Missouri
United States
Cleveland High School and School of Nursing
Retired from Health Care after 30+ years
St. Louis
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" Philippians 4:13 and "There's something about the outside of a horse that does wonders for the inside of a man."
The New Foal Is Here !The New Foal Is Here !
Born April16 at 1:42 AM - a colt.
Mom, "Josie" and dad, "Bandit" are both registered with the APHA. Josie, a solid color, is registered as a brood mare and has produced foals "of color" in the past. Our baby boy however is a dun. Both are doing well at this time.
I did purchase the "Predict A Foal" kit, really just out of curiosity, but boy am I ever glad I did!
We had "tested" Josie several times earlier, but on April 15, late afternoon the results indicated she would foal within 12 hours. Josie, herself showed absolutely NO signs that foaling was close. But because of those results we started every half hour checks on her. At 12:30 AM she was quietly munching hay. At the 1:00 AM check she was restless, so I stayed with her. Everything progressed rapidly from that point,
Josie had a very difficult delivery. The foal was fine, but Josie went into acute distress about 5 AM. We had alerted our vet the previous evening and he was at the farm by 5:45 AM after receiving my emergency call.
None of us, not even the vet, are exactly sure what happened. Josie was in acute pain - lying down and thrashing despite attempts to keep her up and walk her. The vet gave her two IV doses of Banamine [a pain killer] which didn't phase her. Then another pain reliever [I can't remember what]. The combination finally calmed her enough that at approximately 7:30 AM we turned her and the foal out in the paddock [at the vet's instructions]. All seemed fine - for awhile.
About 7 PM on April 16, all the symptoms reappeared. Our vet even mentioned putting her down. The thought of bottle raising a foal wasn't very appealing. Armed with more Banamine, Penicillin, and Vitamin K injections and our vet's warning that she may not make it through the night, another night was spent in the barn.
By morning all was calm. The vet warned that the next 72 hours were critical - so the watch continued.
The 72 hours have come and gone and Mom and Son appear to be doing well. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Baby boy remains unnamed at this time - waiting to find out more of his personality so the name will "fit".
Hi Dragonfur,
Thank you so much for asking about mom and baby. Happy to report both are doing fine, except baby is a real handful!
Glad to hear your mama and baby are fine. Love their pictures. Such a sweetheart!
I've taken lots of picture, just have to get some posted. Don't know where the time goes.
Thanks again
How are mama and baby doing now?
My American Miniature mare foaled April 19th. I've posted a few photos of mama Ladyhawk and Symphony in Silk in my photo album.
Symphony is my first ever miniature foal, and my first foal in 30 years. She has definite attitude and is quite an adventure for me! I hope you're having a wonderful adventure with your foal, too!
My thanks to both of you. I'm enjoying just standing at the fence for hours and watching baby's antics. I think he's already trying his mother's patience at times. The other horses are curious and run up to the fence whenever mom and baby are out. Baby wants to say "hi' to them, but mom says no by keeping herself between baby and the fence
I'm glad mama and baby are both doing well. I'm sorry the mare had a tough time, but I'm glad she made it through OK.
Congrats!
Oh my goodness! What a time you've had, but I'm hoping that they'll both continue to thrive... I want to know when you decide on a name and I hope you post some pictures. There's nothing more fun to watch than a new foal testing out his new 'toothpick' legs - they are s-o-o-o determined to get up and moving. I love horses, but have never had one and haven't ridden in about 30 years...
Congratulations on a healthy new baby!
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