At 11AM, it was over 100 degrees and climbed to 106. YIKES! Standing in the sun was unbearable. The sprinklers were going on every hour for the girls and the crias. I belly hosed the boys. Even those that normally don't like to be belly hosed were standing it line for the spray.
Normally, brand new crias don't come near the hose, but bellied up to it for Rick to soak them in the nursery. A brand new cria in the nursery? Yep.
Paloma, affectionally known as "Precious Angel" delivered an estimated 18 pound girl on Saturday. Figures. I normally go to the ranch on Saturday, but had a 40th anniversary party for my parents on Saturday, so didn't go to the ranch until Sunday. Paloma has "behavioral issues" resulting from her care (or lack of) at another ranch. She is very protective of her cria and doesn't want anyone near it. Well, Rick has to carry the cria from the North Field to the nursery, and weigh it on the way. Because of her temperament, Rick had to enlist the help of his neighbor, Scott, to cause a distraction for mom so he could move the cria to the nursery. According to Rick, it was like playing football. Cria under his arm, he ran from the North Field to the nursery, being chased by Paloma the whole way. That is why the cria's weight is an estimate. There was no stopping at the scale enroute. She is a healthy girl, sort of a dark brown right now, but Rick thinks she will probably end up bay black. Armana and DJ (her cria) volunteered to be companions in the nursery until Paloma and cria can go back with the herd today.
Little DJ (short for Deja Vu) took a nasty spill and really skinned up his nose. He is so sweet, though, it's not hard to put Neosporin on it. He still acts like a puppy and follows Rick around.
It was pretty comfortable in the nursery because of the trees, so he was kicking up his heels and running around, and was so cute to watch.
Because of the heat, we didn't do much of anything except try to keep everyone cool and comfortable. Definately too hot for spit testing, breeding or even walking Felix, ALPHA and Aerosmith. Athena is now elongated, and will probably have her cria today (figures). She's a maiden and has been very uncomfortable for a few weeks.
I did spend some time with my boys. In spite of the heat, Felix let me love all over him. ALPHA is still a little standoffish, but that's O.K. They each will have their own rolls when they get older (ALPHA as a herdsire, Felix as a therapy animal, so he needs to be social). ALPHA has never been interested in belly hosing until today. He let me soak him good!
Vanilla Sundae is growing and acting like an adult. She should be ready to breed to Mo (Show Me The Money) in December. Star and Meg Ryan are still joined at the hip. Princess' belly is getting bigger and bigger. It won't be long before I have a new cria - late October, early November. I can't wait!!
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