He's arrived!!!

Congratulations Coalman's Touch (RID) and Wynyard Night Owl (IDSH) and welcome to the world little 'Rory'. Turns out that my bay filly is in fact a chestnut colt but, he's perfect so I really cannot complain! Another trouble free foaling (always an extra worry when the mare is a maiden) and Hooty has taken to motherhood like a duck to water - she was definitely born to be a mum!

Rory was born within a few minutes of Hooty going down and her waters breaking - I was out with her talking to her as she was very agitated, when ready, and she quietly dropped to my feet and started to push.

Rory was on his feet after one massive effort and up he stayed! I don't know if we have ever had a foal stand and stay up without taking at least one or two tumbles but not Rory he was up and away and hasn't looked back.

I have some photos and a short video to share. I hope you enjoy.

Clever photoshop

I love playing with photoshop. I don't really know what I am doing and profess that my cloning skills need a lot of work but I like this pic of Hamish but didn't like the background so, I had a go and changing that. Now, if anyone knows how to give him a unicorn horn, please sing out! I would LOVE to do that, especially if I could put him in a really fantastical setting - but, I have NO clue how to do that. Halp!

Now you see it...

Now you don't!

Rehabilitating the pregnant mare

When I bought Reilly's mum, he was in utero. I have blogged her story already but a recent thread on an online noticeboard has prompted me to blog the photos I took of Lark's progress after she came to us. To me there is no excuse for a pregnant mare to be thin, especially not if she is fed effectively and it is not rocket science putting weight on an underweight horse, nor does it have to cost the earth. Lark was fed boiled barley, chaff, sugarbeet and oil in small feeds 3-5 times a day for approximately 2 months and then twice a day for the final month until foaling.

Lark the day after we collected her Lark after a week at home

Lark after 3 weeks at home


Lark after 5 weeks

Lark after 6 weeks at home (note, no grass)


Lark after 7 weeks at home

Lark after 10 weeks at home and a few days pre foaling

It's amazing what feeding and love can do. I may have lost Lark but I have her stunning son and a very beautiful grand daughter - I will forever miss Lark but I will always be grateful for the experience of having her in my life.