End of EHV-1 & My New Pool

For those of you who didn't know there was a horse show in Utah where a horse that tested positive for the neurological form of EHV-1 attended. Other horses that attended the show got sick and in return set off a chain reaction of the spread of EHV-1. Well even though this should was with full size western horses it trickled down all the way to me. Don't worry, I'm safe! I don't have EHV-1, but our property did go under a quarantine to help stop the spread and for safety. Well yesterday our quarantine ended. This meant I got to see Missy again and I wasn't couped up any more. To celebrate Mom went out and bought a bunch of party hats, or, what ever silly hats she could find. Some how I ended up being a pretty pretty princess. Missy came over and celebrated too and another I couldn't run free with her Avalon and Cody did. We were all happy to finally be able to see and visit with each other at last! The EHV-1 scare isn't totally over and it's helped Mom realize how dangerous the horse world can be, especially showing. She's going to take extra precautions for me at shows now so we play on the safe side should this ever happen again!

Then today Mom went out and bought me a present. It was an over sized water bucket! Mom called it a pool, whatever that means. I wasn't so sure at first, in fact its obnoxious color and childish print scared me a little. But she said it was ok so I headed in for a closer look. I've never seen so much water before! I just had to check it out. As it turns out playing in water with your feet is a ton of fun! I soaked my self and flooded the ground and even climbed into the pool and tried to roll. That didn't work out so well. Mom says I'm going to love it even more when its the middle of the day and its sweltering out.

Tomorrow is Mom's birthday, I talked to Kia and Avalon about it and we all decided on a present. I can't say what because she proof reads my blog (blame all my typos on her eyes! Understand its hard to type with hooves) but I'll post about it after tomorrow. I hope this birthday thing works both ways and she got me something too, though I'm sure she'll say my new pool is my gift. If that's the case I'd much rather treats!

Well, that's it for now. I'm out!

 

Finally, an Update

The Arizona Touch of Class Miniature Horse Show came and went. Mom was super busy during the show and after as school and my training occupied most of her time. This of course made her neglect to give me time on the computer to update my blog. I kept trying to tell her all my followers would be disappointed in me and here we are, almost two months later and I'm only now getting to update my blog. So I'm sorry for the delay!

This year at the show I had my own custom set up. I'm pretty sure that the trailer was bought solely for me so that I'm able to have a stall at my shows, though Mom insists its also to haul the other horses in. With some nifty miniature horse sized stall panels, some hay, and a bucket of water I instantly had a place to relax while waiting in between classes at the show. Friday I was even nice enough to share some extra space with Missy. I had a lot of visitors come up and pet me while I was waiting for my classes, I always enjoy meeting new people and they seem to enjoy meeting me just as much!

I ended up being the smallest full grown miniature at the show with my official measurement being 25.5 inches. Friday I had three classes: Open two year old stallions under 28", amateur junior stallions, and liberty. I placed third, second, and fourth respectively. While fourth may not seem so great for liberty that class was the largest I've ever been in. There were 14 horses! I was not only the smallest but the youngest. As soon as the music started and I felt Mom take off my halter I took off running! The judges said if I had only trotted just a little bit more I would have place much higher, if not have gotten the blue (first). That gave Mom and I a goal for next year: more trotting!

Saturday I only had one class and that was costume. I was up against a pretty little filly dressed up as a male trainer (yuck!). I'm happy to report that I took first place in my pinata costume! The crowd went wild over me. After the class a few people came up for pictures and just to meet me. All I wanted to do was follow that filly. Even if she was dressed up like a man I was in love! Mom had to ruin my new found love by reminding me about Missy who was waiting for me at home.
On Sunday I didn't have a class so I stayed home while Missy went to show. She had three classes that day: open senior mares under 28", amateur senior mares, and solid colored mares. Mom was showing Missy in the open class and got second place then reserve champion out of all the senior mares. Amanda showed Missy in the amateur class and got first place! Unfortunately Missy wasn't exactly thrilled about showing (she's not like me, she'd much rather stay at home than be in the lime light) so by the time the champion class came around her attitude was sour and she wouldn't put her ears forward for the world. It cost her a championship. Maybe next time Missy! In her color class she placed third, not too bad.

Since the show life at home has been pretty quiet. I've been training and conditioning with Mom but I haven't gone to any more shows. The last show here was an AMHR show. Mom didn't think I had AMHR paperwork and wanted to wait a little longer before hardshipping me into the registry. Turns out that I DO have AMHR paperwork! Mom was updating my breeder on how my show went and discussing future plans to hardship me into AMHR when Janet told my Mom that she had filed the stallion report just didn't finish actually registering me. All Mom has to do is send in the paperwork and I'll be fully registered. This is a huge relief as it wont be even half as complicated to register me now as it would've been to hardship me.

