Date of Birth: 04. May 2008 - 8:20 AM

Birth Height: 21 3/4" at 1 day

Foal Coat Color: Frosted Spotted White/red/brown based?

Sire:  KMA Montana The Sundance Kid

         33" Black & White Spotted

Dam: Little Friends Q-tip

          32 1/4" - Frosted Spotted White

Q-tip's long awaited baby has arrived. Since we didn't have a breeding date on Q-tip we've been watching her closely for impending signs of birth. She was nice and waited until feeding time to go into labor to have her baby. She delivered a beautiful little guy that almost looks like when she was a foal - just a tad lighter and browner in his base color - more brownish than grayish. Quatro found his milk bottle quickly and is a friendly and very outgoing baby. This was Sundance's last foal for this spring.

Q-tip is a good mom - the first day seemed like she tried to learn to take care of him and watched her new bundle of joy with curiosity. She just does not like him nursing while she eats her grain. So I take that time to love on him a little extra.

Pictures at 4 days of age. Bottom pictures are just included to show his red/brown base coat.

Date of Birth: 28. April 2008

Birth Height: 22 1/2" at 1 day

Foal Coat Color: Dark Brown/Gray-Dun - NLP

Sire:  KMA Montana The Sundance Kid

         33" Black & White Spotted

Dam: Little Friends Ranch Miss Montana

          32 1/4" - Dark Brown

Here we did it again - missed another birth! Montana was not due until May 8th and did not look any different than the weeks before. She was as big as a barrel and has had a milk bag for 3 months - but we had a breeding date on her since she was hand bred. We had to go to Lexington to deliver some donkeys and on our way home our son called us and said he found a baby when he came home from school. A storm had come through that included a hail shower. The baby however, was dry except for the very top of his coat indicating that he has been there all day and just got a little bit wet by the storm. At 2 days of age he is doing fine and is another solid boy - like Montana's last foal Arctic Blast. Most of our spring foals have been so solid and we think that this is the reason why they are arriving early.

Date of Birth: 20. April 2008

Birth Height: 22 1/4" at 2 days

Foal Coat Color: Gray-Dun

Sire:  Ass-Pirin Acres Jolly Roger

         30 3/4" Light Red

Dam: B-7 Tapioca

          32 1/4" - Gray-Dun

Tapioca as seems to be the trend this spring has had her baby 2 weeks early - outside on a cold night. When we found him early in the morning he was still wet and a little bit cool. I put a little coat on him and he warmed up quickly.

After two girls this is Tapioca's first boy and he is just as adorable and correct as the girls she has had.

Tapioca as always is a good mom that likes to keep her baby by her side. 

Date of Birth: 15. April 2008

Birth Height: 21"

Foal Coat Color: Spotted

Sire: KMA Montana The Sundance Kid

         33" Black & White Spotted

Dam: Annie's Acres Miriam

          32 1/4" Dark Brown

Miriam decided to have her baby on the coldest night in over a month 31 degrees and freezing!  She could have waited another day since she was due on April 19th and temperatures warmed up the very next morning. Miriam did not look any closer to birthing in the evening when I checked on her so I didn't think I needed to put her on "foal watch" and didn't even put her inside the barn. The next morning this little spotted, curly girl greeted me at feeding time. She was a little cool so I put a little blanket on her for a couple of hours until she warmed up and put her into a stall. I felt terrible all day for not having checked on her throughout the night or at least put her into a stall but there were no indicators that she would have her baby that night. At least Miriam chose the small shed to deliver her baby where the temps hopefully remained above freezing. I'm hoping she didn't get chilled too bad and won't get a cold from this. So far she is doing well and is acting like a normal newborn. (nurses, plays and sleeps). My daughter named this little girl!

Date of Birth: 13. April 2008 - approx. 2:40 AM

Birth Height: 22 1/4 - 22 1/2"

Foal Coat Color: Black - no stripe or cross visible at this time

Sire: KMA Montana The Sundance Kid

         33" Black & White Spotted

Dam: Gardner's Skwentna

          31 1/2" Gray-Dun

Skwentna's first foal out of Sundance was a gray/white spotted little girl. We were expecting something similar or a solid gray this time around. What a surprise to see this beautiful black girl after it was all over!

When I checked on Skwentna at 2:20 AM she was in heavy labor but there was no "bubble".  I went into the house to get iodine and some other things - 5 minutes later still no bubble. I started to get worried and got my husband out of bed. He came right out and still no bubble to indicate the progression of the birth. He checked to see if the baby was laying wrong but it was in the correct position - just stuck! It didn't move an inch with the contractions. My husband pulled the legs with the contractions which took all his strength and finally got the front legs out, then the head. It took both of us to pull the baby past its ribcage so it could take it's first breath. Even her rump was stuck. It all took about 20 minutes to deliver the baby and I am so thankful we were there for Skwentna and Rasberry. The next morning I could see why Skwentna had such a rough time. There is not a bone to be felt on this baby. She has a really wide back and hip - she looked more like a week old foal than a newborn. I think she is about 13 days past her due date and the reason why she is such a solid baby! Black Rasberry is simply adorable and a very active foal. At two hours she backed up to her mom over and over and tried to kick her... Skwentna takes it all in stride! Rasberry has been friendly right from birth.

