Megan I'm not trying to put a 'damper' on all the excitement with Laney arriving soon, but am presuming you are intending to keep her and Ricky apart - at least until you are absolutely sure that they will be ok together? A lot of mares will not put up with a weanling colt (even if it is their own!) and a pregnant mare may be even less likely to want a lively colt running around and annoying her.
I know you are a very sensible young lady and you have done wonders with Ricky and the facilities you have for him. Just worrying (you know how I worry LOL!!) that you might think that they are going to be best buddies etc., when they may not!
You were talking about shingles, so perhaps you have organised a special space for Laney already?
I cant wait for Laney to arrive so you can post some pictures of her, and also so we will have a new baby to look forward to next year.
We have 3 separate paddocks for them now. We built another run-in shelter and paddock for Ricky so I could keep them separate. Hoping for the best that they get along very well but definitely ready to separate them when needed.
Came in to grab a bite to eat and upload some pictures.
Laney is home safe and sound. She is happy and grazing.
Ricky is so excited and has done some prancing and nickering. I have them separated for her first night so all he can do is try to talk to her, stare at her and sniff her through the fence. She will sniff him and give him some glances and goes right back to grazing. He sticks close by and grazes himself.
She's very laid back and doing well. Has been grazing away and will visit with Ricky at the fence then go right back to grazing. I will let them mingle a bit tomorrow and see how it goes. He doesn't seem to phase her or bother her at all at the moment.
You can tell Ricky is excited for her to be here. They will graze near each other and when Ricky realizes he has forgotten to stay close and she has gone away from him he perks up looking around and calling to her.
Congratulations, Now you have 2, lol your herd is growing
She is adorable and as for Ricky, he just gets more adorable with every photo
His little head is just perfect.
Anna is right about being careful and it will just depend on her nature, My herd leader is amazing with all babies and will put up with almost anything, when they go too far or go near the gate (for some strange reason ) she will tell them off and send them away but you can see that she feels bad as after a minute she will go and scratch or nibble their necks. It is just amazing how she loves them all. Then there are the other mares that won't take any bad behaviour what so ever but they are never dangerous to the foals they just pick on them which can be very stressing for a baby.
I am stalling to feed cause Laney tried to steal some of Ricky's food when she was done with hers. Silly lady!
I don't think I have posted Laney's info yet. She will need a foaling thread in a bit
Laney is 7 years old and has had 5 foals. She is bred to a very nice black and white pinto stallion who is homozygous Tobiano. This will be their first foal together. I will have to get permission to post a photo of the stallion in her foaling thread. Can't wait to see the foal she is cooking!
Ricky and Laney do really well out in the large paddock grazing together. But Laney went after Ricky when we had them in a smaller paddock last night so we separate them at night. Right now they are happily grazing beside each other. I am watching them, of course.
I think it's too early to start a foaling thread for Laney. I *thought* I saw movement yesterday but I am not positive. She is around 172 days now. She isn't used to being groomed daily or handled a lot so I am working with her slowly and hope to build her trust. She doesn't run a way, will come straight up to you but she will sometimes move away when I gently rub her back or back side. I snuck a picture of her udder to see how she looks normally. She's a spotted lady
Here is from yesterday
will post a few pictures from today in next post below...