THE ZEUS CHRONICLES: I am starting a new blog this year because of ZEUS. The video is of my new Friesian Stallion prospect ZEUS . He is the son of the World Champion Friesian ZORRO and the dressage champion mare Truss Fan e'Walle. He was only 7 months old when he arrived. He arrived on December 1st 2007 to my little acreage along with his brother, who was here temporarily while he waited to go on to his permanent home. ZEUS is the one with out the blanket. This fulfills a dream to own one of these majestic horses . I will be bringing up baby using a natural holistic approach regarding feeding, grooming, training, and manners. I am inviting my audience to please offer advice or suggestions as we go along. Not just Friesian owners, or stallion owners but anyone who loves horses is welcome to write me with suggestions or comments. I will be adding a message board, but until then I will post your comments in future blogs.
THE ZEUS CHRONICLES # 1 MAY 2, 2008 I was thrilled to bring my new baby home last Christmas. My husband and I discussed this as it was a large financial committment. Zeus, is not only my dressage prospect, he is also a breeding stallion prospect. He is a nice blend of the modern and baroque type of Friesian. His movement is more of a sport horse type with extensions in his trot and less high stepping action of a carriage type. When Cantering at liberty he is constantly practicing his automatic flying lead changes and has breath taking movement. We first introduced him to aromatherapy about a week after arriving. He showed great interest in the scents presented by fleming and chewing and trying to lick them off my hand. I started with ShowThyme which is a calming and anti anxiety blend. I was hoping to allieviate some of his seperation anxiety caused by his brothers depart. It worked well. At first he would call and call when he was left in barn, last to be taken out side. We started allowing him to enjoy the ShowThyme blend before taking the others out. Soon he stood quiet and calm until it was his turn. He has become accustomed to the routine now and has been accepted by his pasture mates, although still seperated by a fence, he has become one of the herd. Through out the winter his, already dense, coat grew to unbelievable lengths, giving him the appearance of a bison! :-) Now with the spring he is shedding out nicely. We are helping to keep is coat shiny and smooth with Grapefruit Coat Refresh and ShowCoat conditioner. Spring brought many issues to focus. Along with the new care requirements to his coat, it brought attitude and behavior changes which puzzled me at first. He became very difficult to handle. He was introduced to the Blocker Halter, which puts pressure on the poll and nose, with immedite release when the horse gives. That helped a bit. I thought perhaps If I let him out with the "big kids" they may help teach him some manners. Well the source of the behavior became appearent when he made a bee line for my Mare RAINA! Evidently she was going into spring heat. He, being a young stallion, was VERY aware and very interested in her. I WAS surprised as he was only 11 months old!!! I thought this was something I didnt have to worry about for several months! This was my first lesson in raising a Stallion. Never underestimate the power of mother nature!!! I went out carefully to rescue him as my mare was about to discipline him with both barrells. Too late. She nailed him. Luckily, he was not hurt. Infact, it shook him up so that he came running over to me for safety. :-) With in a week his normal docile behavior was back but I realize I will have to deal with this every few weeks. One of the things that I have done to help is to use ACCLIMATE. This is a product that I make for Exodus Breeders Corp that helps block the sense of smell. Some people will use VICKS, which burns and is acutally toxic. ACCLIMATE does not burn. It smells like Anais (licorice) and taste sweet as it melts and runs onto the horses muzzle. It is an all natural product made from bees wax, soy oil, and essential oils that are calming yet strong enough to block the smell center so that stallions dont smell mares and mares dont smell stallions. Many people use it at dressage shows to keep the two from calling to each other. You can get this product from www.exodusbreederscorp.com. Or email me and I will help you get some. equispa@aol.com With each new experience he has, I learn. My other horses are very supportive and more than willing to help "teach" the new kid. This is going to be a fun journey.
EQUISPA 6803 NE BERWICK DR ANKENY IOWA 50021 515-770-3517/515-299-4526 FAX EQUISPA@AOL.COM
