All Systems Go!

Hello, and welcome back to blog post number two.
 
And we’re off and running… We officially welcomed our first foal of the season here at Byerley Stud! After a cold and frosty start to the day, it warmed all our hearts to see maiden mare Courtly Maid later foal a colt foal by the late Havana Gold. Taking to him like a duck to water, she settled into new-mum life like she’d been doing it all this time.

​After sitting up with Courtly Maid for two nights, it was a relief by the third night that she had decided to get on with things. Being a maiden mare, it’s harder to predict what she might do on the run-up to foaling. With all expecting mares, we regularly check their udders daily for any signs of development.

It was Tuesday morning when we discovered that she had ‘waxed up’, a critical sign that she was imminent to foaling. On Wednesday, Courtly Maid had started running milk, and by this point, we were getting excited. Fearful she might crack on with things whilst turned out, but also reluctant to pull her away from her friends, the whole Byerley team were eagle-eyed on any paddock movements. It wasn’t until 20:14 on Thursday - after she’d spun her bed around and worked up a sweat, that she went into labour and her waters broke. With a little bit of help, the newborn was safely delivered, and it didn’t take long for Courtly Maid to devote all her attention to licking and grooming her colt foal. Everything post-foaling went smoothly, and Courtly Maid kept a close, adoring eye over her newborn for the remainder of the night.

​The following day both the mare and foal had routine post-foaling checks from our vet at B&W Equine, including foal bloods, IgG, eyes, heart, and the general well-being of both mare and foal. As soon as the IgG results are back, and as long as the foal has no conformational faults, they can both be turned out and introduced into nursery paddocks for some light exercise and grass. Two days on and this spirited colt has boundless energy and is running rings around his first-time mum.

​In other news this week, we saw Byerley Stud graduate, Golden Ace in the winner’s enclosure once again for owner Mr Ian Gosden. Also purchased by himself at the July Sale, Mr Gosden looks to have a smart prospect on his hands with this talented daughter of Golden Horn. Winning her debut race over hurdles in impressive style, it looks like all roads lead to Cheltenham. We wish Ian Gosden, Jeremey Scott, and his team, all the best of luck on this journey they have with her.

With our next expectant mares’ udders developing nicely, it won't be long before our latest arrivals are on their way. Stay tuned on all our socials for foaling updates and an abundance of foal photos!