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Monday, 10th November 2008 I think we've made it! Each time I checked her last night she was getting up to her mum. Her mum had started to dry up so I was suplimenting her with fomula. This morning she was still tucked up and her temp was still 39.6. I rang the vet before coming back out home at lunch time, to see if he was available to come back and treat her. He said he'd already been out and given her her needles etc. I think he was very very surprised at how well she was doing. She didn't want formula and her mums udder was flowing milk again. She walks like a 2 hours old foal, all wobbly but tonight she tried to trot!! I dont' think I've even seen a foal with such courage. And I'm sure we're on the way to recovery but it's been a very up and down roller coster ride since Friday. Her hocks are swollen again but that's ok, she's walking.... Sunday, 9th November 2008 - night-time update What a little battler! At about 5pm we were sitting in the Rumpas room watching TV, kicking back having a Corona (I think we deserve it). Next we notice a wobly little foal stagger past over to her mum!!! We looked at each other and jumped up and down with joy!!! I think I even started to weep.....she just looked so dead at lunch time. When out throught the door to find her looking for a drink from her mum! I rang the vet and told him, He said, " Gee Hey, I thought you we're ringing to tell me she had died. She certainly is a fighter". He then went onto say, just be careful she doesn't get your hopes up only to fail again. She has been up and down 3 times tonight, and I'm thinking this is really really really good (tears of happiness again). I've gone out and fed King and topped her up, we've decided that it's every 3 hours to milk the mare and feed Baby to make sure she's getting enough milk. She is really fighting this thing and we're going to give her every chance we can to get her over it! Sunday, 9th November 2008 - mid afternoon update Baby started to deteriorate rapidly at about 10am. Rang the vet again and he said he just had to wait for a bloody cat and then he'd be out. When he arrived she wasn't good, couldn't even sit up. But we still had life. Her temp was done to 39.5 deg. I was stoked, but he informed me that this could be one of two things. 1. She is getting better. 2. Her body was starting to shut down. He suggested it was the latter. He then asked if we wanted to continue??? Sh%t I hate these hard questions. I've always agreed when asked this from a vet, but this time I told him that while there's life theres hope and to continue to treat her. He did. At about 2 or 3pm we were able to sit her up again and she'd stay there. But she's now unable to stand. Her hocks have blown out again (they had gone down to 1/2 the size this morning). At about 3.30pm I fed King and then offered her the remains - she slurped in down no end. I then milked her mum (getting real good at this now) and fed her another 1.5 ltrs of mums milk. She's perked right up again and is throw out her front feet like she's thinking about trying to stand. Nick and I have lifted her but she's just too week. Her temps at 39.6 this evening so I will live in hope that she will pull though. At least the weather has cooled down considerably...... Saturday, 8th November 2008 I tell you all, this must be our year to continue learning, First Kingsley and his no suck and now Baby Doll. Thursday, when I was just in our foal paddock making sure all was well and enjoying the products of our many sleepless nights I noticed that Baby Doll was 'not right'. She appeared sleepy and lethargic, I put it down to the heat, because it's been about 36 to 38 deg here. I also noticed that her umbilical cord had not 'sealed'. We've had this before so wasn't too concerned as they normal fix themselves. Saturday morning, just prior to leaving for the training day at Bundaberg, I again checked to make sure all was well. All foals were up and playing, except Baby Doll. She was just lying there. I went and picked her head up and I could move it around without any resistance from Baby. She is only 6 days old. Went inside and asked Nick for his opinion as I was going to call the vet. The vet arrived, her temp was 40 deg (norm is 38 deg). He immediately gave her a dose of antibiotics and told us to freeze the remainder if we didn't use it all as it was the 'ducks nuts' of antibiotics and the cost was enormous. I wasn't worried about that cost, just the fact that he said if we had any left? Did that mean he didn’t' give her much hope? He took bloods and was going back to the surgery to 'work' them. He said he couldn't do what the labs could but he'd be able to get a confirmation of his diagnosis - Septicaemia. He rang us back at about 11.30am on the Saturday and said he was coming back out to give fluids, intravenously and more antibiotics. Her temp soared to 42deg and she was now dangerously ill. After 5 bags of fluids, and more needles, and wet sheets over her body and forehead to try and cool her she started to perk up - just a bit. The vet left around 4.30pm, her temp dropped to 41 and we've invited him back for a BBQ tonight, which he's coming to, and he'll check on her again - I love small country towns sometimes. The vet gave her 50% chance of survival. While the vet was away, this is the info I've found on Joint Ill or Septicaemia. Joint-ill in the foal is usually a result of a blood-borne infection (septicaemia), often associated with problems such as lack of the vital first milk, known as colostrum, without which a foal will have inadequate immunity to fight off infection. Bugs invade frequently via the umbilicus, resulting in the dreaded navel-ill, where the umbilical stump goes septic. Abscesses that form around the navel may act as a reservoir of infection that seeds infection elsewhere. For various reasons, the bones and joints are particularly susceptible to infection. Joint-ill or septic arthritis tends to affect foals between five days and four months old. It is characterised by one or more painful swollen joints and lameness After thinking about Baby and her birth etc, the mare had milk running for 24 hours prior to birth thus probably lost most colostrum (yep Beth I agree with you) and the unsealed navel allowed bacteria in and septicaemia set in. If we had left for Bundaberg on Friday, like we'd originally planned baby would already be dead. Baby had been up for about 4 feeds Saturday afternoon after the vet left, but at around 5pm I noticed both her back hocks have now swollen with fluid, we now have full blown Joint Ill. The vet came back and so did a huge storm, our stables still don't have their roof on yet, so with all our friends on deck to give a hand, Nick's workshop was emptied, bedding straw put down and portable panels in place. Baby just couldn’t get wet. I was happy to bring her into our family room, thus Nick offering his workshop! Even though Baby was still drinking from mum, the vet wanted to keep flushing her system so gave her more fluid and needles and lots of stuff. The storm was fierce, but baby remained dry. The vet left around 9.30pm. He told me "now Lynda, you've lost horses before" he more or less gave her no chance, especially since she was now blowing out in the joints. He suggests that she may get pneumonia as well and if she survives she may end up with arthritis in her hocks. "Time will only tell now if she'll make it or not, ring me in the morning if she's still alive". Thursday, 6th November 2008 Last Saturday night (2.11.08) Brochade gave us a beautiful little filly. At about 2.20 little Baby Doll was born healthy and full of life. For photos vistit her page - here Friday, 31st October 2008 Only one more foal for the season to go, and Brochade is really hanging onto it.  I wouldn't have bet money that she would have foaled last night, alass after an interrupted broken sleep she remains intact this morning. Alex and Beth come home from Boarding school today, so if she foals tonight at least there will be a few of us to alternate the checks during the night!

