Sorry to have disappeared! Despite having a wonderful birth with a vigorous nursing baby (so grateful!) I discovered first thing the next morning that mama had retained part of the placenta. Being on an island with no vet and limited state run ferry service made for a complete nightmare -- but a sweet friend sacrificed the floor of their camper van, and sweet mama Chickadee was so very gracious with all of the crazy and scary things we asked of her and her hours-old baby and we made it to the vet before the infection had time to set it. It took over an hour of some pretty serious interventions to get her to drop the last horn of the placenta. Though we are not out of the woods yet, vet was hopeful. Mama and baby made it home late last night (much to the relief of the rest of the herd who was SO worried about their new baby) and are still doing well. Still we are accepting all good thoughts and prayers for them over the next week as that is the most dangerous period for them.
It's a filly -- we named her Lark -- and we are pretty sure she's a grulla zorse!!! Stroud kill pen (where we rescued mama from) often has zebra studs, so we think that's what happened to give her her amazing stripes! We are all so in love and she is a spunky little sweetheart and mama is just the best and most loving mama.
Her best friend from the rodeo/auction/kill pen is due any day now as well and is enjoying life as an auntie (though I heard today she got kicked by the fierce baby Lark this afternoon -- sheesh being an aunt is a tough job!).