Collection Achieved

Ok, how many of you read that title and pictured collection work under saddle? Not surprising, but this deals with Roscoe. After a couple of months of failed attempts to coordinate mare seasons, shipping and holidays, we FINALLY kept a collection appointment.
Of course Wednesday was one of the hottest days yet that we have had, so Roscoe was covered in sweat when we brought him in from turnout. We decided to hose him down before loading to make him feel better. I knew it was really hot when he actually stood on a loose lead while I hosed him off. Mr. Hydrophobic said that the water felt pretty good.
He loaded well, a good sign. Then we could not find our printed directions to ERC. I put them in the glove box and I think my dad or brother took them out. Luckily I remembered the street name and used my phone. Traffic cooperated and we made it just before our 1pm appointment.

Mr. Sunburn Nose waiting for his turn

Murphy's Law, we were ready, but they were not. They were just finishing an embryo transfer and trying to load the mare. She, a very big girl, was not in the mood to get on the trailer. 20 minutes, grain, a blindfold and some candy later she eventually got on. Roscoe chilled in the trailer calling occasionally to the other horses.
Once they had the area set for Roscoe, we unloaded him and handed him off to the doctor. He handled having the chain in his mouth great and walked with her like a gentleman. Mom and I decided to watch the process safely behind a metal rail in the shed. When Roscoe entered he remembered what this place meant. They provided him with a draft mare for his stimulation. I think the doctor forgot that Roscoe had special needs as to where the mare is positioned. He got excited with the mare behind the tease rail, allowed them to clean him, but he would not mount the phantom. At times he would get distracted and soften. Eventually the doctor remembered that Roscoe prefers the mare to be by the phantom and that he has a tendency towards mounting sideways.
The mare was moved to the side of the phantom and the handler tried to aim Roscoe for the opposite side of the phantom. Tried being the key word there. Roscoe mounted faster than they expected, then proceeded to follow the mare when they moved her away. They tried a few more approaches, but no success. The doctor called a break and sent Roscoe out to graze.
Mom and I were impressed with the way they handled Roscoe's behavior. They corrected him when needed, but always gave slack when he listened. He has definitely been a super star for us at home, when we see what he could be doing to us around the girls.
After the break they put the mare closer to the phantom. Roscoe was a bit frustrated at this point and got nippy. He knew what to do, but could not seem to put it all together. So the doctor had the handler bring him to the phantom and then he put the collection tube onto him while he was on the ground. That stimulated him to thrust and eventually to mount. He mounted straight and stayed in the tube. They used the larger phantom, so Roscoe looked a little silly when mounted. I guess the smaller one would be too small for him. Then they let him dismount. Poor boy, his muscles were quivering and he was sweaty.
The doctor had to check that A. he ejaculated and B. the quality was good enough. The handler walked him out to the grass and we changed to our lead line with out a chain to let him graze. He settled right back into gentleman mode more interested in eating than the girls. That kind of behavior is what we hoped to get from him. Fortunately he did ejaculate and his quality was good, so he was done. Collection achieved.
We walked him over to the barn to use the hose before loading him again. Roscoe got a bit wiggly as Saphiro was looking at him. I guess the big boy still scares him. We had to remind him that this time he gets to go home.
I sent a text to the breeder saying Roscoe did his job. Now it was the mares' turns. She called today to say both mares had been bred. The wait and see begins. He might have one more mare this year, but I am not sure.
Overall the process was enlightening and worth going through. It certainly made me glad Roscoe is on joint medicine already. I am also glad he is getting this training young. His manners around the mares truly benefits us.

Not a Cookie Cutter Stud

Tomorrow will be Roscoe's 14th day at ERC. And he will spend it there. The vet believes Roscoe is phantom trained. That means he will mount the first time and ejaculate. He also allows cleaning and beyond a bit of excitement behaves for the handlers. Where Roscoe deviates from other stallions is that he wants the teaser mare right in front of the phantom. He does not need to touch her, but he does need to see her. If the mare is placed in front, he mounts straight. If she is by the tease rail, he either mounts sideways (probably whatever way lets him look at the mare) or he chooses to ignore the phantom.
So Roscoe does not fit the cookie cutter expectations. What a surprise... NOT. He has done things his own way since he was born. Not their idea of "perfect" but it gets the job done.
He has reverted to rearing when he does not get what he wants, like trying to rush the phantom. I think that reaction stems from the  stud chain and nerves. Hopefully he will be good once he gets home.

