Floxely is expecting a foal! Are you following along? Part 1

It is now March 2025 and that means that in about 3.5 months Marjolijn's mare (Floxely) will have a foal. Super cool of course and very special to experience! But how did this whole process go? How was the stallion choice made, what changes were made and what else has changed since Floxely is pregnant? In this blog series Marjolijn takes you through this whole process!

4 March '25 - 3 min reading time

First of all, let's introduce ourselves: Floxely

She is on the label of the dandelion, but you often see Floxely passing by on social media, in newsletters etc. Floxely (2011) is Marjolijn's mare and is a crossbreed Friesian x Tinker of 1.68m and approximately 750 kg clean on the hook. A black piebald mare, very soft in character, a real lady but also a very tough woman who can sometimes be a bit spicy. Floxely has been with Marjolijn since she was a foal and they know each other through and through. Really her dream horse, not only in appearance, but especially in character.

Back to 2022

For a good picture we have to go back in time a bit, to 2022. That's when I made the decision that I would like to have a foal from my mare Floxely. But what then? Which stallion do we choose and when are we going to cover? The funny thing is that I have had the stallion Krem in mind for years, he keeps coming my way. Krem was therefore always in mind to choose Floxely as a stallion. Moreover, Floxely is named after Robin Hood (Lord of Loxley) and Krem's father is called Robin Hood. A bit too much to be, let's say😉.

The stallion selection was made in 2023

That's why I went with a friend (who is also my instructor) Miranda from HOPE for Horses to see the stallion Krem at the beginning of 2023. I actually also wanted to see a black dressage stallion from this stallion owner, but he wasn't in the stable at that moment. That was probably meant to be! And then I saw Krem standing there, very controlled and calm among the other (vocally present) stallions. No screaming, not extremely present, but self-assured, calm and content. I was immediately sold! Such a nice character, a build that suits Floxely and as an extra the certainty of a special color. I had a wonderful time cuddling with him and knew immediately that he was the right match for Floxely. And yes, I also looked at the other stallions (out of decency). Each and every one beautiful men, nice characters, but not for my Floxely.

So then it was time to wait for a heat!

So 2023 was going to be it! Floxely was going to be covered! She showed a beautiful heat in February and March. But, I thought that was too early. Floxely is stabled at a boarding stable and pasture doesn't really start until June. In addition, winter is getting longer and spring is starting later and later. So I didn't want an early foal, and for me there was no need for it either since Flox himself is paperless (I know who the parents are and the father was an approved stallion) and the foal doesn't have to go to the inspection. So for me it was no problem to have a foal later in the season. But yes, there was no heat after March. Just not at all!

Restless in the herd

The herd where Floxely is was restless at that time, there had been many changes due to the death of 2 horses. As a result, the herd was not stable, there was a bit more chasing and I noticed that Flox could not quite find her place. It did not feel safe for her and therefore she showed no heat at all. The vet came by regularly to scan and luckily Floxely was very good with that. But either there was a yellow body that did not go away, or there was no change at all. Months and months passed, but no heat.

Let nature take its course!

Many horse owners would eventually choose to inject her into heat. I deliberately did not choose to do that. There was a reason that Flox did not come into heat. For years she came into heat beautifully, she could set the clock by it. And when we started talking about covering, the heat stopped. And I knew that if everything was right, she would come into heat without any problems and would also be pregnant immediately. In addition, I know that Flox reacts very badly to chemical products, her whole body is immediately upset and there is a big chance that she will immediately get mud spots on her legs.

2023: no successful mating

Unfortunately, it did not work out to get Floxely pregnant in 2023. A great shame of course, but it was understandable. Because at the end of August 2023 Floxely did come into heat, but then I had let go of having her covered. At that moment it did not feel right to cover her after all. So in 2024 just a new attempt!

Curious about what happens next? Part 2 will follow soon.