FOAL UPDATE + PLANS FOR THE MARES

›› Hope you enjoy the long awaited foal update video! I can't believe how big they've grown! Check out the links below to watch their foaling videos :)
I also explain what the plans are for the mares, Welbeck and Fiona.
Wiggy's foaling video: • MEET OUR NEW FOAL! // ...
Flo's foaling video: • FIONA'S FOAL IS BORN! ...
›› Hey, my name is Holly and welcome to my channel! I post all sorts of equestrian videos like show vlogs, training videos, barn vlogs and more. If you want to keep up to date with me and the horses then be sure to hit that subscribe button :)
›› My Horses:
Welbeck: 16h chestnut 13 yr old Irish sport horse mare
Wiggy: Welbeck's chestnut colt foal born 2021
Jack: 14.1h dun 13 yr old connemara gelding
Khal: 16.2h bay 7yr old ISHxKWPN gelding
Fiona: 17h bay 13yr old ISH mare
Flo: Fiona's chestnut filly foal born 2021
Dali: 17.1h bay 5yr old ISHxKWPN gelding
›› Social Media:
Email (Business Inquiries Only): [e-mail]
Instagram: @hollylenahan
Facebook: HollyLenahanSJ
Proudly sponsored by Mackey Ireland

[@filialpiety]

I would love to see a video about how you choose a stallion for your mares. I understand there is a process of evaluating any 'weaknesses' of the mare and trying to find a stallion to compensate for those weaknesses, but I would love to see a more in-depth look at this process. You are so great to your horses and I love your channel!

[@LaurenAllport]

Such big babies now 😍! So looking forward to see how they develop (please ask your Dad to send videos whilst you’re in Oz 😂, so we can all still see 😂!)

[@hollyhoney6664]

Adorable. Flo is a pretty color. Almost looks liver, hope she stays that way. Wiggy has a great face. Happy for you

[@marissajonkers3756]

Funny how people can have an issue with you breeding Welbeck when it is so natural and your mares are so spoiled with being out in that lush field all the time. I love how you manage your horses!

[@toastandbutterr]

Wiggy is the spitting double of Welbeck! And flo is so adorable she has such a sweet face 🥰

[@liespootemans2502]

Remember that you have been around your mares for literal years. You know what they are like, you know what they can handle. You also graduated as a vet, you know your stuff! I hope you don't pay too much attention to the random people on the internet telling you it's unfair for Welbeck to be in foal again. They don't know your horses and what they are capable of. That being said: everyone is looking like they are having the time of their lives, just grazing out in the fields, chilling... Can't wait to see Flo and Wiggy being ridden though! I wonder if Flo will have the same calm temper as Khal and Dali! Good luck in Australia!

[@pamblackwell6405]

Wiggy is Perfection. Such a well put together fella. Hope he turns out to be your superstar that you keep. He has the look

[@april5666]

OMG, I just watched a video of I'm Special de Muze jumping from last year. Holy WOW. I think I've seen a perfect jumper now. Just wow. I think he might be part cat. He looks like he jumps some of the fences from a near stand-still. And those tight, tight turns just don't seem possible. Again, just WOW. Also, I checked out a couple of his offspring too and they have the same catty jumping style; they seem to take their fences with ease with way more in reserve, clearing the jumps with 6" of air. It is going to be very exciting to see the fabulous Fiona's X I'm Special de Muze next year. Very, very exciting. Thanks so much for sharing, Holly.

[@april5666]

Perfect video, Holly. Thank you. I love the darker chestnut Wiggy is sporting. And Flo has definitely come around more confident now. Thank you for sharing your plans re breeding and producing with your Dad. So nice to hear. Whoever ends up with your wonderfully confident and cared for horses will be very lucky. Exciting times ahead :)

[@AimeeandJasper]

Love both the foals! It’s nice to see someone who knows what they on about!

[@julen2380]

Wiggy and Flo are adorable and congrats on Welbeck and Fiona being back in foal. Following your journey for a while, things certainly seemed to head towards breeding and producing but exciting to hear that this actually the plan by yourself and your dad. Sooo exciting! (P.S.: I still hope that you never sell Khal because he seems so superspecial and you seem so perfect for eachother but well, obviously, one has to make business decisions for what is a to be a business venture.)

[@horseshine6137]

Love you, love your foals! I have no words for your stallion choices except WOW! I'm very impressed and very jealous that you have access to such fabulous horses. So next step Olympics then? Congrats on the babies, love them love love love. What a lovely liver girl too.

