Bits and bobs

Water Tanker

The breeding season is finally tailing off - not too soon really, I am a bit over it to be honest. We have the vet coming up Monday to scan two outside mares. Finger's crossed that they are in foal so I can send them on their way home. Yesterday was PG day with the last of the mares. Nessy had her shot and will be teased tomorrow to see how she is coming along and Alii didn't need the shot in the end as was gazing longingly over the gate at Hamish with her tail up when we went to go and catch and jab her - a lucky escape for her!

This was the first time Hamish has served a mare with foal at foot and I was a bit nervous about it. Both Robbie and Reilly have served wet mares in the past with no problems but the first time is always a little bit of a worry. Turns out we were worrying about nothing. We teased Alii (hardly required, Hamish's proximity to her was enough to let us know she was ready) with her foal, Ruahine, in the foal yard and Alii in the serving yard. Alii is quite a big (a good 16.1HH) mare and it took Hamish a few tries before he hit the jackpot but she stood exceptionally well and everything went without a hitch. Hamish was fascinated by the foal and spent a lot of time talking to her while she mouthed frantically at him and Alii poked her backside in his face. We will serve again on Sunday and finally on Tuesday morning and then Alii will go home for her scan a couple of weeks later and we will all cross our fingers and toes!

The water tanker came today to fill up our tank. $220 for half a tank of water - ouch! Now I hope it starts falling from the sky and soon!

Our Penny goat is poorly. Noticed yesterday that she was quieter than usual and by last night I knew she really was not feeling well. Last night we gave her a dose of ketol and a wormer and this morning she ate some willow branches and had another dose of ketol. Her temperature is within normal range and she did seem a wee bit brighter by late morning so hopefully, whatever it was is on its way. If there is no improvement by tomorrow I will get John to take a look at her when he is here to scan mares. We're very fond of our Penny and hope she is going to be ok!