypermart.net/mail/ > There's a photo >of my husband in a viking costume. His nieces made it for him, based >on a bunch of research they did (they're into authentic costumes for >historical re-enactments). And it's really funny and worth looking at it! You'll find it on: http://fjord.hypermart.net/mail/marsha/marshajh.htm Saskia
Re: Fjord crosses
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >However, when I was Fjord shopping, I had a couple of breeders >introduce me to some half-Fjords (pasture "accidents"). O, Marsha Jo, did you maybe see a Haflinger x Fjord? (Hafjord, Fjoflinger???). I am very probably having one next year (will know that for sure on Friday!!!), a pasture "accident" too (but it's definitely a love-foal!) out of Kitty and Sybren and I'm very curious how it will look! I hope it will have Syb's eyes, because Kit has such small eyes, in the shape of an almond. O, everything will be lovely, I'm just nervous! Happy Fjording, Saskia
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #171
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > If you have a witty comment why not add your name to the end so we know >who to stay away from. Well Joel, you can put me on your list immediately. This saves you the effort and annoyance of reading a witty comment first. Saskia.
Re: Onto A Different Topic
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Pamela, >I have on my favorite places list (same as >bookmark on regular internet) "Send A Virtual Fjord" and "The People And >Their Fjords". Once upon a time I was able to click into these favorite places >and have these sites appear. Now all I get is some little advertisement for >"popups". I don't WANT popups, I want the Fjord info.sigh. In the near future I am going to put these sites again on another webspace (last move, I promise) so that we will get rid of those commercial announcements. >Does anybody >have the link or web address for these places so I can reenter them so they >come up? Yes, you can find: The Virtual Fjords at: http://fjord.hypermart.net/cardf.html The People and Their Fjords at: http://fjord.hypermart.net/mail/index.htm >Also, I tried sending a virtual fjord to a good friend of mine back east. >Sent it twice and she never received it. Any advice? No idea. I will try to send them myself today and see what happens... Hereby I would like to apologize also for not being up-to-date in the introductions, fjords for sale etc. I am a little bit overworked but... there's a light at the end of the tunnel and I promise to do it soon! And then, Lisa, I hope to come to the Fjord-chat again, which I miss very much but I'm really too exhausted even to try to wake up... To Jackie in Australia: I don't mind not having a Dairy Queen in Belgium so much any more, as, 5 miles from here, there is now a wonderful AUSTRALIAN ice-cream-bar!!! Happy Fjording to all of you! Saskia
Welcome to Christine
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Welcome to the list Christine!!! Which Frankfurt do you live nearby, am
Main or am Oder??? (The first makes you even closer a neighbour than the
last, I live near Leuven, Belgium).
As to longeing, did you try longeing without a longe? I always do that
and it is much easier (especially for a very lazy and awkward person -
myself). I made a sort of "ring" of 11 by 11 meters, put myself in the
middle (I walk small cercles) and let Kitty run. First I used a
longeing-whip, that I held behind her, higher to go quicker, lower to
slow down, but now my arm is enough.
It's a good exercise and not so boring when you put it full of games! For
example, as soon as I duck down, Kitty knows she can come to me and get a
hug or a cookie. So she keeps very attentive, always looking if I'm not
preparing to duck...
The book of Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling ("Tanzen Mit Pferden") was very
helpful to me.
Hope to hear more about you and Kai (nice name!),
Saskia (and yes, it is raining and grey here in Belgium again!)
