Shana Johnson Hunua Horses

Wow! Mani totally redeemed himself today. What an absolute dude.

So yesterday was really just him blowing off 9 weeks of boredom really.

We focus a lot on ground work using the McLean method of forward, halt, backup and head down on repeat until he’s light and soft and listening. This works so well with him as it totally grounds him and connects him back to me.

His stride was much more free today and absolutely no nonsense. Lots of stretching down and soft. He is however struggling to bend through his ribs on the right rein. So a few small continuous circles to get him stepping through and under himself and asking him to drop his head while he does it.

Much better 🥰.

A few more days of ground work and I’ll jump aboard for a hack out.

So much has happened this year! I can’t believe my last post was over a year ago.

Mani hadn’t been happy for a long time. He was very inconsistent when I took him out and showed signs of discomfort.

I decided to go down the route of scoping him for ulcers only to find grade 1 Squarmous and grade 3 Pyloric ulcers.

He’s been treated 3x daily for the past 8 weeks and now on maintenance for 2. I’ve since put him on a full scoop of Maxia Digest. His diet consists of Fibre Esy, Super Fibre Mash, Copra, Lupins, Four Flaxes Calm (contains Hops) and Allinflex for his joints.

I took him out to the neighbours arena yesterday and he was completely off his head 😫. I guess there’s a lot of pent up energy there. He did settle and was lovely and calm and stretching on the lunge.

Today I’ll do the same. Hopefully we have a different start to our session 😏.

Beautiful evening tonight. I decided to walk Rosebud (who like me, desperately needs to lose weight) instead of riding as I’m just getting to annoyed with the traffic lately. So many inconsiderate drivers who don’t have any idea of the road rules or actual common sense 🙄.

Rocky is unflappable and never an issue ♥️.

Poor Mani gets dragged out twice a week for a hack atm. He’s become so chompy on the bit and quite unhappy about it. I’m having a play with different bits but so far nothing is working. I do however feel his canines are erupting so I wonder if his gums are tender 🤷‍♀️.
Malibu has been here a week now and is settled in well. She’s so little. A little sass coming through. Unfortunately not interested in her hard feed so maybe need to find something more yummy.

Oh my goodness how’s that weather today. Considering buying a JetSki instead 🤪

Mani and Johnny were all tacked up ready for a hack but the weather had other plans 🥺

At least it’s cleared up enough for us to feed out! Phew 😅

I just have to say… I’m obsessed with wee Malibu 😍.

So thankful to my friend Amanda for the kind donation of a better fitting cover for her ❤️

It wasn’t in my plan to do much with Malibu until she’s settled in and a bit older but Mckenzie wanted to ride so I thought I’d bring her down to the stable with Rocky and show her.

She came into the stable like she’d been doing it for years. Tied and ate hay while being brushed all over. Enjoying every minute.

I don’t usually introduce roads and cars until much later but Rocky is a fabulous influence as he’s unflappable. They are so little and a lot easier to manage at this age so it made sense to give it a go.

We stuck to the verges and she calmly walked beside me like a fully trained dog. Totally blown away. We did go for a trot and that was fun. Great early training the trot in hand as I do have plans to do some showing with her.

Needless to say I’m blown away by this baby already and look forward to watching her grow into a unicorn 🦄

Always a bit of drama when you add a new horse. I thought Mani might have grown up enough to be a mature boy. But I may have got that wrong 😑

I went to check on the horses this morning only to find Malibu in the paddock with Rocky and Johnny. Thankfully our fencing is so forgiving!

On closer approach I find a nice rip in her cover. A bit of cover fluff on the ground so I can only suspect Rocky has taken liberty 😡

They all look quite happy now, but I many need to find a better paddock mate!

After a awful start to the year losing my beautiful Nanna and my precious dog Archie I made the decision to find something special to remember them by.

I welcome Maple Valley Momento to the family. She is a bit of a kinder surprise.

Born 02/01/22 she arrived tonight and was the most sensible sweet baby horses I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.

I was drawn to this wee filly from the moment I saw her. Her breeder has done an exceptional job so far. I look forward to a future together ❤️

Comparison photos of the sarcoid before treatment, start of treatment and now.