Lily's Has a Colt

I was anxious to get out this morning to check the mares and foals after that cold damp night but all were well. Lola and Soul along with their fillies were moved into the pasture and those fillies had so much fun galloping around as their mothers scarfed down the lush green grass. Ruth and I walked this morning and had only 3 dogs join us. As soon as the walk was over a bale was moved into the far paddock, the truck hooked up to the trailer, two halters (one draft and one large) and a couple lead ropes thrown into the truck and off I drove to Middle Grove to pick up Lily. When I arrived it was obviously nap time. There were bodies laying everywhere.

It was suspicious that Lily wasn't out with the rest but off by herself. Sure enough she was in the woods and had delivered her foal and was busy cleaning him off.

I was sure glad she waited until this morning instead of giving birth in the rain last night. The colt was checked over and once he was nursing well they were left alone while I went to check the other horses. Josiah was taking a nap and stayed down while I petted him. 

 That was a mistake, he got up and followed me where ever I went. Finally I gave him the halter and lead rope to play with.

He thought that was fun and was swinging it around but when Ripper saw Josiah having fun, he came and took the halter away so HE could swing it around.

Jenis came over to see what they were playing with.

Lily brought her colt out of the woods to get a drink at the watering hole and all the horses wanted to gather around to meet him.

That is Madiera behind them staring at the colt. When Lily took him back into the woods the herd all followed.

All of the udders were checked. Both Tori and Roxanne are starting to bag up so Tori was haltered with Lily's draft halter and taken down to the trailer, loaded and the other halter and lead rope taken back up to the herd to pick up Roxanne. If you would like to see the rest of the pictures of Middle Grove click HERE.

  By the time she was loaded and I was back at the farm Karin was just finishing up with Ayanna and heading over to the cabin for a trail ride. Tori and Roxanne were put in the pasture and a few pictures taken for the website. The 3 pictures below are of Roxanne.

The next 3 pictures are of Tori.

Sarah and Nolan arrived with their girls to go fishing but they were asked if they would come with me to Middle Grove to bring Lily and her new colt back here. Sarah stayed with girls and the truck and trailer to help with opening gates and trailer doors while Nolan hiked up with me to the herd.  They were brought down to the road to load. That sounds so easy but really is hard labor. Someone has to bring the foal as a new foal will not follow the mother very well and the other horses are all very curious which makes the mother nervous.  By the time we made it down we were both exhausted. Nolan picked up the colt, put in him the trailer, Lily loaded up and we were on our way back. Below we have just made it home and opened up the trailer door.

 He was brought into the stall. Below Zion is helping move him over to his mom.

 I got a glove on to iodine the cord and Zion saw me so got her own glove on.

She is 'helping' clean off the colt. 

He is sure a big strong colt for being 26 days early. Lily should have been picked up last week. It is much easier to bring home a pregnant mare than one with a foal by her side.

If the weather prediction would have been better they could have been left out for a week but we have already had rain today, more rain coming in tonight and it is going to be just plain cold. They are very content in a stall. 

Mark got home and started mowing. I took Zion and Eden on the golf cart to go watch grandpa mow the pasture.

We came inside when the rain started. Eden loved pushing the little chairs around the playroom.

Nolan picked up food from Gils for our dinner. We are all tired from such a long day of hiking. Three times up and down those hills really wear an old lady out. 

We were a little late turning on Facebook live for our church service. We missed the singing but got to hear all of Dave's message. Tonight it was broadcasted from church for the first time. Almost like being there. 

I have Lily and her colt on the monitor and we can hear the rain hitting the metal roof of the barn through that. They are doing well and I'm so grateful we have them home safe.