Eye See through you

If you have seen nothing but the beauty of their markings and limbs, their true beauty is hidden from you.

And so it begins....

5 mares in foal and ready to start the process of giving birth anytime now. Sleepless nights and anxious days are upon us.

The wait begins...

...I heard a neigh. Oh, such a brisk and melodious neigh as that was! My very heart leaped with delight at the sound.

~Nathaniel Hawthorne, "The Chimæra,"A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys, 1852 (about Pegasus)

In Memory of our Beloved Colt.

Bowden, 2007-2009.

Somewhere in time's own space

There must be some sweet pastured place

Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow

Some paradise where horses go,

For by the love that guides my pen

I know great horses live again.

~Stanley Harrison

(Fall of 2008. He LOVED to be ridden and got rather upset on bad weather days when riding was not an option)

Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell.

(Fall of 2008. James & Bowden enjoy a ride at sunset.)

Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride,

Friendship without envy,

Or beauty without vanity?

Here, where grace is served with muscle

And strength by gentleness confined

He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity.

There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent.

There is nothing so quick, nothing more patient.

~Ronald Duncan, "The Horse," 1954

(Yearling colts together then, and now together again.)

Sometimes I wish I were a little kid again, skinned knees are easier to fix than broken hearts.

Good bye my friend...

Another foal, this time a FILLY!

 She arrived this morning at 1:20 AM. Gorgeous girl!

First time Mom (Like A Gem) is LOVING her new baby and is VERY protective.

The New Foals

Our two foals are doing fabulous! Just look at how much they each look identical to their Mom's!

They leave next week for Kentucky to be bred and will return in about 2 months. We will miss them. Our next mare is due today (March 15), but looks like she is at least 2 weeks away. We shall see :)

Coogee Sunrise & 09 Foal

Go Go Neigh & 09 Foal

Blessed are the broodmares :)

Born 12:05 AM March 12th, 2009. Another colt!

First Foal of the Season

At 12:45 AM, our first foal of the season was born.
Welcome little one :)

The horse is God's gift to mankind. ~Arabian Proverb

It took our new little colt about 4 to 5 hours before he could finally stand on his own. I have never had a foal who didn't stand within 2 hours after foaling. This little guy was enormous though, and it didn't help that his legs are as long as a giraffes.

We don't usually interfere with the natural birthing process, however, after three and a half hours and the foal not nursing we had to step in. I have assisted in the births of many horses and am an expert at collecting milk from mares so that is what I did. The mare was very calm and allowed me help, I think she knew we were only trying to help. After collecting her milk (colostrum) Jim and I took turns nursing the foal while the mare stood over us watching with her very protective eyes. The small amount of milk gave him the energy he so desperately needed to help with getting him on his feet. About an hour later, he finally stood.
As with human babies, bottle feeding before nursing may complicate the whole process and we were worried, however, the foal had no problem suckling and hasn't stopped nursing since! *Whew*

The picture below sure isn't a pretty one, but it is what this little foal lived in for over 11 months.
The placenta.

By 6:30 AM I had finally gone to bed while Jim stayed in the barn to ensure that the foal was having no issues with standing up on his own. He is so proud of the new little one :)

The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire.

My Herman :)

Life is like a box of chocolates.....

You never know what your gonna get :)

Today was such a beautiful day, the weather was fabulous, the boys and I spent a couple of hours out and about doing some skating with the Georgetown Clan :)

We arrived home in time to help James break the yearling and go out for a little hack.

Tomorrow is the big day!! Our big girl is hoping to bring us some big money in the Kentucky sale *crossing fingers*.