Scarlet Horizon

 

 

Ebony River Dancer

 

As the time comes near for Scarlet to foal, I have begun to feed her grain, alfalfa cubes soaked in water, and wheat hay. The fescue hay that grows in our hay field and pasture was fine for mother and baby until the last month or two of the pregnancy, but it is not a good choice for the baby as the foaling time approaches. Fescue hay and pasture can have an edophyte fungus that can cause problems in foaling. We certainly want the best for the foal, so even though our area this season has experienced a severe drought, we have been able to find good feed for Scarlet.

Very soon now, I will prepare a special paddock and shelter area for Scarlet and the new baby. When a foal is first born, another horse in the pasture could hurt the baby. A shelter with thick dry straw will be a nice place for the baby to be born out of the wind, rain, and winter cold. Very often the babies come at night, so this preparation will help insure that all will go well as the foaling time approaches.

It is now March 13th and this morning I see some signs that Scarlet is getting ready to have her baby. Her tummy is very fat, but I notice that instead of looking like she has swallowed a huge round ball, her sides are now flatter and her tummy has droped down. Additionally Edema or swelling is visible on the underside of her belly. The milk bag is beginning to show signs of filling with the colostrum the new foal will first nurse.

As the foal moves into position to be born, Scarlet is looking more uncomfortable. I see her lifting her tail often, and she is nipping her flanks, and walking funny. She comes over to the fence when I come out to check on her and puts her head down for me to scratch.

Her friends Rio, Becka, and Stormy have quietly gathered around her pen and are nibbling nearby. I am checking her every hour or two to see if there are any changes. She, like most mares, would probably prefer to have her baby without her people present and if all goes well she could accomplish this all very quickly on her own by herself. However, as a good owner, I need to keep an eye out for any problems and for this new baby to arrive. If I feel like things are not progressing well, I have the vet's phone number handy. I have read that 95% of the time foals are born with no problems.

It is now March 18, 2008 and Scarlet is delveloping a milk bag for her baby. She is nearer to having her baby and I check on her often to make sure everything is ok. She is running out of hay and will not be able to have fescue hay or pasture for some time, so I have made arrangements today to buy a non-fescue hay mix for her and for her baby.

On a new note, Grammy has a new addition to the farm family. Since we have moved here, I have been looking to add a farm kitty or two with no success. Well, God just took care of that for me. Look who showed up and made herself ( at least I think she's a girl) comfortable. I believe she has decided to stay. She has been here now for about 2 weeks. What should I name her??

Abby named her Gingersnap!

 

Bright and early this morning April 20, 2008, Scarlet's foal was born and soon

standing on wobbly legs.

He's got his daddy's off-center star, his mama's white nose, and his daddy's

black mane and tail.

This is Scarlet's first foal. She is a wonderful and protective mom.

The baby will spend a lot of time with mom and also at this time

his training will begin. He and mom must learn to accept human presence

and interaction. In a few days, he will be given a name.

Dakota River Dancer

is the colt's name. Now he is 1 day old. It is simply amazing to me

that he is already eating what Mom eats.