Big Decisions

After quite a deliberation and a family meeting we have decided to sell Brownie. Brownie is a great horse, but she doesn't fit quite well into our lives. The reasons being mostly due to her size. I am really too big to ride her as often as she needs to be, in order for her to be "safe" for the kids because of their experience level. I believe Joseph could ride her, but again not for long because of his size ans weight as well. I don't think he would look right on such a small pony. :-) Selling Cherie was never an option. We considered selling Prissy, but I just can't stomach the thought. The best solution we have come up with is to sell Brownie and find something that is larger and beginner friendly for the kids. I see Joseph and Matthew with SO much potential that I want to encourage the fact that they have it in their blood and the ability to achieve in equine activities. I see what Matthew and Joseph have accomplished with Cherie so far and it makes me proud to know they are great horsemen in training. Julia has this keen instinct to almost know what a horse is thinking and convince them that she knows more than what she really does. They trust her. They love her. It's heartwarming to listen to her talk to them, like we Mom's talk to our children. She is adorable. I can't wait for the day to watch her in the ring showing hunter on the flat or in an arena running the barrel pattern. Matthew will be the next Clinton Anderson, his training ability is truly inspiring. Joseph will go succeed in the winners box in every horse event he decides to work on that month. He changes his mind on what he wants to do so frequently. They were all a bit downhearted about the idea of selling Brownie, but after explaining to them what our plan is, they all were a bit more positive. We will find Brownie a good home, where she will be shown, loved and pampered. She deserves a break from having babies, she deserves to travel around showing off her new little owner. Brownie is going to be a fabulous little show pony for a very special child. She will show them the ropes in the show ring and then move on to another very special child. She deserves that. She has contributed to the equine circle of life more than her share. Now it's her time to shine... in the show ring... by a little someone who loves her for who she is, where she has come from and where she is taking them.

Congratulations, Clea!

Clea is owned by Cheryl Chandler, my partner in horse crime from Crestview, FL. Clea had first foal on Mother's Day, last Sunday. Clea's filly was born around 4am on Sunday and is doing great. Clea is a wonderful mom. Congratulations, Clea and Cheryl!

Links to photos of Clea and "Shadow."
http://picasaweb.google.com/Cleasbabe/CleasBirth
http://picasaweb.google.com/Cleasbabe/CleasBabyWednesday

I am calling the filly Shadow because of the shadow of a man's face on her right flank. Look at photo 60 of 62 in Cleas Birth album and you will see it too.

CONGRATULATIONS, CLEA! YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!

Cherie has been weighed and measured!

As of 5/14/08 Cherie weighs 190 pounds and stands at 8 hands tall (32"). This will be interesting to watch these numbers grow. Stay tuned!

Look at how big Cherie is getting

Our view from our front door

This is the view of the sunset that we see each evening from our front door. The horses across the street belong to Trackside Farm, next to us. They breed and race Arabians. The horses they keep across the street are usually weanlings and yearlings. There is always plenty of action over there. They are always romping around, playing, rearing and running. Watching them with this scenery in the background is great. Overall, we live in a very peaceful setting.

First REAL bath

This was Cherie's first REAL bath. We actually got to use soap this time! She did so GREAT. Photos taken by MATTHEW - didn't he do an awesome job??!!??!!??

More photos

Taken the end of March

Photos taken on Easter weekend

Long Time, No See or Hear

Ok, so I know it's been a couple of weeks since I posted last. But I have a good excuse. Moving stinks. Moving 300 miles really stinks. Moving 3 times in one week REALLY stinks. Moving 300 miles and 3 times in one week plus trailering horses REALLY, REALLY stinks. Get my point? Yeah... moving stinks.

The girls have all settled in quite nicely. Better than I expect actually. I have taken a lot of photos since we have been in the new place, but my printer isn't up yet. So, I can't upload any until that is done. I probably wont get that done until the end of the week. I really need to have it done by Thursday because Matthew wants to take photos of him and Cherie to school for show and tell on Friday. Joseph and Matthew had their first day at their new schools yesterday. They were both very pleased with the amount of friends they already have. Matthew's teacher isn't like the one he left, but he seems to like her. Joseph's teacher is on maternity leave and there is a substitute there in her place for the rest of the year. The sub is really great. A nice, young teacher.... I am sure it's refreshing for Joe. When I went to his class there were only like 15 kids in there. So, his class is TINY. Which is great.

