30/4/18

We prefer to take our yearlings to Sales on the slightly unprepared side of the feed tin to avoid future joint issues that are closely associated with the over feeding of sale horses, particularly weanlings and yearlings; and then the over working that also comes with that to compensate for the massive energy often driven into these babies.

So hopefully when you look at these few photos uploaded and taken today (30/4/18) you will appreciate that this filly is not gleaming or busting at the seams with feed for the above reason. She has had just 4 weeks of feed, been day rugged for 2 weeks and night rugged since Friday only. She has only been on our walker about 10 times, and has been very lightly lunged.

In order to preserve the mind of our horses when they get started under saddle, we only lightly train on them at this age. They are taught to tie well, lead, lightly lunge, move their hip and shoulder off a flag, be caught, rugged, bathed, trimmed, lightly clipped, be respectful of humans and not much more. We find they break in so much better when they are quiet, kind, respectful and still alert and a tad on the cautious side.

Over the years, we have found some of the youngsters that we have over handled or presented Grade 1+ lessons to whilst still in Preschool can end up a bit numb, lose some of their youthful expression when started on cattle, and lose or complain about their respect for new training. So now they get Preschool until they get started into Grade 1 by the breaker.

This program does not always present our horses as well as others at Sales, but its the path we chose with our youngsters to keep their mind and their body intact for their competition years.

Shakira is a lovely filly in every respect. In just a few weeks from a totally unhandled state, she has taken all everything presented to her with grace, kindness and an open mind. She is a pleasure to teach, has a great attitude, seems very level headed, and is upholding our expectation to present possibly the very last Shining Sheriff (imp) (dec) filly for sale.

We wanted to put a real pearler filly out there in Sheriff's memory, and Shakira is going to be an awesome representation of a special sire and a world class pedigree line.

Catalogue Notes

A beautiful filly by Shining Sheriff (imp) (deceased) out of a well performed Docs Crackin Oak mare. Lots of presence, pretty as a picture, nice mind, good conformation, good legs and feet, and a pedigree that will compliment any herd.