The filly became a resident of the main stable and began receiving stomach tube feedings of colostrum by the veterinarian, supplied by Falconridge Farms and the Berlie Family at Slipstream farms. After many calls, a broodmare by the name of Winnie, a Hanoverian daughter of Winechester who had lost her foal on Monday evening was found to be available. A trip to near Red Deer, Alberta by Alex Sutton who met one of Dr. Guccioni’s assistants en route, brought Winnie to Priddis View Farms. Winnie was kindly loaned to Priddis View Farms as a nurse mare thanks to Corinna (Last name unknown) and her family.

While waiting for the arrival of Winnie, Barbara McAllister and Alison Perry went to work on trying to figure out a name for the newly orphaned foal. At around the same time the foal was born and orphaned, the famous racehorse, “War Emblem”, won the Kentucky Derby. The new Foal had an incredible resemblance to the racing thoroughbred, with almost exact markings and the similar dark coat. Of course the similarities did not go unnoticed, thus, Emblem was decided to be included in the foals new name, giving us the nickname, Emmy. Emmy’s name was then combined with the names of her sire, Rio Negro, and dam, Electra. Emmy is an F. Sport Horse Filly and her well thought out Registered Sport Horse name is Rio’s Electra Emblem. “Emmy” is full sister to Rio’s Razmatazz (Mexico City), Rio’s Resident Doc (Massachusetts), and Rio’s Riverman (Priddis View Farms).

After Emmy’s name was decided, Winnie, arrived with her own painful problems from her foaling, and was not too thrilled with the idea of being nursed. She also required medical attention for a hernia and infection. With the skill of our veterinarian and a marvelous farm staff and volunteers, the mare was blindfolded, held, and restrained by two to three people while a very hungry Emmy was introduced to the mare’s milk filled udder. After the first feeding, the mares discomfort forced at least three to four people to be required for each feeding, which were approximately every 30 minutes, around the clock, starting midnight Friday, May 17th, 2002, almost 13 hours after Emmy became an orphan.

On Sunday afternoon, Winnie had her surgery and began the process of healing, which allowed her to look and feel better. However the meticulous, frequent feeding schedule was maintained around the clock day after day, week after week. Emmy quite liked her new mom, loved her milk, but quickly became watchful of being kicked. A broom was maintained in front of the mare’s hind legs for weeks, by one of our many helper handlers, while a second and third person held the mare and foal. Priddis View Farms sends a special thanks to everyone, but especially Alison Perry, Jennifer King, Sidonie Toffel, Samantha Parsons, and all the other wonderful volunteers. 

Gradually we introduced Browns milk replacer, kindly donated by Peter Hurst who runs the Alberta Nurse Mare and Foal Registry, as well as www.cyberfoal.com. The mare’s milk was supplemented by the replacer, thus allowing the tedious and intensive nursing procedure to be less frequent, but still at least 18 times in a 24 hour period. At about six weeks of age, Perfect Start foal ration and beet pulp were also introduced as supplements. At three months, Emmy still has Winnie’s milk, milk replacer, Perfect Start, beet pulp, oats, and hay. Emmy has been growing and flourishing so well that her exercise and activities are strictly monitored and limited to hand walk and a brief romp in the arena daily.

Emmy’s bosom stall mate from Day 2 has been the young pygmy goat Spritely (Goatley), thanks to the suggestions from our farrier, Ron McRae, and from Sidonie Toffel and Alison Perry. The match was immediately a hit, and now the two sleep with heads together and are quite inseparable. This awesome and special filly will surely follow the Show Ring Career of her many outstanding siblings as a dressage, or Hunter/Jumper Champion. We hope to see you in the ring!

Barbara McAllister and Priddis View Farms offers a hearfelt "thank you" to all the outstanding people who helped give Emmy every opportunity to have a full and wonderful future, in spite of losing her mommy in her second day of life.