Williston. Yeah... that is the town we live in now. It's very small. They don't even have Wal-Mart. I know... its painful. But, Niceville didn't have one either. I will get by. They do have FEED STORES within 5 miles of my house. AWESOME! LOL I have been tearing up the roads back and forth between the house and the feed store, just because I can. HAHA! Feed and hay is much cheaper here, plus the grass is incredible. The girls didn't know what to do with themselves and for the first few days they weren't eating their grain. Well, that didn't last long. They are waiting patiently each morning and each evening to be fed.

Yesterday I worked with them all. I only did ground work with Brownie and Prissy. They both really needed it. It's like being in a new place erased their memories of who is boss, ME. Brownie bit me in the back and Prissy tried biting me on the face. So, needless to say I took action and reminded them who is in charge. When they were done I haltered Cherie. She was pretty tough about it. It took about 20 minutes, but we did it and it didn't take much of a fight. I got it on her several times, but she would back out of it when I tried buckling it. Eventually, she just let me do it. So, she has her halter on now. It was funny because when she had it on for the first 15 minutes or so she just stood there and rested... like it was so much work. HUH! She is fine with it now.

Last night it dropped into the 30's. Did I move south or north? Prissy was blanketed, but I didn't have a blanket for Brownie or Cherie. So, I am sure they think Prissy really is Miss Priss and is spoiled now. Oh well... a little rivalry between them keeps them lively. HEHE!

So, that is about it for now... I will post the photos of the horses and of the beautiful view that we have later in the week.

P.S. Our mailing address has changed from what we originally told everyone. Just email me if you want the updated address. collettiduo@gmail.com

Blue eyed, Blonde Barbie Doll

Cherie has started to get pigmentation in her skin. The skin on her nose is grey and around her eyelids are black. It's so funny. She has LONG blonde eyelashes and blue eyes and it looks like she is wearing black eyeliner. HAHA! I was calling her my little blue eyed, blonde hair Barbie doll. She is still keeping her palomino color with a beautiful white mane and tail.

She and Brownie both have become quite a pair of social butterflies. Cherie comes up to the fence when anyone is there calling for her. She sticks her head through begging for a scratch. I guess Brownie has conceded that she isn't going to be able to do anything with Cherie, so she just chaperone's everything and occasionally comes closer for a good scratch or to pin her ears back to remind us that its her baby and not ours. Yesterday, Cherie was following Cheryl around the pasture and Brownie was in tow behind her. It was pretty cute.

So, today we pick up our moving truck and we are going to start packing it tonight. We are going to finish it up in the morning and head out around noon, hopefully. If all things work well and go as planned. I have to leave all my four legged girls with Cheryl for a week. I am going to miss them SO much. Leaving them there isn't going to be the hardest part of all this, it's going to be when I bring them home. Leaving Cheryl's ranch is so hard. I have had such great times out there. I have laughed, cried, sulked and even been mad as fire. It's very hard to leave people who have been such great friends to me. These past 6 months there have been alot highs and alot of lows. Cheryl has always been there for me, no matter what. She has given me great advice, been a great listening ear and SO nice to the kids. I know the kids will miss them so much too. Julia told them that she was going to call them everyday. LOL... I am tempted to teach her how to dial Cheryl's phone number for her to do just that. HAHA! I am sure they will never get tired of talking to Julia, who never runs out of things to say, so it seems.

Trouble with comments

I have a couple of people tell me that you are having trouble posting comments. I have looked into it and I think I fixed it. When posting you should need a google account to do so. Just type in your comment and click "annonymous" and then save. Just be sure to leave your name in your comment, or nobody will know who it is... me included! I hope this helps enable to comments you want to leave.

More Pics

Shane (Cheryl's son) and Joseph both got in some scratching time. Cherie is going to love being groomed. She really enjoys a good scratch and pat.

