Horses Hanging Out

Everyone needs some R & R, and horses are no different. Here are Annie (with the black mane) and Sammy resting, and pregnant Belle looking eastward. Life with horses is enjoyable as their independent personalities remind one of children on a playground. To those who wonder why the horses are laying down: they get tired, just like humans get tired and need to rest their legs.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Annie Greets the World

Sooner or later one must leave the safety of home and venture forth into the big world. One month old American Quarter Horse filly, Annie, did just that one fine day not too long ago. While many are afraid to leave home, fearful of what might be discovered, Annie was not one of them. The stall door opened and mom Lucy sauntered into the barn, followed by one happy month old Annie. As each passed the sliding barn door their pace quickened, and the race was on. Joined by another mare who resided in the adjacent stall, the three ran through the pasture kicking mud onto the left-over snow. Annie didn't blink -- she kept on running with the best of them, getting dirtier and dirtier, with almost a smile on her cute face. She seemed to love it and has been outside several times since. See for yourself.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

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

The Grass is Always Greener.....

After a nerve-wracking two hour hunt and chase through deep snow, thick woods and down a two-lane road strewn with gawkers in cars, Sampson, the colt, is back home with his brother Curly. Sampson is on the right, with the white mark on his forehead, Curly is on the left. Earlier today Sampson thought he was old enough and wise enough to leave home in search of a better life, maybe in Chicago pulling carriages. He didn't elaborate.

Horses are easily scared by common things: a large snowflake, a limb falling, and in this case a deer running next to the fence this morning. Sampson, the yearling, thought it was either another horse he should meet, or it would be fun to run along to see what he could see. He chose the latter, which was fine until the pasture ended. Apparently horses are unaware that orange flags marking the end of one's property mean it is not appropriate to venture forth looking for greener pastures, or in this case whiter snow, on the other side. He also forgot what a fence is and why it is there.

A young horse, Sampson has not been totally trained yet so he is unfamiliar with horse apparel such as leads or harnesses, even bridles. After twelve adults, including four police officers, an equine specialist from the Animal Control Department, three passers-by who stopped their cars to help, two neighbor "horse" people, and my husband and I were unable to lure Sammy close enough to lasso him, we used Plan B. Having a backup plan is always a good idea and in this case Plan B meant stopping all traffic on the road, and carefully and ever so slowly "pushing" Sammy toward the house.

Horses have a good memory (but not good enough to run home once they escape) so we were sure once Sammy saw "the house" he would recognize it, click his hoofs together and run toward the barn, his home. Not exactly. He did recognize the house once he was persuaded to walk up the long driveway, woods on one side and high snow banks on the other. At the end of the driveway Sammy saw the barn and his brother Curly; that was all it took. In his attempt to click hooves, Sammy treaded through deep snow to get to the corral to rejoin the herd. All are now reunited and resting, sleeping in the sun after a rough but exciting morning. Hopefully this adventure is over and will not be played out again, tomorrow or any other day.

Note: the electric fence is currently being checked, and the corral with the broken fence board is closed off until new boards arrive. The issued ticket turned out to be just a warning, with no fine this time. Large fruit baskets have been ordered for all neighbors who participated in horsing around; they will be delivered on Thursday. As for me, I have stopped crying and am now drinking a large glass of bubbly. And so it goes.

Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

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

Lucy Delivers!

After a lengthy eleven month long pregnancy, eight year old Lucy delivered a bouncing baby girl this afternoon, February 13, 2008. The baby appears to weigh between 55 to 65 pounds, and is healthy and nursing. With long eyelashes and a long curly tail, she is a bay now (dark brown with a black mane and tail) but she will turn grey. This is one newborn photo you don't often get to view.

