It’s always my favorite time of year when Foal Watch rolls around. I forget about the waking up every 2 hours for days, sitting outside in the cold and the panic that I will go inside for something and miss it.
Instead, I remember the anticipation – better than Christmas, better than almost anything! The week before the mare foals, the foal is absolutely everything you’ve dreamed of: the right sex, the right color, perfect conformation, easy foaling and a potential champion. Once the foal arrives, well, it’s still great, but then you have what you have. Sometimes, it’s all you dreamt of. Sometimes, it’s panicked calls to your vet at 3 in the morning. Sometimes, it’s even worse.
But, now, it’s the weeks before, so everything is perfect. We have two mares that are due soon, first up (most likely, anyway, with mares you never can tell) is Alamet, my shining, golden princess, who is bred to Sephard Shael. Alamet is still fairly young, coming 4 this year, so instead of putting her under saddle, I bred her (and of course work with her on the ground). By the time this foal is weaned, she will be coming 5 and either will have one more foal before she goes to work, or not. Time will tell.
According to the ‘Color Genetics’ website, this foal has these color chances.
| 32.81% – | Buckskin |
| 32.81% – | Bay |
| 12.50% – | Red (Chestnut/Sorrel) |
| 12.50% – | Palomino |
| 4.69% – | Smoky Black |
| 4.69% – | Black |
Then, sex of course is 50/50. Buckskin Filly? Palomino colt? Time will tell.
Our next up is client mare Nadiyat Shael, bred to Sephard Shael.
Image
| 70.31% – | Bay |
| 23.44% – | Black |
| 6.25% – | Red (Chestnut/Sorrel) |
So, maybe a black filly? Or chestnut colt? Time will tell.
We certainly have the weather conditions for ‘Christmas in February’
Stay Tuned!