Sunday, May 16, 2010

Solidare's Foal's First Outing



Normally I wait until a foal is five days old before any kind of turnout. Because the vision of newborns isn't all that good, I find waiting this time avoids problems with them running into wire fences or taking a swim in the creek or pond although newborn vision didn't deter Legend those years ago.



With the issues surrounding Solidare and her new foal, I didn't rush to put the two of them outside either. I was worried about the usual newborn antics feeling the first real freedom. Solidare would have difficulty trying to keep up and I sure didn't want any more damage done to her already compromised back legs.

The weather wasn't co-operating either. I didn't want to take any chances or either of them getting a cold. With this colt acting like a dummy foal and not really doing much but eating or sleeping at first, I didn't want to chance he might stumble into some kind of trouble because of his lack of interest in his surroundings. There were lots of things to consider.



As the colt got stronger and began acting more normal, I knew the day was getting closer when he would finally see outside that stall. Still I waited on weather and forming some kind of plan to deal with Solidare in case her baby made her frantic exploring his new world.

Our spring has been more like winter making our fields pretty muddy and slick. Solidare doesn't need slick with her issues either so inside they stayed until this last week.Finally we had enough of a break in the weather to dry things out enough to make the front field safe for Solidare and her colt.



I expected the colt might not want to step outside into the unfamiliar because I have had new foals refuse to leave the safety and comfort of their stalls. That was not the case with Solidare's colt, however. He didn't think much of the halter or lead rope but following his mom outside he didn't give a second thought. He was outside on the concrete pad in front of the stall in an instant and in another one he was following his mother into the grass. The only thing this colt was worried about was getting to far away from his mother.



True to his "dummy foal" status he did not race around acting like some kind of fool which most colts do on their first turn out. Solidare's colt was cautious and stuck close by his mom. There was no running around at all. Just quiet exploration within a foot of two of mom. He never did get any farther away from her than what you see in these pics.

12 comments:

  1. He's just adorable. Maybe he's just so smart that he knows his mama can't run around after him and he's taking it slow for her sake. Or he may just be a cautious little guy sticking close to his mama until he gets the feel of things.

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  2. I love that next to last picture! His face is adorable!!! Maybe he has a lot of respect for his mama and actually listens to her!!

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  3. What a lovley boy! I had a blind mare who's baby was strong smart and healthy but seemed to know he needed to be careful and stay near momma .It was a while before he would venture too far away and just a call from mom would have him racing back!

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  4. Arlene, Thanks, I knew he looked like Rhythm but getting him outside really made that all the more obvious.

    Fern, this comes at a call from Solidare. If he is laying down, he'll get up when she tells him. It's pretty darn cute.

    FV, he does have a really sweet face. I was thinking none of these pics really did him justice.

    Whatever is keeping him close to his mom, I hope it stays that way. The way he's behaving so far is exactly what Solidare needs.

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  5. I was thinking the same as Val - that last picture is wonderful. What a striking looking guy! Glad the outing went well.

    Hasn't the weather been something! Normally we would be in the 80's but for the last week, we've been burning wood off & on to take the chill off!

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  6. these are the pics i've been waiting for! thanks for sharing!!!

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  7. He sure is a cutie! I just love his mama; she is absolutely gorgeous! He certainly looks interested in everything going on.

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  8. He is so cute and you took wonderful pictures!

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  9. Wow, he is gorgeous! Love the photo where he is looking straight at you, and he has what seems to be the typical long legs of your Arabians, beautiful.

    I'm so glad he is staying close to his mum, she needs him to stick close by.

    Karren from Australia

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  10. Btw, I would love to know what you are going to name this foal .....? Seems that now he has joined the big wide world, he needs to have a name, so when you get to know him enough to be able to get the right name for him, please don't forget to let us know.

    Karren from Australia

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  11. Absolutely adorable. I especially loved the profile pic.Thank you or sharing.

    Thank you for visiting me and for taking the time to comment. I do believe the print is Susan Winget. Please come back for a visit anytime.
    Sue

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  12. That is just a gorgeous little foal. (I'm not a huge fan of Arabian horses, sorry, I like them a bit bigger and rounder. I love a horse with a big round butt, hehe.) But seeing this little foal, ánd the photos in the posts below, I'm beginning to change my mind. Beautiful! Wishing him a long and wonderful life ;-)

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