We left the "P" out of "Raspberry" on purpose - I think it sounds nicer without it.

Top pictures at 2 days - bottom picture at 1 day.  In the bottom picture she tried to aggravate her mom- backing into her and kicking.

Date of Birth: 10. April 2008 - 2:30 AM

Birth Height: 21" at 1 day

Foal Coat Color: Gray-Dun

Sire:  Ass-Pirin Acres Jolly Roger

         30 3/4" Light Red

Dam: Windsong's Lizzy

          31" - Gray-Dun

Lizzy was the second jenny I thought may have her baby early before the storms came in and she did! At least 11 days early just like Soballia. I put her up in the stall and checked on her throughout the night. She delivered this beautiful Jolly son about 4 hours after Soballia had her boy! He is perfect in every way! Small, with a short back, beautiful tiny head and simply adorable with an outstanding pedigree AND COLOR behind him! So this little jack should have the ability to throw all kinds of different color!

I believe he has the makings for a future herd sire.

Date of Birth: 09. April 2008 - 2:30 AM

Birth Height: 22 3/4 at 1 day

Foal Coat Color: Light Red

Sire:  Ass-Pirin Acres Jolly Roger

         30 3/4" Light Red

Dam: Laughlin's Soballia

          34" - Dark Brown

We were expecting a severe storm so I figured that it could bring a baby with it even though the jennies were not quiet due, yet. Sure enough Soballia delivered her little boy at around 10:30 PM on a beautiful, warm evening. We let her foal outside since she gets so nervous in a stall unless she already has a baby. We then put them into a stall. This little jack has Jolly's color and is a nice baby!

Pictures at 5 days

Date of Birth: 29. March 2008 - approx. 11;30 AM

Birth Height: 21 3/4"

Foal Coat Color: tri-color Spotted - some tyger-spots

Sire: Ass-Pirin Acres Jolly Roger

        30 3/4" Light Red

Dam: Little Friends Diamond

          33" Brown/Gray-dun & White Spotted

Diamond delivered a cute little girl in one of the worst spots one could possibly decide to have her baby. She chose the group toilet area that I did clean about an hour before she delivered her baby - but with all the rain we have had - that area stays muddy with the water run-off from the barn roof. When I found the baby at noon she must have just gotten up and mud was just caked on her belly. While I iodined the belly cord I am still holding my breath hoping that she is not going to get sick. We are giving her some antibiotics for a few days - hoping that it may ward off any infection that may have entered her belly cord.

This little one is a typical little girl and still sleeps a lot. She reminds me very much on two foals we had in the past (Lady Bug and Bugs). She has a cute color pattern with both of her eyes covered with color. Her stripe and coloring is broken in 2 places over her top line (once on her back and on her neck.

Other than choosing the worst spot to deliver her baby Diamond is a wonderful caring mom to her. She never moved when the baby tried to nurse for the first time and she still lets her nurse whenever and for as long as the baby wants to.

Top two pictures at 2 weeks, next 2 at 10 days bottom two at 2 days

Date of Birth: 28. March 2008 - approx. 2:30 AM

Birth Height: 23"

Foal Coat Color: Dark Spotted

Sire: KMA Montana The Sundance Kid

         33" Black & White Spotted

Dam: S & M's Dottie

          33 1/2" Brown/Gray-dun & White Spotted

Stunning, stunning, stunning..... What a beautiful girl Dottie had! We are happy that this baby is here! She is one of our biggest foals that has been born here but she is simply stunning! Dottie has been barely moving around this last month of her pregnancy and we could tell that her front  feet were bothering her. She had been previously foundered and had a broken crest when we purchased her a few years back but this was the first time that her feet really bothered her during pregnancy. It doesn't surprise me after seeing this little whopper! I know Dottie is glad that she is here but delivered her in a speedy delivery by herself as usual. When we checked on her at 2:40 AM the baby was still laying down and had not found her feet, yet. All is well with this little one and Dottie is beginning to feel a little bit better since she has gotten rid of her extra weight.

Top two Pictures at 2 1/2 weeks, 3rd picture at almost 2 weeks, bottom picture at 3 days and taken with a flash.

Date of Birth: 18. March 2008 

Birth Height: 22 1/4 at 2 days

Foal Coat Color: gray-dun w. rose tones

Sire:  Ass-Pirin Acres Jolly Roger

         30 3/4" Light Red

Dam: Little Friends Ranch Sweet Miracle

          32 1/4" - Dark Brown

Miracle delivered this little boy 3 weeks and 2 days early. I've been checking her udder daily and there was no difference the evening before she had her baby. Since she was still this far out and she had her other babies pretty much on time I never even thought about checking on her more often. This little Early bird is doing well and is a typical Jolly baby with his look at me attitude. Early Bird is a very straight and solid boy! His conformation is very correct and he has a sweet personality.

