No Baby Yet

We took a video while at the barn the other day. We spend a lot of time spoiling Friday. Maybe that is why she hasn't had the baby. She is a wise old broodmare and figures the baby will get all of the attention once she gives birth. Not a bad strategy, except she looks real miserable at the moment. Walking and eating are both pretty hard for her at the moment.

Still Waiting

No baby yet. Who knew she get any fatter? Grace sings her a fat song which she seems to enjoy.

She is healthy, other than a bit of swelling on her back legs. She has decided that it is truly possible to stand in one place for up to 12 hours and never move. Our vet decided this was not ideal and now I must walk her a couple of times per day to help reduce the swelling in her legs and to improve her overall circulation. She is not impressed. To alleviate the boredom of this task, I put her on the "hot walker". She pleaded (by neighing and trying to make eye contact) with every trainer, horseman, or family member who walked by. Everyone stopped,  laughed, and marveled at her huge size. She was not amused. I haven't put her back on the hotwalker.

We have her stall ready to go with clean straw, her pink bucket, and plenty of hay. Today she has decided she doesn't want any more hay. She only wants hand-fed treats or grain. We may be getting close......

Closer!!

We are checking on Friday pretty regularly now (at least once a day). Today she was definitely more tired (still willing to eat treats though). She is relaxing on the back end, her milk bag is bigger, and she is so big she can hardly walk. She just sort of waddles from one area of the paddock to the other.

I braided her tail yesterday, but won't wrap it until she is in active labor. This helps keep her tail hairs cleaner and away from sensitive tissue. She goes into her stall every night and is out all day.

Friday enjoying a snack.

The girls are getting so excited. I am too. I have been madly cleaning the house, sort of a nesting behavior I think.

Gettin Close



 It is really getting close. Friday is due on March 21st and is showing some signs of the impending delivery. She has started enlarging her udder ("bagging up" as it is called in horseman's circles). The baby has dropped and Friday is getting a little lazier. Don't get me wrong, she is still viciously kicking at other horses that get too near, but she definitely stands in one place, and for the most part, dozes.







Is that food you are getting?

 

She is also shedding her winter coat and I have been dutifully brushing her almost every day. She enjoys being groomed (her one pleasure, besides eating) and nearly falls asleep as I go about my chores. I find it very relaxing to brush her and use that time to work through issues on the job etc. I get so relaxed that I am sure that someday Audrey and Grace will come find Friday and me laying in the paddock side by side, sawing logs....



Telling her paddock mate to keep her distance



It is hard to believe we will have a little foal in the next several weeks. We watch the other mares and foals at the barn playing and I try to picture ours.



A new colt. He is too small for his legs!



















Valentine and her mom



Valentine Goes To School

It was an exciting day at the barn! Audrey had a chance to work with the new baby. She was teaching her how to lead with a halter. Grace took the pictures, I held the mare (mommy), and Terry (from the barn) helped Audrey learn how to work the ropes. Audrey is going to be very ready to work with our new baby.

Audrey helping Valentine get used to a halter



Audrey looks so big next to this baby!




Now what was it you wanted me to do?

All is well with Friday. She is huge but is still prancing around like she owns the place. Three weeks to go!



First Baby of the Year is Here!

This cutie was born on the 15th about 3 hours before I saw her at the barn. They are calling her Valentine. I took Audrey and Grace to see her the next day and they were thrilled. Audrey really couldn't believe how small she is. Valentine looks healthy and happy, although her mother is not real eager for her to get close to anyone. The girls are even more excited to see our baby!

Gettin Big

                                          
Friday is fit and happy, although a bit muddy. I worried about her in the cold, but she came through fine. Audrey wouldn't stand for her being moved to the barn. There has been a respiratory virus in the barn and Audrey was worried our girl would get sick. She did fine outside.

I calculated her potential birthing dates. Horses have a lot of variation in gestation. She could foal anytime between February 19th and April 16th. Usually the mare will wait longer if her foal is due early in the year. I'm thinking end of March will probably be about right (it has something to do with the longer light in spring and summer).                 

She is pretty big now and seems uncomfortable more of the time. She kind of sways back and forth when she walks.

The baby tends to sit on one side or the other most of the time, which makes her walk even seem more lopsided. She doesn't let it bother her too much. She still runs if there is food involved! She enjoys her occasional rolls in the dirt.

Taking a load off.

Aaahhh! That feels good!

 

Almost all the way over.....

 

.

Just can't quite make it!