BABIES!!!

 Do you know how long it's been since I've had foals?  The last youngest are currently 6... it's been a minute. 

Let me back things up cause, man, it's been one hell of a month since I last wrote.  

June 10 my dad passed away.  He'd been struggling with cancer for a long time, and although he'd been looking like he was making positive progress recently, he had a sudden decline that took him away from us.  While I miss my dad and am going through the grieving process, I'm so glad he's not suffering any longer. 

The very next day, Chai delivered us a bouncing baby boy!  I didn't expect her to deliver that early, but I didn't look that closely at the signs.  Understandably, I was distracted.  Anyways, she did great, he was wonderful, strong and healthy, but poor Chai was hurting.  She couldn't get comfortable or in any position to rest.  A dose of banamine and she laid down with me and her colt to rest for about 20 minutes and felt far better after.  She's been great since. 

Her colt, a tall nearly black - will turn grey, is named Nureyev SE with a barn name of Uri.  He's named after Rudolph Nureyev - one of the greatest ballet dancers to ever live.  

He's doing well with halter training and overall socialization.  Except that he's in the stage where everything needs to be nibbled.  I have a tiny bruise on my forearm... Turkey!  

I got to take time off from work and spent lots of time with the horses.  It was good for my heart and convenient for all the goings-on at the farm.  Just when I thought I would go back to work, I got an urgent call that one of the young boarded horses decided it would be far more efficient to eat from INSIDE the ring feeder, but got herself stuck trying to make her exit.  With the help of the neighbor, she was rescued but not without some injury.  By the time I reached the farm, a pressure bandage had been applied to her hock to stop some arterial bleeding.  I got the trailer hooked up, added to the bandaging, got her loaded and away we went.  The vets were fantastic.  Mostly just debrided and cleaned up the wound, a few sutures to ensure nothing headed down the wound in front of the tendon, and thankfully no joint compromise.  Little girl is going to be getting a lot of attention while her injury heals (and it's doing really well!!)  Reminds me a lot of what Mud had done when she was 2.  

So that was fun.  

I have been able to ride quite regularly now that Ritchie has fancy new dancing shoes on (he just needed his front shoes redone, there's nothing actually fancy about them...)  It's been really neat to watch his fitness come back as well as his willingness to work.  I do my very best to ensure he gets the attention he needs and deserves after work.  We've done a lot of pole work as well as stretching.  Seems to be making a difference to his strength and how good he's feeling.  What makes me happy is Matchy-Matchy tack and boots!!  hehehehe 

And lastly, in the wee hours of July 4, our last colt arrived.  I had been waiting for him. Sheeba held onto him for an extra 10 days and, being maiden and a Ritchie foal, we were worried that he might be very large.  Sheeba did great, started into an active labor at 3:00 and laid down to deliver by 3:30.  

This tiny, adorable little colt is named Baryshnikov SE (Misha for short) after Mikhail Baryshnikov, another incredibly talented dancer I adore.  Big name for a wee pony but I have no doubt he'll grow and become an impressive horse in his own right.  He was quick to find his legs and get up - probably 20 minutes.  Like Chai, Sheeba is a wonderful mom and recovered really well without need for banamine or anything other than a nice, warm mash.  Misha's got to grow quickly to be able to go play with his nephew, Uri!  

And now we're all caught up!  

Happy Horseing!