Two of the "Littles"
The "littles" are what I call anything shorter than Mare, aka Mama Mare. Livie and Afina are two of my youngest littles. Livie is the big sister, born in 2018 and Afina is the little sister, born in 2023. Livie and Afina are full sisters. I have known both girls since they were born. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to take ownership of their father in 2015. I had wanted a foal out of him for a while, particularly a filly. Then, in April of 2018 Livie was born! I was so excited that she was here! We weren't sure what color she was, so she was nicknamed the Purple Pony. When Livie was first born her coat was a creamy lavender color and she had bright blue eyes. Over the years I learned that Livie is what's called a silver dapple. Later I'd find out she was a silver dapple appaloosa! Livie was not the easiest foal to raise. Especially as a two-year-old—Livie was, to put it mildly, a monster. She fought everything new, threw tantrums, and once even flopped down on the ground in protest. I wanted to sell her, but I stuck it out.
At 4 years old, Livie's father had an old injury flare up and I was no longer able to drive him. I had been driving Livie some that summer, but she wasn't fully broke. I also hadn't had her on the wagon yet with her brother, not planning to break her to that until the following year. Two weeks before one of my biggest shows Livie was broke to the wagon. She did amazing in all her father's classes and handled the team class like a pro. After that August, her father was retired.
Afina was another long time wait. I had wanted another filly from Livie's parents for years, but circumstances made it not happen. In August of 2022 I was able to gain ownership Livie's mother, Indy. She was bred that summer and by July of 2023 Afina arrived. I had planned for another silver dapple like Livie, but that was "jinxed" the night before Afina arrived. My mother and I were watching Indy the night before Afina was born and my mother told me, "wouldn't it be funny if you got a red foal". Sure enough I checked Indy at 5:30 am the next morning and there was a little red foal. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, but I was thrilled that it was a healthy filly! I had been so excited for Afina's arrival that I actually spent the night in my car parked out by the stock trailer. We didn't have a barn so we set the stock trailer up as a large stall for Indy to foal in. I was up every 2 hours checking indy. The last alarm I had set I decided to snooze because Indy hadn't looked like she was in labor the last time I checked her. Sure enough she had her and I had just missed it. Afina was a very friendly and spirited foal. She was sweet and loved everyone she met. At one month old we took her to her first show were she captured the hearts of everyone she met! Now her color, that was another surprise. I finally body clipped Afina at one year old and surprisingly she was a silver, a silver bay. My cross had given me two different types of silver. Afina may still be smaller than her big sister, but the plan is for her to eventually become Livie’s teammate on the wagon. For now, though, she’s my little Chicken Nugget—and on her sassier days, Spicy Nugget.
These two little mares have added so much life, laughter, and learning to my journey. They each came with their own challenges and surprises, but watching them grow into themselves has been one of the most rewarding parts of this adventure.
Stay tuned—Livie and Afina’s story is only just beginning.
