Witholding Cuteness, or, A Tale of Two Fillies

 Wheeee!  Twine's filly celebrates her first week of life.

I feel like I should start this blog post like you're supposed to start certain phone calls.

"Everyone's fine, but...."

I know I've written this in my head a bunch of times, but it just seemed too long, so I never sat down at the computer.  Then I'd think about everything else going on in the lives of others, and in the world, and think, meh, my recent stresses are nothing, and everyone's fine, so I'll just keep it to myself.  Add to that borderline burnout, and you get....internet silence.  Only a couple of people seemed to notice my absence, which kind of fed the cycle.  And I admit it was kind of nice to lay low, and selfishly keep to myself the ridiculous cuteness bouncing around in my stalls!  Some things, however, are far too cute to keep to myself, and knowing you can't really experience the full force of such cuteness unless you are face to face with it, well, you'll still be largely deprived!

 

Twine and Jubie, planning foaling strategy.

 

 Sunday, April 14, a routine check of Twine's udder revealed she was waxing.  While she was in the "safe" zone in that the foal would be viable, and not even premature, Twine is pretty textbook, and had always foaled at 338-345 days.  This was two weeks early.  I was a little concerned, especially given her less-than-ideal history.  I texted my vet to see if he'd received the results of the NI test yet, and hoped she'd at least hold off long enough to get that info, for my own peace of mind!  Either way, I wasn't going to be getting much sleep until the baby came.

Tuesday night at around 10pm, it was show time.  I wrapped her tail and stood by, and shortly saw we could have some trouble, due to what in layman's terms is called a red bag delivery (placenta previa, for the initiated).  While I had never had one before, I knew the deal - the foal had to come out as quickly as possible.  Fortunately Twine got to work and in literally five minutes, between her and I, we had the baby out - the foal was breathing and responsive, though not strong.  In time she rallied, and with my help got to her feet, and figured out now to nurse like a pro - you have no idea how much of a relief that was.  As it turned out she needed help getting to her feet for the first day, so I kept a pretty close watch on he to make sure she nursed at least once an hour.

So guess what happened Wednesday night at 10pm?  I'd gone out to do late feed, and Jubie starts pawing!  I check her, grab a tail bandage and wrap her tail, and then run around trying to get the others fed while I wait for her to proceed!  Twenty-four hours less five minutes, Jubie delivered a big, strong, healthy foal.  I was sure it was a colt, but I was wrong.  As I was attending to her, I heard Twine's filly get up on her own!  Yeah!  I was looking forward to some sleep!

Jubie '13 had other plans for me, though.  I guess those long, long baby legs were hard to sort out, because it took her just as long to get to her feet as it had Twine's filly, and I had to help her!  She had the opposite problem - she was very straight behind, her tendons a bit contracted.  And while she knew what was next on the agenda, she was too tall to easily figure out where to get that first meal.  She pushed the limits of my comfort, but figured it out.  And then it became apparent she wasn't able to get to her feet on her own.  So much for sleep!

Jubie really, really wanted to roll when she finally got outside....but she didn't want to take her eyes off her baby for that long, so this is as far as it went!

It was no surprise when Twine's filly's IgG was low, and she needed a plasma transfusion, which was taken care of at a nearby clinic.  It was a surprise when Jubie's filly - twenty-four hours later - needed the same!  Just one of those weeks for me, apparently. Both fillies got five days of antibiotics after that.

 

Jubie's filly.

 So, now, a week and a bit later, things seem much quieter.  I'm still keeping a very close watch on both, especially Twine's little girl.  Big filly is not impressed with me at all, taking all the fussing and needle-jabbing personally.  Little filly, on the other hand, is a Twine baby through and through, so happy and friendly I just want to bring her in the house and let her sleep on my bed.  She's so tiny, but then again, big (half) sister Gracie was almost that small when she was born, and well, she grew!

 I'm sure she'd fit just nicely on the end of my bed.

Sorry for the long post - believe me, it could have been much longer.  I admit I'm feeling somewhat melancholy this year, because my client isn't breeding any mares this year, thanks to the uncertainty in the Ontario Racing Industry, so these may be the last foals born on my farm.  I'm trying to forget last week's stress and enjoy these new kids.  It's true what they say about babies - they grow up too fast.

Count on a Chestnut Filly to Shake Things Up

Well, the third and final foal of the season joined us on Monday just before 10pm.  Beaujelais (yes, that's how the owners decided to spell it) had her first baby - a chestnut filly that is sure to give the boys a run for their money.  All three foals are by the same sire, Strut the Stage, who has passed on some nice flashy white this year, not to mention a fair bit of attitude!  This little girl's barn name is Brigitte, and both she and mom are doing well.  Don't I have the best new models this year?

And Number Three!

Clever delivered her fourth foal, a chestnut colt by the late Pleasant Tap, last night at 11:30pm. What a considerate group of mares I had this year, all foaling somewhat early in the night. We'll forgive Hummer the rather troubled aftermath of her firstborn, because he's so incredibly cute!

