Introducing.....

[emmadales]

Well done Hannah !!

Thats a lovely poem

[dalesponyrider]

Just nipped home for something to eat then I'm off to the caravan for another night! No need really but it will be so nice to be able to SLEEP non stop till morning and then wake up and drink my first early morning cuppa looking at D and little Penley!

Do you really want me to tell you about the birth? God, it was awful!

I just couldn't sleep between 12 and 2 - I knew D was well on her way as she was losing a lot of milk. Every time she had a contraction she was squirting milk and although she wasn't making much fuss (she never does) I knew she was very uncomfortable. She seemed to take comfort from Saturn and me watching over her though. I was already exhausted from the previous night so I went for a lie down and must have dozed for a few minutes but woke up for no reason with with my heart hammering well before my alarm went off.

I jumped out of bed and as I was pulling on my wellies I could hear the most awful noise and realised it was D groaning and straining REALLY loud! I crept up to the fence to see if I could see anything in the dark and although she had been lying down she got up as I approached. I could briefly see something quite big and white sticking out of her back end and I just froze with fear and just willed her to lie back down. It seemed like she threw herself back down and started with the awful noisy straining again. I could just about see the shape of the leg and head coming out. Then I heard a "plop" after what seemed a nightmare age. I shone my torch very briefly and could see a little head with floppy ears popping up! D immediately stopped her awful noise and just whickered continually. I think that was the most beautiful sound on God's earth and I howled - literally! She whickered continually for ages and ages.

By then I was on the phone to Julie for moral support and instructions! Julie warned me that it was going to be difficult to see the foal struggling to get up and maybe falling about a lot. I said, "Well actually he is stood up and hasn't fallen down - in fact as we are speaking he is walking in a complete circle round his Mum - now he is walking another one!"

He continued in the same vein. A really strong inquisitive little man. He got on with passing his meconium straight away and didn't appear to have too much bother. I do have to say it took him a good while to find the milk bar though!

D was really tolerant of me and let me tie up her afterbirth and then try to help little Penley find his milk. Then, when she had cleansed, she took Penley down the field very gently and firmly to settle down somewhere quiet. He then suckled and went to sleep.

It is only thanks to Teresa that I have any photos. I was so beside myself with tiredness, joy and shock that I never thought to take any! The day has gone in a whirl. The vet has been to do some follow up jabs and thinks Mum and baby are doing very well. He says the foal is a really good strong one. He also congratulated me on my vigil in the caravan saying there was nothing like observation with the naked eye rather than a camera. I just feel that observation with a camera would have been a bloody site less exhausting!

Hannah and Joshua were so very good and it was lovely to share this experience with two such wonderful, kind, intelligent children.

I'm not sure I could have got through the last two weeks without Teresa and Joe who have kept me fuelled and my spirits up. The good wishes from Dales Fans were a tremendous support too. It is quite embarrassing to see how much support the other thread has got, but I know so many of you have come to know and love D through all our trials and tribulations. She really is a Dales Fans mare and I am touched by all the good wishes from you guys. Thank you.

The name Penley is supposed to express my gratitude to the Pennell family who have been such stars. A heartfelt thank you to you all.

[bevbob]

Oh thats a fabulous account of what happened Linda. Ive just had to read it twice and Lucas is asking me why Im crying..... Its been fantastic hearing about D in the last couple of weeks and Im so pleased for you all. When you have had a good sleep, come back and tell me about tying up the afterbirth! I like the gory stuff lol.
Im just so made up for you and D and Penley, its all fantastic. xxx

[mickey]

Congratulations- he's lovely

[nars]

He is a bonny lad, Linda. I hope you have lots of fun with him.

[zeldalithgow]

Oh Linda I'm in tears reading about little Penley's birth, thank you for sharing it with us - enjoy your well deserved sleep tonight

[harveydales]

I've been in tears on and off for much of the day - I'm so thrilled for you. Thank you so much for letting me come down today to see Mum and baby Penley. What a wonderful natural Mum D is proving to be and what a strapping, handsome young son she has produced. I could have stayed for hours just watching from the caravan.

Sleep well tonight and have lots of fun foal watching............

[laura]

So pleased for you Linda that it all went well and you have such a lovely little man. He is such a smart boy and I can't wait to see loads of pics as he grows up ;D

[jap]

me,anna and laura have just got back from hillside.What a lovely foal and "D" was born to be a mum.well done all.[and magic of course].

[Debbie]

;D Oh good, I've got loads of company on the weepy front then

I'm so glad D's taken to this like a duck to water. I thought she'd make a fab mum.

Get some very, very much needed sleep Linda

[maggie]

Well done Linda and D

Many congratulations

[DalesLady]

it is lovely that you were able to be right there and watch first hand, goodness knows that at the end of your fortnight's vigil you deserved to see the birth. The whole experience has been wonderful and I am so pleased all is well for you and D and of course not forgetting Penley.

[tinkerdorisalison]

so pleased that Penley decided to put in an appearance - too laid back some boys!!! ;D

I know exactly how you feel linda, both last year with doris and then again with tinker thus year - they make such great mums our dales mares.

take care and get some sleep

[Deleted]

What a gorgeous baby! They are so worth all the worry,in the end! same colour as my Blossom!

[AliandDolly]

aww he is adorable bless him
alixx