Hi, Francis! Yes, it is kinda interesting how Bis pushed his way into my heart-lol.He kept pestering me so much when I was visiting my quarter horse, I had to take time to teach Bismark some manners(he kept trying to get into my back pocket-lol). The more I fooled with him, the more I knew this was a special horse. I told the farm owner if she ever heard Bis was for sale, to let me know. The owners and I got along so well, the price kept going down, and then they gave him to me for my birthday-said they would feel like it would be 'blood money' if they sold him, said it was obvious how much we loved each other, so that was that, and now I have my boy, who is priceless to me! Bismark, as I understand, by Canadian registration, is actually his sires name-Mainguy Bismark Faco is how he is registered-I guess his name is actually Faco, but he's always been called Bismark-sounds more cool than 'Faco', lol, is that a Canadian name? Maybe I'm just biased, but Canadians are the best horse going!

The Canadian Horse in your profile pic looks soo much like my sisters pony!!

Hi Frances.
Thanks for your comments.
Don't worry, I am not really planning to 'start ' Magie next spring, backing is just about accepting the saddle, the human, maybe a little guiding. In the program I am following for her, most of what we are playing with is on the ground and her 2nd year there is only 10-20 hours of playing around with the saddle, person lying on her back a bit, etc. Just part of the process. Then again in the fall the same. The 3rd year, I plan to put a bit of time into her gently 40 hours spring and fall. Level 3 by age 3 on the ground on-line and at liberty.
She is already line driving from the hip left and right and is so enthusiastic about learning new things. This winter, I am probably putting her into the parade with her bells. She goes on her 'trail walks' with me all over the place.
I am really trying to get a good foundation on her in her first years to benefit her for life. :) I've waited too long for a Canadian to be rushing her through her paces. :)

thanks for the welcome, Frances! I absolutely LOVE the pictures of your horses driving through the snow! Talk about a dream for someone stuck in the southern U.S.! We see very little snow here, and only one Canadian Horse-mine-lol. I have been blessed by Bismark, I came by him in such an unusual way, he really adopted me!

Hi Frances. Thanks you so much for inviting me over to show me your beautiful horses,and. It was really great meeting you and Tim. Some day, you folks can come and visit our furry little crew. My turn to put the coffee on.  ;)

Hi Frances.

Beautiful pictures!!!

I would love to meet you and your Canadians.  You are so close to me. Are you around in the daytime? 

My little one really gives me such joy, and we've only known each other for two months! She calls to me when she sees me, and it's not just because I am the food lady. She follows us around and hangs out for pets. What a suck.

She learns her lessons well, and I have had a PNH instructor come out and give me pointers to help her along. He is so impressed on how smart and easy-going she is.  My farrier has commented that she is the best weanling he has had to trim all year! (Cool). My vet is also impressed on what a big girl she is about her vacs.

I was always wondering what had happened to the breed show at Orono. I came out to visit the show when it was still going in 2005 and there were a lot of entries from what I can remember.....

There are so many Canadian owners listed with CLRC, but it would be nice to have them start coming out to all kinds of opportunities in Ontario to show off their horses. I may not be a breeder, but the opportunity to show my girl and what she can do would be awesome.

I would love to bring some coffee or tea, and meet you guys some time.  Maybe later this week?  I have been nervous approaching people because there seem to be some bad blood between associations and I really don't want to blindly step on toes. Just want to help out.  :) 

Thanks Frances - the cutter was a Christmas pressie from my hubby, along with the horse.  And the harness.  LOL.  I got the cutter from a fellow in Quebec who refurbishes old vehicles and sells them - Ken Townsend of Townsend Carriages.  He travels through Ontario quite often on business, so he delivered it too. :-)

Yeah, I thought the shafts looked high too - I'll play with that.  I can let down the loops that hold them....

Honest, we took off a gazillion tags yesterday - evidently I missed a couple, lol.  And Bender's mane needs to be tidied up, etc.  But it was SO much fun when he went trotting along with us zipping along behind.  He seems to quite enjoy pulling us along. I think in the summer when his summer coat coimes in after 6 months of good feed and mineral, he'll be quite shiny and handsome.  Need to find a summer vehicle now.....