little ping

WOF @ 4 months.

2010-04-07T01:25:00.000-07:00

4 months old and time for a WOF from the vet.

So Ross came out and gave you tetanus, salmonella and something else...?

You were very good about it - showing off your new found skill at having a lead rope attached to your halter and standing still.

He took a peak under your stomach and says both bits are there so I could have you chopped at any time - not so sure I want to do that yet.

Pros:

Less bulshy/aggressive behavior when he gets older.

Cons:

He may grow a bit taller.

Might not be as muscled.

Also says you're OK to be weaned but not at same time as you get the chop so I have a few choices to make!

4 months old!

2010-04-02T02:24:00.000-07:00

time flies

2010-03-20T01:54:00.001-07:00

Well it's been ages since I've posted an update and now you're happy to wear a halter, eat your worming paste, come into the yards, pick up your feet - bit clever really!

Now to move on to the whole tying up and leading thing.

So time for some pics!

Toy and Me

2010-01-05T00:50:00.000-08:00

"Like my hat?"

2010-01-05T00:10:00.000-08:00

one month!

2010-01-04T23:52:00.001-08:00

You're one month old - a milestone marked by the arrival of your teeth!

So far I haven't been on the receiving end of your chewing fetish but as these pics show, Marco has!

Of course all was soon forgiven!

Today I took mum unto the stables and you trotted along - albeit with your eyes on stalks.

No matter though, you walked into the stable and poked around, ate a wee bit of mums feed and tried to coax me into giving you scratches.

I'm starting to get you used to have a rope around your head so I can get your halter on.

So far I can pick up your feet and rub pretty much anywhere - down your legs, your chest, neck, face (not so much) and ears.

The halter make take awhile though... I get the impression you'd rather be free and easy!

two weeks old!

2009-12-17T20:54:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow you turn 2 weeks old and I thought it was time for an updated pic.

Nothing much has changed although you're very bold and I have to stop myself wanting to play with you in the paddock!

You love scratches and playing around mum when I feed her and give her a brush.

The charging up to me game has had to stop - when you're bigger that'd turn into a way too scary game to play!

Everything looks normal now - mum didn't poo for awhile but then two days later she was back on track. Her back end was a bit drippy and I brought you guys in a few times to sponge the area clean.

Three weeks on though and it's all back to its clean, normal self.

You've taken to sharing mum's feed with her - she's not protesting... yet. Ping's always loved her feed and although she gets feed two 2.5kg feeds a day she still greets me with gusto when I have the red bowl in hand.

I'll have to think about getting a halter on you one day soon... may get Katja to help me with that one!

Almost a week on and cheeky as!

2009-12-10T23:50:00.000-08:00

You're almost week old now and by golly you're a bold wee monkey!

You go around sniffing everything, head bunting mum, playing with imaginary things - so curious!

I can catch Ping now - I think she's hungry - and for a few days I'd catch her, bring her into the yard, give her a brush, feed her and let you walk around, sniffing things.

Yesterday Barb suggested I give you a scratch on the bum so I did - I thought you'd run away - and man, did you love it!

Here it is:

So I think I might leave mum to it now although I'll try getting a halter on you and taking it off - that'd be a handy thing to be able to do! Especially as I have to worm you in three weeks!

Plus Ping will need to have her feet trimmed soon.

2009-12-05T23:48:00.000-08:00

Wwwweeee!!!!!! Mum says "haha, you can't catch me or my little boy!" And she's right! I can't!

Magic Saturday

2009-12-05T22:14:00.000-08:00

So Saturday morning I go out to check mum and there's a tiny weeny bit of wax dripping from her udder.

Pop and I were off to an event and we left @ 12.30pm... wondering what we'd find when we got home.

Well, we got home, dropped Pop off, went back and walked the XC and checked mum and you again when we got home... lots more wax but mum was still standing.

So Mum and I played a game of scrabble.

When we finished I said..."mmm, better go check her before we start another game" and when I got out there Ping was down and looking at her stomach.

Well - then it was all on. She got up and down, the waters broke, I rang the vet and Cass zoomed over.

Ping pretty much got you out all by herself - we just gave her a wee hand to get your shoulders out.

You came out fairly toot-sweet and then there you were - all slimy but totally alive and breathing! I broke the bag when your body was 3/4 of the way out and cleared your nose and mouth of all the wet gunk.

It was 6.35pm when the contractions started and by 6.45pm when you were pretty much out - except for one lazy leg left in Ping :)

You had a little breather but then started to try and get up - it took you awhile because it was slippery where Ping had decided to pop you out but before long you were up and looking around!

I'm not sure why but Ping started to chew your feet - maybe to make you use them? The vet had no idea!

Ping took awhile to get rid of the placenta and the vet gave her a shot to help make it happen - I think it basically induced a contraction - ?

Then you tried to find her teats and your source of sustenance - mik!

