Anette texted me 3 hours ago to say that Arwen had just foaled! I’ve been on the phone ever since: a huge thanks to skype for making it possible to be in touch for a long time without risking financial ruin!
Although none of us expected Arwen to foal in day time and absolutely not in front of Ali (she’d not more than come back from her walk in the bush when she set about foaling, and was done - on her own - within 12 minutes!) she’d been looking miserable since Saturday, so that little foal was certainly eager to come out!
Anette is now busy taking care of the foal and mother and keeping them all out of harms way, as well as ensuring that the foal is nursing properly. She’s an eager little thing (it’s a girl!!!) and I have been told more than once that I should be there to experience it!
Pictures will be posted in the morning. In the mean time, a trumendous thanks to Theresa Jones, author of the Complete Foaling Manual, for being there for us throughout the process (it’s been two years now, considering Arwen resorbed the first time without us having any way of knowing!) and for being so generous with her time and knowledge! We love your book and we are sooooooo grateful for all that you have done for us! Superthanks from the two Swedish girls in Zinder!!!
As for the name of the filly, I think we have up our minds, but we still want to get the feel of it for a while… 
I end with some pictures of Arwen’s last stage of pregnancy! Finally, two years of waiting have come to an end!
Arwen with a white friend
Saying goodbye to our girls in August
Arwen late August
Congratulations, Arwen!!!
5 users commented in " Arwen has foaled! "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackCongratulations, Ishtar! I know you are disappointed that you weren’t there at the time of birth, but in just 3 weeks you’ll see the little foal How exciting! Will there be a baby shower (party)?
Congratulations to Arwen (love that name and can’t wait to read the name of the foal.)
I am very interested in your blog and your life in Africa. Glad I found your blog!
Congratulations! Too bad it happened while you were out of the country. I am really looking forward to seeing the little filly’s coloring…
Thanks everyone!!! I will make sure to forward all congratulations to the young mother!
@Pat: A foal shower party? Now there’s an idea! A delicious solar cooked meal served in the horse yard perhaps? Arwen wouldn’t mind a cake made just of bran, oil and salt (she doesn’t care for sugar) but I don’t think many guests would be content with that!
@Laurie: Thanks! I’m glad you found here too! I love the name of Arwen as well, and it took quite some time to figure out an fitting name for a filly! A colt would have been easy, but we’re saving that for next time.
@L: We did make a bit of a fuss finding the “right” sire with a right coat (simple brown with a black mane, no odd markings) as I didn’t want a horse that looked like a cow…
The little filly has a brown coat with black mane and a tiny little white star, like both her parents. I was sure she would inherit her mother’s white sock (but on a different leg) but she got her father’s black leggings which is fabulous. I hope she stays that way!! That said, she was looking very wobbly last night, but when we finally left her, she was nursing like a pro and eager to discover the world. They develop soooo quickly, I am amazed!!! It only took her four hours to start prancing, but she still has to work on her balance… 
Arwen is the best of mothers, giving her filly all the care and attention in the world.
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