I didn't end up going to the Phoenix Pet Expo, sorry if you were looking forward to seeing me there. Mom's car had been having problems and she didn't want to risk getting stuck far away from home with me. She was keeping my safety in mind, like all good mothers do.

Mom is done with school for the summer, well, save one online class. Next fall she starts her student teaching then she graduates with her bachelors. Until fall comes though her days will be devoted to me. Maybe I'll even get to go to her work again like I've done every summer. I love seeing the kids!

Oh, I also got a twitter so that I can do small updates through out the day or at least during important events like the horse show. Follow me to receive fun updates on my life @thekinson

Well, that's it for now! I promise I wont let Mom keep me from updating for so long again! Until next time, I'm out!

Touch of Class Miniature Horse Show

The Touch of Class Miniature Horse Show hosted by the Miniature Horse Association of Arizona starts tomorrow. I packed up all my things and I'm ready to go! I've been (re)clipped, had a bath, and groomed to perfection. Today I went to get measured in and came in at a whopping 25.5 inches tall! My measurement last year was the same-I think I'm done growing! The show starts tomorrow at 8 a.m. I'm in classes 5, 10, and 37. I hope to bring home the blues for Mom and qualify for nationals! Wish me luck! Saturday I'm in class 60-something (62?) which should be about midday. Sunday I won't be at the show but at home relaxing, so make sure you're there any time Friday or in the afternoon on Saturday to stop by and say hello. If you forgot the show is being held at West World of Scottsdale and is completely free to the public.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I turn 2 years old! Mom is sick today but promised that we would celebrate my birthday this weekend. Of course I get extra cookies today because it is my birthday after all! It's been a fun two years and I can't wait to see what the next 30 or so years of my life bring. In the mean time I though you all might enjoy some pictures from when I very first arrived in Arizona to what I've matured into today. The top picture is one of my mom's favorites, its when my eye was half blue and half green. Unfortunately the green has since faded into blue.

 The first picture is from the week I arrived in Arizona to be with my new (and still current) Mom. The second picture was when I was clipped this year and the last picture is from my show on February 6th. Haven't I matured nicely?
Until next time (when I will update you with all my birthday goodies!) I'm out!

 

Missy's First Show

The first show of 2011 happened over the weekend and as it turns out, I'm not the only winner in the family.


Missy and I took the show circuit by storm. Our Moms looked almost as good as we did. The only bad part about the day was how cold it was and how early I had to get up! We had to be at the show grounds by 8 am, unfortunately we didn't get there until almost 9 so everything was done in a rush. Thankfully Missy and I were groomed the day before so there wasn't much that needed to be done.

We knew the show would either be full of other minis, preparing for the big upcoming show, or there wouldn't be any there besides us. We were wrong on both counts! There was a decent sized turn out but not a huge amount of minis and all were mares. Missy beat them all though and walked away with the blue. Since there were no other stallions I got a blue by default then had to compete for the championship.

I didn't exactly want to beat Missy but I didn't want to loose to her either! The championship would show who really is the best Mini. I'm happy to report that your favorite stallion, that's right, me, Kinson, took the championship! Missy's mom claims it because she didn't have Missy set up and look her prettiest but I think its just an excuse. After all, aren't I the most handsome mini you've ever seen? Mom keeps telling me to be modest because this was a small show and the judge isn't an AMHA judge. March is when we'll see how good I really am.

Mom can say what she wants. I'm proud of my ribbon and I know she is too. Small show or not it still takes a good horse to win. Lucky for us there's two great horses in this family. I can't wait for the AMHA shows in March, especially Touch of Class, where there will be many other mini's and we'll really have to strut our stuff. We're hoping to make enough points to qualify for nationals. Wish us luck!

As good as Missy and I look in blue ribbons, we look even better with championship rosettes and sashes!

Mom is trying to decide if I will continue to compete in the Show Circuit shows or if we'll switch to Blue Ribbon series. Show Circuit has specific mini classes but Blue Ribbon offers better high point rewards and is an overall better show. For now I'll be competing in both, until one can be decided on. I will fill in my Tour Stops for April and May soon, I've been really busy with all this show prep!

I do know that I will be at the Phoenix Pet Expo on May 7th. Hopefully Missy will be there too, but I can't make any promises. She's not as portable as I am! She demands a whole trailer when she travels. Pffft! I just need myself and a car to get me where I'm going! Missy also doesn't like a lot of strangers touching and petting her, so she needs to get over that if she wants to come with me. Come see me at the expo if you're there! Just follow the crowd that will be following the cutest pet there.

Until next time, I'm out!

The Dentist

Today I went to the vet, but not just for a vet visit, I went for something far more sinister. I had a dentist appointment. Mom assured me my teeth would feel so much better afterwards.

