August 14th 2010
Dita arrived June 7th 2010. First thing I noticed about her was how desperate she was for horse company. The horses were just a fence away and even though she could touch them, that was not good enough. Dita crashed through the pen to be with them.
Dita was fine and that was her first introduction to captivity. My horses played a huge role in training her into domestic life. The role they played was also important to my training her and the work I did was in the paddock.
I did not want to put her in a enclosure for the time being.
She would not leave the horses side for two weeks before she started finding her way around the paddock by herself. It took her about a week before she happily tucked into her hard feed and carrots. This also helped in connecting with her.
Dita is about 4 years old and I have found her to be a forward and feisty young lady. Stomping her feet at me a couple of times (lol) I have decided it is now time to handle her.
I will be doing this in about 2 weeks and hopefully the weather is a bit kinder. Will keep you posted on her progress.
  
  
Updated 21 September 2010. Dita started her handling last Thursday (finally an ok day as far as the weather has been concerned). All natural methods were used on Dita and she was handled the "Abbey Way" (more on this later). Dita was a bit stubborn (typical Kaimanawa though) but soon learnt no one was going to hurt her by touching her. A halter was put on her relatively easily, but she was a bit head shy. We were able to pat and scratch her all over and she loved it. Picked up her front feet and she was very unsure what we were doing, but we ended our first successful session there.
Dita had her second session on Sunday and had not forgot what she had already been taught. She was taught to tie up, but this will probably require a few more sessions as she was not too keen. Shes now leading calmly on the lead and doing circles, be it a bit messy. She had a good brush down and looks like she is changing colour from a black to a roan. Hmmm. This week she is going to have her feet filed as the front ones need doing.
KARL
When Karl came as a foal from a dodgey agent back in 2001 he already had a mind of his own. After been beaten by these agents (They are no longer rehoming Kaimanawa's) Karl took a little while to regain his trust of people. But he was a very bright boy and soon got the nickname of Hudini. You could not keep him in anywhere. Electric fencing, wire fencing, he did not care, he would find his way through. Always careful not to injure himself though. He turned into a confident young lad and was sold on to a lovely family in lower North Island. The last we heard of with Karl is that he is doing really well in the show ring. We hope to get somemore updates on Karl to see how he is doing now.14th August 2010. We now have updates on Karl and somemore lovely photo's of him. These Will be coming very shortly.
    
BILLY
Ashleigh is 9 years old. She bought Billy on 6 November 2001 after the very sad loss of her beloved pony Pinny. Although she had had a couple of other very nice ponies on trial she just couldn't find anything to replace Pinny.
When Ashleigh met Billy they immediately liked one another. They played a game of Peek-a-Boo together and Billy rested his head in Ashleigh's lap and they had a long talk together. Needless to say Billy came home with us that day.
The first show they went to was only one week later and they came 3rd in the FEI Jumping based on Style. Next they went to Pauatahanui for a Competitive Trail ride. The pair won the groom and turnout, however a nasty kick in the leg while out on the trail saw the pair come hobbling home.
Ashleigh then took Billy to Pony Club Camp in Wairarapa for 7 days. This is where they really got to know each other and learn heaps together. He and Ashleigh done their first ever dressage test and came home with a 3rd in the Jumping.
After camp the shows and ribbons came in thick and fast. In all Ashleigh and Billy won 39 ribbons in their first season together. 7 in one day at Wainuiomata.
The end-of-year show at Upper Hutt Pony Club, where they are members, was a great day out. Ashleigh and Billy entered the fancy dress where they were Bride and Groom. Ashleigh was dressed in a full wedding dress which flowed over Billy's back and a long trailing veil. Poor old Billy had has front feet stuffed down the sleeves of an old white shirt, the buttons done up to his neck and a bow tie and a pair of glasses on his face. To his credit he stood there without batting an eyelid. They came 3rd.
Billy is going to be schooled in spring ready for the new season. He has a kind and cheeky personality and seems devoted to his young owner, who just loves him to pieces.
TUSSOCK (update June 2010)
(picture taken Ring 1 Belmont Domain, where Tussock won the speed class)
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(Deceased due to a horrific accident) A great horse has gone, but she will live on in our memories with her daughter. We hope to bring you pictures and updates of tussocks daughter, and if she is half as good as Tussock, then we have a great competitor out there.Unfortunately due to an accident Tussock was not able to complete the season. Jann was only able to compete Tussock three times out of the eight qualifying shows, yet Tussock still came 7th overall.
Fabulous achievement and at the time of the injury they were leading the competition. We would also like to announce that Tussock is in foal to a Hanoverian stallion, due March next year.