Precious Moments

I realized yesterday how anticipated Cherie's arrival has been. We have only has Brownie 4 weeks as of today. It's awesome how we have all become so fond of her. She has such a sweet side to her. But, boy she also has another side too. Whew whee... I won't even get started on something she did. I just have to chalk it up to her being mistreated at some point in her life and no one ever corrected the problem by discipline, love and respect. She will be alright though, its nothing we can't work through together. She and I have quite a bond. Cherie and I definetely have bonded. She kissed me yesterday. It was one of the precious moments ever. She is such a sweet girl. She is getting more and more curious about things and wanders away from Mom. It makes Mom really nervous. Cherie definetely keeps Brownie busy. Brownie is looking awesome. She has really gained some weight and she looks healthy now. It's amazing what good grain, fed the right way, worming and a few inexpensive supplements can do for a horse. Now, if I can just do something with her mane. It's a mess, but it's such a part of her personality.

A bit sad...

Today I am heading out to visit my girls. I'm a bit melancholy over leaving them for a week or so. I have only been a few days away from the horses one time, back around Christmas. I was very sick and wasn't even able to get out of bed. I know that they are going to be well taken care of, but its just the thought of anything happening while I am not here. Our family will be moving back to Ocala on Friday. We should be in Ocala and unpacking the truck on Saturday. The following week is Spring Break for the kids. It will give us time to become acclimated to another home again. I plan on coming back up on Friday, staying over in Crestview and bringing the girls home on Saturday. It is a 6 hour drive one way. I am so excited to have a place of my own for my horses again. I also feel a little torn on my excitement though too. I am really going to miss Cheryl, Kerrie and Audrey too (on some days). :-) My goal is to continue to work with Miss Priss with the goal being completed by entering a Dressage show. My goal for Brownie is to encourage more trust and ultimate respect for me. She is very determined, but has a great heart. I am sure this will be a challenge, but in the end her companionship will be so worth it. Cherie is going to grow, grow and grow and be loved everyday by all of us. I want to make sure that Brownie and Cherie know that they have a forever home and will never, ever have their health or happiness compromised. Miss Priss has learned this now, she really is a great horse. I can't stand to go out to the barn knowing that I am not giving her the attention she was used to before Brownie came. The running joke is that Prissy is thinking "Good, its about time she found someone else to pester. I was beginning to think she was going to brush all of my hair out until I was bald." LOL I have to admit that my favorite part of owning her is grooming her. She is such a sweetie pie. My girls have all really brought a bright side to things lately for me. They are my escape, my freedom and my serenity.

Baby has a name!

We decided to name the baby Cherie's Cup Cake. Cherie means dear one or darling. It also has part of Cheryl's name, so in part she is named after her. Cup Cake is the name the kids had picked out before she was even here. They discussed it and decided if it was a girl it would be Cup Cake and if it was a boy it would be Chip, short for Chocolate Chip. They thought seeing mom was a brownie that baby should be a desert or pastry also! LOL

3/20/08 - Vet exam and out for the first time

Well, today the vet came out and examined mom and baby. Baby is doing great. Her antibody level from colostrum intake is fantastic. She got a tetnus shot, her temperature was great and was in great shape. Mom was checked out as well. She is a great milk producer, she has a little bruising but no tears to the vulva and birth canal. She is a very over-anxious mom. We had to seperate her from baby while the vet checked her. She didn't want to be away from her and made her wishes well known. She actually even tried to spin and kick Dr. Henderson.

We let Brownie and baby out to roam about her pasture for a while. It was great to see Brownie feeling so good. She ran around the pasture at first, with baby right in tow. She slowed down and grazed a little then hid in the woods and took a nap while the baby was knocked out sleeping on the ground. They did great while they were out and seemed to enjoy the pasture time.

The kids were able to see Brownie and the baby. It was great to see their faces light up and see the joy in their eyes. My mom and Chris went for the trip to visit them. Later, my friend, Melissa, came out with her 2 kids, Sarah and Cameron. They had the opportunity to feed Brownie carrots and get an upclose look at the baby. It was neat to see the kids reaction to the newness of it all. Julia is the one who comes up with some of the funniest things most of the time. Today she asked her grandma "Grandma, does the baby look like me?" HAHA! Hilarious. She is really something else.

3/19/08 - The day has FINALLY come!!

