foal – Page 13 – That Herd

Spring Palette

posted on : April 4, 2015

I couldn’t help but think this colt, with his brown on white spots, in this soft springtime palette, looked like an Easter Bunny.

wild horse photography of a flashy paint colt in a late afternoon palette of color — What a pretty lad he is in this image; flashy and showing some attitude.

Burst of Friskiness

posted on : April 2, 2015

This foal caught me by surprise with it’s burst of exuberant energy; this spontaneous friskiness did not go unnoticed by a nearby herd mate.

wild horse photography of a frisky foal — This youngster’s spontaneous burst of friskiness does not go unnoticed.

Social grooming is an important part of a horse’s healthy herd life. It is a way to give comfort and show affection to other herd members. This type of dorsal, neck and wither grooming is said to reduce the heart rate of the recipients, among other benefits.

This behavior is known as reciprocal allogrooming. It occurs in many animal species.

These two colts spend a lot of time together. They have a special companionship.

wild horse photography of two foals grooming each other — Sometimes horses form closer bonds with certain herd members. I wouldn’t say opposites attract in this case, more like similar dispositions attract.

My Kind of Morning Eye Opener

posted on : February 9, 2015

“Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.” – William Wordsworth

wild horse photography of a young paint foal — This kind of scene is my favorite reward for early morning forays out to find That Herd in the late spring. Fog burning off to blue sky, content mares, growing foals; all happy, healthy and doing their thing.

Introduction

posted on : January 3, 2015

About to be introduced to the rest of the herd for the first time, this mare reassures her new foal.

wild horse photography of a mare approaching with her newborn — Early in the morning, the fog just lifting, a mare cautiously rejoins the others after the birth of her foal earlier that morning. The foal’s ear was still a little lopsided from time spent pressed in the womb, which was endearing. I like this picture because the foal is making a scrunchy face as the mare constantly reassures him as they approach. The foal was intrepid and the one I later dubbed Zig Zag.

Before and Later

posted on : December 26, 2014

The infamous “whisker foal” at a couple of days old and about 18 months later. He has matured out of his mop of whiskers.

wild horse photography comparing a foal and yearling picture of the same horse — These images show the “whisker foal” at a few days old and about 18 months later.

Affable and Keen

posted on : December 10, 2014

Two brothers hangin’ in the ‘hood.

wild horse photography of two colts interacting — These half brothers are only a couple of weeks apart in age but already there is a noticeable difference in size. The big blaze faced colt is unassuming, an affable big brother, and the bay colt is earnest and keen.

Taken by Surprise

posted on : December 9, 2014

In search of the mares one spring morning, the fog just burning off, I finally had some luck. These three mares and their new foals were the first to be seen; we surprised each other on this hilltop. I was marching up one side and they were cresting the hill from the other. The sky freshly revealed, all of us caught off guard and a brand new foal made for an unusual and spontaneous shot. The mares were on a mission and proceeded to jog straight past me and the rest of the mares and foals followed directly behind them. This brief encounter left me a little astonished. They were found and gone all in a matter of seconds.