Roscoe's fall back reaction: Rearing

When he is coming home is still up in the air. Training wise, he is free as of Wednesday.
But there is a possibility that one of the mares his breeder is looking to breed, will be in season this week. If she is ready by Thursday or Friday, then we will leave him at ERC for collection. If she is not ready this week then, we want him home and will trailer him back for collection. She is going to tease the mare in the morning to see where she is at in her cycle. More news when I know.

And now for a change of subject, my new niece was born this morning. Welcome Claire Kathryn!!

Can't Come Home

Are you guys tired of the Roscoe Saga yet?
No.
Good, because here is the most recent update.
I had mixed feelings about what I wanted to hear today from the vet. If the vet said Roscoe was done and ready to go home, I would have to brave a solo trailer trip for the first time. Mom, Dad and Peggy went to PA for a carriage/harness auction yesterday. But my boy would be home. On the other hand, if he had to stay it would be a scheduling nightmare going to pick him up later.
So I informed the vet to call my cell phone since I was farm sitting for Peggy. At work I put it on vibrate and carried it in my pocket (big no no) while I gave a training class. And of course the vet called while I was training. I never felt the thing vibrate. Well although Roscoe has improved, he still needs time to fine tune his technique.

No little red boy in the barn this weekend.

The goods news:
1. Roscoe got an erection just from the phantom, exactly what they aim for. Ooh bad unintended pun.

2. They were able to leave the teaser mare behind the tease rail, instead of having her right next to the
 phantom.

3. Roscoe mounted the phantom, finally, though he did it sideways. Hence the fine tuning I
mentioned.

4. The test cool for his semen provided an acceptable shipping protocol for him. He responded well to one extender, ok to another and the third won't have results until tomorrow. That means I don't have to pay an additional amount to test two other possible extenders.

We do have to buy another head piece to his halter, since he broke it when they put the chain on him while tied. Why they did that, I have no idea. It seems if you have balls, you have to wear a chain every time. Ah well, he will survive. Only 3-4 more days. I can't wait to have him home.

Muzzle Time and More Roscoe News

Our grass is green and growing, so we have pulled out muzzles. We start with the muzzles from last year. That way the holes are a little bigger and we can work them into the new muzzles with small holes. We also put a loop of baling twine by the ears, then braid mane through it to help prevent them from pulling them off over the ears. Time to stock up on mole skin and halter fleece.

Winston resigned to his fate

DaVinci "Why do I have to wear this?"

Because your covered in bright green spots from the pretty rich grass

We offset pasture days with dry lot times so they get breaks from the muzzles. Our guys know the routine and handled the change well. So far DaVinci is the only one to have taken his muzzle off. Mom forgot to do the baling twine loop and he rubbed it off and stomped it. His opinion was clearly stated.
And now for Roscoe news.
He is still having issues with mounting. I think some of the problem is that for his whole life we have told him not to rear when attached to a human or near a human. They have been able to get him to mount the phantom and collect him, but a teaser mare has to be right next to the phantom. At one point they put the collection tube on him and it stimulated him to mount and complete the job.
The vet said he is a bit of a teenager around the mares, rushing and getting excited. Roscoe has to learn impulse control. Boundaries are such hard things to learn. The vet does believe that repetition will help him learn and that there is less chance of Roscoe becoming sour because... wait for it ...
"he has a strong libido and is always ready to go." Ha, good to know. Roscoe has always loved to work ;)
Now onto the microscope results. They reviewed his semen from one of the collections. He has great numbers of sperm count, well with in normal ranges 5-8billion. His motility 55% (the amount of sperm actively going in a forward movement) was at the low end, but with in acceptable range. Today into tomorrow they will be doing the test cool to see how best to set up the semen for shipping.
Overall Roscoe is behaving. Which as his owner makes me proud. The fact that they will be able to collect him and he is has viable semen is icing on the cake.
Friday we find out if he needs more time for training or if he gets to come home. I miss our redhead baby. Hopefully Mom will be home when it is time to pick him up. I don't want to do my first solo trailer drive to get him. But I will if that is how the timing works.
Next will be waiting for the mares that will be bred to him to come into season again. Then we start the drive through service ERC offers for collection. 3 years ago, if someone had said I would own and stand a stallion I would have called them crazy. Now we are taking it a day at a time.

