“Lana: (Remember the screen star Lana Turner?) Lana is another Stiletto “Pg” daughter, (out of Lily Creek My Secret) outstanding in movement and out of a mare that combined TB and a top Trakehner stallion line, Lafayette. Lafayette sold for very high dollars out of stallion approvals in Germany to Russian buyers, one of the best movers, but seems to have been lost to the stars, as he has not appeared in competition. Still, his sire was the very good producer, E.H Sixtus who was sired by Habicht, Martini’s *Pg E* grandfather. Just outstanding movement in this line all around. Lana is a tall, leggy mare, not sure when she will stop growing but has been an eye catcher with her movement, so I’m thinking dressage all the way.
Since the line is new to me on the Dam’s side, but one that impressed me enough to buy, I bred her to my most reliable sire line, Stiletto, who is probably the most clear minded horse of my lifetime, capable in all sports. Lana needed time to grow and mature, but time is right now and she has met a trainer who will develop her confidence and appreciate her sensitivity”.
LANA: RBE: WEEK 2 (VIDEO)
FILIGREE: LBI/E: WEEK 2
“Filigree is by Stiletto “Pg” out of Fasta by the Swedish stallion, Master. Kyra Kyrklynd said Master was exceptional to train, very easy and of course, she had a great Grand Prix career with him until his injury. We bred Master to Fiesta (by the Swedish stallion, Johanniter0, producing Fasta, a 4th generation mare for us. Fasta is a truly exceptional producer, making seriously talented offspring no matter who she is crossed with but we particularly like the Stiletto cross, which has produced both top hunter and exceptional movers for dressage. Filigree has been a head turner from birth with her expressive gaits and as is true to the “F” line here, exceptionally brave and forward thinking in training. Her “F” relatives have been herd leaders, often leading the group to explore anything new in the pasture and to jump any obstacle in the way. I always thought the line would produce eventing prospects, but their gaits made most of the them dressage horses. Still, Filigree could be that top eventer as she also has a super good jump!! I should also note that
Filigree is a 3/4 sister to Felisha (Piper), owned and evented by Amy Bowers, 4-Star Parelli Professional. Felisha certainly demonstrates the brave, quick thinking that comes from my “F” line, which started with a Thoroughbred mare that raced until she was 8, competed in jumpers until she was 12, then came to us where she evented with Shannon Brinkman until her retirement to the broodmare herd. She was of the Fern Dancer line, which produced great steeple chase horses and Fern Dancer was a Native Dancer son.”
LAMARCK: LBE: WEEK 2 (VIDEO)
“Lamark is an offspring of one of my earliest lines, in fact, the first Trakehner mare I bought for breeding making this the 6th or 7th generations of my breeding along the dam line. I picked Donaufurst to breed to Lalik and got the very lovely Lalique, powerful mover with the sweetest disposition. I bred her to Platinum von Rappenhof “Pb”, feeling the two were very well suited to continue the athletic qualities always present in that wonderful mare line. Lamarck did not disappoint. He has super gaits, lots of confidence and plenty of power to do anything in any sports field, so no decision has been made for his future. This line is pretty brave, full of humor and will keep Micaela on her toes as they progress!”
~ Jean Brinkman
DASHING: WEEK 2 (VIDEO)
As an introduction, Micaela and I thought it would be fun to include my breeding thoughts and goals to combine breeding and training. With that in mind, I introduce Dashing.
First Impressions
The Salt Block by Love Horsemanship, contines with Developing the Sport Horse, Naturally. This week Micaela Love shares a quick tip turned forever philosophy, she gained during her time as Protege with Linda Parelli. By utilizing her training as a 3-Star Parelli Professional and partnering with renown breeder Vallhalla Farm, they’re working towards a new generation of mentally, emotionally and phsyically exceptional athletes.
Lana: RBE (Right Brain Extrovert)
She is the only of the four babies that I did not get to meet and work with during my visit back in September. Jean asked that I add her to my list a few days after I started. She has had less handling than the three year old boys and is also very tall! Looking at these tall and developed “babies” creates good incentive to truly get the horses accepting myself, the saddle, and a rider. It is always my goal to over prepare the horses so that it is as uneventful as possible, keeping up both safe and sparing me from unnecessarily throwing the saddle up and down and up and down.
Filigree: LBI (Left Brain Introvert on the Extrovert Cusp)
Filigree is the oldest of the bunch and was previously started under saddle. However, I was told that it was not the most positive experience, leaving Filigree tense and apprehensive. With that said, her time back out in the field prepared her for a fresh start! To me she feels emotionally centered, self confident and more than ready for what we have in store. She was the first of the four babies to accept the saddle and has been moving right along ever since.
LAMARCK: LBE (Left Brain Extrovert)
Lamark was another I got to meet and work with during my September visit. Apparently he was very good at being naughty and was causing a lot of grief for the working students. Specifically by being choosy of who could touch and halter him.
Dashing: RBI (Right Brain Introvert)
Dashing is a 3-year old gelding by Imminence out of Donnergirl by Donnerhall
When I came for my interview back in September Dashing was the first to catch my eye. He is of course D*A*S*H*I*N*G in every sense of the word! Although he is the most developed and impressive three year old (in my opinion) he is also the most reserved and unconfident. To put it simply he is a scardy-cat in the hunk of a horse’s body.
Welcome to The Salt Block’s newest educational blog series!
As many of you know I recently joined forces with Valhalla Farm in Wellborn, FL where my dream of merging Dressage and Natural Horsemanship is becoming a reality! One of my responsibilities is to prepare Valhalla’s young horses for their bright futures by giving them a foundation in natural horsemanship. For now, I am focusing on four babies; two mares and …
