Masterton Show - Feb 13, 14 and 15th

Yesterday I decided, a little at the last minute, that we will take Meg to the Masterton Show this year. I figure it will be a great outing for her and we really should try to support our local show as we have not been able to do so for a couple of years. Meg has a turnout title her mum won to defend although I think we might be pushing the proverbial uphill if we aim for that so we'll just aim to get there in one piece and get home in one piece I think!

Today I brought her in and we spent 20 minutes loading her in and out of the float a few times. Unfortunately food was the only thing that would get her in, she has her mother's stubborn streak it would seem, but we have a couple of weeks to sort that out! She's not bothered by the float, just rather be outside than inside, unless food is involved. Tart!

Then she had her first bath which I have to say, she did not really enjoy! She has a LOT of mane and a hell of a lot of tail! She's now tucked up in the yards with a pile of hay and a nice feed while I decide what paddock to put her in.

The vet has just left. I got him out to look at Hooty's teeth because she has been dropping a lot of feed and I was suspicious that she had an issue in her mouth. However, her teeth had a couple of semi-sharp edges but nothing that John was unduly concerned about and she had a quick float and then it was time to go up and scan Girl.

Girl has been with us since early November but shown absolutely no sign of cycling. At one stage we thought she may have been in season so tried hand serving but she was adamant that she was having nothing to do with Hamish and, when things got dangerous, we gave up. I spoke to her owner last week and she agreed that it was time to get the vet out. Our timing today could not have been better! Girl needed a sedative to go into the crush and rewarded us with a big fat 45-50mm follicle so, she was WELL in but sure as hell not letting anyone know!!

Primed to ovulate, today was optimum for service so, as luck would have it, an already sedated Girl was taken to the yards, teased, and SERVED! Hallelujah! Now we cross everything and pray to the Gods of fertility and wait!

Today's photos are of Meg dragged straight out of the paddock before having any 'work' done on her. Watch this space for progress!

Offside - BEFORE

Nearside - BEFORE

A full brother or sister for Aine

I have just realised, after receiving an email from Maude's owner in the UK, that I have not blogged the most recent stud news. Maude is in foal to Reilly again, yay! She conceived on her first cycle giving us a LDOS of 18 December and an expected arrival date of 23 November. Good girl Maude!

Minty came back for a second try on Saturday (came straight into season and has been served) and Girl is proving to be a bit of an enigma having been here for a couple of months and silent cycling. I have convinced her owner to have the vet out to look at her/scan her to see what exactly is going on. I am hoping that she was covered when we were not looking and was just being a tart by not letting us hand serve with her. A girl can hope. Hopefully we will have some answers this week.

We are still waiting for two mares to arrive as well - now very late in the season and both mares present their own challenges (one is a wet mare, the other has a caslick and requires scanning to evaluate follicle, unzipping, serving and immediate re-zip). I'm kinda looking forward to this season being over. It has been long and not altogether succesful and I'm pretty much over it!

Today I am attaching a short video of Maxi on the lunge. Yesterday was day two of his lunge training and he's picked it up so well. He's very responsive to my voice and tries very hard to please. Amy is the camera operator so things are a bit shaky but she was all I had at the time and she's done pretty well. After his lunge session she begged me for a ride so I popped her up for walk and trot on each rein. Excuse the eclectic dressing (both of us). She dressed herself and has been desperate to wear her brand new school shoes ever since I bought them. I wasn't planning on her riding but figured, as long as she has her toes covered and a helmet, we should be good to go. As for me, it was hot and I just couldn't face wearing boots!

Weaning time?

Ah well actually, no, it is NOT weaning time just yet although it seems perhaps Rory has other ideas?

And what are you doing in THIS paddock young man? And are your legs ok??? Legs, check, all good

Catching the ratbag

Mum and Uncle B in the correct paddock!

Now do not do that again young man, d'ya hear me?

Reunited at last