Lucy Leaves the Herd

Lucy, the American Quarter Horse Bay mare, left the herd yesterday to start a new life in a stable a short distance away. As the day of Lucy's departure drew near, her upcoming loss to the herd became a discussion point. Since horse herds bond as families, when one of the herd is removed the remaining horses grieve at their loss. The thought of Belle, Sammy and Annie missing their friend and/or mother was painful. As the alpha mare of the herd, Lucy told the other horses what to do and when to do it. It was not uncommon to see Lucy nipping at one of the herd to get that horse "in line."

A few weeks earlier, Curly, the one year old colt of Lucy, also left the farm and joined a group of reining horses at a stable about 10 miles away. Reining is a competitive sport where horses are judged on their ability to perform maneuvers similar to a figure skater. Reining horses can earn millions of dollars performing in events across the country. Coming from a long line of reining horses, Curly will be the top dog, errr horse, in the competition. When Curly left the herd a few weeks ago none of the horses seemed to miss him, including his mother, Lucy. There was no running, no seeking, and no nickering. His buddy, the other year old colt, Sammy, stood gazing into space as if wondering where his partner in crime was hiding.

Lucy's departure was somewhat heart-wrenching to this somewhatfortyplus horse breeder. Watching Lucy load into the trailer from afar, I wondered what she was thinking. Her new farm houses several horses, and Lucy will probably check them all out and again become the alpha mare sooner, rather then later, unless the new place has an alpha mare who has stronger dominance tendencies than Lucy. The new owner, a horse trainer by trade who had been with Lucy several times prior to driving away with her, will be back with us on a regular basis as she prepares Sammy for the next phase in his life, accepting riders.

The herd is smaller today. Sorrel horse Belle is pregnant, due in late April or early May. Sammy, the year old sorrel colt, was running and jumping in the pasture with Annie, the five month old filly at his side. Tired from their frolicking in the grass, Sammy, Annie and Belle laid down in the sun behind the barn and took their morning nap, at peace with the world.

Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Grazing Horses

Watching horses graze in pastures is medicinal to all who have time to sit and ponder which blade of grass will be eaten next. The herd continues to grow, and Annie, the three month old American Quarter Horse filly gets bigger every day. In the photo, Annie is second from the left, almost as big as her mother.

The herd considers itself a family, much like yours and mine, except this one has two mothers, two brothers, and one baby sister. When it rains the family stands together, over Annie, who lays under them. They also stand under the pine trees. Eating grass, along with grain and hay, is their favorite past time. Sometimes they even people-watch, walking with me as I go down the lane to get the mail. Interesting animals, these horses.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Mother's Day, 2008

Mothers everywhere know the joy of bringing up baby, and horses are no different. Annie, the American Quarter Horse filly born February 13, 2008, shares a moment with her mother on Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all who nurture children, whether two legged or four.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

25 Day Old Annie - American Quarter Horse Filly

Watching Annie grow has become a past time for many. Twenty-five day old Annie, an American Quarter Horse filly, continues to get bigger as she enters her fourth week of life, as seen in the new short video. Though Annie is only seen eating, walking and watching the photographer, the short clip shows her well shaped head and long eyelashes. The newborn foal blanket continues to display more and more of Annie's rump as she packs on the pounds and inches. She is a lot taller then last week and weighs more -- the grain and hay Annie eats must be working wonders for her. Maybe the bathroom scale needs to find a home in the barn.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Story Updates - Week of March 9, 2008

Many things happen in one's life and sharing them has made a few of the somewhat awful things rather humorous. Here are updates from the most recent "news" just in case you were wondering.

Annie update -- the almost month old filly has not yet ventured out of her safe stall to see the big world, though last night she came very close. Stopping just at the entrance to the stall, Annie looked out into the barn to see what was out there worth investigating. Her mother, Lucy, walked around the barn, trying to coax her baby out, but to no avail. Maybe today Annie will feel comfortable enough to take that big step in her young life and venture into the barn.

Runaway colt update -- after helping coax Sammy back home after he left in search of a better life, the two neighbors received their tower of treats from Harry and David, not on the same day, although they were ordered together. Harry and David made good by sending the family of neighbors to the west a second tower of treats as an apology for delaying the first tower of treats. Well done, Harry and David. Neither Sammy nor Curly have left home nor bit anyone since last reported, which is very good news.

Eye update -- after removing all thirteen stitches from my two left eye surgical sites on Tuesday of last week, the upper incision opened on Thursday of last week, bled way too much, and then received four new stitches to hold it together. Interestingly the stitches caused no pain, and they will again be removed on Tuesday afternoon, hopefully for the last time.