I always arrive at the vet in style. I have my personal servant chauffeur drive me in a climate control truck limo while I wear designer blankets suits and dog converse shoes. I don't go into the back common horse entrance, oh no, a celebrity like me enters through the front. I stroll on in the front door and every one know exactly who I am. My personal vet assistant comes and brings me to my awaiting room and my vet, Dr. Gryl.

I'm not the biggest fan of Dr. Gyl, sure she cares about my health and Mom claims she's an amazing vet but all I get is the pain end of the deal! No thank you! She even tried to trick me into eating some treats, but I knew her game, they were probably filled with poison or something else really icky! I refused to eat them, but gladly took treats from those who don't hurt me. While waiting for everything to be set up all the clinic employees, interns, and even a couple customers came in to visit me. No one can resist coming to have a peek at the smallest most dashingly handsome mini there ever was. But, I digress. Like always, Dr. Gryl stabbed me with a sharp piece of something but unlike every other time I began to feel soooo sleeepppy... I couldn't even hold my head up or walk! (Thanks for the embarrassing photos, Mom!)
They rinsed my mouth out with funny tasting water using a big syringe (you can see it in the picture) and then fitted me with horrible metal head gear. I heard every one taking about how I was so little the gear didn't really fit and how I couldn't fit into the stocks or on a stand so they would have to hold my head up. Mom used a lead rope to hold my face up while Brooke, the vet assistant, held the metal head gear away from my eyes and in the proper place, and Dr. Gryl did the "floating" though it should really be called "annoying feeling like there's a bug up your nose," or "A.F.L.T.B.U.Y.N." for short.

 Since I'm so little it didn't take them long to finish my teeth. Which was good because I hate that metal taste in my mouth-yucko! I'm sure glad I don't wear a bit! I still felt really sleepy, but at least I could sort of pick my head up now and I could finally walk. As I left more people came out to come see me and other came to see me again. I wasn't in a mood to really deal with any of my fans, I just wanted to go home and sleep. Mom loaded me up in my truck limo and took me home so I could sleep off the medicine and recover from my day. She says my teeth look so perfect now and they're lined up so pretty. I haven't looked in the mirror yet so I'll have to take her word for it. I do know that they feel a lot better. There are no more sharp points jabbing my cheeks! Remember to always care for your horse's teeth, even those yearlings and two year olds like me. I'm off to go finish my nap then eat a well deserved lunch. Until next time, I'm out!

Plush Pony

Good news! My friend, Plush Pony, came back today! He stopped by to say hello and to meet Missy. I was so excited to see him again. The last time I saw Plushy I was about the same size as he was, that was almost two years ago. Wow, time flies! As soon as I saw Plushy I ran to him, nickering in excitement. I quickly said my hello before I started grooming him. I love the fact that Plushy doesn't bite,  kick, or talk back but I really wish he would groom me when I groom him! Missy wasn't a fan of Plushy. She found his quiet nature and listless ways rude and unnatural. I think it makes him perfect.

Top left is a picture of me hugging Plushy, then next to that picture is Missy, Plushy, and Avalon. As you can see Missy is a little apprehensive about meeting Plushy. But look how beautiful my future wife is! Look how different she looks clipped too. I bet you didn't recognize her! We have official pictures coming soon. The photo to the left is me grooming Plushy. Like I said, he doesn't like to groom back. Below is a picture from the first time I met Plushy. You can see how little and adorable I was! Now I'm well.. Still little but no longer adorable, I'm dashingly handsome! Plushy didn't really groom me back then either. 

I do have some unfortunate news, however.  The Parada Del Sol, or as Mom says, Parade of the Sun, has been canceled from my tour stops. Sorry if you were looking forward to seeing me, Missy, Cody, and Avalon in the parade! As much as I enjoy doing parades this one just came too quickly this year and none of us are prepared. We also are faced with a hauling situation with the addition of Missy and Avalon's brand new buggy. So instead of a stressful day of cheering crowds fans we will all be enjoying a relaxing day hiking in the mountains. We are planning to make up for it with another couple parades through out the year, however, so keep checking that 'Tour Dates' page.

Recently Mom bought Avalon a new harness for driving. Now that they have a classy buggy mom wanted a traditional black harness to match. I over heard Mom talking to Amanda about showing Avalon in driving, another reason for the new harness. But AMHA has this rule or something where driving horses have to wear this thing they call a "bit". Mom drives Avalon with out one but she's going to train him with one so they can show, but at home they don't have to use the "bit" all the time. I didn't know what a "bit" was until it was used on Avalon. Its cold metal in your mouth! The only thing that belongs in a horse's mouth is food! Metal?! Gross! Yuck! I don't blame Avalon for the way he feels and the face he's making to the photo! Mom says bits aren't bad if they're used properly, in fact they can help a horse with carrying themselves and having finesse they might otherwise not have. Well I don't care about that! They're still gross to me and always will be, I never want one of those in MY mouth!

