Welcome to KSG Stables UPCOMING EVENTS The Alberta Morgan Horse Show for 2007 is being hosted by the Alberta Saddledbred Association, In conjunction with the Fall Classic at the Westerner grounds in Red Deer. Dates are August 16 - 19, 2007. Info available at: atracey@telusplanet.net, phone 780-968-6731. Full schedule of classes available. FOAL ORPHANED ON JUNE 23, 2007 Due to complications from an assisted birthing on June 18, AMHF Absolut Firebird (Abby) passed away on June 23, 2007. Thankfully, the beautiful chestnut filly she gave us, is doing well. One of our other mares, Parade Dance, has taken over Maternal duties, with the exception of nursing. They've bonded well, and "Mira" has her "CM" for food. A tribute to Abby Follows below: Abby acquired us when she was a long 3yo, as a western prospect, from a back pasture in Washington. She came to us slightly overbearing, not knowing her boundaries, and thinking she was the alpha human. In addition, no one told Abby she was a western horse. She was initially trained for saddle here at our farm by Laura Malyk, and shown lightly as a 4yo., in the EP division. Abby blossomed in 2003, when we sent her to Karen Abel at Dawnville Farms, originally with the intent to have her broke to drive. The first show was in May, she wasn't quite ready to drive, but Karen asked if I wanted to show her in hand. Abby had indicated she didn't want to show "In-Hand," but Karen & Abby clicked, and they were only defeated in 1 class in 2003. In 2003 she was named Grand Champion mare at BC Morgan, Westerner Spring Horse Show, Spring Classic & Alberta Morgan Horse shows, plus she was named CMHA National In-Hand Mare Champion. In addition, she won CMHA zone Champion in In-Hand Mares, Pleasure Driving & Park/Roadster divisions. She was also shown to Top 10 at OKC in Jr. Ex. Park Saddle by Ashley Comeau. She's had 2 previous foals, a 2yo gelding named KSG Absolute Temptation, by Ensbrook Tempest, who's just starting his driving training, and a lovely yearling filly by BeSt's Mellow Tune, named KSG Pure Cadence. Both are bays. Abby always kept us guessing as to her due date, 'cause she was a bit of a "hussy," and could easily be talked into something by a handsome man, even if she'd already caught, it seemed. I think she was usually 3 weeks early, and this year appeared to be no exception. On June 15, Friday, I noticed that she'd been doing quite a bit of pawing; she usually only pawed if she thought someone else was getting growlies when it was really her turn. Sunday PM I commented to Keith that she'd pawed one end of the stall clear of bedding, and that we'd have to add some. Pretty much as soon as we did, she laid down, and appeared to go into labour. But she didn't proceed, and after about 1/2 hour, I called the Vet. To make a long story short, we had to pull the foal, although not hard, nonetheless, a pull. "Uterine inertia" was the diagnosis, but both seemed fine. Baby nursed, and Abby cleaned. An elegant chestnut filly; birth was about 12:45 AM, June 18th. We left them be, baby was nursing fine. I noticed that Abby was up & down a lot, but was eating. Tues. AM she had a temp, and discharge, not pussey, just fluid. I called to get her flushed, no gunky pieces, just a bit of blood. She had been on Excenol since giving birth, due to pull. Tuesday PM I called the Vet back, she was up & down, appeared to be still laboring, HR was 120. Put on fluids, more Banamine, and an additional antibiotic. Tested for Peritonitis, as feared a small fear in the uterus, but was okay. Temp came down, she ate, pooped & peed, appeared better. Wed. was up & down, temp normal, another flush & more Banamine. Not really excited about feeding baby, but tolerated it. Thurs. AM HR was still way up, I asked where else we could go, and off we went to new Clinic at Red Deer; Critical care & surgeon on staff. Had to wean baby, started every 3 hour feedings. When we arrived, Vet said she was in shock, close to death, but was able to stabilize her, made night, heart rate came down to 90 - 100. On Friday, HR came down to about 80, which is still way high, but better. Started to nibble at food, rested comfortably, still no peritonitis, temp brought down, appeared guardedly optimistic for recovery. Didn't go down Friday, working to get baby feeding well; I was planning to go down Sat. AM, but received call that she hadn't survived Friday night. I received info from Colleen McNichol about "Igloo mama," what a blessing that was. Couldn't find "Igloo" but found "Coleman," so "Mira" now has "Coleman mama." Had Mira tested for colostrum, thankfully she got lots, so that's a blessing too. She's feisty, and thinks she's quite special, just like Abby. We have "CM" hung in a 5 gallon pail, which works well. I think all breeders should find themselves an "igloo" or "coleman" to put on their shelves for such an emergency. They were hard to find, as the "new & improved" models don't have the removable spigot which allows the plumbing for the nipple to be installed, as they've now got a completely molded shell. They're likely to get harder to find as time goes on. This is our first loss of a mare as breeders, so we're very thankful for that, as well as the lovely filly we now have. We're going to do everything possible to make sure she survives; she'd been through quite a bit by 1 week of age, but is doing fine. We will miss Abby's pretty face and princessy ways, but are thankful for the offspring we have. AMHF Absolut Firebird (Chandel Absolut x Cedar Creek Giselle) May 27, 1998 - June 23, 2007. Copyright © KSG Stables.