Castrating Reus – Job Done!

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After storing frozen semen from Reus it was always my intention to castrate him. Things were a little crazy last year when we planned to castrate him but this spring the opportunity arose.

Mr. Andrew Harrison BVSc CertEP CertVA MRCVS, one of the course organizers for “Practical Sedation and Field Anaesthesia – the essentials”. The aim of the course was to equip delegates with the practical techniques and theoretical understanding needed to confidently and competently provide sedation and anesthesia for ‘field’ surgery and diagnosis.

Because Reus has covered mares and is an older stallion, it was advised for him to have a closed castration under general anesthetic. This method of castration involves suturing, sealing off the blood vessels that supply the testicles and seals off the vaginal tunic covering the testicle, minimizing the risk of post-operative herniation.

Other two-year-old colts had open castration’s, completed outside “in the field” under general anesthetic, this method does not involve suturing, the wound is left open and allowed to drain naturally.

Neil Townsend MSc BVSc Cert ES (Soft Tissue) DipECVS DipEVDC (Equine) MRCVS RCVS Specialist in Equine Surgery European Specialist in Equine Dentistry was Reus’s surgeon.  With Andrew and Neil at Reus’s side, I had no doubt he was in the most capable hands, although it didn’t stop me stressing!

The day….

It was the most glorious day and the course was well attended, here are a few pictures of Reus’s day. Many thanks to those who very kindly provided the footage, there was no way with my “heart-strings” attached to this horse could I participate.

Reus at the Three Counties Equine Hospital, the night before.

Once anesthetized, the surgery began.

One of my colleagues named Annie gave Reus a good scrub with a smile….

Neil did a very neat job of cutting the scrotum away.

The spermatic cords and blood vessels, cut and crushed using a pair of emasculators.

All sutured up.

The general anesthetic, the surgery, and his recovery had all gone to plan.

Reus back in his stable, albeit looking a little confused!

Returning home, out in his paddock for a little self-exercising, very settled and comfortable.

I hope Reus proved an asset for the course and its delegates.

A huge thank you to Andrew and Neil for completing the successful operation.

Also, many thanks to all the supporting staff at Three Counties Equine Hospital.

Job done!

How I work out my Appaloosas Foundation Pedigree Designation (FPD) percentage.

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The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) created the Foundation Pedigree Designation (FPD) program is represented by the percentage of registered Appaloosa ancestors for a particular horse. As a Foundation breeder, I’m responsible to work out if an Appaloosa pedigree fulfils our criteria, there are obviously many other factors involved but one factor I adhere to is breeding forward for Appaloosa purity.

For many years the Appaloosa has been bred to Arabs, Thoroughbred’s and Quarter Horses and the resulting progeny are registered as an Appaloosas! The FPD program is recognition of Appaloosa to Appaloosa blood. The Arabs, Thoroughbreds and Quarter horses are left in the 5th generation, although the 4th generation of an FPD Appaloosa can be of registered Appaloosa who’s parents (in the 5th generation) were not Appaloosas. This doesn’t make the 4th generation pure but a program must start somewhere! A program devised to encourage breeders to breed forward, before the purebred Appaloosa’s is lost…..

The below pedigree is our new filly Caricks Redheart (Myka). Having worked out her FPD percentage, enabled me to plan her future with our resident future stallion DFR Patahas Redheart. The resulting foals will be 100% FPD along with many other qualities, they both should contribute!

 

To be eligible for the FPD program, the horse must be registered with the ApHC, Myka is unable to be registered at the present time because we are waiting for her dam LAMBRIGG DOLLAR GIRL to be registered. Once the dam is registered, Myka’s pedigree will meet the entry requirements. Her registration and application for the FPD program can be submitted together.

A minimum of three (3) of these ancestors on both sire and dam sides of the pedigree.

Two ancestors from generation 2 – OUTLINED RED

DREA YAKIMA FIRSHADO & LAMBRIGG DOLLAR GIRL

Two ancestors from generation 3 – OUTLINED BLUE

PRATT SULLY FIRE & FENJAY DOLLAR BOY 
or 
DREA EAGLESNOCAP SIS & PENNYCLOUD BLUEMAGIC

Two ancestors from generation 4 – OUTLINED GREEN

One (1) from the Sire side following on from generation 3, either 
KEMOS FIRE SHADOW, PRATTS C GIRLS IM, WAKONS NAVAJO EAGLE or YAKIMA SIS W.
One (1) from the Dam side following on from generation 3,either
 READY MONEY, ALDER SUNDANCER, INCREDIBLUE TOO or LAVENDER BLUE GB.

