Our beloved multi champion mare in futurity, halter and liberty, Sweet Sheba, delivered her first foal, an exquisite bay filly by our champion Desperado V son, Nite Bandit. We had waited almost 12 long months in anticipation, as her breeding represented six generations of our breeding program on the dam's side, and five generations on the sire's side. Due to complications during foaling, Sweet Sheba died unexpectedly when her filly was just 24 days old. The loss of this beloved mare was heart breaking.
Keeping the foal alive was our immediate goal. 'Baby Sheba' refused a nurse mare, but learned to drink milk from a pan, while crying continuously and pitifully for her own mother. Kathy was at her wit's end, and after spending three nights by her side in the barn, we decided to try a goat for companionship.
Fellow Arabian breeders Mary Ann Stockdale and Dr. Greg Jones generously offered one of their prize Nubian show goats, Esmeralda, as company for Baby Sheba. Our dear friends, Ken and Juanita Franz, who also have Arabians, made the 45 mile trip to pick up Esmeralda and deliver her successfully to her new friend, Baby Sheba. It was love at first sight !. Putting the filly and Esmeralda together was pure magic! Baby Sheba became a happy and contented filly, growing fast and strong and spending hours playing with her new best friend.
This was the first time in 41 years we had lost a mare to a foaling related problem. We feel blessed to have our filly and the kind fellowship of Arabian friends who were willing to come to our aid.
As you can see, in spite of veterinary doubts, Mi Sweet Sheba grew and thrived with Kathy's tender care, and the company of Esmeralda. Now an impressive 16 hands, looking the epitome of her sire, Nite Bandit, and grandsire , Desperado V by Huckleberry Bey, by Bay El Bey , Mi Sweet Sheba is poised for an illustrious show career, having debuted in 2008 asa Champion Mare at the Class 'A " Spring Classic in Kentucky, handled expertly by Paul Zigo and prepped for the show at Silverstone Equicenter.
Esmeralda still lives contentedly at Stillmeadow Arabians.