You stuck your head in a few wrong places but eventually you found the right spot. Cass, Marianne, Mum, Sarah and I had to stop ourselves from doing it for you and it didn't take you too long - about half an hour.

Then it was into the big paddock so mum could eat and you could avoid all the obstacles in the small paddock!

Problem is - now I can't catch mum!

2009-12-03T23:14:00.000-08:00

Man it's been raining all day. All day. And yesterday.

So I thought I'd better bring you and mum in for a bit - take a break from the cold, wet deluge.

I think mum loved standing in the warm stall - pity it's not big enough to leave her in there.... just in case she decides to pop you out.

Can you see the bid odema on the bottom of her stomach? That's a new thing I'm keeping an eye on. The vet came out to check it - esp as her legs and hocks have all swollen too.

He says it's OK - I just have to make sure it doesn't get any bigger.

Mum's teats are looking WAY bigger - and to think I thought they were big before!

It's a super blurry photo but you can still make out the pouch of fluid swirling around mum's stomach. It's kinda jelly-like and if you push it you make a dent that slowly bounces back. Nice.

Your playmate is here!

2009-11-25T01:05:00.000-08:00

So Sunday afternoon I get a call from Cass - Rosie is lying down and looks very close to foaling.

Off I zoom - can't miss seeing this (plus, I was thinking I might get some tips to help with your delivery!)

I get there and Dee, Sav, Marianne and Cass pull up deck chairs. I get everyone a beer and we sit down to watch and wait.

Then it's all on - the white bubble pops out, then a foot, then Rosie gets up, then she lies down, then another foot, then she gets up... on and on it goes.

Eventually though the legs are out and Cass starts pulling the foal out - she asked for help so I grab her and help her pull.

Then Marianne joins in too and the head pops out, then the shoulders, then the back... amazing!

And here's little Petal, a bright bold little bay filly by Lansing.

Of course the whole thing just makes me more excited about your arrival!

looking closer and closer...

2009-11-15T22:58:00.000-08:00

Sitting under mum's belly is like looking up at a big swollen moon. Guessing by the veins that are sticking out you're a heavy load!

And these are what her teats look like - they do go up and down a bit... I wonder how much they will pop out?

Ping's getting closer... and wider!

2009-11-15T00:16:00.000-08:00

So we're approaching your arrival - maybe it's two weeks, maybe it's three... all Ping and I can do is wait.

I've had a few cuddles with Ping's belly and I can feel you moving around in there. When the vet gave Ping her booster shots the other day you had a good kick too!

You've slowed mum down a bit - Poppy was having a playful buck around the paddock yesterday and all Ping could do was watch and think 'I used to be able to do that once'...

I'm getting a foaling alarm this week although I'm sure Ping will have you under a tree one quiet night while no one's around - she's like that.

I've asked friends who deal with breeding mares a lot to have a guess when you're arriving - some say wait for the next full moon, others say you're a month away, others say two weeks...

Whenever you arrive it's going to be close to Cass's mare Rosie so in a few months you'll have a very handsome - or pretty - playmate.

Oh and Barbara sent me a pic of your dad's bum to match the one I sent her of your mum... his is a little more refined to say the least!

Making the most of a sunny day @ 7 months

2009-07-06T23:58:00.000-07:00

5 months and still clip clopping...

2009-06-08T01:05:00.000-07:00

So we've hit 5 months - 6 more to go!

A stunning day gave me & Ping an excuse to go for a wander... plus I quickly pulled her mane and washed the tail - can't let her forget she's a real horse, no matter how she may waddle like a duck!

Three months on...

2009-04-15T01:38:00.000-07:00

So three months have passed!

Due to mum's incessant gate dwelling we've gone on a few quiet hacks recently - Belinda even took Ping to the beach for a walk.

She loved it, walking out next to Pop - the sand squelching under her naked feet.

Other than the fluff and the sticky grass pods she's looking pretty good for 3 months pregnant!

woo-hoo!

2009-02-05T18:27:00.000-08:00

So it IS third time lucky!

How Irish are you huh? All Murphy's luck and clover leaves and lucky things like that.

Plus the whole Irish vet and Irish stallion thing.

I was at work but Cass being the super person she is, very kindly meet Patrick at our place and once again got the scanner out.

I nervously waited at work for Cass to ring with the result - although I'd prepared myself for another negative result.

But no! Cass rang and said "do you want the good news or the good news?" (I'm begining to think you're going to be a colt and you'll have a thing for blondes!)

I choose to hear the good news.

You were there! Not only that but there was only one of you - no twin complications or egg-in-the-wrong place - just lovely you sitting there, a wee round dense dot.

I promptly went out and brought a cake.

I put it in the staff room and sent everyone an email saying my mare was pregnant and I'd brought a cake to celebrate.

I also wrote: "Ping thanks you for your kind congratulations."

While they all ate the cake they did give me some weird looks.

I guess they don't get emails like that everyday.

third time - lucky?

2009-02-05T18:10:00.000-08:00

So once again no little Ping.

