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Diary of Jewel April 9 Today was construction day or in some ways..demolishing day. Took down walls to make 4 stalls into 2 stalls. One had been a foaling stall for Kat, so I had built it back so it easily came down. The other wall was built just like builders like it...more nails than wood! The girls are starting to waddle when they walk. Starting to look like....when is this going to be over? They came in from pasture to new stalls. Jewel was scared of that extra space at first and huddled in one corner, but than again thoughts of food took over and she was soon eating after checking out her new surroundings. Kat is stressing because Sultan is gone for a few days doing the stallion thing at my vets. She does love that boy. Even I have to admit the farm feels emty without him. April 10 The ladies are going through daily changes. Kat's udder was dripping a little total clear fluid. I just think she is so full. No waxing yet. Jewel is still quite small. Neither of them have much change in the temperture of their udders. Jewel is still not showing near as much, but again first foals can sneak out! Jewel is due first. Her first due date is April 15....wow, just a few days! Kat's is April 21. Molly went off after the straw. She has never been through babies and she is understandably watching every little sign with me. So as the mares sleep often...we keep watch..
April 11 Sitting in the sun. I'm watching mare between chores. Molly is reading, "Blessed are the Broodmares". She is avoiding all the things that can go wrong chapter and I'm avoiding listening to all the sad stories of bad foaling experiences. We both know things can go wrong, but we only think positive but have tried to be ready for anything that could happen. Jewel and Kat have had all their shots, worming done on time. Stalls ready, camera on, numerous day checks on udders and muscles on hind quarters. Now we wait.. It is Easter and thought we both might get a break, but end up going to pick up Sultan from stallion duties. Kat nickers quitly at him as she welcomes him back at 9:30 pm....bed...after last mare check. April 12 It's Jewel's birthday! Happy Birthday Jewel!!!! The ladies are rotated between grass in the round pen and the riding ring. The frost has just come out of the pastures and in places it is mud half way up your legs. We are sparing the big girls trudging through mud. The ladies are blossoming and still look like we have some time.
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April 15 Finally a sunnny day. I know, it's spring...showers and all. Seems the girls were getting grumpy and then this morning was bright and brisk. Brisk enough that Jewel got a little aggressive with Kat. Just little chases away from food. Poor Kat, never at the top for long. Something about Clevelands and their need to boss. In my herd, the leader is 24 year old Chakola's Time Out(Shorty). Close behind is Chakola's Gem. Much to the chagrin of the 2 TB's pure CB Phoebe is moving up the ranks past them! At 2 years she already is thinking of taking over the herd! April 16 What can I say, udders staying full through the day...seems things are simply going forward and I'm addicted to watching listening, lurking, checking....and that is when I'm outdoors. I come in and turn on Jewel-tv. Yes, the camera is hooked to the tv, so I can spy while I'm cleaning house...yeah right...anyway, while I'm in the house in the evening, I just sit there and watch the mares eat, sleep, do what horses do. You can watch every step, listen to every snort, second guess every move. In other words, you can truly drive yourself insane...but still it is addictive! But at last check at night, they have yet to tell me tonight is the night...maybe tonight? April 18 Busy weekend here at the farm...first really warm sunny weekend. Gem is teaching young people about horses as her sister Jewel is starting to wax up(honey coloured wax on teats). Kat has been waxing up for a couple of days. Both mares have enlargerd udders which feel quite full still in the afternoon when they come in from pasture. At night check Kat appears to seem have muscular relaxation in her hindqurters...Jewel not near as relaxed in her muscles. Hard to figure at this point because Kat looks more advanced, even though she is due later. Sometimes first time foaling mares are just not going to show you. But...for some reason...I think Kat is close to ready. Maybe it is those bulging milk veins? She was a week early with her first 2 and right on time for the last. She really did have me going the last foal. I swear she looked imminent for 2 weeks! I didn't sleep much. April 19-noon Ok, they have my full attention....as if they didn't before!!! I'm wondering if Kat is waiting for the guests to go and the barn to be quiet. Yes, she has some drops of milk this morning. Now, mares can have milk for weeks(that can be bad)before delivering or no milk at all. Nature can throw you for a loop. You just have to be watching. Kat is certainly getting ready, as is Jewel...both in diffferent ways...
April 20 Poor Kat...status quo. Still droplets of milk occasionally. Her udder looks like it will burst. Her ribs are well strung also. Jewel still is hanging in there. Not showing me strong signs like Kat. Watch her to be the first. Meanwhile I got an ear infection and now dosed up with antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory I'm ready to keep up with the girls and deal with sleep deprevation. April 21 Same old, same old...still playing the waiting game. Get my hopes all up that maybe I can some idea from the vet. He is coming to give second round of shots to the gang here at the barn. So, Iask him to look at the mares. So, looks at Kat(asks her if she is going to have another beautiful foal?..*smiles*)... and then exclains wow, she is close...so, I ask when does he think? Anytime, tonight...or could be a week. Great...even vets are stymied by the forces of nature. He looks at Jewel. No, doesn't show as much as Kat...did ask if she was ultrasounded for twins. I said yes, of course. Yes, Jewel is huge and he said the same thing I keep thinking...Jewel really doesn't know what is happening to her! Again as far as timing he says...she will foal when she is ready. That's says it all...as we mere humans watch and wait. Continued..page 3
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