So, its been a long wait. A million different things are going on this week. During the past 17 days, Chris and I, make the decision to move back to Ocala. We found a house. Planning to move by the 1st of April. That means packing, lighteding our load by getting ready to have a moving sale Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Organizing the garage to have the sale. Getting things out of the house for the sale. It was a busy day. It's the only day since I brought Brownie home that I decided not to go out there because I was stressed with all that needed to be done still and I was exhausted. Chris and I get things together for the sale the next day, close the garage door, go inside to take a shower and go to bed. It was 10:30pm. Chris was going to take his shower first, so I plopped down on the computer while waiting for him to be done. He himmed and hawed around the kitchen and then my cell phone rang. He looked at me, I looked at him. "Who is calling at 10:45?" I ask. He picked up the phone and looked at me and said "It's Audrey."

"OH NO! NOT TONIGHT!!!!" I cried. I was so tired! I had a headache threatening to turn into a migrain. I answered the phone and heard Audrey on the other end say, "The pony is having the baby! Come quick!"

"You are kidding me!" I replied.

"All I know is that I was just woke up by Cheryl and she told me to call you, that Brownie was having the baby." She said.

"I'm on my way." I hung up the phone and ran out the door.

Flashers on and speeding through Niceville and down Hwy 85 into Crestview at speeds topping at 80 miles an hour. I sped down Airport road and turned onto Cheryl's road. I pulled up into the driveway. Jumped out of the van and got to Brownie's stall as quickly as possible.

I approached the stall to be greeted by the prettiest baby I have ever laid eyes on. (I'm not predjudice am I?) Cheryl handed me the towel to dry the baby off. I had missed the birth by a few minutes. Brownie hadn't delivered the afterbirth yet. I made it there in 20 minutes. Everything happened so fast. I rubbed the baby with the towel, dried her off and loved on her as much as I could. My baby was here, it was finally real. Brownie did so well. She let Cheryl assist her throughout the delivery and licked the baby alongside Cheryl as she pulled it out of its sack and cleared its nasal passages. IT'S A GIRL! A palomino tobiano baby girl! I just kept saying how beautiful she was. It was amazing how much in love I was with her. It was like having my own baby all over again. Brownie delivered the afterbirth without any complications, but seemed to be a bit uncomfortable still.

She really protested when the baby attempted to nurse, but she allowed her to continue. Her udders were SO engorged. I had to guide the baby to the teet to help her get a good latch on. They were hard as rocks and lots of fever in them. I felt so bad for Brownie. But she was so patient and continued to let her try.

Cheryl and I watched and awed at Brownie and the baby. What a beautiful baby. We stood by the stall, inside the stall and outside the stall just watching the beginning of life unfold. The weather was not the greatest for her to give birth in. It was in the 40's and the wind was ripping right through us all. Cheryl tacked up wool blankets and a tarp to keep the wind from blowing the way it was in the stall. This helped alot. The stall was warm and cozy and mom and baby were doing great.

3/1/08 to 3/18/08

Ok, 17 days... yeah, that's right, 17 of them. 17 agonizing days for us and Brownie. The photos were taken during the wait, all in chronological order. This time period was excruciating. I think we just about the bugged the daylights out of that poor mare waiting on our baby. Every time she laid down, pawed the ground out of boredom or frustration, scratched her sides or any other time she moved I would watch her more closely or go up to her to look for more symptoms. 17 days of this can really wear on your level of anticipation. I'm not kidding. On the 17th day Cheryl and I had a conversation about Brownie and we both commented that if Dr. Henderson had not of told us that she was pregnant and there indeed was a baby in there and we didn't see the movement of the baby, we really would not have thought that she was pregnant. I was so sick of staring at her butt waiting. Someone would call me on the cell phone, because I wasn't home, ask me where I was and what I was doing and they hear the same response as before, "Staring at a horses butt." 17 days of foal watching really bites. I really don't know how people do this for a job. I know I am not cut out to do it.

