The Castle Rock MARE-TERNITY WARD

Message Boards => Foaling Questions & Help => Topic started by: Chanda on July 29, 2019, 10:52:29 PM

Title: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on July 29, 2019, 10:52:29 PM
Turned Topper out with 4 mares today: Sophia, Misty, Tana and Bonny.   And, I think three might be in right now; cause they were squattin', winkin' and driving him nuts today.   :o ;D

Refresher:
Topper - Bay son of Buckeroos TopCat, so he's a Buckeroo grandson.

1.  Sophia - grey mare, daughter of Lucky "C" Farms Robby with Blue Boy on her bottom side.   No testing, so I'm not sure what she is under the grey; but Robby is palomino.  I'd have to look up other info.
2.  Misty - silver dapple mare - dam to Junior who was sold as a two year old
3. Tana - silver bay dun mare with appy characteristics: dam to Monte and Spotty.  [Monte - grulla, Spotty - bay blanket appy.]
4. Bonny - double cream mare (not sure which double cream, but highly suspect smoky cream, so two cream on black base):  dam to Manny and Bliss.  [Manny - smoky silver black gelding, Bliss - silver buckskin filly]

I contemplated turning Bliss out too; but when I moved Topper into the adjoining pen so they could sniff and get to know one another a bit more before turn out, she was a total pain in the behind, so I decided not to risk it.  Topper's in with the mares, and Bliss is in the small mare pen.
And, Belle and Dolly are in Topper's usual pen, so they are out of the way.

Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on July 30, 2019, 09:09:45 AM
Sounds like an exciting spring for us all! 

COME ON TOPPER!!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on July 30, 2019, 09:25:05 AM
Oh, forgot to include:
Bonny is a Buckeroo granddaughter.
Tana is a granddaughter of Hilltops Little Vegas.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on July 30, 2019, 01:08:52 PM
Ok, so now I'm not sure who is in heat; I saw 3 mares winking and squatting for him yesterday after I turned him out; but this morning he was servicing the fourth mare (which I think may be his favorite mare).

Guess I'll put the info here, as it'll be as accessible as my calendar.
Looks like Misty may be in heat today: July 30, 2019.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on July 30, 2019, 02:14:01 PM
Leave it to a horse to be confusing!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on July 30, 2019, 03:06:30 PM
I did pasture breeding for the 2016 foals; he caught 3 out of 4 mares (the third foal was redbag), so I know he can get the job done; but I don't know if I'll survive a month of this...  While not mean, he's being very persistent with the mare he's pursuing, and she's not thrilled with him; I'm pretty sure she's in heat, but probably not in standing heat quite yet.   I'll try to stick it out, and watch for any signs of too much aggression that could get someone hurt; this will likely be my last breeding season with all 4 of these mares, but one or two may be tried again in the future, depending on how well this goes.  [Likely only the one mare, depending on how things go.  I can't seem to let the foals go, so I really don't need to be doing much breeding anyway.]
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Ryan on July 30, 2019, 09:41:51 PM
Well this is exciting  :)
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on July 31, 2019, 07:54:32 AM
Isn't it, Ryan!  I can't wait to hear the results!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 02, 2019, 04:36:26 PM
Ok, I have to change something up...   I only feed hard feed in the morning, as they are getting a vit/min supplement in a carrier of pelleted feed; well, Topper hasn't eaten his "breakfast" the last two days.  I'm pretty sure it's anticipation of going out to grass with the girls (he's with them 24/7 right now, but on drylot at night, as my pasture area isn't secure from coyotes for night time grazing).   Not sure if I should change up his food or just the timing, and see about feeding him after they come in from grass; but everytime I change my routine, I forget something or someone.   
Any ideas?
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on August 04, 2019, 11:11:43 AM
Sorry was away babysitting yesterday from Friday afternoon.