Re: Culling Fjords
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I just looked up what "culling" meant... until now I presumed it was another word for "eating"... :-) I must have missed some of the first, non-culinary postings! As to culling, I agree about selecting the horses you breed. And I agree that geldings are very good promotors of the breed. I never would have bred Unna, because she had summer-eczema. And Sybren is growing out to be a very nice little stallion, but he will be a very nice gelding too. The question of gelding him or not is not yet the question (?). As to putting animals to sleep, for me that is something you only do with deadly ill animals or animals that represent a danger for human beings. I was shocked to read on the Dutch horse-list that they consider it so normal to send wounded horses to the slaughterhouse, because that way they get some money for the meat and "dead the horse will be anyway". Well, in this matter everyone should decide for him/herself. Saskia
Re: Culling Fjords
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >This message is from: Starfire Farm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Perhap, but they DID win the World Cup this year. Maybe this could be >attributed to eating Fjords? Should we research this? No, it must be the cheating that did it! Or it could be attributed to eating frogs and snails... Because Belgium did lousy in the World Cup and I must confess that horses are eaten here too... It's difficult to explain. I can imagine the very thought of eating a horse is repulsive to most of you. But when you're a kid you eat what they give to you and you don't make a difference between cow or horse or pig or chicken (or frog for the French among us!) and so you keep eating horse-meat because it is normal. This must sound horrible for you, from non-horse-eating cultures, but it is so. A horse-steak is much less expensive than a beef-steak and for example for my grandfather, it was the only meat they could afford. Enough horrors. Of course I don't eat horses anymore. But if I had to choose, I'd rather eat horse than frog, though I don't feel anything for this last category of animals. And I rarely eat cow or pig since I quit eating horse. It was more a rational than an emotional decision. Well, after Unna's death it became emotional too. Not that she became meat, but still, now I know what a dead horse is (or can be): a beloved and much missed friend, and I wouldn't be able to eat it, emotionally. Saskia
colics
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Just passed an anxious night, but everything is okay now. Yesterday evening, our Sybren (colt, 14 months old) begun acting weird, looking at his belly, licking with his full tongue in the sand (!) and he had diarrhea. So I called the vet immediately and he came at once. He lives half an hour from us and by the time he arrived, Sybren acted completely normal again and I was deadly ashamed, but the vet took his stethoscope and listened and looked in Sybrens eyes: he had colics. Then he took Sybrens temperature: he had no fever, so he was almost certain that Sybren had eaten something wrong. But what??? The vet gave Sybren an injection and said he shouldn't eat that night. He didn't think the colics would grow worse, but he said I should look at him regularly during the night. So I spent the night with Sybren and a book. Luckily it is WARM in Belgium at last and in fact it was rather cosy, though I was very anxious every time I thought Sybren looked at his belly... But he's allright now, what a relief!!! Still has a little diarrhea, so I only feed him hay. And I spend a lot of time with my ear against his body, listening (I don't know what I should hear, but it's a nice feeling! :-)). The vet said that Sybren was such a lovely horse and it was nice to hear that from someone else than myself!!! Also, before taking his temperature, the vet said: "He won't like this, so hold him tight!". I said: "O, he likes everything, as long as he gets attention!". And of course, Sybren was perfectly calm! I was very proud of him! Brian, I only disturbed the vet during his dinner! :-) Also, while the vet was here, I asked him about Sybrens breathing. He breathes like my uncle Leo, who has a lot of hair in his nose! But the vet said that was normal for a young stallion, that they all breathe "more audible" than mares and geldings. Still I think it's strange, because Janosch (colt, 15 months old) breathes silently (maybe because he's a Shetland and you don't hear the difference!!!). Well, that was it. Happy Fjording to all of you!!! Saskia
Blue Earthers: Thank You!!!!
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> what a nice surprise for me this morning, when I emptied the mailbox!!! Thank you, Blue Earthers, for the postcard! I hope to treat you all to Blizzards soon! Saskia
Re: Blue Earth
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >We have a picture and a postcard for Saskia. It will arrive snail mail. oh, that's nice!!! I have been thinking so much about you all and hoped you were having a wonderful time there! Saskia in cold and rainy Belgium though the weather-man promised summer from Wednesday on!
Re: more pony talk
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >a 2,000 pound Belgian oops, that must be me!!! saskia
Re: pony or horse
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Alison Barr wrote: >This message is from: "Alison Barr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Each year I do an all breed pony show. This year, I overheard some >people talking about Fj, and whether he was a pony breed or not. Are >they a pony, or horse? when you look at the name of the breed, it is strange. In English it is Fjordhorse, in Dutch we mostly say Fjordenpaard (= horse), but sometimes you also see Fjordenpony, and in French it is always: poney Fjord. I wonder what they say in other languages... So I think there's a worldwide confusion. I always call mine: ponyhorses, so I'm sure to say at least half of it right! :-) Saskia
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #123
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> hi Lisa! >Aug. 8th. I have a guest host on PetsNVets, so feel free to drop in and chat >about the fjordlings, just take it easy on her, she's into MUSTANGS! Could >it be FJORDSTANGS? LOL If I ever buy a car I think it will be a Fjord Mustang!!! >Best to all, and safe journeys Lisa PS I almost >couldnt AFJORD my plane ticket! keep some change for your Blizzard!!! Have fun! Wish I could be there! Saskia
Re: Arrival of Dutch fillies
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Congratulations!!! What a wonderful story to read!!! They are all the daughters of sensational stallions. And I simply love Tunar!!! Saskia
Re: riding
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Alison! glad you are back!!! It sounds as if you and Fj have had a lot of fun!!! Saskia
Re: Etc...
