2022 Foal Watch?

[weixiao]

Filly is Casquino x Graf Top I x Sir Caletto.

I’m really pleased with how the cross is looking. I’ve already signed a contract for another stallion for this year (that I am very excited about) but I would definitely consider a repeat breeding of this cross in the future if she keeps developing as nicely as I think she will. I’m also so proud of my mare and how well she is doing.

@beowulf I haven’t picked a name yet! The one I’d thought I was going to use just didn’t quite suit her. I’m 98% sure on another one, but I want to feel it out for the day before I decide for sure!

A bit more photo spam.

[endlessclimb]

What a doll!

[quietann]

The whorl with the star at the top looks like an ice cream cone. She’s adorable!

[JBCool]

@quietann Whipped cream on top!

[LaurieB]

@endlessclimb, have the mare owners considered getting a nurse mare for the foal? That whole situation is a disaster both for now, and for the foal’s future life.

@weixiao, your filly is adorable. And photo spam is always welcome!

[endlessclimb]

I highly doubt they would consider that, but I 100% agree that’s the best option. Maybe she will settle down in a week or something, but I still wouldn’t trust that mare, not for one fleeting second. She’s shown what she’s willing to do.

They keep saying they think the mare was abused (but they don’t know that). Personally, I don’t see that at all, I see an arrogant, over-possessive mare who has never been mentally “put in her place” in her whole life.

[Clover5]

Could she be moved to the stall closest to the arena, so she doesn’t have to pass any (real) horses when you’re running her into the arena?

[endlessclimb]

The stalls closer to the arena are not foaling stalls. Excellent idea though.

[Texarkana]

@cripplecreekfrm

I am eagerly awaiting this foal. There is just something about a plain bay STB baby that has always melted my heart.

Mom is gray, so baby may not stay plain bay for long!

The sire is really a good looking horse. My mare would be unremarkable if it weren’t for her color. Everyone roped into this has been getting such a kick out of a gray standardbred.

[Texarkana]

@endlessclimb

At this second, the gun would be the only way. You absolutely can not touch her as she will try to end you with her weapons on either end.

I mean, you could try. But I’d want one of those dog bite sleeves and a vest and a full face helmet and… lol

I have dealt with a fair amount of aggression and ace tabs are usually the best option to get the mare into a state where you can at least get a hand on her.

I’m not an author on this paper, but I was the one getting bit and kicked so it could be written: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/docs/default-source/research/equine-behavior-laboratory/mare_and_foal_bonding.pdf?sfvrsn=6e26e0ba_0

One of my “favorite” stories from that time in my life was when a mare knocked me unconscious with her metal cribbing muzzle. I’m not sure if that was better or worse than what she would have done to me unmuzzled.

[ASBJumper]

@endlessclimb Wow… i am so sorry to hear you guys are dealing with this at your barn… i sincerely hope nobody ends up in the hospital (foal included)…

And breeding mares with crap temperaments is by far by biggest pet peeve. If i had a nickel for every time i witnessed this being done i’d be filthy rich. People always have an excuse “oh but the sire produces really great temperaments” “oh but she has amazing bloodlines and is a 10 mover” etc etc…
Don’t f***ing CARE. Don’t do it.

[cripplecreekfrm]

Grey standardbreds are definitely out there, more so in my experience than chestnuts. Laag, her grandsire, was pretty prolific and I would say that well over 50% of his foals ended up graying out. I had a grandson of his about 15 years ago, one of the best foxhunting horses I ever rode. When he got tired he would pace but that was the only time he ever did it under saddle.
This foal’s sire is a very good looking horse and I adore his sire. This baby is going to be amazing and have such a great story.

[BatCoach]

did they breed her on purpose? was she reasonable to handle before?

[endlessclimb]

I don’t think so, but I’m not sure.

She’s got an “I BITE” sign tied to the front of her door, so no.

I think this obnoxiousness she shows now could have been greatly reduced if they had firmly addressed the ill behaviors before the foal. But instead they say “we think she was abused” and made lots of excuses for the garbage behavior.

I don’t care what she was before you got her, biting is not acceptable. Kicking is not acceptable.

I think some people shouldn’t take on “project horses” because they really have no intention of fixing the issues, they just want a story to tell.

[Simkie]

@endlessclimb

They keep saying they think the mare was abused (but they don’t know that). Personally, I don’t see that at all, I see an arrogant, over-possessive mare who has never been mentally “put in her place” in her whole life.

Attacking silhouettes of horses painted on the wall is several steps past a horse that just hasn’t had someone draw a firm line in the sand. That’s well into “something is seriously WRONG” territory–like a brain tumor, or hormone secreting tumor.

This sounds like a horse that should be turned out in a safe field with her foal, with a round bale and an auto water, and no other animals within sight. When the foal is ready to wean, run the pair through chutes to separate. Treat her like rank livestock, because that’s what she is.

Dealing with a foal who’s had no human contact is so much easier than dealing with one who’s had a lot of bad human contact.

[endlessclimb]

Well, she’d been in that arena before the foal was born and didn’t maul the silhouettes, so the new baby is definitely making her brain misfire.

The good news is she is a lot more calm yesterday. I think the process of someone else “owning her stall” (me, in the adjacent stall snapping the whip to move her out) and the baby not being forced to be right next to her and running around some (and the mare getting her schnoz ripped every time she stepped on the drag line) maybe started her down a different mental path.

Regardless, I’d wean this baby as soon as humanly possible. I 100% agree that this pair needs a different set up.

If I ever bred a mare, she’d be going to somewhere set up for babies - this barn is NOT, at all. I don’t understand people sometimes.

[Texarkana]

I have a hunch Jesse may go tonight. Her pH was 6.8 last night and it’s been steadily dropping .4-.6 every day.

My friend who is foaling her out thought she may go last night, but no baby.

[scrbear11]

My first foal, of my own. After years of work at a breeding farm, I felt like I knew enough for my own. But “your own” makes you jaded!

On Ira (Selle Francais) x Countess Twice xx
“Bee’s” second foal after the first died (before I owned her). We are at day 305. She had a really bad reaction to her pre-foaling vaccines, vet checked her foal while treating her. It’s huge, it’s very active, and it’s almost done cooking. Vet said she would be surprised if I saw day 330. She thinks 320 is more like it.

Ugh. I’m a CPA. It’s tax season. I didn’t plan for a tax season foal.

Who needs sleep?

[Texarkana]

Last night Jesse’s Ca was up over 200 ppm, her pH was down below 6… and nothing. Maybe tonight?

[Montanas_Girl]

Any news yet, @Texarkana?