Update on Faith (and Hope) - our two orphans

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Penniless

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Well, Faith is fine when she's out playing with her sister (Hope), but the minute she goes back into the stable, she has another little cry. Thankfully they are getting few and far between now though and she did sleep all night without a murmer.

She's out playing with Hope and Aunty Chloe at the moment in the sunshine.

Thought you might like to see a photo of her - this was her at 2 weeks old. You can see a bit from her size how small she is, as Kerry is kneeling down and usually our foals at this age would be towering over her.

2weeksold.jpg


As a comparison, the other foal in this photo (without the white nose) is "Hope". Both of them are/were by our TB stallion "Advise". Both Faith and Hope's mums were both the same age, and both the same size (15.2hh). It might just make you see how much smaller Faith was at birth compared to Hope (and still is). And - there is only 1 days difference between the two of them.

Hope, considering she was orphaned a month ago, has coped brilliantly. Never had a cry from her from the minute we drove her back home alone from Rossdales. She settled into life without mum with no problems at all. We hope we can find a buyer for her who will do the big shows we so wanted her to do this year with her mum. The foal oozes quality which we would love to see realised in the future.

So here's Faith (white nose) with Hope the other side of Kerry.

16May20093.jpg
 
Aww - they are beautiful. I'm always a bit worried reading your posts as I usually sit here in tears.

I think you have coped brilliantly, you must be heartbroken from the loss of your mares but I'm sure your babies keep you going. They really are gorgeous.

Who is Hope stabled at night with or is she living out?
 
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Who is Hope stabled at night with or is she living out?

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She's been stabled on her own since returning from the vets after losing her mum. Like the rest of the family, she's turned out all day and stabled at night.

Neither Hope nor Faith have had to have a top grid or door shut on them. Both very brave little ones.

We do have some good news here - one of our ex-racers is back in the centre of Newmarket - doing a job he loves. He's on loan to a trainer who, hearing how laid back this gelding has always been, is using our boy as a lead horse for his youngsters. His main priority is to calm down a 2 year old colt destined for next years Derby. Fin is never bothered about anything - if a colt jumps on his back out on the gallops, he doesn't even break his stride. Brilliant to teach the youngsters the loading stalls too.

He's only been in the yard a week now and everyone has fallen in love with him. Can't wait to get up to the gallops in a few days time to watch him escort his ride out.
 
Aww bless them, I look at mine & think how would they cope without their mums, it's so very sad.

I just wondered if they could be stabled together at night for company, though I have no idea if this should or could be done?

I wish you, Faith & Hope the very best of luck, I think you all definately deserve it.
 
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I just wondered if they could be stabled together at night for company, though I have no idea if this should or could be done?

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No, we wouldn't even attempt to. As far as they are both concerned, they are fully weaned. Hope has been on her own since her mum died without a problem and we don't want to start putting them together all the time and then have to re-wean the pair of them away from each other.

I know a lot of people do wean their foals naturally together, but we prefer them to be independent from the word "go".

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
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