I had to hike quite a ways in and when I spot them this is what see.
He goes into a little ravine and just kind of collapses. I know there is something wrong.
This is Mingo's yearling filly, Mango. She seems concerned when she see her little brother/sister is acting strangley. She comes over the the scene to investigate.
Here is Picasso, the older loyal band stallion. He stays a bit of a distance from the mare with her foal.
The other member of the band is Monet, a Sombrero mare escapee. She is looking really good. She seems to enjoy this wild way of life. She is lucky to have Picasso's wisdom to guide her around the range. She stays out of Mingo's way as well.
Mingo is a devoted mustang mom and stays close to her foal. I know foals just drop and take naps, but this was different. He seemed in an unnatural position down in that little ditch.
See what I mean?
Picasso paces a bit. Prince and his band are near by and they have started to push off....Picasso seems like he would like to leave too..
But the mare waits and then the foal pops up!
He gets up, but does not look strong. He wobbles and weaves on those great big legs.
I could not determine if it is a filly or colt...
His back legs never got to working properly and he finally goes down again.
...and he does not get up. We wait.
Mango gets in a little nap, but does not last long...
hum de dum when is he going to get up and play with me?
Mingo is very calm, but concerned. Ditto with Mango...always learning from her wise old mom.
Mango gives him a little sniff and a couple of nudges. He does not get up.
I had to make sure he was alive. He was. I am hoping he is a newborn....there was dried blood on Mingo's legs...and that is just exhaused. But in my heart I feel like something is wrong.
Here comes Picasso to the rescue!
He has put on weight and looking full of vim and vinigar.He is ready to go (probably to the water hole), but of course will not leave without his lead mare and her babies.
Here they are looking over at Prince's band. There were no new foals in Prince's band. Madeleine had really greyed out and all members looked healthy.
Through this encounter I really got to love the little yearling filly, Mango. She seems super smart and sturdy. She was an early filly last spring. She was strong from the very start.
Here is the handsome band. Monet is listening to the whine of dirt bikes in the distance.
Patiently waiting...
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....and here is how I left them. Nature will decide the fate of the little white foal.
13 comments:
Nancy, your pictures and narrative are so impressive. I know it must have been so difficult to make the decision to leave it all in Nature's hands, but you know you did the right thing. From the pictures, without being able to see the eyes, it almost appears if this foal is albino. Please do keep us updated.
Heartrendingly awesome, bittersweet….nature. I wish I had Mother Nature's depth of vision.
Beautifully narrated, artfully photographed.
How fortunate we are to have someone so talented, compassionate, knowledgeable and dedicated to these horses….
I hope I am wrong but I bet that baby is a lethal white if this is the case he will die and it is very painful for them they colic. I do hope I am wrong. I am a QH Paint breeder.
I hope the end comes quick for the little thing if it's the lethal white syndrome. Nice narrating nancy you were hoof' it out there pretty far off the beaten track it seems. You need a pair of wings out there! : )
Nancy thank you so much for this beautiful commentary and photography. Im so sorry the foal didnt make it. I agree you do need wings. Stay safe, my friend. ~Linda M
Awesome work Nancy! I know it's nature but I just have to pray for the little one and hope that he was just a few hours old, not ready to travel too far at the time.
I hate see this young foal. However, Mother Nature will decide if it makes it. Thank you for sharing this story and telling it like it is. I wish I could be there to watch these horses but I am a tender heart and it would be hard for me to do what you do.
Did the little white foal die? Bless his little heart.
Picasso is stunning!!
Yes, he died )-: Picasso is our pride and joy.
Breaks my heart to learn that sweet little white foal died.
I wonder if he had white foal syndrome?
So Very Sad... I was an APHA paint horse breeder for years and it looks to me like this foal was a lethal white plus they have both blue eyes. I had one from a mare I purchased and it was really heart breaking to watch it suffer, laying down then rolling from side to side because of the pain... had to put it down so it wasn't suffering any longer.
Janet Ferguson
I found this (from 2009) about blindness and Appys. Don't know if it applies in this case. Thank you for sharing your great adventure with these wild ones!
http://www.yourhorse.co.uk/Your-Horse-News/Search-Results/General-news/Nov-09/Nov-16-Appaloosas-could-help-cure-night-blindness/
Janet Ferguson
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