"You can talk about anything if you go about it the right way, which is never malicious." - Rodney Carrington

Views of the farm...and more LONG READ

Our girls from one herd (71 cows)

On to the next herd....

36 girls here

Awww too cute I love this next picture!

67 calves so far! Today we found a cow with a "tag" showing us that she has calved, however her bag is huge, teats haven't been sucked and no baby in sight....we looked but never found the baby. Its such a large area, and they often calve in the woods, and with all the limbs down from the Ice Storm we had last month it's much harder to find where the momma has laid her calf down at...

I'm really tired of problems with our animals.

When I went to feed today King was limping something terrible again....*sigh*....we cleaned hooves, and placed him in the dry, straw bedded, barn for the night. Josh comes tomorrow at 7:30 am to trim his hooves and take a look at him, then it will be off to the Vet. Luckily it looks like he can be trailered tomorrow. If not, we'll have to call Dr. Mike on out again. I'm so disappointed, for one I want my boy to be feeling good and happy, for two I wanted to try riding if he was up to it.

This week has been a rough one. When I get off my sleep pattern I take awhile to get back on track. I take some meds that make me sleep and when I don't, its still in my system, so a deviation from routine is really hard. Besides being emotionally drained makes it even harder. I've had a hard time getting up and going back to sleep at night the last 2 days.

The stud muffin (aka Douglas) wrote Carlie (the girl he likes) a note and gave it to her:

Carlie,

I really like you.

Do you like me? (her answer was YES)

Douglas...insert phone number

(Calie left:)

Calie...insert phone number

I'm surprised he didn't have a check yes and no box! ;-)

Norm went to lease 3 bulls today (Angus), they will be delivered May 1st....to be added with the 3 we already have. I sure hope they are gentle.

I got some information and an order form for Chickens today. Now I have to decide on what to order! Now to decide what kinds to get.

Here is what they got:

NEW HAMPSHIRE'S - A profitable bird that is not quite so large. They lay for 12 months excellent livability during the growing and laying season; 245 eggs per hen per year.

RHODE ISLAND REDS- the preference for country-style eggs. Produces brown eggs (more profitable) 1 -being in most places, brown eggs bring a premium of tow to ten cents a dozen over white eggs. 2- the salvage of a heavy hen after she is through laying increases the total new profit per bird.

GOLDEN SEX-LINKS (COMETS)- Their best selling brown egg layers. Mature hens weight 5 1/2 lbs. 245-255 eggs per hen per year. Shell is a rich brown with excellent interior quality. Pullets hatch out a beautiful golden brown color but the cockerel chicks are a creamy white. They dress out clean with no dark pinfeathers to detract from the appearance of the dressed bird.

WHITE LEGHORNS- Fast maturing, early laying. Excellent producers over long periods of time. require less feeds per dozen than the larger breeds. Shells are strong smooth and white. interior quality is unsurpassed. 98% free from blood spots means that the eggs are solid with pride and confidence. Producing 254 eggs per hen per year.

BUFF ORPINGTONS- Big beautiful gentle birds are a long favorite..brown eggs.

GOLDEN LACED WYANDOTTES- Similar to the Silver Wyandottes except coloring. Golden bay laced with greenish-black.

BLACK SEX-LINKS- dual purpose farm flock type breed. Mostly black when hatched, pullets mature into excellent layers of large brown eggs. Black with some red color on neck and breast. Cockerels resemble Barred Rocks.

ARAUCANAS- rare breed known as the Easter Egg Chicken. Not a large bird but in much demand for beautiful eggs..they actually do lay tinted eggs in the most surprising colors! - hmmmm I'll have to get these for the fun!

BLACK AUSTRALORPS- beautiful shiny black bird with greenish tint. Hens mature at 5 - 6 months and weigh approx 6 - 8 pounds, makes a nice fryer.

CORNISH CROSS- rapid-growing and efficient broiler. may expect a few black flecks in their white plumage. Brown Eggs.

BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS- Average lay 250 eggs per hen per year. Weighing 6 1/2 pounds at maturity. Big brown eggs of superb quality, those who raise declare they make the most delicious Sunday dinners over any other breed.

WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCKS- fast maturing, heavy bodied pullets, top production of large, brown premium grade eggs, when laying season over enjoy quality meat at low cost.

You can tell spring is closing in!

The March Lilly's have begun to bloom!

Soon I'll have a carpet of yellow covering my wild flower garden back in the woods.

Well, that's all I can think about for now to write about...OHHH thought of something else..I'll save that for tomorrow, this is long enough already!

