Saturday, April 13, 2019

The Stork Paid Us a Visit


Yesterday, Bill left home early in the morning and as the car passed our field beside the drive, he noticed a newborn foal struggling to stand.  He told me what he had seen so I went to check it out.

The new mother was not impressed when I arrived and decided she didn't like me on the other side of the fence clicking pictures.  She encouraged the little one to move deeper into the field.


It wasn't an easy task.  Little One's legs just didn't work well yet.



Upon seeing me near the feeding area, everyone else decided to see if I had any treats.  They were surprised to see the new addition to the family.  Mom didn't encourage any socializing.  She kept her body between Little One and the rest of the herd while watching me constantly.


I texted their owner and congratulated him on becoming a grandparent.  He was shocked!  The veterinarian stated she was not due for a month and the owner had checked her the night before - no signs of anything. They came to examine her immediately.  Both mother and baby were fine so it was decided to move them later in the day; however, he warned she is a "mean mama bear" after delivery so I shouldn't go inside the fence.  No arguments from me there.  


Mom moved Little One to the far back part of the field where even a telephoto lens couldn't see them.  Later, they returned to the feeding area with the herd for meal time. 

"Horses are stinky." sniffed Scooter.
Evidently, Mean Mama Bear had set the rules about how to treat Little One, and everyone was being obedient.  Their owner brings large round bales of hay to supplement the fresh grass.  The herd was eating the trampled hay, while Mom and Baby were dining alone around the fresh bale.


Even while feeding, Mom kept an eye out for danger.


Soon, company arrived.


It was time to make the swap.  


Refreshments were being served so everyone chose their place at the table.


Afterward, it was time for the horse whisperer to go to work.  Mom wouldn't listen.  She hid behind the trees and didn't cooperate.  He shook the magic bucket full of delicacies as he coaxed her with promises of better things: wear the lead rope and you can have something special.



As they neared the gate, Mom's best friend realized she was leaving and pitched a fit!  She was not happy about being left alone (with only the rest of the herd for conversation) and came rushing over to protest.


Mom let her know she was not happy with the outburst and promptly kicked her soundly.  Baby comes first now!


True to his promise, she got to munch on the delicious, forbidden grass on the other side of the fence.  Oh, it was so good and the perfect reward for agreeing to wear the lead.


Mrs. Breeder couldn't resist the opportunity while Mom was distracted to rub baby's fur. I, on the other hand, was not tempted to get close to those powerful
teeth and flying hooves. That is why she is a breeder and I am a photographer.


After enjoying the treat, it was time to travel. They will return someday in the future when Little One has grown into Big One.


The link to the story of their arrival:

11 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! How very exciting - congratulations to the photographer and her neighboring horses. Great story and photos. Best, Kim

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sweet! I enjoyed this very much. Thank you for sharing the photos and the story. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. That baby horse is SO cute! I've only seen one real baby horse in my life that I could get up close enough to pet, and that was under the careful supervision of the horse ranch owner. I never knew they had kind of a fuzzy fur on them when they were really little until then. You took great photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't know either that they had a different type of fur when they were born. There seems to be quite a bit I don't know. I did know Mom didn't like me being close. She tolerated the trainer, but I was an unknown. They see me all the time in the yard working. I don't try to interact unless I am in the field scooping up their manure - then they want to inspect my bucket. I don't fear them but I am careful.

      Delete
  4. How cute! Lucky you to get those pictures. Mean Mom is gorgeous. I'm surprised they put baby in a trailer the same day it was born.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They live a short distance away and have a barn, I don't. Also, they are expensive horses, he is a breeder, so he doesn't like to take any chances.

      Delete
  5. What a surprise!Spring is awakening and the first foals to be born.
    The stork did a good job. And you could take some wonderful photos.
    In the meanwhile that cute colt will securely stand on his (or her?) legs.
    They grow so quickly.
    Christel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was amazing to see how quickly it learned to walk. By the time they picked it up in the early afternoon, it was walking just fine. It is probably running in circles by now.

      Delete
  6. So amazing! And what a protective mum -- those photos really show that! Very sweet.

    ReplyDelete