Balancing Corporate & Homesteading Lifestyles
Oops A Daisy: An Unexpected Delivery Turns 2
Sometimes our animals come to us in the most unexpected ways. This is one of the stories. It's also a story of the beauty of nature, and despite the odds and without human intervention, this beautiful soul came into the world, and forever changed her family's life.
How did Daisy come to be with you?
Daisy’s arrival was a total surprise! We had bought a young pony named Gemma. She was only three years old, so my plan was to give her off until the spring of her 4th year so she could finish growing up a little. She was just hanging out in the pasture, getting fat, but we never thought anything of it. I just remember thinking I will have to keep an eye on her weight when the spring grass comes up.
I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was Feb 19, 2018, my husband and I left the farm around 2 pm to run errands, I checked the horses, gave them hay and off we went. We got back about 5 pm to feed. I called Gemma to eat and she didn’t come. I could see her at the far end of the pasture. We rushed down there thinking she was hurt (as she never missed meals) and there was this little tiny thing next to her. At first glance I thought it was a baby deer, but then she turned around and I saw a big white blaze. I remember thinking how did that foal get here ... and then realizing OMG- it’s Gemma’s foal!!!
Who is Daisy's Father?
Now that is a funny question! It took a DNA test to figure that out. Since no one knew Gemma was pregnant, the father was a mystery, however there were 2 suspects that had been neighbors in adjoining pastures. Apparently one of the boys was able to (secretly) reach her through the fence, and no one was the wiser until Daisy was born. The DNA test revealed that Sticky Fingers was her father.
How did Daisy get her name?
Addie Bdzak came up with the barn name Daisy (short for Oops-A-Daisy). Her registered name (she’s half welsh) is Butterfly McQueen named after the actress in Gone with the Wind. The day we found Daisy, all I could think of was the scene where the woman says she doesn’t "know nothin’ bout birthin’ babies" and that was so me that day, so we chose the name Butterfly McQueen.
What does Daisy like to do & who are her best friends?
Daisy is quite sassy and loves attention! Some of her favorite things are: having people come see her (especially if they bring mints or treats), taking naps, eating (she loves her alfalfa hay), getting dressed up (or maybe this is one of my favorite things!!) and hanging out with her best pal Dodger.
Tell me about Daisy's first horse show.
Daisy has only been to one show so far. That was The Devon Horse Show last May. The plan had been to get her to a few small local shows so she could get used to things before her Devon experience, but that didn’t happen. Although Daisy was a bit overwhelmed at first (she had never seen so many horses, ponies and people all in one spot), she got herself together and behaved quite well in her yearling filly class! I was extremely proud of her for being so brave and (mostly) well-behaved lol.
Future Plans?
We aren’t sure if the Devon Horse Show is going to be on the schedule for this year. The plan right now is to get to as many small shows as we can (hopefully some of the welsh shows) and let her get a lot of general mileage/experience. I would like to find some shows that have an in-hand trail/obstacle course for her to do as well. My thought is the more I can expose her to, the better it will be for her. I’d like her to be very relaxed in new situations.
A longer term goal for her is hopefully the Young Pony Under Saddle at Devon as a 4 or 5 year old.
If you are looking for a fun and happy page then you should follow Daisy & Dodger's adventures on Facebook and Instagram!
Daisy’s social media accounts are:
Facebook - Daisy & Gemma https://www.facebook.com/daisyandgemma/
Instagram: Daisy_ButterflyMcqueen
Daisy lives in New Jersey with her persons Cindy and Joe, her best friend Dodger, and her horse friends Leo and Dylan, Magic the barn cat, and other cats Duffy, Tippy, MoonPie, Garfield and Baby Kitty, and dogs Luna, Cooper, and ET.
