Little Lonely Lass

Our little lost lass is lonely no more.  You may have read about the sad news that a broodmare we care for, for Gavin and Shane Wealleans sadly lost her life after foaling in Cambridge.

Her name was Lynisky and she has left already left the recent winner Show No Emotion and the capable King Savinsky.  This year she foaled a beautiful Mastercraftsman filly but sadly died shortly after giving birth to the wee lass we have called "Missy".  We did think about calling her (orphan) Annie but we already have an Annie in the stable and Missy is proving to be a real miss!

At the stud where Missy was foaled, they did everything they could to get a foster mother to take the wee lass.  Sadly not one, not two but three broodmares all rejected her and wouldn't have anything to do with her so another solution to save her had to be found.

The stud team at Cambridge began the mothering role themselves, hand feeding her at regular intervals throughout the day and night with a special milk mixture.  After about six weeks she travelled home to Te Akau Stud and our team here took over her love and care.

We needed to find a friend for her to be her paddock mate, to keep her company and stop her from getting lonely.  We chose a lovely gelding who we bred ourslves called "Zane" - by King's Chapel out of Sea Rhythm.

To be fair we think Zane was probably initially quite puzzled about this new role and any expectations of him - was he a babysitting service?  Why did this little thing traipse around after him and chase him and egg him on to play?

AND how come she got all this special treatment - well he didn't like the smell of the milk mixture anyway and he got plenty of whiffs of it.  How? well she would bury her head in her bucket of milk formula as we fed her and end up with mixture from one end of her face to the other.

Zane and Missy can be seen from our office here at the farm and they provide us with daily joy - she is growing and thriving and doing so well - and for his part, Zane simply adores her.  He cares for her, looks out for her, plays with her and generally teaches her things about being a horse that she needs to know.  He might not be her mother - but he is giving her an incredible gift of companionship, patience and education - it is a truly heart warming relationship.

Merry Christmas little Missy - you are already turning in to quite a character - we do not know what the racing future holds for you but you are lucky to be alive - and this story could quite easily have a magical ending - and Zane will have played a crucial part in whatever her future holds.  One thing for sure, she is loved to bits!

Waiting for lunch with Zane ...

Licking lips ...

Yum .... oops food face!

Zane I think it's all gone ...

H

Hi James ... I love all my human attention ...

My name is Missy - I am Te Akau's little miracle!

Photos - Stacey Bridgman