Well. Yet again I have been really bad about updating this silly thing. Well I have to start cuz as part of my requirements for KEMI I have to keep a journal. So here we go.
As of yesterday we have just 7 foals on the farm and sadly we lost an 8th.
Going way back now but I think it is very important…LOL
On the 12th of Jan. we started our KEMI experience. That first week went by in a blur and was a great time. There are pictures below of what we did as previously explained.
The Saturday of that week we did not work but went out to Keeneland to the sale. We hung out with Kat and the Owners of Margaux farm! It was cool to see what went on back there and all that had to go into it. We met Russel our Yearling Manager and some of the guys.
Kat gave us the option to start work on the next day, Sunday, or on Monday. We chose Sunday and she got very excited as it was a test to see if we were really willing to get to work.
The first few days were just a lot of cleaning and moving horses. All the horses are turned out most of the time but have to come in at least once a day to be checked over. I work on what is called the Annex. It is about a 10 minute drive from the main farm and consists of 3 barns and many pastures and paddocks. The 3 barns are Farley, Maclin and Clark 5. Clark 5 is mostly barren mares that will be bred as soon as the season starts. Maclin is mostly Yearlings and a few Mares that need to be on the walker daily. Then there is Farley. This barn is also mostly yearlings but more mares come to this barn weekly. They are also open and need to be bred soon.
In the Mornings we go to each barn and turn out the mares that stayed in over night and bring in the yearlings that were out over night. Everyone gets fed and watered. After all 3 barns are done we have to take the yearling temperatures. If all is good then it is time to start cleaning. There are about 20 stalls in each barn that have to be cleaned daily!! It is a lot to clean. As time goes on I have more and more responsibilities and am getting better at all that has to be done. I know know without being told what needs to be done and can always find something to do.
We have had 7 live foals like I said. I have helped with 4 of them. I was on night watch on Friday night. This is where we run around the entire farm and make sure everything is ok… LOL it was crazy but a learning experience. Well there was a mare that was about ready to pop but she had been like that for days. So I had one last barn to run to and I was only gone for about 10 mins. Well when I came back there was a foot sticking out! So I called Kat who was on call. By the time she got there the head was out too. So I broke the bag so the foal could breath. But then she got stuck. So we had to pull! Once we got the foal out the mare went into shock and almost fell on the baby… Anyway we got them both going ok and everything turned out ok. Though it was very scary for a while there. It was a little filly out of Leeward Passage.
We also had another foal this afternoon at about 4:15. It was very unusual but cool cuz it meant we did not have to lose any sleep.
On another note, I NEVER thought I would be saying that 40-50 degrees is warm. But it is… LOL It was Very cold here getting into the negatives often at night. I wear 3 layers to work… underarmor , jeans, and bibs (or coveralls as some call them) You will see me wearing them in the picture with the baby. We have had a Huge snow and Ice storm over the last few days and so it is just now satring to melt. But i got some cool pictures.
I am getting muscle in places that I never have before though and that is cool. I hope to be nice and buff by the time I am done. :D
Well here are the picture and a brief description.
Hope you like.
Miss you all
Love
Evelynne
Ashford Stud – HenrytheNavigator
Ashford Stud – Giants Causeway
Ashford Stud – Thunder Gulch
Ashford Stud – Loin Hearted
Three Chimneys – Smarty Jones Winner of 2 legs of the Tripple crown
Three Chimneys – Big Brown! Winner of the Kentucky Derby
Darley – Rockport Harbor
At Darley statue of Affirmed.
At KESMARK. A rehibiitaion center. A Water tread mill
At KESMARK. A swimming pool for horses! 16 ft deep
Bri and Drake at Harveys
Me, Tanya, Sara, and Jen at Harveys
Statue of Astride, the first Kentucky Derby winner. Tanya and I at Churchill Downs!!! It was FREZING.
Inside Churchill downs in the museum. Big browns colors
Inside Churchill downs in the museum. The Gate
Outside Churchill
First Palomino thoroughbred to be sold at Keeneland. Ever
About to go out
Keeneland. Where the horses walk out to the track.
Bench
Morning workout
Hierloom Wish and Baby
Tanya and baby
Me and Baby
Frozen yearling
Frozen Car
ICE!!!
Office
Sign
Colt
Mares
Berries
Time to go In
Mamma and Colt
Our first two foals 15 days old
Curious