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

That’s the plan 😉😂

[@1XxpoppyxX1]

Wow beautiful foals and you seem to have a great set up for breeding love the natural lifestyle they live and have already produced two very nice boys! Two lovely mares to breed from and can’t wait to follow the journey of wiggy and flo. Love how excited your dad is too and supportive. Best of luck with them 🤩 x

[@nellafrosst6453]

I just bought a foal who is # 14 for her Mom. #15 is on the way. She has carried a foal almost every year since she was imported, is healthy, in great weight, sound and moves beautifully.

[@christinemartindale8715]

Holly the foals are gorgeous I wish you and your dad all the best with your ventures for breeding. Wow, your going back to Aussie land have a safe journey and hope to see you on here again soon.tfs😎

[@rebeccapoorter7353]

Lost your channel for a while but I'm so glad I found you again!

[@kessharris3180]

We used to breed Shires and our mares generally had a foal each year and were fine! If their body wasn’t ready to carry another foal then they wouldn’t come into season/the pregnancy wouldn’t make it to full term. Both mares are obviously healthy & loved, you’re doing a great job with all of them! ♥️

[@stefj6207]

You have such a positive and exciting future ahead of you , thanks for sharing it with all of us . Fingers crossed Welbecks second is a filly 🤞

[@chellsmia]

Two beautiful foals look forward to following their journey and see the new foals to come .. enjoy your time in Australia

[@fleetskipper1810]

Thanks for taking us along on your exciting embarkation on breeding. Lots of unknowns, ups and downs, and excitement there. I wish you lots and lots of success. And also that one special horse that you are looking for.

[@christinafragis7224]

I am sure you will produce some great horses Holly! Wishing you all the best!

[@nellafrosst6453]

Hope quarantine isn’t too painful. I think it is a great idea to breed and produce horses. I don’t know if Ireland is like Canada, but there is a real market for well started, ready to show, experienced, amateur friendly, sound horses. Good ones are like needles in a haystack.

[@samanthasimmons5699]

I love Flo and Wiggy. Flo looks like such a little girlee shes dainty and feminine I love her im so excited to see her grow!

[@diego_fe]

Oh I saw ElDorado in the olympics! This is gonna be so exciting

[@pumpkinprincess3786]

ive been looking at Im Special de Muze as well, knew one of his foals, and he was beautiful too and left such an impession

[@maddiesalvatore8419]

Aahh so cool, we had two foals by Eldorado this year. They’re both such sweet boys but we’re very shy for the first month or two

[@alicowls1605]

Loved the update on the foals, will be sad to see Khal sold but someone is going to have an amazing horse! Good luck in Australia

[@debbieadkins2803]

Good luck Holly, wish you all the best, hurry home!

[@charlottewelsh9109]

Early and super excited I love the foals they have gotten so big now and cute 🥺❤️

[@debrabish1494]

:) It will be harder than you think to sell but you are young-later when you are older it will be harder-have to go feed Thanks for your channel Debra

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I don’t think it’s going to be easy to sell them…

[@syzygyfarm]

I'm really excited about the future of your breeding program! You pick amazing stallions and have a great eye for pairing.

[@CAR0TASTISCH]

I love Flo already :) she seems like such a sweetheart

[@zoehenwood9706]

LIke mother like son. So funny having Fiona yawning in the background of your video when usually we see Dali yawning and licking in the background XD

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Haha that’s so true 😂

[@elleb6019]

Loved hearing the update and future plans for your horses. They are definitely living the best life!

[@samanthasimmons5699]

Love what you do Holly! I've been following you since before Dali started under saddle! Its been a journey but I love what you do! 💜 truly inspirational!

[@Zip_Eventing]

Omg they have grown up so much and so quickly! Wiggy is so cute and friendly his face looks so much more grown up, a spitting image of his mum and flo is so sweet I recon she’ll make a good mum when she’s older🥰 could you do another quarantine vlog pls

[@mgk8607]

They are so stinking cute. Them two are like little partners in crime. Question, why have you decided on putting the mares in foal and compete them? Love your channel Holly!!!!!!!!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I talk about why we’re putting them in foal at the end of the video :)

[@mgk8607]

@@HollyLenahanSJ Thank you! I realized that as I was watching it! lol

[@juliegabriels1]

Lovely seeing them enjoy life 😊 Good luck in Australia! Keep us updated 😃

[@janeminwell4395]

Great-looking foals, thanks for featuring them Holly. Hope quarantine passes quickly for you!

