Hej everyone! Lady Malin here, and oh my goodness, today I have so many exciting things to share. From mysterious coat changes to breeding decisions and stallion spotlights, this update is packed full of heart, hooves, and horsepower. Whether you're just here to see adorable foals or you're deep into the world of horse breeding like I am, there's something here for you.
Why I Started Horse Breeding
My journey into horse breeding actually started over 14 years ago when I was searching for a high-quality reining horse here in Sweden. I couldn't find one that fit what I needed, so I flew all the way to Texas and brought home Trash, my first Quarter Horse. That trip sparked a thought: why not breed top-tier reining horses here in Sweden?
So that's exactly what I began doing. In the world of Quarter Horses, there are many specialties: trail, cutting, pleasure, and of course, reining. My focus is reining. These horses are like powerful little meatballs, compact, muscular, and made to move with speed, control, and athletic finesse. But breeding a great reiner takes more than muscle. It's about pairing the right mare and stallion for both structure and spirit.
Choosing the Right Mare and Stallion
When it comes to breeding, I don't believe in compromise. You can't pair a mediocre mare with an excellent stallion and hope for magic, it just doesn't work that way. Both parents need to bring something great to the table. For example, Nicki is a strong, muscular mare, so I've paired her with a more refined stallion to balance the build. It's all about harmony and complementary traits.
Exterior is everything in sport horse breeding. The wrong structure can lead to injuries during performance. I look at muscle tone, leg angles, and overall body balance, and not just in the adults, but already in the foal. I could tell from the beginning that Sparven and Colibri had what it takes to be great, and they're already proving me right.
Breeding with Heart: Mentality Matters
Technique and structure are essential, but a foal's mentality is just as important. I want my horses to enjoy what they do. You can have the most athletic horse in the world, but if they don't enjoy the work, it will never succeed.
Take little Billie, for example. Even in the pasture, she's doing slide stops and spins just for fun. She's alert, curious, and loves being handled. She also learns incredibly fast and moves her body with such ease already. That kind of personality? You can't teach it, it's born.
Meet Billie: A Foal With Potential
Billie is one of my most exciting foals. She's the daughter of Nicki and my own bred stallion, Sparven. Billie is built like a dream, her muscles, balance, and energy all scream future champion. If I could create another Billie, I absolutely would. That's why I've rebred Nicki to Sparven once again. We might have found what breeders call "the magical cross."
What makes Billie even more intriguing is her mystery coat. Her baby fur is starting to change, especially around the legs and back. It's getting darker, possibly black, and if she inherits her father's luxurious, thick black mane, she's going to be breathtaking.
Sparven's Legacy
Sparven isn't just any stallion, he's the very first foal I bred myself. He was born in my arms, raised by me, trained by me, and now competes at a high level. To preserve his legacy, I've collected and frozen his semen, since he's now a gelding. That way, his amazing genes can continue influencing future generations.
Sparven has the perfect reining build and loves the sport. His body control, his natural talent for spins and slides, and most of all, his will to please, it's everything I dream of in a horse. Watching him grow, compete, and now sire a foal like Billie, it's honestly emotional.
The Fun (and Science) of Breeding
I call Billie a "designer baby" and in some ways, it's true. I'm designing each foal with intention, choosing both the mother and father for balance, mentality, and talent. The art of horse breeding is part science, part heart, and part wild guessing. But when it works, it really works.
Breeding has brought me so much unexpected joy. It wasn't something I imagined loving this much, but now, I can't imagine not doing it. The pasture is a little quiet right now with Nicki and Billie just back and the others off at the breeding station, but the promise of new life is totally worth it.
Help Me Name Her!
Billie is growing up fast, and I'd love your help choosing a proper AQHA name for her. I've been thinking of names like Sparven's Design, Billie's Design, or First Design, something that honors her father's legacy and her perfect little build. If you have ideas, please drop them in the comments.
Also, what do you think her final color will be? Will she turn black like her daddy? I'm dying to know!
