When my friend Elspeth asked if I’d seen the colt foal Birchwood stud had posted I had to go have a look. Loving his bloodlines and type I asked for more videos, liked what I saw and bought him.
His breeder Kim Richards kindly delivered him to Worcester for me where I have to admit I was apprehensive about seeing him not sure I’d take to his blue eyes 🙈
The minute I saw this chunky little guy with a lovely wee head and attitude I forgot all about his eyes.
Bought to run on I’m very pleased to announce he’s been tested clear of Skeletal Atavism and is E/e A/a Cr/Cr T/T so is perlino and homozygous for tobiano meaning he’s really going to mix up the colour of any future foals.
Welcome to the Mill Birchwood Cream Cracker.
Whoopee
Some may remember the story of Shallochmill Whoopee who started looking unwell in March and despite various treatments never really perked up until after a fecal transplant and some ulcer meds mid June.
Unfortunately that wasn’t to be the end of the story. About a month later I found her colicking in the field, rushed her inside and over the next three days she had two vet visits to keep her comfy.
More discussions were had and off we went to be scoped only to find very little, more bloods which were normal and then back on steroids which seemed to help the first time round.
One vet had suggested she maybe had sand in her gut but we never really believed that so when I dropped a poo sample in to be tested and it showed sand we were all surprised but hopeful this may have been the issue all along.
So weeks of Sand Clear, Gut Balancer, sucralfate and steroids followed.
I’m happy to report that Whoopee only has the sucralfate to finish now but has put on weight, is very bright and cheery and has turned into the most fun, characterful pony.
I had her entered for the Winter Fair on Saturday to see what the judges thought but she’ll need to wait until next year now to go out and show off.
Video in field taken a few days ago.
Donkeys
Shallochmill Mediterranean Miniature donkey herd having silly Sunday zoomies 🫏 💨
Dinner time.
Dinner time at the Mill.
The mares with foals at foot are all getting a feed just to keep them looking well when they’re feeding their foals. It’s also a good way of teaching the babies how to eat hard food although my lot didn’t take long to catch on to that. Weaning shouldn’t be much of a problem now they all love their grub.
Shallochmill Raven
The second youngest foal this year was black filly, Shallochmill Raven.
By champion stallion Jambarrie Loan Ranger out of Halstock Veracity, Raven is very friendly, loves a bum scratch and would follow you into the house if she could.
I can’t wait to take her to some foal shows later in the year.
Jambarrie Loan Ranger had stayed at home a few weeks longer to go to two show so yesterday he went back to meet up with the rest of his pals for the winter.
A few scuffles, plenty of squealing and gallops galore they all settled down to being best friends again.
See ya next year boys 👋🏼
Spot the odd one out.
Just chillin at the Mill. Spot the odd one out.
Razzle
Monday nights spent the best way 🥰
Shallochmill Razzle
It turns out that Shallochmill Razzle our latest born filly isn’t ‘just’ the chestnut we thought she was, she is in fact chestnut/red dun with a very well defined dorsal stripe.
Something a little different here for the stud and sure to be an interesting cross for our boys later on.
Sisters from the same mister 😂
Sisters from the same mister 😂
Shallochmill Tutti Frutti (foreground) out of Shallochmill Pic N Mix and Shallochmill Orianna out of Halstock Orla.
Both girls are by Kerswell Sprite and like peas in a pod. I might have to label them as they get older !
Big thank you to a friend for allowing me to steal her granddaughter’s beautiful name for Orla’s filly xx
Learning how to master all four legs
Learning how to master having four legs….
Moving day today for the girls.