With all that you have going on the ranch and with the horses, I don't know how you keep track of everything without forgetting someone.  Do whatever works for you.  I'm sure the horses will be fine with your choices!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 04, 2019, 03:45:48 PM
I just changed his food a little and he's eating most of it.  Not sure if it's enough calories for breeding stallion, but nothing is if they won't eat it.   I switched him back to the senior for a carrier, it's higher fat (they don't get much, so straight switch isn't a big deal); dropped one supplement that's not a big deal and he seems to be eating again.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on August 05, 2019, 09:29:13 AM
Good news!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 05, 2019, 10:50:37 AM
Looks like both Misty and Sophia have now been in heat, I think Misty is probably out, but not sure, he still actively pursues Sophia.  Hope I see signs of him pursuing Bonny and Tana, so I can mark the date on the calendar (and maybe stop breeding earlier, if he's covered everyone).
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 05, 2019, 12:57:04 PM
Looks like Bonny is coming in, as that's his interest this morning.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Holly on August 06, 2019, 06:26:59 PM
This is going to be an exciting year!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on August 07, 2019, 07:57:13 AM
I agree and can't wait!!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Anna on August 07, 2019, 07:52:31 PM
I'm already looking forward to next year - come on Topper, it is up to you!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 07, 2019, 08:44:48 PM
Thank you.
Topper's trying, and I think may be annoying the mares a bit. 
I think Misty is now out, but Sophia and Bonny are in.   Now to wait for Tana to come in, then after I hopefully see evidence of that, I can pull Topper back out and put everything and everyone back where they belong.   ;)
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on August 08, 2019, 10:22:16 AM
Hoping Topper gets this job done as he has in the past!  COME ON TOPPER!!!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 20, 2019, 02:36:39 PM
Waiting on Tana to come in, unless she's been sneaky, as I have not seen Topper even look twice at her in the last 2-3 weeks (however long it's been that they have been together).
I'm ready to put the horses back in their regular paddocks, and go back to simpler chores.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 21, 2019, 11:56:41 AM
I'm ready to put the horses back in their regular paddocks, and go back to simpler chores.

If you were wondering what this means...   Putting Topper out with 4 mares, means 3 girls are in two different pens to make separation for feeding easier for me.     When Topper is in his pen, all 7 girls are in their pen; so just two pens to feed, instead of 3.   
 Come on Tana, talking nicely to Topper and get this last ball rolling.
I have at least one date on the calendar for each mare to maybe have a more specific timing for potential foaling, but as Topper will only be out with the mares for about a month, it's only a month window to consider anyway, which narrows it down less than all summer turn out.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on August 24, 2019, 10:27:34 PM
TANA, give us a sign so we know that you've been sneaky, or let's get this done!!!  We want babies next year!!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 24, 2019, 11:44:40 PM
TANA, give us a sign so we know that you've been sneaky, or let's get this done!!!  We want babies next year!!!
I think he might be looking at her, but he's enamoured with Misty, so keeps going back to her.  It'll be interesting to see how many take.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Ryan on August 27, 2019, 08:03:58 PM
Fingers crossed all take :)
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on August 28, 2019, 07:50:59 AM
DITTO THAT!!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 28, 2019, 11:34:47 AM
I haven't seen much flirting with Tana, but I'm ready to put everyone back where they belong and simplify my feeding routine, again.   And, we'll be harvesting pretty soon, so definitely want it back to "normal" by then.   I think exactly one month will be tomorrow from turn-out day, so hopefully he had enough time to get them all; but just two would be fine, so I don't have an only foal, two is easier in many ways.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Ryan on August 28, 2019, 06:07:49 PM
Hope you get a really good harvest Chanda :)
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 28, 2019, 06:57:27 PM
Hope you get a really good harvest Chanda :)
Thank you, me too.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 28, 2019, 07:02:08 PM
I had to trim Dolly's hooves today, and since I took her over to the mare barn to be out of the wind, I'm putting everyone back where they belong tonight.   Dolly is still in the barn to recover from her Dorm gel; which didn't work as well as usual today, so guess it's time to give her a higher dose again, I had backed off while she was doing well, but she's back to being a stinker.   And, I moved Belle in with Bliss, so all I need to do tonight when I bring the girls and Topper in, is pull Topper and put him back in his paddock (if I can get him into the upper alley, I won't even have to catch him, just close the alley panel behind him, then open the outer gate and let him move across on his own).   It will be nice to be back to "normal".   Cross your fingers Topper got everyone; I saw him actively pursue 3 of the 4 mares; I don't know if Tana didn't come in, or he just wasn't as obvious with her.   They were together a good 4 weeks; July 28 or 29, until tonight; so should have been plenty of time to catch everyone.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Ryan on August 28, 2019, 10:15:17 PM
Fingers crossed for everyone :) ;pray
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on August 28, 2019, 10:28:34 PM
Thank you.
Everyone is back where they belong.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on August 29, 2019, 09:16:31 AM
 ;pray ;pray ;pray ;pray Lot's for prayers for success!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on December 28, 2019, 09:11:53 PM
Will need to dig up my dates, and calculate earliest 300 day date, but it'll be mid summer.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on January 01, 2020, 03:56:28 PM
Pulled my calendar...
Turned Topper out on July 29, 2019.
Saw him actively pursuing Misty on 7-30, Sophia on 8-2, and Bonny on 8-5; I never did see him actively pursue Tana.
I pulled Topper on August 28, 2019.