 ApHC-Registered Year Percentage Ancestors Required

Prior to 2003 –  50% –  14 horses

**  2004  to  2008 ………… 73% …………… 22 horses  **

****   2009 ……………………….77% …………………………… 23  horses ****

2019 ……………………….80% …………………………… 24

2029 ……………………….83% …………………………… 25

2039 ……………………….87% …………………………… 26

2049 ……………………….90% …………………………… 27

2059 ……………………….93% …………………………… 28

2069 ……………………….97% …………………………… 29

*  2079 ………………………100% ………………………….. 30  *

Depending on what year the horse was born, dictates the FPD percentage it enters the program. Myka was born in 2014, her entry requirement is 23 registered ApHC horses ****  The 23 horses are  OUTLINED YELLOW in the pedigree and there’s no order to choose the registered horses in the 5th generation.

BUT

By adding the further 6 ApHC registered horses in her 5th generation, OUTLINED BLACK we increase her FPD percentage. There are 28/30 ApHC registered horses in Myka’s pedigree, the entry criteria 77% and the extra 6 registered Appaloosa’s increase her FPD percentage from 77% to 93%.

The horse is in the 5th generation named “Appaloosa”, OUTLINED PINK  is not registered and the other horse named “Mary-Mate”, OUTLINED ORANGE is a Thoroughbred that is registered with the ApHC but as a non-Appaloosa. Both these horses are not recognized within the FPD program.

 The mathematical workings……

 * There are 30 horses in a 5 generation pedigree (excluding the applicant) = 100% FPD * 

Each horses percentage = (100% divided by 30 horses = 3.33333333) 3.34%

Horses born before 2003

Must have 14/30 registered horses in their pedigree, entering the program at 50%, ie. Generations  2, 3 and 4 must all be registered Appaloosa ApHC horses (14 x 3.34 = 46.76, rounded up) = 50%

Horses born from 2004 to 2008

Must have 22/30 registered ApHC horses in their pedigree, entering the program at 73%.  ie Generation  2, 3, and 4 (14 horses) plus any eight horses from the 5th generation. (22 x 3.34 = 73.48) rounded down = 73%

Horses born in 2009 

Must have 23/30 registered ApHC horses in their pedigree. ie. Generations 2,3 and 4 (14 horses) plus any nine horses from the 5th generation. (23 x 3.34 = 76.82) rounded up = 77%.

Every ten years forward from 2009, the program will require one (1) extra registered ApHC horse in its pedigree.

So, we know Myka is eligible and we know she has a total of 28 registered Appaloosas in her pedigree. We believe Myka will have an FPD percentage of  (28 x 3.34 = 93.352, rounded down ) 93% FPD – UNCONFIRMED but * NOW CONFIRMED *

Further confirmed examples…

Here is the pedigree of our mare, Peyres Catori Cat. She is enrolled in the FPD program at 90%. Born in 2008, she required 22/30 ** horses to be registered with the ApHC. The total number of registered Appaloosas in her pedigree is actually 27/30.

Entering the programme at 73% (22 horses) plus the extra 5 (27 x 3.334 = 90.018) rounded down = 90%

The non-registered Appaloosas in Peyres Catori Cat’s pedigree are;

4th generation – QAR MISS PLAYGIRL ApHCC – R32368

5th generation – PAPA BLUEBERRY ApHCC – 11656

5TH generation – SONNY JO’S PLAYGIRL – ApHCC – 14507

We bred the above mare to a 100% FPD stallion, increasing the number of registered horses in the 5th generation. Below is the pedigree of the resulting foal, Hevans EV Catorrius who is enrolled in the FPD program at 97%. Born in 2012, his FPD entry required one more registered Appaloosa than his dam, 23 horses / 77% FPD. Only breeding one generation forward will remove the non-registered Appaloosa QAR MISS PLAYGIRL for FPD purposes, creating 100% FPD foals.

Here is the pedigree of our mare Princesse Pascale, enrolled in the FPD program at 100%

Quite easy, she has 30/30 registered Appaloosas with ApHC = 100% FPD. (30 X 3.334=100.02) rounded down 100% We are expecting a foal next month from Princesse Pascale (100% FPD) x Hevans EV Catorrius (97% FPD).

The resulting foal’s 5 generation pedigree will be 30/30 registered Appaloosas, 100% FPD.

We plan to cover Princess Pascale (100% FPD) with DFR Patahs Redheart (100% FPD) in the future, thus creating not only a 100% FPD foal but a foal eligible for the ApHC Generation Advancement Program (GAP 5).

That’s another update!!!

Just something to think about when breeding!

Full siblings with different FPD percentages…

Imagine a foal born in 2008 with 22 registered Appaloosas in its pedigree. It meets the entry level in place at that time of its birth and is enrolled in the FPD program at 77%. The following year the same mating produces a full sibling, again with 22 registered ApHC horses in the pedigree. The entry level for horses born in 2009 is 23 horses, this means the full sibling is not eligible for the FPD program…..

Always good to know your Foundation Pedigree Designation (FPD) percentages.

Spring’s Arrived…..

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Such a hopeful time of the year….. the buds are starting to appear on the trees, the wild animals are becoming more prominent as the mating season begins, the flowers are starting to bloom and the lambs have arrived.

We have these beautiful hawks in our orchard. Such beautiful creatures….

  

Plenty of squirrels here, they drive the dogs crazy!!!

