There is supposed to be snow and rain coming over the next couple of days so LC and I had planned on going for a bike ride up on BLM land late this morning while the weather was still nice.
Just as we were getting ready to head out Chris our neighbor knocked on the door and told us that Dixie was going into labor.
I grabbed my camera, we headed outside and found her lying on the ground, indeed fully in labor and working hard to deliver a brand new life...........
Within minutes I could see one leg fully out but the other front leg looked bent and caught up.
Chris, who Dixie has known her whole life, and who has helped deliver three other foals of hers helped with the delivery.
I stood back holding my breath, willing this sweet horse to deliver safely..........
15 minutes after we walked out of the house there was a beautiful new baby boy in the world..........
Chris has never been married and does not have any children.
She is an old cowgirl.
Currently she cares for five horses (now six) and it obvious that she feels a real kinship with them.
They are her family.
She reassured Dixie that she had done a good job, and spoke lovingly to the new foal while smiling and laughing and welcoming him into the world.
I have seen many many baby goats being born. But I have never seen a foal being born before.
It is a heart warming and lovely and loving experience...........
New momma continued to rest while baby alternated between resting and trying to get those long legs to work.
Within only a few minutes of birth he was struggling to stand.......
Still struggling to stand our neighbor offered some assistance.......
LC and Chris finally and unsteadily got the brand new foals' legs underneath him while Dixie quietly but attentively watched.........
Such a beautiful little thing.
All kinds of legs............
It is always reassuring to watch mother and new child bonding.........
Dixie had been relaxed with Chris in the pen with her and the new baby.
And she did not seem overly alarmed when LC entered the pen to help the baby find his feet for the first time.
But as the other horses (that she has been separated from for the past week) wandered back up the hill and close to the pen she became more watchful.............
The other horses curious about this new addition..........
Baby still alternating between sleeping and standing.
Not long after this picture was taken he woke up and stood unaided.
Wobbly on extremely long legs, but up and unsteadily moving around...........
Dixie still eyeing the other horses..........
The other horses still eyeing the newbie............
Our boy has a whole lotta legs...........
The next couple of days promise to be cold and wet.
I was very glad that this new baby had a chance to come into the world on a sunny and warm day.............
Once he was reasonably steady on his feet the little guy began the search for milk.
Starting (as all new animals seem to do) at the wrong end he eventually worked his way to the back and eventually found what he was looking for..........
I was surprised just how tall he was.
Surprised just how long his legs were.
He has a lot of filling out to do before he grows into those legs...........
By the end of today he was pretty steady on his feet, nursing comfortably and momma and baby were bonding well.
Welcome little thing.
It has been a very good day............
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