Monday, March 31, 2008

See what arrived the first day of Spring...


My husband, Roger, had to leave before daylight on March 20th, the first day of Spring. Ordinarily he would check on Gypsy, our Tennessee Walking horse, but this morning, he didn't have time and asked me to feed and check on her. When I went to feed her, there was the baby! It hadn't even stood up yet. We thought Gypsy would go a couple more weeks, but she had other plans. I ran to the house and yelled for my daughter to bring the camera. After taking several photos, I called Roger. He didn't believe me at first, lol. He was a couple hours from home, so it's not like he could drop everything and get back home in a few minutes.

Gypsy had to sniff the camera and give her approval. That's her hairy chin in the photo below...

Roger told me to go back and make sure the foal stood up to start nursing pretty soon. The foal was nearly dry when I first saw it so it had been a while since it was born. I went back to the barn, and when I was talking to it and trying to help it up, Gypsy was nickering and nudging it's rear trying to help. It finally got up on it's wobbly legs, staggered a little, nuzzled with Mama a little bit and then started nursing! It was sooooo sweet!


This video was taken when Smokey first started to nurse. You might hear the chickens in the background ~ they were busy laying eggs and clucking that morning.
~*~

Smokey and Gypsy are so much fun to watch. Smokey is getting playful, running and jumping and bucking! Gypsy showed him how to lie on the ground and roll around. She did it first as Smokey stood there and watched. Then when Gypsy got up, Smokey slowly went down on the ground and began to roll around. Gypsy keeps a very close eye on him ~ she is such a good mama.
Mama's left front leg is dark and baby's right front leg is dark...

Jessica and Smokey...

Roger and Smokey...

Smokey loves Roger's hat...

This last video shows Smokey and Roger with Gypsy munching on her sweet feed and alfalfa cubes.

Stay tuned for Smokey updates.

~*~

21 comments:

  1. congratulations! he is beautiful!

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  2. oh sweetness:) congratulations!!!

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  3. How sweet!! Congratulations on your new family member!

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  4. Hi Lana. It was nice hearing from you. I am so glad I stopped by this morning and saw the videos of Gypsy and baby Smokey, Rodger too. Your eyes must have popped out of your head when you walked into your barn and saw that baby there!! Thank you for sharing. I adore horses! I wish I could have one. I have to ask Louise if you saw.
    Take good care.
    Carole

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  5. The miracle of life! Isn't Smokey just the cutest little thing.Getting to share such a wonderful event can be very moving.You are so fortunate to live close to our humble beginnings and share the purity of life on a farm.I think it gives a better perspective on what really is important.
    Thanks for sharing and I look forward to more on the life of Smokey.
    Susan

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  6. Oh Lana, what a wonderful miracle to witness!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

    Hugs,
    Doreen

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  7. And on the first day of spring! That is so very cool. Great pics, Lana.
    D.

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  8. ¡¡¡Congratulations¡¡¡¡y too nice, ohhhhh

    hugs

    maria

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  9. Oh Lana! What a dream come true. You are so very blessed. I loved all the photos. Smokey is something to behold and so very intelligent. What a gift!

    Hugs! Nancy

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  10. How wonderful! Don't you just love spring babies! Smokey is magnificent. Wonder what the turkey thinks of all this???? Toodles...

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  11. Awwww! So much cuteness! I have never been around horses at all. I love the sweet fur as Smokey got older.
    Did you get the teapot yet? In one piece? I insured it.

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  12. How Exciting! I can't wait to see the newest update, what a cutie!

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  13. This has to be the "CUTEST" video ever!! How sweet that you can be around God's miracles every day where you live Lana. To be able to witness and see these beautiful things is amazing.

    Hugs,
    Jeannene

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  14. Oh Lana!! I love the videos!!! Such sweetness!!! Thank you for sharing these with us...xxoo, Dawn

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  15. That is so cool! What a neat thing to see! Thanks for visiting my site a while ago - I love your blog too, it was lots of fun reading!!!
    Have a great day - Diane from Michigan

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  16. Oh, I am so mesmerized. I so adore farm animals and beautiful horses. Your life is very blessed, dear Lana. Thank you for sharing your incredible story of Gypsy and Smoky and all of you!

    Christine

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  17. Totally adorable...makes me want to get one...but I don't think I'd be much into mucking the stalls, etc. so luckily I can just sit here and appreciate your little precious.

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  18. Most Beautiful.

    Smiles,
    Becky

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  19. I can't think of a better way to usher in spring!
    What a beautiful surprise.
    :)

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  20. Oh my gosh...how incredibly sweet!!!!

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