From January 11th

I watched he sky grow light from inside a moving horse trailer today. All I could see were tree limbs and the occasional power line and I sat low in the corner, a week foal in my arms. His dam, traveling loose in the small trailer stall, lowered her graceful head periodically to chek and make sure her baby was still with us. We were on our way to the clinic to save this little guy's life.

Less twelve hours prior, a mare named Caracara had her foal nearly two weeks early. The placenta was infected and had begun to separate early. I'ts hard to know how long the colt was without oxygen before he was pulled out in an emergency birth. Then he lost quite a bit of blood when the umbilical cord didn't break properly and had to be cut. Overall, the first few hours of his life were rough and he's what we refer to as a dummy foal. He doesn't have the strength or oxygen supply to hold his head up for long, much less stand to nurse. So as soon as I got to the barn, I was asked by a manager to ride in the trailer so the mare wouldn't accidentaly step on her foal. We got to the equine hospital of unusual size (read: EHOUS) about an hour later and the little foal was carried away by stretcher. The next few days will determine if he'll be alright. What a trip! But it wasn't done yet!

I rode with the farm's hauler, Barrett. He's a man who looks older than he is due to the cigarettes he smokes, and is full of southern drawl and charm. People laugh at me when I jokingly bring out the drawl and turn "If you want to," into a harsh "Y'oughnt to." I've got nothing compared to this man!

We stopped by Keeneland Race Course to drop off paper work for the yearling sale currently going on there. Taylor Made Sales Agency has about 200 young horses they are putting through the sale. I've never seen any event put on with such preparation, care, show, and professionalism. Horses are pets here. They are big business.

Adventures abound for me. There is never a day the same, expecially if you're willing to do a little extra work, spend a little extra time, and lend a hand. Everything is new and exciting in my position, as someone here to learn. It's fantastic now, and I hope I can keep up a portion of that excitement during my tenure here.