It was a bittersweet day today. It was time to move ALPHA away from mom, and to Boy's Town. Rick corraled him in the show pen and didn't have much trouble haltering him for the first time. As soon as he put the halter on, ALPHA cushed and played dead. Rick was bending over him and parting his fiber and motioned for me to come in the pen. When I looked at ALPHA's back, I thought he had little patches of white fuzz on him. NOPE. Apparently, he is changing color and Rick thinks he might end up being a rose gray. Right now he is considered light brown. Rick said if he ends up turning to rose gray, he will be spectacular in the show ring because his fiber is so soft (grays are usually not soft). If he stays light brown, with the little white spots, that would work against him in the show ring, but wouldn't hurt his chances as a herdsire. This is going to be interesting. He wasn't too bad getting him to walk to his new digs, but every so many feet he would cush and squeel like a squeeky toy. Rick got Flash to walk with him, and he did much better. Now he is in a field with Felix, Flash, Storm, Ares and Harrison. He grew up with Felix and Harrison, so they aren't all strangers. They all spent time checking each other out. I'm sure he'll adjust and be just fine. I hung out with Princess for awhile and it appeared she was looking for ALPHA. Princess, your boy has gone on to the next stage of his life....with the big boys. I'm sure after 7 months of nursing, she'll be relieved. Now she can focus on the baby in her tummy that is due in November. Think pink!
We did some breeding today and it was too funny! Meg Ryan (Star's best buddy) got to meet Snowmass Jericho's Conquisador (Fred), yet wasn't quite sure what to do. She looked a little confused. To give you some history; Meg is a blue eyed white, deaf, and a maiden. Attempting to breed her hasn't been successful as she wouldn't sit and appeared confused. She got a hormone shot the same day Star did last month. So, we moved Fred out of the pen, and Rick gave Meg a shot of PacaValium to relax her (of course, that's not the medical term - I just don't remember what it was called), we waited about 45 minutes, and POOF, Meg sat for Fred. The funny part was she sang soprano the whole time! Not like a hurt or scared sound...more like a high pitched horse winney. That is not normal for females being bred so it was pretty funny. So funny, Rick videotaped it. Now Meg Ryan and her best buddy Star have both been bred to Fred, and if the breeding took (cross your fingers), they will both deliver around Mother's Day 2008.
We also bred Mo ("Show Me The Money") to Summer today. It's been a challenge getting Mo interested in a girl, although he is a very experienced herdsire. I know Rick was very happy that he finally did the job with Summer. During both breedings, my little girl Vanilla Sundae was hanging on the fence. It was almost like she was saying "me next, me next". Nope. You've got more growing to do first, little girl. She will be a year old on June 28th, but probably won't be bred until the Fall. Rick says she needs more hip width and maturity.
I took Felix for a little walk, but he wasn't very cooperative. Probably because of the new tenant (ALPHA), he wanted to stay in his field. He had a little eye infection, but it seems to have cleared up. I'm sure he'll be more up for the walk next weekend. Today, when Rick was ordering halters, I ordered one for Felix with his name embroidered on it. After all, once he is able to leave the ranch to visit nursing homes and walk in parades, he'll need a really cool halter.
It's blue with white lettering. He'll look so sharp. When I get it, I'll post a picture of him with it on.
I spent some time in the field with the Alpacas and took pictures. I love all the little ones running around! Duke, Sweety and Nancy Ann are buddies and so cute to watch. Hopefully, there will be a couple new crias born this week. I think Rick said he is on "baby watch" for 4.
I'm really excited about going to the ranch next weekend, as Rick is going to ultrasound a female to see if she's pregnant. That will be a first for me. Cool!
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