Saddlebrook Appaloosas » admin

Good Times

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:48:14 +0000

Wow we have some exciting times around here. First we had the two fillies. That was a real suprise as Dr. Schmidt said that Roxy was going to have a colt, but instead we were blessed to have two fillies. You can see pictures of them at http://www.barnbuddy.net/gallery2/v/S_B/2010+foals/ . “Luna” Fanny’s Filly is very tall and elegant just as I hoped for. “Spanky” Roxy’s foal is very spunky, and though not as tall the has the most beautiful markings on her hips. We will post more pictures as they get bigger. It is so muddy right now it is hard to get good pictures of things around herre.

Speaking of good pictures. I need to get some more pictures of Angel before she leaves for Germany this month. Yes Germany. We are very excited as though we have had foals in Europe before using Zippy’s semen, this is the first horse that we have had exported. She will leave here to Oklahoma at the end of the month and thenafter the quarentine period she will fly to Germany. I can’t wait to go visit her.

Marla has been working with Matilda and both of them will be attending the Midwest horse fair this year. They will be riding in a competition that involves a wide variety of differnt events. Kind of a skills test for horses. Matilda is kind of young for this competition, but she is doing very well. Here is a link to a video where you can see her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCWgXErLUHk

Thanks for watching,

S/B

Good things come

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:33:29 +0000

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

Little Luna

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:27:42 +0000

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

Updated again

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:04:10 +0000

Very little news on the Fanny front. Her udder is growing, but it is still not as full as I remember it. Smooth under her tail a little but still not ready there either. Looks like we are going to have to wait and watch until she decides she is ready. Last night really looked real, yet tonight she seems much calmer. I am going to watch again tonight just in case something unexpected happens.

Thanks for watching,

S/B

Fanny Update

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:45:41 +0000

Fanny is not ready yet, it looks like she is going to go past her due date at his point. I have been wrong before of course but I would guess we are 3 days or so away. Her udder is just not very big and she is not very loose yet under her tail. Look for the straw that will be a sign that she has wax. A day or two after that we should have a foal. Meanwhile Roxy looks almost as ready as Fanny. Her udder is bigger but because Roxy has had more foals it is a little hard to tell. She is not at all ready under her tail so I still think they will go in order if I had to bet.

Dr. Schmidt is predicting a filly for Fanny and colt for Roxy. We are planning to bring one of these pairs to the Midwest Horse Fair in April. Hopefully at least on these will have color. Roxy has had Spice and I am sure Fanny could produce a solid foal. We need a colored one if we want to go to the fair so keep your fingers crossed.

Thanks for watching,

S/B