Kaylee's growing and we visit an old friend

A similar pose as the blog header,

Shows her progress quite well.

Over the past month Kaylee has had a growth spurt.

We have used a tape to estimate her current height 13.2 hands.

Mommy has a mint for her.

The "baby face" is gone.

Kaylee is filling out quite nicely.

The muscle tone is getting there.

Getting the head out the stall is a little easier now.

While Linda and I were out looking at new

houses, we ran across and old friend.

Kaylee's old stall mate Lucky!

He has certainly grown, he is estimated to 

currently be 15 hands.

He seemed to remember me and came right over to greet me.

He was as affectionate as always until his older paddock

mate ran him off for getting the attention.

Two weeks in with the boys

It's been 2 weeks since Kaylee jumped the fence to be

with the boys and things couldn't be better.

4th of July vacation went off without a hitch. A far cry from last year

when the belly problems and diareha began.

She has learned her place in the herd, but she is not harrased

or bullied by any of the others.

Her pasture buddy remains Tell and she sticks close by

as I think she feels he is her protector.

Time for dinner- race you to the barn.

Kaylee is truly a happy healthy little filly who

is enjoying the freedom of running and playing again.

Kaylee takes the plunge (or Jump)

06/22/10 we stand in the barn discussing putting Kaylee with the boys.

We decide that June 30, 2010 will be the day.

Kaylee however had another plan, so on 06/24/2010 she decided enough was enough

and hopped the fence that had been seperating her and the others.

None of us were there to see it but we were lucky enough

to have caught it on video. No running or hesitation, she simply hopped a 3 foot high fence.

 and hasn't looked back since.

Above is kaylee in her roped off pasture- notice the 

small posts with the lines. This is what she went over to be with the herd.

Kaylee and Irish, Irish is the herd leader.

 Kaylee and Tell, She prefers to spend most of her time with Tell as he

is a younger horse.

She really has adapted well to being with the herd. 

By deciding her own time to join the boys in the big pastures,

she took the stress and anguish off Linda who was

very anxious giving Kayless past history.

Kaylee continues to flourish

Well it's been a month at the new place

and Kaylee is doing great.

We continue to keep her off the hay and on the forage.

But we have begun to allow her to graze in the pasture.

It was a cautious start allowing only 10-15 minutes.

She is now up to 4 hours and no adverse effects.

We have also been introducing her to 

the other horses. She has been chased a bit so we have created 

a pasture within a pasture. All the horses can investigate and

get to know each other but Kaylee can feel secure that

they can not enter her area.

Kaylee and Tell share some time in one of the pastures.

Tell is a three year old Dales Pony who seems to

be the most tolerant of the newbie.

She's looking more like a "big horse" every day.

 

It amazes me every time I watch her run.

She seems so care free as she gallops,trots and canters

all over the paddocks and outdoor ring.

And as you can tell from the pic above,
The shaved spots have finally filled in
and her spots look normal again!

She's quite content

2 weeks in and Kaylee is quite content.

She has truly settled in and is doing GREAT!

She is putting on weight and muscle,

The running room has done wonders for her.

Kaylee enjoys showing off in the outdoor.

She can really build up a head of steam.

Kaylee enjoys her daily runs in the outdoor ring.

She can show off for the boys.

I think she has even grown a few inches taller.

Looking goofy in a fly mask.

Even though she does look silly with the black flies

being out the mask is a needed.

She's a happy little filly in her new home.

Kaylee has settled in quite nicely into her new surroundings.

She enjoys running in the pastures and outdoor ring.

I can actually see in her eyes that she is relaxed and confident.

 

A beautiful sunny day to frolic in the field

I haven't seen her strut like this in quite some time!

She has a blast running and kicking and bucking

every time she is in the outdoor ring.

But when on the lead she is still a

respectful little horse.

A new chapter in a new location

A huge milestone today!

 

With Kaylee recently turning 1 and the belly still not 100%,

Linda and I made a decision to move Kaylee to a small barn in Sutton. It was not a decision made easily 

as we have made great friends and enjoyed our time at CMS and LHER. 

We would like to thank all of you who came by to wish us luck and see us off.

 Today was not goodbye! 

Linda and I still will be involved with LHER. We will

be doing a foal feeding shift and I will still be there for the building projects.

This move was made in the best interest of Kaylee. 

The new location is a private home barn owned by

one of Linda's friends who is very passionate about horses and is very 

interested in helping us with Kaylee's development and well being.

Kaylee is one of four horses and has her own stall and for the time being a paddock to herself.

We are continuing to keep her on a strict Forage diet that seems to be 

helping  to keep the belly on the road to recovery. As she progresses we will

work on introducing her to grasses slowly with the hopes of someday

allowing her to graze in a large paddock as a horse is meant to do.

Kaylee eating her forage. In the

background is her new buddy

Charlie.

Looking out the door to the paddock.

The training continues

The weekly natural horsemanship training

has been progressing quite well.

Kaylee has learned to be

patient while between drills

In her rope and knot halter

Linda working where she likes best,

up close and personal.

Learning to use the rope over the neck 

to safely remove or put on the halter.

As Jen says... You just know she's going to kiss her!

Linda has been keeping up with

her lessons also.

She needs to be ready when it's time 

to ride Kaylee.

Living Outdoors... No worse for the wear!

With Lucky leaving and Kaylee's never ending

allergy list, It was time for a move to the

great outdoors.

The first attempt with Daisy and Koda ended quickly

as Koda wouldn't stop pestering her. But with her new paddock mate Acorn

Kaylee has faired much better.

Always there to greet people at the fence

Kaylee's new pal Acorn

I

She stills loves her afternoon

siestas in the sun

I don't think she was to

happy that I woke her