Heatlamps are in place to warm the air in this Chicagoland barn, and both mother and un-named baby are eating hay and grain. For those wondering what happens next, here's the plan: mother and baby will remain in the barn until the weather changes and the outside temperature is at least 40 degrees. Mom and baby will venture outside for a short ten to twenty minute stint, away from the other horses who might be a tad too inquisitive, but within sight. Each day will be a new adventure for this little lady and now I can tell you, I really was hoping for a filly.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Stud Service Coming Soon

Belle will soon be "in heat," and a new husband is in order so she may again become pregnant, carry the baby for eleven months and foal in February of 2009. Belle (not her real name) is a sorrel quarter horse who has resided in my barn for quite some time. Last March she had a colt, a cute little guy named Sampson (not his real name). Born two weeks late, he was a strapping big boy at birth, and the name seemed to fit him well. Sammy is a gentle yearling who enjoys snow, birds, falling leaves, and apples. He loves to be near when one is in the pasture, in the barn, or even in the yard. He has the gentle temperment of his loving mother, Belle, and is easy to work with and train.

Soon Belle will be bred to a grey quarter horse, Smart Berry (his real name), in mid to late February. In the meantime Belle is "under the lights" in the barn to trick her reproductive system into believing it is spring, complete with longer days and more hours of daylight. As everyone knows, in the spring one's thoughts turn to the birds and the bees, and in this case, Belle and babies. Stay tuned.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Horse Wars: Why Pregnant Sassy is Sassy

In six to eight weeks yet another foal will be born at this Chicagoland ranch and we're ready for it. Lucy, also known as Sassy, for what will soon be obvious reasons, is about to become a mom again and apparently her hormones are creating undue stress, or an attitude disorder at best. The once happy go lucky mare ain't what she used to be. The final weeks of a nine month human pregnancy can be most uncomfortable and most inopportune; horses are pregnant for 11 months, and the extra two must create havoc in horseville.

Lucy/Sassy has decided she needs time alone, to reflect on her horse life and prepare her mind for the new little one, albeit 125 pounds at birth. Since horses are herd animals, the need-to-be-alone bit doesn't bode well with the rest of the gang who continue to go about their horse business in a most regular way. When one of her pals gets in her way, or even looks at her in an unpleasant manner, Lucy/Sassy bites, nips, kicks and bares her teeth. To keep her from shaving her head in a Brittany moment, horse clippers and shears have been locked in the garage, as far away from the barn as horsely possible. Extra grain is set aside for Lucy/Sassy to avoid hoarding, hissing and more kicking. Extra hay is distributed to Lucy/Sassy to avoid undue stress brought on by her sudden fear of starvation. And while it is important for her to be large and healthy prior to giving birth (called foaling in horse talk) Lucy is one extremely large pregnant lady, and having birthed three times myself, I can safely judge large pregnant ladies.

In a few weeks a new born foal will again hit the hay, and the photos will be priceless. We're hoping for a filly, though another colt will do, as seen in last year's photo. Stay tuned as Lucy becomes even sassier as her tummy continues to grow.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Horse Sense

The two female quarter horses who had been our pets for some time gave birth in March -- and then there were four. We now have two mama's and two colts grazing in the pasture. Watching the babies mature has been a real pleasure -- they each have their own personality and it seems to mimic that of their mother.

Curly (not his real name, but called that because he had a tightly curled mane at birth), was born two weeks early to Lucy (not her real name either) so he is still smaller then Sampson (not his real name) who was born two weeks late to Belle (and you guessed it, that's not her real name). Anyone who has ever given birth knows that a baby born late will be bigger then a baby born on time. That is the case with Sampson, aptly named for his size and strength.

Curly's mother is the alpha mare, while Sampson's mother is more relaxed and laid back. Curly and Sampson have taken on the personality of thier moms, so while Curly is smaller then Sammy, Curly is in charge, and knows it.

Watching Curly and Lucy boss around Sammy and his mom, Belle, is both humorous and troubling to me. Lucy will sense Belle is behind her and raise her left hind leg to ready it for kicking Belle. Curly aggressively bites Sammy to get him away from whatever Curly feels he should be closer to at the time. The demonstrated behavior is like that seen on a schoolyard during recess. The bully in the backyard needs counseling.......