Thursday, 30th October 2008 Today we wecomed Eucalypt Park Buddy to our stud.  Buddy is a 5 year old gelding who we're going to play with abit in the 2009 show ring but our main aim will be to put him into harness work.

Tuesday, 28th October 2008 A lovely surprise his morning as we woke to a brand new filly from Nevah Duchess.  Duchess is 'early'!!! which has us in a bit of a quandry!  This is becasue Duchess was sent to a black stallion by the name of Hannon's Nightmare last season.  On her return she cycled again and was joined to our Matthew.  Our issue is - who's her daddy?  Normally I would have said Matthew, but the foal has 2 ice blue eyes and is black!  Hannon's nightmare has a blue eye and is black!  If the daddy's is Nightmare, then her gestation would be 358 days which is normal, and if the daddy is Matthew and gestation would have been 338 days which is only 2 days early.  Looks like we need a dna test...... Either way she is so unusual with her ice blue eyes and black coat...we'll have to think of a special name; even though "Shiralee Who's Your Daddy" would seem apt at this point. Ohh by the way - Kingsley is still being fed mothers milk from a bucket; we're all a little sleepy here - feeds have been dropped back to every 4 hours and as at last Friday he now misses his 2am feed. He's starting to mouth his mum's hay and it's only another 2 months before we can put him on solid feed.  Talk about a quiet foal!  He winnies at us every time he sees us and comes running up.

