I hinted to my fellow ranchers of a change here on the farm on a thread talking about Foremen and whether we are still paying them. Pat and I agreed on his retirement with great sadness, as he's been a part of the farm since I took over. He's still here, just enjoying his cottage and his honorary grandson, Jonah. Wait what? Who is Jonah? Jonah is our adopted son, Micah and I discussed having kids and decided it would be better to adopt a child instead. Our only request was that the child be interested in the horse industry, any aspect. Jonah sure fits that bill, he's out every day with Pat walking the property and learning the basics of handling and care. Jonah is 8 years old and Pat is teaching him to ride Linda (our 17 year old Azteca mare) much to Jonah's displeasure. Jonah wants to ride Kaluha, but Kaluha is barely started under saddle. I have to spend a great deal of time with her and figure her out.
On that note, Micah, myself, and Pat (since he's basically family) will be sitting down this month and talking about shrinking the farm. I'd like to see 15 or less horses on the property. I've already called the kill buyer for two horses that I know will be extremely difficult to market. The problem is with 5 breeds on the property (Azteca, Fjord, Somali, Racking Horse, and Spotted Saddle Horse) where do we maintain focus? The Racking Horses can be bred to the Spotted Saddle Horses and slowly phased out bringing us to four breeds. The Aztecas are greatest in number, the Somalis are dear to my heart and have historical significance to the farm. The Fjords are good horses with sentimental value to Micah. There is one Fjord foal due in the next few months, I think we'll wait on them and see what comes of them before we rule them out.
It looks like there will be some one on one time spent with each horse to see which horses will be staying and which will be going.
On that note, Micah, myself, and Pat (since he's basically family) will be sitting down this month and talking about shrinking the farm. I'd like to see 15 or less horses on the property. I've already called the kill buyer for two horses that I know will be extremely difficult to market. The problem is with 5 breeds on the property (Azteca, Fjord, Somali, Racking Horse, and Spotted Saddle Horse) where do we maintain focus? The Racking Horses can be bred to the Spotted Saddle Horses and slowly phased out bringing us to four breeds. The Aztecas are greatest in number, the Somalis are dear to my heart and have historical significance to the farm. The Fjords are good horses with sentimental value to Micah. There is one Fjord foal due in the next few months, I think we'll wait on them and see what comes of them before we rule them out.
It looks like there will be some one on one time spent with each horse to see which horses will be staying and which will be going.