Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Saturday 29 October 2011

Nothing new

Not much new going on around here, trying to keep up the routine ,working  with at least some of the group of youngsters I have on my list . Days that I work off the farm though are a bit limiting so I tend to just do a little handling of the babies. I don't like to work horses when I feel pressed for time.As I have said  "The only thing I find that happens in a hurry with horses is a wreck"
Same old same old toady , cleaned stalls , and mucked around with Comet and Quinn. did a little more work with Dandy as well . Took a different approach with Andee and Cat, just spent time with them at liberty in the pen , working on getting them to move away from pressure . and reminding Cat what WHOA means , getting in her space and asking for it , also just moving my body "in front " of her (eye line ) and asking for a whoa . took a few tries and a bit of exaggerated body language. But she is getting the hang of it again Why? because I like to be able to walk up to her or have her walk up to me safely in the pasture , knowing she is respectful of my space and boundaries , and if she is paying attention to me on the whoa, she should remain easy to catch(no science to this , it just works for me )
Another run at housekeeping (lucky I don't have a huge house , it seems to be the last thing on my list)
then went out to water the mares . Took a few head shots of the ladies , just for fun.

 Get Rich Quick (That Richie mare)
Such a wise and peaceful girl . Dam of many of my best , Fern Valley Phoenix, FV Canadian Classic, FV Wild Card , FV Just as Quick , and This year FV Quicken the Wind

Fern Valley's Jazz (Jazzy) ? Well she is very pretty , she raises beautiful gentle smart babies .FV Jazz Time, FV Sparks Image , FV Dandy Line, and maybe next year...

See U in my Dreams , this is momma to the FAt Baby(FV Catch a Dream) , and Also this years  boy wonder FV A Shocking Comet

A yes and a obligatory shot of Whoa Dammit(Cat)  and her buddy Andee . I see she is already getting used to weight on her back LOL

7 comments:

Daisy said...

I love these pictures!!

Shirley said...

Nice introduction to the ladies! Richie has such a kind look to her.
Do Comet and Cat have different dads?

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Thanks Shirley, and no Cat and Comet are full brother and Sister. Cactus is the sire of both . Hence the "shocking " part of Comet's name, I did not see a palomino coming!

GoLightly said...

Thanks for reacquainting us with your lovely girls.

Nice to see that Cat plans to be a packer;)

Crystal said...

Love the hay bale with legs! I really like that Ritchie mare, she looks just nice.

Cut-N-Jump said...

I see Cat adheres to the rule- Eat it or wear it!

Nicole said...

Oh my gosh, look at the head on that horse (Get Rich Quick (That Richie mare))! Wow!