Rae

March Giveaway - 18 days left!

To those of you who are new to my blog, or maybe missed my post on my giveaway done back in February. I am offering several handmade products that I sell in my Etsy shop. An online source for handmade products. I make handmade goat milk soap, body butters, and lip balms. In the future I plan on adding several other new products, such as lotions, and salves, pet shampoos etc.

You can be eligible to win by visiting my ETSY TEAM BLOG and leaving a comment!

Here is what is included in the giveaway that I am featured in this month!

This ultra-nourishing soap combines Goat Milk and Honey in a base of wonderfully moisturizing saponified oils, unrefined Shea and Coca butters, that will nourish your skin from head to toe. Honey is a natural humectant, which draws moisture to the skin, and Goat Milk is a natural skin moisturizer and is great for sloughing away dead skin cells.

With all natural ingredients, my soaps are hypoallergenic and mild enough for the softest, most sensitive skin.All of our soaps are handmade with 100% pure and natural goat milk soap, and lots of love!Goat Milk is known to contain lactic acid, proteins, vitamins, minerals, alpha hydroxy acids, proteins and Vitamin A and E that regenerate skin cells and nourish the skin, and leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated! Gentle enough for your face and body!

Goat's milk also has a pH level that is very close to our own skin's pH level which makes our 100% natural goat's milk soap gentle on even the most sensitive skin types including suffers of: Acne, Rosacea, Eczema,and Dermatitis.Eco-friendliness:

All ingredients of the soap will be decomposed into water and carbon dioxide by microorganisms within 24 hours after it is drained. However, it is not true if we say that it won't pollute the river and ocean at all, but I feel that using the natural soap creates much less damage to the environment than draining artificially produced, chemical-ridden substances into the water. Each of us can do benefit the environment by using the all-natural, handmade soap.

Included

I - 6 ounce bar of the designer fragrance -"Very Sexy" by Victoria Secret for Women,A spicy citrus blend of light Bergamot & Jasmine, combined with exotic notes of Cedar Wood, Sandalwood, and warm musk. It has top notes of tangerine, pink lime, and bergamot leaves. The heart mixes Limewood, Cinnamon Bark and Sage. Vetiver and Orange Flower comprise the dry-down. "Very Sexy" lives up to its name, its as sexy and unexpected as the person who wears it!You will also receive a 2 ounce Handmade Shea and Cocoa Body Butter with added beneficial oils in the same sexy fragrance.

This Body Butter has the consistency of real butter, yet melts on contact with your skin! Use less than you think you need for this ultra rich Body Butter.

1 - 6 ounce bar of "Masculine Musk" for that special man in your life! Don't let the name fool you though, This warm yet extremely fresh musk based fragrance is one of my most popular with both men and women! A calming and soothing scent that you never tire of using!

1 - 5 ounce bar of my best selling "Oatmeal Milk & Honey"! This bar has been combined with my original Goat Milk, and Honey but also offers the soothing and exfoliating effects of real ground Oatmeal.

1- 2.5 ounce Guest Size bar of a fresh and invigorating scent called "Soapy Clean", the name says it all! A simple light unisex fragrance that leaves you feeling fresh and clean!

Also included is a large 2 ounce tub of Handmade Lip Balm flavored in "Strawberry"! This is the best lip balm I've ever used and the protective and soothing oils and locally harvested Bees Wax and Honey, last longer on your lips than any store bought balm or chap stick you could buy! The balm glides right on your lips instantly hydrating and softening your lips! And flavored with Strawberry, it cant be beat! I cant keep these lip balms on the shelf!And thrown in for fun - a natural loofah sponge!

http://wilmothfarms.etsy.com/

http://wilmothfarms.artfire.com/

http://wilmothfarmshandmadesoaps.blogspot.com/

In Awe....Farm Update

I am in awe! I never imagined so many people would follow our journey with Radish! I am in awe that so many people were rooting for him, and encouraging me along the way.

How wonderful that his story reached so many people all over the world! He did have a purpose, if not only to teach me so much, but to maybe help others in the same situation...and to bring new friends to me.

I never imagined when I began this blog the awesome people I have met would come into my life! I am blessed in so many ways. My Farmer, My Children, Our Farm, Our Furry Friends we share our lives with each and every day, The Beauty of God's Nature that surrounds me, and now Your Beautiful Hearts - all to bless My Life.

What can I say?

Thank You will have to do, because I know no other words except for those.