Saturday, 5th October 2008 At about 4am yesterday morning, Goldwyn Gum Sarah foaled with large colt foal which we called Kingsley.  We have had to milk Sarah every 2 to 3 hours and 'bucket' feed  King.  Mother nature has played a horrible trick on Kingsley as he has no natural 'suck' instinct.  If left to his own devices he would die, but 24 hours on, we're starting to set up a routine and are now trying to figure out how we're going to cope with this little fella.

Thursday, 3rd October 2008 Very Sad news from Shiralee Clydesdales... Today i have been at home lookin after my 2 little brothers, as mum and dad were at work. I went to say hello to the little foals born last night. Also in this paddock are the 2 other mares due to foal. As i walked out i saw our mare Goldwyn Gum Kate lying down. Running over to check as she was obviously foaling. All's i saw was lots of blood, and something that looked like the main part of the after birth. In full pannick I quickly ran back to the house and called mum at work, with her than on her way home i also called the vet. Mum arrived first and by than i could see a foot and the head (thankgod), but nothing more was happening, the foal wasn't breathing. Mum quickly ran out into the paddock with me and we got rope and started pulling. The foal was stuck. We finally got past the shoulders and than got stuck on the hips. This is when the vet arrived. We got the foal out and the mare was buggered. Sadly the foal was dead and there was no chance in saving it. The foal was one very large bay filly.  On the bright side is at least the mare survived, which wasn't the case last time this happened some 10 plus years ago.............. Bethany

Thursday, 2nd October 2008 Well what a surprise we came home to tonight.  We had gone out to a social fund raiser at the local RSL and have been checking the mares every night (well Beth has) for the past 4 nights. Coming down the driveway we noticed one mare then two mares lying down - plus one then two little bundles. Sparkie Baxter gave birth around 9pm to a beautiful little filly - we have called Flirt and Sommerville Angelique had produced an excellent colt we have called Darwin.  He was half born when we came on the scene and was trying to breath through his 'sack'.  So glad we showed up when we did.  We were hoping for a colt from Kath as we kept her colt foal last year, Tonka, to use as a gelding and now have his full brother, Darwin - they'll make a great team. There will be a very happy lady from the Downs area knowing that Sparkie has a filly.... :-).

Tuesday, 23rd September 2008 Today was a very exciting day for us as Surradene Bridie arrived here - her new home.  When we discovered that Bridie was for sale, we couldn't wait to purchase her, the reason for this is that she represents the 2 bloodlines we first started our stud with and is the half sister to my most favourite clydesdale we ever had - Shiralee Jacqueline.  Welcome home Bridie!

Thursday, 11th September 2008 Yahoo! Finally after 358 days of being in foal - Lavereen Lady Lucille has foaled - and gues what?  Another filly!! :) Lets have a look at our pattern here - 2006 all fillies, 2007 all colts - 2008 fillies so far - interesting hey?

Saturday, 16th August 2008 Today was the last show for the season - The Wowan Heavy Horse Feature Show. Shiralee Highland Guard did us proud again by taking out 1st place in the Stallions 3yrs and over. We took Desley and her baby Tori (Victoria's Secret) for their first outing.  I'm sure Tori was so glad to be home -it's hard working the show ring!.

Friday, 15th August 2008 Desley had a little filly last Wednesday, photo's can be found on our 2008 Foals page! Lou Lou (Lady Lucille) has just over a few weeks to go, fingers crossed for another filly.

Friday, 1st August 2008 Happy Birthday to all the horses out there and welcoming the foaling season. Desley is any day now, we are getting prepared and excited. Were hoping for a little filly. But time will tell. Here is a photo of Desley.

Sunday, 20th July 2008 Desley is starting to show signs of a developing udder.   Which indicates to us that she has about 2 weeks to go.  It would seem our first foal for the season is going to be born in the first week of August (which is perfect timing), but time will tell.

