So, after the last post I made about babies and writing, apparently the respective gods of both took note. At 5:50 Am April 16 code name Roja arrived at the farm, albeit with the sort of drama that only babies, young children and old people can manage. Look up the term 'red sack' or 'red bag' birth along with the word horse, and you'll get all the info you need and more. But at the moment, things are looking good enough that I feel confident to list a time line for little Roja: 5:50 arrived with much fanfare (and a TINY bit of help) 8:00 Mom had no milk yet and I was hungry and minus colostrum, got stomach tubed 10:30 Got slathered in milk replacer that was supposed to be ingested, officially earned the certificate for achieving status of "Pain in the Ass" 12:00 Mom's still slacking, got the damn stomach tube again 2:00 managed to actually consume some of the milk replacer, even kind of liked it 3:45 Drank milk replacer, and dang, it was pretty good, pooped on A. Grey's sister, code name Fenris "Revenge is mine!" status upgraded to "Real pain in the ass" 4:30, officially reached, bucking, farting, kicking, galloping circles situation pretty damn normal stage. Hoping to avoid getting poked with plasma when the vet gets here....
Followed you over here from Kristin Cashore's blog... I love horses (used to have one) and have always been fascinated by Paso Finos. (I think it had something to do with reading "Danza" when I was a kid.) I just had to see your foal pictures. There is nothing in this world like a foal. I'm envious of you being able to be there when this little one was born!
ReplyDeleteNatasha
It's always great to meet other horse folk! Yeah, all my friends used to be like 'when are you going to get a real job' (they've thrown the towel in by now) and I'm thinking "This IS a real job!" If I can't make a living as a writer, then I'll make it as a rider, or some version of one. This little tart sure gave us a scare to start with, but she's roaring around now and everything is cherry. I grew up hunter/jumper. These little Pasos are a whole other ball of wax, I can tell you that, but they're great.
ReplyDeleteAw! How cute! I am SO jealous right now. You are extremely lucky to have that job even if it is super hard work and a pain in the ass. I would take it over my job ANY day. Of course, being a writer would be the best, but I love me some horses. That little foal is what I wished for on so many birthday candles!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless that little fella. The foal is adorable and the mother is beautiful:D I love horses and have been riding for 2 to 3 years:D I used to volunteer at the stables but now I'm just lazy. Found this blog through Kristin Cashore's. I'm currently riding a horse that makes every rider within leg range to canter off...He kicks and his name is Apachie. He's the biggest in the stables and I have to just extra to dismount:P Again God bless that little fella!
ReplyDelete-Jen
What an adorable foal. I love seeing baby animals on their wobbly legs.
ReplyDeleteThe foal has very nice knobby knees and hocks, a sign I look for in a newborn. They are so cute in the beginning, wobbling on their legs to find their balance.
ReplyDelete