The National Trust has revealed it will be broadcasting the birth of a foal live over the internet as part of its MyFarm experiment.
Queenie, the only Shire Horse mare at Wimpole Home Farm in Cambridgeshire is preparing to give birth, and the live streaming - which can be viewed now - is a key part of the MyFarm project, which aims to reconnect people with the realities of farming. It is the first major birth on the farm since the project started in May, and it was a huge decision to broadcast it.
Richard Morris, farm manager, said: "There's no guarantee the birth will be straight forward, particularly as Queenie had a miscarriage last year and a previous foal had to be put down due to a deformity. We don't want to hide people from the risks involved - it's fundamental to our purpose in reconnecting people with the realities of farming to allow the possibility of lows as well as highs. If all goes well, MyFarm Farmers will be able to name the foal and so on, but not until it's a few days old. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but that's reality."
Shire Horses are increasingly scarce with only 900-1,500 breeding females currently in the UK, and while they are no longer a core part of the working operations on the farm, this birth is a significant moment for the entire breed and for Wimpole's work with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST).
With no way of knowing exactly when Queenie will foal, a webcam has been installed in her stable and MyFarm Farmers will be able to watch the whole birth as it unfolds, live on the MyFarm website. Infrared lighting is being installed to ensure that viewers will still be able to see the birth, even at night.
In the meantime, Queenie is being carefully monitored by Wimpole horse manager, Emma Warner.
Queenie will be looked after 24 hours a day until she gives birth and the farm's vet will be on stand by in case he is needed.
Viewer can keep up-to-date with how Queenie is doing and watch the foaling live on the MyFarm website.
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