Silas day 16

Ugh!

This is such a roller coaster ride. Not so great today. Temp is fine, within normal range (and vet really happy about that, as are we!) but he's not feeding at all well - We're still getting something into him but about 1/3 his normal intake. Our vet did not get to us until 6pm so it has been a long day of waiting. We've been trying every hour to tempt him with some milk or foal meal and some times are more successful than others. He has got to his feet by himself a couple of times but his stifle is very, very sore, poor baby boy. It's really doing my head in. It seems so unfair that, in his brief time on this earth, he has had such a rotten time And, we just miss Deb so much that the thought of losing Silas too is more upsetting than words can express. The portrait Nick drew of Debi hangs on our wall and I can barely bring myself to look at her without dissolving into tears.

We have decided that Silas will tell us when he has had enough and right now, he still has some spark in his eye and a very obvious will to live. Tonight we will try feeding him a big dose of oil and electrolytes in the hope that we can help his upset gut plus we will get a good dose of acidophilus yoghurt into him. We will also dilute his milk further. He won't starve and, who knows, perhaps it will be enough to make a difference - maybe his big tough clydie gut is just too efficient? Please continue to keep everything crossed for him.

Video montage

Yesterday I went out and took a few random video clips, mainly of Rory who tends to demand the attention (!) as he is such a bl**dy ratbag! That is one colt foal that needs gelding! Shame really as I would love to keep him entire and use him over my Kingsway Diamond mare and Bella but I value my life and my sanity too much to try and tackle him as a 2 year old with balls! Boy does he need some lessons in manners. I have to say, he is however fabulous to halter and handle. He's just a right sh*t to his mother and a scallywag through and through. But I do love to grab his head between my hands and kiss him squarly on the nose. Not sure the feeling is mutual ...

Robbie's two TBx fillies also feature briefly and, when I pan across the paddocks at the beginning, you will see monster filly Aine in her paddock with Maude. At about 2:20 you will also see Nick taking Silas for a walk in the background. He's ok this morning. Temperature is down but he is not drinking as much as normal and still definitely needs help to get to his feet plus is fairly constipated, despite the increased laxatives. I'm thinking of diluting his milk even more in an attempt to try and sort this out - clydesdales are such good 'doers', perhaps he is just doing too well on the milk and needs it even trimmer? I really wish he would hurry up and turn the corner - I know he has a lot of aunties and uncles all over the country (and the world) jingling for him and I would hate to be responsible for letting all these lovely people down - he simply HAS to get through this!! We love him far too much now and I made that promise to his mum ...

All the pretty horses

What a heartbreaker this wee lass is going to grow up to be - not even 48 hours old but look at her! THIS is what every breeder dreams of, a perfect, healthy baby. THIS is why we do it. THIS is what I need to look at every day and remind myself why I do this ...