Marvelous Moondance

Moondance is making great progress. I can walk up to him pick up all 4 feet, rub him all over, catch him and lead him. He is learning to back up when asked, but mostly, he is just enjoying being Moondance!

He is speedy and athletic like all his brothers were at this age. He is so friendly too, always being helpful when I muck or feed. Mama has loosened the apron strings a bit too, she doesn't worry if he goes for a burn in the bottom pen while she eats in the top pen. But Drifter better not get too close to him visiting over the fence!
Belle is in her foal heat, she was covered by Beamer last night and will get 1 more cover  and hopefully that will be all she needs and we can look for an early May foal next year!

Wordless Wednesday

Riding day 20

Happy birthday Drifter!

Drifter turns 2 today and my o my he is looking good! I gave him a bath, which he handled well, and turned him out on the pasture before he could take a dust bath and ruin all my hard work.

Shayla had a quick visit on Saturday, so he got worked and ridden too; he hasn't forgotten anything but he was pretty fresh since I haven't worked him for at least a month, so a good groundwork session first before riding.

I sure am happy with him! 

All about the young 'uns.

Moondance has had a couple of halter lessons; I usually do this in the evening at feeding time.

Letting him  see, sniff and feel this new thing before putting it on him.

It's on, now what?

Good boy, Moondance!

The halter sessions will go on until I can catch him in the open, lead him first with mama and then by himself, then I will turn Belle and baby out in the main pen with Gussie and stick Drifter in the smaller foal pen/run.

Yesterday was kids day at the farm. The word is out that there is a new foal here and some folks brought children over. This young lady is an avid horse person already, she came over with her grandma to meet Moondance....

 and as a bonus got a little ride on his daddy Beamer.

Later in the day another family came with their two daughters and twin sons, and  while they were happy to see Moondance they were happier to get to ride!

Once again, Beamer got the call....

but they had their eye on Gussie too, so I brought her out  and Gus was happy to graze while the little ones sat on her. 

Yes, ones, as in more than one....

3 at once in fact! They all enjoyed their horse time, and that is a big part of why I do what I do- the future is always in the children, so lets get them loving on horses from the start!

Shall we dance?

He has a name; Mama Belle and I are pleased to present, Midnight Moondance on his debut dance, showing off just how well he works those long legs and floats across the ground.

He is a friendly little fellow!

Doesn't he just look like daddy in this photo!

Dna is in the mail to determine his colour and panel for his registration. I'm pretty sure it will come back black and not smoky black but looks can deceive so I test to be sure.

All bedded down last night. Oh the cuteness! 

The waiting is over!

As my sister said, God gives what He gives.
And I'm pretty happy with the perfection He gave me last night.
With Belle waxing like that I was pretty sure she would foal soon, so I figured I would get a little rest , and Thumper kept watch for me.

Just after 10 o'clock, I woke up to restless pacing sounds, so I figured it was time, got geared up with boots and coat and watched and waited.
Around 10:30, her water broke, and she continued pacing. I went in the pen to check on her and knew there was an issue; as the bubble with the baby sac was hanging pretty low.
When  the bubble come out there were no feet in it.

Then when she went down to push I could see that the feet inside her were pushing against the skin at the top of her vulva. So I reached in and found the feet and pulled down on them. I thought it was breech at first because I could see the soles of the feet. Called the vet to ask what I should do and as I was on the phone Belle pushed the feet out and then I could see the head coming. I held the feet and pulled, urging Belle "Stay down mama!" Baby was sideways, the head on the left of the feet. Once I started pulling the rest of the birth went smoothly.

First breath

Where am I?

Mama bonding time

This is why I camp out and make sure I am there for foaling. With baby stuck in the birth canal like that it could have been bad for both mama and baby without a little assistance.

Once I was sure baby was ok, I prepared fresh straw in the foaling shelter; Belle foaled outside in the pen where I had a bedding pack, so that all the fluids are outside and not a big mess in the stall.  I got them in the stall then it was time to check gender.

And...

It's a colt. 

No filly for me this year!

 He is a vigorous colt, was fairly quick to get on his feet and quick to figure out nursing. He is very much like Eli in size and looks.

Everything else went perfectly; he pooped, Belle passed her placenta, and I was able to come back to the house to sleep in my own bed for the first time in 20 days!
Baby was born at 11:30 PM May 6, so there is no clear winner in the contest. Crazysheeplady got the sex and color right,(black colt) and the closest in time is FarSide, 2 of my favourite bloggers!

Here are a couple photos from chore time this morning.

Bringing baby out for the first time- back off Drifter!

Protective and proud mama

Blaze, white spot on lower lip, a perfect swirl and diagonal stockings.

And a gorgeous profile!

Now to figure out a name..... of course I only had filly names picked out!

Stay tuned....

No not yet...

The sleepless nights continue.

So since I don't have cute foal photos to show you, how about some Beamer pics!

He loves turnout time, struts his stuff like a young fellow!

A sequence.... never did click when his front legs were extended, but this shows how balanced a horse is at speed and how they use their head and neck for that balance.

And he jumps for joy....

So handsome....

This is called flehmen, he sniffs something interesting and then curls his lip so he can get the scent

Then down to the business of munching!

For those of you who guessed May 1st in the foaling contest, leave a comment with your new guess!

Still in the Belley

The waiting continues. I have my spy camera to keep an eye on Belle when I am not at the barnyard.

The view from the spy cam

I have a bed of straw for her outside of the shelter to encourage her to foal out there, then after foaling I bed the shelter for mama and baby. The shelter can be closed up with a panel and gate as needed. She sleeps on the straw at night, with much groaning as her belly is huge right now. I still think not as big as she was with Eli, though.

Gussie is in heat, and Drifter is beside himself trying to figure out why she smells so good but doesn't know what to do about it. Lots of butt sniffing and lip curling but that's about all. I will separate them soon and on her next heat will see if we can help him figure it out. I think separating them will help, because Gussie is getting impatient with him and chases him off when he gets too pestery. She's like, Just hurry up will you!

It's ok Drifter, you'll figure it out eventually.

Meanwhile, the shelter for the mare pen is making progress; the main structure was moved in yesterday, but that's another post. It will be a week or so before it is finished and ready, as the roof needs to be framed in as well as the side walls, but here is a sneak peak :

All that cross bracing will be taken off, it was just to stabilize the structure for moving as Ted had to build it up by the shop so he could use the welder. This is 20 ft. long and 13 ft. wide, lots of room for the horses! The front is 12 ft high and the back wall is 8 ft. high, and it's all made out of rough cut lumber from a local mill, with the skids being recycled 6 inch gas line pipe.

I moved Gussie and Drifter into the pen that adjoins the foaling pen until this shelter is safe for them to use. 

Fun with Drifter

I had a little fun with my camera at feeding time yesterday. I told Drifter he had to work for his breakfast.....

In all 3 of these photos he is completely airborne. Can you tell what lead he is on in each of them?

Power take off

Full speed

Pretty boy!

Yes Drifter, you earned your breakfast