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Mary! >The babies are especially adept at waiting until until we have >a full load, then gently nudging it until it tips over when you have your >back turned for a moment. Anyone else have little barn helpers like this? O yes and I always forget and there goes my full wheelbarrow!!! It is always Sybren who is so kind as to help me!!! And even more: a few days ago it stopped raining for so long that I thought it necessary to water the plants while Sybren was mowing the lawn... well, he came and put himself between the plants and me and I had to give him a good (cold) shower! Kit and Janosch ran miles away as soon as I began watering, but Sybren had the time of his life! (Now it's raining again... p!!!) >To Saskia: Any news on Flor? yes and no... not on Flor. Tom and I have seen a beautiful farm last week and Wednesday (in two days I mean) we are deciding if we (can) buy it or not. It is in the middle of nowhere and it seems an interesting opportunity... There are beautiful stables and large meadows (I don't remember anything about the house, I just remember the horse-related things!!!). If we buy it, we would already move in August and then I would arrange with the present owners of Flor that he stays there at the riding school until we move, so that he doesn't have to move twice in two months. If we don't buy it, Flor should be coming here soon!!! I have two questions: the meadows around that farm are hilly and someone told us that that is bad for horses. Is that true? Why? And: there are cherry trees in the meadows. Does anyone have experience with horses and cherries? Can it be dangerous? Saskia
Re: foals
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Welcome to the list, Regina!!! I wish you very good luck in purchasing your foal! Saskia
Re: Saskia's trip to Holland
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Lori Albrough wrote: >This message is from: Lori Albrough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >saskia wrote: > >> I went to a Fjord-show and -evaluation in Holland on Saturday >> ... It was also funny to hear people speak like this: "O, that's a >> Myrstein. I would never want a Myrstein.". - "O, why not? I would die to >> have a Myrstein." - "Are you mad? Such nervous creatures!!!" - "No!" - "O >> yes! Just look at her, she's all nerves! Unreliable!" and so on!!! > >Saskia, sounds like fun! You are so lucky! > >I loved reading your description, esp. the above, since I have a >Myrstein daughter. well, congratulations! I thought the "Myrsteins" in Holland were very handsome and pretty! and as for nervous, you could call almost every Fjord there nervous if you wanted to. I am sure you will have a lot of fun with her! The son of Myrstein about whom the one lady said: "O, that's a Myrstein." won the first prize and I agreed that he was the most beautiful gelding present! >Very much unlike my other >two year old (Fjelljon daughter) who took to driving like a duck to >water. that's nice, because a friend of mine in Holland is having her mare bred to Fjelljon at exactly this moment!!! I will tell her! >Thanks for the chance to share about "my Myrstein" :-) And I am so happy to hear more about that mysterious Myrstein!!! :-) Saskia
Re: Fjords preferring Fjords
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Then when we were riding in the outdoor >ring she suddenly became very excited as two horses came down the road, >back from a trailride. she winnied like she'd seen a long lost friend: It >was a fjord mare that she'd never ever met before, but she recognizeed her >as one of her own! This is so touching!!! >Jean in Hot and muggy Fairbanks, Alaska (85 degrees and 93% humidity: don't >laugh, those of you in 100 degrees, it still feels hot to me!) those in 100% humidity (Belgium in streaming rain - again!!!) don't laugh either!!!
