New hair cut and new friends

I know, it's been double the time since I promised I'd update. I've been a busy little stallion though! Two things first. Most importantly and easiest to see, I've been clipped! In order to keep track of my weight and muscling for my big show Mom clipped off all my winter coat this past week. Aren't I quite the handsome little horse? Second thing is that the Touch of Class has announced its show premium. I'll be in classes 147, 153, and 162. I'll possibly be in 158, Mom hasn't decided. I'll also be in the lunch time costume class. All my other classes will be after lunch.

I have so much more news still! Most people aren't aware that horses do have a set of baby teeth that they lose as their adult teeth come in and push the baby teeth/caps out. I've been losing my for the past month or so. Mom had found one front tooth and now, today, one molar too. She found it in my feed dish. Any one know a place that does jewelry from horse teeth? I'm thinking of mother's day... Ha! Just kidding. But Mom is looking into getting some equinite jewelry done. I think the idea is neat way to have a bit of your horse always with you.

In other news-as continued preparation for the show March 24th and 25th-I received a brand new custom halter by Victor. Victor is well known in the Scottsdale area and Arabian industry for his custom tack and fine show halters. He used to make the harnesses for Queen Elizabeth! Mom was delighted to have a halter by him for me. She says its part of my birthday gift. I also had a blanket customized with my name and the Eohippus logo. Now that I'm a big boy Mom says its time to start advertising and making myself known. I'll be doing a photo shoot in a week or so to get some professional stallion pictures taken. Stay tuned!

Last, but not least, there's a new addition around here. Well, two new additions really. But they count as one. Do you see them in the background of my picture? Yes, that's right: sheep. Miniature Cheviot Sheep to be exact. They're two ewes-that's female-named Polly and Butterfly. Mom didn't name them but she's not one for changing names. Besides, they sort of know them. They're rescued sheep so they're a little on the crazy side. They frighten me. This picture was taken moments before I bolted. I mean, I'm a big rough and tuff stallion but these things are scary.. Look at them! They're smaller than me and look like some sort of dog-camel-goat hybrid.

Mom says I'm going to have to get used to them; they're here to stay. What ever, I'll always be her favorite. Did you know my Mom's name (Rachel) means "ewe"? I guess she's one of these things. They're family or something-that has to be why she likes them so much. They sure don't look anything alike. Distant relatives twice removed I think. What ever. I'm still far more cute, I mean, handsome. Dashingly handsome and oh so studly. Yes, that's it.

Avalon and the Christmas Pagent

Doesn't Avalon just look dashing? Mom made him get all dressed up, along with her new Buggy and my personal servant, for a Christmas photo contest hosted by Lil' Beginning's Miniature Horse Forum. There were two divisions to enter in: horse and cart or horse and barn. While not many people entered at first towards the end there were a lot of entries, all were very nice!!

Below you can see the full image of Mom's entry.

 

Mom went with a more Victorian theme and did elegant instead of overwhelmingly Christmas. It came together pretty well for me not being in the picture! Oh and in case you're wondering, that's not Mom in the buggy. That's my personal servant, all dressed up in fancy schmancy clothes. The buggy and harness have faux sleigh bells on them and mom hopes to get a real heirloom set of sleighbells soon. She says they sound pretty or something, I don't remember. I wasn't listening.

In case you're wondering how Avalon did in the contest, well... He won first place in the horse and cart division! The first place prizes were donated by a very generous person but kept a mystery until they arrived in the mail. They were the same kind of halter Mom had been wanting by Red Haute Horse! Its just big enough for Avalon and much too large for me. Thats ok though, I didn't want a Christmas themed halter and Avalon doesn't look as good looks much better than I do.

Christmas is quickly approaching. I can hardly wait!! Have you done all your shopping yet? I know Mom has and I have! The stores are getting crazier by the minute so if you still have shopping to do, you better do it quick. I hope ya'll mailed your letters to Santa too. Conditions to the North Pole have got to be pretty bad by now so I don't think many letters are able to get through any more.

So exctied for Christmas,

Christmas Wishes

It's finally december! Do you know what that means? That means Christmas is only 24 days away! I'm so excited, I can't wait to see what Santa brings me. Mom already got one of her Christmas gifts; she even bought it for herself which seems a little unfair-especially because seh got it a whole month before Christmas!

 

Its an antique piano-box buggy! Its perfectly scaled down to miniature horse size so Avalon gets to pull it. He's not too thrilled about that but he pulls it anyway.  Mom tried to say it was an early Christmas gift to Avalon but he says you can't give gifts that you wanted for yourself. I guess he's right! I think the buggy is really neat looking and Mom says she's going to decorate it for Christmas when we all go looking at Christmas lights.

Now that it's December I can finally post my Christmas list to Santa, though, if you want to get me something off it... I surely wouldn't mind...

Dear Santa,

I sure have been a real good boy this year! I learned lots of new things from Mom, Cody, and Avalon. I tried my hardest to do my best at everything they tried to teach me, I even behaved myself where ever Mom took me. Sure, there were some times when I was tired and couldn't handle it any more and broke down... There were a few tatrums here and there... And a handful of times I tried to drag Mom down the street... But I am a growing boy and can't always be held accountable for my actions, right? I only bit a few people this year and only left one welt from a bite! I didn't kick at any one, even the little children who swarmed up behind me at every event I went to. Because I've been such a good boy I feel that I am deserving of most, if not all, of the items on my list:

 Treats! Just about any kind will do. I'm really fond of apple and mint flavors, though I love a good home baked treat too! Just make sure they're small enough (roughly quarter sized) for me to eat, other wise I choke!

A new Blue Camo Rain Sheet! I'd love a rain sheet so when it rains I can still be out with the big boys, not locked up in my stall. Mom says I can't play in the rain and get wet if its not Summer. I'm ok with that, I hate cold water!!

Zebra Print Halter! Well, either zebra print, argyle (red, blue, green, or grey/black), red tartan, red plaid, or red paisley-I'm flexible. I want to be the best looking stallion on the block in 2011 and a brand new designer halter from Red Haute Horse would really help me out!





I know that shouldn't be too much for some one as great as you, Santa, to do! After all, I have been a really awesome horse this year.

Love,

P.S. Christmas Cards from me are on their way! Closer to Christmas I'll post the pictures on my blog here for every one else to see!

New feet, New costumes, and New halters!

 

Good News! The halter Mom had made for me came in. It fits like a charm and is a nice accent to my dark color. Its hand crafted and very durable, or so she says. I like it because its different than all the other show halters you see my rivals sporting. It arrived just in time for all my fall festivities. Of course Mom likes this one so much that she wants to order me another from the same creator. One that's all bead work to show off my gorgeous head! She just has to decide on a color... Personally I like green and blue.

Its finally Friday and I'm glad. This week has been a busy one! Mom had a lot going on between school, work, and play. She went to see Paramore (along with Tegan and Sara) in concert. This meant I got a day off! Though, I have to make it up on Saturday... The farrier was supposed to come out that day too but his truck broke down and he couldn't make it out until today. I've had my feet trimmed plenty of times by Mom and her mom but never a farrier. I was kind of glad I got to wait until Friday! It isn't that I was scared to get my hooves trimmed but I've heard many farrier horror stories! Mom reassured me that my farrier knew what he was doing...

Turns out Mom was right! The farrier came and gave all my hooves a good trimming. The whole thing took about five minutes (I bet that was the fastest he's ever earned his paycheck!). It didn't hurt but I don't like having to hold my feet up for some one for so long, plus I don't like the sound of the nippers clipping off my hoof. Mom held my head and played with my lip the whole time to keep my mind off things. I have to say my legs feel much better now that my hooves are correct again! I mean, they weren't bad before, Mom does a good job maintaining them but every so often its nice to have a professional pedicure!

 

Now here comes the embarrassing part of the week... Mom had been talking about how funny it would be if for Halloween I could dress up as a yellow submarine and she could be some sort of character from the Beetles movie or a Beetle herself. Well she made a trip to Target and found me this. Its a yellow submarine outfit. Its extra large dog size and fits me how they say its supposed to (Mom wants to lengthen the belly band so that its not so stretched and looks more like a submarine and less like a saddle). This isn't going to be my actual Halloween costume (Kia is going to wear this instead) but I now have it in my wardrobe! I can wear it where ever; costume parties, horse shows, just for fun. I don't exactly like wearing it but Mom likes it when I do so I'm forced... I still think Kia looks better in it than I do, don't you?? She seems to hate wearing it just as much as me though!

Mom's still working on my actual Halloween costume so I'll keep you posted on that.

Until then, I'm out!,

Getting There

I think I'm finally getting the hang of this whole setting up thing. I'm not exactly sure why Mom makes me do it but I know how to and that I get a treat after. That's all I care about! Before leaving to go run some errands for the day Mom snapped this picture of me getting into my halter pose. I was sleeping when she came out (full out laying down sleeping) so I was still groggy and tired when trying to set up. I usually do better than this and look a little more lively. The more we practice the better I'm getting and the quicker I can do it too. Of course now I'm certain that every time that some one, be it Mom or another human, stands in front of me I should set up then get a treat. I'm just plain convinced that if I just set up when seeing a human I deserve a treat!! These next couple weeks its more training, more show prepping, and getting my Halloween costume put together. Oh, and of course, lots of pictures of who else but me!

Stay tuned for more, I'm out!,

Back to School

Training officially started yesterday. Today it was in full swing more than ever. I'm exhausted! Through out the day Mom comes out and teaches me various things for 15 to 20 minutes then I get to relax for an hour or two. Its different than last year where I did one or two long sessions a day. I much rather these short sessions. I'm young and can't stay focused for that long! I retain the information much better this way too. Already I've got how to square up down. I may not do it perfectly every time but I'm learning. What I'm really after is the treat I get when I square up just about perfect and cant hold it. I can't get enough treats! Of course now that its show season I'm on a diet so I'm limited in my treats. Sometimes I get these "low fat" ones. Mom can give me more of those than the other kind. I don't notice a big taste difference so I'd rather have more of the low fat kind!

Each day Mom has made a lesson plan for me (is the teacher in her obvious or what?!). We focus on one main thing (today was squaring up) then have breaks of lounging in the round pen. I'm learning and building my up muscles (and trimming my fat!). Another thing Mom is focusing on is in hand trail. She mentioned getting me to pivot and bend my body better. Trail looks like more fun than the stuffy halter classes I'm always entered in. I get to do more than just stand there (that means more treats, right?). I heard that if I compete in trail I get to have a new halter. I love buying new halters and looking my best!

After my training was mostly over for the day (we do a little bit in the evening after Mom gets off work) and Mom was busy doing homework my good buddy, Cody, decided to open our gate and let us into the grassy yard. I knew that he was good for something! It was a good half hour before Mom caught us. I may have to work out extra tomorrow but it was more than worth it!!

I'm out for now!,

  P.S. - Sorry for such an old picture of Cody and I. Mom promises to take a new one!