A Horse Is Worth More Than Riches

Chapter Seven - Mother Mare

'Clip, clop, clip, clop,' Lecky's hooves rang out on the concrete barn aisle, causing Mercutio's dark bay head to appear over his stall door. Max the border collie pup trotted alongside me as I took Lecky back to her stall.

It had been nine months since Mercutio's first show, and, after a series of uninterrupted jumping wins, he was now well known on the show circuit for his extraordinary height and stamina in the ring. I was super proud of my darling horse, and found it hard to believe that he had gone from an abandoned rescue horse to a champion show jumper. He really was moving up ranks.

Lecky nickered as she passed her friend's stall and got a hearty snort in reply. She lived right next door to Mercutio, as this meant they had a stablemate close during the night. I led her into the wide box stall and tied her to the door ready for grooming.

I picked up a smooth dandy brush and started at her neck, brushing my way towards her rump. When I got to her barrel, I was surprised at the weight she had put on. Her belly stuck out and resembled a blown-up balloon. As I brushed it, the strangest thing happened; it moved. 

"Clancy!! Clancy!! Come look at this!" I shouted. Clancy came striding in purposefully. He had been raking the arena and had heard my call.

"What is it, Halle? Is something wrong?" he queried.

"Feel this," I placed his hand on the mare's barrel and waited for it to move again. When it did, Clancy looked up, surprise written all over his face.

"Something inside her just shifted! The only thing I know that would do that is a foal, but she's not pregnant," Clancy was confused.

"Well, it is entirely possible. Remember when we sent her to stay with Sam and Ellie? Henry is a stallion, so she could very well be carrying a foal," I said, stroking Lecky's soft nose.

"True," Clancy nodded. "We'll have to get the vet to clarify, but I'm pretty sure we've got our first baby on the way,"