Yes, it’s another update from the farm, the girls are keeping us busy.  As I was writing the last post we had three more babies. So let me get started before we have anymore. 

March 14, Savannah’s Glory, a beautiful chestnut mare by Bluegrass Cat, was 9 days past her projected due date but according to her owners this was normal timing for her.  She waited until the last moments possible to have her baby on the fourteenth.  She spent the prior two days letting us believe it was going to happen at any moment and the guests at the B&B were very disappointed when she kept all of us waiting, and waiting even past their departure.  But at 11:45 p.m. she or should I say her big colt decided it was time and 5 minutes before midnight we were blessed with a 138 pound colt by Outwork.  Mama was content to let Cris help with the feeding of this big boy so she could take some time to relax. At this point Chuck and I took our clue from mama and decided rest sounded good, so we went back to the house leaving both mare and foal in the good care of Cris.

Penumbra decided two hours of sleep was all Chuck and I needed.  With few preliminary signs, she laid down and delivered a 110 pound chestnut filly by Goldencents.  I think she was trying to deliver her baby when no one was looking but luckily Cris was there to see her lay down and called just in time for us to catch her in the act.  I must admit she could have done it all on her own, but it’s comforting for us to be there just in case they need some assistance.  This filly seems to have inherited her mama’s independent spirit, she was standing and nursing all on her own within 30 minutes. Such a big spirit, let’s hope it shows on the racetrack. 

Chaybaby, the next mare due was already 10 days past her projected due date.  When it came time for her to deliver she was ready but the colt wasn’t in the correct position.  I think I’ve talked about this issue before, but let me explain.  You check the foal’s position once the mare’s water breaks.  The foal should present the two front legs (one extended slightly in front of the other) with the nose resting between them.  The heels of the front hooves should be facing the ground and the top of the foal’s head and the foal’s back should be towards the mares back.  This was not the case with Chaybaby.   So, to prevent Chaybaby from continuing to push Cris started walking her up and down the shed row.  Often, this is all it takes for the baby to correct itself, but this foal was not quick to turn.  With Chuck’s help, the baby turned and Chaybaby had a beautiful colt by Improbable.  Thankfully, he wasn’t stressed by the repositioning, he stood, he nursed, he was the perfect colt.

I was moments away from finishing this blog when Shane’s Girlfriend decided she wanted to be included.  If you’ve ever been a guest here you know the only time Shane is in a good mood is the 5 seconds it takes to feed her a mint.  So, when she was considerate enough to start nesting before 8:00 p.m. we were hoping this wasn’t a false alarm.  It wasn’t, she delivered a big beautiful filly by American Pharoah and I mean big, she weighed in at 138 pounds.  This is Shane’s 4^th foal but her first filly.  Like her half-brothers she’s showing an independent spirit but unlike them she’s also sweet.

I’m stopping now before we have another foal.  Hopefully!