I have a big announcement... actually more of a tall announcement!

[StraightForward]

I did not want another 2 year old!

But, I got an offer to trade Pickle for this one, so here we are. We spent all day on the road yesterday to meet halfway between Boise and Spokane to make this horse swap.

This is Tesla - so named because my husband saw the video and said he liked the Tesla logo on her face. She is registered with Westphalen, by Don Deluxe out of a Weltmeyer mare, and is pretty much a baby giraffe (16.2 and measuring to fit a 75" blanket) at this point and won't be doing much before next summer. She was lightly backed a few weeks ago and has worn a big western saddle, so at least we have a good idea that she will handle that OK.

She was understandably a ball of nerves when she finally got off the trailer last night, but she was settling in nicely when I went to check her about 2 hours later. No spooking, no screaming or carrying on and seemed to enjoy my company already.

https://youtu.be/276ec_RQFD8

[musical comedy]

A big congratulations to you SF. What plans do they have for Pickle, do you know? New mare looks like a very nice mover. Best wishes.

[StraightForward]

A big congratulations to you SF. What plans do they have for Pickle, do you know? New mare looks like a very nice mover. Best wishes.

Pickle will be used as a broodmare.

[Tsavo]

Congratulations on your lovely baby mare!

[Bip]

She is beautiful, congrats!

[Moutaineer]

Oooh, she's nice! Very elegant.

[KathyK]

Very exciting! She's lovely.

I'm hoping to have a big announcement within the week. Stay tuned...

[StraightForward]

I'm hoping to have a big announcement within the week. Stay tuned...

Exciting Kathy, I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

[Chisamba]

Congratulations

[PaulaO]

Can't beat a red headed mare! LOL She has a wonderful floaty trot. Congratulations! I love her name.

[Rosie B]

She's stunning SF!!! Wishing you sunshine, rainbows, and an easy path forward with her. You deserve it.

[demi]

What a fun announcement, SF! She is an elegant young mare.

[Sue B]

Holy Cow! Congratulations!!!

[Koolkat]

She's still a bit of the gangly teenager, she's going to be big! And beautiful! Congrats!

[Ponichiwa]

Congratulations! What exciting times.

[khall]

Very nice SF! Glad you found a solution for Pickles.

[Moutaineer]

Very nice SF! Glad you found a solution for Pickles.

Yes, that must be a huge relief. It's so darned stressful when you have one that isn't working out and you are trying to do right by it, but, frankly, also get it off the payroll.

[Flight]

She looks really nice, great that you have found something for Pickle too.

[piedmontfields]

I think you may have gotten the good end of the deal! She looks quite lovely even during the "awkward" year. I look forward to more updates. And she sort of "matches" Anna (in a giant way).

[StraightForward]

Moutaineer, yes, it's a relief quite honestly, to have her gone. I told my husband I must have shed all my tears for that horse because I didn't even feel sad as we drove away. I do hope I get to see what she produces.

I think you may have gotten the good end of the deal! She looks quite lovely even during the "awkward" year. I look forward to more updates. And she sort of "matches" Anna (in a giant way).

Well, I hope so anyway! She is pretty much all knees and elbows right now, but I think she'll start looking quite nice next year.

I didn't notice until I saw the second photo in larger format, but Annabelle is photo-bombing quite perfectly just over her back. I daresay she is wondering who this interloper is.

I think I've sorted out her feed situation, and she was set to get some solo turnout time this afternoon. I don't mind that she's a touch underweight given her size, but I wouldn't mind if she puts on a few before winter and gets a little bloom to her coat. Next up is a bath and getting her feet in order. I took off the worst of the chips off one front this morning, but she wasn't too keen on standing still with all the barn activities going on. So I'm working out just how well she ties, handles her feet and all that.

[Tuddy]

She is gorgeous!

[Kelo]

Pretty! Congrats!

[heddylamar]

WOW she's lanky! Congrats!

[Silverado]

Gorgeous!!!! Congrats!!! She is lovely!!!

[Kyra's Mom]

Well, to be fair, pics are from her just off the trailer after what, 12hrs? on the road.