2/29/08 - False Labor

Taken 2/29/08 - During the false labor episode:

On Friday, February 29, I went out to the farm to wash Brownie up and give her a good grooming. I got her out of the pasture and began rinsing her. She started raising her tail and was acting like she was in heat. I thought it was odd behavior for a mare in foal to act like she was in heat. So, I put her in the stall when I was finished so that I could watch her for a while. Up until this point she had a few signs of impending birth, but nothing really confirmed anything. When I got her in the stall she went nuts! Everything at this moment looked like every textbook sign of the first stage of labor. She was pawing, getting down on the floor and thrashing back and forth, when she would get up she would bite her sides and she even started biting the walls. I tried calming her as much as I could, but nothing seemed to help her. I felt totally helpless. Cheryl had left for Tennessee early that morning so, by the time this all was happening it was only myself and Audrey (Cheryl's cousin & roommate) and I had Julia and Christian with me out there. She continued acting like she was in heat and even had some discharge from her vulva. (Sorry for being so descriptive.) Her udders were quite swollen and she did look relaxed in her hind end. All signs of impending birth of a foal. I called a veterinarian who had meen referred to me and he was on his way to Tallahassee for a weekend shot clinic. He was unable to come, but offered assisstance during the craziness Brownie's behavior was causing. He thought we should have a baby by 9pm, it was only 4pm at this point. I kept the barn quiet and dark to keep her as calm and relaxed as I could. I started putting bedding down in another stall that we had set up for to foal in. None of this was done yet, because we weren't sure when she was due and before this time never showed any real signs. I got the stall as ready as I could and put her in there with her beetpulp and feed for her dinner. She had really calmed down at this point. She occasionally bit her sides and pawed, but nothing like earlier. I watched her without blinking an eye until 9:30pm. Still no baby... talk about baffled. This pony had us all stumped. I was really beginning to worry at this point. I called every vet I knew of that cared for large animals and horses. They either didn't answer my pages, didn't have an emergency phone number or they didn't practice on large animals anymore and the vet that was recommended to me was in Tallahassee and wouldn't be back until Sunday but would be able to come out until Monday. You wanna talk about upset? Whoo whee... I was so worrided that the foal was breech and that Brownie was in distress. She looked more and more comfortable as time went by and occasionally would show some signs of beginning labor but stop and be right back to eating hay again. It was weird to say the least. I was able to get in contact with Tabby that owns and operates the Boney Pony Horse Rescue in Crestview, FL. She was able to provide with a referral to a different veterinarian that I didn't know practiced medicine on large animals. I would never have guessed he would have either, because his office is in Destin. He's about a block from the gulf, who would have thought that a vet with a small animal clinic, on the Gulf of Mexico, would care for large animals? I contacted his office, his receptionist was amazing. She listened quietly while I ranted about not being able to find a vet and needing one due to the circumstances. Dr. Henderson, Owner of Village Veterinary Clinic in Destin, FL, immediately got on the phone. He took down directions to the farm and was there in 45 minutes. Talk about service! I was really impressed with his personality, knowledge, professionalism and overall HIM. He palpated Brownie, brought all of her shots current (which BTW the vet that seen her on the Monday prior refused to do, because we didn't know how far along pregnant she was.) and he provided me with the peace of mind that the baby was alive, responsive and in the correct position. WHEW! What a relief. Oh yeah, he also said it woould be 24 hours to 3 weeks before she had the baby. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? 3 WEEKS??? Talk about agonizing.

2/25/08 - Bringing Brownie Home

4 weeks ago, on 2/25/08, we brought Brownie home. She had been advertised for a while on Craigslist by a woman who lives in Mossy Head. The ad was for a pregnany pony and had a photo of Brownie being held by her daughter, Kristen. I watched the ad for several weeks until I seen one that said in so many words, "Please come and get this pony!" My heart cried out for this cute little pony and for some reason I answered the call. I wasn't looking for another horse, I am completely satisfied with Prissy and all the work that came along with her. Cheryl and I picked her up that Monday in February. When we loaded her up we took her right to the vet for an exam and blood tests. The vet gave her a once over, drew blood for her coggins test and we brought her home. She couldn't tell how far long the pregnancy was and didn't palpate her to try. Honestly, Cheryl and I had our doubts she was pregnant. She just didn't look it. When we got home and let her out of the trailer she proved herself to be an old pro at moving around. Once let out in the pasture she walked around a bit and went to grazing without a whinny, neigh or gallop. I liked this pony! She is a real prize. These photos were taken the day after she was brought home.