OK, maybe we're getting a little ahead of ourselves. Charm is expecting to
be expecting. Here's where we're at.
I decided about six months ago that I needed a project to occupy me as a
distraction for dealing with my empty nest syndrome. My only child, my son
Jordan, will be leaving for college in the fall of 2014. So I started thinking
about possible projects. At the same time, my barn friends have been telling me
that Charm's attitude, which to be honest is not always charming, might be
improved if she had a foal. Put two and two together and you get ... Project
Charm's Baby.
My next step was to pick a baby daddy. I knew I wanted a black and white
tobiano. I also wanted height, because Charm is rather short at 14.3 hands.
And most importantly, I wanted an excellent disposition. The internet offered
many options. But you know when you know, and that's how I felt when I saw the
web page for Mr. Bo Button. He has every quality I was looking for and more --
stunning looks, outstanding temperament, great breeding. What I didn't know was
that when I reached out to Bo's owner, Karie Winnop, I would make a new friend
on the other side of the country. Karie has been a godsend, and we've bonded
over pictures, emails, and telephone. The Yiddish expression for an in-law is
machatunem. I couldn't ask for better machatunem than Karie.
Now it's basically a timing issue. Our plan is to breed Charm in May.
When she cycles in May, we'll need to contact Karie, who will collect Bo's
semen and ship it via FedEx to our vet, Dr. Bob Smith. Doc Smith will then
inseminate Charm, and if all goes according to plan (fingers crossed), Charm
will go from expecting-to-be-expecting to plain expecting.
A little about Charm: She is a registered American Paint Horse who was
bred by Lee Windham of Four Arrows Ranch. I bought her as a 6 year old -- she
just turned 9. She was originally trained for reining but she will also go
English. I am strictly a trail rider at this point in my life, so Charm has a
pretty easy life hacking around western Delray Beach. She is mostly good on
trails, but she is a mare, and when she is stubborn she is unbelievably
stubborn. I'm not the only one who thinks so -- trust me on this one. But most
of the time she's pretty good, and barn manager Denise Molina keeps her sane by
riding her for me during the week while I'm working at my busy law practice.
Charm likes dogs, but doesn't like chickens. She doesn't mind cars or trucks,
but she hates the electronic gate to our facility. She LOVES apples and carrots
but she is allergic to molasses. She begs by lifting one front foot and tucking
it under her, alternating from right to left, like a flamingo. She has
personality.
I have never been involved in breeding any animal in my life, although I
have been a lifelong animal lover. I take that back -- I had love birds for a
while that wouldn't stop breeding, but that's a story for another day. Most of
us at the barn have never even seen a foal being born. This experience is going
to be so memorable, and the new baby is going to have a whole lot of "aunties"
to spoil him or her.
I hope you'll follow us as we enjoy this incredible process of breeding
Charm and seeing her through pregnancy and delivery of a hopefully healthy and
beautiful foal. Stay tuned for the next installment -- this is a family channel
so I'll skip all the off color stuff but you know what I'd say if your mind is
in the gutter like mine. ***
Amy B. Beller
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