Sunday, 25th June 2008 Final goodbye's are being said to our foals of 2007 as they leave for their new homes. Remaining at our stud is Shiralee Tonka, as he is a beautiful young colt who will make a great harness gelding in the future. We are now in preparation for our 2008 foaling season,which kicks off in August with Nevah Desley due with her first foal (fingers are crossed for a filly), and the foals continue until November when our last mare is due. Foals can be pre-ordered to make sure your name is first on the list when the foal is born. Preference breeding can also be arrange if a foal is wanted from a particular mare and stallion for the 2009 foaling season. Currently on the Property young filly's, Jess and Darcie are being broken in. Nick and Beth started mouthing the girls Saturday and so far so good. The showing season was short this year as life seems to be hectic, but the shows in which were participated in we great and enjoyed by all participants. Results on the shows can be found under the 2008 show results section.

Sunday, 25th November 200 Yesterday Patch, one of our geldings was discovered dead.  He had trotted up to the fence for his carrots the night before, but he didn't eat them.  We have lost so many horses this year, I'm starting to feel cursed.....  :(

Wednesday, 31st October 2007  Last but not least Sommerville Angelique foaled this morning producing a beautiful little colt.  Yep that's right - Any one for a team of horses??  But their all well and spritley and that's all that matters. Photo's available here.

Thursday, 18th October 2007  Nevah Duchess delivered her first born last night and guess what - another COLT! He was born approximately 2.45am this morning and we missed the actual birth by seconds.  Photos here.

Monday, 8th October 2007  Last night Kath delivered yet another boy - Where did you say all the girls were? Actual delivery photos here

Thursday, 3rd October 2007  OK, the cat is out of the bag.  Over the past 6 months or so we have been watching a very special colt grow - Benwerrin Scottish Sir James. It's official - James is now a part of our stud, we met with John & June Smith (Vic) in February this year and they showed us their wonderful horses.  James stood out in our eyes.  We revisited them in July to see how he was growing, who could resist bringing him home.  Even though he's only 12 months old, we can see a special something in him.  Photos coming soon.....

Tuesday, 1st October 2007 

It's another Boy (where's the fillies?)- Just making it before the day ended, with help Patience gave birth to Prospector at 11.50pm. 

Story & Photos

Tuesday, 25th September 2007 

It's a Boy - Susan does it again - her 10th foal.  She gave birth to a bouncing colt foal at 1.10am this morning. 

Photos

Wednesday, 19th September 2007

 Do you ever wonder what you did to deserve a really shitty day? It is with an extremely broken heart that today we found Taloona Kate and Murroka Isabel dead.  The vet came out to inspect and give his opinion.  These are his heart wrenching results:

Taloona Kate - A rupture between the abdominal wall and the cervical cavity allowed her intestines to pass through her vulva - she had no hope.  She was 1 month off of foaling.

Murroka Isabel - I only saw our beautiful  Isabel this morning standing under a the tree.  This afternoon while looking for Kate,Nick made the discovery which was confirmed by the vet.  Snake bite - she was purple inside her vulva indicating lack of circulation and she had struggled in a hopping sort of way for about 3 or 4 meters indicating that she was becoming paralised.

I hope you all had a better day than we did. :(  

Murroka Isabel - RIP

Taloona Kate - RIP

Tuesday, 11 September 2007

 It's a boy! Our first foal for the season was born around 2 or 3 am this morning.

CLICK HERE for photo's.

Saturday, 18th August 2007

Still catching up with work after our trip south, we made a last minute decission to attend the last show of the season at Wowan.  When we arrived it dawned on me that this was our first show back since the accident and it was held at the town closest to where we had the accident....  It was a little unsettling.

Anyway CLICK HERE to see our results. :)

Tuesday, 7th August 2007

After months and months of delays, we were finally heading off south to Victoria to pick up our mares we had chosen to purchase in February. A planned 8.30 am departure ended up being 2.30pm and we only made it as far as Moree NSW. The following day took us as far as Benella Victoria.

Our first official stop was on Thursday, 9^th August at Murroka Clydesdale Stud near Foster Victoria. Murroka Isabel was even more beautiful than I had remembered and we were able to check in on Murroka Charm. Charm was now too close to foaling to travel, we will pick her up after her baby is weaned in Jan / Feb 08. Back to Isabel, with some words of encouragement and gentle persuasion Murroka Isabel was loaded. We also picked up Aarunga Charlotte for our fellow Clydesdale breeders in SE Qld.

