A Horse Is Worth More Than Riches

Chapter Eight - Countdown

It was true. The vet had confirmed that Lecky was pregnant. She was now ten months into it and would foal any time in the next two months. Clancy and I were surprised we hadn't picked it up earlier, but then Lecky was one of those mares that retained their sleek physique throughout a pregnancy.

I had plenty of experience with foaling mares before, as I had worked at a breeding farm for a year before moving to the farm. I replenished our emergency vet supplies and stored in an easily accessible place. I kept a halter on Lecky at all times and watched her carefully for any signs of labour.

"Getting close now, huh?" Clancy said, gesturing to Lecky's larger-than-usual belly. I was rugging Mercutio and Clancy was examining Lecky.

"She sure is. I hope she's a good mother. Some broodmares turn away their foals the first time, because having a little one around is new to them," I worried.

"Ah, she'll be fine. She's too sweet and anyway, that mare is bred into the foal business. We bought her from a breeding farm, remember?" Clancy assured me.

"I know, I'm just worried for her first time," I replied, snapping the last buckles on Mercutio's rug shut.

I exited his stall with a pat on his round nose and walked over to Clancy.

"How much longer now, Clance?" I asked. Clancy thought for moment, then replied;

"Anytime this or next month. It will be an October or November foal," 

Lecky shifted, trying to relieve her sore feet. Carrying a foal was hard on her slender Arabian legs, and they were getting tired.

"I hope it comes soon," I said. "Poor Lecky can't support all the extra weight for too much longer. The foal must arrive soon,"

"Yes, she might go temporarily lame if baby holds out for too long," Clancy agreed.

"I can hardly wait to have our first foal in the barn," I confessed. "I miss working with youngsters,"

"Well, whenever it comes, I'm sure it will be beautiful," Clancy announced. Lecky snorted and tossed her head, as if to agree.