Once again Clever has produced a big, solid baby. She had to work hard to push him out, but seems to be okay. Momma and baby are both resting peacefully, and approaching 4AM now, I think I might try to grab a bit of sleep myself. Kind of nice be done foaling by the 24th of March!

Clockwork

If Jubie were human, she'd be one of those ultra-organized women. Yesterday morning Jubie had her long-awaited foal, and she's definitely the most efficient mare I've ever dealt with! She was restless all night, but at that point had shown no signs of waxing - not that a mare needs to wax before she foals. I turned her out as usual at 7:30am after she'd had her breakfast - and she was waxing, so I knew I wouldn't be letting her out of my sight for long. She finished her hay, but broke out in a good sweat, so I thought, okay, this might be sooner rather than later! I cleaned her stall and banked it with lots of fresh straw, went inside and grabbed the phone, then came back to the barn and brought her in and wrapped her tail. She was going down as soon as I turned her loose, and it was time to play foaling assistant! Shortly after, Jubie had a new filly on the ground. I had just enough time to do everything.

I'm so used to having foals on the coldest days of winter, it's quite a change to have one in the middle of a May heatwave! Both mare and baby are doing well so far, and Jubie is an amazing mom. Next year, it's back to February foals, so I'll enjoy this while I can!

...And Hope For The Best

That's the last part of that saying I mentioned the other day - breed the best to the best. It's a relief when you make it this far - foal safely on the ground, already struggling towards mom's head, and mom nickering softly to her new baby. Hey, only three and a half years to Plate Day!


I used a couple of photos to put together this painting. I've always wanted to do a just-foaled painting, and last year was fortunate enough to have a friend take some photos when I was foaling the mares. This is Twine, and Gracie when she was just minutes old.


After yesterday's struggle...today's painting went about the same way! I was happy with how I was able to map out the drawing fairly quickly (and I did draw today, lines instead of shapes). Then I started, again with the new palette...and it just wasn't happening! I did deviate a bit to get the colour I wanted, and finally admitted the whole wet on wet thing just wasn't happening the way it should. This is 8 x 10 oil on panel, and I did feel like I was fighting the surface a lot, the paint just not staying put. Oh well. Just like surviving breeding season and eleven months of equine gestation....some days it's about the small victories!

Day Seven: Can't Help Myself...

Foals are always popular...and I always love painting them, so here we have another baby. Maybe it's really just wishful thinking on my part, as I still wait for Clever to foal. At least now she's looking like it will be in the next couple of days! Leo agreed to stand in again in the meantime. I know I've slacked off the last few days on my theme songs, but for this one it would have to be Ben Folds' Lullabye..."Good night, good night, sweet baby..."

This is 5 x 7, oil on masonite panel using the limited palette again. Painting low light settings is always a challenge and normally the reference photos for such paintings is dark and somewhat grainy...but it's kind of fun to see what you can pull out of them...at least when it works out!

I won't be listing this guy on Etsy, at least not right away...I need to let him sit for a few days and contemplate his future. I am happy to report that the little painting of Billy will be going to Belgium! I know he'll have a very good home there, so that bit of news made my day. Maybe I could send the colt, too, for a few months?

Hope to see everybody again tomorrow! In the meantime, everybody think happy foaling thoughts for Clever! What do you think, colt or filly?

The Shape of Things to Come

Poor Twiney, me posting photos of her, in her current state. You can almost see the foal moving into position. Can't be too much longer now! At least it sounds as if we're going to have warmish weather all week. Tonight would be good, Twiney. Today was completely messed up so I didn't get any sleep in, which means this coming night could be a long one! Finny did his best to help, but couldn't move the hay off the truck into the shed no matter how much he mustered all his superpowers. ;-)


As I was writing that, I was running upstairs every ten minutes or so to check the barn camera. I had been watching Twine more closely after coming in from the barn after feeding, and was pretty sure it was only a matter of time. It's amazing how quickly things go. I probably checked at 8:30pm and she was quiet; checked again at 8:55 and knew it was game time! Her water had broken and I had just enough time to dash out to the barn (a bit of a challenge because of the ice the warming trend has left us with), grab the tail bandage and wrap her tail, and she was going down. A quick check to make sure the foal's presentation was okay, and it was time for traction! Fifteen minutes later a beautiful bay colt was lying behind his momma wondering exactly what planet he'd arrived on.


I still haven't really slept, so I'm a bit numb right now. There are dogs coming and going today, the requisite vet visits for new baby, and no one to get me out of doing stalls. ;-) So for now, a few photos of the new arrival. Check out that shiny sleek coat of his! I think he may have mistaken our February thaw for Florida!

The Light Calls!

One thing that gets me running for my camera is cool lighting. While I've been playing with low-light conditions in my paintings more in the last while, the right kind of light, the kind that creates strong contrast, still makes for the most drama. That's what sent me snapping pics of Twine the other morning – yesterday's painting is a result of that shoot. Today I find myself drawn to more of the same, though this time it is Clever, and it was the first light coming over the trees one cold January morning. I think I'll call this one "Expecting." Not only does Clever have that kind of look on her face, she was probably a month and a half from foaling Billy in this photo.

