Itty Bitty Hooves

Here are the pictures of the new filly we had on Friday finally. It was Mark’s last baby of the year but he sure saved a hum-dinger for the last one.

I still haven’t come up with a name I really like for her. If you have any suggestions let me know. One thought is calling her PC for Country Haven’s Party Colors.

He Did It Again

Mark is on a roll I don’t ever want him to quit. Mark is our four year old Miniature Horse stallion.

As of this morning he is six for six–girls that is. Last year we’d bred him to three mares for his first year, and they delivered three gorgeous girls. This year we bred him to four mares and three of them so far have given us beautiful little girls! I have one mare left to foal.

Here is Dolly the first filly of the year born last month:

And here is Star, born last week:

From the front:

And here is our newest arrival at one hour old–Flash
It was hard to get a good shot of her because she kept on following me around and putting her face right in the camera. LOL. She’s a real ham:

Finally got her trying to grab a ‘drink’ from mom from behind:

I really don’t like taking shots right at birth because the babies haven’t really had a chance to unfold–but I had planned to get a pic of Star a few days later and it’s taken me until today to finally get a shot of her, so I figured as long as I was out there with the camera, I’d get Flash too.

I’m so happy with the babies Mark has been producing–well, of course my wonderful mares had something to do with it as well, but it’s the stallion that definately produces the sex.

New Baby!

Blue, my blue roan mare had her very first baby this morning in the wee hours of the dawn. I was watching the cameras and had about given up on her having the baby thinking maybe she was just being a pacing drama queen like some maidens are, but just as I was about to take a chance on a quick nap she laid down and started to push.

Mark is the proud daddy, and he’s 5 for 5 to girls. This new little addition is a spunky little bay filly with the biggest doe eyes and longest lashes you can imagine. LOL I’ll get a picture tomorrow. I like to give the new babies a chance to really get up on their feet, and unfolded a little bit before showing them off, although this little girl has done a pretty good job of that already.

I’ve been waiting a long time to see what Blue and Mark would have together. I kind of expected some paint markings but I don’t see any on this girl, she’s solid bay except for a HUGE blaze just like mamma. Best of all though is she’s healthy and spirited… and a girl.

Maiden mare Blue didn’t seem to want to let her milk down right at the start but after about an hour she did (to my great relief) and mommy and daughter are happily bonding. I turned them out into the sunshine to give the baby some nice fresh air. Tommorrow I’ll put them in the paddock again and get those pictures.

Pistol Packin’ Mama

Little Dolly is a real pistol. She’s the only baby here on the ranch so far this year and she want to play! The older mares aren’t much interested in her childish antics, but she doesn’t care. She charges around the paddock like hell on wheels, running circles around her poor mother who simply stands in the middle of it watching her to make sure she stays safe, but long since tired of trying to keep up with her.

She’s hilarious to watch.