As you all know I was dragged out of the house today and only managed a quick look in at the girls. Rivain looked like she would foal soon and with the storm predicted for this afternoon I was sure it would be tonight.
Turns out she decided to foal while I was gone. I came home to find my mares rather upset as Painted Lady had pinched Rivain's little filly! You can imagine my horror (and panic and how annoyed I was with myself for leaving them) and I was quickly on the phone to my mentors and good friends. They came over straight away and helped me corner the little filly, a hard job since Painty did not want to give her up, and we caught Rivain. Throughout it all Rivain was very locked onto her little girl so we felt hopeful and the filly was going strong despite not being able to feed. She kept trying to feed from Painty.
We took over Pallidon's stable, stripped it out and layered in straw for them and gave them some time to bond. Rivain was desperate to groom her little girl and the foal took to her own mum straight away. First hurdle handled! We guided her to the udder but due to the size difference of Rivain and Paintey she was rather confused. We decided to syringe some milk into her to help. From there we watched as they two bonded and she made a few more attempts on the udder, lots of licking and she knows where the milk is and occasionaly she grabs a nipple but is more interested in playing with the milk then drinking. Second hurdle not completely overcome yet.
Rivain got a pile of hay and a mushy hay cube mix with added vitamins which she was happy to get into. At this point her little filly was having her stressful start catch up to her and needed a sleep, so did Rivain! Another syringe of milk, fed down near her mum's udder, and I went out to finish feeding the other horses.
Painty is having a major sulk but I'm not feeling the sympathetic. Ashanti has a very soft udder so we left the herd as it was but tomorrow she will come out into a seperate paddock along with a reliable, non foal stealing mare so we can avoid this happening again.
Right now I'm giving them some space, the filly is down having a snooze and Rivain is having a standing snooze I'm supposed to give them an hour (20 minutes to go!) and then go out and try to get the foal to feed properly. We also have some concerns about her first poop so I'll be watching for straining. If in any doubt I'll get the vet out.
Now for a blurry pic!
I got a visit from the filly fairy and the buckskin fairy
:wub No white markings but a nice little face and long legs to die for. I think she'll be a keeper!
