Belle Starr
One of my favorite things to receive is mail with an update on one of my horses. This little lady is SWS Belle Starr aka “Belle.” She was the first Kiger I ever owned and bought from a Kiger ranch up in Oregon. I brought her home when she was around nine months old and was one excited girl. My dream of owning a Kiger came true with this mare so she will always hold a special spot on my heart. I named her Belle Starr because I love history and the stories behind some of the outlaw women of the old west. She was known as Belle here until I bought another mare named Belle who is the dam of my little Annie Oakley. So… Belle Starr became, “Tinker Bell,” then “Tink,” then “Stink or Smell,” then “Stinky.” I was calling her Stinky up to the day that she moved to Arizona where she resides now. No, she never really stunk, just smelled like a lovely little horse, but it was a cute nick name and I had fun calling her it… I know, I’m weird. But “Stinky” has once again become Belle to her doting new mama, Lana.
Anyway, Belle is a spoiled Kiger around 14.1 hands tall, round as a barrel and the most comfortable bareback ride you’ll ever had. I put her under saddle for Lana before we delivered her to Arizona and she was truly the easist horse to train. I had an absolute blast riding this little horse because she was happy to go anywhere I pointed her. She quickly grew accustom to traffic, dogs barking, ATV’s, and was easy going about anything we did, even our first lope was steady and fun!
So I wanted to show you just another face that has been in my pastures, but this one I think I miss the most… well… She and Mattie a lovely little lady in Texas but that’s another story for another time. Right now it is Belle err… “Stinky’s” time for the spotlight. What a lovely horse and I hope that if Lana ever has to sell her that she’ll call me first. What a fun horse for my daughter… 
Equine Conformation Gurus Wanted
This is Etta. She’s a fat Kiger mustang, a breed who is known to have low withers. Can you tell me if she has “mutton withers,” or if she is just fat and out of shape? I’m wondering and pondering and am hoping my horsey buddies here can help out.
Thank you!
My First Kiger Baby
Like I mentioned the other day my snooty, full of fire, excitable, super smart, agile, loving, pissy little girl, Annie Oakley was the first born on the ranch. The girl has got heirs, I know, but really she is the Princess of the ranch.
So I was digging through some old photos looking intentionally for Annie Oakley’s newborn baby pictures. I did find them and wanted to share.
The only thing I wish for would be that the photo quality would be better. I had an old film point and shoot at the time, my photography juices were flowing a little bit but weren’t full force like they are now. I surely didn’t know how to do a good photo (by my standards) but am grateful that I have these nonetheless.
I had been waiting for Annie’s mama, Belle, to give birth the past few nights in June of 2002. I knew it was coming soon and had my round corral set up, clean with fresh grass, and reserved for the time that I’d stick Belle in there. I thought I would be home, I thought I would be there.
But like a good horsey mama, Belle had different plans. After waiting the week, it was time for me to head off to work as I only worked three days a week and two of those days were just five hour afternoons. No biggie, she wouldn’t have her foal while I was gone!
I dutifully checked on Belle before leaving, and nothing looked imminent. I wondered what she was doing while I was working and was relieved when it was time to head home, of course I wound up staying a bit late so didn’t head out until around 3:00 pm. It used to take me twenty minutes to get home and while I rounded the turn to come into our driveway, I wondered about that baby as she was first on my mind for the past few months.
Sure enough, as I rounded the corner there was Belle with a little foal by her side. I was so excited my heart lept for joy and if I wasn’t in my truck I would have jumped up and down. I was more than excited, I had wanted a foal of my own for as long as I could remember and the day had finally come.
Before this little one arrived, I told my hubby that if it was a grulla filly we were keeping her. Sure enough, that’s what this babe was and that’s what I did. I knew right away that she was a grulla with that unmistakable silver sheen to her legs and muzzle and the dark barring on her legs. My dream had come true and as excited as I was I named her after one of my heros, Annie Oakley. What a fitting name too for my 14 hand beauty. If she could shoot a rifle, she’d be a sharp shot.
Moving The Horses
Moving the horses is always an exciting thing to do. We have three different pastures that we move the horses around to and each time it is a big deal, not necessarily to us but to the horses; especially for one little spunky charmer named Annie Oakley. Not only is Annie short like the true Annie Oakley, she’s also a pistol and full of heat.
