|
Adara
Oct 15, 2006 12:36:56 GMT -5
Post by rachelle on Oct 15, 2006 12:36:56 GMT -5
Okay so Sarah, my farrier, came out yesterday to do Bean's pad system. Surprisingly, Bean didn't try to kill us. She just expects it to hurt so much, that she gets herself all worked up and then rears and well totally misbehaves. Yesterday she did real good. It still took forever, but no one got kicked, stepped on, nor had thier hands all cut up. Vast improvement. Anyway, she brought her husband Bill with her. Bill is one of those guys that broodmares just love. He does equine massage and his ladies will literally line up for him. He's just great. He also has this uncanny knack of predicting when a mare will foal. He's been right to within 24 hours every time. So, I had him go check on Adara for me. Well his verdict is two weeks more. He said he couldn't be for certain since she wouldn't let him actually touch her, but just from looking, two weeks. So, we'll see if the goat wins again. Sorry, I guess I should explain... Last spring when Hope was in foal, I went and picked up two does, one was pregnant. Well, Hope was overdue and the goat wasn't due for two weeks... The goat kidded a week early ( first freshener and she gave me 3 kids) and Hope aborted the week after that. We had a poll going to see who would deliver first. The goat won. Well, now here we are again. I have a pregnant goat, due in about 2 weeks, and a mare who isn't foaling. So the poll is back up on my website... Who will deliver first? So far it's neck and neck between Adara the mare and Macci the goat... I'm hoping it's Adara since I haven't finished crocheting the baby goat coats (think foal blanket for baby goats). I only have one done and Macci usually has 3 kids... So, I'm saying it's gotta be Adara to give me time to crochet. Both are eating like crazy and being extremely lazy, territorial, and cranky as all get out.
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 18, 2006 18:23:17 GMT -5
Post by rachelle on Oct 18, 2006 18:23:17 GMT -5
Well, no real change with Adara, still waxy, still cranky, bags are a little bigger, but not too much. She is off her feed though. She was up to over a bale of hay a day, but yesterday only ate about half a bale plus her grain mix. Today is only a bit better so far. Now I'm told that a loss of appetite can mean the onset of stage one of labor. And I'm told that this can take a day or so to progress... We'll just wait and see. As long as she does eat some and doesn't appear to be in distress, I'm just leaving her alone. She's letting me touch her neck again - over the door- but boy do NOT try to touch her while in the stall, the teeth come out and the feet start stomping... She's very cranky. The only time she'll come near me in the stall is if I have the bucket of grain in my hand. Then she follows me around like a puppy dog while I chase down her tub that she usually kicks all over the place. And no the goat hasn't kidded yet either. The race is still on...
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 18, 2006 19:16:50 GMT -5
Post by gypsygirl on Oct 18, 2006 19:16:50 GMT -5
OH MY GOSH ADARA, out with it already. You must be so anxious (did I spell that right?) I remember waiting for Barbie to pop and she was hand bread and 30 days over due 365 days exactly. Our vet said he has seen them go up to 13 months and he had read about, not experienced a horse going 18 months, holy moly, that is as long as an elephant. He said with horses nothing is set in stone. I think about all the fuss we made over Barbie and her foaling, we were so worried. But you know, think about all the foals that are born all the time in horrible conditions at the feedlot etc...and so many of them do just fine. Makes me wonder why we were so worried, but you just can't help it. Hang in there girly, she'll be there before you know it and then the real circus begins
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 21, 2006 14:56:52 GMT -5
Post by rachelle on Oct 21, 2006 14:56:52 GMT -5
Okay, still no foal. She's just perfectly content to eat all her hay and sleep and eat and sleep and eat... Here's a couple of pics from this morning. She's gaining weight pretty good, just mostly the top line left to go and a bit over the withers...
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 24, 2006 9:25:01 GMT -5
Post by gypsygirl on Oct 24, 2006 9:25:01 GMT -5
Wow looking at her these pics, she looks so sweet, you wouldn't figure she'd have a cranky bone in her body The blue halter is a good color for her. She does look like she's ready to pop
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 24, 2006 14:57:48 GMT -5
Post by rachelle on Oct 24, 2006 14:57:48 GMT -5
LOL She can be very cranky! I'm getting better at reading her moods too - from outside the stall. If she gets that certain look when I approach, I leave her alone. I'll stay outside the stall and bug her, but I won't go in - at least not with out back up here, just in case. Well, Bill said two weeks and that two weeks is up on this Sat. So we'll see. I will say her bags are more 'plump' this morning and the teats are longer... She finished her food in about 5 minutes this morning. Yesterday it took her until noon. I've been feeding her the beet pulp/grain/sn. chow/alfalfa pellet mix twice a day and I want to start doing it 3 times a day. I think I can at least today. She ate it fast enough this time. She was really hungry. Baby was playing soccor this morning. Up by her flanks it was a rolling and poking out and really bugging her alot. She kept turning and biting at it. It was really really moving. I have no idea when she'll finally foal, but I will let everyone know. And no the goat still hasn't kidded yet either. Both are just eating and getting even fatter - if that's even possible.
