Thanks to the Breeding Forum posters!

[frugalannie]

Just a shout out to the great gurus of the breeding forum for sharing their wisdom. Last night my maiden mare foaled without complications, and we have a lively, lovely colt. But the real beauty part was that I was able to pinpoint the imminent delivery by combining the "pool/spa test strip" method with a little of the "taste" method. The one night's sleep I lost was the one that she delivered, and I would have lost that anyway.

So many pats on the back to the experienced breeders that made this small-time breeder's life far more liveable. (And I really impressed my vet, too!)

[Sugarbrook]

Congratulations on a safe and happy delivery. Good job!!

[Hi Jump]

Very thoughtful to take the time to write. I too have benefited enormously from others experience and am thankful for the forum posters.

Congratulations on your healthy foaling.

Lisa, Synergy Sporthorses
http://www.synergysporthorses.net

[Fred]

congratulations on your new arrival, frugalannie. I'm glad mom and baby are doing well!

[Edgewood]

Super! Knowing what other experienced breeders know and have learned is really helpful, especially on foal watch. Congratulations on your new foal!

[Sonesta]

Congratulations on the delivery of a healthy new foal!

[Home Again Farm]

Congratulations on the new arrival. :D:D:D

The best part of this forum is sharing experiences and pooling knowledge. I learned from many here when I was pretty green at breeding and I like to think that I have in turn helped others. :yes:

[Bravestrom]

Congratulations - I wish I knew of this forum when we had our first one.

Now you have to post pics - also kudos for you for taking the time to thank those that take the time to post on here with postive and helpful comments and share their wealth of experience and knowledge.

[JER]

Big congrats on your firstborn but...

...the only way to properly thank the SHB forum is to post pics of the new arrival!

:D

[frugalannie]

Quick clarification: Not the first foal I've delivered. This one was number 13 (lucky, I hope!), and within that group there were twins that survived and thrived. I've learned how much I don't know by reading this forum, and expanded my knowledge base exponentially, and for that I'm grateful.

However, this was the delivery I got the most sleep leading up to, and that is priceless!

Will post pics just as soon as I figure out how the premium membership/picture posting process works and I get one in focus!

[greyponies]

Agree 110% with you frugalannie - great name by the way - mine would be frugalamy!!! My maiden mare just had a colt May 30th and even though it was my 10th I have learned a great deal from all the breeding gurus that take the time to answer peoples questions without being snotty or rude about some of the unknowledgable mistakes that are sometimes made.

[sfstable]

I too would like to give an expression of thanks. I used the pool strips this year for the first time and was able to catch the water breaking on all three mares that foaled this year.

The first two were uneventful but the third one was a trainwreck waiting to happen. Luckily because of the strips and catching the water breaking, I was able to figure out something was wrong 5 minutes into labor. Palpating the mare (my first time) I was able to determine the foal was breech and call the vet who lives right behind me. The mare, however, did not want to wait until he arrived and I was able to pull (by myself) the foal out backwards. Don't know where the strength came from but I could hardly walk the next day.:lol: The vet arrived seconds after I got the filly out and while we were attempting to revivive the filly, the colt decided to come out the correct direction. Yes, twins !!! (and missed on all ultrasounds -- a first for my very competant and knowlegable repro vet). The colt is now a week old and extremely healthy.

This is a picture of him the day after he was born. He is a Welsh cross and is currently black but will grey out like his father who is now my daughter's show pony gelding.

http://s608.photobucket.com/albums/tt166/sfstable/Lance/

Anyways, I truly know that he would have never made it had I not been using the pool strips that allowed me to better pinpoint his birth. I believe that the mare could have never delivered that first foal without my help. She is great and did not even tear despite all my pulling and groping.:)

Thanks again COTH !!!