If something is going on, she’s the first to find out exactly what it is and see if she approves. Of course, if she doesn’t approve it doesn’t normally stop us from continuing on our quest. She just likes to think she’s in charge, and we like to humor her.
These are my in laws, they’ve volunteered to help us gather the horses that will be moved as my hubby is down with a hurt back, and well… I’ve got a camera to operate. My father in law, Karl, properly introduces himself as he’s on his way to meeting up with the horse he’s after (I told him to get the red one and the orange one).
Now my mother in law, Charlotte, follows suit and properly introduces herself. She’s rather fond of Annie as Annie is the mother to her little two year old colt, Pedro. Pedro is Annie’s only child who is sired by our (now) gelding, Sunnie. Charlotte doesn’t need the color coded instructions, she’s pretty good at knowing the horses by name and knows that we’re after (specifically) Cali and Sunnie.
Karl halters Sunnie for his wife and moves on to capturing Cali. Both horses are very easy and kind about being caught. Actually, I don’t think they even give a fig, (where did that saying come from? Give a fig?)
They lead them up to the gate where the action will then begin.
I love this horse.
He is so stinkin’ sweet.
Notice who’s there watching the gate close, and as you can imagine is also getting pretty peeved that she’s not going out too.
It doesn’t take long for her to start trotting around and getting the girls who are left on this side of the road a bit stirred.
“What are we going to do girls? Just STAND here!? We’ve got to do something!”
They start by running around and Annie screams her head off. She loves to get excited and hates when she doesn’t feel like she’s in control of a situation. I think it has to do with her being the first foal born on the property, like she has heirs or something. The other grulla mare running with her is named Etta, and the yellow dun is her dam, Belle.
These horses are literally across a road from each other. They can see each other, call to each other, and even throw pebbles at each other if they had thumbs.
Annie still believes it is much too far and they ought to come back right now. After all, who’s she going to kick when she’s having a bad day now that Sunnie is gone? She loves to challenge him because he is an ex-stallion and she loves to rub that little detail in.
Cali and Sunnie see all the hysteria going on down below and feel that they ought to atleast make their comrades feel better by dancing around a bit (though they’ve got their mouths full of grass).
“How does this look Sunnie? Does it seem to be effective?”
So Sunnie and Cali run around…
Pose…
Act upset…
and well… eat.
But just for good measure, they decide to act out a little argument to make Annie feel like they’re just as upset as she is.
And the girls below continue to race.
But the poor things are much too fat and it really doesn’t last long. Soon they’re doing all they can…
Stand and try out their puppy dog eyes.
Favorites Wednesday — Etta & Cali
I was out doing a photo shoot with the “kids” the other day and was pleased to get this photo. Etta is being bossy but I like the action and the way Cali is telling her mildly that she’s not too thrilled with Etta’s bossiness. I ran some of PW’s actions on it and played around with the opacities in photoshop… One of my favorite past times.
Favorites Wednesday –
This little mare was at the entrance to the ranch where the clinic was held. She was very pretty and knowing the owner, proabably a Kiger adopted this past November. I have yet to find out for sure.
Have a great day!
Cutie Wittle Face
If this little guy isn’t gorgeous, I don’t know what is. He’s a Kiger mule out of an online friend’s half Kiger mare. She’s still trying to figure out a name for the little booger but I just had to show him to all of you so you can see those gorgeous ears, his soft muzzle, and his beautiful eyes. Oh, it gives me a scratch I cannot itch. I’ve always wanted to have a Kiger mule…
Graceful. Beautiful… Sometimes.
My husband was helping me take some pictures of our horses this past weekend. His job was to take care of our baby while I shot, and sometimes he was to chase them around to get them moving.
The lighting gets funky, and then I get to play with it on my computer. I learn a lot through trial and error on Photoshop CS3, I learn through books, and sometimes from the Pioneer Woman. The above photo I adjusted by using her “Hard Light” fix. It worked well, and brought the highlights through the mane.
Here’s my little shorty telling my gelding (used to be stallion) who’s boss. She’s only 14.1 hands or so, but she believes she can do anything and normally she’s right. I didn’t do much to fix that photo above, but did try the hard light thing again and just lowered the opacity of my layer. It’s okay, but the thing I like most is Annie’s body language.
