Horse Sense....

 

 

Ok, so Mares and baby Mares are in the Welcome Baby pddock.

Mares is not happy.

I actually thought she was in labour 48 hours ago, however, it has been brought to my attention that she is at least 2 possibly 3 weeks away because her bag hasn't come down.

That's cool, and I appreciate people talking to me about the why's and wherefore's.

However, I've been listening to Mares and her Energy since she's moved (day 2 as I'm writing this) and it's not right.  Her tail's consistently up, baby is moving a lot, she's moving wrong, her Energy's out in left field and she's off her feed.

She's also either needy or pissed off.  Mostly both.  She wants to be touched but think of a 500kg horse with PMT wanting to snuggle.  It's not for the faint hearted.

Yesterday I hung out down the bottom, and she would hang her head over the fence for a pat.

Today I was actually inside the paddock full cuddling her, but even so, it wasn't peaceful and Zen like.  Think touch but full alert high beam Energy.

But the touch/play is working.  Mares wants that physical connection.

Anyway, I am fully prepped to be at the stables twice a day now, and if it is 3 weeks before foal, then that's cool.  I have every intention of learning as much as I can in that time.  

If it's not, that's also cool.

It's super fantastic either way.

****

Ok, Mares is sore and not eating.  This Energy is both scary and deep.  I don't like to see her off her feed and hate to see her sore.  However, I will not allow Mares to have medication this close to foaling because I will not allow medication to go into the foal, and Mares is sore because of the foal.  She is eating her herbs and was having a nibble out of my hand today though.  It's really interesting because finally she's got I'm on her side, and there is a depth between us.  She is actively participating in Touch/play and I am doing my best to listen to her and touch in a way that is nurturing, positive and empowering - as Touch/play should be.

Mares also could be getting an abscess.  This doesn't surprise me because I have found with my horses that an abscess starts at either the shoulder or hip, when the balance goes out.  Travels down the body and shoots out the hoof.  Baby Mares is kicking the hell out of Mumma Mares as the videos show on Instagram.  In fact, you can actually see as he's kicked up.  What I mistook for contractions.  Anyway, wouldn't surprise me.  I'm just trying to do my best for Mares and baby Mares.

It's stunning Energy in it's intensity and depth.

I hope for Mares sake she's not 3 weeks away from giving birth though.

****

Elvis is adorable!

His tails flicks back and forward when he feeds, he always hangs round the house and is just a total joy to be round.  He is also trying to sleep with me but you know, that's a no.  Although I catch him trying to do it at least 4 times a night.  

And Suz is sulking.

We (I mean, me) went too fast.  We then took some steps back and now she's refusing to leave her paddock again. 

Eventually, I'll get this right.

****

Was at the Harness Awards last night.

Had a fantastic time.  Weird thing is I had my outfit all planned and 5 minutes before I left, I changed it completely - and had bought it on the way home from the stables, a few hours before I was due out.  Actually, there is this funky and kinda retro, second hand shop just round the corner from the stables, and I love the place.  It was where I had bought my first outfit. I'd driven past yesterday on my way home though, spied another dress, went in, tried it on, didn't like it but the super cool chick behind the counter said, But what about this, it's just come in...  Spirit are funny the way they work.  

Anyway, it was a super cool night, Spirit walked and played and danced all night, so I ended up checking Mares for the 3rd time just after 2 this morning.  I finally got to bed about 3.45.  I'm pleased I went, but I'm also so pleased that in about 15 minutes (8am ish) I'm going to be back outside with the horses - talking, playing, communicating, touching and feeling.  

I like socializing with humans, but my first love of where I spend my time, will always be the horses.

I'm also taking Mares a carrot, apple, celery and a banana today - she needs stuff so I'll just try different things until we get it right.

Or righter.

She's so beautiful and she's just waiting, and trusting me to be her person.

****

Mares refused to touch any apple, carrot or celery.  That's ok, it's a bit trial and error-ey at the moment here.  There's no right or wrong way, just me asking Mares questions and she saying, Yes or No.  

However, the Touch/play is working really well.

So, that's been our week:  Waiting for baby.  

Wishing you much love my friends and of course, my humans.  

Caps, me, Spirit, Az, Ralph, Chew, Suz, Fenny, Flash, Gino (not calf-like-cute anymore - just getting big, healthy, fat and juicy), Gino - my super cutie who is also packing on the weight like nobodies business, and of course, Mares and baby Mares.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

* Ok, and in the realms of the weird and bizarre...my calories are ok, but I think I've got the combinations of food wrong.  Which technically shouldn't matter.  

Calories in should be the only thing that matters.  

But I've thought this before, so many years ago changed certain foods and won't have them together, which works great.  I guess I just got a bit lazy and one dimensional and only looked at calories in.

** I've also been hearing some very bad stuff about salt, even the good kind recently, so have decided to flag salt for a while.  This should be interesting because I actually carry salt round in my bag with me.  

However, never let it be said that I didn't give something a go.

*** Ok, well it took until 11am this morning before my body went into crisis re no salt.  

I popped into the local Organic shop and picked up some Kelp Seasoning.  It's awesome for salt replacement because it is full of iodine.  

Great for people who have an under active Thryoid, like what runs in my family, but IS NOT TO BE USED if you have an over active Thryoid.  And yes, before you ask, I ate it out of the little pottle.

**** Ok, I feel seriously better after taking the Kelp Seasoning.  However, I came home and Googled about it and there are some serious warnings about it.  

Don't take too much is pretty much it, but there are some super benefits:

* a powerhouse of minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc.  Think healthy hair, skin, nails, strong bones, muscle functions and regulating blood sugars.

* helps to fight cancer.

* obesity and weight management.

* type 2 diabetes.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: DON'T EAT TOO MUCH.

And if you do, and get a negative reaction, then don't call, text, email or carrier pigeon me.  

I told you not to.

**** I woke up today and felt pretty great.  I'm super aware of Kelp though so am making sure I don't rush in where Angels fear to tread - read into that, guzzle new herbs like I normally do.  So I am being very specific and acutely aware of my body, how it's feeling and using as little kelp as possible.  It seems to be working.  I have noticed that I get a headache if I use too little - eat kelp, headache goes away, so that's a bonus.  

I also had to get up twice during the night with a full bladder and another full bladder at wake up time.  Seriously, I didn't sleep long enough to pee that much.

Anyway, considering how much salt I eat, this is an excellent result so far.

***** And Mares and I had a fantastic day today.

No foal, however, Mares needed a hoof trim today and for the first time in months and months and months, I was able to lead her from, and back to, the paddock by myself.   I hadn't been able to do it because of anxiety.  

I'm super fucking proud of us.

She may be 9 months pregnant, super sore and unable to run fast but you know, I'll take my successes where I can.

Hi five hoof, babes!

xx