Painted Pony Foal Is Born

To my readers: This is my children's story about the birth of a foal and his struggles to survive in a new world. Geared primarily to young and young-at-heart horse lovers, it details the loving care of his dam, the humans that inevitably enter his life almost from first breath, and his natural instincts and fears. Told from the foal's point of view, he contends with strange new experiences, fears and his mother's life lessons. I have been given the right to publish this Painted Pony story by The Trail of Painted Ponies© for reader enjoyment.

This is Part 1.

The newborn was gasping for breath. Little foal, Carries the Spirit, was no longer warm, cozy and curled up inside his mother, and he found the ground cold and hard. Everything was strange, and Spirit felt wet and weak. He rested for a moment. Only his ears flicked. Then, as he caught scent of his mother, he raised his head for a better look. This simple movement was hard for him.

Spirit lay still again. His breaths were coming regularly now and he felt himself getting stronger. Then, his mother, the beautiful Native Jewel, was moving her body close to him. He took a long look at her and thought she was the most beautiful sight. Slowly and rhythmically, Jewel licked his still-wet coat. He managed a tiny nicker and she lapped his face in response.

Jewel conveyed warmth, comfort and delight to Spirit. "I already love you," she softly chortled. Her voice was melodious to him, giving him the strength to reach out to her with his head, to make an effort to get closer to her, to take in her scent, to show her that she was special to him.

The little body thrust out long, sinewy and perfectly formed front legs. He bent them at the knees and tried to shift his unsteady weight. Something was telling him to get up.

Instinct was driving Spirit now. It was pushing him. Energy came flooding into his body. With the steady rhythm of his mother's tongue drying him, he felt stronger by the minute. In fact, he was feeling strong enough to try to push up with his rear legs. As he did, he felt powerful. It was a nice try but Spirit was still uncoordinated and unsuccessfully flopped back down on his tummy. He mustered up his strength, tilted slightly over on his side and, again, willed his legs to support him.

Carries the Spirit gave a mighty heave and, to his amazement, made it into a wobbly upright position. He forced himself to stand. Even though he was able to hold this position for only a short time, his uncoordinated legs buckled and down he went again. Plop, and he was an ungainly little heap on the floor. His breathing was quick and raspy.

Some inner strength made Spirit lunge back onto his feet. This surprised him and, standing awkwardly, he whinnied to his mother. "I'm standing!" He started teetering, but he was determined. And he remained standing.

Part 2

"I am so proud of you," said Native Jewel. "You are my firstborn, and you are perfection. Wait until I show you off to your Daddy, Medicine Horse. Let me get a better look at you, my son."

Jewel's methodical licking had dried his coat and, even at this early time of his life, he was a stunning miniature version of Medicine Horse. It was already apparent that he was strong and lithe, handsome and sound. Indeed, Carries the Spirit was a remarkable specimen of the Painted Pony Breed. Jewel was mesmerized by the colt.

"My little son," the mare murmured. "You are so amazing and strong. I can't believe you're on your feet already! Come to Mama and lets practice walking. You need to be a fast study in case we have to run."

"Why would we have to run, Mama?"

"Because sometimes there is danger," said Native Jewel.

He felt himself getting stronger on his feet. He was breathing normally now and his fur was dry. His legs were under better control and he felt good. "Mama said I might have to run," he worried.

Just then, a two-legged being came in through the wall where, somehow, a door slid open. Spirit found his legs quickly now. He jumped over to cuddle next to his mother, seeking protection. But she moved. She placed her body between the colt and the human. Spirit was completely hidden behind his Mama. Without any hesitation, the stranger came directly over to Native Jewel and grabbed her halter. Carries the Spirit was so afraid but his mother stood perfectly still. Did he see this right? Mama reached her nose out to be stroked. This stranger was so different from his own kind there was no mane, no tail, no fur; the person was stroking his mother who seemed to like the attention.

Spirit peeked around her flank and thought to himself, "I wonder if Mama has forgotten me?" He remained in position behind her, keeping motionless. With any luck, the stranger would not see him.

Still ignoring Spirit, the person walked Jewel to the middle of the foaling stall and carefully examined her. There he was, standing in the open. He was so scared. There was nothing to do but run. Spirit ran straight into his mother's tummy and bounced off. Once again, he was in a heap on the stall floor. He snorted and shook his head. Scrambling onto his feet, Spirit cried to himself, "I have to get away." He made a snorting sound.

Thank goodness Mama answered him. She gave a short soft whinny. "Stop that," Mama said. "This is our human. Jennifer is our friend. She's good to me and loves me. She will love you, too. Let her get close to you and be good."

Still, Spirit moved away. He watched Jennifer from a distance, stomping a front foot impatiently. As he faced his Mama and the person, he wondered what he should do.

"Mama, help me. I'm scared."

"Don't be afraid, my sweet little one. I told you Jennifer is our friend. You can trust her. Let her touch you. I want you to be good friends," said Mama.

"OK - I'll try."

He stood his ground, confused and afraid. His little head bobbed nervously back and forth as he watched Jennifer with his mother.