And then there’s the classic pose that Etta is demonstrating above. It’s lovely, peaceful, looking off into the distance… everything a horse should be.
And sometimes you get a shot that no amount of tweaking will fix.
Are ya sure you don’t wanna ride my one eyed zombie horse?
Favorites Wednesday… On Thursday etc. etc.
So on and so forth.
That’s been my week in a nutshell… A day late and a dollar short. So, here’s my photo that was supposed to be here yesterday!
In honor of my boy, Sunnie, I chose this one. He was not really enjoying the snow but was being patient while I snapped some pictures. But, I say “in honor of” because of his long trip to the Big City yesterday to the veterinarian’s office. My lovely boy had a huge laceration on the inside of his hind left leg, just near the hock joint, below the gaskin.
When all the mares came running for their morning meal, my boy was no where to be found. I waited and waited, and worried more and more until finally he rounded the corner at a slow walk. I knew something was up.
He meandered up to the hay pile (he’s the head dude and thus everyone saves him the best pile), and started eating. I looked him over from outside the fence and saw a strange drizzle of fluid running down the inside of his leg, like a spiral of syrup. I climbed in and sure enough, a round laceration about the size of a tennis ball.
I hopped on the quad and drove back to the house, grabbed a halter and fetched him from the pasture. No way was I going to keep him in there with all those moody mares. They’d take advantage of his helpless state, (we’re mean like that, aren’t we)? I brought him up to the house and put him in a small paddock with the llama and a six month old ewe lamb. They would be good company until I could figure out what I could do, if anything. That’s one funny thing about me, if I can fix it, I will.
My mother in law came over and took care of my baby while I irrigated him with chlorhexidine (that’s your word for the week) and water solution. I could tell that with his shaggy winter coat, there was no way the wound was going to stay clean and the hair would stay out. I also was getting a bit more concerned the harder I looked at it as it was so deep. If this laceration was in the joint, he could be lame. That’s not what I want on a horse I just got back from the trainer’s in August from sixty excellent days of work! He’s my fancy riding horse now! So… Being that my truck is currently out of the country with my dear husband, I called my dear friend with a truck. She came right over and we left for the Big City, taking it easy over the mountain so as to make sure Sunnie could stand comfortably.
We made it to the vet forty five minutes late, they of course dismissed it knowing where I am coming from (and I think they like me anyway) and got us right in. The area around the wound was shaved, then the wound was irrigated. The vet (after sedating Sunnie) stuck his fingers in to feel just how bad it was, and good news, it missed the joint! The bad news was that he would need two sets of stitches. One on the inside fleshy part, and one on the subcutanious outside (skin). After that, a round of tetanus, a round of penicillin, some aluminum spray, and we were back out to the trailer. I received some sulpha pills and some good advice on how to get him to take them, some bute paste for pain, a large syringe (for the pills) and a large bill. Well, not too bad considering… I could have gone to the “equine vet” in town who only touches equines and paid out the ear. Being that I’m not all “equine vet, let me pay for your facility in large bills” type, I like my excellent large-animal-down home-cowboy logic-get’r'done-vet who does just as good of a job as anyone. Didn’t I tell you I was practical?
So, my boy is sutured and healing, in pain wandering around the paddock hoping for more oats with each sad face. Oh, and he’s on some herbal supplements from this awesome place.
Here we are in a much happier setting.
Deepest Sympathy
The Kiger world lost an ambassador this past Sunday. Kiger Sundance was a very well known stallion in the Kiger world and always turned heads wherever he went. He was truly magnificent, and he knew it. He was sired by Steens Kiger and out of Kiger’s Mestena, both well known horses in the Kiger breed. Sundance made both of those horses more famous through his fun personality, his smarts, his action, beauty, courage, and the way he could draw a crowd. You always knew where Sundance was at a show or expo because of the people gathered around just to stare and ask questions. He was a gentleman with people, always was sure to perform tricks with his handler, friend, and companion Roger. His loss is deeply felt by his owner, Denise, as she always treasured Sundance. He will remain with Denise as Roger has decided to have him cremated.
I am thankful for the many times that I was able to enjoy Sundance, at my home here in California, at the many shows and expos, and at Roger and Denise’s home in Washington state. He was always a love and I never could take my eyes off of him… he was truly a majestic horse.
My deepest heartfelt sympathies to Roger & Denise of Double D Bar Kigers.
