I adopted a horse in May. She was apparently in a pen, ready yo head to slaughter, and me with my soft squishy heart saw her on the internet, fell in love, and bought her.
I named her Calypso Dreamin of Better Days, just Calypso for short.
She was 14 years old, lame in her right hind, 350lbs underweight, had horrible overgrown feet and pretty much unhandled. And I, of course, know nothing about horses. She spent 30 days in quarantine before I ever even saw her, and she very nearly died from pnemonia while she was there, but thanks to the wonderful care and attention she recieved, she recovered and was able to come home in the middle of June.
So, we started figuring each other out. She was a bit spooky, and hard to handle, but after about a week she started to remember that once upony a time, a lonnnggg time ago, somebody had put a lot of time and effort into making her a beautifully trained pony. Things started to become a lot easier, the lameness in her leg slowly dissapated as we trimmed her feet correctly, she put weight on as her lungs healed and she was treated for both a severe case of worms and anemia. In July, we started the slow process of seeing if she could be ridden, and what level of training she had.
She was fine to be longed, tacked up, and walked about, but became increasingly nervous if approached by a rider, so we settled into a ground work routine to get her comfortable with the whole idea, while I looked for a barn to take riding lessons from.
TSo, I was going on vacation in the middle of July, and right before I left, Calypso needed booster shots. Vet came, noted how good she looked, rasped her teeth, and just before she left, I asked if she thought it was possible that Calypso was pregnant.
Now, Calypso had been checked for such things as pregnancy in her very first vet visit back in May, before she even got the pnemonia, and was cleared as open, but the big round belly that was supposed to go away with dewormer and good hay was still stubbornly in place. Vet wasn't concerned, said these things take time, but drew a blood sample to 'put the matter to rest'.
Well, I won't bore you with all the details, but I got a very interesting phone call in the middle of my vacation, and yesterday. . . .
Meet Quest, everyone! A happy, healthy, bouncy baby boy!
Momma had a bunch of health issues the last month of her pregnancy, and the easy delivery and healthy foal is nothing short of a miracle!
I am in love. With them both, she is really the best mom, and can you believe this face?!
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
She is such a proud momma. I can love all over the little guy, and she does nothing but watch like a hawk.
She is still a little reluctant to let anyone else mess about with him, but she has always been shy around other people, so that is not news.
His little halterm is waaaay too big, but it is so stinking CUTE on him I just have to put it on.
Trust takes time, especially with horses. Although sometimes they instantly bond. They are much like people in that respect. But they will run all over you if they think they can. They need to know who is the boss.
She has six to nine months to be a mom now until we worry about riding her. She is a wonderful girl.
Yup.
You'll be amazed at the difference.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Thanks for sharing this story. It was the first thing I read when I got on the computer this morning and it really made my day start out on the upside and with a happy note!!
Keep us informed on how the little fellow does, as well a his mother.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Horses are beautiful animals. I hate to hear of any of them being mistreated. Good for you saving that one. And congratulations on that little surprise gift that came along with her!