PlayTime Minis - Finished for 2013; See you in 2014

[SummerTime]

Yeah!!! So glad it went good! Congrats!

 

[targetsmom]

Finally - HUGE CONGRATS!!! She is lovely...

About the jammies - we make sure to wash and dry ours with no scents, so they won't smell "funny". It is probably the smell that is the issue.

ETA: Don't forget in all your excitement to worm the mare and treat the foal's umbilical cord (we use Betadine). Did the mare pass the placenta OK?

 

[chandab]

congrats! what a cutie.

I agree with Mary, make sure you didn't wash the blankets in smelly stuff, and I've rubbed the foal and/or the mare with the blanket first, let the mare smell the blanket, then made sure the mare could see me put the blanket on the foal (don't stand between the foal and the mare while you put it on, so the mare can see you do it). It still might not work, as some mares just don't know about blankets, especially blankets on foals.

June 9th foal in 2009, no blanket needed:



June 17th foal in 2012, blanket needed:



Misty was eating, so she didn't care what I did with her baby, as long as she got food.

 

[MountainWoman]

She delivered early this morning and didn't want me to interfere at all. She's doing fine, delivered placenta and baby seems healthy too. My vet is coming later today to check them out and make sure all is well. Thanks for the tips about the jammies. I'm trying to give them some privacy for a little while but it's so hard. I'm so thankful it was an easy birth and Raven is an awesome Mom. I love listening to the sounds of the little one nursing. I guess there's a reason Raven's bag got so big.

 

[palsminihorses]

Sara, Congratulations on your new filly!! She is beautiful, and I love her pretty head!

 

[MountainWoman]

Thanks!! I'm so excited. I managed to get her thermal blanket on her. We're in the 20s today with an ice storm so she needs it. She actually came over to me and kind of crawled into my lap. Raven was busy eating. I've never been around a newborn before and it's so awesome.

 

Yes, it is MOST AWESOME!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! What a precious little cutie!

I'm at work sneaking on here to check things, and just saw this thread. Such a beautiful little girl -- and did you already "forget" about the waiting? As soon as we see and play with baby, it's like the excitement makes us forget how long we waited and how frustrating the wait was! LOL

Can't see in the pictures -- but don't forget to unbraid momma's tail if you haven't yet. Those wrapped tailed can pack quite a wallop!

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!!!!

 

[MountainWoman]

Okay, one last picture and then I'll stop. I keep running out to the barn to check on them and sit with them and then I think Raven needs some private, quiet time so I leave them. I'm so very thankful everything went well and I so appreciate all of you who have helped me. I couldn't have made it through it all without you.

 

[Eagle]

Thank you Sara for having shared this journey with us

I had to give up my horses last year and life without horses is barely worth living but having you ladies share your mares gives me hours of joy.

Thank you

 

[lexischase]

Congratulations Sara! She is just perfect! And please don't stop with the photos, we LOVE them! So happy the birth went well and mom and baby are healthy and happy

 

[Gone_Riding]

YEAH!!! Congratulations! She a cutey!!

Ebony and Sable both mean black. Of course, Raven does too, but momma's name is that!

 

[MountainWoman]

Those are great names Viola. Question - what do I do about turn out? Do I put Raven out by herself with her baby or do I put her back in with her usual mares? Not sure at this point we'll ever have a turnout day cause we are having such bad weather. Thanks again!

 

[MountainWoman]

Renee, I'm so glad you have this board to enjoy all the beautiful babies being born. Everyone has such awesome mares and the babies are so adorable plus this is the friendliest board around. I really love my Nutty Nursery friends and thank you all for the congratulations.

Now the Italian chocolate contest starts for Sweetie's big day. I'll do photos of her tomorrow for you.

 

[Gone_Riding]

I have no clue! My mini hasn't had her baby yet, and I've never been through this before. I was curious about those things too, the blanketing and the turnout...

 

First week: put momma and baby out together by themselves for at least a day or two, so baby learns about "outside" and learns to follow momma's orders when they are out there. (Then in general, if all is going well and there are other mares with foals, you can add them to the herd).

Then after a few days, if you want you can add another mare or two, but watch carefully, as baby may startle with the new arrivals, and we don't want to scare baby into running into a fence or post trying to get away.

Best advice is "go slow" and "watch" how everyone does. Usually, all is fine -- especially if baby has learned to follow the instructions momma gives.

SOOOOOOOOO pretty~!

 

[MountainWoman]

Thanks Diane. That's a big help. I've been out watching the baby. She's running around the stall. Then all of a sudden I think she realizes she's running and wonders what she is doing and then stops and then starts again. She's so curious and I'm glad to see her active. I can see why everyone loves foaling season.

 

[targetsmom]

Yes, I agree with Diane but will add another caveat: please make sure your fences are "baby safe". Depending on your fencing, baby may be able to slip through the cracks (literally) which will upset baby and mom considerably!!! Also, I start with a fairly small area and then gradually expand it, which we can do easily by opening and closing gates. All our turnouts have access to shelter too.

I was starting to say we keep our mares and foals separate from the others but realized in 2009 when we only had one foal - Max - he was out with other minis with no problem. That was after maybe 1-2 weeks or so to bond with Mom. Well no problem after we put up deer netting to keep him from going through the fence!! He was very smart (unlike last year's crew) and immediately after he got through the fence into the back yard, he reversed tracks and ran back through to be with Mom again!

And now you see how the live foal just melts all the stress away and lets you forget about the sleepless nights. We are one day closer ( I hope).

 

[AnnaC]

WELL DONE RAVEN!! Many congratulations Sara on your gorgeous new little filly!

I agree that there is nothing better than just watching a new born finding its feet and bouncing around having fun is there! Oh and well done to you for giving Raven plenty of 'private' time with her new daughter, I always try to remember that the babies actually belong to their Mommas and not to me, plus this is a very important bonding time for mare and foal.

Oh and keep those pictures coming - you know that we NEVER tire of pictures!!

Again, many many congratulations!

 

[Eagle]

As Diane said just take it slow and see how they bond together. I evaluate each mare and don't have a set time but they usually spend about a week alone to bond and then I introduce the herd leader, once she is there and accepts the new foal everyone else can be introduced. Very good point by Mary about the fences, foals will find a way out if there is one which can cause a lot of stress to both foal and mum. I have electric fencing on all my grass fields so the mares and foals get turned out in front of the stables for a few months where I have link chain fencing.

Ok Ladies the bets are on for Sweetie,

Diane 18

Mindy 15

Renee 14

Pam 17

anyone else betting????????

 

[eagles ring farm]

big congrats Sara

she's a beautiful little girl

and the babies are so much fun and so sweet

there's a lot more fun ahead with her