The Apron Strings – Between Mare & Foal……

A mare and foal have a very strong bond. Princesse Pascale and Peyres Catori Cat have both displayed the normal reactions to their foals and kept them close.

BUT…..

It’s also very normal for the foals to venture away from their dams, not too far, generally running around them. Regent and Reality have passed close to each other a few times and today they met!

As each day passes, the foals start to socialize, it’s a beautiful sight. One minute Regent is playing the dominant foal and the next minute its Reality’s turn.

Here are a few pictures, when they met for the first time.

I’m not sure if it’s the mare or the foal who “release” The Apron String?

Redheart Reality is Born….

When PP started walking the box and snatching her hay, we knew foaling was imminent.

Photos speak louder than words….

        

We are unbelievably relieved to witness the safe delivery of one health colt, beautifully marked.

We are extremely proud to have created our first foal by our homebred stallion.

Princesse Pascale x Redheart Catorrius / Hevans EV Catorrius aka Reus

REDHEART REALITY IS BORN….

The Build Up To Foaling…..

Princesse Pascale and Peyres Catori Cat are now carrying low and are slowly showing all the right signs of foaling.

We have our new sensor motion camera, I receive instant image updates sent to my phone and can view the mares live at any time, anywhere. Modern technology is great but it can become quite addictive….

The mares, keeping their legs crossed!

 

The broodmares at 344 days.

Foaling is far from imminent but The Build Up is exciting….

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag PP…..

13th April 2009

 The Derflinger Appaloosa Stud in Austria produced this wonderful foal.

14th February 2010

 A wonderful trip to Austria to collect our new family member!

7th August 2010

The ApHC UK National show gave her, UK & USA yearling filly titles.

As a yearling, PP’s début outing at County level achieved her a third place.

2011

At two years old, PP accomplished her first Championship.

2012

At three years, she won three Reserve Championships under the British Appaloosa Society.

Finishing her in hand young stock days, she was inseminated with semen from Kiss My Finest Heart.

2013

PP became a superior broodmare.

April 21st saw the safe delivery of Redheart Pascalius.

Unfortunately, mother nature decided against her insemination for a 2014 pregnancy

2014

She enjoyed being a broodmare and confirmed in foal with semen from RDF Ti Khi Atta Rain.

2015

PP gave birth to a gorgeous colt and continued as an excellent mother.

9th May 2016

PP was inseminated with frozen semen from Hevans EV Catorrius / Redheart Catorrius.

13th April 2017

Today, PP is 339 days pregnant and looking absolutely gorgeous.

Happy Birthday PP

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag PP…..

335 Days – 2017 Foaling Count Down…..

It’s one week until Princess Pascale and Peyres Catori Cat reach their 342 (average) foaling date.

We are under no illusion they will foal next Sunday, we are not expecting them to foal on the same day just because they were inseminated on the same day. What we’re hoping for, is two safe deliveries this month or even next month?

Both mares have been in their new day and night routine for over a month, they are very much set in their new routine.

I am sure if they could open doors and gates they would walk themselves in and out!

Both mares are bagging up.

At the end of the day, the foal will decide the day.

The mares will decide the time.

2017 Foaling Count Down…..

 

Appaloosas in Black & White…..

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……