Rosey is XI weeks old today

Stardate 07/11-13/08





This week as we blended the mares from Scottsdale, AZ into the McKuster Ranch mare herd, we again witnessed the dynamics of horse herd hierarchy. As the two new mares entered the long standing McKuster Ranch mare herd there was a circle formed around Rosey by Shaiela, all aunties and ponies, and the new AZ mares were warned to stay away from "our" baby- Rosey.






Amazing to watch, as Sunny (the two year old Arabian) would keep trying to enter the herd and most of the mares would pin their ears, snake their heads and send her off running. Raji (Sunny's yearling sister), would stand and watch the show. When Raji would come in contact with the older mares she would give them baby mouth signals of submission. Very interesting.


As the weekend progressed the blending developed more and more, but sisters Sunny and Raji, still kept their sisters "set" bond, much like we have seen with our pony sisters Jasmine and Ginger, pictured here in their grazing muzzles.


Friday & Saturday were big days for Rosey this past week as she got her first soaking wet sponge bath and farrier's hoof trim. She behaved like a champ under both situations, even though she was not overly excited about taking her first Saturday afternoon bath.
Working with Kevin on Friday, she was quite willing to pickup all four and have him nip and file ever-so-little off each hoof.

When that was said and done Rosey went right out to pasture and ran to join the mare herd. Shaiela is giving Rosey free reins to roam the pasture, but very protective with the comings and goings of the new Arabian sisters around her filly.

More and more Rosey is showing signs of turning into a beautiful chestnut bay. From her hocks down she is showing black, along with her black tail, mane, and ears. As Kittee works with imprinting Rosey she finds equine instincts are present, but her tabula rasa is very interested in learning all we can give her. This weekend I told Kittee that I have a feeling that our baby--- Rosey is going to become "HER" Varian/Shai Arabian for keeps.
Maybe... NOT FOR SALE/not a problem.

This weekend we tried to stay close to home. Saturday we had breakfast with Don and Arlene Osterman at Heather's a favorite breakfast restaurant in M-F, and picked up a few horsey supplies while in town. We did not ride this weekend, as Kittee is still sporting her banged up shoulder, and while Kevin was working on Goldie I got stepped on. Really didn't hurt my foot (good boots), but as I tried to spin and pull my foot out from under her hoof, I pulled a muscle in my hip, which made life the rest of this weekend not conducive to horseback riding.
The rest of the weekend, not to burn fuel we spent working in the garden, working on irrigation, playing with/petting horses, and now with the advent of Hotdamn July we are toasting the red hot evening sunsets with Margaritas as we sit under the backyard walnut tree and watch horses grazing and playing in their pastures.

During this hot weather season we find ourselves very fortunate living in the Walla Walla River Canyon. Every evening a cool mountain breeze comes off The Blues, down the canyon at about sunset which drops our afternoon temperature about 10° right now.

Had an interesting scene one evening this past week after sunset as Rosey was so happy that she was running, running, running around the pasture and then started doing dance steps around her dam. A most joyous sight, (same as Misty does) rearing on her hind feet and dancing around with joy.Wish you could have been here to see the same.

FINAL NOTE: Sad but true... this past week we came to the decision that with Kittee's shoulder being banged up from her flying lesson, we had to cancel our annual weekend horseback ride into the Eagle Caps Wilderness Area and Minam River Lodge. :>(
Anyone out there want to come and just ride around our ranch neighborhood, maybe up the cool So. Fork with me and Misty August 1-3?

a weekend in the life at McKuster Ranch --- Dale