Pik's Margarita is hell on wheels--a lively little filly that hates to hold still for anything. She is always cantering, bucking and testing out her moves, and thinks that a sleeping sister makes a perfect obstacle for practicing her jumping skills! Her sister is NOT terribly amused. I am grateful that today is the last day of IV antibiotics (needed because of the failure of passive transfer due to Quila having lost her colostrum prior to delivery), since it is quite a challenge to keep up with her in order to get them in!

Pik's Surprise is not as strong as her sister, but is catching up. She started cantering yesterday, and is testing out her ability to buck today. She is sweeter, quieter, and more of a "lap dog" type--in fact, her favorite sleeping position is with her head and front legs in your lap. That is wonderful and cozy now, but I foresee problems after she's gained a few hundred pounds... To our astonishment, she is also the dominant twin--especially when it comes to nursing--and she gives her sister no quarter. Margarita must either go to the opposite side, or practically turn herself inside out to reach the far teat from the same side. And sometimes Surprise doesn't feel like sharing at all, and will take both teats in her mouth at the same time just to be obstinate, causing Margarita to stomp her hooves in disgust. Surprise pays no attention whatsoever.

Medical challenges are by and large behind us, except that Surprise has under-ossification of her bones that will keep the girls stall-bound for several weeks while we let her bones calcify and watch out for the development of angular limb deformities. There are many new treatments for that type of problem now, using equine podiatry, so I am not alarmed--I am surrounded by 2 of the world's most wonderful vets, and with their help, I know I have 2 little top notch sport horses in the making. My more immediate problem is keeping the hellions entertained--but to that end, one of my boarders was going to make a stop at Petco last night for some sturdy rubber dog toys--the vet felt their size more suitable than an equine jolly ball at this point. I think Quila will be relieved as she is tired of being the butt of their equine pranks at this point. The poor dear looks happy but exhausted, and will be relieved when they can join her mare friends in pasture.

Here are the latest photos. We're having a great debate as to whether Margarita will turn grey. I don't think so (wishful?) but Jürgen and Jennifer said that they've seen many greys start out this color.

Pik's Margarita

Pik's Surprise