We continued through to Sale that afternoon to say g'day to some family members and then travelled onto Melbourne where we stayed the night.

It came to our attention that a colt with top bloodlines was for sale not far from where we were travelling, so a quick look was added to our agenda.  

Western bound we moved onto see Benwerrin Stud and check out how the little colt “Number 2” that we looked at in February was growing. Perfect! Just what we want. Benwerrin Scottish Sir James was loaded on the gooseneck for the long trip home.

Onward to Benalla where the horses were bedded down for the night. The next morning the horses were treated to a spectacular game of soccer while we went out to visit the Lavereen Stud.

Lavereen Lady Lucille and Lavereen Bianca joined us for the long trip home. Back to the Benalla show grounds to pick up Isabel, Charlotte and James and we were off again.

Each night after exercising and bedding down the horses, we made it to bed around 1 or 2 am. Each morning we rose around 6.30 to 7am to feed up and exercise before moving on.

Bethany had been saving up to by a Clydesdale of her own and seeing as though we had one space left on the goose, she started to make enquiries.

We had an over night stop at Dubbo which allowed us to visit Tarresh Park Stud in NSW . Bethany purchased Tarresh Park Dianna – a two year black filly. Beth was stoked!

We had originally planned to make it to Brisbane to see the Clydesdales judged at the Ekka, but it was just not possible. Our last overnight stay was at Toowoomba on Monday 13^th August. We dropped Charlotte off – which was really sad as we had really become quite fond of her, and headed on home.

We all collapsed that night and were exhausted. Nearly 6000klms in 7 days!! What an effort.

On Tuesday, 14^th August, Bethany, Paul and John slept in and had the day off school.

Sat, 30 June 2007

Today we returned home with the new gooseneck. We were unable to continue down south as the new hitch had not arrived for the F250 in time. The engineers said that we should replace the ball as it had experienced extreme stress and may have a fracture in it.

We were told that we should be right to collect the new one, but don’t put it under load!

Now we are patiently awaiting the new hitch and are using the time to fit out the new goose with drop curtains’ etc. (Pity it’s not red).

Friday, 22 June 2007

All systems go!  The deal has been done , now we just have to finalise all the paper work for the insurance on the old gooseneck by Wednesday, so we can pick up the new one on Thursday and then off down south to pick up Murroka Charm, Murroka Isabel, Lavereen Lady Luceille and Lavereen Lydia. 

Thursday, 21 June 2007

Wow, looks like we have found another gooseneck.  The waiting list for a new one is from about 3 months to 6 months depending on the manufacturer and we can't wait that long.  One of the mares from the Murroka Clydesdale Stud is due to foal mid August and she needs to arrive and settle in here before her baby is born.

Wednesday, 20 June 2007

Tuesday, 19 June 2007

A visit from the insurance assesor confirmed our worst fears - the gooseneck was a write off!!  The engineers said they could rebuild - but they couldn't guarantee that it would track true behind the F250!! The hunt for a new gooseneck was on (and we're supposed to be heading down to Vic to pick up the last of our mares that we agreed to purchase in February trip in 9 days!)

Monday, 11 June 2007

If it seems like we've dropped of the end of the earth in the past week or so, it becuase we had an accident on our way to the Yeppoon Show. The story goes something like this:

On Saturday morning at about 6.30am, 9th June 2007, we were travelling to Yeppoon Show between Wowan and Dululu.  In about 10 seconds the following scenario occurred.

The road was built up about 1 to 1.5 meters and all was fine until the gooseneck's wheels went on the dirt on the side of the road. The goose slid down the side of the built up road and I struggled to correct it.  Having the vehicle under control I was managing to pull the goose back onto the road when the goose's wheel hit a culvert.

This ripped the 2 passenger side wheels clean off the gooseneck and popped it off the hitch on the F250. The goose with my 3 most favourite show Clydesdales on board went skidding off the road over the edge and stopped itself in by digging into the damp soil on the front passenger side corner.

The F250 never left the road?? How easy can accidents happen??