[@clairecakes9860]

Awwwe 🥺 I didn’t know you were going to sell Dali and Khal. They will be missed one day. Totally understand though!

[@Sez166]

Can't wait to see where and what you do in Auz, best wishes for your trip.

[@barbarianvee]

Such happy horses in their field!

[@wagrlntx7340]

Does your dad plan to get back into riding? It was fun watching him ride and jump around. Him going to shows would be super cool!

[@elainecole6896]

Beautiful babies!! 🥰

[@andystpierre6086]

Both of the foals look great, they’re growing beautifully:) I’m super happy for you that both mares are in foal! Breeding is super stressful but so exciting! I was super lucky this year and my mare took the first time! I didn’t plan to put her in foal again, but my filly (now a yearling) is near perfect so I decided to put her in foal again!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Exciting! Fingers crossed for a healthy pregnancy for your mare ☺️

[@leahjvr3245]

They are absolute perfection💜

[@naunettemartin7450]

I like all the way you ride your horse and I like all your horses and I like your videos that's you do and all your horse are beautiful horse

[@diego_fe]

We have been waiting months for this lol im so glad its finally here!

[@thatshowjumper8983]

They are the absolute most cutest little things ever!!!! 😻🥰

[@edwardmoss2002]

Hi Holly I will you the best of luck with your your business breading horse I look forward to seeing the journey on KZbin

[@denisemaryheatherington5820]

Nice to see and follow your journey , you,re a great horseperson

[@perimarshmo6964]

Wellbeck really said copy and paste with wiggy 😂😂 he looks just like her x

[@vogelvrouw]

Ohh eldorado is super stunning, i think the breeder i work at has had a foal of him, they mostly use VDL stallions

[@vogelvrouw]

Harley vdl and arezzo vdl are my faves, theyre amazing horses and produce great offspring

[@annabelleguy7961]

Flo is the smaller one now but I bet she ends up towering over wiggle!

[@Daniela-vo4hi]

Thank you for the update!

[@jennifermastin7169]

WHATS GOING ON WITH THE FOALS NOW? 2/7/22?? would love love And update even if your dad videos lol haha😁

[@hannahbingham5346]

Awk they're both gorgeous!! Have you an idea of what height they'll make?

[@babylaney1]

I would love to see a video of the weaning process.

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I won’t be there for weaning unfortunately, I’ll be in Australia so won’t be able to video it

[@julianneleckie1327]

Great video!

[@July25170]

Wonderful video! 🥰

[@zandrivanstaden4917]

I'm Special De Muze is the stallion I want to put my mare to! :D

[@jennydembovsky57]

Your foals are just gorgeous. Well done 👍. What will you be doing in Australia?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Working as a vet :)

[@gabriel.101]

would love a video about your job and experience of vet med at uni!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I have some videos up about vet school from before I graduated. If you look back through my videos you’ll find them :)

[@gabriel.101]

@@HollyLenahanSJ ah thank you!

[@ladyren1575]

Wiggy and Flo could be twins! The look so alike

[@nancydonahue4256]

Thank you for the update on the mamas and babies! Do you see yourself purchasing another mare or two to increase your numbers?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Two foals a year is more than enough for us right now! If you think about it, when Wiggy and Flo are 7yrs old, I could potentially have two 6, 5 and 4 yr olds that need riding 👀 when you keep them for as long as we do, they really accumulate! It would be different if we were selling them as foals or 3 yr olds ☺️

[@junewilldon9712]

So sad that khal, dali and wiggy will eventually be for sale, but I guess you can’t have 100 horses 😂 love your channel and videos!!!

[@rosannahargreaves6198]

Are you going to look into buying a 2/3 year old to bridge the gap between dali and the foals? Love you videos

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Yes, next year hopefully 🤞🏽

[@halfarabiansandminis197]

In the us it is $1000! At least that’s what I’ve always heard.

[@cantbebothered112]

When do you start halter training your foals?

[@tjm00000]

UK used to say 100 guineas 😁

[@alisonwilks302]

That's perfect, breeding and producing is the perfect option for you, you do such a great job ! Love the goals ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@sandrinelavoie3694]

The babies are so beautiful 🥰 Are you thinking of buying new mares ? Or only keeping the fillys to produce if they are good ?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Might be looking to by a younger horse next year, but to ride first :)

[@chavellisulikowski6920]

How do you select your stallions for each of your mares?