That makes my earliest possible 300 day date of: May 24, 2020
[330 days: June 23, 2020.]

I haven't seen my girls go before 307 days, most were closer to 320-330.  Although, I don't have exact dates for my last pasture breeding turn-out, just exact gestation for the year I hand bred, so I supposed during that pasture breeding year, they could have gone earlier.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on January 02, 2020, 02:35:42 PM
Exciting!!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on January 12, 2020, 03:25:30 PM
Can't really tell with my taller girls, but I think Sophia is already starting to show a bit of belly, although who knows with all the hair.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Ryan on January 14, 2020, 05:42:00 PM
Well this sounds exciting :)
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on January 15, 2020, 10:22:10 AM
This sounds like a good year for baby watching!  I'm getting more and more excited!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Anna on January 19, 2020, 02:49:23 PM
Well to me this year already seems to be speeding ahead, so May will soon be with us and foal watching can begin for you. Hope the winter months are not proving too hard - if I remember correctly you often get quite an amount of snow in your area??
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on January 19, 2020, 10:00:33 PM
Well to me this year already seems to be speeding ahead, so May will soon be with us and foal watching can begin for you. Hope the winter months are not proving too hard - if I remember correctly you often get quite an amount of snow in your area??
yes, snow and or cold, depending on the year.   Snow has been middle of the road this year, but the wind has been blowing it up into decent drifts.  Hard to say what the next three months of still winter weather is going to do for us.  We start getting decent weather in April, but it's not til May that the weather gets more predictable and spring like.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Silver City Heritage Farm on February 01, 2020, 12:43:12 AM
Three strong possibilities.....and one Sneaky Tana.  >:D. If I were to bet, I'd place my money on the longshot.  Your "I'm not pregnant at 0800, but at 1300 look what I have" photo is plenty enough proof for me! ROFL

Do mares have silent heats like some bitches do?  When I was in show dogs, we had a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier that didn't want to come off the truck to go to the exercise pen.  As we stood back to the end of the leash and knelt down to encourage her.  Imagine our shock when, as she squatted to "pee"....she delivered a pup instead!! :o :'(  Having a pregnant bitch on the show grounds is very highly frowned upon.)  She delivered a litter of strong, healthy brindle puppies...thereby giving away the father.  It was the brindle and white Best in Show winning Whippet she was usually turned out with at home.

Our head handler got called in by the show committed and actually received a suspension of 2 shows.  That would have kept him from handling client dogs at several Specialty shows and left us with some very angry clients.

Fortunately, the owner had vet records showing that her dog had silent seasons.  She also admitted that she "forgot" to inform us because she was so excited to send her dog on this particular show circuit.  It was where she would have, most likely, earned her last 3 point major to finish her championship.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on February 01, 2020, 10:31:52 AM
What a cool story and what a surprise, I'm sure!!

