Notes from Maine - 2025/04/27
Lilly (the sweet little baby horse) introduced herself to Earl (her father) a few days ago.
They’ve met, of course. Earl has been just a few feet away for most of her little life. He’s either on the other side of the stall wall, or out in the pasture, or poking his head in through the window of Maybelle’s stall. When I let the ladies out, Maybelle will often go to touch noses with Earl before she goes out. Lilly has always known her father.
But this time she really introduced herself.
Previously, she kept her distance, often hiding behind her mom. But when young horses approach bigger herd members for the first time, they do this thing where they lick and chew, almost clapping their jaws. Horse people call this, “baby talk,” and interpret the young horse saying, “Hey! I’m very small. Don’t hurt me!”
She was in no danger, of course. Earl was on the other side of the stall wall and only had his head poked in through the window. Also, Earl wouldn’t hurt a fly. He is massive though. With that much horse moving around, accidents could happen. That’s why I’ve kept the family separated since Lilly was born. I don’t know when it will seem safe enough for them all to be in the pasture together. Horses have grown up in family bands since the beginning of horses, but Lilly is so precious. It’s unthinkable to risk her well-being.
Eight years ago, when Earl was just a tiny foal, I met him out where he was born in Fryeburg, Maine. He was so tiny—bigger than Lilly is now, but not by a whole lot. He was very timid compared to Lilly. She will run right up and want to be scratched. Earl was a lot more wary back then. My friend drove out to the farm with me just to kill time. He was recovering from surgery and needed a break from being trapped in his house. I just wanted to see big horses. We ended up seeing the smallest horse there (Earl).
When Earl came here, he met Rocky, who was a wonderful paint horse. Earl did the same “baby talk” thing when he met Rocky. He clapped his jaw and approached carefully.
“I’m just a little guy, don’t hurt me!”
Earl needn’t have worried—Rocky was very nice to him. I’ve never had any horses who didn’t get along. They might be a little prickly at first until they find their footing, but eventually they’re inseparable. I guess that’s the nature of herd animals. Maybelle goes through cycles with Earl—sometimes she has very little patience with his proximity, and other times she gets angry if he doesn’t stay right by her side. Maybelle lays down the law and Earl obeys. He’s very large, but maybe not the smartest horse in the world. I understand Maybelle’s cycles, but I’m not sure Earl ever will. He always seems baffled by her attitude and responses.
Lilly is the sweetest. I can’t wait to see how she changes as she grows up, but I also don’t want to see her get any bigger. She’s so precious right now. Maybelle is the best mom a little foal could hope to have. Maybelle was so enormous before Lilly was born that the vets were a little concerned for her health. So this is likely the last foal these two will have. They’ve produced two perfect fillies. I feel so lucky to have met them.