Roscoe Update

I only lasted a day before calling and checking on Roscoe. Can you tell he is the first horse we have ever sent away?
Well he was still jumpy about the other stallions, but he enjoyed being turned out and chatting with his neighbor. They began working him in hand and getting him used to having a chain through his mouth. I guess he backed away from anything he did not like. Typical 2yr old behavior they said. Then the fun began. Time to go into the breeding shed.
Roscoe did not want to go into the shadowy depths. The handler had to trot him in. After that he was great. Behind the tease rail, a mare awaited. Roscoe was finally allowed to touch a girl! Cue erection.
Next he had to back away, which he did with out question and get himself cleaned.  I was a proud mama when they reported, he did not kick anyone during the cleaning. We have been working with him knowing the time would come.
Squeaky clean, he made another visit to the teaser mare. Excited again, they moved him to the phantom. Roscoe nipped at it, rubbed it like stallions do to mares. Beyond those actions he had no clue what he was suppose to do. He became distracted by thinking causing him to lose his erection. They ended up moving the teaser mare to the other side of the phantom so Roscoe could try to associate mare with phantom. He tried, but soon he showed signs of frustration. At that point they ended the session.
Their opinion, Roscoe is ahead in some things and behind in others. Good to hear.
We learned that they lead him left out of his stall for training, and turn right for turn out. This way he learns the process and what to expect easier.
I can't wait to hear how he has done in the days since.
Meanwhile at our barn, the four remaining ponies get to go out together. The girls get a break from Jenna and the boys get a break from Roscoe.

With the stallion away, the rest can play :)

Roscoe Goes to Training

It was a sad day for us. Roscoe is spending up to two weeks at Equine Reproductive Concepts. While there he will be having Phantom training and doing a Test cool. All this will get him ready for breeding.
After a discussion, we were able to load him up for his first solo trailer ride. He was a perfect passenger for the 45min drive. I left Mom and Peggy with Roscoe while I went to fill out the million forms. As I was writing a handler came out carrying a leather lead with chain shank. He kindly offered to unload Roscoe. I was a little worried since he looked "loaded for bear." In the end I figured Mom was there to control the situation.
When I finally finished the paperwork, I went to see my boy.

Roscoe's home for a little while

Roscoe's stall is the first one on the left in the barn above. He was sweaty, glued to the front of the stall, but munching away at hay. I soon find out that he was scared out of his socks. As he entered the barn with the handler, Saphiro a Lusitiano stallion in the stall across from Roscoe's charged the front stall wall at Roscoe. Mom said Roscoe was thinking small thoughts trying to hide and he would not go in the stall. Eventually, Mom took his lead and worked him in hand to refocus his mind. She was then able to back him into the stall. Poor Roscoe was still worried.

Roscoe in Jail, watching his rear window.

The stall is large, but barred with high walls. Nothing like he is used to. And his front view is of his favorite stallion.

Saphiro, This guy is a teddy bear at home, but uber stallion at the collection center.

We went to have a tour with Roscoe calling after us. His visit will start with handling lessons and manners around the mares. Then he will meet the phantom.

They will use a teaser mare to help train him to use the phantom. Success means he stands for cleaning, then mounts and ejaculates in one to two tries. How long he stays depends on how quick he picks up the process. Since he is so young, they have to be careful not to make him sour. They will work with him daily. Hopefully the work will settle him down.
The lab will test his semen to see which of 3 antibiotics will work with the extender to successfully cool samples for shipping. They will learn what kind of longevity his has so they can customize the collection process for Roscoe.
It was really hard leaving him, but they are pros. Okay still not making me feel better. Even worse, Roscoe could see us leaving and kept watching and calling. Ah the barn won't be the same.
Has it been two weeks yet???