Cobs
We have some cobs here too, initially by a sort of happy circumstance. Hannah was the first, a black mare with a splash of white on her belly. She came in 2000, with her new filly foal at foot. The foal grew enormously, to be so much stronger than her mum, and upon responding to the name 'Rosie', became Benvarden Rosanna. Hannah always had grand foals to our own stallion, but only after some years did I discover that she conformed to the description of an Irish Cob. However, two seasons of matings to an Irish cob stallion did not suceed, but as Hannah was then better than 20 y-o it was a case of 'hooves-crossed'.
Rosie had her first foal to our Connemara stallion, a very furry November '06 arrival. He had greyish, sturdy legs, and a dark brown , shaggy coat. He looked exactly like the musk oxen calves on a David Attenborough programme we had seen shortly before, so he was christened ' Muskie' ! Despite the time of year, he never looked behind him, and thrived so well under his mum's care that he could have pulled a plough for fun ! He is really strong and cobby, and he and Hannah's Connemara X son, Willow, born May '06, are quite a match for each other in size and type. Both Muskie and Willow are typically laid back, friendly and easy going. Over the late autumn of 2009, the boys were started to drive by Wilmer and Robert McCrum in Markethill.
To our great delight, Rosie produced an Irish Cob filly in May '08, to the 15.2 skewbald stallion, Kildrum Lad, who stands with Robert Crawford, near Dromore, Co.Tyrone. Highly recommended, and very knowledgable, Robert and Jackie take tremendous care of visiting mares, and have a first class team of stallions.
Kildrum Lad ( Busker ) photo to reload.
With a view to reducing our travelling costs in the future, and making it easier, we hope, for Hannah to go in foal, a son of Kildrum Warrior came to our herd during the late autumn. Officially named 'Kildrum Bodhran', Barney is a great kid ! He was Jackie's favourite at home, and he is a firm favourite here too ! He has loads of character, and, having spent the winter 'free-ranging' about the yard with three others weanlings, knows eveything that goes on, and where every bucket of meal is to be found ! He can begin his duties next year, all being well.
R. & J. Crawford's Black & White 14.2hh Stallion, Kildrum Warrior (Casper ). photo to reload.
Recently the cobs were joined by Drumaness Crommie and her bay filly, born in October '08. Crommie is not exactly in her first flush of youth, but she is a pet, and very easy to handle, and she is rearing a super baby - who is named Claddagh. She is as strong and compact as can be, with a great woolly coat, and will remain with us as a future brood mare.
Bella, at 4 weeks. By Kildrum Warrior and out of Crommie. May 2009
Polka. Winter 2009.