The South Dakota Cowgirl

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It’s a Baby and a Contest!

by 31 Comments

It’s that most glorious time of the year!
Time for babies and green grass,
Wild onions and wild flowers
Blue skies and dry ground!

I said, babies, right? It’s Spring! Glorious, wonderful, super fun, Spring!

I knew that my mare, Shuttle was getting close, but she really surprised me yesterday morning, because when I headed to the corrals at about 10am, sure enough, she was laying down and something didn’t look “normal”. So I headed over to see her and low and behold, she was having a baby!

Here’s some video of his first few breaths! Don’t watch this if birth grosses you out. I have some video of him being half-way out- but you’ll have to request that one, because I don’t want to chase away readers!

And of course, I have photos! I have a few of him at only moments old, and I may show those later if y’all ask for them. Some people are birth averse.

Gettin’ in a good stretch!

I wonder if these things work?

They might work. I think they might!

I think I can! I think I can!

They totally work!

Uh oh! Don’t fall, kid!

Sunshine and a mama’s love. Does it get better?

Here’s a 6 minute video of him standing for the first time here- he’s about 25 minutes old!

Now, here’s what I’m gonna do- we’re going to have a naming contest! Fun, right? You’ll have today, and all weekend, as well as Monday- until noon- to come up with a name for a bay colt with about 5 white hairs in his forehead. So far on the list are Baxter and Benson. If I choose your name, you’ll get a 5×7 photo of your choice from my gallery. I can even give you a 5×7 of the baby if you want! Be sure to leave your name suggestion(s) in the comments section below.

Happy Trails and Happy Friday!

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About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

Give your horse or dog, or cat the gift of mobility.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Theresa says

    He’s gorgeous – I hope his name will be Rocket or NASA or Endeavor – has to be something like that since his momma is named Shuttle 😉
    As for your white haired wonder, I was thinking Professor. I don’t know why but I really like giving animals names that are Titles rather than regular names. And with a streak (however small) of white hair, Professor seems apt.

    Good luck with all the babies this spring – can’t wait to see more pictures.

    Reply

  6. Tami McGraw says

    Well if his Mama’s a Shuttle then he’s gotta be a Rocket! He’s a handsome little bay. Congratulations!

    Reply

  8. Megan says

    Falcon (since his mama is ibaflitinbird)
    Discovery
    Tweedy (bird 🙂 )
    Rocket
    Ryder
    Ringo

    Dad’s vote is Jet (so far)

    Reply

  9. PamelaR says

    Your photos are simply beautiful and what a beautiful baby! Here’s a couple of names:

    Java, Astro, Colton, Cosmo, Kashmir or Cashmere…

    Reply

  10. Debbie Sowers says

    Rocketman
    Yummy (hehehe, ya know where that comes from)
    Yogi, Jupiter, San D, Hawk, Patron, Agave,
    Lakota. Bird

    Reply

  11. Lisa Kemp says

    Congrats Jenn on your new colt! Love the images, too. Appreciate that you gave me a heads up on Twitter, I hadn’t seen this.

    I might think of more later, but here’s my first stab:
    ShuttleBus
    Driver (for bus driver)
    Any of the space shuttle names would be great!
    Galaxy Galahad
    Moonwalker (Walker for short?)
    Mercutio (for Mercury & also Shakespeare)
    Promise
    Bueno Vista

    JR suggested:
    Orion (or Orion’s Belt)
    Buffalo
    Transfer (as in shuttlebus transfer)

    I also like Jupiter, Cosmo, & Sparks mentioned above!

    Reply

  14. Jessse Bussard says

    I’ve always wanted to name a horse Laramie. I think it would be a good name for a bay ranch horse. I used to have a buckskin mare named Tucson. A few other names would be Sheridan, Grant, Gillette, and Riata. Hope I’ve helped you out 🙂 Good luck naming your baby. I know how hard that can be.

    Reply

  15. Kacey says

    Mozart, Poseidon, Express, Pandora, Gage, Mudslide, Gent, Austin, Houston, Dallas and Hercules!!!! Those are the only ones I could come up with.

    Reply

  16. Judith Wood says

    I’d call this rich blood bay colt “KAKE?” After all, it is his Birth-Day!
    So cute, so helpless, but, determined!

    Reply

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