In a week we have the Show Circuit horse show, Missy and I will be there. Hope to see you there too. Until next time, I'm out!

First Clip of the year and Ace Hardware

You know show season is in full swing when Mom busts out the clippers and decides to strip me of the clothes I've worked so hard to grow for the cold winter days! This year Mom wanted to do it in "steps" which basically was an excuse to give me different funny hair cuts for a day then fix it. This one was her favorite. She calls it my "70's boots" look. Ugh. Thankfully she fixed it a few hours later! Now I'm clipped up and handsome for all the ladies I'm going to see at all the shows this season.

Since I was all clipped up and looking so good Mom loaded me into the truck (otherwise known as my personal trailer) and took me to Ace Hardware to pick up some feed for all of us horses, though I think since I went to go pick it up it should be solely mine! I went to Ace before, when I wasn't even a yearling. Every one enjoyed seeing me back and seeing how, well, little I've grown. I went in my fancy new shoes. Mom loves them because they look like miniature converse and they light up when I walk. I like them because I don't slip on the floor!

While there I ran into Scratch, the store cat. The horses on the other side of my fence have a cat but its not nearly as fat as this one! This guy is HUGE, and he doesn't like it when you remind him of that! When I told him then went to get a closer look all he did is hiss at me. Kind of like the last time.. Mom said I should have learned my lesson the first time. I forgot since it had been so long. Since Scratch didn't want much to do with me it was onto the next thing in the store.

I found the dog section in the store and decided to be nice to Kia and shop for a bone for her. Mom told me no, she has enough and can't have that kind anyway, so I had to leave empty handed. Sorry Kia! Since there wasn't anything I needed we headed to the check out to go buy the feed. Back into the truck I went as we went around the back of the store to get it. I all but drooled in Mom's lap as I watched them load bale after bale of delicious grass into the truck bed. I didn't understand why I couldn't just eat it all right then! I did get to enjoy a nice handful though. After everything was all loaded we headed on home so I could have some free time in the big pen with Avalon and Cody. Since my new ramp for the truck and new shoes for on tile work so well Mom will be bringing me to even more places this year. She says Amanda and Missy will probably come too!

Until my next adventure, I'm out!

Welcome 2011

Happy New Year! Have you all quit or broken your New Year resolutions yet? Mine was to not bite any more... I broke it within a day, oops! I hope 2011 brings you lots of good luck and happy times, especially with your horses. I know 2011 is bringing me a lot of shows and a lot of training.

When I made the long drive from Wisconsin to Arizona I was in a horse trailer, but I've never ridden in one since. Mom and Amanda were working with Missy on loading into a trailer so I thought I'd go see what all the fuss is about. I hopped right on in with out any hesitation and to my surprise found treats in this wonderful horse box! Of course once I discovered that trailers hide treats I couldn't stay out of there. Mom finally had to lock me up in my stall to get me to stop.

Just before New Year's Eve it snowed in Arizona! Thats right, SNOW! Mom had to remind me what the cold white flakes were. I had seen them back in Wisconsin but had yet to see it out here. Appearently its pretty rare for it to snow in Cave Creek, or anywhere south of Flagstaff, Arizona. It was pretty neat to see snow here, but boy was it cold! That's not me in the picture by the way, that's Boogie Nights-a missouri fox trotter that lives here. But you can see my tarped up stall in the back around. Its officially known as the "Kinsita" in the summer and the "Aquarium" in the winter.

I'm becomming a stallion more and more every day which means Mom is getting more and more strict with her rules and my training is also increasing. I still have my moments though. Last Thursday while Mom was getting Amanda's whip from the car I decided I didn't want to watch Missy work then work myself so I made a run for it. I pulled on the lead rope when Mom was least expecting it, nipped her leg, then slipped right out of her hand and when gallopping up the street. Of course Mom yelled and followed in hot persuit, but I ignored her. I was free! Once I hit a crossroad I decided to take it, and started running towards a major and quite busy street. But my hoof caught my leaprope and that was my downfall. I came to a quick stop, allowing Mom to get pretty darn close to me. I made a mad dash towards her when she called my name again, then, at the last second, veered right and slipped free again! But again that leadrope stopped me. Mom managed to step on it, causing me to stop, then grab the rope. Mom said it was the scariest time in her life, I thought it was a blast! She keeps a lot closer eye on me now. I guess that wont be happening again any time soon.

Check out my tour dates page. I've added all the known stops for 2011. Until next time, I'm out!