Thanks for sharing, something I'll never forget!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on February 26, 2020, 06:12:54 PM
While still very early to tell, I've never seen much of a belly or kicking with 3-4 months to go; but Tana's starting to look a little more promising.
A couple of my girls are a bit thinner than I like; I've been trying Triple Crown senior, and while perhaps feeding more would do more, I have not seen a significant enough improvement to continue with the special ordering and paying an extra $10/bag to get it over the regional, in stock senior.   I'm going to probably have to feed them more of the regional senior or something.  My hay already has skewed minerals, that are more similar to alfalfa than grass, with the heavy calcium levels, so I really don't want to add more alfalfa to the mix and widen that ratio, but I'm going to have to figure out a higher protein addition to their diet.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on February 27, 2020, 05:43:11 PM
I'm guessing Sophia is pregnant has she has more belly than I'd expect for the food she's getting; so thinking her early shedding may be a "side-effect" of pregnancy for her, as I've only had her two springs, and both years she is shedding early and lots, dropping more hair than all the other girls.  It'll be interesting to see next spring if she starts shedding this early without a bun in the oven.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Ryan on February 27, 2020, 07:49:51 PM
 ;pray
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on February 28, 2020, 09:10:07 AM
YEAH !!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on March 08, 2020, 05:28:33 PM
Sophia and Misty are shedding like crazy.   Misty is matting, like usual; just earlier than usual.   
Tana and Bonny are shedding some, but not excessive hair, yet.
Baybe, although I don't think pregnant, she has rubbed out the hair down her back like she always does in the early spring.  I still haven't figured out how she rubs where she does.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on March 08, 2020, 10:25:47 PM
Could she be walking "under" something that gets to her back?  That's unique for sure!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on March 08, 2020, 11:49:33 PM
Could she be walking "under" something that gets to her back?  That's unique for sure!
There is a round bale feeder in the paddock, but she shouldn't be able to lean into it far enough to rub where she is bald; same with the panel feeder that is used as a "immobile gate" to the shelter.  I might have a picture of the panel feeder, I know she rubs on it, but just don't see how she could rub where she does on it.
Old picture of Tilly to show the panel feeder.  I just don't see how she could rub the top of the middle of her back from withers to tail on it.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Ryan on March 09, 2020, 07:04:42 PM
heres hoping theres a few pregnant bellies after their winter coats have shedded :)  ;pray
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on March 10, 2020, 08:21:39 AM
DITTO THAT!!   ;pray ;pray
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Ryan on March 24, 2020, 06:38:02 PM
Any pregnant bellies starting to appear from beneath those winter coats Chanda ?  ;pray :)
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on March 24, 2020, 09:47:54 PM
Any pregnant bellies starting to appear from beneath those winter coats Chanda ?  ;pray :)
Maybe bellies on Sophia and Misty; but harder to tell with Bonny and Tana, as they are both a bit thinner than they should be.  Trying to figure out how to get them more of what they need that will work; I'm going to try some chop hay when they are in their stalls in the morning (after I pick it up).   The homegrown hay is not great again this year (two years of drought, then a "drowning" year, it just hasn't been good quality).
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on April 14, 2020, 10:46:16 AM
Tana and Bonny are still thinner than I'd like to see, probably a product of our crappy hay, two years of drought then too wet of a year really messed up the quality of our hay.   I've added chopped tim/alf hay to their morning meal to see if that helps any.  Really too hard to tell, but I hope so.
I think I'm seeing a little belly on all 4 mares now; well, Sophia has the biggest belly of the three, she's doing very well; now to get the weight up on the other girls.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on April 14, 2020, 11:16:50 AM
OOOOooooooo, this sounds like good news for the "watching" crowd!!