I pulled up in an amazingly short distance and just panicked! My beloved stallion? My favourite gelding and our best mare were all in the goose and there was no movement from it. I couldn't do anything; I couldn't even open the goose to see the inside.

Nick immediately went to work, ripping open the tail gate and entering the goose. He didn’t call for me to help - I don't know if he knew I was delirious with shock or what - I was useless to help him. I stood shaking as I watched the mangled steel which was the dividers of the goose being thrown by Nick from inside.

All I could do was to flag down the cattle truck that was approaching. The Truckie set to work with Nick inside the goose, and then Nick led Ted out, and in usual fashion Ted went straight for the grass - he was fine, a bit of skin off but he was fine.

Panic again set in as when we loaded the horses Sherman (my stallion) was at the back, yet Ted unloaded first?

The goose's floor was on a 45 deg angle as was the wall. Sort of half rolled. I looked in to see if I could be of some help.

Sherman was sitting up but his legs were in the V of the floor and wall and he couldn't get up. Millie (who had taken the full weight of not only Shermann but also Ted) was lying down at the front of the goose with her legs up the wall.

More and more people arrived and all the truckies were so great. They couldn't get Shermann or Millie out. One truckie raced back to his truck and bought it up beside the goose and skull drug it back up onto the road to try and level it out.

Once it was on the road, we opened it up again to try and get the horses out.

Sherman still wouldn't stand, I was a blubbering mess again. The men dragged him away from the wall of the goose and let him sit for a minute. Millie was still sort of upside down.

Sherman lunged forward and stood.... shaking..... nearly as much as I was. He was fine - missing skin but fine.

Next onto Milllie. She appeared fine no broken bones that Nick could find. The guys dragged her out onto the floor of the goose but she wouldn't stand. After many many attempts of trying to get her to her feet the men then dragged her out of the gooseneck. She then rolled off the side of the road down to just behind where the gooseneck had came to rest.

Millie made a few attempts to get up but no good, Andrew from Moura Vet arrived and said he couldn't feel any broken bones but she was bleeding inside, and quickly. She became anaemic by about 9.30am / 10 am and she started to thrash with pain. Andrew did the only humane this possible.

We are extremely grateful that neither Nick, our 3 children or myself were hurt.

Jane from Mt Morgan was a god send. She gave me a shoulder to cry on and looked after Millie while we were waiting for the vet and Nick and I were dealing with police etc.

The police arrived from Baralaba and Mt Morgan, the firies from Mt Morgan. The Rural firies from Wowan, the SES from Wowan, the ambulance from Wowan and many other helpers. The Driver Revivor people delivered tea/ coffee and biscuits to all the helpers at around 10am. Every one was so great.

RACQ came from Moura to collect the goose.

Accidents can happen so easily..

The Goose after being pulled back on the road

Sherman - A bit of blood but OK.

Ted - Missing skin, but OK.

Millie - before the pain was too bad. :(

Saturday, 11 March 2007

On the 15th February, Nick and I headed off on our our trip to Mt Gambier in SA along the southern coast of Vic then inland through NSW before returning home. On this trip we visited the bigger, successful studs and picked up tips directly from ‘old boys & girls’ on how they see the Clydesdale breed.

We came across many and varied opinions, which were all quite interesting but each opinion had its own relevance’s.

The main difference we noticed between stud’s opinions was what the weight or depth the leg bones should be. We come to the conclusion that the more weighted the bone, the better width (or depth) you had in the hock etc but you loose the fine feather and flatness of bone i.e. losing strength. But then again if your leg was fine showing excellent flat bone and good hoof head then it seemed that you lost the width in the hock and leg appeared to be straighter and lost its shape, thus again loosing strength.

So all in all, we appear to be striving for the ‘in the middle somewhere’ of the two.

We were told that this is where varying judges’ opinions come into play, and the show results are exactly that – someone’s opinion!

The studs we visited were extremely impressive and I’m sure there are many more stud’s who are able to display the same quality we have been privy to.