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 27, 2006 13:53:40 GMT -5
Post by rachelle on Oct 27, 2006 13:53:40 GMT -5
She tagged me again! She seemed all nice and mellow too... I went up to feed her the usual mix for lunch. I had to go chase down the tub, like usual. Normally, she just moves out of my way and then follows me back to the door so I can take the tub outside and fill it and then I usually just set it right back inside the door so she can eat it... Well, today I go in, just about get to the tub and she whirls around and lets fly with both back feet. I didn't move fast enough. One foot got me on the back of the leg. I went down and rolled until I hit the side of the stall. She had turned, put her butt in the corner, and was standing there with her ears pinned, lips curled, glaring at me. She was between me and the door... I picked up the tub, didn't take my eyes of her, and edged my way to the door (bracing myself on the wall), using the tub as a shield. I just got to the door and she charged. So I dropped the tub, threw up my arms and yelled at her. She backed off and I escaped. I did fill the tub and return it to the stall (she can't afford to miss a meal) but I made her wait for it. And she had to let me touch her (through the door) before I put the tub inside. I usually leave her alone when I feed her and just don't mess with her at all. I have no idea what set her off. None. I can't think of anything that I did differently at all. So, I'm sitting here with ice under my leg wondering if she'll ever stop her behavior or (heaven help me) if she'll only get worse once the foal is on the ground... I guess I'm just not having a good day.
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 27, 2006 14:13:54 GMT -5
Post by schwung on Oct 27, 2006 14:13:54 GMT -5
Ok, I guess at this point I would have had about enough of this. Pregnant or not, I think she needs to learn a little manners and respect. She may be acting out of fear, but its starting to sound more like pure aggression, and uninstigated at that. You have a halter on her, I would get a lead on her, and start working with her. Use a chain over the nose and give her a quick, sharp correction when she threatens or tries to kick or bite. You can do a lot, even in small space - you can teach her to lead in a circle, you can teach her to yield her haunches, you can teach her to move out of your space. I know you don't want to stress her, but she is dangerous and you don't want to get hurt, especially if you need to intervene during her delivery or with the baby afterwards. And you are definately going to want to be able to work with the baby, and can't have mom interefering. So sorry about the kick, hope its not too bad.
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 27, 2006 14:38:39 GMT -5
Post by rachelle on Oct 27, 2006 14:38:39 GMT -5
I have a chain and I've really considered using it on her (though I've always cringed at the thought of using it). Right now I'm waiting for my husband to stop back in and then I plan on going and giving her good lesson (with back up). She doesn't do this all the time, but when she does, she does it good. I agree though, I think she's moved passed the fear (most of the time, she does spook occasionally still) and onto outright disrespect and the 'get out of my space' thing. I'm even trying to figure out a way to move her to the round pen (more space and an easier escape route if need be) to give her a good lesson and a workout if she acts up too much. She won't lead there, but we maybe able to 'flag' her there. I'll wait until my husband gets home and then we'll work her some more today. I'm here by myself during the day so if she actually manages to 'get me' there's no help and that makes me a bit hesitant to work her by myself with the way she's acting. With someone else here at least they'd be able to get me out if something happened. Back up is a must with this horse, the others try to get away, not come at me... The leg is okay, just a bit stiff, bruised, but not too bad. I'll let you know how the lesson goes. I guess I was just feeling a bit sorry for myself earlier, this horse is driving me crazy with her mood swings.
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 27, 2006 15:30:32 GMT -5
Post by huskiesnhorses on Oct 27, 2006 15:30:32 GMT -5
Geez Rachelle - sometimes you have to think...hmmm - maybe this is why they end up where they end up.. My first thought was maybe to put a kicking chain on her so she got an instant correction without you even being "in the mix" but then I thought 1) how in the world would you get it on her and 2) what if she foaled and took him out with it (YIKES!) Then I started thinking...man...if she doesn't lose this excessive aggression IMMEDIATELY after she foals - she could harm the foal just trying to keep the humans away. And even if that doesn't happen - could she pass on or teach her nutty/aggression to the foal if this doesn't pass?
