Mother was eating but she was ready to go.
She rolled a few times
She took herself away from the herd to be by herself.
Her tail was elevated (we had put her in small old drystone walled garden).
We hid and watched through the holes in the wall as this mare is not a people-person.
She lay on her side and the feet started to emerge.
She pushed and pushed.
Despite the pushing, nothing much moved.
She knew she needed help so Bjørn, her owner, went in.
The mare worked with Bjørn and together she had contractions, while he pulled.
Bjørn cleared the bag from the foal’s mouth so it could breathe on it’s own.
A contraction = Bjørn pulling the foal gently out inch by inch. He needed to be there to help the foal out. A big foal who would have resulted in the mare being exhausted trying to give birth to it on her own.
And there he is. A little palomino and white colt foal has arrived into this world.
Bjørn backs off and leaves mother and son to become acquainted.
Cleaning up and imprinting.
The little colt’s first attempt at standing. Nature dictates that he tries to stand almost immediately.
A few more uterine contractions and “the bag” will be expelled as well.
I returned 3 hours later and the bag was on the ground, the colt foal was standing and mother was very proud of her foal, ie no one going near him.
I will never forget watching this foal being born. Totally magical.
You know me, I took lots of photos so I will try and make them into a mini film when I have some time.
Hello, little foal. You are truly beautiful and I love you already.
Yay! So fun! I want to see a foal being born some day too!! Good work mama!
So glad you, and Bjorn were there. Momma may not be a “people-horse,” but I’m glad she accepted his help anyway. Whew!
Congratulations! And thank you for sharing!
look at those gorgeous eyelashes! brava/o to both!!!! WELCOME, LITTLE ONE!
YAY! What a beautiful baby!!!
GREAT photos Frances. What a beautiful little boy. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! Great timing, great photography and a great result, you’ll have a special bond with this one!
WOW, lucky you! Thank you for sharing this serendipitous event. Babykins sure cleaned up well — what a sweetie! How wonderful that Mama trusted Bjorn — lucky HER that he was nearby!
I love watching the foals being born. So exciting, but also anxious a time.
Very glad that the mare allowed Bjorn there to assist as sometimes the larger foals can cause problems to both itself and the mare.
Well done to all.
What magical photos of what must have been an amazing experience for you. Thank you for sharing them
Thank you very much for sharing this. How magical that must have been and he’s a little beauty.
what amazing photos and so happy it turned out well for all! such a beautiful little one, thanks so much for sharing Frances!!
Oh thank you for sharing this Frances, I have tears in my eyes…
Mom looked so serene after her little boy arrived, and those last two photos are just magical…
thank you again
I was thinking you got to see Bra give birth; hopefully she won’t need help. That is one big foal for that mini mare!
Holy cow (er horse)! That was awesome! Thanks Frances. Got my day off to a great start!
Amazing! Thanks for all the pictures! Glad to know Bjorn was able to help and now he has a lovely colt!
Birth is a miracle and what an experience is must have been watching Bjørn-junior coming in
).
to the world (he should be allowed to name him after himself
Thanks for sharing – shetland foals are something special!
The Danish fan