Hoping they add the weight with all that you're doing.   ;pray
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Anna on April 14, 2020, 02:07:16 PM
So we might be having FOUR babies? Exciting!! Hope you can get Bonny and Tana sorted out with their weight soon Chanda. Has your weather improved a bit over the last month?
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on April 14, 2020, 03:36:39 PM
So we might be having FOUR babies? Exciting!! Hope you can get Bonny and Tana sorted out with their weight soon Chanda. Has your weather improved a bit over the last month?
Weather is all over the place, we'd had sun, snow, rain, and wind; sometimes even on the same day.  Darnedest spring we've had in a while. 
Of course the temps dropped when we started calving.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Ryan on April 14, 2020, 07:37:06 PM
This is great news Chanda :)
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on May 22, 2020, 09:33:16 PM
The one I was sure was pregnant, Sophia, aborted a little black filly today.   I wasn't expecting to need to watch anyone this soon, I need to look up the dates, but 5-24 might be 300 days at the absolute most.   I found them tonight at suppertime, filly looks fully formed but not far enough along to survive, still warm, so I didn't miss by much, still partially covered by placenta (not red bag).  Tried a little resuscitation, but I knew it wouldn't work.  Moved the foal to the separate pen with Sophia so she can realize it's gone.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on May 22, 2020, 09:40:04 PM
Ok, I turned out on July 29th, so that would make 298 days today.
I saw Topper actively pursue Sophia on August 2, that makes 294 days today. 
Neither are very likely to produce a live viable foal.   \
Things looked normal as far as I could tell, the closest I could come to any kind of a sign, was a mild lack of interest in her feed; but she was always up to the hay.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on May 23, 2020, 08:46:55 AM
OMG!  I'm so sorry!  It's so hard to lose a little one when you've been waiting so long, and so close....   294 days is early, but some have survived.  Run free little one, you will be missed for sure!  Hope Sophia is moving on okay.  I am SOOOOO very sorry..... :'( 
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on May 23, 2020, 10:33:53 AM
Thank you, Diane.
Even if I'd been there a minute sooner, I don't think this one would have made it, her legs were like marionette legs, she just wasn't cooked quite long enough.
I haven't been out yet this morning, but Sophia seemed ok last night.  When I last checked she was laying down, and got up when she saw me.  I'll remove the foal sometime today, but will give her a bit of time to know it's gone.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on May 23, 2020, 11:48:24 AM
No, it sounds like it was destined to be this way, but so sad.  Hope she does well with it.  Again, so sorry.   :'(
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on May 23, 2020, 12:57:46 PM
Spotty was born 4 years ago today, it popped up as a FB memory.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on May 23, 2020, 02:07:13 PM
Happy Birthday SPOTTY!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on May 23, 2020, 02:25:18 PM
Happy Birthday SPOTTY!!
Made for a little bit of a bright spot, after last night.   
Sophia is in a separate pen for the moment, but will let her back in with the girls later today.  I now know that Bliss will be fine around a foaling mare.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Ryan on May 27, 2020, 08:03:21 PM
Sorry to read this Chanda , hoping Sophia is doing ok !

Happy birthday to Spotty for the other day  :)
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on May 27, 2020, 09:32:52 PM
Sorry to read this Chanda , hoping Sophia is doing ok !

Happy birthday to Spotty for the other day  :)
Sophia seems to be doing very well.
And, Spotty thanks you.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 04, 2020, 02:02:37 PM
Trying to decide if Tana is starting to bag up, she has a bit more down there, but it's a bit firm (I don't think she fully lost her last bag or something); but I can see it a bit between her back legs.    Bonny might be moving along too, and I'm still undecided about whether or not Misty even took; I know she is Topper's favorite, and he chased her a lot, but I don't know if he caught her.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on June 04, 2020, 07:15:27 PM
Crossing my fingers for all 3 !!!!!!    ;pray ;pray ;pray
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 04, 2020, 11:04:42 PM
Bonny has a bit less bag than Tana, but a bit more elongation of her girly parts.  They are going to keep me on my toes, and start getting cranky over the checks.   ;)
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 06, 2020, 09:48:10 AM
Nasty weather last night, put out our power after midnight, and...
a tiny smoky black filly came out too.   Bonny had the tiniest little smoky black filly.  And, as far as I could see not a stitch of white on her, and looks to be dark eyes, not even baby blues, but with the wind, I just got her in the barn and left them for more bonding time out of the wind (windy and only about 55 above this morning).  [I'll have to do the math, but I think this puts her at 320 days at the most.]
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 06, 2020, 12:44:31 PM
A few pics, but they aren't great, as she's a bit shy.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 06, 2020, 01:00:21 PM
Ok, Diane, I'm telling  on you...  Happy Birthday!   And, help me pick a name.

