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| April, 2008
Foaling time is rapidly approaching with Book of Kells
(Booker) and Wickmor Rosie O'Grady (Widget) both due any day to Kenson's
Aragorn. However, neither shows any inclination to oblige just yet -
and given the weather of the past few days, who can blame them.
Turnout of the weanlings has been delayed to give the
grass a chance - in the meantime they have to settle for an extended daily
play in the manege. They are so friendly that taking pictures is
almost impossible! But it's a great place for a good roll!
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| I managed
o steal a day away from MY horses to check out the Stallion Gradings in
February; Indigo Rambo - now 3 - is such a big boy that I decided he
needed another year to fill out and mature before he goes forward. He
is already 16.2 with 10 inches of bone - a chip off the old block!
Rambo is of course by Raj - out of Northwood Rose (by Gort Boy) our only
Hornby Select mare to date.
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December, 2007
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| In late September,
the IDHS Inspectors arrived for grading and Hornby Premiums. It was a
busy day, with two of our own (Indigo Macha Pride and Indigo Macha Dawn)
being presented for grading, along with three visiting mares. Pride
and Dawn both graded RID, as did Liz Gray's big mare,
O'Sullivan's Rusheen Kitty. Jenny
Noblett's mares, Ballina Lass and Amber Lass, graded SID and AID
respectively . The three visiting mares all went home in foal to Raj.
Corraslira Lady was awarded her 2nd Hornby Premium, but
Corraslira Cleo missed out. She is a big mare and her fast growing
colt, Fascinating Rhythm, had pulled her condition down before we spotted
it. THAT mistake won't be repeated!
The Inspectors kindly took the time to pass their
expert eyes over our two main stallion prospects. Rambo's bone had to
be measured twice - 10 inches at 2 years old seemed unbelievable - but was
correct. The Inspectors agreed with our view that Rambo would be
better presented as a 4 year old - all his growth has been upwards - and he
needs time to fill out. Prince was much admired and thought likely to
be ready to present as a 3 year old, being a more compact type, so February
2008 is already looking busy!
We have 14 mares in foal for 2008; Indigo
Rosebud and Indigo Macha Pride, our home-bred Raj daughters, are in foal to
Kenson's Aragorn as are Wickmore Rosie O'Grady (by King Elvis) and Book of
Kells (by Torspark Benedict.) The rest are in foal to Raj, including
Northwood Rose's older daughter, Lyrem Fuzzypeg (by Cummer Hero).
Nancy was the odd girl out this year - she decided she needed a holiday.
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| Indigo Fascinating Rhythm is
the front cover on a charity calendar sold in aid of the Equine Welfare
Charity, Equine Market Watch. |
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| August, 2007 |
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Foaling is now officially OVER!
All the mares have foaled on the early side - but with no disadvantage to
the foals.Sadly, we've had a rash of colts from
the RID mares (4 out of 5 are colts) while the TB and Sport Horse mares have
tended to fillies. But they're all healthy and happy and that's all
any breeder has the right to hope for. |
We're still trying to get the last few mares in foal - Raj has had a
particularly busy season with a number of older maiden mares - who tend to
present problems. |
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| First foal for 2007 was
Corraslira Lady's colt - born May 3. He gave us a few worries as he
was a large chap and a red bag delivery - but he was quickly on his feet. |
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| On May 27, Little
Macha produced a super filly - a full sister to Pride, Dawn and Prince.
She was born looking like she might be bay - like Prince - so HAD to be Princess!
(Of course, she now looks more chestnut!) |
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| Next to foal was Dolly
- on June 7. A nice filly - full sister to Tammy - although this one
will be grey. Continuing with the C&W theme, her name is Jolene! |
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| On June 23, Cleo produced a big
colt - promptly named 'Fascinating Rhythm' (Cleo Laine fans will
understand!) |
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| Surprise foaled on June 27 - at
327 days. Another colt - and he was a bit early. Slow to stand
and suck, it was apparent there was a problem - Neonatal Maladjustment
Syndrome! He was stomach-tubed, fed I.V., and put onto antibiotics and
Vit.B12 - then he developed Pneumonia. It was 4 weeks before we were
confident he'd make it! He's bay - going grey and
we have named him Stardust. All the early handling means he's very
laidback!! |
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The next 3 mares were all due on July 26 - but none was prepared to wait! |
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| Scarlet foaled on July 4 - a
pretty filly. We're still struggling for the 'right' name for her
(she's temporarily being called Hussy!) |
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| Four days later it was Nancy's
turn - on
July 8. Another pretty filly! If only the RID mares had been so helpful!
This one has been named Judy. |
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Brook went a little closer to her due date - and produced a stunning colt on
July 10. Given the excessive amount of rain we're having, the name
'River Rising' seemed apt. He is a full brother to Ripple - and to
Reflection. |
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| Northwood Rose continued the
trend - giving birth early - and producing a colt on July 14! The
reasons we named him 'Sailor Moon' (Sailor for short) are just to silly to
publish! |
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| Last to foal was Katie - early,
of course - on July 27. The jury is still out on what colour she'll
be, but she doesn't look like it will be grey. Probably bay, possibly
even black, and with no white markings. Being
Charlie's sister, her name just HAD to be Sally! |
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| March,
2007
With Spring (hopefully) approaching, we're getting
organised for the covering season. The stallions are working every day
to get them fit for their duties, and we're still looking hard at the mares
we have and deciding which stallion to use on each.
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Raj was placed 3rd in the Annual
Fertility Awards for 2006 - so a new picture was needed - hence the bath. He
doesn't stay this clean for long!
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