Tucker

Little Churchs Time for a Tucker arrived on May 1,
2009. He is our first colt out of six foals. He is also our last foal
for years to come. There will be many photos taken of the prince,
so he and our new filly have pages all to themselves.

Kennedy's dad, Peter, was handed the camera for both foals' arrivals. Thank goodness he was willing. Mark
and Kennedy help me with everything else, and my kids were away at college, so I appreciate Peter's skill with a
camera. All photos of the night of May 1 were taken by Peter. They tell the story of Little Church Minis last foal.

Chloe was too close to the wall, and Tucker was a big boy, so I helped her a bit. Tucker
needed protecting from Chloe's hooves when she stood. (about 1:40 AM)

Chloe was oh so ready the night of April 30th. When I checked her after school, I was 90% sure she'd foal that
night. Kennedy came after school from 5:30-11:30 to hang out with me, but we'd agreed with her mom that
Mark would take her home at 11:30 if nothing was happening. Kennedy worked in front of the Chloe show on
TV while she finished a project for Spanish. But 11:30 came and Chloe was not giving us any reason to beg
Kennedy's parents for more time. Kennedy was sleepy and had school the next day. We were bummed there
was no action, but I still felt confident she'd go later that night. When I checked Chloe again at 11:30--while
Kennedy was headed out the driveway, I saw her bag was tighter than ever, and she had waxed. Vulva was
as loose as it can get and was deep red inside. I knew I'd be calling Kennedy back soon. Chloe kept laying
close to the front of her stall--half off camera, but as soon as I thought she'd had a contraction, I made the call,
at about 1:30 and yelled upstairs to Mark. But when I slipped into the barn, Chloe was standing with her head
over her stall door, seeming to think it was time for a treat. Oh no. I had just roused Kennedy and her dad out
of bed for a false alarm? I left the barn lights off and backed away slowly. And waited out of sight. Within 5
minutes Chloe was back to getting contractions started, and I knew the phone call and Chloe's delay would
result in Kennedy and her dad witnessing the entire foaling. Perfect.

Chloe's always had peanuts--Blessing and Claire are about 30", but as soon as this foal's head was out--I
knew it had to be a colt. It looked boyish--nothing feminine about this head--compared to the delicate features
of Mazie. Chloe was too close to the stall wall, so I had to help a bit. The sac seemed especially thick; as
always, just so glad I was there.

Tucker nursed right away with no complications, and after two enemas worked out his meconium. I stayed in
the barn until 5:30 AM waiting for him to pee. I finally had to give in and come inside (cold and shivering from
being damp), but thankfully saw he had that function mastered soon after. I'm not used to these boy parts!

So, here's the last foal for Little Church Minis for some time, and our first colt. From two foals in 2005, 2007,
and 2009, we've had five healthy fillies and one strapping colt. Jazz sired the last four, he makes nice babies.
No more babies, and I'm fine with that. So many wonder how I can stay up most the night and teach all day,
but I explain that I got the mares into this situation, and I am committed to seeing them through. It's that simple.
But, to foal out the way I insist on doing it is too stressful while working, even with my dad's help. I'll be forever
grateful for the awesome three years experience of welcoming foals into the world in uncomplicated fashion.
I've learned so much! But now I move on to other horse activities. The activities director of Quail Summit
called today- about a field trip for my students to their facility (I didn't go into work today--we talked from home)
and she can't wait to share the Tucker news with the residents. They will be coming out in July for their third
annual visit. It's always a great year when there are foals to share.

Little Church Minis is refocusing, and that's a good thing.

So--here he is, Little Churchs Time for a Tucker.

The story as written for the miniature horse forum...

Stripping the fluid from his nose and getting him dried a bit while Chloe rested.

You can see Mark 's help makes foaling so much smoother.
Between Mark and Kennedy--it's easy to get everything done.

The placenta must be tied up so
it's not stepped on and torn.

Time to get the cord dipped!

This big boy needed to get dried off.

Mares are more comfortable if given a pain
killer called Bantamine. They also need a
dewormer--Ivermectin--within a few hours
of foaling.

Sometimes one needs
to keep the foal safe
from the mare while
she finds a
comfortable place to
finish the labor
process. In her
concentration, she
may not watch out
where the foal is.

Getting a general height
and cannon bone
measurement can help
predict mature height.

Many towels are needed to get the little
ones dry. It's sure colder out of the
womb! Babies shiver.

Kennedy is keeping
Mazie company while
she waits to play with
Tucker. Looks like
she's doing both.

I like to get
the stall
cleaned
up as
soon as
possible

and start
the
kissing,
hugging
lessons.

And finally Chloe is feeling up
to getting to know her boy.

Finding the milk bar is so very
important. Foals need the first milk-the
colostrum-within 3 hours after birth in
order for the mare's antibodies to be
absorbed into the foal's bloodstream.

The foals are curious about each other.

It's about
2:30 AM
here--I
think
Mark's
weary.

Kennedy and I
are about to
give Tucker an
enema. It
helps to get
that sticky
meconium out.

The
Christmas
lights are to
help the
cameras
work.
There's one
on each
stall so I
can watch
all activity
from the
house.

Blanket's on. I'm texting my kids.

Tucker has
pooped and
is nursing
well. I just
hadn't seen
him pee!

What a night!

I can't thank Peter
enough for these
priceless photos.
They tell the story of a
foaling. This is the
end of the beginning.

Peter and Kennedy
headed home about
3:30 and both went to
school the next day.

Tucker's first day out! Foals spend at least 2 days in the paneled pasture, so no one has to worry about
electric, but the mares' favorite pasture is out back with electric, so the foals learn to respect it at a
young age. I add a strand of wide white wire tape to help them see their boundaries.