Sire is Little Kings Cat on Top, I call him Topper, and often use Topper in foal names.   Dam is Squire Montana Blizzard by George.   [Their filly 4 years ago is: Hell Coulee Toppers Jorga Bliss.  And, their colt from 2012 is Hell Coulee Toppers Little Man.]
FYI - my APHA mare's name is Hayley, she was born the year of the Hale-Bopp comet, so no names with Hayley in them, please.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 06, 2020, 02:11:55 PM
Not sure, but thinking maybe "Hell Coulee Topper's Jorga Rain".
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 06, 2020, 02:38:20 PM
Ok, used a foaling date calculator, and from earliest turn out she is 313 days.  From the day I saw Topper pursuing her she is only 306 days.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: elizabeth.conder on June 06, 2020, 05:49:50 PM
Congratulations! She is so cute! Sounds like a busy and exciting night! Just out of curiosity, does Bonny usually foal earlier then others or not?
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 06, 2020, 07:18:54 PM
Congratulations! She is so cute! Sounds like a busy and exciting night! Just out of curiosity, does Bonny usually foal earlier then others or not?
I can't really remember, as I've only hand bred once, and now pasture bred twice, I can't be sure of her last foaling timing.  Just know this one is that 313 at most due to when I turned out.   I'll see if I have her days in the notebook from her hand covering... 324 days on her hand breeding year (somewhere between 317-338 days the year she was pasture bred, based on turn-out and pull dates).   This one would be shorter than both previous.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: elizabeth.conder on June 06, 2020, 10:38:50 PM
Well, she is a cutie!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on June 07, 2020, 08:41:22 AM
The pics are well worth the wait.  What a little cutie she is to be sure!!  I like your name choice and haven't thought of anything else, but I'll keep after it.   She is so upright and pretty!!!!  Wonderful!


And Elizabeth, we could use some new pictures of your growing little ones!

Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 07, 2020, 08:59:19 AM
Nothing but wind since she came, sometimes strong sometimes just our normal breeze, so in the barn she stays.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 07, 2020, 05:24:32 PM
Still windy and even stormy weather, so I shut Tana in the barn aisle last night, but she did nothing but eat and poop all night long.  Still so very windy, so letting baby bond with mom for now.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 08, 2020, 09:51:15 AM
Tana is thinner than she should be, it's something I've been working on, our hay quality doesn't help (we raise our own, but weather conditions the last few years did a number on hay quality).  Anyway, I can't be sure the bag she has is new and growing or old and residual (it's a bit firm in some areas).  I went out to check her this morning, and she was winking at me; I know some mares show signs of heat during pregnancy, especially later part when hormones are out of whack, but I'm not sure what to think this year.
   Bonny's little girl is doing fine.  Only concern for me, t haven't seen her laying down, yet.  I know it sometimes takes a little time for them to figure out how to get up and down.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Anna on June 09, 2020, 02:34:52 AM
Hi all, sorry for the lack of posting but life got in the way somewhat, as it does at times, but all calm now.
So sorry to read about Sophia's baby, but many congratulations on the new little filly. Hope the weather lets you turn her out soon Chanda. Love the pictures she is such a pretty little cutie.
Diane, so sorry I missed your birthday - hope you managed to have an enjoyable day under the present circumstances. xx
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Silver City Heritage Farm on June 14, 2020, 02:24:09 PM
Chanda, please accept my apologies on my late condolences for the loss of your filly.  I hope you and Sophia are both recovering strongly.  For horses, it seems just a wee bit easier than for us because they live more on the moment.