Re: Fjords preferring Fjords
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Marsha Jo Hannah wrote: >This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] (BRIAN C JACOBSEN) wrote: >> >> A large 8-y-o Fjord gelding who was top dog of the 20 Fjords we had >> at the time [...] was loaned to a nearby friend who had two horses. >> There, our gelding was low man on the totem pole. > >Don't know how relevant it is, but in our "herd", rank is perfectly >correlated with how long the animals have been on our property. The >new horse seems to automatically go to the bottom of the heap! here too. Our little Janosch (the Shetland pony) is the boss over Sybren (the Fjord), but sometimes Janosch has to stress his dominance though by making Sybren kneel down (he bites in his legs and neck until Sybren goes on his knees). It's a very strange sight, they are of the same age but Sybren is already the double in height of Janosch... But Kitty (the Haflinger), who arrived after Janosch, is the dominant horse of the three. Maybe because Janosch was only 8 months old when she arrived and she was almost 4 years old... Another problem is that Kitty prefers Sybren to Janosch. So she (the highest) lets Sybren (the lowest) eat near her, while she chases Janosch. This enrages Janosch so!!! (and he's very funny when he's angry!). Now I wonder how every thing will proceed, as "the boys" will spend the summer with my parents and probably Flor (adult gelding) will join us here meanwhile and will take the second place, I guess. What will the places of Sybren and Janosch be when they return? And will Sybren, who is madly in love with Kitty now, prefer Flor-his-fellow-Fjord in the future? Another strange thing is that Kitty and Janosch have exactly the same colors, he looks like her miniature version, so why does she prefer Sybren??? Or has height importance as well as color? Or are Fjords the only ones who prefer their own breed or horses looking like Fjords? Saskia
Re: Marge Littleboys' Asta
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Marge, I think of you and Asta all the time, I hope so very much that everything will be allright... Saskia
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #95
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Bernardine, thank you for your encouraging words! >He'll be one of the group in no time.(Oops, if it is a mare, SHE will be one >of the group.) No, no, he's a he (a gelding). >Believe me, I'd rather have another horse, than a Blizzard. However, I will >think of you when we are having our Dairy Queen's in Minnesota!! Yes! And please tell the Dairy Queen that "she" would be received with open arms in Europe!!! Happy Fjording! Saskia
Re: Harness Wanted
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > We have a minor accomplishment to mention... our 14 yr old Fjord and my >7 yr old daughter got their first blue ribbon yesterday. congratulations saskia
Re: fjordhorse-digest V98 #95
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Lisa, you must tell us if THEY have already arrived and how everything happened and how everybody is!!! I went to a Fjord-show and -evaluation in Holland on Saturday. It rained all day, but still it was very interesting and I was glad to have seen Sybren's mom and his half-sisters. He doesn't look like them at all! Strange! But his youngest sister present was already 4 years old (and had a 4 weeks old foal herself), so probably he'll look more like her in a few years... It was a show with only geldings and mares. Some of them were so beautiful! It was also funny to hear people speak like this: "O, that's a Myrstein. I would never want a Myrstein.". - "O, why not? I would die to have a Myrstein." - "Are you mad? Such nervous creatures!!!" - "No!" - "O yes! Just look at her, she's all nerves! Unreliable!" and so on!!! I am looking forward to visit the stallion's evaluation, as I would like to see that famous Myrstein. And Holmar, Sybrens father (to take his photograph, like his mom's, so that I can hang them in his stable!) and Vikar, who was Unna's. And now I must ask you to think very hard of me tomorrow afternoon - o no, for you it will be night, so just dream of a Fjord called Flor, because we have an important meeting tomorrow. Well, we had an important meeting on Friday, ten days ago, which went well and tomorrow we have to go back to finish the contracts and Tom and I agreed that if the contracts are signed (you never know what happens) we will go for FLOR!! So I am more nervous about what will happen after the meeting than about the meeting itself! And also, now that he's coming so near, I am having sudden doubts... will he be happy here? will he like me? shall I be good enough for him? will he like Sybren, Kitty and Janosch? Won't they be jealous? Won't he miss the children in the riding school? Will he like the pasture after spending so much time in a box? I'd rather think about something else! The Blizzards of Dairy Queen, for example! Happy Fjording! Saskia
Re: This 'n That
This message is from: saskia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >All for now from Michigan, where we finially had rain! Bernadine karns You should have told me you needed some... we have plenty!!! Saskia
