Weaning update......

Both foals are now weaned, and in their training programs. Lilly left nearly a month ago with the hope that she would be ready and special enough to head for the Morgan Breeders Sweepstakes over Labor Day weekend. This is a national sweepstakes offering a substantial amount of money if you place in the top 5. Typically there are about 25 foals that make their way to this show and go for the big money (first place is $25,000!!!!!) We bred a filly 6 years ago that went to this show and was 6th in the nation. What a thrill for our breeding program. That mare, Knolltop's Double Date, now lives in Vermont, the birthplace of the Morgan breed. She is loved by her owner, who says she will never part with her. I love it when our horses find homes like that.

Well, Lilly was assessed by the trainer last Tuesday, and it was decided that while she is VERY nice, she wasn't ready to show yet. This was a bummer to our family, since we had hoped to travel out to Springfield Illinois for her class and then spend some time exploring the historical sites in the town. But.....we also didn't want to spend a ton of money and come home with nothing to show for it. Gotta be practical, don't ya know. She will continue her training for a few more weeks, as she is also eligible for the Michigan Morgan Horse Breeders Sweepstakes, which is coming up the third weekend in September.

In the meantime, Henry was weaned nearly two weeks ago. He is also eligible for the same Michigan Sweepstakes as Lilly, so he needs to start his training. I hauled him to the trainers last Wednesday and awaited reports on his progress. The first couple were not good. It seems Henry had sunk into a depression. Yes, even horses can get depressed. See he was a really big "momma's boy" and being taken from his momma and stuck in his own stall didn't thrill him. But at least he could still see her. That was until we pushed him onto the trailer and gave him an hour ride. Of course, she is nowhere to be seen now, and no one answers when he whinnies. So he got depressed. To the point that the trainer began to think we sent him a "dud". I kept telling him he was a feisty guy at home, but he sure wasn't acting like it now.

So yesterday, the trainer let him outside for the afternoon. He is now a different horse. He got some fresh air and sunshine and feels good. He worked like a charm last night, standing up and posing, like he will need to do at the show.

Here's hoping that Knolltop Morgans will be well represented in the Michigan Morgan Breeders Sweepstakes. Only time will tell.