[Today's post contributed by Helen McDonald]

T'is The Season For ... Stomach Watching.

No, not human stomach watching but for the little unborn foals to start moving rapidly in mum's belly and ultimately presenting themselves to the outside world, where many anxious owners are waiting with baited to breath to make sure that their $20,000+ investment has come safely in to the world and is standing nice and tall next to mum.

We have our own version of this happening here at Massie Lodge at the moment where we are gearing up for the first of 5 to present themselves. Many minutes are spent watching the mares to make sure that bubs is creating havoc in mum's tummy, with the look on the expectant mum's face tantamount to a union walkout! Evan and I have started "shift work" to make sure that the mares won't be alone during this most important time of the year and being a two-man team, this can make for a long night.

Our Air de France mare, who was last year elected President of the local branch of "Broodmares Inc." even though she only held maiden status, insisted that all Massie Lodge mares cross their legs and say a flat "NO" to on time delivery. So that was it. Last year, all Massie Lodge mares worked to rule and delivered late. The later the better according to our 20 year old Luskin Star mare, who was the champion at 4 weeks over due. Ophira, our 18 year old Prego mare ran a very nice second place with 28 days late. Miss Independence, a tidy 3 weeks late. Zandrea, 2 weeks late. Havachat brought up the rear by being 1 week over and sneakily having her foal while no one was looking!

Do you sense a conspiracy here?

This year, we are hoping that "Broodmares Inc" will be honouring their decree of on- time delivery. However, in saying that, our Air de France mare, who believes she is the control force behind "Broodmares Inc" and has the last say on everything, thinks she will control all delivery times and dates. I don't have the heart to tell her that Mother Nature, in her own wisdom, sorts out these bossy mares by doing it her way...which in turn creates havoc for all the humans involved on "Mare Watch".

"Mare Watch" ... endless late night movies, copious cups of tea, coffee and milo until my shift ends at 2.00am (I am yawning just thinking about it) and then there is Evan who will probably play poker or chess online to keep himself awake till dawn. Not to mention the endless walking back and forwards to the stableyards with the torch and Bessie Merle, (the dog) as protector.

You know, it really is a labour of love to be part of this but the resultant miracle is beyond anything that words can express. The joy that comes with the new birth of a foal cetainly makes you forget the disappointments of a 4yo mare in work doing something unspeakable to a tendon on the eve of a race where she had an even chance, or one of the yearlings developing a nasty habit of windsucking.

The highs and lows of owning a thoroughbred. Is there anything like it?

Helen

Thoroughbred Blog: http://massielodgejournal.blogspot.com/