Festivo to handler

Today we brought Festivo to a professional handler that will train him in the art of showing! He is going to do some championships this autumn and now is a good time for him to concentrate on his work by hand also. He is fit and up for it, his physique is even more impressive and he is no doubt a important PRE stallion. It is always a little awkward to leave your horse to someone else, he is our 'big baby', but he is in very good and professional hands so all is perfect. It will be exciting to see how he develops with this work!
So I am left with three, one less is not a bad thing, also giving me more time to focus on these guys that are also going to show and shine this autumn.
Unfortunately we have no photos of Festivo from today, it is very hot during the day and we decided to take him in the evening. But here is one from when he first came to us just so you won'f forget him, the great Festivo alias Divo!
Festivo MR

Update on Festivo

Here some photos from yesterday's training, he does his halfpass very well now!
Festivo MR

Photos; Paola Villard

It's a jumper!

This is from today, Hagges turn to 'hang out' - I thought - but not much 'hanging' here, after 100 bouncy stretchjumps he measured, stepped in and sailed elegantly over the fence like the black panther Bagheera in the Djunglebook! Wow I had time to think, that was so beautiful... But then it is a funny feeling to see your horse disappear without a headcollar... Went to leave camera and then I found Hector with a grip of his mane behind stables, he looked so surprised, very funny. Put headcollar on and that was end of today's session.
Ok Hagge, you want to jump, then let's jump....

Halagador in action

Greetings from Switzerland!

This is Halagador's brother Ingrato now living in Switzerland. We know this horse very well so it was very good to hear from his new owner, now when he got his home and person he is a very happy horse!

Here a video we made of him last year.

A good day

So we have a horse to vet for Gyula Dallos, one sold to Germany and we have now updated the website with some new horses for sale.
First I had to hammer on a shoe that Halagador had stepped off in the walker yesterday, here a photo of his pretty feet!
Halagador

I rode 'Hagge', he has improved alot, he could hardly canter at all when he arrived, has not been much ridden much so his level is more or less like a 4 year old. A little shoulder here and there but now he is getting it together. I groans a when he has to flex his body but he gets on with it, good boy. So now he is building up his condition and physique, has no muscles at all so the poor guy has to sweat alot, but he seems happy to get body worked through. He is very very supple, suspended and soft to ride, it is like riding a cloud, you can't hear him move!
Start got to hang out in paddock, very happy as today was also carrot day :-)
Start in his paddock
























Donoso did a work out with changes and a little gym excercises from Gyula, very good. He has to do some dressage competitions this autumn, toghether with Start. And then Festivo got a Pessoa warm-up and then some normal workout, he can go on and on and on, he loves his job!
So that's pretty much all afternoon and evening and I am content because all my horses are doing very well, are sound and in good shape and MY body did very well also!
This weekend is a PRE championship and we will go tomorrow to check it out.

Riding with a smile!

Today I did three of the four darlings and I feel very happy! For many reasons. Start did wonderful passage, piaffe transitions and this confirms he is a 100%! Donoso did cavalettis and piaffe, he is incredible now, he is the king.
I have had extreme muscular and joint pains for a long time now, the doctors have drained my body like vampires from all the bloodtests trying to find the cause and so far the prescribed medicine only made me worse. Finally they seem to have found a medication that actually works. Still no 100% diagnose but it is getting there. So today when I was able to train 3 horses with (almost) the energy like I used to have it is pure happiness! If sunlight would not have failed I would have done nr 4 aswell, but he will get his turn tomorrow. So it can seem alittle odd to buy another horse with this physical condition. No, I say, definitely not. My horses are my life and direction and they make me fight to be well. I think it is very important to have a passion in your life, it gives you a direction. Riding my horses is what sustains me. They all transmit a certain feeling and Halagador is the 'soft & flyffy' one. He is pure kindness to my body, he has a etheric element to him, abit unreal like a fairytale or a dream.
Halagador being ridden first time at home

Donoso & Halagador saying hello, they are both proud and does not say anything. Donoso just looked away and left Halagador there standing loose in front of him. Quiet authority.

 

Start is well

Today I have spent all day with my boys, rarely is there time to be morning and evening so today felt like holiday as I could do it all s l o w l y. I much prefer being under the sun riding than on the beach which seems to be every spaniards destiny in the month of August. So I took care of Start's wounds that were much better today after yesterdays healing sessions, relief. I can't stand when my horses has something, it really makes me uneasy even though it is only something small and insignificant. My poor parents over the youth-years, what patience..As a result I always brought my horses with me, when studying at University in Sweden I had my horse next door my flat on campus. Last year my non-horse neighbours in Sweden got to see me totally freak when Donoso got his mane full with white oilpaint from not enough dried fence, disaster. They were so sweet and supportive, bless. But, with bad comes good and I learnt alot about how to heal my horses. Helpful teachers has been 1. My mother Kerstin Sandberg 2. Mothers friend Lena Örnberg 3. My uncle Per Spångfors and aunt Kerstin Spångfors, veterinarians 5. Courses in equine studies, physiology and then reading books, many many books. Many thanks to above people.
Here our three beautiful PRE stallions in a row, happy guys!
Festivo MR - Donoso VII - Halagador Cen

Donoso is so soft, powerful and up for it is a total dream to ride him. Now when he is through in his body he is advancing very fast teqnically. It is all easy for him. 

Here a picture of Donoso's brand, it is so subtle so you can only see it when he sunbathes and hairs stand out.
Then I lounged Start on the pessoa, he was like a colt, very happy! Then Halagador, he is l o v e l y to ride, so soft, suspended and intelligent. He knows the forms from having done them the day before. I might have some photos of this tomorrow.

Donoso's daughter Raza

Här en hälsning från Zorro PRE i Umeå, Donoso's dotter är här 9 veckor, inget tvivel om vem som är far, hon är HELT underbar! Nästa år får detta stoföl ett helsyskon och vi kommer följa dessa avkommor med spänning.. Vad roligt det är med avel!
Raza

Today I learnt the heat can be very dangerous. It has been very hot so I gave them all a refreshing shower and then to dry in the sun for 15 min. When I was brushing off Start he suddenly sways and fell to the floor!? Has never seen a horse faint before so I though he died. I screamed his name and he was awake instantly and got up on his feet. Only some superficial scratch wounds but it was still horrible for the horse-mum, I am still recovering. I am so pleased nothing worse happened. My poor horse got a sunstroke, I love him to bits. The vet checked on him but all was well thank you very much.
These are the boys just before he fainted, the beauty collection!
From the left; Donoso - Start - Halagador - Festivo