Welcome to the world ….

Efstur from Thordale
Chestnut colt foal with a star and four white socks (maybe, not sure now)
Born: 03:43 21.05.2016

It was an easy birth.  We (Brá, Hetja, Wussums, BeAnne and I) had been awake, watching and waiting all night.  In the evening, I had brought the girls up, but it was very obvious as the night went on that Brá was unsettled and wanted to be out in the big field.  I was reluctant to do this as I would not be able to see anything.

When it grew just light enough for me to be able to see them in the field from the van, I opened the gate and they immediately went as far away as they could!

I was doing well until I had a sudden dip at 03:00 and desperately wanted to sleep.  So I set my alarm for 20 minute intervals and put my head down next to BeAnne’s snoring self.  Wu sat on the dashboard.  Suddenly BeAnne lifted her head and so I woke up and looked out to see Brá rolling on the opposite side of the hill with that tell-tale white balloon coming out of her bottom.

I grabbed my camera and rushed out, with everyone, and I mean everyone, following me – that would be 6 sheep, BeAnne and Wussums.

When we reached Brá, her foal was emerging, no bag on the face so we all stood back and waited.

Ten minutes later, while Brá and foal were resting, the sheep came up to investigate this new arrival and Bra was fine with it.  Most odd but lovely, none the less.  I had decided by then that this was a filly foal.

Having watched the meet n’greet, I went back to the van to get my phone.  Bjorn wanted to know the minute the hooves were on the ground.  He came over immediately and confirmed that Brá had given birth to a colt.

Somehow I missed filming the stage when Brá’s colt stood up.  It was a long wobbly process and I managed to press the wrong button on the camera.

Having checked that everyone was fine, I finally went to bed elated that nature had taken care of everything sp efficiently and well.  There was no need for any intervention at all.  The best kind of foaling.

A few hours later…….

I think I am in love – it’s those ears.

I didn’t sleep very well last night but up and at ’em at 03:00 just in case.

To start with I couldn’t find Brá and had a mild panic attack.  Hetja was standing outside by herself.

A brown horse in a dark stable can become invisible, when you’re nervous!

Anyway, Brá was located and Hetja and I breathed a collective sigh of relief.

After a few hours of standing up, lying down and eating in the stable, the girls decided they wanted to go outside for some grass.

They chose our back garden – it used to be tne pride and joy of my OH – his very productive vegetable garden – but one year, nothing came up and so, totally despondent, he let it grow over. Anywho, it makes a useful paddock as there is a pony sized shed in there too.  This was Lambie’s Hermitage – his winter palace, if you will.

There is a non-working electric mesh fence that Hetja quickly sussed out.  It is true, the grass on the other side is definitely greener.

Out of boredom and better light, I took to taking photos (and a film) of the cockeral.

And Her Maj who, as always, was in attendance, but with her home comforts.

And still nothing.

Lambie and ‘Ster were, as ever, around.

Even my animals do nose kisseys!

And so we wait.

Brá is waxed up, soft bottom muscles, tail held at an angle befitting an Arab stallion at times and she stands with her back legs apart at all times.  She is often kicking her belly, swishing her tail and rolling.  For crying out loud, it is now nearly 18:00!  Why isn’t the foal just slithering out on its own?  Short of putting up signs saying “head towards the light”, I can’t think what else to do.

We’re having curry for supper!  Maybe that will help.

I am feeling a little less exhausted as I have now fallen into a routine.

I went to bed last night at 19:00, out like a light and slept until 03:00 when I got up, got dressed and went outside.  BeAnne decided she was coming too.

It was a cold and there had been a frost, but it was a calm beautiful night.

The moon was on its way down.

The girls had spent their night around the house, with access to the stable if they wanted. Grass, water and shelter.

As everyone was very relaxed, I opened the gate and put out some silage.

They enjoyed their snack and then had a bit of a kip together.

There were a few chores to be done and suddenly I came across Wu who was out and about on his nightly prowl. It was like old times, ie before Loki.  Wu followed me everywhere, playing, waiting, running past, dropping onto his back so I could tickle his belly, if I felt brave enough – don’t be stupid, of course I didn’t, he was waiting to grab and bite me. I know this cat.

I spent my early morning in the cab of my van with BeAnne.  She gave me employment and I was appointed the royal tummy tickler.

As it slowly grew lighter, I watched the birds and animals appear around me.  Using the van like a hide, it was like a scene from Bambi.  There were families of rabbits playing and chasing each other round in circles. Birds, I seldom see close to the house, poking around while the shalders (oyster-catchers) bickered above me.

Yup, you guessed.  Still no foal!

Last night was vile – buckets of rain.  I left the stable door open so everyone could make their own decisions.

I didn’t sleep well so, at 03:00, I gave up trying, got up and dressed into my survival suit.

I found Haakon, Hetja and Brá in the stable munching away on the silage I had left out for them. They had been there a while and there was not a poo to be seen.  Most odd.

Brá was showing signs of imaginary contractions, so I popped Hetja and Haakon into the small side section.  They bickered like husband and wife!

This left Brá with the large stable to herself and Wiggins (black hen in the corner).

I am trying to be as organised as possible and I made the decision to shut the door, which Brá hates but it was chucking it down outside.  That’s my foaling bucket in the corner.

I sat on a garden chair with BeAnne.  She was a very welcome terrier-shaped hot water bottle.

After 6 hours, nothing happened, so I opened the door and let everyone out.  The rain had cleared up too.

Later on, after a life renewing breakfast, I moved Haakon to the boys’ field.  I had remembered that Haakon has previous with small newly born animals – it was a calf.

After mucking out and getting everything ready again for tonight, I drove to Sandness to check on the lads.

Storm was on terrific form!

I gave everyone a big carrot and told them they were notI forgotten.  They are checked every day.

On my way home, I saw a new plant growing in the hill.  It looked a bit frilly, if not silly!

I think the diet may be working.

So tonight, off we go again. I am running out of steam.

Well, here at Chateaux Thordale we are all very nervous and jumpy.

As you can see!

I slowly walked Brá up to the house and stable this afternoon because things are starting to change quite quickly now.

Haakon and Hetja quickly followed too but I decided to keep them apart from Brá but they can still see her.

I think Haakon has given himself a supporting role.

Everyone is on edge.  No, they really are.

The nursing staff have tried the facilities and are wearing most of them too.

Lambie is managing his role by sitting on and in the poop scoop (only Lambie would do this) just in case he might be needed.

After taking these photos, I heard a huge whinny and went rushing outside.  Hetja and Haakon were running up and down the fence looking agitated.  Brá was out of their eyesight and they were very worried.  I was going to keep Brá away from them but Haakon and Hetja want to be near her so I think nature will sort it all out.  I will stay up tonight to watch and wait.  Tonight is meant to be very heavy rainfall and I want Brá to have the option of getting out of it if she wants.

Well, to be honest, I am very jumpy and on edge.  Oh, the worry. Such a worry.