"Tamed Passion" a poem by Sebastian!

Tamed Passion

Passionately I prance

to my own rhythm

structure unacceptable.

A noble steed am I

breathing in untamed freedom,

all rules cast aside.

Intensity shines forth

from my poetic soul,

feet drumming

a mystical beat,

but I confess

I'll humble myself,

cast it all aside

for a tempting morsel

of apple, carrot, or grass.

By Sebastian, Art Happens 365, February 3, 2012

Sebastian & Oberon.. an update & AMAZING VIDEO at bottom of the post

 

All has been pretty quiet here.  The weather has been a bit rainy, (but for this born and raised northern gal) I'm loving this winter!  I've been a bit quiet on the blog front lately as we are busy putting our house on the market... interior painting, organizing, purging, upgrades...  We are staying in the area, just desire a different situation.  I miss my frequent trips to the barn but it I will be back in full swing within a week.   (The top photo has been linked to this week's "Creative Exchange")

Sebastian scratched 20% of his cornea and he was sore, poor boy.  The vet gave us some ointment and meds and he seems to be much better yesterday when my daughter and I went out to groom.  I just love his profile - so strong and proud, isn't it?  

I can't wait for a warm sunny day for as much as I brush, dust just puffs and clouds off their backs!  My daughters have had a few Saturday lessons, but I do think Oberon is looking a little chubby... or is this just fluff?

"DID SHE JUST CALL ME FAT!!! ?

Does this video put you in the mood for riding?  It is AMAZING!  

January Portraits

January 7th and the weather was (is) fantastic!  67 degrees and sunny.  Last year it was colder and NC had a bit of snow, but the fact that this amazing weather is possible... well, it inspired me to take horse portraits of my two gorgeous boys.  I brushed and conditioned Sebastian's mane and tail and he seemed to KNOW it was time to pose.  Oberon, well, I made the mistake of waiting until after my daugher's one hour lesson and he was ready for a nap....  But he is still adorable.

Now I'm off to walk the dogs... It feels like a spring day to this northern gal!

Merry Christmas!

Ha!  It should have read Santa and his Elves!  Oh well, I'm sure Oberon won't mind top billing.

Friday's Fences #12

It could be worse, I could own a white horse.

If you roll, Sebastian, there is a consequence and be happy it was a brush and not a hose!

I love his shot of my daughter and the big boy.

Look how nice his coat looks now (and his mane & tail)

I have linked this to Friday Fences #12.

Am I Impressive?

Sebastian sees "her" ... and tries to impress!  It is as if he is saying, I'm not just a horse...

I'm a Friesian!

 Click "Just Like a Woman" to see the "rest of the story" or scroll down to the post below.

This is my "baby".  Sebastian is not yet four and he is in training with James Cooler for about the next six months.  In the photo above he is being asked to back up and that is why his stance is a bit funny.  But I always think he looks gorgeous... even if his head should be lowered quite a bit here.  But he is learning.  

I'm linking the above up with "Creative Exchange" because I love the freedom and energy of my big black horse in this photo!  

Just Like a Woman....

They finally meet.  (Sebastian on the left, Cleopatra on the right)

Cleo flirts

She pretends disinterest

All the while, Sebastian plays it "cool" (which means he is not sure what is going on, right? :)

And she sticks her nose in the air...  Now, is that not just like a woman who IS interested?

Cleopatra is Kate Cooler's 1/2 Friesian, 1/2 Arabian mare.  Sebastian is my horse, 1/2 Friesian, 1/2 Quarter Horse.  He is in his second month of training with James Cooler

Enjoying the Pasture!

I chose the photo, below, of Sonder for my "Creative Exchange" link this week.  I love the lighting, but more than that, I think I caught her curious nature.  All the other horses were too busy grazing to give me more than a "one eyeball" glance, but Saunders always gets so close it is difficult at times to take photos of her.

unless an "up close and personal" shot is desired!:

Looks like Sebastian also enjoyed rolling in the mud a bit...

Funny time of year.  One day it is cold (ha... is 40 degrees REALLY cold?) and then we enjoy warmer days in the 60's.  I did pull Oberon from grazing to workout in the arena ... but four above didn't even look up from enjoying the pasture to say goodbye to their buddy.

Poor Oberon...

And below is a charming video of a young Friesian stallian, Evan (son of Mintse) doing "tricks".  He is NOT related to my Sebastian, but he does belong to the same Friesian breeding farm where Sebastian's father, Raven lives.   Click HERE to go to the website.

In His Shadow

A herd's "social dynamic" fascinates me.  Oberon is not always a warm fuzzy... he can be quite forceful when it comes to being fed grain.  He may be the smallest, but he gets quite bossy and bold at feeding time.  But here he is, snuggling up to Sebastian, enjoying that long Friesian tail...

