Firsts

I had a few firsts this morning with Baron on our morning ride.  First off, I decided to switch him to a full-cheek snaffle.  There is often an argument between English and Western riders concerning this bit.  If you are riding English, this bit is most often used with bit keepers.  Bit keepers change the action of this bit, applying pressure across the bars and tongue in a horses mouth.  It's important to note that if you do use keepers with this bit, the bit must sit lower in the mouth then when going without. Western folks don't tend to use the keepers.  In this case, the bit works the same as a d-ring snaffle and helps provide lateral directional aids.  It's a very mild bit overall.  One advantage to not using the keepers is the full-cheek is difficult to pull through a horses mouth.  The disadvantage is it is quite easy to catch the full-cheeks on things - including your belt if your horse likes to rub on you.

Full-cheek snaffle, photo courtesy http://www.sprucewoodtack.com/

Baron was quite pleased with this bit.  He was very light and responsive and I'm glad I made the change.  He had been in a slightly stronger bit with a mild curb action just for safety reasons, but neither one of us was happy with it.

Our second first was the fact that Baron is now sporting a rather stylish pair of front shoes.  I've been noticing that his front hooves were getting pretty chewed up over the rocky ground we have here.  He stood like a champion for the farrier while these were getting put on.

New shoes make his feet look tiny.  The farrier had to use size 4 for him.

Our third first (haha) answered a question that had worried me for some time.  What would happen if we ran into another rider while out on the trail.  Would Baron keep minding me?  Or would he try to run to the other horse?  I'm glad to say he minded very well, let me turn him away from the approaching rider, and stood quietly while we gossiped about trips to Alaska and the lousy weather we've had in Arizona.

Neighbor Ron on his pretty little paint mare.

Following behind.

I'll admit, it was a pleasant laid back morning for both of us.  Baron is getting used to our early morning rides.  We are both getting back into shape for the winter riding season here in AZ.  My plan this year is to use Baron as my main riding horse, and if rides keep going this well, it will turn into a fantastic season!

Why a stallion?

I've had a lot of folks ask me why I made the decision to keep Baron a stallion.  To tell you the truth, I'm not always sure myself.  There are certain things you have to consider when you keep a stallion - I'll discuss those in a later post.  Before Baron, I only had mares.  Well, with the occasional gelding thrown in.  I like mares.  I like their moodiness and snappiness.  I like how they think.  In fact, standing in the yard right now, the number add up to look like this:

Mares = 4

Stallions = 2 (well, the Pony Colt doesn't really count - he will be gelded this fall)

Baron never went through the awkward ugly stage so many young Friesians go through.  He looked young, but never gangly.  This helped with my decision to keep him uncut.

Baron as a yearling

 I made the decision early on that I would try to keep him a stallion, based on three  things:

1)  His attitude or behavior
2)  His confirmation
3)  His usability

The last one was the most critical to me.  I have seen stallions that have one purpose in life - to breed.  They don't come out of their stalls, they don't have any interaction with folks or other horses.  For Baron to stay a stallion he needed to be able to be around other horses, ridden by me and behave himself.  I decided early on that I wouldn't cry if he needed to be gelded.  It has taken a lot of hard work to make him the solid boy he is today and I have loved every minute of it.

Riding with my friend

I have a lot of folks interested in using him as a stallion and so far we haven't committed to breeding him.  You might ask me why at this point "What is the point in having a stallion you aren't breeding?"  Would it make sense to just say that I like his fiery spirit?  I love his attitude as a stallion?  I think his stallion mind is a fascinating thing and I love watching him work out the challenges I set for him. 

Seriously love this horse!

I also don't want to breed just for the sake of making a little money or because he is a stallion and has the ability to do so.  It doesn't make sense to me to put more horses in a market that is already flooded.  He's only a young boy of six - I want him to have a purpose in life besides putting babies on the ground.

We are both long-legged things...

Baron and I have also formed a funny little attachment.  I'm convinced he would do anything I asked of him, just because I asked.  He's careful around me and always mindful of where I am.  He loves attention.  ...and most importantly he is my friend.

Just hanging out

Baron has a Facebook page!

For those of you on Facebook, Baron has his own page.  Click on the link in the left sidebar to visit him!

Thanks!

Meet Baron

Baron will be the real star of this blog, although the other horses will also make appearances.  Baron is a 16.1 Friesian Stallion, born February 25, 2008.  His sire is Wander 352 and his dam is my Ster Teunis mare, Elena Lori (Lucy).  Baron is the horse I grew up dreaming of owning one day.

Baby Baron with his mom, Big Lucy

Baron at Del Mar

A very proud Momma!

Hello there!

I finally did it.

...and I'm not sure why.

After a couple of years of folks asking me why I don't blog more about Baron, or write more about my horse adventures, I finally decided to give it a shot.  I don't know how successful this blog will be.  I'm a dog blogger.  I love writing about my dogs.

I thought I'd give it a shot, that's all I can promise.

Come back soon - right now I'm moving in.  This is a new blog, and much like moving into a new house, I need to figure out where everything goes.

Let me know if you have any questions about my horses, Lucy, the Pony Colt, Baron...  I'll do my best to answer them here.  You can e-mail me at cafall @ aol . com.  No spaces.  I'll answer your questions through this blog.

Welcome!