In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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June 6, 2007

Big night in the barnyard

We have to step out of the garden temporarily for another sort of news. It was a big night in the barnyard last night.

Well, big night in three barnyards.

At home, my half Arab mare gave birth at 1:45 a.m. to a gorgeous chestnut-colored filly. A couple hours later, my miniature horse mare, which was in the care of a good friend, gave birth to a colt. He’s chestnut and white, with a perfectly shaped white horseshoe mark above his tail. We've been calling him Lucky, and I think his registered name ought to include a phrase with the word "lucky" in it. Any suggestions?

Then about 6 a.m., a friend's miniature donkey, which is in the care of my wonderful neighbor Rene, gave birth to a pretty brown jennet (female). Rene has named her Willow. What a night!

The filly was born after a 350-day gestation, the donkey baby took a year, and the miniature horse colt was born after an eleven month gestation period. It’s simply amazing that all three came the same night.

All babies and mothers are well. But this gardener is tired!

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