Miracle is a good and protective mom.

Date of Birth: 13. March 2008 - 2:15 - 2:30 AM

Birth Height: 22 1/4"

Foal Coat Color: Light Gray-Dun - Rose Dun/Roan with forehead star

Sire:  Little Friends Lakota's Phantom

         32 1/4" Frosted Spotted White

Dam: B-7 Mali

          32" - Gray-Dun

Finally, finally did Mali have her baby! We just about gave up on her ever having it. She had been fully bagged for a week with all the signs of impending birth. She could barely get around anymore since she had no muscle tone left in her back end. So keeping an eye on her during the nights just really wore us out! She finally decided that it was time and we barely missed the birth of her little girl!

This little one is full of energy but needed 2 1/2 hours to find the milk bar. She never tired trying to find it and Mali did all she could do to accommodate her in finding it. I tried to assist at 2 hours but she wasn't going to have any part of the help. Once she found the nipple she got her fill and that is when she really got energized. She's been going ever since... and tries to push out of her stall the second the door is opened - that at about 12 hours of age.... I have the feeling that Mali is going to have to have some strong nerves with this little one! Maybe this is why she tried to contain her as long as she possible could...

Mali and Lakota once again did a great job with this little one! While her last baby was a frosted spotted white, this one is special in itself and we think she will have Mali's beautiful pink shine when grown... She must be roan... or something else than gray - dun - maybe a dilution between gray and pink and/or roan since she had the liver colored rimmed eyes which of course will turn into black rimmed eyes... plus the star on her forehead - we couldn't ask for anything cuter! I kept my word for not keeping any jennets in 2007 and offered ALL for sale - but hey it's 2008!!! We are thinking about maybe keeping this little one - even Freddie seems to be ok with the idea since Mali is one of his favorite girls!

Pictures at 1 day

Not for sale - we are keeping her!

Date of Birth: 28. February 2008

Birth Height: 21 1/2"

Foal Coat Color: Light Red

Sire:  Ass-Pirin Acres Jolly Roger

         30 3/4" Light Red

Dam: MBJ Hot Pink

          32 1/4" - light red

We are so glad for this little one to be here! We are also happy to report that she is healthy! We were worried about her since Hot Pink had an infection in one of her molar roots for many months which resulted in a nasal discharge on her left side... She had to be on antibiotics for 3 months during her early pregnancy which didn't do a thing... We took her off the meds and gave her extra vitamins and other herbal supplements... They didn't do a whole lot better either - but it didn't get worse. She never seemed to be in pain and never missed a meal or a treat! Surgery at a specialized hospital - with no guarantee for improvement - was quoted with $15,000! Over this past 9 months her nasal drip improved slowly and is now almost non-existent so we are thinking she got over her ailment. I was still worried that the medicine may have harmed her unborn foal in its development which does not seem to be the case. The baby is doing well and is a typical, bouncy and sweet little girl! And we can't find any faults with her.

Sahara did arrive about 2 weeks early and I was going to put Hot Pink onto the monitor the very next night... I had gotten her stall almost ready... That never happened since she decided to have her foal on the coldest night outside! She was smart though and chose to have her baby in the smallest shed that has a very low ceiling (I can't stand up in it) - This shed holds body heat really well and it is always several degrees warmer inside than outside. When the morning sun came out (before I got out) - she took her baby and placed it right into the sun! When I found them she was standing behind the baby blocking the wind - the baby was all dry and warm! As I was getting some more straw to put into the stall the baby tried to lay down - Hot Pink made her get up right away - apparently knowing that the frozen ground could harm her baby. When she saw me she nudged Sahara toward me to the gate - she was ready to go into her stall! Only then did she let her baby lay down. I am soooo very proud of her and am amazed once again how smart they are!

Hot Pink is a very gentle, wonderful and attentive mom that has so much love for her little one!

Pictures at 2 days

Date of Birth: 15. February 2008 - 9:15 AM 

Birth Height: 20"

Foal Coat Color: Gray-Dun - NLP

Sire:  Little Friends Lakota's Phantom

         32 1/4" Frosted Spotted White

Dam: Little Friends Delphi

          32 3/4" - Dark Brown/Gray-Dun

Lakota's last foal born in 2007 was an adorable, gray NLP little jack. His first foal in 2008 is a gray NLP little jenny! And what a cutie she is - she didn't quiet make it for Valentine's Day but she is still a Sweet Valentine for us.

Delphi began to get restless at feeding time. She went to the feeder with the other girls but only took a couple mouths full of hay and went back into the run-in. Of course I kept a close eye on her while I fed everybody else. Delphi trusts me completely and just needed a little bit of assistance to deliver her baby. She seemed to be thankful that I was there with her. She is a wonderful and attentive first time mom and simply adores her new bundle of joy! She could not have chosen a nicer morning to have her baby! 

Sweet Valentine is a little bundle of energy. I had no success trying to take pictures of her by myself - so my daughters had to assist to keep her busy. Even with the help - I got many pictures with just a blur, ears or a little tail on it. 

Pictures at 1 day