[@trunte4276]

Just a question - i have always wondered :) You tell that the future for Flo is a ridden career before eventually being a brood mare... admirable to test the mare to make sure she can be ridden as well :) Fiona has been ridden as well, and in the age of 13, she is struggling with arthritis and other kinks, what they might be - but why is it so common to use mares with skeletal issues, for breeding? Shouldn't it be healthy mares as for example Welbeck, producing our riding horses? I see it a lot in Denmark as well - mares that are not fit and well for being ridden, given the job of producing riding horses... It just doesn't make sense to me - using mares with potentially weak genetics, prone to arthritis and other issues, to produce horses we expect to use in the sport? I'm not in any way trying to sabotage or shame you Holly, i'm just curious, since i can't get a good answer from anyone :)

[@Jazzy-kk4sk]

I can only speak of what I've heard and been told by my vet (I own a 9 year old that had to be semi-retired due to early-onset arthritis). Arthritis isn't always genetic, the vast majority of the time its due to environmental factors, work (repetitive high impact on one area ), diet (of the mare during pregnancy and early years of the foal), etc. From what I know, they haven't really been able to say for sure that it is 100% genetic (eg. A mare might be riddled with arthritis and her foal has no signs until very late in life if at all, or the other way around) because there are many contributing factors, some bloodlines may be more prone to it, but generally, that bloodline is also in the same sport so it's hard to say. A can't speak for certain about lots of issues (I'm no vet, obviously! haha) but I am of the opinion that just because a horse isn't riding sound doesn't mean it isn't fit for breeding. We have to take into consideration that 'fixing' possible conformation flaws is very much achievable through breeding. Holly may have been talking about behavioural 'kinks' (just speculation, I can only guess) that she used to mention in the videos where she used to ride Fiona and although Fiona is extremely talented, competitive jumping wasn't her thing (Holly addressed this in one of her update videos) but she could be bred to create a more conformationally correct horse as well as a very high quality jumping prospect and Fiona would be happier mentally. This is just my take, I'd be interested to hear any other skeletal issues/general issues that you think could be damaging for a breeding prospect (this is not intended to sound sarcastic, I love sharing information and hearing what others think of it and discussing different points!)

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

In the video I was very vague, but if you want me to be specific; Fiona started riding properly quite late in life after she had two foals. Because she had been moving one way for her entire life, she found it quite difficult to make the transition to a more collected frame needed for showjumping (also hindered by the fact she is very long in the body). I suppose arthritis was probably the wrong word as I’ve never xrayed her and she’s sound, it’s more that she finds the advanced ridden work quite difficult, especially when the jumps get higher and the courses get tighter. Don’t get me wrong, I competed her to 1m20 and she was great. But she used to find short combinations very difficult and would often try and leave out strides! Which doesn’t work once the fences go over 1.20. But aside from that, arthritis is usually caused by the horses environment, or an injury. So even if I did have a horse with arthritis, I would definitely consider breeding from them (obviously as long as they were sound enough to carry a pregnancy and they didn’t develop arthritis as a very young horse) And I suppose a further point to make is that I xrayed Khal (Fiona’s 7 yr old son) who has been jumping 1.35 GPs and his X-rays were clean as a whistle, so no passing of any orthopaedic issues there :)

[@trunte4276]

@@HollyLenahanSJ thank you very much for a great answer Holly! I hope i didn't offend you in any way, i just wanted to learn more about the thought process in breeding riding horses - i have bred shetland ponies for a couple of years, but that is not nearly the same as breeding riding prospects :) Again thank you - i learned something today :D

[@lolaburns6232]

Flow is beautiful!!!!

[@lillydowney2480]

What would you guys say are the main things you look for in a stallion/stud

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Depends on the mare I’m choosing him for! :)

[@DS-ky9dl]

Is Wiggy Welbeck"s first foal? Both the foals are super special.

[@EllaEquestrian]

Yes he is

[@fleetskipper1810]

Yes, America has the same saying about each time a horse rolls over it’s worth an extra hundred dollars.

[@shirleyhorak2721]

When is the tack room make over ?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Next week! ☺️

[@shirleyhorak2721]

@@HollyLenahanSJ omg you replied

[@shirleyhorak2721]

@@HollyLenahanSJ dream come true

[@aremo94]

Where will you be in Australia Holly??

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Victoria :)

[@debraann9512]

Nope it is in the USA too. Every time a horse rolls completely over they are worth 100 dollars more. lol, my dad told me that and he was born in 1935.

[@april5666]

What is the exact name of the stallion you used for Fiona? I heard “I’m Special Demused”. I’d like to look at some videos of him but want to make sure I e got the right name before I go hunting. Thank you.

