Valentine is close

[acottongim]

OK, deep breath, and everyone jingle that Val's foaling is easier than Angel's was... am feeling a little gun shy/nervous today.

She has been uncomfortable yesterday/last night and is this am too. Her belly has dropped/moved back and her udder is tight with teats elongated. EASILY express milk (looks like skim milk), vulva is WAY relaxed (baby can walk out if it chooses to lol), tail head flacid, and butt musles shrunk in.... we are ready, not sure if tonight (I'm betting on tonight) or tomorrow...

She will be up on marestare also for those that are interested.

I'm debating about wrapping her tail... her previous owner told me that she is pretty possessive about her foals and will kick if she feels her foal is threatened... mares! :rolleyes:

I've turned her out for a little while so I can clean her stall and she can get out and walk around/roll. She is picking at grain.

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

Good thoughts comping your way! Can't wait to see pics!

[siegi b.]

I would think that the milk should be of thicker consistency before Val will foal....

My fingers are crossed for an uneventful delivery and a gorgeous baby!!

Best,
Siegi

[acottongim]

Normally I would think so too... but she is starting to slowly drip milk now... I have a feeling that she is going to "finish up" quickly if you know what I mean...

Hey, Siegi - I checked Chloe too (the one with the Veneziano baby) and she is starting to get a good sized bag today and the baby has shifted down/back... she isn't as far along (due the 21st) but maybe by next weekend for her????!!!!!

[pony grandma]

Keep it coming. I have to live vicariously this year!! My mind is making that path back and forth from the house to the barn! I'm beginning to feel wired right along with you.

Here's a link to an essay that my dairy farmer lady friend down the road wrote for the C.S. Monitor about the expectant birthing of one of our foals two years ago. Just a treat for us horse baby whinney freaks and a teaser to hurry up and bring the spring season on faster. :)

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0522/p18s02-hfes.html

[Home Again Farm]

Jingling for an easy and safe birth tonight, Anissa! :yes:

[Blacklabs]

Looks real close now, safe foaling

[acottongim]

she is going to more than likely go tonight and prob soon...

[suzette]

Yup!!! Tonight's the night!
Nervous "auntie" here!

[Blacklabs]

she is going to more than likely go tonight and prob soon...


Can she send that message over to Sophie.:winkgrin:

[acottongim]

YOU'RE nervous Suzette!!!???? omg... I'm nervous! LOL

[suzette]

I'm ALWAYS on pins & needles with foaling!
I's more exciting Christmas morning and more scarey than Halloween.
But, MAN is it ever an addicting high!

[acottongim]

No kidding Suzette!

Well she has already cast herself once (note to self,... 12 x 14 is not big enough for miss drama queen LOL), kicked me in the process of getting up (another note to self.. must take some motrin), and she is resting at the moment.

[suzette]

So, why do they always park themselves with the butt just out of camera view? Do you think they know we are watching?

[eyesontheground]

i am all dressed up...ready to go out...and i wanna watch! can someone link me to acottongims marestare...or just give me a farm name?!

[acottongim]

Yes, I think that they do LOL. How annoying.

Here is my prediction.. she is resting righ tnow, she is going to get up in a second, walk around, etc then plop down again and THEN have it... we'll see..

[acottongim]

http://www.marestare.com/emerald.php

(Emerald Acres)

and she is up

[spacely]

Crossing everything for a safe delivery Anissa. And tell her to send some foaling vibes to Sophie too (Glenhill mare).;)

[acottongim]

Thanks Lisa... I'm sending good foaling vibes for everyone foaling out babies tonight! :) (and hoping Sophie goes soon! Poor mare! I've been watching her off and on)

[risingstarfarm]

Hoping that tonight is the night and we get great news and fabulous pictures!

[eyesontheground]

Well...the good news is I didn't miss anything...

The bad news is...I do not see a baby! Come on Valentine!!! I am wide awake and watching!!

[acottongim]

It is a GIRL!!!!! Mom and baby are fine, baby has nursed, but is unwilling to go back down with her LONG legs... it is like, now that she is up she ain't going down LOL. Bay one white sock in front. I'll take some photos in a min.

[acottongim]

Out of Pennent's Valentine (Pennant/Medaille d'Or) and by Emerald Impressions (Impressionist/Diplomat Way).
Bay filly, born at 5:15 am, was up and nursing by 5:45 am. Mom and baby are doing GREAT. Need to let mom out to roll later today and will get some more photos at that time.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/acottongim/P3160096.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/acottongim/P3160093.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/acottongim/P3160092.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/acottongim/P3160086.jpg

[GingerCookie]

Congrats! She is adorable!

[Maddie]

Congratulations, lovely filly!

[suzette]

That makes the third filly in a row for her!
Congrats on nice healthy foal!
And I can't believe she is being so nice about letting you in to play with the newborn! She would never let anybody in last time. Maybe she is getting used to it over the years.
I ran out of steam last night, and couldn't sit up to watch allnight. Glad I didn't stay up to 5AM!
Merry Christmas, Anissa!

[acottongim]

Suzette - I am so THRILLED with her! I KNEW that Preston and Val would be a good cross! LOL. :winkgrin:

Val is being very good... I was kind of worried at first, but I think she will be ok with me around. I didn't tie up the placenta as she gave me dirty looks when I went to try and do it the first time, but other than that she has been good - of course the baby is to curious to care what mom thinks LOL.

I WISH I had known it would be at 5 am... I would have slept until 4. Oh well, she was worth the lack of sleep.

When everyone (including me) has eaten I'm going to turn them out for a few hours... I will try and get some "dry" photos then.

[risingstarfarm]

Congrats Anissa! She's darling.

[pony grandma]

I'm ALWAYS on pins & needles with foaling!
I's more exciting than Christmas morning and more scarey than Halloween.
But, MAN is it ever an addicting high!

Ain't that the truth! Congrats ~~ ENJOY every moment. I spend hours drinking it in watching them the first several weeks - they grow so fast. And, yes, lots of photos so you can stare at them later. And when they grow up to be a bugger you can say 'look' you used to be so cute.

[acottongim]

Thanks guys! Here are a few shots of her outside... she is so cute, I am so thrilled with her and also thrilled with Preston and what he produced. Only one more of his foals coming... out of an Arab mare should be interesting to see what that one looks like - but I see a lot of similarities between this baby and Angel's baby.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/acottongim/P3160108.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/acottongim/P3160100.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/acottongim/P3160099.jpg

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

Congratulations!

[spacely]

She is lovely Anissa! Congrats again!

[grayfox]

Congrats on the pretty baby!