Big week for babies

Today was supposed to be branding and gelding day - Yuck! BUT, the weather came to the party at last and it is raining - bad timing really but I refuse to complain because boy do we need this rain! Bree took a tumble in the paddock a few days ago and presented with a very swollen gaskin and lower hind. I put her on bute for a few days and the swelling subsided markedly but she still has a popped out area around her inner thigh/gaskin so I have spoken to her owner and we have agreed to get John to take a look at it. I doubt there is much more than rest/flat paddock and anti-inflammatories but I would prefer to be safe rather than sorry. I'm very fond of the old dragon and have had her here longer than some of my own horses!

This week I made a really tough decision which I know is for the best and the only decision I could make really but still, it sucked to have to make it - More on that later.

Laura left us yesterday. It has been so nice having her here to help - just a shame that Rory managed to break her thumb on the first full day of her stay with us! Naughty boy! We have a new girl arriving soon - from the Netherlands this time. It's a bit like Grand Central Station here but we love it! Hopefully we will have Meg home soon so it will be great to have someone help me with getting her out and about a bit.

Aine had her second equivac injection on Tuesday (Rory has had his course of three already) and has finally decided that apples don't bite back. Rory on the other hand could not possibly eat an apple as his big silly Uncle Bados doesn't like them and what he says, goes! We have dozens of wild apple trees that line the road that we live on with many different old varieties of apples. It is this time of the year that I go and 'harvest' the crop. So far we have about 20kg but I have a lot more to pick but need the help of a special loop on a stick to get those apples that are out of reach up high. A job for Bernou and I in the coming week or two, I think!

Early in the week I had an email from Claire who bought Rafferty (TF Hamish x Future [Maude by Kingsway Diamond) off me a couple of years ago - He has just gone to Gavin's for breaking in so I should be able to see him when we go to collect Meg - I am VERY excited and will be taking my camera!! She loves him to bits and says she already misses him dreadfully. Another very satisfied owner of a Hamish baby.

Not much to report other than that - The Vet has postponed until tomorrow but I don't fancy our chances with more rain forecast!

Twinky Dink

Poor wee Twinkle has been looking a little unloved so, with Laura's help, today she came in for a makeover and photo session. Twinkle's name is 'Kingcroft Tickled Pink' and she is a 3 year old NZWB filly by Trakehner stallion Holme Park Flute out of a lovely TB mare by Kenfair and came to me from her breeder, Nicky Wolstencroft, back in 2007. Twinkle will be bred to Hamish this Spring. She's an absolute delight, in every way and had what I think was her very first hose down/shampoo today and was an angel. I was very pleased with her and she absolutely loved the fuss and attention. As the photos show, she already has a good dose of the winter woollies but she is unrugged and out on hills so she needs that lovely covering for the winter ahead.

A nice letter

Yesterday in my inbox I received the nicest email so I want to share and, if the person who sent it to me reads this, I hope you realise it helped make my day, thank you!

Hi Lou, I just wanted to let you know that I had a good catch-up with my friend ***** last night and she is simply thrilled with her Hamish youngster *** ***. He's become a firm favourite with everyone on her farm because of his personable, incredibly social nature, and he's gorgeous to boot! And he's going to be a HORSE! She just can't speak highly enough of him, which I just thought I'd pass on, because I'm sure breeding can feel like a thankless task at times and certainly have it's lows. Have a great day :)

Breeding certainly can have its lows but things like this are so much a part of why we do what we do and it is just the greatest feeling to know that you have been responsible, at least partly, for bringing such happiness and joy into the lives of others.

That's all :o)