Getting back to normal every day that was put on hold for 3 days has been hard for me. I always take situations like ours seriously. I weep for those animals we have lost. I know I invest too much in them, which in the end, causes me heartache. I wish so much that my daughter would have had the chance to meet and care for him with me. He was to be her foal. Cleaning up the living room in the wee hours of the morning was so sad...all traces of Radish have now been removed from our home. But never in my heart. This has been an experience that I will always remember. And the compassion of others will also be remembered.

Radish was laid to rest with Oliver, my pet steer that I handraised, whom I lost unexpectedly a few weeks ago.

I wont go on and on with post about either of them, it's time to lay it to rest with them as well. I think I have expressed to each of you my heart in this journey.

Back to the farm.

Today the calf count is up to 61...half way through calving season....approx. 60 more to go.

We have sold our 2 white bulls. Chicken Nugget and his son Amos. Both bulls are Marchigiana's, a big and beautiful breed of cattle stemming from Italy. The market here in our end of the world is for black cattle. Both bulls throw white, champagne, and muddy white calves, where there is no market for. I hate seeing Nugget leave us, he was a 5 year old big baby and as Norm says...gentle enough to go out into the field and slap him on the rear! That is true of him, of all the bulls, I feared him the least. We will be leasing 3 bulls, all Angus this summer, along with the 2 Angus Bulls - Sir Loin and T-Bone, and 1 huge black Marchigiana Bull named Zeus that we already have.

My beautiful Maine Coon cat, Bo, has been mad at me since we brought Radish into the house. It was so strange that the only time he came around any of us the last 3 days, was the moment that Radish suffered the seizure and he stared into the temporary corral that we had built for the little foal!!!! Today he has forgiven me and is up to his usual antics of falling out of chairs because he sleeps so soundly and rolls and then with a thud ends up in the floor. There is never a day without Bo making a mess of something, such as knocking over our drinking glasses. If its a liquid, he feels the need to deliberately knock it over...he does this on purpose. It is something you would have to see to believe...Norm is his favorite target. He will perch himself upon a TV tray where Norm has his glass, stare smugly at Norm, and then knock the glass off the table! Sometimes he runs knowing that Norm will be angry..other times he just continues to stare smugly. I swear I can hear him laugh!

Little Torro is doing well. He eats like a little monster and is a bundle of energy. He is now two weeks old and actually has been the easiest calf we've had to raise since I've been here on the farm. Actually, after loosing my Oliver, I hope he will be the only bottle fed calf we have this year.

Pepper is Queen of the barn still, and mad at me that in this colder weather I have kept her in her coop in the barn. Still laying eggs 5 - 6 times a week. I cannot wait to get her some of her kind to keep her flustered.

News on the stud muffin named Douglas ( aka my son): I'm mortified to hear that he "asked" a girl to "go out". Douglas is ten years old. Douglas is in the 4th grade. Douglas cannot drive. So tell me how in the world will Douglas and his girlfriend.."Go out"??? Douglas actually had one of his best friends "ask her for him"....okay for some reason, even if we discount his age and lack of a vehicle, tells me he doesn't need to "go out" with anyone.

"go out", this is a term I've always really hated in young people who cannot drive. Where are they gonna go? Those of you who know Douglas....PLEASE don't mention this to him that you know..he will literally kill me and never tell me anything again! Which would be awful since I would no longer have an inside track, and I then couldn't tell of the humors of a young boy growing up. Oh did I mention that he shaves too?

My, oh, my.

I cringe from what I have to look forward too.

We unwrapped Kings hoof today (he had an abscess that the Vet doctored a week ago). His hoof looks to be in good shape. Tomorrow I'm going to inspect him a little further, the light was leaving us tonight.

Jack....Jack oh Jack...we have reached the "terrible two's" stage in this colts life. Yesterday as I went to feed he disrespected my space and about knocked me down as he walked practically on top of me. I elbowed him as soon as he got into my space, as hard as I could...which only made him run, jump, and kick, only missing me by a foot or so. Yes he is feeling his "cheerios" and I guess thought I was playing...ummm..NO. Again at the feed trough he crowded me and got a repeat of the elbow...again same reaction and almost missed me by a foot again. He has never tried my authority until yesterday. Now I've got to work at keeping my rank as his herd leader, which I hope that bluffing a 14 hh, 6 month old,colt is something I'll be able to continue. I am really in need of a round pen to do more ground work in to keep that respect. And probably a good book on correcting unwanted behavior. The little turd.

Most of you know my grandma has not been doing well the last several months. She is 91 years old! I cant believe that myself....she was going strong until 5 years ago. She had to be made to stop mowing her lawn with a push mower at 86 years young!

