Since this colt almost didn't live through his birth, the premium designation is a bonus. Boy, can he move! He is one of the darkest Shakespears foals with an almost black coat. I love him!
Foaling report: This one almost didn't make it. Amy had been looking ready to foal for three days and I was getting a little worried. She finally got down to business at 9:30 pm. There was a nose, no feet. I got one foot forward and called the vet. Jim, Kristen (the vet), and I all tried to get the other foot forward while Amy was pushing. For those of you have not tried this, let me tell that it hurts like heck when your arm is being squeezed between a foal and the mare's hips. We couldn't get the chain around the foot, and it was looking bad for the foal. Now it was time to try and save mom. Kristen got the chain behind the knee and Jim and I tried pulling while Amy was laying down. Not budging. Amy seemed determined to push while standing up. We let her try it her way, and out came the shoulders and then the rest of him. AND HE WAS ALIVE AND VERY ALERT! He got up and nursed and pooped in record time. Amy passed her placenta very quickly, and it was intact. We had reason to be high fiving! He is named Showdown, which is what his birth felt like. He is tall and beautiful just like all of the other Shakespeare foals. Yeah! Pictures soon...