I would be teaching the head down cue pretty darn fast .

Can't wait to see her in person.

Susan

[redsoxluvr]

Congrats, and best wshes!

[Xanthoria]

Congratulations!!!

[chantal]

She's really pretty, and I love the name Tesla. Full disclosure, it's our dog's name.

[Chisamba]

I found a vid of her as a foal on Facebook, joke...https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... =746169174

[StraightForward]

Aww, Chisamba, the link didn't work.

I think I am going to like this girl. She seems to love all the attention she is getting, and is turning into a love bug. It's kind of hard to get photos of her because she's always sidling up to me.

Yesterday she got a bath, which she handled quite well, and today her personalized Hybrid Halter arrived and is perfect on her (thanks Susan for the recommendation). Now we can start a little bit of ground work - I have a membership to Tristan Tucker's program since I was trying to help Pickle out using his techniques. I plan to review the videos and start on some of the basics this weekend.

[Kyra's Mom]

She is looking better already after that long haul (rehydrated and a little meat on). LOVE the halter. Now I have to get one. Well, a leather one. I already have a nylon one and love it.

She does look like a love. She has a soft but curious eye.

Susan

[StraightForward]

Since the leather one qualified for free shipping, the cost wasn't much different. I'm glad I was able to see that Kyra is in an Average, so she definitely needed a Large. I can actually squeeze her into Annabelle's cob halter, but this one leaves her room to grow a little more.

I might need to get one for Annabelle - she has been kind of rude and bargey lately.

[Chisamba]

https://youtu.be/Uahi2RQ2tt0
Sorry I looked on you tube maybe this one will.

[Chisamba]

She is looking more filled already, and she looks kind.

[Rosie B]

LOL Chisamba that video was great.

[StraightForward]

https://youtu.be/Uahi2RQ2tt0
Sorry I looked on you tube maybe this one will.

LOL, probably not far off. Cute!

[Koolkat]

https://youtu.be/Uahi2RQ2tt0
Sorry I looked on you tube maybe this one will.

Now that's an uphill mover!!


OMG, so cute. I want one!

[StraightForward]

Baby Giraffe was quite full of it today. She is usually a pretty mellow girl, but between lack of turnout while they finish the final pasture irrigation of the year, and the cooler weather, she was ready to go tonight. I don't usually encourage her to run around in the arena, but today I'd pulled Annabelle's saddle and left her in the arena, went and grabbed Tesla and tossed her out there. She immediately ran over and kicked Annabelle in the stifle After holding her leg in the air for a couple minutes, Annabelle seemed to be fine, so I promptly put her away and encouraged Baby G to burn off her naughtier inclinations. I will not be turning them out together again before the show next weekend!

https://youtu.be/Cam1qZDL2agV
https://youtu.be/SaqOBBSDAmc


Rocking the giraffe look:

[Silverado]

Love her!!! She is stunning!!!

[StraightForward]

Wow, she is actually looking quite a bit different than just since the last photos! Don't worry, she is definitely not fat, but the last few weeks she's looked less like spare parts. She is turning out to be quite a character, and also pretty sensible. Really looking forward to having her under saddle next summer!



And wearing a big-girl bridle like a boss:

[PaulaO]

She’s turning into quite the beauty.

[scruffy the cat]

What a pretty girl and that Fairfax bridle is pretty lovely, too! lol

[piedmontfields]

Tesla is becoming quite stunning! So fun to watch them grow.

[Sue B]

Wow! She's bulking out like Tio did his 3rd year. Are you sending her to Brad and Rene, or somewhere closer?

[StraightForward]

Wow! She's bulking out like Tio did his 3rd year. Are you sending her to Brad and Rene, or somewhere closer?

I'm not sure. I might do it myself with Cathy's help, or possibly send her out for a few months. I keep going back and forth on that.

[StraightForward]

What a pretty girl and that Fairfax bridle is pretty lovely, too! lol

Thank you, I do like the bridle, but it doesn't seem to fit her quite right. It was purchased for my previous mare, and I think Tesla's rather rectangular head just doesn't quite work with it.

[Moutaineer]

Nice looking girl!