Introducing Luna

It is no secret that I have had a bit of baby fever lately. Of the equine variety. An ankle chip, a horse sold out form under me, a fractured sesamoid, and a stifle ocd lesion later (read lots of failed PPE’s) I finally found the well bred jumper filly prospect I have been looking for.

Enter Luna (Laguna Star) a 2016 filly by Big Star and out of a Douglas VDL x Zeus mare. I got to name her which was incredibly frustrating but also awesome. I wanted to incorporate something to do with Big Star but it needed to start with an L for this years KWPN foal class. Laguna Star seemed suitable as Kyle and I were married in Laguna Niguel!

I have to say that I am pretty excited to own a Big Star filly for obvious reasons but also because as of now he isn’t widely available in the US so Luna is one of the few fillies here. Definitely a gamble though as overall there aren’t many Big Star offspring on the ground yet it seems.

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Luna’s dam is actually for sale if anyone is looking. She is a 2009 VDL mare and is green broke and sound but has been used exclusively for breeding the past few years.

Luna has the cutest nose freckles, four white socks, and should be quite the little jumper. She wasTime will tell though.

So far I am just getting to know her. The next 2-3 years she will get to do a lot of hanging out and growing up. I hope to take some pages from Alanna‘s book and get her exposed to all sorts of stuff before she is ready to be saddle broke. I will definitely plan to take her to a KWPN-NA keuring next year to be inspected. Her breeder did not do that this year due to proximity. I also hope to participate in the Young Horse Show Series down the road.

What are things that you all like to do with baby horses while you wait for them to grow up?

47 comments

  1. Sarah says:

    My game plan with Paige’s baby was to haul it around and get it used to travelling when young. I like to do a lot of desensitizing (umbrellas, plastic bags, etc.) and get them wearing tack early too. It takes a lot of the stress out of starting them later because so much is already old hat.

  2. LoveLaughRide says:

    Congratulations, she’s adorable! My young horse is 2 now and it’s amazing how fast and slow it goes all at the same time (I’ve owned him since he was an hour old). I’ve ponied him on short trail rides in a variety of situations so that he is used to getting out and doing things. He’s hauled with me to countless places so that new places are a curiosity but not stressful. Basically he’s a solid equine citizen who just isn’t ridden. Now we just spend a lot of time hanging out together while he (politely) mugs me for cookies.

  3. Alanna says:

    Yah! That is so exciting. Congratulations. And you already know my baby raising ideas. Enjoy this time with her. It will go by so fast and before you know it you will have a riding horse!

  4. Leah says:

    In a perfect world, I treat my babies like adult horses, just minus the riding. I like to hand walk them to trails, take them to shows, clip and bathe them for photoshoots, dress them up in all sorts of tack. This method worked super well for Ruby, but I slacked with Cinna and am paying that price for that with lots of “dumb baby” moments, haha.

    Luna is beautiful, congratulations!! Those nose freckles look utterly kissable.

  5. Monica V says:

    She’s gorgeous for sure, I wanna paint her. I second Leah though, pretend they’re adults without the adult riding things to get them used to adulting. I also like to not even begin jumping (think, X rails) before they’re 4. Its science. Their bones aren’t ready.

  6. emma says:

    she’s lovely, congrats! pretty coloring too – in that close up of her face, the way the sun is hitting her almost makes her look like a liver chestnut.

  7. Kat says:

    She’s gorgeous, and what a great name! Those nose freckles, too cute! They have some nice horses at her farm, that pony Peanut, swoon worthy looking as well.

  8. Heather says:

    Her little face is so cute and expressive! My thoughts are the same as everyone else. Lots and lots of handling and experiences can only help. With our babies, we made sure they can clip, tie, stand in cross ties, trailer, etc. politely. Obviously you don’t want to longe very much while they’re growing, but basic in hand work a few times week goes a long way toward teaching general skills and manners. Teaching them how to move out to the circle and turn toward you on the line is useful as they get older and bigger and a little more likely to squish you if they choose not to listen.

  9. Avery says:

    So cute! Do all the things! You have all the time in the world and it makes them easier to ride when the time comes. It is just one more thing for them. Make them a great citizen: trailer loading, tying, bathing, hoof work, grooming, leading, yielding, ponying (arena and trail), ground poles, flags, tarps, pool noodles, bouncy balls, trash cans, mail boxes, rain coats, umbrellas, other horse, camping, surcingle, long line, blankets, saddles, jungle bells (did that for a Christmas photo shoot once, poor guy was so good).
    I took my youngster for walks. Lots of walks. Great for the both of us. Like a dog. All over the property. Through and over different things (puddles, ponds, bridge). Down the road.
    Do mock inspection and young horse shows to have her well prepped for what you want to do with her first.

  10. Stacie says:

    She’s beautiful! I can’t wait to read all about your adventures together! So exciting!!!
    I’m so impressed with all of you who bring babies along. I keep messing up 4 year olds, so no more youngsters for me. (Thank goodness for my trainer. Seriously.)

  11. Kelly says:

    Gorgeous filly! Congrats!
    We got Riva as a yearling – it is is fun doing all the young horse exposure things. I did lots of ground driving with Riva – inside, outside – I think this helped immensely once we began under saddle work. Also, take her to shows to hang out and get used to the environment. Have fun!

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