A bit of a catch-up

So what's been occurring since that day in the summer when we decided that Ruby was no longer in foal?

Well, part of the deal with the stallion is that if your mare isn't in foal, you have to provide a veterinary certificate and then you don't have to pay the bill.  Unfortunately the day the scan was to take place at the stud I was on holiday and Annie was at work so I had to take her over to our vet.

Let's just say emotions were running pretty high.  I'd done a reccy the previous evening to make sure I knew where to park as the vets is right in the middle of a local market town.  

Now Ruby's a big girl.  Over 17 hands and up to weight.  I was expecting them to have a scanning crate like the stud does (a wooden crate with a door either end slightly bigger than the horse - the door at the back being low enough for the vet to carry out a scan without the likelihood of being shot into the middle of next week by a stroppy mare).  But no, there was just a small (and I mean small) loose box, slightly longer than the horse!

The vet did an internal first and, after a bit of a misunderstanding, confirmed that she was still in foal.  Then he did a scan.  Unfortunately it was too big to fit on the screen all in one go but we could identify the umbilical cord and I thought I saw a pair of knees but it could have been anything really!  And yes, there were tears.  I knew I would weep, whether it was good news or bad.  

We've still got a long way to go.  She's not due til April.  Let's just keep everything crossed til then.

Not so good news

Here's the Doob looking exceptionally smart for the Tack and Turnout yesterday. The girls were taking part in a relay race with four team members going round a variety of obstacles - rustic fences, a gate, a pen and a 'baton' changeover- racing against another team on a mirror-image course. Although they got knocked out in the first round they all acquitted themselves well.

The not so good news is that, when we got to the event Ruby appeared to be in season. The question is whether to wait til her next scheduled scan in September to see whether she's still in foal or get her tested now.

The only up-side is that she usually gives no indication that she's in season at all and it might just be her hormones. She did seem a bit 'off', not her usual chirpy self, but I thought that was because she didn't like being plaited up. Let's keep everything crossed that she was just having an off day!

Anyone for dressage?

A couple of weeks ago we went down to Addington Manor Equestrian Centre in Buckinghamshire for some unaffiliated dressage. Unfortunately the video camera batteries were flat, which was a shame because Smem always thinks it looks much more laboured than it actually does! It would do her the world of good to be able to actually see what the judge does.

Zorya's got lovely paces and with a bit more practice and some lessons I'm sure they could become really accomplished.

I think a dressage saddle might help as Smem tends to ride quite short. Not quite as short as one of her friends who wants to become a jockey. The pics from holiday of Luti riding Ruby with ultra-short stirrups are hilarious. Talk about tom-tit on a rice pudding!

(for those of you unfamiliar with the expression it means something very little sitting on something very large!)

A change is as good as a rest

Ruby had a holiday in Scotland last week. Maybe not the best thing to do in the early stages of pregnancy, but apparently both she and Zorya really enjoyed themselves. On the way home they dropped her off at the stud ready for her scan on Monday.

She's still pregnant! Hurrah! Now she won't need a further scan til September.

I hope she'll still be able to take it easy and put her hooves up now and then. I have a sneaky feeling someone has decided to take her to camp! She can be grumpy enough at the best of times. Goodness knows what she'd going to be like when she's constantly hormonal.

Do horses get cravings?

(this picture shows Ruby's love of water. She just can't get enough of the stuff, she'll even dig for it!)

Back on the Road Again

Well the motorway anyhow. The truck's been poorly since Christmas and I eventually got it fixed a couple of weeks ago with the encouragement of other members of the Daihatsu Drivers Club and quite a bit of help from our local mechanic, Keith.

The first outing for Brucie (the truck) was a week last Sunday to a local show. After one fence down in the Novice Working Hunter, Smem took Zorya in the big class, did a lovely clear round and impressed the judge enough to give her first. She did go beautifully.

Today we braved the motorway to take Ruby for her second scan. The last time indicated she had two fertilised eggs so I had to be there for the scan just in case any 'decisions' had to be made because Annie couldn't get time off. Smem had an exam this afternoon so she helped me box up and then I had to go on my own (with Ruby of course). It's not far - about 30 miles and very easy to get to but still a bit worrying. I've only driven with a trailer about 8 times in my whole life so it's always a bit of an adventure. My main worry was how I was going to reverse the trailer back into its parking space when I got back!

When we got there the vet was stitching up one horse so I had a chat while he was doing that. Then got Ruby unloaded. The vet commented that every time he sees Ruby she's bigger than he expects. She's supposed to be 16.2 but we reckon she's about 17.1 at the moment but she always seems loads bigger because she holds her head so high. Especially when you're trying to put her bridle on. Although she is a BIG horse she's actually not wide so is a very comfortable ride.

Anyway, after a bit of poking around one big black spot showed up on screen and there was no sign of another one lurking anywhere. So it's back in 10 days time for another scan to make sure she's taken properly.

Until then, let's keep everything crossed!

It's Twins AGAIN!

A bit early to say whether one or both will take (she's going back for a scan on 21st) but it appears to be twins again. Fingers crossed they find just one healthy embryo firmly implanted.

Update on Ruby

Just a quick update on the Ruby front....

She was scanned on Monday and gave no sign of being in season. Had a second scan today and they're going to give her a go tomorrow.

Will be keeping everything crossed. I really don't want her to be injected to bring her into season this time. Not that I really think it caused the twin pregnancy last time but the less stress for her the better. And the less they're likely to get on her wrong side! And Zorya wants her home!

I like Rising Rainbow's idea of pinning a foal down when it's small. I'm pretty darned sure no-one did that with Ruby!