My reason for waiting actually had to do with a question that I knew my cause hurt, so I delayed in asking.  I saw in your calving thread that you'd been losing some calves to early births.  Do you have any theories as to whether or not this might be related?  Any chance that the changes in the quality of your hay (due to drought, etc.) may have contributed at all? 

Though I'm not a breeder myself, I'm always extremely interested in breeding in all it's aspects.  Just in case I ever should have the opportunity, I like to be aware of all involved.  Additionally, it might help others in similar situations to take into consideration things they might not have normally.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 14, 2020, 04:50:08 PM
Chanda, please accept my apologies on my late condolences for the loss of your filly.  I hope you and Sophia are both recovering strongly.  For horses, it seems just a wee bit easier than for us because they live more on the moment.

My reason for waiting actually had to do with a question that I knew my cause hurt, so I delayed in asking.  I saw in your calving thread that you'd been losing some calves to early births.  Do you have any theories as to whether or not this might be related?  Any chance that the changes in the quality of your hay (due to drought, etc.) may have contributed at all? 

Though I'm not a breeder myself, I'm always extremely interested in breeding in all it's aspects.  Just in case I ever should have the opportunity, I like to be aware of all involved.  Additionally, it might help others in similar situations to take into consideration things they might not have normally.
We did send in one calf for necropsy, that calf only showed septicemia, mineral levels were fine (we tested at least selenium).  I do not recall if we tested for common cattle diseases, but we vaccinate for the most common issues breeding cattle have.   Vet suspects low protein in the diet, we don't supplement our cattle excessively, mostly just their forage and trace mineral salt.   I tested one batch of hay for the horse to balance that, it was 9% protein, fine for maintenance, but would be low for late gestation; all of our hay is probably similar, so low protein as a culprit makes sense.   The horses are supplemented more than the cows, so probably helped them some; may have been the hay as an issue for Sophia, or just plain bad luck, she is doing quite well; she goes out to pasture with the 4 years that initially hated her, along with her 2 year old daughter, and the three of them graze much of the day.   The other 4 mares don't leave the drylot, so I leave hay out for them.
Bonny is getting plenty to eat: lots of the hay we have, a serving of Standlee Timothy compressed hay (at least for now, it's expensive, and this batch isn't as good as previous bales I've bought), senior feed in the morning, and hay pellets in the afternoon.  She's just starting to get outside with baby; it's been windy or rainy all week, so I've not let them out much.   I need to get more pics of baby, especially while she is outside, so ya'll can see how long her legs are.  :o
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 17, 2020, 09:34:08 AM
Tana had a colt this morning, silver bay I'm pretty sure, may or may not have her dun.  Cute little blaze like marking on his face.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 17, 2020, 10:15:51 AM
Ok, I forgot I had my camera when I went back, til after I blanketed.  But, here are a couple pics of the little boy.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on June 17, 2020, 01:01:40 PM
YEAH!!!!!!  Another beautiful baby from that girl!  She has such pretty babies!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  Give the daddy a good pat on the rear!  He did a great job!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 17, 2020, 01:37:27 PM
He might actually be a bit taller, since he's a bit down on his pasterns, but this baby is 24" tall.
Thank you.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 17, 2020, 11:54:48 PM
Did the math, at most, Tana was 324 days in foal.
I don't think I ever did see Topper pursue her, so didn't record any specific dates of "the chase is on".
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on June 18, 2020, 11:58:42 AM
Well, I guess with Tana, he wanted to be sneaky!  LOL  At least he got the job done!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 18, 2020, 02:57:31 PM
Still need to come up with a name.  but, here are a few more pics of Tana's little boy.  Still in the barn, so lighting is off.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 18, 2020, 06:44:52 PM
Couldn't get him far enough away to get a decent picture of his white marking.  Mom was behind me when I was in the stall, so he was trying to get to her. 
I let him out of the stall to get the other pictures, which upset mom a little bit. 
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on June 19, 2020, 11:33:09 AM
What  handsome boy!!!  It's okay, Tana, we're just admiring all of your hard work!!! 
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Anna on June 19, 2020, 03:24:15 PM
Many congratulations Chanda, another beautiful baby. He certainly has long legs and I just love his colour - will this change with the loss of his foal coat? Do we have a name yet?
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 19, 2020, 08:40:08 PM
Many congratulations Chanda, another beautiful baby. He certainly has long legs and I just love his colour - will this change with the loss of his foal coat? Do we have a name yet?
No name yet, after Bonny had a filly, all I had in mind were girly names, so need to come up with a boy name.
I'm guessing/hoping he's going to be about the same color as his momma when he sheds his foal coat:
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 22, 2020, 03:49:54 PM
Still mostly stumped on a name.
Got one suggestion, so far, from a FB post.
"Hell Coulee Toppers GoneN DunIt", if I go with it, call name would likely be "Gunner".   If he is indeed dun, then it's a really good choice, but options are still open, if you got any ideas.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on June 23, 2020, 11:24:11 AM
Oh, this is a good choice if he's dun.  Absolutely perfect.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 23, 2020, 12:07:55 PM
I came up with "Hell Coulee Toppers I Am Dun", as I truly think he did get his mom's dun gene, but it's so faint on this combination, it can be hard to verify.

