| CM Bedford Forrest We had seen Forrest advertised in Horse Deals in December 2008, and thought he looked lovely for a young Cleveland Bay Sporthorse Stallion at the time. We werent actually in the market for a third CB stallion at the time, and didnt really give it another thought. The two photos at top left are the pics that he was advertised with, taken by Sue Cullen, from Killarnie Clevelands. After a conversation with Sue in mid January 2009, Craig and I had a discussion and we decided that we couldnt NOT get him, and that the bloodlines he carries (Forest Field Day) are lines we do not currently have in our herd, and would be a fantastic addition. On the 26th of January 2009, Forrest (Called "Andcolt" at Sue and Steves) was collected by Jones Horse Transport and taken to Sydney, and on the 27th he walked straight on to the Notable Horse Transport truck as if he had been doing it his whole life apparently - Brett Jones obviously did a very good job with his first experience of being loaded on to a float or truck the day beforehand! Being that we have had an unusually long heat-wave and it just happened to hit the week Forrest was being transported, the Notable crew decided to give the horses a bit of a break along the way with short stints each day. When the truck arrived on the 30th in the middle of the day, it was perhaps the most reasonable time of delivery of a horse we have had for a long time! Much more civilised than the 3am truck arrivals! We greeted the truck drivers with a couple of cold cans of coke. |
| Considering the hideously hot weather - temperatures of over 50*C under our back verandah for the previous week and continuing on... - Forrest looked fabulous. The truck drivers said that he was very laid back on the trip and was eating and drinking well in the truck which is always a concern when travelling horses across the country! |
| Forrest had a 'neighbour' for the couple of days we had him in the foaling yard - Craigs big WB gelding, CM Burnt In Gold - Buck - was there to chat to him, though it appears that Forrest's favourite horse was his own reflection in the mirror that is at the back of the foaling yard. It has slobber marks on it that only he could reach! We had visitors on the 1st February, and Shannon enjoyed giving him a scratch ALMOST as much as HE enjoyed it. The enjoyment was most evident with Forrest not only in his facial expressions, but he decided to show the world just how big a 'man' he really is. We wont post THOSE photos though! |
| We decided that the boy needed to get out into the paddock with more trees than just the one big one overhanging the foaling yard. With it still being disgustingly hot weather, all the horses were really feeling it, and despite drinking a LOT of water, the heat has them a little tucked up which is to be expected. |
| Forrest has a lovely nature from what we have seen so far and we are really looking forward to working more with him. When the weather cools off a little he will start with some serious work. |
| Forrest is sharing his paddock with Allen Park Desert Fox - who is already in foal to Billara Beersheba, and Lady Tuthaside - our Paint Mare, and her 2008 foal, CM Midnight Moonlight. Lady is going to be Forrest's first "Lady Friend" |