Clever is an eight-year old Thoroughbred mare, and you can tell she hasn't met the kindest of people in her lifetime. When she first came to me, newly in foal to last year's baby, Peaker, she was very suspicious, very reactive. She's come a long way, and actually looks for treats now instead of snorting at me if I approach her stall, but I think she will sadly always be leery of the human race. The reference photo for this painting appealed to me so much because of the very kind and serene look in Clever's eyes. It was a long time coming with this mare. After a bit of a reluctant start to motherhood (what is this thing, and what does it want from me?) Clever is now a wonderful mother...well, at least once she gets past that first nursing! To be fair, so far she has produced two big, strong babies, so you can kind of understand her feeling a bit of resentment!

Today's painting is a 8 x6 oil on Raymar smooth cotton panel, painted with the same limited palette as yesterday. This was the first time I'd worked on this surface - it came in a sample pack of Raymar panels. It was a bit harder to get used to, especially after yesterday's familiar gessoed masonite! Working wet into wet started to get difficult, and I wasn't able to get some of the detail I wanted. I haven't signed it yet, and as I look at it I keep seeing little things I'd like to address! I did start straight with the brush and paint on the panel this time. I've posted a little bit of the progression I went through, below.

It's Only a Month, Right?

Gracie at the November Muse Try-outs

Well...I guess I've made the decision. I've signed up for both the novel and blog projects, and I spent the morning pondering my gameplan for the paintings while I mucked stalls. I'm going to try and keep the painting a day project simple - this time around, anyway! I will focus on head studies only. The next couple of days will be spent preparing - gathering my references, preparing panels...stocking up on chocolate! Actually, the timing couldn't be better for that last one - Friday, being Halloween means that Saturday, all the candy goes on sale! I'll be making a trip to Shoppers' Drug Mart Saturday morning to take full advantage, you can be sure. They always seem to have the best deals. Trust me to know where the best deals on chocolate are!

This angle, perhaps?

I'll also be wrapping up a few things that will free up my time to pursue the November craziness - those things that are in my control, at least! I got my GST return done and filed tonight (one of those rare occassions where I'll be getting a refund...I put a lot of $$ into barn maintenance and repair this past quarter)...tomorrow we will pull the mats out of the one stall that is needing attention, repair the base with some screenings and fix it so that it is completely matted...and that painting I keep not-mentioning will get some time so that hopefully I can call it done.

I stayed up a bit later last night, and look to be on the same timeline tonight - working on cutting down on those pesky sleeping hours! I can get another hour to work that way! It will be nothing close to the sleep deprivation that happens during foaling season, so don't worry about that one. Am I missing anything? To think there are several painters who do a painting a day, all year 'round! I'm only trying it for a month!

Excuses, Excuses!

Day three of my painting-a-day-for-a-week project, and I have nothing to show. I think I have a legitimate excuse, however - Twine delivered a chestnut filly at 1:20am, February 14. Not before midnight as requested, but pretty close! Of course that meant I was up all night. I've managed a bit of sleep since then, but tonight might be a long one! I don't think Clever is quite ready to follow suit, but she's a little less obvious than Twine was, so I can'treally assume!

Photos are courtesy of EJKay Photography, which, in this case, doubled as foaling alarm!

Horse TV: All horses, all the time!

I joke about that the rest of the year, when I stand at the kitchen window watching the ponies. They can be quite entertaining, and I have the photos to prove it! Right now with the cameras up on the mares, it give Horse TV a whole new meaning. This night-time Horse TV is only black and white, but it's a whole lot better than going back and forth to the barn when it's as cold out as it was last night. Both mares are biding their time. I just learned that my friend's mare, who was due around the same time as these girls, foaled Saturday night. Ruby seems to be developing a trend for delivering close to her due date, and at a reasonable time of night! I would like Ruby to talk to these mares!


This period of adjustment to staying up all night has affected my painting time. I have been working on a commission of a Quarter Horse in pencil, however. Working in pencil takes a completely different mind set for me; it's quite interesting. I find as well, now that I'm painting more, I approach it differently. I haven't got a photo of it yet, so I'll be sure to do that shortly. It's kind of neat to see the drawing in progress.

Okay, it's 8:54 AM...do I stay awake, or go to sleep???

She's Here!

It's not an unusual scenario this time of year, I know, but after about three weeks (or 348 days, depending on how you want to look at it) Too Clever is the proud mama of a chestnut filly by Peaks and Valleys. At first she wasn't too impressed with this new little thing in her stall, but she's come around to the idea of motherhood. The filly is very nice for a mare's first foal – quite the constrast to the tiny backward thing our Monster was when she was born!

All this happened yesterday morning, February 10th at 6:10am. Just a couple of photos at about five hours now, but you can rest assured when they go outside for the first time there will be more!

The mare and I are exhausted, I think. The filly looks like she's ready to ship into the track and get down to business! A BIG congratulations to proud owners Tony and Diane – this is their first foal, too!