Denise on Sundance
My Stars!
Just wanted to let you know, I’m starting a new blog… just for photography. As if I had nothing else to do.
Favorites Wednesday — Grazing
Obviously I miss spring, tall green grass, and foals. Here’s Huyana & Rainy again, they’ve been here a few times before on Favorites Wednesday, but they were so photogenic, I just couldn’t get enough of them. Have a wonderful middle of the week everyone! Enjoy your day.
A More Beautiful Snow Post
Not that snow doesn’t help with some photographic beauty, so just to prove it, here is our mare Cali.
Methodically picking her way through the snow, she is poised, keeping her ears alert and letting the white background show off her apricot coloring.
Looking a bit more alert, still walking forward, she shows her style and grace.
Stopping for a still pose…
Wait, what are these guys doing? Did they not brush their hair this morning? Are they being camera shy?
Nope, they’re sending in Cali as bait to the orca… err… jacob sheep…
… And their fearless leader.
Take me to your leader.
Notice Abby helping? Yeah, she thinks she might have some border collie in her. We aren’t too sure of that. 
Meet Wiley’s Rosabelle
Remember this photo from back in December? This is Belle and her pile of hay. She’s what I would call our best broodmare. That’s all she’s done for us, but she’s done an excellent job. She’s a gorgeous girl, excellent movement, the dam of our best fillies (yes, she’s only had fillies to date), and is quite a personality. She’s now fourth horse out of five on the ‘totem pole’ so to speak, just above our red dun mare, Cali. She’s not to proud of her position because she’s been known to hold the lead position in the herd. Some how she’s been beat out by her daughter Annie, our gelding Sunnie, and our mare Etta (for sale, and that’s why she’s not listed on our “Our Horses” page). But, Belle is sure to let the cows know their place and isn’t shy about making sure her daughter shares the hay with her when she feels the need to join someone else in their pile.
Belle is sired by a gorgeous gelding who only sired just a few foals in his very short breeding career. Like us and our Sunnie, the owner was not wanting to breed any more and decided to geld instead of sell. Kiger Wiley Cayuse aka Wiley is his name and he is a cherished horse of a dear friend of ours. We had the priviledge of having him visit us for a year with the thought that we were going to buy him, but things just didn’t work out and we had to send him back home to Washington state. It was one of the saddest things I had to do; I really bonded with that boy. But! I am sure proud to own just a little part of his bloodlines through Belle and his granddaughter Annie Oakley.
Photo Credit: ©Hitzeman
He’s what is known as a seal brown dun, some people in the Kiger world just called him a bay but he is obviously not just a bay. He has a very distinct dorsal stripe and many other patches and markings all over his body showing just how dun he truly is.
Belle’s dam is Kiger Riddle Mountain Rose aka Rosie, who last I heard, is still a broodmare. She’s got a little more white than most Kiger junkies want, but she does have good conformation and I think has produced some nice babies, Belle being no exception.
Photo Credit: ©Hitzeman
The above photo was taken of Rosie and Belle in spring of ’98, when shortly after Belle was born. They were a beautiful pair and caught the eye of Wiley’s owner right away. She tracked me down when I bought Belle and sent me these pictures, of which I am very grateful.
So there’s more to my relationship with Belle than just another broodmare. She’s pretty special with a special history behind her.
The Kigers — My thoughts in a nut shell II.
Yes, I am happy to make the decision not to breed. I am glad that life has lead me down this different path although it is different than my childhood dream of breeding. I enjoyed it while I was able to, but really it isn’t the best thing for me or the horses right now. I’ve learned that with today’s market, there are many many horses in need of homes, many horses being passed from owner to owner kind of like Black Beauty; a story that I really don’t think is for children although maybe it teaches us a good lesson? I really had a hard time watching my babies leave here and wondering who they would be passed on to. Sure, I could put in some excellent ground manners and hope for the best but people are people and they can sure ruin a good horse. Not that that has happened to me (that I know of), and I am very proud to be in touch with a few of my babie’s owners who are wonderful ladies (you know who you are). But there is still that ache in wondering… So, I find myself in the position of owning some beautiful horses who are wonderful in their own quirky ways. They’ll never be bred again (unless for my own use), my stallion was gelded and what a blessing that was! I am sad to see that so many people are still breeding, or are starting a breeding program for the Kigers today with all the wrong goals in mind. They are just doing it to make more babies. We don’t need more babies, we need more homes! There are so many excellent, proven bloodlines going south of the border to the meat market. What are we doing still producing? To me, that’s not good horse husbandry.