It was a sad phone call to take - I was in Canada so Cass held Ping while the vet went looking for you.

But nada.

So we decided third time lucky and I gave Barb a call.

Jet kindly donated some more of the good stuff and Cass duly drove out to the airport to pick the potential you up.

Ping was staying at Cass's so that's your place of conception - if indeed you decide to 'take.'

Chilly and Sav were also on hand - while Chilly lay about looking fabulous I think Sav tried to whisper sweet things into your ear and convince you the world was a great place to be.

Fingers crossed.

little you: take two

2008-12-20T18:54:00.000-08:00

So second time lucky. Saturday morning and it's back out to the airport.

There are girls at the cargo counter this time - they don't find anything about your packaging funny.

Patrick gets to our place an hour or so later - and this time there's no need for sedatives: it's a simple slide the straws in and go.

Gramps, who is up from Nelson and 94 yrs old, watched with amusement.

I think his comment was "Well that was romantic."

14 day scan

2008-12-15T01:52:00.000-08:00

So today was your 14 day scan.

So back to the vet we went - Ping into the crush and me standing at the back, holding her tail.

I was hoping to see a little you pop-up on the screen (that's Mum's insides you can see below).

But look as he might, he couldn't see a you - no matter how little - anywhere (see, he's taking a real good look at the screen).

Next step? We go back in three days and make sure you're not there - hiding somewhere.

Dad: Northwood Jet-stream

2008-12-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

So this is Dad.

He's a 17.2hh four year old by Coalman's Touch (ID by Touch of the Blues RID) x Zabalu/Sir Bart mare (TB)

The pics are of him at 2 yrs old.

Handsome huh.

Mum: Ping

2008-12-02T15:45:00.000-08:00

This is Mum.

She's 15.2hh Paul Johnson stationbred by stallion called Bond (apparently Telereign and Aberlou in there somewhere).

When I brought her I was told this great story about how she was delivered to her new owners.

Apparently she was lead all the way out the car window.

I guess that way they could say that from an early age she was good on the roads...

A little wary but on the way.

2008-12-02T15:25:00.000-08:00

For a few days Mum was a little sore and suspicious.

I guess she went to sleep un-pregnant and woke up (fingers x'd) pregnant and sore.

After three days of rest though we went for a hack around Whitford's beach and she seemed OK.

Poppy (that's the bay horse below, she's 5 and a bit of a monkey) is being rather protective of Ping. Which is nice - perhaps she can tell you're in there somewhere brewing away...

So there you are... or were

2008-12-02T15:18:00.000-08:00

So that's the 'tube' you came in.

And that's the cooler box the tube you came in, came in.

And boy, when Patrick opened that up to get you out - man, you were smelly!!

She didn't like it so much...

2008-12-02T15:15:00.000-08:00

Ping didn't like the idea of you being shot in artificially so Patrick had to give her a decent dose of the good stuff.

Thank goodness she had a beam to lean on - she was out cold.

I didn't get a photo of him squirting you in but I can paint you a picture:

Patrick has glove on that goes all way up to his armpit.

Huge amounts of lubricant on said glove.

Ping out cold.

Patrick pushes semen from bag into huge syringe into very thin long 'straws' then into Mum.

All done, he packs up and Ping stays like that, asleep against the beam for 40-odd minutes.

Poppy stays with her thinking "well I never."

Little did Mum know...

2008-12-02T15:09:00.000-08:00

The vet, Patrick (the new vet don't you know), was late.

Ping, that's Mum, didn't mind though. Well, she didn't have any idea what was going on so why would she (although, the day before when she'd been shut in a crush and scanned she probably wondered what was going on!).

Anyways, the vet was late and given how long you'd been in the mini-cooler box I started to get a little worried.

Despite the temptation to have a look at how you'd been packaged, I kept you out of the sun and left you all sealed up.

Memo to sticker writers: Can you put the word 'horse' in there somewhere?

2008-12-02T15:03:00.000-08:00

From Dad to Mum via Christchurch Airport, Auckland Airport and a trip in the car.

2008-12-02T14:52:00.000-08:00

So, the guys at the national cargo depot at Auckland airport laughed at me.

"Who's the semen for?" they asked.

"Me," was my clumsy reply.

"I mean, me for my horse."

Good save Mo.

I think I was a little flustered because in my quest to find the national cargo depot I'd stopped in at the NZPost depot.

You should have seen the look they gave me when I asked "is this where I pick up air freighted cargo"

"Like what?" they'd asked.

"Ah... horse semen?" was the reply I managed to squeak out.

Their only reply was "I think you're in the wrong place."

Indeed.

When you arrive I place you in the passenger seat next to me and wonder - how carefully does one have to drive fresh semen? Is too much jostling and lane changing a bad idea? Will it reduce the chances of making it?

Then I figured, well, you'd just spent an hour or so in a plane so you must be a little resilient. I thought about putting your seatbelt on... but the cargo guys were still watching and I thought they'd had enough free laughs for one morning.