Penumbra decided it was time to deliver her baby this year only five days past her due date. She was showing all the signs of having her baby on Thursday morning, the 7th, but waited until 11:08 PM (that’s late on farm time, but certainly not as bad as the early morning hours!) to deliver a long-legged colt by Strong Mandate, weighing in at 120 pounds.
After a relatively quick delivery, both momma and baby rested for a while. Mom decided that twenty minutes was enough rest, but the colt just kept looking at his legs… and decided laying in the deep straw bed was a good place to be. So, we milked the mare to get the colostrum in a bottle to feed him. He quite enjoyed the breakfast in bed and then, with a full belly, he took a nap!
Big Boy eventually decided it was time to see what his legs were for and bounced up. He was a little wobbly at first, but then maneuvered over to Mom and nursed. As you can see from the photo, he has a great blaze and two back socks that you can’t see in the picture.
Between our first and second babies (Big Boy being our second) at the farm, we unfortunately had to say goodbye to the first mare that Chuck and I bought for Rosecrest Farm – Gone West Princess. If you’ve been to the farm in the last year, you probably noticed she had been bothered by arthritis quite a bit.
We kept her comfortable and able to move to the fence where she enjoyed lots of mints and attention until some other complications set in. (The winter cold is tough on humans and horses.) We made the tough decision to allow her to go to sleep. It was a very difficult call for us to make but we knew it was the right one for her. I’ve included one of my favorite photos of her – with our daughter Susan and her daughter Mariela.
The day after Big Boy arrived was a big day for the five 2-year-olds, who shipped from Wilshire/Rosecrest Farm to Florida to begin the next phase of their race careers. The fillies required a bit of coaxing, but once Charley’s Hope 17 loaded, Diamond Stilettos 17 and Get Back Anne 17 followed in quick succession. It seemed like they didn’t want to be left behind and they joined her in the trailer, each in their own box stall.
The second trailer for the colts pulled in to take the place of the first one. I know you will think I’m crazy, but I swear the boys heard us coaxing the fillies and telling the girls they were going to Florida, and how nice the weather was going to be and all the fun they were going to have in the sun. Because the colts loaded so quickly I barely had time to get a picture of them loading!!! I did grab one of Rose dela Troienne 17, who seemed to give Mitch a quick love hug as he headed for the van. With all five loaded, the two vans took off to Florida, drove through the night and got there safely by the next morning. (You always worry about your kids when they’re on the road… lol.)
Speaking of those colts who were so cooperative, we have some names to share with you to add to your Virtual Stable if you’re following our Rosecrest/Wilshire Grads. Orientatious 16 is named WILDMAN JACK and Rose dela Troienne 17 is named GOLD ACCOUNT. Both are by Goldencents.
We’re still thinking about options for the Charley’s Hope 17 filly, so if you’ve had some more thoughts (she’s by Strong Mandate), send them along!
Love hearing what’s happening at Rosecrest and seeing the pictures.
Perhaps sometime me and my husband will make it back, we had such a wonderful stay there.
Beautiful. Difficult I’m sure to say goodbye to the babies and then your lovely kind mare. May she Rest In Peace. She had a lovely life and is free from the pain.
I will add the two Goldencents boys to my Equibase. Safe training and .lets follow their progress.
Good luck to all.
Hi!
I so miss not being able to visit Rosecrest Farm since I was last there four years ago. However, thank you for your posts! This keeps me up to date!! The colt is so gorgeous!! Congratulations!! I am so sorry that your beautiful mare passed. I know it is so difficult and there truly are no words, just love I can send….Cancer set in two years ago and I have been having difficulty with trying to travel. But I am setting my goals to getting down to Kentucky this year. I will let you know. In the meantime, the very best to you and your family!! I will keep in touch!! Much love, Louise
Dear Lyra, You do such an amazing job. I am in awe of the attention to detail. Everything that I learned when we foaled out mares you do as well, like milking out the mares a bit and feeding the foal colostrum in a bottle, we did as well. I too worried about shipping. When possible for long trips, we tried to let the horses travel loose in a big box stall in the trailer but that is not always possible. Anyway, I miss being in Lexington. It was an honor and a pleasure getting to know you and of course Margaret Layton. Wishing you continued happy foaling. Fondly, Amy Helen Tremper of Paddock Chronicles.
Sorry for your loss I know she was not feeling well . It was great to be there again my daughter and I had a wonderful time . Hope to be back soon