I made this filum, like I do.

I thought it would only take ten minutes, tops, to put together because I make filums all the time.

Ten hours later and half a bottle of gin, a packet of Bahlsen Choco Leibniz and some Quavers, I have produced this master-piece which, no doubt, will be taken off YouTube in seconds because of the music.

Anywho, I hope you get to see it before it is removed and I hope you enjoy it – including the blood, sweat and tears that went into making it.  Ten minutes – my arse.  I gave a whole day of my life for this filum.

Ho hum, the gin was lovely, the biscuits were adequate and I am now the proud owner of Movavi Video Editor 3 because a technical glitch meant my computer would not work with the movie video editor that was made for it.  I hate computer guff.

So, do I need more biscuits or more gin?  My jury is still out.

Do you remember this mare?

Still Going

Roseblossom who had hyperlipaemia last March.

Guess what?

She had a filly foal at 09:00 this morning by Wulfert v.d. groote woerd (Waffle’s dad).

A beautiful and very robust filly foal.

This little lady is to be called Gloria.  Bergli Gloria because that is what Bjørn, the owner of Bergli Stud, shouted when he saw her being born!

Of course, I am thrilled as well.  Roseblossom so very nearly died on us last March.  Bjørn, Daisy, the vets and I worked tirelessly to keep her alive – she also lost her foal during her hyperlipaemia episode.

So Gloria is wanted, gorgeous and wonderful.

I am so pleased for Roseblossom, who still hates me, by the way!

I don’t care.  As long as Roseblossom adores her little girl, that is all that matters.  To be fair, Roseblossom allowed me to get near(ish) but I didn’t force my presence on them.  Now was definitely not the time.

So, welcome to the world Bergli Gloria.  You are truly loved but, most of all, you have made your mother 100% better from her horrendous illness last year.  She grieved for her foal last March which made her healing more difficult as she had no will to live.

This is a good day in our lives.  We did good.

I walked out of the house, armed with my camera and a headcollar to do a million things that needed doing.

My herd were not particularly cooperative.

Zzzzzzz…….

Dear Brá does her own thing. A very special mare who knows what she wants.  Sometimes she is with everyone, sometimes she takes herself off to be by herself.  I just watch.  Every day I am given a small insight into her mind.  A nice mare and we are good friends.

Anywho, there are the two evil-ones.  They go around pretending they are orphans who no one loves but actually this is very far from the truth.  They play and play and play and play and …… (I could go on).  Do not be deceived.  This is the very Essence of Evil but still the nose-kissey button works, so that is all that matters really.  They keep Hjalti entertained.

I have never seen Haakon fast a-bye-byes like this.  He is relaxed and happy with his little herd and not one usually to be zizzing in the sunshine.  He always takes his responsibilities very seriously because no one else does.  Far too much smirking in the ranks.

(A family photography – why am I singing the Addams Family theme tune – BEWARE that ear worm.  Now you can suffer.)

Mother and son.  They are dear little family unit but not joined at the hip.  Letting Hjalti stay with his mother over winter was a good decision.  He is virtually weaned.  To be honest, I haven’t seen him suck for ages and he spends most of his time giggling with Les Minionos.

And Haakon woke up all bleary eyed and a bit woozy.

When they all fall asleep together, they are happy and trusting.  Brá likes them too.  She will or will not have her foal amongst them – she can make that decision.  I have made up the stable with lots of hay and wood-shavings for her.  When the time comes, I am sure she will decide what is best.

Mother was eating but she was ready to go.

She rolled a few times

She took herself away from the herd to be by herself.

Her tail was elevated (we had put her in small old drystone walled garden).

We hid and watched through the holes in the wall as this mare is not a people-person.

She lay on her side and the feet started to emerge.

She pushed and pushed.

Despite the pushing, nothing much moved.

She knew she needed help so Bjørn, her owner, went in.

The mare worked with Bjørn and together she had contractions, while he pulled.

Bjørn cleared the bag from the foal’s mouth so it could breathe on it’s own.

A contraction = Bjørn pulling the foal gently out inch by inch.  He needed to be there to help the foal out.  A big foal who would have resulted in the mare being exhausted trying to give birth to it on her own.

And there he is.  A little palomino and white colt foal has arrived into this world.

Bjørn backs off and leaves mother and son to become acquainted.

Cleaning up and imprinting.

The little colt’s first attempt at standing.  Nature dictates that he tries to stand almost immediately.

A few more uterine contractions and “the bag” will be expelled as well.

I returned 3 hours later and the bag was on the ground, the colt foal was standing and mother was very proud of her foal, ie no one going near him.

I will never forget watching this foal being born.  Totally magical.

You know me, I took lots of photos so I will try and make them into a mini film when I have some time.

Hello, little foal.  You are truly beautiful and I love you already.

This is the Thordale Maternity Unit.

Two Minions and Little Himself, Mrs Himself and Haakon (who was being tacked up when I was taking the photos).

Ok, so I realise Little Himself is not really weaned but so what.  Hetja looks fab and everyone is fine.

Hjalti  doesn’t mind if mum is around.  He is very happy and settled playing with the two Minions left behind from going to The Fat Field and they adore him as well.  Hours of fun and entertainment had by all.  Storm and Tiddles are well up for the job and ok, they may have no mane but their show career is not looming so I refuse to be worried.  They give as good as they get and never stop laughing.

Hetja is purely ornamental and really there for Brá if she needs a sensible mother around. Hetja will be perfect in this role and is one of the best mothers I have worked with.

So this is the maternity unit and I hope I have made the right choices.  We will see.  One hint of nastiness and that horse is out.

The proof really is that Brá is very settled and relaxed.  She comes up for her bucket feed (Mare and Youngstock),, spends time if she wants around the house eating the new grass and then potters back to be with the others, at her request.

Meanwhile, I am crossing everything I have, filling up my Karma allowance and praying to every God I know of for a successful foaling.

Foaling vibes please, foaling vibes.