Franzi and Fleur

Both young horses, who celebrate their third birthday today with extra carrots, moved to our stable in late November for the start of their training.

Out on the paddock in winter

Both learned everything, a young horse has to know with regards to humans to become a safe and reliable partner for riding: standing still, being groomed, trusting the human guidance, staying calm in unknown surroundings, walking across unknown ground, travelling in a trailer etc.

We also practised free jumping. Franzi loves it and has developed good technique and dexterity: 

... and afterwards:  a sandbath for relaxation

Poor Fleur managed to break a hoof one day in March out on the paddock. We don't know how it happened - she was fine when she went out in the morning with the others and came back in the evening limping on three legs. She now has a plaster cast and is confined to her box for the next three months until the x-rays show improvement ... so far, she is very well behaved, keeps up beautifully and patiently, which is not easy for a young horse confined to the stable ...

...waiting to heal...

Franzi is now back on the summer pasture with her new friend Lilli, who is a year older. 

  
There they met Franzi's old friends Lucy and Bellissima: 

Franzi greeting Lucy, jealously watched by angry Lilli, who will come and drive Lucy away ...

"Don't you dare steal my friend!" 

Two days and everything is back to normal, Lilli has become the lead mare of the small group. 

It still amazes me again and again, how patient and friendly, trusting, and trying to please and to do everything right, these young powerful animals turn out to be, if they are treated well, and what great service and joy they are willing to give to their owners and riders.