It's an exciting time here at the mini farm! Today, I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most anticipated parts of horse breeding season: pregnancy checks. Not only are we checking our mini horses, but we're also checking our mini heifers to see if all the effort has paid off. Spoiler alert: there are some big surprises and even bigger celebrations coming your way.
Preg Checks for Our Mini Horses
First up, let's talk about the mini horses. If you've been following along, you know Coco, Regina, and Karen are the stars of this update. I recently purchased Coco already bred, so today's ultrasound was just to confirm that everything is progressing as it should. And let me tell you, seeing that tiny heartbeat flicker on the screen never gets old. Coco is officially cooking a healthy foal, and she's due on February 10th. She'll be the first mini to foal in 2026, which makes her extra special in my book.
Now, onto Regina. This mare has been with Maddox, the handsome visiting mini stallion, for about three weeks. Their love story started with a lot of activity, seriously, Maddox was head over heels for her during those first few days, but things settled down quickly. We weren't sure if all that initial energy resulted in a pregnancy. Well, drumroll, please... Regina is confirmed pregnant! Maddox did his job, and we couldn't be more thrilled. Based on timing, she likely conceived about 16 days ago, which means her estimated due date is July 8th. She tends to foal a little early, so July could turn into late June.
As for Karen, she is also confirmed pregnant and is due on May 17th. She usually carries long, so don't be surprised if her foal arrives closer to June. With these three mares expecting, that means three mini foals will be joining us next year. It's going to be a busy, adorable spring and summer here at the farm!
Why Horse Breeding Timing Matters
One question I get a lot is "When is horse breeding season" For those new to this, most breeders aim to have foals born in the spring. This ensures that babies have the best chance at thriving with mild weather and plenty of fresh grass. At Running Springs Farm, we try to stagger due dates so that we're not overwhelmed and so each foal gets the attention it deserves. That's why I'm thrilled with how the timing worked out this year: Coco in February, Karen in May, and Regina in early July.
Switching Gears: Mini Cow Pregnancy Checks
As if the mini horse news wasn't exciting enough, we also did preg checks on our mini cows. This was a completely different process compared to the horses. For the cows, we pulled blood from their tail vein and used a simple at-home pregnancy test that gives results in about 30 minutes.
We tested three of our mini cows: Petunia, Pippa, and Poppy. Petunia was up first, and I'll admit, I was nervous. But guess what? Petunia is pregnant! She's due April 26th, 2026, and we're over the moon about it. If you've been around long enough to remember baby Petunia, you know how crazy it feels to see her growing up and starting her own little family.
Next was Pippa, who had been AI'd (artificially inseminated) for the first time. Her results weren't as clear at first, so we'll likely retest in a couple of weeks. Sometimes, these things take time, and that's okay. Finally, we tested Poppy, and surprise, Poppy is also pregnant! Her test line was a little faint, but it showed positive, which means she shares the same due date as Petunia: April 26th, 2026.
So far, that's two confirmed mini cow pregnancies and possibly a third. We'll give Pippa another chance and try to breed her again if needed. For now, we're celebrating the success of AI and looking forward to seeing those tiny calves in the spring.
What’s Next at The Mini Farm?
So, what does all of this mean? It means 2026 is going to be an incredible year. With three mini horse foals and at least two mini cow calves on the way, our farm family is growing fast. We'll continue to share updates on rebreeding efforts, due dates, and of course, all the adorable baby photos when the time comes.
Whether you're here because you love Running Springs, you're interested in mini horses, or you're learning about horse breeding, I hope this gave you an inside look at the joys, and surprises, that come with running a farm. Stay tuned for more updates as we count down to foaling season and calving season. And as always, let me know if you have any questions about breeding, foal care, or life with minis!
0 comments