Thursday, November 27, 2014

New Pembroke Welsh Corgi Pups at PHH!

What an exciting time at PHH, we have new puppies! There is just something special to watch the special bond between mom and pups and the love they instantly feel for each other.

James & I began Corgi breeding because of our love of the Corgi breed. We think these dogs are absolutely perfect. They have the agility and ability to do big dog things like fetch, swim, be hardy around the farm, run fast, and keep up but they still have the convenience of being a small dog – you can pick them up, they fit in your lap for cuddles, they don’t take up a lot of space on the bed, and on road trips they fit compactly into the car so they can join on family vacations. Best of all they are so incredibly adorable, sweet, smart, friendly, and beautiful.

Our breeding journey began with several trips to the states – it is nearly impossible to get Corgi’s with breeding rights in Ontario so it was actually easier to drive to the states to purchase dogs with breeding rights down there. Quigley came from Michigan and our females came from Pennsylvania. Then came the paperwork – we had to register our dogs with the American Kennel Club, and then get them registered with the Canadian Kennel Club… each with their own paper hoops to jump through.

Now we are very excited to have Lona’s first litter of pups. She gave birth on Monday November 24th between 7am – 1pm. We knew her labour was coming because we regularly were checking her temperature morning and night, and her temperature had dropped to 98.6 the night before which can mean labour will start soon.

Lona had other signs too – she was becoming more restless, nesting in her bed, not wanting to go outside, itching at herself, her belly and nipples were getting very full, she was becoming aggressive towards Molly (her sister), and the night before her labour she actually turned down some scraps of salmon… Lona never ever turns down food so we knew something was up!

That night she was also restless and she woke us up a few times with gentle ‘woofs’ asking to be let out and at around 2am she came over to James and just wanted cuddles.

That morning I called my mom and asked her to come over and watch Lona. Her temperature wasn’t as low as typically it would be before birth so I wasn’t sure I should stay home, but I knew she should be watched. My mom, Annette was on her way to the rescue and as she arrived Lona had 3 pups and had another 3 pups in the following few hours. It can be normal for them to take a break between pups and can go as long as 4hrs between pups without concern.

Lona is an excellent mother and is very affectionate to her pups – but definitely not towards Molly. Typically she loves her sister but she has become aggressive towards Molly for now and is only happy to be around Molly if they are outside in the backyard. For now we have them separated when in the house.

For safety we have Lona’s pups in a swimming pool (no water of course!) and it keeps the pups contained but allows Lona to jump out if she wants to.

The pups have all been nicknamed so that we remember who is who. Their markings are all distinct enough we can tell them apart. They are all going to be red & white corgis. They have some black hairs in places, but the interesting thing about their colour is that it will change as they grow up and eventually will be the same colour as Lona/Quigley except for their unique white markings.

If you are interested in a Corgi, or want to see pictures, please check out our Pembroke Welsh Corgi Puppy page on our website at:


#PHH #Corgi #puppies

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Fun at the Royal

On Friday November 9 a bunch of us from PHH headed into the big city for the tradition of the Royal Winter Fair. There were many changes and a lot to see and do.

There was also a lot of the same... my annual favourites of the Rossti potato food booth, pumpkin pie fudge from the Nutty Chocolatier, leather cleaner from the bees, Bucas blankets from Picovs, belt buckles, and fun horsey jewellery from Wellingtons.

This year I also picked up a reflective quarter sheer from Pleasant Ridge for safer trail riding, new turquoise gear (polos and boots) and a new fully adjustable Genesis saddle from Wellingtons! Among some other cute things like horsey pajamas and socks.

There is always so much shopping but also a lot to watch and learn. We enjoyed the evening horse show which had some demos for trick riding and Guy McLean which was fun and wet our appetite for more. They also had 2 jumper competitions, indoor eventing and Shetland pony steeple chase!

The event was entertaining but also a bit scary....2 kids fell off in the pony steeple chase and one horse flipped over in the indoor eventing.  This begs the question. ...is fun and entertainment worth the risk that speed and jumping can mean?

Although unfortunate for the event rider, it was my first time seeing an inflatable safety vest in action. It was very interesting and looked like a very worthwhile piece of safety equipment since you never know what may happen...her horse willingly jumped the table drop fence but the horse's leg didnt quite clear the top rail so the horse did a somersault. It also is an example that if the jump was made for the top rail to drop, the incident would likely have been averted.

What continues to upset me the most at the Royal is the display of hackney horses/ponies in carts...it in my opinion is so focused on manipulating horses and making them something they aren't rather than a sport like jumping or dressage that emphasizes a skill the horse naturally does... the hackneys are kept with heavy shoes to make them lift their legs high and because of the shoes they cant have turn out so they are mostly stalled and secluded, they crank their heads unnaturally high to the point of straining their backs and they put contraptions on them to lift their tails so they become deformed. I dont understand it and it seems very much like an awful life to live. Can anyone shed something positive on this discipline?  Am I misunderstanding something?

Sorry thats my rant....

We didnt have much time to look at the other displays or the animal theatre. ...it just goes to show you that the Royal is a big place where you need lots of time because there is so mich to see!

At the end of the day all people and horses were okay and it was a good late night!

I hope you have a chance to go check out the fun.
#rawf
#rawf2014

Thursday, November 6, 2014

The Spice of Life

I just wanted to give you all an update on Spice. Spice left for retirement to a family home in early fall.

Spice has been a well loved horse by PHH. He has been a favourite of many students and taught many students to canter because of his smooth gaits, willingness to please, and good work ethic.

It was very unfortunate that one winter he slipped in the paddock and fell hard onto his hock causing a bone chip. His one hind leg will forever be weaker. We gave him an entire year to rest and then the following 2 summers he did light riding work for smaller kids. He loved having a job and purpose but he was limited to what he could do.

In 2014 we decided it would be better for Spice if he went to a home where he could be loved and have someone who was 'his', rather than at PHH where although students loved him, they didn't want to stick with Spice because his leg prevented him from being a good horse to progress with since he couldn't do the hilly trails, jump, or do intense riding.

We found him the perfect match - he is the absolute love of a little girl that enjoy going for walks with him. Spice is teaching her to trot and canter and she is loving him every bit. They have their own farm, so if or when she outgrows him, he will continue to be loved at their farm.

They sent me a photo of him doing and I've shared that with you here.

Spice is a fantastic and loving horse and I am so happy that he has found someone that can be 'his'. They are the perfect match for each other :)