Some of my fellow Kiger lovers will laugh at me, they’ll think that I’m being some hypocrite, but I’d only be a hypocrite if I were still breeding. And yes, I’ve had some changes in thought, I’ve had some convictions, some changes in life; I still love the horses very much and that is why I’ve taken the new route. A route to promote the ones I have, not produce more.
And I did produce some beauties.
The Kigers — My thoughts in a nut shell.
I am working on a few new pages that will be listed on the top. The newest, “Our Horses,” is up for viewing now. I just wanted to have a sort of home base for general information on my beauties and will be making another page for my sheep and for my cattle. Be watching for those.
But, I had started out with an explanation of the Kiger breed before the descriptions of my horses and then realized it would not be so fun to read each and every time you went on there to see whom I was talking about in my posts. So… I’ll leave it basic. I hope it works.
Anyway, on to my Kigers. They’re a breed that was discovered in south eastern Oregon back in ’77. A gentleman known as E. Ron Harding noticed the similarity in which these horses were built and the coloring was the primitive “dun factor.” The dun factor basicly turns a black horse into a grulla, a chestnut/sorrel in to a red dun, a bay horse in to a coyote / zebra dun (or various other terms). So he decided that these horses (originally found on the Beattye’s Butte herd management area) should be split in to two so that in case of natural catastrophe; the whole herd wouldn’t be wiped out. So, they moved 7 horses to the Riddle Mountain HMA and 20 to the Kiger HMA where they are currently found today.
Over the years, the horses have been touted as an all around excellent mount with lots of character, uniquely smart, gorgeous, and of course one of the last remaining “pure” herds of Spanish Mustangs managed by the BLM (bureau of land management). They took off in popularity and were found to be quite the novelty for people to own. I know many people might take offense to me saying they were a novelty, but that is what they are. The only reason I believe that is because their prices have dropped significantly, the buzz has worn off a bit, and people are moving on to other novelty breeds. I will assure you though, that I am a Kiger lover through and through. I adore my horses and my interest is always peaked when I see a horse that looks similar and I keep up with the action on the web about my favorite breed. They are quite something to behold, unfortunately the people involved with the breed have done a doosey and driven their reputation down. I am saddened by the effect I have seen on the in-fighting between registries and between fellow Kiger enthusiasts on who’s horse is better, what color is better, and what lineage is better. There are still those folks out there who are promoting the Kigers for what they are, beautiful mounts with a lot of all-around potential. A good handful of these people are extremely talented and and are showing just how versatile the Kigers are and can be in the right hands. There are others, like myself, who are enjoying them as backyard horses to go down the trail and participate in a local event of some sort when we feel the urge to get out and about. I admit, I am not a showman and never will be. It just doesn’t appeal to me. But, I do enjoy seeing a lovely horse, trained expertly and doing what it and it’s owner loves. It is a joy to watch and I’m always in aww about what they can accomplish as a team. The Kigers never cease to amaze me with their heart, drive, character, and grace. They have my heart.
I have recently decided, during my pregnancy with our first child, that I would not have the time I once did to devote toward my little breeding program I had started. I would not be able to work with the foals we were having and would be preoccupied with baby things other than horsey things. It was a sad decision, but I decided to geld my stallion and sell off some horses. Thankfully, I found some awesome homes for my beloved babies and do keep in contact with some still. I am grateful to know what they are up to. I am currently down from twelve to five and hope to get down to four or three in the near future. While the birth of my own baby has made me decide to sell off my Kigers, I look back and am thankful I did. I would not want to be a breeder in todays market…
To be continued.
Favorites Wednesday
Funny me, I forgot today was Wednesday until now. It’s been one of those weeks and while it has, it is refreshing to look at this little twist and shout manuever of our ’05 filly, Madame Mattie Silks. I took this of her in summer of ’07 while she was out having fun with her sisters. Mattie has since moved to Texas and is now the companion of a couple Fjord gentlemen and the apple of her new owner’s eye. We are so pleased that Linda now owns Mattie and is training her up to be an excellent little mare. This was one we had a hard time see go down the road.
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