Are You My Mother?

posted on : November 2, 2014

When a filly wakes from a nap and cannot immediately find her mother, she makes several mistakes while soliciting each mare she comes upon for comfort. It was comical to see the foals much more upset by this than the mares. The images are explained in the captions.

wild horse photography of a foal warning another foal — The bay filly with the white blaze is confused about the identity of her mother. The paint foal is letting her know that this mother is not hers.

wild horse photography of a foal defending his mother against another curious foal — When his first warning is ignored this paint foal makes his defensive gestures a little stronger.

wild horse photography of a mare and foal leaving an annoying foal behind — The bay filly is starting to feel desperate when not welcomed by another mare as the irritated colt marches off with his mother.

wild horse photography of an annoyed foal marching away with his mother — One of my all time favorite images. This new colt is truly incensed that the confused filly is not relenting in her search for a meal. His face and body language is clearly demonstrating annoyance. His mother, however in unconcerned. The confused filly remains undaunted.

wild horse photography of an annoyed foal marching away with his mother — The bay filly is determined she’s found her mom but the colt marches away in disgust at her confusion. The mare’s face shows concern for the other foal but loyalty to her own.

wild horse photography of a mare and foal leaving a confused foal — Annoyed that his rebuff has been ignored, the colt pushes his mother away from the hopeful filly.

wild horse photography of a mare warning a foal — The persistence of the hungry filly is finally met with a more adamant correction from the chosen mare.

wild horse photography of a mare warning a foal — The filly gnashes her mouth in a typical submissive gesture toward the solicited mare.

wild horse photography of a mare warning a foal — The resolute filly is convinced she should be nursing as well but is rebuffed by the mare. The filly’s actual mother (the bay) is grazing off in the distance oblivious to her foal’s confusion.

wild horse photography of an annoyed foal — This is not a happy face. The curl of the lip, the wrinkle of the nostril, the thrown back ears are all indicators of his displeasure at the intruding mother-stealing filly.

wild horse photography of a tired foal and her grazing mother — Finally reunited with her true mother, the bay filly leans in, constantly touching her mother for reassurance. Unquestionably stressed from her ordeal, the filly is weary after her finding-mother mistakes.