Slowly, very slowly, and with soft cooing words, Jennifer approached him. She reached her hand out to him and steadily approached. Her scent was strong but pleasant. Spirit stuck his nose out to get a better whiff of her hand. He spooked as his nose came into contact with Jennifer's fingers. Darting into the corner, his small frame flattened against the wall. Instantly he felt his legs go wobbly again. Spirit willed himself to stand still. His gaze turned to Mama - she was smiling.

Softly she whickered, "You are so brave, my little one. I am so very proud of you."

Now Jennifer was reaching out to touch his side.

"I can't stand this," Spirit blurted and bolted back into the corner. His body roughly brushed against Jennifer's outstretched arm. He stood, quivering. All he wanted was to get away. Spirit composed himself and moved to his mother's flank.

The human was leaving the stall. Could it be? Spirit found himself alone with Mama. Jennifer was just outside the door, still watching.

Part 3

"It's time to eat now," said Mama. "You must learn this quickly."

She positioned herself next to a still-shaking Spirit, rubbing softly against him.

He didn't understand. Wise Native Jewel aligned herself with Spirit, encouraging him while soothingly instructing him. His instinct kicked in, and before long, Spirit was enjoying a tentative first meal. He was new at this to be sure but Jewel was patient and kind. Spirit decided that milk was a good thing! Oh, he felt so good!

Tummy full, legs stronger, Mama close, and Jennifer watching from outside the stall, Spirit began to feel drowsy. He nudged Mama.

"It's OK little son," she said. "Lie down a spell and rest. We are safe here. We'll practice running soon. But, first, there is still another lesson you must learn."

With that, she moved away from Spirit and methodically backed up to the wall. Holding her tail aloft, Mama stretched out and let go of something. His curiosity took over. As he got closer to Mama, he smelled the something - it smelled strong, very strong.

"You have to learn to poop and pee," said his Mama. "This is poop. We have to do that to stay healthy. It is a good thing to do."

Just then Jennifer came into the stall again, carrying something. She scooped up Mama's pile, dropped it into the bucket, patted Mama heartily and exited the stall. Spirit noticed that Jennifer didn't even look at him this time. He was puzzled.

"I'm still here," thought Spirit. "Now she doesn't like me anymore."

As he watched Jennifer, he felt strangely drawn to her. "Mama likes her. She seems kind – Uh oh."

Someone was coming. He thought, "I have to hide."

Running behind the mare, Spirit did the best he could to conceal himself.

This was another human. The two-legged person had a deeper voice and it scared him. Then the door slid open and both Jennifer and the new stranger came into the stall. He was carrying a miniature version of a halter. Fear struck him and this time he really wanted to get away.

Jennifer said to the mare soothingly, "Whoa there Jewel. We want to get a better look at your little guy. He hasn't gone yet and we know he ate."

They made no move to catch him. Both stood at different spots in the large stall and just watched him. He was so nervous. A loud rumbling in his own body startled him. It gave him the urge to lift his tail and, and – wow, he was doing the poop thing.

"Mama, I did it!" Spirit managed.

When it was over, he jumped away from it. Back to his Mama.

She was reassuring him, "That's what Jennifer wanted to see. Good job, Spirit!"

He asked her, "Will they leave now?"

The two people remained in the stall, planted in place. The horses moved around and the people did not interfere. Once in a while, they had brief conversations with each other but, mostly, they baby talked to Jewel and Spirit.

"What a beauty you are."

"You are a fine boy."

"Your mother is the grandest horse ever and she's wonderful."

"Spirit looks so much like Medicine Horse, his Daddy."

The words were sounds to Spirit yet the humans were . Calmer now, he was getting used to hearing and seeing the people. His fear was fading. Spirit liked having them there, fawning over him and his mother. When they petted his mother, he felt left out.

He thought, "I wonder why Mama likes it so much?" With his curiosity growing, he decided to check for himself. "She doesn't mind their touch. Think I'll try it."

One step at a time, Spirit moved closer to Jennifer. She had a sweet voice. He inched as close as he dared. She could not quite reach him.

"She's not making a move to touch me," thought Spirit.

So he moved closer. This time he was within reach. Still Jennifer did not touch him.

"It's OK," nickered Mama softly giving him encouragement.Carries the Spirit, with all the bravery he could muster, poked his tiny nose at Jennifer's hand, withdrawing it just as suddenly as he had brought his nose forward. Again Jennifer did not move. Nor did the other human. Both watched him with great interest.

His curiosity and desire to be touched by this human had grown into a need. This time, Spirit stuck his nose into Jennifer's hand. She stroked the velvety nose lightly. Her touch tickled him but it was a pleasant feeling. He stood perfectly still, kept his head in place, and permitted the touching. Jennifer continued stroking him. Again. Up a little higher. Spirit was unsure of himself. He enjoyed the touch and stood still.

"I already love you, you handsome boy," Jennifer was cooing. "I've had your Mother since she was a filly. Your Father, Medicine Horse, came here as a yearling. And now I have you, my precious Spirit. I have the most beautiful Painted Ponies family. How happy you make me!"

They all stayed in the stall for a long while. Carries the Spirit was strong and healthy. His eyes shone with gentleness and intelligence. Native Jewel watched him with great pride. She knew the humans were pleased with her and Spirit. She was devoted to them and trusted them with her life.

/ - / - / - The End - / - / - /

Written by The Old Gray Mare © and published with exclusive permission
by The Trail of Painted Ponies©
using Painted Ponies.