Saddlebrook Appaloosas

Well good things come to those who wait right? At about 11am today Roxy finally had her foal. I was actually in the barn waiting for the vet so that we could breed Annie and Frosty. About fifteen minutes before he came Roxy paced a little and then I saw the sack coming. First two black legs and then a black head. I was a little worried as when the head was half out she got up and laid down again. Before long the foal was out. She was up against the back wall so I went back to make sure there was enough room. I recorded the entire thing and will post if for those that missed it. There was one glaring problem with the video. When I was helping with the foal, my pants were just a little too low for public viewing. Let’s just say the plumber in me would be proud. Any ways I need to review the tape a little before I post it. Maybe next time I should put a belt in the foaling kit, just in case. Anyway the foal was now out and I turned it over to see the umbilical cord and I noticed an udder. Now Dr. Schmidt had checked Roxy at 4 months and said that she would be having a colt. I checked again under her tail and sure enough a girl. I will have to call Dr. Schmidt and razz him. She looked solid black when she came out, but as she is drying you can se more and more color on her blanket. I also gave her an enema right away as both vets recommend that to help them nurse. Over the next hour or two she nursed alot in the back corner of the stall. I got a little worried until I called Dr. Geiche and he said if the foal likes the corner put the mare there and see what happens. I did that and in no time she drank. I have backed Roxy up one more time on the other side and she drank there too. So far so good. Thanks for watching, S/B

No, that isn’t her chosen name yet, just a favorite children’s book title “Stella Luna” that I was reminded of by some of the suggested names we are considering. The vet exam today was very good. We don’t have her IgG test results back yet, but she is certainly nursing very well. Fanny was the perfect mother – on a loose lead, she just watched over the vet who does his exam by laying the foal down, and only a few soft nervous nickers gave anything away that she was the least bit upset. First, the baby. She had all great measures for temp, respiration, heart, eyes, etc. She was vigorous and strong, so must be getting plenty of milk although Fanny’s udder is on the small side. The vet just thought she was drinking a lot! Nice straight legs and very handsome conformation. So far Bill has only noticed mottled skin on the little girl, so we need one of the three other App characteristics to magically appear – coat pattern, striped hooves, or white sclera. It does not loo like she has the sclera, so……hopefully some day soon we will find a few white hairs on her rump and they will multiply like bunnies!

Fanny was amazingly fit and not even a tear after the tough delivery. Bigger foal, two weeks late – and the rough pulling didn’t do any damage. The vet said there was some very typical bruising and she looks great. She also has all good vitals and was calm and accommodating about the guys handling her baby. Good girl!! Thsi new vet I am lking. He believes less is more, and does not give a shot to clean out the mare, nor penecillin to the foal as a safety measure. He talked about studies that show it may do more harm than good, and from a customer’s standpoint, he is also advocating a less invasive – and less expensive! – way to go. Very different than past vets who wanted to do everything, all the time.

Here is a little video of her…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTWbRdkXKtA