UGH…
Nothing yet. She had big beads of wax at turn-in yesterday, thought for sure she was gearing up to go last night, but no dice. I am soooo tired… waaahhh**
8 Likes
Sorry I’m late! But I can announce my foaling season officially ended May 1. Client mare Ramiro’s Magic had a healthy little Sea Lion filly at 11:55pm April 30, and then our own Bodacious Barb (yeah what a name…) had a HUGE colt by Astern on May 1 at 11:45pm.
Barb’s delivery was not an easy one. The front feet came out upside down, soles up, nose upside down. And he was ENORMOUS. She kept trying to roll and reposition in the foaling stall, and it was getting too cramped and dangerous in there, so we led her out to the clean, grassy yard for lots of open space. I had hoped walking her would let the foal slide back down and finish turning, but not quite. She went down, my husband and I tried to help. His head was out, purple tongue hanging out sideways, I worried he was dead. Foal was shoulder locked, then elbow locked. Once his forearms emerged, the colt (still sideways in the birth canal) came fully alive, flopping like a fish and flinging his head and neck all over, banging the ground, I’ve ever seen anything like it. My husband held his head still as his body finally twisted and hind legs came out properly. Phew. We were all exhausted. The colt was quite simply too big to put in the wheelbarrow, so we waited for him to stand and walk himself back into the stall.
Despite all the trauma, Barb was fine and doing well. The colt had a cracked rib and a minor eye injury (probably from the head flopping), but otherwise has been 100%. Due to the rib, they were on stall rest for 10 days, but finally all clear to go outside. We have named him Twister, because of the way he was born and because of the funnel-like star on his forehead. Super nice colt who I predict to be 17h one day…his cannons are longer than his momma’s (16.1) and she has several 17h+ giants in her female family.
The two foals are in neighboring paddocks, and it is funny to see the big fancy warmblood mare with the little filly, and the average-sized TB mare with her giraffe colt!
30 Likes
@EventerAJ congrats on a successful foaling season!! that colt is so cute! 
Day 335 today and my mare still hasn’t released her hostage… turn-in peeps msged me yesterday at 4pm to tell me she was dripping milk and had milk all over her legs, so i REALLY thought it was go time… nope. Nothing. 
2 Likes
Congratulations @EventerAJ! I’ve been really impressed with the athleticism of Astern’s foals.
We’re still waiting for our 2nd mare to foal (day 344).
In the meantime, here’s a pic of Scribble (TB) who turned 3 months old on 5/4.
19 Likes
Oh wow, Scribble is lovely! So well balanced and correct.
I said goodbye to our first one today. Brie has been weaned for 2 weeks and went home today with her new owner. Now just have to finish getting the rest of the mares in foal…its been a much tougher year than usual.
4 Likes
@LaurieB Scribble is lovely!!!
@EventerAJ sounds like Barb’s delivery was stressful. Glad everything worked out!
Still waiting here on Gracie… 343
4 Likes
Ooh, I LOVE Scribble & Twister! Ok, I love most of the babies: y’all make pretty ones. 
Glad Barb is ok after foaling that whale. That had to be a werird sensation
3 Likes
Hang in there @ASBJumper. 
Congratulations @EventerAJ! There’s nothing like a malpresentation to take a few years off your life. What a lovely foal.
Scribble is looking great @LaurieB.
2 Likes
@EventerAJ Congrats on a successful foaling season! But Barb could have spared you the dramatic finale! Glad it ended well. What a huge and good looking foal!
@LaurieB Scribble is beautiful!
1 Like
She’s HERE!!! 
True to her insanely friendly, people-oriented temperament, Arya waited until I had come back to the barn, wrapped her tail, washed her udder, and literally minutes later, proceeded to flop down and foal at 8:30pm with myself and another boarder still in the stall with her. Legit - she was like “ok, you guys are both here, imma lie down and push this baby out now, k? Don’t go anywhere!” GOD LOVE HER.
From water breaking to full exit, 8 minutes. Easiest delivery ever.
Filly is healthy, spunky and doing great. Arya is an outstanding new mom. I am so proud. 
46 Likes
She’s adorable! I love her!
1 Like
FOAL HAS ARRIVED! Gracie was sneaky and gave birth last night to beautiful filly with two hind socks and very unique face markings! Gracie’s milk pH was not testing like she was going to foal. My friend (who is leasing Gracie from me as a broodmare) went out to feed this morning and SURPRISE. Hoping to get over there after work today to see the wee one. Mom and baby are doing great. I will post some pics when we have better ones 
22 Likes
Congrats @Trak_Eventer! Please share pics when you can.
I am now officially jealous. All Aces still has her legs crossed and seems perfectly happy that way. 
Congrats @ASBJumper and @Trak_Eventer, glad your wait is over!
My foaling season is done, but I swear the “counting days” wait is almost just as stressful! It’s mid-May now, and we’re getting down to the wire for the commercial mares (some on their third cover) to get in foal. We’ve had three absorb before heartbeat check, and one slip just after heartbeat, so as much as I want to relax after a good 14-day preg check, I still hold my breath until 45 days.
Anyone else need to do a fertility dance, or just me?
Congratulations, @ASBJumper and @Trak_Eventer! Seems to be a filly year here on the BB. I sure hope that trend holds for me.
I will join you in that fertility dance, @EventerAJ. I find out on the 24th whether Sydney took on her second attempt. If she didn’t, I may sit down and cry in the middle of the barn aisle.
3 Likes
Apart from the stress and astronomical amount of money I have spent on a surprise foal, it’s made me really miss breeding…
…until I hear about everyone’s fertility frustrations and I’m like, “nope, nope, nope, glad that’s not me, when can I get back to our originally scheduled plan of trail riding?”
Sending positive vibes for lots of black dots soon!
4 Likes
