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??
Susannah and 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.
Here is Little Dakota learning to wear his halter.
Since he would certainly panic
if he hooked the halter on something while it is on his face,
and since a foal
remembers his first life experiences both good and bad,
I stay close to protect him.
I take the opportunity to pet him and help him get used to
the human interaction he must be able to accept for the rest of his life.
Dakota is 10 days old here.
He is very curious about his new surroundings.
He is most comfortable and secure near his mom
but he gives in to his
curiosity to interact and play with me.
I will concentrate on winning Dakota's trust. I will not be
chasing or teasing him. Everything I do with him
will be carefully thought out, so that he can learn to
to be quiet and well mannered around people. He must
learn to accept loud sounds, and touching, and "scary" things.
Each day I will try to teach him new things one at a time.
This little kitty shares the puppy toys and puppy food.
When she is tired, she curls up and sleeps with them.
She needs a name grandchildren!
***************
Thank You Susie for a great name!
Her name is Gingersnap!!
I thought you might like to see some pics of Becka!
As an older mare, she has been helping teach and watch over little Dakota.
Dakota is 2 months old and has bonded well with me.
Not only is it very endearing to me, but it is an essential element of his development.
Dakota's bond to Scarlet is very important now too.
Scarlet is teacher, protector, and comforter.
\
Dakota is still very much a baby.
Dakota is 3 months old. He exhibits good quiet behavior
and as you can see in the picture above. He has a "soft eye".
Sharing a moment with Dad.
So, this is Dakota at 3 months. He is leading nicely, backing, lifting hooves,
coming up on command, and giving his head. He has never exhibited any
poor behavior like kicking at anyone, or rushing up aggressively, or biting.
He does explore a lot with his mouth, but I rub his nose vigorously if he
begins to get too mouthy. I have put a bit in his mouth and my fingers.
I have given him shots and dewormers. He has had his hooves trimmed twice.
The biggest thing I work at with him, is catching. Sometimes, he walks
right up and sometimes he dances just beyond my reach. As soon as
I can approach him and pet and scratch him, I can slip my hand up
quietly and he does not even notice I am holding him and attaching
his lead. From that moment on, it is our "play" training time.
"Mom" has gone out for training.
Dakota is now weaned and is enjoying a social moment of comfort with "Dad".
Dancer and Dakota seem to greatly enjoy each other's company.
Dakota is now 5 months old.
Grammy has a new girl, Shadow.
She is a 16 year old 15 hand registered Tennessee Walker Mare.
I believe she is my new "best Horse friend".
I am hoping that she will help Dakota discover
the "big world" out there by being willing to "pony" him.
An older mare is a very good partner with a youngster.
Shadow can introduce "spookies" and teach the "baby"
that he has nothing to fear.
Bath Day
Dakota is 6 months old and is progressing well in all aspects of his training.
Notice that he is very relaxed and his lead is slack.
He has been desensitized with water and now enjoys water without fear.
I don't have a picture of it, but after his bath he walked up
and gently put his head on my chest for a nice wet hug.
Dakota is now 2 years old and look at him trailride. John our very experienced riding friend
is helping Dakota learn to navigate the woods near our home.
And the grand finale.
Dakota isn't "finished" yet. He still has much to learn.
But this is the moment we have been waiting for!