The countdown has started to the birth of the first foal to be born this year at Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre.
One of the centre’s mares, Cotebrook Loch Torridon, is due to give birth on February 22, with another three mares to follow over coming months.
Alistair King with two of the mares due to give birth soon – Cotebrook Loch Torridon, left, and Cotebrook Loch Carron
All four foals have been fathered by Moorfield Edward, one of the most popular horses at the centre, and one of the world’s most prolific stallions in terms of breeding show champions.
To enable visitors to follow all the mares’ progress the centre has launched Foalwatch 2013 – a video diary of the mares’ through pregnancy and hopefully capturing the births on film.
“Foaling is the most important thing we do at the centre as one of our main aims is preserving this native breed for the future,” said Janet King, who runs the centre with husband Alistair.
“This is a very exciting time for us and we want to share the experience with our visitors, which is why we have launched the Foalwatch videos – to give people the chance to see up close something they might not usually be able to.”
Foalwatch videos are available to watch on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryHfsDK5qys&feature=youtu.be
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