Ridin', Reinin' and Writin'

A week ago today I welcomed a new life into the world. My good bay mare, daughter of Destiny, granddaughter of Tamarac, great-granddaughter of Mahogany and great-great-granddaughter of my beloved Duchess, foaled out the first of a sixth generation of that ‘Dynasty’.

Since I live alone, I foal out my mares by myself and I can assure you that, in the middle of the night, at the moment of delivery, I always feel a bit of panic (My vet told me there would be something wrong if I didn’t!). At the moment ‘no turning back’ I say a little prayer that all will go well. As many of you know, last year did not … which has increased my anxiety level.

This time, though, I was not alone. By some twist of karma, a friend was passing through on a work assignment in the area and was visiting – not just any friend but a fellow with broodmares of his own and who, at one time, boarded them with me. Many is the time we foaled out a mare in the still of the night! As soon as Rod arrived last Sunday evening I told him Legacy would foal that night.

“Do you want me to call you only if I need you or do you want me to call you anyway?” I asked him. He quickly answered that he would like to share the experience with me as we had done so many times years before.

As I predicted, Legacy went into labour about 3:00 AM. I called Rod.

Legacy’s delivery was not easy. I needed help and, against all odds, I had help to deliver a beautiful bay foal at 3:50 AM. As Rod and I stepped back to allow mare/foal bonding, he commented that we had worked together with very few words and knowing just what the other one was doing and how to do it. I had not thought about it at the time but he was right. We had both dropped into the roles we needed to without even thinking about it. 

Every one of this foal’s matriarchal ancestor’s first foal was a filly. I was sure this one would be a colt. Not so. Following the pattern of her ancestors, Legacy’s first was a filly. And she was perfect.

Not so Legacy. She needed immediate veterinary attention so, after finding a driver (Rod had to go to work!), I rode in the trailer with both of them to the vet in Williams Lake where we spent the rest of the day, Legacy expertly attended to and the little filly playing and sleeping on the lawn.

I am happy to say, Legacy is on the mend. I would have probably lost my mare had I not made that trip.

Riding in the back of the trailer for 100 km, I had lots of time to think. I could not decide on a name for the newest edition and I mulled over the possibilities, never quite satisfied with anything I could come up with. It was only yesterday that the name became clear. She had really already named herself! Every time someone asked about the foaling, I prefaced the account of Legacy's problems with “The baby’s perfect but…” Finally it dawned on me. Her name is "Perfect" . . . and, since I wanted to use something to signify the 6^th generation, her AQHA name will be "Wildwood Perfect Six".

Big handle for a little filly but she’s up for the challenge. After all, her daddy is Walking With Wolves and he’s always been up for any challenge.

And while I wait and worry about the next mare to foal, who is at day 366 gestation today, I am falling in love with this one-week-old, pretty bay filly. How dangerous is that? Or is that just perfect...

Wildwood Perfect Six at one week