Recently, I grouped one colt and two fillies together along with their moms and our stallion, Legacy. The first couple of days, all was well since I left the group intact. Then, two of the mothers were lured out of the paddock with the promise of a little grain. When the grain was gone, they realized that they had been duped and began pawing at the gate to return.....too late.....the deed was done!
The motherless fillies ran along the perimeter of the fence nickering for their moms but to no avail. For about half a day, the fillies wouldn’t eat being consumed with the thought of, “Where’s my Momma?”.........but, eventually hunger takes over, and they rejoin the remaining colt, stallion, and the colt’s dam for a feast of alfalfa and orchard grass hay. Yummmmm.....pretty good!
Afterwards, the colt begins to vigorously nurse his mom which does not go unnoticed by the two just weaned fillies. After a few
moments of watching and thinking, “Warm milk...”, Alexandra, the younger of the fillies walks over to the nursing mare and tries to get in on the action. The mare has other ideas and quickly lets the filly know that it ain’t gonna happen!
Rejected, the filly checks out the under belly of the stallion.....nothing there! Looking around, Alexandra spots the other filly, Kristy Kay. After a long look and thinking, “Why not?’, Alexandra looks under Kristy Kay. Nope, no luck there, either.
After watching the lack of progress made by Alexandra, Kristy Kay begins calling to her momma and making new laps around the paddocks perimeter----soon to be joined by the dejected Alexandra.
Lessons for humans:
* Don’t waste effort looking in Impossible Places!
* You can’t replace your Momma.
* Enjoy it while you can!
UP-DATE: Alexandra & Kristy are now three year old mares in foal. Kristy was recently sold, and Alexandra is offered for sale.