Raising Foals

[darian hall]

Hi all! I love raising babies. It is stressful seeing a mare get ready to foal. My heart is in my throat with worry and my cell phone is in my pocket with my vet's number already dialed. 95% Of the time everything goes well. Sometimes we don't even get to see the big event. We come out to feed in the morning and we are blessed with another horse. When we do get to see the big event - what joy! This wet, little helpless thing gets licked by his mom, cuddled by his owners, eyes blinking and trying to focus on "where am I". He/she struggles to get the legs under and stand. If it happens quickly we are so proud and know we have a future champion. If it takes an hour we are still proud of our future champion for the determination.

His nose may be longer than his neck but he is still beautiful. His knees may knock and both front legs coming out of the same hole - still lovely. It's the whispy whiskers on his chin and his velvet coat. We are blinded by the beauty of a new foal. He is ever so willing to meet us - sucks our fingers - lets us touch him everywhere.

About three days later ( if we have not spent every minuet with him) He thinks " hey! you only have 2 legs.. Me and Mom have 4. I should be very cautious because some things eat horses. Mom told me that."

If Mom is a nice, people-friendly mare it really helps. I have had mares in the past that would take your head off if you came anywhere near there foals. My Connemara mares have always been sweetheart moms. They have never pinned an ear at me when I handled their babies.

By the time the foals are weaned they all know me. They lay in the sun and let me approach and sit near them and they don't get up. I may scratch a neck, rub a belly, play with a foot. A head may raise and think "It's only her." This is my Bliss.

Well, if I want to continue to raise babies I have to sell babies or I will run out of land. And selling horses is a bit difficult for me. I want to know if my young horse is going to be cared for, sheltered from winter weather and summer heat, vaccinated and de-wormed and given a job he can do. They don't all turn out to be top class champions. There are some that just become some ones best friend pleasure horse and a loved companion.

That is my bliss, Darian

[Elaine Lindelef]

What a nice essay. Thanks for sharing it. I hope someday to raise some babies!