We are excited but restrained at this important milestone. Pearl’s official 45 day scan is due 2nd May so that is when we both get really excited. So much for the local vet advising Pearl wasn’t cycling! We have learnt a heck of a lot along this particular journey, most of it not good. The reported dead semen first time around has yet to be explained and documented to the supplier and transporter’s satisfaction, how hard is it to report the details… unless it’s the details that are suspect of course. A lot of money was lost on their verbal announcement and until we receive documented evidence of procedures followed and how the dose was discovered dead prior to insemination, we will hound them. To complete the set I shall also be advising the 2nd vet of our news…. how unlucky were we to find two bad ones in a row?

To top off the good news our Pearl comes home this Saturday after 5 weeks away. Duchess will have to take a step back; she has been revelling in being the top horse for weeks. From all reports she was always the baby previously so it’s been a joy to see her progress from surprise to expectation when others do as she demands. We have of course had to borrow a driver to collect Pearl as I don’t have my licence as yet (April 15th is test day) so this will be a driving lesson with the trailer on… It’s all very different when the load’s on with one’s own baby inside.. So I am anxious not to toss Pearl into the wall or take out a fence whilst cornering.

Further worry today when Dale noticed Duchess had cut her back right hock whilst rolling. As impossible as it seemed she caught her hock under the edge of the gate (only 4-5 inches off the ground) and neatly sliced a 4cm gash right along the joint – right through to the muscle but thankfully no damage to tendons or blood vessels. The vet says (yes another one – ha ha, they don’t do AI and have been treating our menagerie without incident for the past 5 years) Duchess should be fine for the Young Stock show in two weeks with the scar shrinking over time to the point you’d hardly notice it. Of course it’s cleaning the wound twice a day and re-dressing that will annoy Duchess no end.

Despite our day to day revelations, doings and difficulties, the show dates continue to march on. This coming Sunday, Jan (neighbour) and I start the first flight plaiting practise. Hoping the video from the Shire weekend 5 months ago will show enough of the steps to work it out. According to those that can plait, they say our fingers will cramp long before we finish… great! Thankfully Rebel doesn’t have to be plaited this time being only 6 months old. By the time he’s a year old we should have the process down pat, but in the mean time the other 2 still need doing and Duchess isn’t one for standing still for long.

No job has arisen to save the day but I have been to one interview. It is devastating to find myself looking for work again, the fear of not knowing, the worry of reducing funds, am I marketing myself appropriately, when will I find the job for me? Thanks to all for offers of help and encouragement these past weeks. Hoping to have better news next post.