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Braiding Mane/Tail

I finally have a way to practice my braiding. Most of the really nice braids out there are nearly impossible to do on yourself, so now I can start braiding Ella's Tail and work up to working on her Mane this summer ~ just for fun, not for competition. The one braid I loved and want to try was called the 'fish tail' .. here are a few I think are absolutely gorgeous that I plan on practicing.

Foaling ~ Preparation

Check out the Facebook Page 'note' on Foaling ~ Preparation. Goes into detail about what to expect, how to prepare and what will be needed. Click here for more details: Facebook Page: Foaling ~ Preparation 

Tail Wrapping

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Tonight, while at the Stable I'm going to bring Ella into her foaling stall and groom her AND feed her in there. This way we spend some time in there and I'm able to keep her mind busy so she can get used to the idea without becoming to nervous.

I'm going to brush out, condition (a bit) her tail really well then braid it wrapping the top with vet wrap. Then I'll feed her some mash and bring her out, walk her around a bit then back in we go. The second time we're in there I will put the bottom half of her tail (the part remaining that isn't wrapped) into a tail bag.

I read looked into wrapping and bagging tails, people do it for numerous reason, something to take into consideration is whether or not it can get caught or snagged on anything ~ I'm going to wrap her tail as it is suppose to be cleaner for the foal (not having poop etc caught up in the hair) and should help keep it out of the way of the sticky placenta and foal.

I'll add the pictures I take tonight and update this post. 

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Update on Ella

March 19, 2013

Tuesday, after taking a look over her or examining her I did notice one change since last Sunday (March 17, 2013) two saggy bags have appeared behind her udders. They're quite low hanging and I know they were not there last time. She's still round, so the idea of her being bloated is gone and if I had to guess I would say her flanks have softened and her tail head is a bit higher.

She let me groom her and touch her belly as well as her udders, this is good and I think a sign on trust. I'm hoping when she foals she will trust me enough around her baby and not be an aggressive, slightly over protective Mom. She's had three or four foals in the past to my understanding and hope this aides in her delivery, but I don't know the history of what she was like as a Mom to the foals (I'm sure she was great) or to the people around her. If she was aggressive I'm not sure she would have been bred for the second, third or possibly fourth time.

I've also picked up some supplies. After two days we'll change the straw bedding to shavings, once the foal is dried off and no longer sticky etc. I'm also going to wrap her tail and have a few things to add to our first aid kit, which will act as the foaling kit as well.

I'm excited, but really nervous and a bit concerned as well. I hope that the foal is healthy and most importantly that Ella is fine and all works out well for her. They say Mares can do it all on their own and that it's natural they would delivery in the wild etc, BUT in the wild there are also complications that lead to the death of either the foal, Mare or both. That's a fact of life, nature as well, bit different when I've spent all this time with Ella getting to know her and working on developing trust.

Here's a good foaling link: Thar She Blows

Ella's Foaling Stall (nursery)

Worked on Ella's Foaling stall yesterday evening. Laid down straw bedding, hung two hay nets for her, filled a tub with water and put hay/feed in the wooden feeder.

Took a while and she may end up having it outside, but it's all done and there if need be.

When I finished and aired it all out, I went out and brought Ella in. Up until recently I've never put her in the stall inside the barn, it took us a while to get her used to being in the barn. So when I brought her in I kept her lead attached to the halter and was sure to stand with her, keep the two doors open and make it short - 10 minutes at a time. She stood and ate, looked around and then I would walk her out and into the aisle were she's comfortable, tie her, brush her and then we would repeat this two more times. The last time we did this I fed her the soaked beet pulp mash with broodmare feed.

She didn't do all that bad, she was a bit nervous and I did have to be careful she didn't spook and jump sideways towards me, but she gave me enough credit and I have confidence that if I keep it up as often as possible she will realize it's not a big deal. I intend to do this the same way tonight and again next time then remove the lead and shut the door(s) only for a short time frame. I realize the idea of being confined freaks her out. Below you can see how she's a bit spooked, when you can see the whites of her eyes and how tight and puckered her lips are. 

Guess Ella's Due Date!

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Everything Equine ~ Ella's Due Date