Hate to borrow trouble and I realize I am posting without providing solutions here - maybe it's a matter of demanding that she stand still with her ears up each time you approach the stall and she doesn't get a thing (food) or she gets no peace until she gives you the posture you are looking for. For example - if she were just standing in the stall picking at hay when you attempt to clean, then I might ask her (with whatever means works for you) to stand at attention - ears up - standing still - ANY time you are near her and no other posture will be accepted. If it's cracking a whip (not on her but making the sound) until she gives the right posture...etc...
Those are my thoughts anyway...I know...easier said than done.... But bless you for working with her...I am keeping my fingers crossed for you both!
|
|
bsnlark
Junior BB Member
SAFE Adopter
SAFE's Larkspur and Ishmeal n Buckwheat, too
Posts: 71
|
Adara
Oct 27, 2006 20:35:24 GMT -5
Post by bsnlark on Oct 27, 2006 20:35:24 GMT -5
welcome to the dented thigh society.... i think her name is actually pronounced i dare ya
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 27, 2006 23:15:03 GMT -5
Post by jennywho on Oct 27, 2006 23:15:03 GMT -5
Ouch, sorry to hear she's being a stinker.
We had an auction mare that we brought home (Jolene might remember her, Kaleigh Jo). She was so bad tempered when we got her that she would literally chase us out of her pen. We had to carry a whip with us whenever we were near her. Didn't have to use it, just threatened her. Sure enough when her foal was born she tried to kill it. We ended up having to tranq her the first day and keep a lip chain on her 24/7 for about the first week until she accepted the baby (it wasn't her first foal). We worked with her and she slowly got better. The next foal she only had to be lipped for the first day and from then on out she was fine with her babies. She would try to hide them by burying them under the straw when they were really young. One day about three years after she came to live with us her rambunctious baby had the vet and myself both flat on our rears in the stall we looked at eachother and simultaneously said "if this had been a couple of years ago we would have been dead" By that time Kaleigh could care less.
We had to be firm, but kind with her. She learned her boundaries and that we would never hurt her and she was a completely different horse. We suspect she had been abused in the past and aggression was her way of protecting herself.
When Kaleigh had to be put down I was heartbroken. Seeing her transformation really made an impact on me.
Be careful and keep your chin up. She's a beautiful mare and with kindness and direction will come around eventually.
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 28, 2006 12:27:19 GMT -5
Post by rachelle on Oct 28, 2006 12:27:19 GMT -5
She always stands real still with her ears up whenever we approach the stall and sometimes even when we go into the stall, she'll just move back to her corner, ears up, nice and calm and watch us. That's what she did yesterday so that's why I went ahead and went for the tub.
We did do a lesson yesterday. I think she's been 'chained' before. It took both of us to get the chain on and we got kicked a couple of times. She hated it. And then she refused to move at all. I mean at all. I had my husband (who is lots lots bigger than I am) take the lead and pull to see if he could get her to move. Nice hard yank, ears went back, and she just stood there. Nice hard, quick yank again, she just stood there, but started stomping her feet, which got another yank... So we did the lip wrap. No difference. That poor horse refused to budge. By this time I felt so guiilty... but we started it so we had to finish it... We got out the whip, it makes a nice popping sound... I took back the lead and used a cookie bribe to get her to move a step, then another, then finally once I had her going, I had my husband pop the whip everytime she stopped (combined with a yank). She never did move more than half the stall length before stopping, but in the end all my husband had to do was start to move and she'd move again. Progress in some ways...
So then we go to turn her loose (she was already sweating), she just stood there, we unhooked the chain off the halter etc and immediately she turned and tried to bite me. I popped her a good one right in the kisser (I hate doing that) but she just jerked her head back and looked at me. So, because she was bad, I had to push a bit more. I reached out and rubbed her face for a few minutes, then I stopped, but I didn't leave until those ears came up. Then I left and she just stood there.
So we really didn't get hurt (the kicks were mostly glancing blows) and she really didn't get away with much. We'll just do this everyday and see how it goes. She never did eat the dang cookie either. She wouldn't take it out of my hand, but she would step closer to smell it and getting her to move was the point, so I guess it was okay.
|
|
|
Adara
Oct 28, 2006 17:03:15 GMT -5
Post by huskiesnhorses on Oct 28, 2006 17:03:15 GMT -5
I hope one day you will be able to walk right up to her, stroke her face and say...."remember when you used to......" We're all rooting for you both Rachelle!
|
|
rusty
New BB Member
Posts: 34
|
Adara
Nov 1, 2006 0:39:19 GMT -5
Post by rusty on Nov 1, 2006 0:39:19 GMT -5
I think that letting her outside would do wonders for her temperament.
|
|