Darla's official foaling thread.

[AnnaC]

I would agree with the others - there is no reason why a lightweight child couldn't have a 'sit on' (without the weight of a saddle). But she is very young - if she might only be 3 now - so I would expect (hopefully) that any past 'riding' has been without saddle and bridle. Anyway it will be a while yet if she has a new baby to look after

I think it's great - you seem to have been lucky enough to have found yourself a very sweet mare - and she's been lucky to find you!

 

[HavingFun]

I have been checking this like crazy. I can't imagine how nuts you must be!

You know I have to ask..did you used to post on the about.com horse board. Maybe it was a different one, I remember a girl named Jess who barrel raced and had an appaloosa. She also had a border collie at one time, I also had border collies so we exchanged stories. Is that you? I used to post on that board all of the time. That was years ago..

 

[jessj]

nope..must have been another jess!

 

[HavingFun]

You know after I posted this I remembered that she was quite a bit younger then I am. You and I are roughly the same age..I'm 32.

Sorry to bug you.

 

[jessj]

I've got more pics this morning! I know yall are tired of them! I think her bag looks a little wider today..i am gonna post pics then another one of her bag yesterday and today side by side. Thanks for putting up with me everyone!

 

[jessj]

you arent bugging me! I love this forum and am glad to be making new friends here! everyone here is so nice!

 

[jessj]

ok....udder yesterday and today pics taken at about the same time of day.

 

[jessj]

maybe a little wider...not as much as i was thinking. It helps seeing them side by side! I really think he meant saddle bridle and all when they rode her! If yall say it is ok, then i believe you...it just freaked me out a little! We have mutual friends and their local saddle club association is having their last open show of the season before state show this weekend at their farm. It is only about 10 minutes from my house so we are thinking about going! I am gonna pump him for more info while i am there! My daughter has already been hinting at taking her in an open pony halter class next year. She is going to be really excited! He did tell me that I should come by their house and see the little stud that she is bred to...i am gonna plan on going one day this week!

 

[jessj]

ps... i just reread my last post and wanted to clarify...we are thinking about going to the show..but we are not carrying Darla! Her previous owner shows western pleasure and will be there to!

 

[a mini dream come true]

Just checking on Darla's progress and bumping you back up

 

[AnnaC]

Her udder does look a little more filled, but I am quite suprised to hear that she has been leaking milk from it, mares usually have 'leaky' udders when they are a lot larger. Very interesting!

As far as the riding is concerned, I would still say that 'sitting on' for a short while is ok, but not with the extra weight of a saddle. The 'plates' on her spine bones wont 'close' until she is 5 or 6 (which will then give her her 'full strength' in her back) so any weight she is ask to carry needs to be regulated carefully if she is not to suffer future back problems. Also general conformation and size of bone will count - a lighter boned horse with a longer back will be unable to carry the same weight as a short coupled horse with a more dense bone structure. So many things to consider.

Really hope you enjoy the show this weekend, and it would be great to be able to see the sire of the coming foal. Perhaps you can also find out about Darla's dam and sire and when she was born? A great chance to maybe fill in some of her background before she came to you, plus I'm sure that her previous owners will be delighted to hear that she now has such a good home.

 

[jessj]

She hasnt been leaking milk??? I tried to get more info about her yesterday but he doesn't know any history before she came to him. I really am excited to see the little stud! I will take pics of him when I go! she is standing here happily eating her dinner now. when she is going as planned to get her out check her over really well. I like to check her udder every morning and afternoon.

 

[cassie]

I do the same Jess

here's hoping she is progressing for you and you will see a foal really soon

please post some pics of the stallion for us

n keep us updated

 

[jessj]

Poor darla... She has been rubbing her belly on the fence and biting her sides for an hour. She just came in for her bedtime snack and I think our lil filly is playing soccer in there! She is breathing really hard and keeps having to stop eating and stretch. I cant tell if it is really big baby kicks or really small contractions...lol. Baby kicks I think.

 

[cassie]

Jess Suzie has been doing a similar thing today... I think our girls ARE REALLY CLOSE!!! its so exciting!

 

[jessj]

Cassie I am so excited for both of us!!! I think that I have half of my employees watching suzie now! between her and peanut they make a really nice distraction when I need a minibreak at work! Do you know who suzie is bred to so we have an idea of what color to expect?

 

[jessj]

Off to bed. Just checked on Darla one last time she is down sternal (she doesnt like to lay flat out) will check her again in a couple of hours!

 

[cassie]

I posted photos of the two possible stallions... some pages back

lol I'll re post them on Suzie's thread

 

[AnnaC]

Sorry, my mistake, (about her running milk). I do get a bit muddled over different topics - it's an age thing! I think it was remembering the earlier talk on here about milk testing and mastitis, but dont know why I thought she was 'leaking' milk? Sorry again.

Hope she - and you - had a good night. I'm sure all her restlessness and feeling uncomfortable is due to the foal moving about and maybe getting into position. By now her foal should be fully grown and when it does move or do 'turnabout', poor Darla is going to feel very uncomfortable and probably a little bit cranky, bless her!

 

[Lindi-loo]

Going back to your worry of riding mini's..My mare is 32in and my grandaughter used to ride her most days before she was in foal with a little cub saddle very light..she also rides my stallion and hes just 30in they both really enjoy having a little jockey im sure it adds a bit of interest to their day