We started by visiting Colin Cox of Valmont stud. Colin’s irrigation is his saviour, and his horses are shining because of it. We were shown his imported stallions and champion mares, up and coming colts and fillies. Colin’s dad, George, had written a book before he died and I read it aloud to Nick on the rest of our trip. I would have loved to have met George, as his words are really genuinely interested in the breed’s best interest. He writes of the oldies teaching the young ones of the Clydesdale ways and that this is all we can hope for to continue the pureness of the Clydesdales.

Next we went to Peter Jorgensen’s Box Valley Stud. Peter went on to explain how he took over from his dad and the trials and tribulations his dad experienced in importing horses from Scotland. Peter decreased his numbers a few years ago and now only runs about 6 or so mares with the help of his daughter.

Upward north of Melbourne to John & Yvonne Smith’s Benwerrin Stud, here we were treated to a showing of his superb imported stallions, mares and foals. We will be keeping in close contact with John & Yvonne.

Heading south to the picturesque home of Ross & Helen Marriott’s or Murroka Stud, we were shown his imported stallions, home grown stallions (which in my opinion, were as good as his imported), mares & foals etc. Ross runs about 60 horses including (what I counted) about 4 or 5 stallions. Ross was the best teacher of the whole trip as he stood in his paddock and showed the good and bad points of each horse. He too is still looking for the ‘perfect’ Clydesdale.

Up until this point the advice from these studs had all been the same when it comes to buying. Research, research, research, then buy quality, buy carefully and buy blood.

This was good advice indeed, but when ever we expressed an interest in a certain horse, the answer was always the same – not for sale. When asked how you buy quality when it’s not for sale we received a smile! I guess we have to breed it!

Back to the north or Melbourne and up, we then moved onto Bill Mahnake’s Narioka Stud. Bill had this young colt that was an absolute show off – rearing bucking and racing at any possible moment. Again the fine quality we had seen through all the studs so far was again at Narioka. You can see the history in the breeding.

Next on the agenda was Graham Trewin’s Lavereen Stud. We learnt that the Lavereen Stud was the oldest stud in Australia. Graham is now preparing to retire and will hand over the reins to his son Matthew.

Max Marriott’s Aarunga Stud proved to be spectacular – we were told by an unnamed source that Max runs about 100 plus horses. We possibly saw about 30 or 40 at a guess. Max’s main stallion (for the life of me I can’t remember his name) stood 18hh and was as gentle as he could be. Max also has a team of 4 that he puts in the Show every year. I believe that it’s a different team each year? I would have to clarify to be certain.

John Donaldson’s Sarjon Park Stud has had a lot of success in recent years and has repeat orders for foals. He was reluctant to show us his stallion as he’d been sick (the stallion that is) and was in no condition to be shown off. Looking at his progeny though, he must be something special.

Last but not least was Oxenham’s Benwerrin Park Stud. The drought is taking its toll and as they pointed out themselves, the horses can’t come 1st. The paddocks were dirt & dust. Still all in all you could see fine breeding in the mares and foals although some youngling’s were showing signs of being drought affected. I’m sure we’ve all lived though this at some time in our lives and if you haven’t I hope you never have to – because it can be quite devastating.

We had also planned to visit Barry and Marie Phillips of Dakota Stud. They have been in drought for a very long time and finally sold up all the horses last year, have their farm on the market and plan to retire in town. Our planned visit didn’t eventuate as circumstances on both sides didn’t allow it, but one day I still want to have a chat face to face with both Barry and Marie, even if it’s just to hear their stories.

We were able to pick up a couple mares, mares in foal /with foal at foot and fillies, who we think, would be a good match for Sherman (our stallion). I can’t help but think that prices were inflated just prior to our arrival as we were also on the hunt for another stallion for up here. I also didn’t think buying a colt / stallion would be so hard, however we have had to look at foals and will be doing another trip around in June / July to see how our ‘chosen’ ones are growing. Hopefully we should be able to make a decision on ‘the one’ by then.

All in all we had a wonderful time and learnt sooooo much. Now with all this knowledge, it’s just the experience from actually doing that we need. One thing is for sure though; the main thing I learnt from the trip is that we should all teach each other what we’ve learnt, as this is the only way we can benefit the Clydesdale Breed.