Flu update -- eighty-six year old Milly recovered well from her awful vomiting, etc. episode of the flu that caused me to don latex gloves and a face mask to enter the sick room. The entire room has been wiped down with Clorox wipes (twice just to be extra safe) and the bed linens have been laundered. Milly lost 8 pounds during this flu episode and is still limiting her food intake to scrambled eggs, toast and broth. She returns to Minneapolis next Saturday after five months in Chicagoland. So now you know.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Horse Tag

Like children everywhere, playing outside in the snow is good for the soul. As part of their daily antics, Curly and Sammy enjoy playing "catch" with a rubber food dish on a sunny but cold Chicagoland day. When not being tossed in the air, both colts vie for the extra point in a toothy tug of war.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Annie Video -- 17 Day Old Filly

Baby horse lovers have enjoyed watching Annie grow during the past seventeen days as everything is new and fresh to her. This short 57 second video clip shows how Annie has started growing taller and longer as her back end emerges from her once over sized newborn Weatherbeeta Foal Blanket. Annie shares grain with her mother, actually swallowing it, and shows interest in being a movie star, a dream shared by many girls longing for stardom. Annie's beautiful refined head and long eyelashes are the makings for Annie's future stardom in years to come.

Chicagoland temperatures will rise to the low 50's today so if all goes as planned, this will be Annie's first day out of her safe stall and into the big world, always with her mom by her side calling the shots. To ensure Annie's safety, the other horses will be secured so as to not bother her or cause Lucy distress on this big day. All of Annie's antics will be captured in video to share with you, dear readers, who have commented how much you enjoy watching Annie grow. Here's another one for you.
Video attribution: Law School Boy

Baby Quarter Horse - 2 Weeks

Annie, the two week old American Quarter Horse, continues to grow at a rapid speed. Born three weeks early on February 13, Annie is a beautiful filly who seems to be maturing rapidly. She not only chews both hay and grain but actually swallows both -- an outstanding feat for such a young filly. She is alert and responds well to the human voice, jumping, running, kicking both front and back legs, and then screeching to a halt in front of the on-looker as if to say "look at what I can do now!" Wearing a Weatherbeeta Newborn Blanket since she was two days old, Annie is warm even when Chicago temperatures drop into the teens.

Lucy, Annie's mother, nurtures her baby with regular kisses, nudges and cuddles. When her elder son, the yearling colt named Curly sticks his head in the stall to view his mom and new sister, Lucy is less then cordial and quickly chases him away. One day Curly refused to leave and stood frozen watching his replacement snuggle with his mom. A quick back hoof to the stall wall startled Curly and the message was clear, you're a big boy now so move on. After all, there is a new kid on the block who needs her full attention, and Curly can take care of himself only too well. But that's another story for another day.

Note: The gift baskets were delivered to the neighbors who participated in the horse round-up and they were pleased with their Harry and David Towers of Treats. Sammy remains in the pasture but has acquired new stallion prowess and has begun to bite. Me. No wait -- that was Curly who bit me, Sammy bit the electrician. Such unacceptable actions will need to change soon or these boys will lose their manhood.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Horse Update: Sammy Stayed

If you've been following horse life in the burbs you know yesterday's adventure of a run away horse in The Grass Is Always Greener was not one of the best days in horse country. After a nervous night of horse watching, Sammy has decided to remain a few more weeks -- hopefully months -- before he again leaves to seek his fortune in Chicago or elsewhere.

Both Sammy and Curly are in the pasture calmly and quietly gorging themselves, as horses do, on hay and grain. Whew! Stay tuned as there is always another adventure just around the corner.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

One Week Old Annie

Babies are surprisingly the same, whether human or horse, quickly changing every day and totally dependent on their mothers for all their needs. Watch one week old quarter horse, Annie, do what other babies do: eat, jump, kick, eat again, wobble, suddenly jump (at 1 minute 35 seconds into the video), and then eat again. The short 3 minute film includes snorting, nickering, and of course eating, demonstrating Annie's new found skills. Human babies require nursing every two hours, and Annie seems to surpass that with her continuous attempts to gain nourishment. Still a baby, Annie sleeps several hours each day while wearing her newborn-sized Weathabeater Baby Blanket to keep warm in this somewhat chilly Chicagoland barn. Annie's mother nudges her ever so lovingly in the film, reminding us all mothers know best. Note: If you are unable to activate the video, push the spacebar and then "enter" -- it will start.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Newborn Quarter Horse, Day Two

Watching newborn quarter horse Annie grow is exciting and something to share with anyone who loves animals, especially small ones. Here is Annie and her mom, Lucy (not her registered name) relaxing on her second day in Chicagoland. Still a little wobbly, and still moving slowly as she tests out her legs, she kicks, stretches and nickers.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Baby Steps

As the mother of three adult children I have witnessed several "firsts," first teeth, first steps, and first words -- all special moments when previously new and uncharted experiences became accessible and opened the door to even more discoveries.

Baby horses also hold exciting first moments, as seen in this video of five hour old Annie, an American Quarter horse filly nickering (talking) to her mother, standing, and ever so carefully wobbling towards lunch. A quiet baby sneeze can be heard. Weighing approximately 55 pounds, Annie mimics Mom as she pretends to "eat" hay, though she is only "mouthing" it. Annie also mimics Mom as she nickers in response to another horse. Though appearing thin and frail, Annie is exceptionally alert at five hours post delivery. Happy birth day, Annie.

Video attribution: somewhatfortyplus