Douglas has decided not to see her, he doesn't want that visit to be the one he remembers first when he thinks of her. His last visit was a good one, full of hugs and kisses from his favorite "Great" as he called her. (Great Grandma)

I look back at all I've written and I realize that lately we have had a lot of bumps in our roads huh? Well each bump makes us stronger as we trudge along in life. I just really hope that we don't encounter another bump for awhile.

I'm pretty shot, thinking I'm gonna head for bed and get a full nights rest for the first time in a few days.

Goodnight....

At the end of the day...

I know everyone is waiting for an update on Radish...and that all of you all have been praying and sending encouragement and good thoughts to my little foal.
Yesterday evening Radish took a swift decline. He would not eat, though he was responsive and alert and greeted me. Last night be began to suffer from seizures that came so quickly that nothing could be done.
In retrospect....I can now see that he had been seizing since birth. What we all thought was that since he was a preemie he was falling asleep while eating, since the sucking reflex is comforting. He appeared, until last night, to be advancing along swiftly, catching up to his peers. Yesterday evening, he even stood for a long period of time and ate standing up! He had began walking as well. As the evening wore on and he started to refuse food, we immediately administered electrolytes. He even seemed for a very short while to improve. But as quickly as that improvement came, he had a big seizure and became comatose. He passed, at 2:52 am - he was 67 hours old.
Preemies are also called "Dummy Foals", a term also used for cattle..also referred to as sleeper calves, or sleeper foals. The term "dummy" foal is one that is given to foals that act "dumb" at birth, or even hours thereafter. You might have heard them referred to as wanderers, barkers, or sleepers. However you know this condition, all these syndromes fall under the broad category of neonatal maladjustment syndrome. While the cause of this condition is not fully understood, what happens is that the tissues of the brain essentially hemorrhage and there is swelling around the nerve cells of the brain due to edema. Hemorrhages may result from low oxygen concentrations (hypoxia) in the blood and episodes of low and/or high blood pressure surges in the blood circulating through the brain. Metabolic insult can include hypoxemia, low glucose, and electrolyte imbalances.
Seizures may be the result of inflammation associated with septicemia that establishes itself in the central nervous system. In addition, seizures can be caused by trauma during or after birth, which should be kept in mind when treating the foal. At birth there is an incomplete blood/brain barrier, which essentially means that if there is an infection in the bloodstream, it can make its way to the central nervous system. If these infections cross the barrier into the brain, they can cause inflammation. For example, you would not expect an older foal which develops a lung infection to have a seizure, but a newborn foal which develops the same infection could have a seizure because the blood/brain barrier has not yet formed. This membrane develops and becomes a true barrier in the first couple weeks of life, after which time infections and toxic insults will no longer easily pass from the bloodstream to the brain.
Foals with neonatal maladjusted syndrome will behave abnormally for a number of reasons, such as a lack of oxygen due to dystocia, low glucose levels in the blood, septicemia, or other susceptibility due to the failure to receive adequate colostrum. These problems which can lead to a "dummy" foal, or neonatal maladjustment syndrome foal, are accompanied by symptoms that range from mild to severe.
The more mild symptoms include the lack of a suckling response, disorientation, and irritability (which can manifest itself as grinding of the teeth, sneezing, or wandering aimlessly). More severe symptoms include convulsions, seizures, or the foal becoming comatose.
In all of the research we did on orphaned foals, and preemies, we were aware that this could possibly happen to our little Radish. The preemie foal, whom exhibits the same behaviours of a "Dummy Foal" can also suffer the same end result. If taken to an Equine Hospital and placed on intravenous fluids and oxygen immediately at the first seizure these foals can be saved, however..the closest facility to us is in Lexington...about 3 hours from here...the soonest the Vet could get here would have been 30 minutes. He went from being healthy to seizing within such a short time, that neither of these options would have even been available to him. He was gone as quickly as it came. The first warning of not eating, was not enough to expect seizing....as it could have been exertion from all the activity, belly ache, etc. Not realizing that falling asleep while eating and then what we thought was "startling" awake and resuming eating was actually neonatal maladjustment syndrome. However there was no way for that to be determined, he presented healthy "as a horse" at birth and there after.
I believe we did everything and more to bring this foal along, with what we knew. His vitals were good up until his seizure. However I was wrong in many ways with this foal. I look back and wish that I had the facility and the money to take this preemie colt to, until he was out of the first weeks of danger.
The infection in and around his mother's placenta was extensive, and as we all can guess is probably the reason for his loosing battle. With our resources and what knowledge we had, we did, in my mind, all that I could. At least I pray that I did. As I have stated time and time again, I don't take NO for an answer, its not an option for me when my babies are concerned. I may give up on many things, but not ever on my family, or my animals. I can say to myself, to ease my guilt and disappointment, that with what I knew, and being my first orphaned foal, I did what I could....but I will always second guess myself when I think of Radish. Could I have done something different? Why didn't I see what was happening right before my eyes? I was also aware that neonatal maladjustment syndrome can be overcome with the correct care, if exhibiting mild symptoms like Radish did. I now know differently. Something I'll have to accept.
Thank you all for your encouragement, words of wisdom, and prayers on behalf of this little guy. The few moments in time that he was with us, he gave us complete joy, love, and knowledge. I only wish that those resources were available to us to give us another option for his care...but they weren't and with his progression each hour he was alive falsely led us to believe we were doing things right. I hope there is never a next time....its gut wrenching to loose a little life that we were so looking forward to growing old with. I guess I cant really say anymore about the last hours he was with me....so I'll end this thankful that my little guy has greener pastures to run and play and at the end of the day....I will try to convince myself that I did my best. Still not wanting to accept failure, I don't have an option.
Thanks Guys....your all dear to me and your comments, emails, and phone calls and anticipation of this little foal making it through means so much to me. Hopefully my experience can help someone else in the future.

Maybe I'm a worry-wart....but...

10:58 pm update on Radish.
Radish hasnt eaten good since his last bottle at 6:00pm. That was when he stood for 10 minutes.
I've tried to feed him at 8:00, 8:30, 10:00pm, and he didn't want to eat. He's been sleeping mostly, but at 10:00 we stood him up and he stood on his own....seems to be breathing a little harder....maybe he is just worn out from all the activity, belly ache???????
Trying not to worry......but I am!
Any ideas?
Dont forget to read my earlier post..there is a video of his first steps!
Keep the prayers coming, like I've been stating..he is nowhere out of the woods!!!!
Rae

~*~In Motion~*~ First Steps, video at the end!...and a supper date! (foal care to date at the end)

Another 8 hours and getting stronger with each moment! (I'm sure there will be tons of misspellings spell check isnt working and I type faster than my brain works some times so I apologize ahead of time)

I have had the camera ready at all times since Radish has been born...though I think I need to recharge my batteries! I was so happy to be able to catch his first steps! Look at him! He's standing! He is increasing his milk intake and staying awake for much longer periods of time now!
Here he is taking a rest from standing for about 10 minutes total! WOW!
I picked up a halter for a foal.....LOL ummm he's got some growing to do before he fits into it! This gives you an idea just how small he is! He didn't know he could hold his head up with this thing on! LOL

This is his new "room" for the time being. Now that he is getting up and atempting to walk, we had to build him a corral so that my carpet doesnt get nasty. Norm built it for me in no time and put it on top of the thick plastic we have been keeping under him. Norm did such an awesome job and I'm still amazed that he has allowed our newest member of the family indoors. I know he knows how much this little foal means to me and the kids, especially Leah. And Norm likes his Sire - Buck- so much too I think he likes having one of his babies here on the farm. I think its cool! I cant tell him enough how I love what he's done for me and this baby the last few days! What a prize I have in him, huh ladies??

He's just too cute not just post tons of pictures.....today Gin came and babysat for me so that I could go to town with Mari and talk to a gentleman about advertising my "business". I put that in quotes because I only WISH I had a business.....right now more like a hobby. He got my card for my soaps from somewhere and liked my website and wanted to talk to me about advertising online and in the Yellow Book.....I wish I was at that level with my soaps. But I'm not, if I was making enough from my soaps to warrant an advertisement, hey it would be great and affordable....but at this point selling on Etsy and Artfire, whom both put you in google searches, is good for me. The best part was eating supper at Panera Bread with my favorite friend Mari

I always enjoy spending time with Mari, she always gives me good sound advice and listens to me even when I'm telling her crazy stories of my growing up. I am a talker and all over the place when I get going! LOL Poor Mari....I'm sure she wants some ear plugs at times! lol She and Gin are Radish's adpotive Grandma's. I feel like I could talk to Mari about anything and I know she'll keep my secrets and tell me "like it is" when I need to be told "how it is"! I love her for that, and for her giving heart. Over the last year she has become someone very dear to me.

It was nice to get out of the house for a couple of hours and not worry about the baby. It's been stressful the first 2 days, no sleep, worrying about if I'm doing all this right or not, and the basic care of a foal. There is A LOT to it, and if it can be avoided, its always best to let nature take care of its own. However this isnt a perfect world and sometimes without human intervention things don't always go so well. Most of the time we dont have to interfere, but there are times we do. I would have loved it if Radish and his momma had been able to take care of themselves. The chances of an orphaned foal making it without all the nutritional needs it has to get from its mother, are really pretty thin..but definately do-able. With a Preemie the chances of a foal making it are not as high. Which is why I have worried so much over this baby. I cant loose him, knowing how much Leah and myself were looking forward to his birth. Leah lost a colt at her dads awhile back and was heartbroken...I cant have that happen to her again. It's a whole lot of work, its constant 24/7, but like I stated in my post this morning, worth every muscle ache, lost sleep, and worry. We are over the most critical time, now to just make it to the 2 week mark....then I'll feel more confident about his survival. It could go either way still....I cant make up for not having his real momma in every way. But I'm persistant about my babies born here on the farm, and I have that refusal to let any of them die. Animals have always been a passion of mine, and I'm thankful every day that I wake up and get the chance to work with animals. It brings such a contented joy to my life that I cannot describe in words! It makes me smile from ear to ear! What I have learned the last 56 hours are that you can read everything and anything online about saving an animal....but the advice from those who have been there is invaluable, and that every animal is different. There is no "text book" case..there will always be something that you have to do different, and feel your way through to find what works. I'm lucky to have friends who have real life knowledge and life saving advice. again......I have to thank you all for holding my hand through the last 3 days!

I love you all!

I hope you'll enjoy the movie of his very first steps! Dont mind the wreck called my living room in the background....I have paper towels, towels, laundry baskets of blankets, garbage bags, etc...that arent normaly laying around like that! Words of Wisdom...if there is a horse in your house..it will not remain spotless! LOL Oh..and build a corral! Enjoy the movie! I hope I uploaded it right!

Foal Care to date>

Fed colostrum in 2 seperate feedings within 6 - 8 hours after birth. Could not milk Georgia (mom) for her colostrum.

Tetnus and antibiotic shots given at birth, and enema (by Vet)

moved into the house away from drafts and cold, foals are born with no fat reserves and preemies can die quickly if left in the elements. - Getting chilled is one of the main causes of death in preemie foals, along with no colostrum.

Foal doesnt have good head control, or lip control, learning still to suck, must make the nipple stay in his mouth and cup the nipple and his mouth in order to create suction for him. Have to hold foals head up and keep him awake to feed..the sucking reflex also causes a secure feeling like a human baby and puts him to sleep.

days 1 -2 1 1/2 cups of milk replacer ( NO COWS MILK - can feed a foal goats milk) every hour ..thats 24 feedings day..and night. Slept a lot, restless sleeps...had a hunch not getting enough food..requirements on milk replacer are not working for this foal....made hole in lambs nipple larger....fed better and slept more soundly. Milk Replacer instructions say to feed 3 cups every 3 hours...not so with a preemie...he needs more feedings at smaller intervals. Foal is being roated so that he doesnt lay on just one side, or he will get pnemonia..and also must be fed sitting up, this requires you to litteraly hold the newborn up to feed.

Day 3 eating 2 cups a feeding every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. 16 feedings a day. Now begining to stand on his own, and takes his first steps at 48 hours old. With a normal birth..the foal stands and walks, and sucks within 1 - 2 hours. He sleeps more soundly...yet awake more through out the day, constantly trying to stand. He still has no interest really about his surroundings....will track my voice and "nicker" to greet me when he see's me...thats also how he tells me he is hungry. He has neighed 2 times now...the first was Tuesday night when Levi whom was on the porch by the back door right where Radish is laid began doing his "get out of my yard" bark at the coyotees....he neighed very loudly as if Levi's barking alarmed him..it was cute really!

At 48 hours old he now sleeps mostly sitting up rather than laying flat on his side. Is drinking almost 3 full cups a feeding every 2 to 2 1/2 hours - approximately still 16 feedings in a 24 hour period. He has begun to fill out. His legs are now getting straighter and stronger, still not walking on his hooves....they will straighten in time. They finally are starting to look like a "real horse leg". He has control over his lips, his bottom lip no longer hangs there, he can hold his head up steadily, but still have to help prop his head while he eats..still wants to fall asleep toward the end of his bottle. All bottles and nipples must be kept very clean and sterile, and cannot mix with cows milk. He is now standing for a few minutes and attempts to walk taking 6 steps before falling.

At 56 hours old....stood for approximately 10 minutes on his own! And praying that I'll get even more sleep tonight!

As I am writing this Radish is turning 48 hours old! What an adventure! In two days I have learned SO much my brain hurts, not to mention my entire body! Radish is moving around A LOT and I have to keep putting him back on his blankets and plastic as to not drench my carpet. (thank the Lord that the new floors are coming soon!!) Moving around a limp 60 pound foal (guessing on his weight) who is all legs and wants to get up but cant has made my body ache so bad that I've been under a heating pad all day yesterday. I have to make him sit up to eat, and hold him there with my legs, therefor making my legs, and even my butt hurt! The picture below is his read leg, you can see how "normal" they are now, looking like they should and not deformed as when he was first born:

And I'm so happy that his front legs are also beginning to straighten and strengthen! In fact last night he got up on his own some, but immediately falling back down. This morning at 8:00 he actually stood and held himself up for a few seconds. He is trying like crazy to get up on his own now!

He is awake more, but still having to nap a lot. His ears are alert, and his eyes are clear and shiny and inquisitive. He nickers at me when I walk into the room and has even neighed loudly a few times! He is being fed 16 times a day...thats ever hour and half! He only takes in a cup and half of milk....the milk replacer says he should be eating 3 cups every 3 hours. But I have found out that with a preemie thats not the case. We cut the hole in his nipple a little bigger because he wasnt eating enough, and he started to do even better immediately! This morning he drank almost the entire 2 cups I made for him! He is quickly drinking more and more, and I am PRAYING that he will be down to every 3 hours soon! I'm totally worn out from no sleep and all the physical work that is involved! I'm such a wimp with no upper body strength...well I'm getting some muscle now!

This is Radish at 24 hours old, you can see the changes in him already comparing the picture above to this one here!

He only stayed awake for small periods yesterday...but since we made the hole in the nipple larger he is taking in more food and sleeping soundly and for longer periods. Yet in between those times he is awake for longer periods trying to get up a lot.

Yesterday I had to go to town and his adopted grandmas came to babysit! Mari and Gin have readily adopted him, how could you not love this adorable little guy!!!!? I'm so thankful they came over and let me take a small nap and cleaned my kitchen for me! I love you guys bunches! Thank You is not a big enough word!

I hear Radish in there trying to get up again and I had better get back to my baby! I promise I'll try to catch up on everyone soon! Computer time, well actually time for anything else, has been rare in the last 48 hours! Your prayers are being heard! This little fella is getting stronger every hour...and unfortunately his bowels are getting stronger too.....I wont even go there on how nasty that is! LOL Baths are happening quite frequently now...you can see in the first picture I posted his dirty read before I got him cleaned up! Talk about gross! I have learned...a preemie orphaned foal is NO different that a preemie newborn baby! But I also have to tell you...I am LOVING every minute of it, no matter how badly my muscles ache by holding this horse sitting up to eat, or helping him stand constantly...and waking every hour and half to feed....it's going to be totally worth it, and I really look forward to watching this baby grow into a beautiful horse! It's all worth it a hundred times over! Again let me thank ALL of you who have helped me so far in this process...I've been flying blindly and I dont know how I would have made it without your advice! God bless you all! If I could I'd give each of you a big hug! Okay back to the baby now...hope to see you all soon and get over to visit your blogs and catch up! Love to you all!

P.S. - Doug is feeling much better....we have a calf count now of 60 - halfway there! Torro turned 2 weeks old Sunday, but I havent had the time to take his picture..and King is feeling and walking much better. Still sore, but coming a long. Oh! One more thing! Leah and I worked with Jack this weekend teaching him to flex and to move in a circle. He naturally pivots so smoothly! He learned in about 20 seconds to move his rear end with the snap of a finger! He is SO smart its unreal! Okay really have to go! Love you all!

14 Hours Old 10:30pm Last Update For The Night I'm Plum Tuckered!

This little guy finally stood for about 20 seconds on his own with only Norm and I steading him!
At 12 hours old he began nickering when he see's me!

His efforts wear him out! He is sucking much better drinking about 1/3 a cup of milk at a time every 2 hours or less.

I thought this blanket was more appropriat rather than the pink girly one I had on him!

Let me ask...are horses born with teeth?

He is progressing....not out of the woods, we wont say that for another 2 weeks. He is sucking much better but falls asleep like a little newborn does. We are keeping him warm, he is trying to stand more and sitting up better. But between him, Pepper, King, Jack, Georgia, Carrot, and fixing my boys their own supper...I need to go to bed for the next 2 hours until he wakes again! I'll update on this beauty tomorrow!