This does not mean the end of Tussock as Jann has plenty more goals to achieve with Tussock. All going well Jann and Tussock will be competing in the show hunter circuit in the 2003-4 season, as well as Kaimanawa Breed Classes. |
TUSSOCK
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Tussock had a wonderful season last year. Having wins and placing in 15 out of 16 show jumping classes and gaining 8 points in the Wellington Show Hunter Circuit. In Tussocks last show of the season she went to ring 1, where she jumped over a metre for the first time in competition. In her three classes of the day she got 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Tussock's first outing this season was the Waikanae Show jumping/dressage training days. At the first show she won the novice dressage test which was run as a separate class, and placed third overall in the combined dressage/jumping phase. Overall scores placed her fourth for the combined days. Tussock also went to the CD Dressage Spring Show and scored 58.89 for her novice test, placing her in the top third of the class, and was placed 4th in one of her Prelim tests. Jann is very proud of Tussock and has reason to be. She is going from strength to strength. Jann will be competing in Ring 1 showjumping in at least two shows before Christmas and would like to concentrate on the Show Hunter Circuit. We are all very proud of Jann and Tussock's accomplishments to date and will keep you posted on how she is going. |
KOOTI
Kooti doing a dressage test
practising a jump before going in the ring
... and of course a pose.
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Kooti, well what can you say about her? She's been a real trooper. Used for a lot of publicity exercises, she is as honest as the day is long. From walking the streets of Wellington in 1997 and up to parliament to present a petition to giving hundreds of rides at the Pet Expo, promoting the Kaimanawa horses at the beach races on the Kapiti Coast, Being present at past Field Days, looking after young scared Kaimanawa's, Kooti's been there, done that.
Kooti is currently at pony club. Unfortunately she had a bad fall in a jumping lesson, put with patience her confidence is returning. Make no bones though, this pony can clear 1.2m without a problem. Kooti also helps out at Ferndale Equestrian Centre with treks and school holiday programs for children due to her calm nature.
Kirsty on Kooti, right, at the 1999 Horse of the Year show. She's in illustrious company: with the mighty Bonecrusher. |
WAIRA
Waira at Waikanae Spring show
after doing nicely and coming
away with some ribbons.
First time to the beach, so testing
out the water.
Oops, time to get out of here.
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This is Waira, daughter of Kooti. Waira exhibits a lot of traits of her mum, except she is a lot more mischievous. Waira was allowed to mature with her mum and it was interesting to watch what went on between mother and foal for such a long period of time.
Waira is also laid back (sometimes too much) and does need a gentle urge at times. Can have the attitude of putting her chest out and putting her foot down.
But it's all part of her nature. One definite thing you do not do with Waira is to leave anything near her proximity or she will chew it up or throw it too the ground.
But a great pony who is kind and giving.
Taking the plunge and perhaps
reflecting.
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BOBBIE
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Generally this is how a Kaimanawa foal will look like. Small, hairy and real cute! Obviously this foal was removed from its mother at a young age, and is looking for guidance (and food) from his new owner.
This is Bobbie and the photo was taken a day after his arrival to his new owners in the South Island, in July 1997. |
| He is from the 1997 roundup. This is brief overview from the teaching of natural horsemanship.
"Started slow with lots of try, round-penned well and joined nicely. Brave horse. Took things on board well. Some days needed to be pushed. Found it easy to find shortcuts and tended to get bored easily - needed to keep things interesting. Only rode six times with no trouble. Went through all 3 gaits easily. Was hard to catch at times, but with a little work would come in easily. Had a good kind nature and was a real joy to be around. Formed a strong trust and understanding with me and enjoyed having things black and white. Push the right buttons at the right time and he goes well, give him an inch or do something wrong and he will let you know. Very intelligent little horse, with a big heat and kind nature." Natural horsemanship based on the teachings of Ray Hunt and Ken Dromgool.
Latest photos of Bobby will be coming soon. |
KAIWA
 For those of you who are wondering about the society's logo, this is a Kaimanawa called Kaiwa. Kaiwa was bought at the first auction in 1993 as a foal.Kaiwa's magnetic personality touched everyone who came into contact with her.
 Little was known at that stage about the Kaimanawas, but Kaiwa taught me and a lot of other people the respect that these and other horses deserve. Kaiwa was with us for 18 months until she passed on in a tragic accident. Her memory lives on and this is why myself and others have dedicated ourselves to the Kaimanawa horse. |
EMERALD
1999-2004 (colic)
Emerald was owned by our president, Sandy Dickson. She was from the 1999 muster.
~~ Goodbye sweet princess. Your charismatic character will long live in our hearts.~~
Emerald on arrival ...
... at 14 months...
... and Emerald at two.
IMAGE
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Before and after: Shelley and her showy Kaimanawa Image. Image took out champion Kaimanawa at our first show in the led classes. |
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