This message is from: "Margaret Strachan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
I have been wondering about all the early foals in cold country, or late depending on whether or not you consider January 1st as a universal birthday. I can't understand December foals for that reason. Here in very warm, sunny Southern California I can see January foals, and I've had 2 mares under lights since mid December for early foals next year. Both mares will be shown and the foals will be almost weaned by the start of show season. I also won't have to halter break foals in 103 degree weather. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother. It has been between 70-80 degrees daily with nightime lows 40-50 here. I know it has been cold up north because the local snowbird mecca has been swamped. When we insured Valbjorn the vet had to check fertility. That "test" entailed hefting and measurements recorded. Valbjorn is a docile and quiet horse; he stood for the indignity without even a halter on his head. No calipers though, Dave is a super experienced breeding vet and he just used his hand. Funny thing though, he called me about 1/2 hour later and asked me to check the form--he thought he had erred and written cm instead of mm as the unit of measurement. He was right. Margaret Strachan Village Farm Nuevo, CA http://www.pe.net/~barry/
