DeeDee and Chipper
We proudly announce the birth of Chocolate Chip (Chipper) the colt, born Friday, April 23 11:30 p.m. at Mountain Springs.
Other than the birth of a grandchild, the arrival of a new baby animal at our house is a major cause for celebration. We have closely watched our mare, DeeDee's behavior for the last two weeks, knowing the birth was near. Every evening, Jack put her in the stable for the night. Before bed, he would make a trip down to the barn to check on her. Friday night about 10:30 he went down and stayed a long time. In fact, I was in bed and debated whether I wanted to get up and check on things. Fortunately I did. As I stepped out on the porch, I could see Jack was down in the lower pasture on the four-wheeler. Slowly, I watched the light he was carrying move slowly up the trail to the barn, stopping occasionally along the way. Since it was pitch dark, I wasn't sure what was going on.
When he go closer, he called to me to bring the towels and lights-- she was in labor! I quickly dressed and gathered everything I needed (including the camera) and ran down to the stable. Though it was only a minute or two, little Chipper had already arrived! It was close! She had managed to get out of the corral and down to the lower pasture before her water broke! Jack said, as he lead her up the hill to the barn, there was a time or two when she balked and he envisioned the baby being born right there on the trail!
We watched in the stable for two hours as the baby struggled with those four long, awkward legs getting on his knees, then flopping (litterly) back on the soft straw of the stable. Occassionally, DeeDee would encourage him by gently pulling at an ear or quietly neighing in his ear. It was a memorable moment when I watched as she slowly, deliberately, breathed her breath into his nostrils to imprint her scent on her baby. Something all mother animals do to assure her baby will always know who she is. This is so apparent when you watch a pasture full of black cows with black babies--they can always find each other no matter how many other mothers and babies are in the crowd.
After a while, he had all four legs working together, then he was hungry. Again, it took him a few minutes to find just the right place to nurse. Even with his mother's help, he made a few 'dry' attempts before his first meal.
How fast animal babies develop! Now, has no problem eating--other than when his mother 'nips' him for biting in a sensitive place! And, his legs are working very well! He runs and bucks around the corral kicking up his heels just for the joy of being alive! When not sleeping or running, he is checking out everything within his reach--'tasting' everything from the rope tied to the gate to the stable door. He will nuzzle us when we reach out to him, often 'nibbling' my jacket or whatever he can reach.
As with a grandchild, I will probably have a lot to say about our new baby. Speaking of the grandchild, he is excited with the baby pictures we sent, and is insisting that his parents get him up here right away! We are encouraging this by sending more baby horse pictures!
Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pastures,
Delight yourself in the Lord , and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:1-4
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