Not much space between them this afternoon...

Sebastian started to walk away and Oberon just followed and kept trying to nuzzle him.  :)

Wordless Wednesday #9

"Sebastian" A Poem

Sebastian

I renamed you Sebastian,

majestic and revered, it fits you to a tee.

Yes, Raven's obsidian son you are,

elegant and powerful for all to see.

Thee of swift and graceful agility;

born Falcon, I can see why.

In Ludse's image freedom continues to soar

on wings of strength, a poetic vision floating by.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, October 14, 2011

 You can click on the link above to see Sebastian's grandfather and see his father in the photo below.  

Raven, Sebastian's Friesian father

Oberon & Sebastian ... together for the first time

I found Oberon and Sebastian together today.  The other two geldings will join them on Thursday and are out in the pasture grazing.  No hardship for them as the weather is very nice and no need really for a shed.  Sebastian is still busy taking everything in... there are a lot of horses and activity to look at from where he is standing.

Mystic (a gelding) looks a lot like Sebastian's old stable mate, except it was a mare.

I just love his very masculine head.  He is 3 1/2 years old and looks to me like he still has a bit of growing to do...  I bet he will grow at least another inch.  And of course, he will fill out as he is half Friesian.

Meeting the neighbors...

Sebastian is definitely the one moving Oberon around - I had hoped Oberon would be the leader - but he isn't exactly submissive.  I saw Oberon stand his ground a bit... but when you are the little guy, I guess it goes with the territory.  Oberon seems used to it and still exudes a lot of confidence.

Sebastian & Oberon meet

With a fence separating them, they seem to get along quite well.  They nuzzled and nipped throughout the day and even spent time in the head to tail position swatting away flies.

Sebastian (that is his new name - it means majestic, revered and is also a character in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night) seemed to calm down in Oberon's presence.  With the warm sun beating down, Sebastian even laid down flat on the ground and took a bit of a nap.

I hope all this "coziness" continues today as they are let out in their pasture together today.

My son was picking flowers for me, but Oberon spied them and "tiptoed" up behind him and blew down his neck.  Oh, Oberon, maybe I should have named you Puck after all!  (a mischievous character in Shakespeare's "Mid Summer Night's Dream".

Sebastian is very alert and at times looks like a dark statue as he takes in his new surroundings. 

My Half Friesian Arrives!

Well, he finally arrived from Illinois and I couldn't be more thrilled.  He came off the trailer after a 10 hour plus ride and was really well behaved.  Not as calm and steady as Oberon was a few weeks back, but for a 3-1/2 year old, I'd say he did quite well.

His registered name is Falcon.  His previous owner called him Rudy (Rudolph). I am toying with the idea of calling him Valentino (Rudolph Valentino).  But I also really like the name Sebastian.  It is another Shakespeare character (Twelfth Night) and it means revered, majestic.

He is 15.3 now and has big feet... Friesian feet I guess.  He has a nice trot - a bit high stepping and he seemed to float over the ground.  I didn't see him canter... I think the grass was much too inviting.

Tonight Oberon is in the front pasture next to him.  These seldom get used and tomorrow they will both be back with the other horses.  I will post how that goes later this week.  Below is an out of focus shot, but it gives a bit of a view at his face - it looks more Friesian than Quarter Horse I think.

My Second Purchase... A Half Friesian Gelding

I purchased another horse today, a half Friesian, half Quarter Horse Gelding.  His sire is Raven a Friesian and he can be viewed at the "Horsemeister" website.   A few months ago I was in Virginia looking at his half sister, Apelles .  At this time I believe she is still for sale and I really did like her... but we were unable to come to an agreement and so the search continued...  And this is what I found.   He will be my horse and Oberon will eventually be primarily my girls to ride.  But for now, I will be riding Oberon quite a bit as Rudy (Rudolph Valentino) is as of yet unbroken.

He is taller than Apelles, he is 15.3 right now (his QH mother was 15 hands).  I believe he will be more athletic than Apelles and dressage will "fit" him a bit better but he still has a wonderfully smart mind - that is what I so admired in Apelles.  I expect him to fill out quite a bit and maybe get an inch taller.  He has a very level head and is calm and very smart.  James Cooler  will be training him using the Natural Horsemanship approach.  I will be documenting the entire process and sharing what I learn and, of course,  a ton of photographs, I'm sure.  Currently he lives in Illinois and I will have to await transportation and for an opening at Fiore Farm.

He is just a baby in the video below, but the short video on the bottom was taken this past weekend:



And this is him now at 3 1/2 years old: