Good Morning All,
Yesterday was a good day with the BBGs. Got a bit closer to Jerri, of course always close to Apple. Nellie still timid but watching.
While videoing all three were quite curious. Standing next to Apple outside the stall I managed to rub her big round belly for a few moments. She seem to enjoy it as her eyes closed half way but only for a few minutes. She probably was wondering what the heck I was doing. When she had enough she sauntered away over to her water barrel. Apple drinks a lot but will also dip her mouth in and hold her head up and let the water run out of her lips.
Jerri sniffed the camera at one point, and is definitely coming around. She is so very curious, and I am seeing a slight softening of her eyes..just a slight one. I know in time it will come.
Nellie sweet sweet Nellie, poor thing, at almost 19 yrs old, she is having trouble letting go. Guess too many years to forget. She wants to be part of everything but just cannot give herself up to it. Though everything has been positive, it seems so difficult for her to trust. We are able to catch her up, but she trembles. You are able to touch her from the shoulders forward but do not go back further. She is just too nervous for that.
I do hope that we make more progress before the BBBs arrive. It is so important to imprint the babies, but we must earn the trust of the BBGs first.
The cam is presently on the football field. It will be changed periodically. Once we get closer to foaling and we see positive signs of impending births we will have night lighting on the BBG that is showing signs. I did read a post from Legacy Clydesdales that these bigger horses normally do not have the 123 births like that of the lighter weighted horses.
I also wanted to let everyone know, that when these mares begin foaling we will let mother nature work her wonders. We will not tie up the sack, we will allow it to expel itself. Should we see complications, we will contact our veterinarian, who for those who remember Rosie and Misty's births, only lives 5 minutes from the ranch. He is an excellent vet and we have been working with him long before MHR was established and MHR has been operating for seven years.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful day!
Stephanie