Night All!

-Rae-

8 Hours Old!

Radish is now 8 hours old!

We have had a rough morning! Radish has not stood yet, and has been very weak and sleeping. He has had no suck reflex. And unable to stay awake and alert.

I was able to get in 3/4 of the bottle of colostrum into his belly though, and that was hard work! Long and tedious trying to get a colt to suck enough to get it in his gut! But we did it. We think he is premature, due to the infection that his momma got. I dont know how early, maybe only a week or so, which is in his favor, he should catch up soon.

We brought him into the house...YES you read that right! Premature foals can get chilled and die! So we have brought him into the living room until he is up and moving around on his own. Thankfully we are replacing the carpet with hardwood soon! LOL

I never in a million years dreamed that I'd have a horse in my house drinking from a Mr. pibb bottle! LOL (yes its horse milk not cola!)

He finally began to suck once we got him in here, and drank a cup of warm milk. He fell asleep drinking and we had to stop feeding. Liz there is no way to get him up right now and standing to eat, so we are holding him up for now. What I have read says that as long as they are drinking the warm milk, kept warm, and sitting up to eat he should be fine. I'm taking as good care as I can to follow what everyone has suggested! I'm gonna make this colt live!

He is resting right now, like a sweet little -baby-, -horse-, -on my living room floor-, -in my house-! I have now seen it all! LOL Things are looking up for little radish...this morning it was looking bleak....one thing is for sure....this horse can end up totally crazy, but I guarantee you after all I have done with him already, I've imprinted on him MAJORLY and he'll be putty in my hands! His momma wanted absolutely nothing to do with him at all, and never recognized he was hers. She has perked up and ate and drank gallons of water! We just put her back out into her lot before we brought Radish inside! She was trotting and trowing her head feeling so good to get that baby out and get out of the barn. She is looking good, however the danger isnt past with her either.

I'll be back when I can in between feedings ever 2 - 3 hours, and feeding the boys.....prayers for this little guy are working!

Lisa- ANT FARM!!! How funny! I thought I'd die laughing! Yes dear I think your right! Liz , Norm said about your comment was that he probably doesnt have any batteries to make it work!

ITS A BOY! Born 03/09/09 at 8:30am!!

ITS A BOY!

Look who arrived into the world at 8:30am this morning!

We had trouble with the delivery...called the Vet and he arrived about 16 minutes after the water broke. I was scared too death that we would have been too late. She looked as though she was prolapsing, but her placenta came out the same time as her baby. She was oozing a thick "mauve" colored stuff, stunk extremely bad and the consistency of pudding while she was in labor, and was filled with it even after she delivered the colt..YES HE IS A BOY! The "ooze" we'll call it is nothing the Vet has ever seen! He said there is nothing in any text book and it doesnt look like any afterbirth or infection even that he's ever seen.

Momma so far is not interested in the colt....she sniffed him once and then retreated to the back side of her pen. Only glancing at him a couple of times. Doc said to pick up some colostrum. Her milk has come in and she is producing the colostrum. If he doesnt suck by noon, then we'll be getting him up to see if he will nurse and if she will let him.

The mare got "washed out" from all the "ooze" and infection. She also got a tetanus and antibiotic shot.

If he doesn't nurse by noon....then we'll be feeding him.

He is a Palomino (at the moment- will probably be a roan) with white tale and mane, and 4 white stockings and a big blaze! OMG he is beautiful! Doc said he was surprised he was alive! I'm so thrilled he is and to watch him born, even though we had to pull him, was so awesome!

These are his first pictures taken as soon as he was laid down. I've already imprinted on him. I cant tell you all how exciting it was to watch him come into this world! I was worried sick over the mare.....and we dont know really if she will make it, that infection can get her...so the worry continues with her. The colt is vigorous and awake and a big guy with some long legs! Man they are all head and legs arent they! What a doll!

I could go on and on...but I have afterbirth, ooze, and pee and poo all over me and I stink like nothing you've ever smelled from that concoction! And I need to go check on the baby! Doug had to stay home from school, he is worse today, and poor Leah went home last night, and she just knew she would miss it! I hate that for her, but he is here and so far healthy!

I'll post more...you can bet on that!!!

Oh and "Jerry" - I'll respond to you amusing little comment later....friends go take a look at the comment "he" left for us all...very amusing, and "Jerry" doesnt realize I know where his IP is from, and that to say "he" has to get back to running a "real farm"..well now thats amusing....oh have I got a lot to say!

Talk soon!

Rae