Delilah

The pretty blond mare tossed her head and laughed. Her laughter tinkled like tiny glass baubles banging together.- not an irritating sound, but rather, a musical one. She was a seven year old mare- old enough to have seen the world, been a show horse, met many people and horses- yet she was naive and youthful. Her pale yellow hair disclosed the light nature contained within her. She was unaffected and unassuming. While other mares were consumed with gossip or staking their claims to the best grazing spots, Delilah was simply content to enjoy the sunshine.

She had arrived at this farm last year. She liked the farm- liked the foals which played in the fields here, liked the children who rode her sometimes. She remembered dimly that she used to not like the feel of legs on her sides. But that was different now. The children who came to ride her brought apples and carrots with them. She could not remember why she did not like to be ridden with such a sweet taste on her lips.

Sometime last Spring, she felt very beautiful. On that day, she remembered that she felt as if she had beating drums in her heart. A foal had been born that very morning and the scent of his birth filled Delilah's long nose. She inhaled deeply and her blood felt peculiar in her veins. On that day, the vet came to see her and she did not mind the ultrasound.

Soon after, the vet came again and the humans were very happy. She did not understand but since they gave her treats again she was happy too. The humans looked at her differently now. They petted her for long times and talked about her foal. Sometimes, they would lay their hands on her belly when they brushed her. She did not mind this but did not understand it either. 

Spring turned to Summer and one day she was standing all alone and felt it move within her. She startled and whirled around to see who had touched her. There was no one near. Surely this was a trick of her mind. Yet she had not heard another horse approach. Fearful of this strange new feeling, she stood very still and listened closely.

Tha-thump. Tha-thump. Tha-thump.

It was a heartbeat but not her own. It was coming from inside her. Delilah marveled at the feeling of the tiny infant stretching his legs inside her womb. She bent her long buttery neck around to gaze at her side. She nickered a greeting. After all, she would greet any new horse as such. He did not nicker back. She looked puzzled. Her deep brown eyes quizical, she looked again at her side. At that moment, he kicked as if in response to her greeting.

Delilah half closed her eyes as she memorized the new feeling. She looked ahead of her into the surrounding pastures as she pondered the significance of this feeling. There she could see the weanling foals playing with one another. She had always enjoyed watching them play and sometimes tried to join in herself. Now, impending motherhood settled onto her like a mantle. She determined that this must be her foal lying inside her. The feeling of it was heavy and sweet..

Delilah was immediately happy. She listened to the heartbeat and he learned to lie still within her as she played each morning. She ate heavy mouthfuls of green grass and spent long afternoons imagining his face. She even wondered what his voice would sound like. Would he be blond like her or would his coat be red like the foals she watched play in the adjoining paddock?

To Be Continued Next Spring...

Delilah is a maiden mare who is due to foal in April 2010. She is a youthful, playful mare and we are anxiously anticipating the moment when she will meet her foal face to face! Join us on Marestare in 2010 to watch the blessed event.   Khris