Need to get back out and get to work on the rest of my chores, I've only fed the bottle calves so far, but...
If she took, Misty is minimally at 300 days (she could be upto like 30 days more, but I'm leaning more towards, the end of the turn-out time that he may have caught her, if he did, cause she doesn't look overly pregnant).   They haven't had enough foals to get a major broodmare belly, so they seem to carry high and tight, plus our crappy hay still has them thinner than I'd like to see.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 23, 2020, 09:07:09 PM
I think I've got it and I like it: "hell Coulee Toppers Not Quite Dun".  And, it'll work whether he gets his mom's dun or not, as even if he is dun it'll be hard to see just like on his mom.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on June 24, 2020, 01:58:38 PM
For Sure!!!  I like it!!
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 24, 2020, 03:09:34 PM
For Sure!!!  I like it!!
I think that will be it, but now to figure out a call name.
 I usually try to pull from the registered name, so I can keep track of which horse to which papers and it kind of keeps registered names in my head, but it doesn't always work...
Such as Bonny, her registered name is "Squire Montana Blizzard by George" (hence the Jorga in her filly's name, both fillies, cause it's part of Bliss' name too).
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: dcwolcott on June 25, 2020, 08:10:11 AM
Well, if he "hard headed" like so many colts are, you can always call him "Knotty"  LOL
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 25, 2020, 10:29:02 AM
LOL!   "Naughty" might be more like it.  ;)    So far, he's a sweet boy, and a bit more friendly than his sister.  I need to get to taming these wild little beasts, but it's been busy or crappy weather since they came, I think it's going to slow down a bit now, and I need to get to cleaning corrals, so will be down at the barns more now.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Silver City Heritage Farm on June 30, 2020, 12:57:31 AM
I vote for the "Not Quite Dun" also.  Maybe Dunner, like you had Gunner above?  Tunder (Topper and Dun combined)?  Nod (because he looks sweet and it's the "No" from "Not" with the "d" from "Dun")?

Whatever you decide, he's a lovely colt.  Topper over Tana is a good nick.
Title: Re: HC Minis 2020 line-up...
Post by: Chanda on June 30, 2020, 01:18:15 AM
I vote for the "Not Quite Dun" also.  Maybe Dunner, like you had Gunner above?  Tunder (Topper and Dun combined)?  Nod (because he looks sweet and it's the "No" from "Not" with the "d" from "Dun")?

Whatever you decide, he's a lovely colt.  Topper over Tana is a good nick.
Thank you.
I've thought maybe Dunny, but does quite fit.  When I spend more time, it'll come.