 

 


 

The sign of Spring flowers….

Helleborus (Hellebore).

Not only the sight of lambs but the noise of them reiterates SPRING is here!

This is our first Spring at the Stud, it’s coming to life and we are very excited about the arrival of our foals!

Spring has definitely arrived! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bye, Bye Our Beautiful Ben……

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It is with great sadness I write….

Our gorgeous Ben suffered an accident in his paddock which left him with severe signs of ataxia. We are not sure what he did or how it happened, we are absolutely devastated.

The decision was made for us, Ben was put to sleep this evening by the very Vet Ben, who brought him into this world!  Such a painful and upsetting task to complete for us all.
We adored Ben, he was such a handsome colt that oozed presence, he was extremely kind natured, inquisitive and friendly.
This is the last picture of Ben, only two weeks ago…so happy and perfect!

Redheart Royale – R.I.P

A huge loss for the Redheart Appaloosa Stud, Run free with our beautiful Easter…..

They bring us so much joy, yet create so much pain!

Breeding Special – The UK’s Western Riding Magazine……

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When it comes to advertising and promoting the Appaloosa, we don’t need much encouragement.

Please note; A typo error for Redheart Regal – 97% not 100% FPD. Apologies.

The Western Horse UK is the UK’s leading Western riding magazine and covers all western breeds and disciplines.

Their February issue is a Breeding Special and as Redheart Appaloosas excel in the pure breed status here in the UK, we were proud to see one of our broodmares, Peyres Catori Cat on their front cover.

 

A superior read…..

Where’s Ben….

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Ben’s paddock is at the back of our house, his favorite spot is between two trees where he is able to have a good scratch….he’s in the same place every morning. One call out of the bedroom window and he responds with a neigh, yes I know it means “where’s my breakfast” but none the less he makes me smile.

Redheart Royale

The Foreign Breed Society 1st Annual……

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The very first publication of the Foreign Breed Society annual is out NOW!

If you would like a copy of this interesting booklet then please contact the Foreign Breed Society.

 

Front cover – Jayne Brown with her Fjord, Asalla. Purebred In Hand Champion

We are very proud to see our Redheart Pascalius on the front cover.

Purebred In Hand Reserve Champion at their Championship show in 2016, a tough competition of six Champions.

The Foreign Breed classes are becoming quite common at County Shows, we are delighted to support and help promote the Society whilst representing the Appaloosa as a rare and foreign breed here in the UK.

Many congratulations to all involved, looking forward to 2017.

Appaloosas in Black & White…..

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Something lovely about black and white photographs, especially when they have Appaloosas in them! Many thanks to Ben Lovegrove (our neighbour) who very kindly took some of the following photographs. A talented future photographer…

The beginning of 2017 has been the same as every New Year. Dark mornings, early dark evenings and a range of temperatures from minus 5 to 8 degrees.

The horses are out 24/7, as we seek approval on our planning application for a stable barn. They have thick muddy coats yet have a healthy shine, well they do say wellbeing comes from within!!

My Christmas present from my other half was a quad bike, feeding the horses has never been easier and it didn’t take long for them to realise the noise of the quad means food! Surprisingly the children show great willingness to help now.

Our newest addition to the herd, Myka has settled extremely well. At the bottom of the pecking order, she stays out the way of the older mares, very sensible filly although she plays a lot with Blanc which is lovely to see.

Our Swiss import, Blu is as quiet and friendly as the day he arrived, an absolute credit to the Foundation Appaloosa breed. We’re very satisfied to have him at the stud for our future breeding plan.

 

Our two-year-old filly Blanc is developing a cheeky yet adorable funny character. She makes a lot of funny faces and always seems very happy. She is very slowly maturing and until she grows out of this “unfurnished” state she won’t be entering the show ring anytime soon……

Ben….we adore Ben. Such a sweet kind colt yet quite insecure. He should mature over 16hh, therefore it’s going to take time for him to fill out but at the present moment in time, he’s looking rather well and conditioned.

   

Evee, after completing three years in the ring she now resides with the broodmares.  She is a very big strong mare,  with a leg in each corner. We aim to cover her with Blu later this year, planning on a black GAP 6 foal in 2018.

     

The main man…Reus. Full of character, highly intelligent, brave and very forward going since birth. I am looking forward to getting back on this boy! We finished riding him away as the nights drew in last year but hopefully we will find more time for him this year.

  

Our lovely PP, absolutely adorable in every way. In foal to Reus for an April colt? Let’s hope she passes on her LP gene because this boy will be for sale. Although if the sex scan was wrong, we would appreciate a non-characteristic filly!!!! Seriously, we only ever pray for healthy foals.

 

The best till last…Catori, a gorgeous horse inside and out. This mare understands me and our bond is strong. She’s current in foal, due April to Kiss My Finest Heart. This will be a full sibling to Reus and the late Easter. The suspense is unbearable as her sex scan proved 60% in favour of a colt, which will be for sale!

 

Foundations Appaloosas are very straight forward, Black & White……