As we were staying at Himitangi for the weekend, it was less than an hour’s drive north to visit the family at Kiwitea. We set off after our club morning tea on Sunday, arriving just in time for lunch. Sadly, we were told of the recent demise of the resident chook, Henny Penny, a former rescued caged laying hen who had the run of the family small holding for the last few years. At least her remaining years were spent doing exactly what hens should be doing, roaming around the grounds, pecking and scratching in the dirt, and in Henny Penny’s case, keeping the big burley farm dogs well and truly in order.
Our farming family love their horses, and we were taken to see a bit of animal husbandry done. Son-in-law Robert had to attend to the feet of a couple of his horses. First up was Sonata, who needed to be re-shod. Shoeing can be done either “hot” or “cold” and Robert does cold shoeing. Clean out the hoof, off with the old shoe, and bang, bang, bang, the new shoe was speedily replaced.
Robert cold shoeing Sonata
Next up was Montana, who needed her feet trimmed. The horses waited patiently while Robert picked up one foot after another, trimmed the feet, then filed the front of the hooves.
Montana getting a pedicure
Grand-daughter Emma was very keen to show me her latest horse, three year old “Saffron”, her pride and joy. Saffron is a beautiful auburn colour and Emma is keen to start competing with her.
Emma and Saffron
Meanwhile, I was keeping a safe distance from all these horses with their big clompy feet. With my gum-boots on my feet, I wonder if I would pass for a country girl? Ernie the horse had sidled up behind me to get himself included in the photo too.
Jenny and Ernie
With the horses' feet attended to, next stop was to a neighbour’s farm to see a giant rooster. He was huge indeed, the biggest we had ever seen, about the size of a small dog – although the photo doesn’t really convey his size properly.
The giant black rooster
There were more normal sized hens in another run. Much smaller was the tiny little chicken, only a few days old, running around. The baby’s mother was a lovely black and white speckled hen.
Chicken Licken and her mum
Robert had recently taken ownership of two well bred horses which he wanted to show us. Neither of these horses have been handled much at all and they will need breaking in. This “Morgan” breed horse will be perfect for carriage work, we were told.
Morgan breed horse
The other new acquisition was “Friesian” horse, not a breed this townie had come across before.
Emma with the new Friesian horse
With all the stock duly attended to, and admired, there was one more thing to see. “Come and see my new tack room, Nana”, Emma entreated. All the items were very neatly arranged, bridles, nose bands, girth straps, bits, blankets, saddles, everything a well turned out show horse could possibly need.
Emma’s tack room
After a last cup of coffee, we said our goodbyes before heading back to Himitangi Beach Motor Camp to continue with our camping weekend.
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