Zenterfold is such a character. She’s a 14yo mare but sometimes she acts like a teenager hooning around the paddock or having a tantrum when she couldn’t see Rosie, the old pony in the neighbour’s paddock. Other times she is the mature mare who had “been there, done that” and resents having any company she can’t boss around. With people she is a sweetheart, loves attention and carrots, and is the best mum to her foals which makes our lives a lot easier.
This morning Kym was up early to get Zenterfold washed, “blow dried”, “pedicured” and loaded in the float.
I was up a little bit later to take the photos, say goodbye to my mare and feel the pride as they drove off in the float to Breckon Farms. (As my friend Richard pointed out, you can tell by the shoes in the photos posted in my last blog who does the hands-on work around here lol !!)
I still have to pinch myself that I have got a half-share in such a wonderful mare. She has delivered good looking foals that she stamps just as much as the sire, particularly in terms of temperament and competitive attitude.
Zenterfold is due in late October, so she still has a couple of months – such important months for the foal – before then. She is in familiar territory and familiar hands at Breckon Farms, where she always foals when she is down here in the Waikato.
In future blogs I want to look at some of the other modern branches of Zenterfold’s wider family, where they are at now, and talk to the breeders, owners and trainers who are involved in their development.
But for now, getting the mares to stud is a step to giving ourselves a break away from everything during September. They will be well looked after, and we can take a holiday from this wonderful passion and hobby as well as the “day jobs” that enable us to do it.
You guys are missing the broken sleeps waiting for that foal to arrive…we have had one colt so far and expecting another mare to foal a day or so ago
Those are nice early foals, Robert. All the best with them.