More news since my last published update. All the mares are turned out together and are operating in full "herd" mode. This is the best thing for Brandy, learning herd dynamics and also having more play time out in a larger paddock.
This also means that Doodle is back in his own paddock full time. No more swapping ponies day/night now. Which means everyone gets full Sunshine Rights during the day. Maggie has come into heat (day 1). Kind of a dead give away as both Doodle and Maggie keep hollering to each-other (this is not entertaining at 5:30 am!). This is great news as I was beginning to wonder if she ever would show her cycle. It's the first heat I've witnessed since she came to the farm in October 2004. That's not entirely abnormal, some mares don't show heat when the lighting during the day is shorter. Now that there are nice long days, it's natural to see this behavior.
Since both Doodle and Maggie are maidens my work is cut out for me. Maggie did behave beautifully for her first attempts being in season with a novice stallion. Doodle also did quite well. We didn't have a successful breed, but we have plenty of time for that. It is best not to rush them or get the mare and/or stallion frustrated. This is the true test for Doodle, he did behave respectfully toward me and listened to my queues which I know is quite difficult for him sometime.
With a little luck both Dandy and Maggie will be in foal to Doodle this month. That's two babies for next year which means two more children will get ponies in 2007. It is still too early to tell if Brandy will be placed in the breeding program based on her conformation and personality or if she'll be trained to assist a child. We've got a few more months to decide that. She is eating solid food (grain and hay whenever she can) and her teeth are coming in. She's had her first lessons with being led which proved to be cute and fun. She did get the hang of it after a few moments and we'll try again later today.
Saturday we look forward to seeing Melanie!
