One of my best friends, "R", has a cabin at his parents ranch, about 30 miles from our farm. On Sunday a couple of weeks ago, his niece's horse gave birth do this beautiful little boy. He is sleeping in this picture, or probably just resting after using his legs for the first time.
Here he is with his Mom, learning to use those (long!) legs. Isn't he adorable? In both of these photos, he's literally only a few hours old. Mom and son were checked out and both are fine. Can't wait to see him grow up to be a big strong beautiful horse.
awwwww!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!! Baby ANYTHINGS are cute, ha.
DeleteAren't they beautiful! Your posts are always so happy, homey and comforting. I really enjoy dropping and seeing what you have to say. Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteNow that's very nice of you to say. Thank you. Happy weekend to you too!
DeleteI have raised horses for 30 years - that poor mare is emaciated! She will probably lose weight as she feeds the foal and she does not enough body fat to do the job. Please encourage your friends to have a vet check the mare's teeth, parasite load, and help them understand the nutritional needs of nursing mares.
ReplyDeleteRescued from a bad situation. I should have posted that in my original note, my apologies didn't mean to scare anyone. Vet seeing them regularly and both are doing well and gaining weight. Thank you for your concern, it's much appreciated.
DeleteI was thinking the same thing. That mare looks bad...one can see her ribs and withers. I hope someone has advised them to have the vet check her teeth, check for worms since it looks like she is out in a pasture, and she needs more feed & supplements. Colt is adorable but he won't do well if the mother isn't doing well.
ReplyDeleteRescue horse and she was underweight but pregnant, that's why the need for rescue. She actually gained in the days before birth and has gained more since then as well. Both are doing well and vet is seeing them regularly. More picture updates soon. thank you for the concern and advice.
DeleteCute as the foal is, that mare is in very poor condition and not heavy enough to support herself, let alone a baby. Maybe your friend's niece just needs some advice about horse care, but if so, she needs it immediately.
ReplyDeleteWhether it's inadequate feed, worms, or both, something really must be done ASAP if the animals are going to be cared for decently. Maybe the mare is a recent rescue and the niece is already taking good care of her but it hasn't been long enough to bring her up to fair condition...that's the "best" interpretation I can imagine.
Sorry to sound so negative/critical. Seems necessary.
Totally understandable....yes by way of background, she is a rescue. Had full vet check up and was definitely underweight but baby was coming regardless. They gave her a high protein feed and supplements (I don't understand all the stuff they tell me I'm going from memory) and she gained in the days prior to birth. She's now gained 35 additional lbs (if I recall correctly) just since the birth (which was about 2 weeks ago). I'll have to get them to send some updated photos soon. Vet is out there three times a week, so all is good.
DeleteThis is their second rescue. Sadly there are a lot of horses in this part of the state that need rescuing.
I'll keep everyone updated on progress! Thank you all for your concerns. That's what makes the blog world so awesome.
I'm so glad my "best scenario" interpretation turned out to be the case!! Thank you for the additional info - now I can really enjoy the baby pictures :)
DeleteBeautiful baby ! So glad mother and foal are being cared for properly and lovingly now. There are tons of rescues going on right now my state also. Many people can no longer afford the proper feed, good hay, proper worming, proper veterinary care, and the farrier too. Glad these are safe now. Thanks for posting these lovely animals.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think the economy has had a lot of people sacrificing good care. Yes, these two are safe and hopefully thriving. Thank you!
DeleteSo glad you friends niece has the room, love and inclination to take in rescue horses and give them proper care. Mom & baby seem to be in good hands. Looking forward to more pics of that cutie and improving Mom.
ReplyDeleteThey have one, and then took in this second Mama and now with the colt, they have three. They are stopping there to focus on them. I'll be out there in a month or so, I'll get some updated pics (or have him send me some sooner, ha).
DeleteI too am a horse person, so I couldn't resist looking at the baby horse. I'm glad the mare was rescued in time. With the proper care, that baby should grow up to be a beautiful horse.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the main reason they took her, they wanted her to be safe and the upcoming baby to grow up with a healthy start. Aren't horses such beautiful animals?
DeleteHow ADORABLE is HE!!! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteGotta love a baby!! :-)
DeleteWow, so glad I read the comments first for once, as I got shocked at the mother horse, too! Glad she is doing well now... keep us posted on the foal's progress!
ReplyDeleteShe is doing much better and he is thriving, I'll have to keep y'all updated. :-)
DeleteGood for your niece! It takes longer to put the weight on than it did to lose it, especially if they're expecting. I have rescued horses here, four who came here in foal. Just had one foal this morning- a perky little palomino.
ReplyDeletearen't they adorable? I love that you have rescue horses. We can't do that (yet, perhaps someday) but I can live vicariously through hers and my friend's family's horses. They are amazing animals.
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