[@ld9820]

I’m special de muze is how you spell it I think

[@ouijacatdecoden8212]

I’m Special De Muze

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I put his name on the screen under the picture, it’s I’m special de muze :)

[@april5666]

@@HollyLenahanSJ Thanks everyone. I thought I looked under the notes, but must have missed it :)

[@hutchlovestricky77]

Did you say you are selling Khal?

[@kippen64]

She said when he's about eight years old. Same for Dali. Sadly, even if I started saving right now, I doubt I will have enough. Sigh...

[@hutchlovestricky77]

@@kippen64 Aww 🙁 I had hoped they’d stay together forever. I’m sure he’ll go to a special home 💕

[@TheBulle]

I find this so sad to be honest…Khal is a very special once in a lifetime horse and he is deserving of a stable forever-home…When you sell a horse you never know where they’ll end up. A friend of mine sold her horse to a nice family. She later learned that they had kept him for a few years and then they sold him when he got too old for them. The person who bought him apparently only kept him a couple of years and because of money problems the horse was once again sold…for meat. My friend was traumatized when she learned what had happened and still blames herself over 15 years later…When you have the means to keep your horse. Keep him.

[@hutchlovestricky77]

@@TheBulle I’ve kept mine for 25 years now, but I’m confident that Holly will have something protecting his safety set in place. I can’t imagine her sending him off without contingencies in the same. She is too wise for that. It is sad to hear about the unfortunate ones 🙁

[@ld9820]

@@TheBulle you can’t afford to keep them all. And I’m sure Holly won’t sell Dali or Khal to anyone she doesn’t believe will give them a good forever home. It’s completely normal to sell horses 🤷‍♀️

[@hannahhines8084]

How long are you in Australia for??

[@sombrerodog]

6 months I believe

[@GallopingGuitarist]

Here in Canada it's every time they roll over they're worth another $1000.

[@fleetskipper1810]

Inflation LOL

[@gracerogers7156]

If you get a really good gelding would you keep him and compete? Or will they all be sold around that 8 year mark?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Well I do keep them and compete them until they’re around that age at least. But yes the potential is there to keep a gelding, but we’d rather keep a mare ☺️

[@autumn_nights392]

Eldorado van de Zeshoek hahaha

[@kippen64]

What happens if the semen gets stuck in customs? Have you just lost that money? Your plans for the future sound exciting.

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Luckily it’s live foal guarantee so we got our money back as no foal was produced ☺️

[@outoftime7740]

No one should give you a hard time about your life goals, with your horses. The only thing that tends to come to people’s minds, is overbreeding and horses becoming unwanted and end up in kill pens. It’s the story of adopting an unwanted dog versus buying puppies. No one wants to see any animal ending up neglected. There is a lot of this happening in the U.S. and it's unacceptable. But.we know this is your passion, and I hope to see you jumping in the olympics one day, on one of your horses. Ya, here in the U.S. they jokingly say, when a horse rolls all the way over, it’s a 1000 dollars for each time the horse rolls over, you add a grand. Your youngster is already worth good $$$$.

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Yes I understand overbreeding is an issue, but the level of horse that we breed will always find a good home. Thank you

[@cantbebothered112]

The issue with over breeding is the foals usually turn out to be poor quality and then no one wants I buy them.

[@outoftime7740]

@@cantbebothered112That is not an excuse. You breed them, and creating them, then you are stuck with them, all their life. Then people shouldn’t breed horses then. It shouldn’t be about making money. That’s the problem

[@lynnemorris7516]

Do people not understand that's what we are on this earth for, they are not human beings.

[@susantescione8007]

I don't think you should have to defend yourself on whether or not Welbeck is in foal. You're a vet and you know what you are doing. However, on the argument that it is "normal and natural" for a horse in the wild to be in foal. It is normal and natural for women to be constantly with child. That's why in days of yore they consistently went through pregnancies and an average families had anywhere from 6-9 children. And it was an extremely unhealthy process for women. Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's good. Cancer is natural. Having said that, again, you are a vet and a breeder of some experience and you know what you are doing. I am simply saying that the rationale is specious.

[@sallyannefrancis8647]

Can not you not be an independant vet in Ireland ! Instead of keep going back to Australia ! Unless they are paying for you to be tortured (Isolation) good proper wage for the duration of your present contract !!! Good Luck for your new venture !!!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I could definitely have stayed in Ireland but I really loved my job and friends in Australia and by working the stud season in both hemispheres, I’m essentially getting twice as much experience in half the time because it’s super busy all year round 🙈