AZUR, the first hour THE ALBUM OF HIS BABY PICTURES

AZUR Is a few minutes old. He is just out of the womb. He lays in the supine position he held for the last few months inside his mother. The position that most likely explains his natural bend. He looks stunned. His head is clinched towards his neck. His eyes are not opened yet. Birth! What an experience! His mother will soon lick him clean. That will stimulate his energy. Shortly after he will feel stomach cramps. He will be striving for nutrients. They don't come through the ombilical chord anymore. What is he supposed to do? As Mom cleans him she will nudge him to urge him to get up. AZUR is up. What an adventure! It was not easy. Mom had to nudge him behind his right shoulder. She has a strong nose. AZUR braced himself on his front legs and got stuck in that position for a while. Mom nudged his behind. AZUR bumped his nose on the ground. A negative imprint. He raised his head up and swung it forward. His but followed and up he went. His brain is not yet giving commands to his hind legs. They stay there like stakes planted in the ground. AZUR is afraid to move. He is afraid to fall and to hit the ground again. He'd etter stay there a while. But, where is his food? Guided by his instinct , AZUR first seeks the warmth of his Mom. There is the feeling he finds to be closest to the comfort of the womb. He furrows his nose deeply into her fur. The pressure against his nose provides a soothing sensation but his stomach is complaining. Finally he discovers the wetness, the warmth, and the appetizing smell of his Mom's swallen and dripping udders. Eagerly, he starts to swallow her warm milk. Nudging and suckling are positive imprints. AZUR is a normal foal ready to grow. He stands strong on his legs. He discovers his new environment by trial and error; by touch and feel. His contracted hooves are starting to experience the pressure from his weight. His eyes are open. He does not know yet how to use them to control his body. Moving around appears as a scary adventure. There are so many things out there that can make him stumble and fall. Staying close to Mom is so reassuring. She is so nurtruring. But, what is that achy feeling in his belly and up into his flanks ?

To be continued and complemented with animations thanks to your support

Copyright 2001. All rights reserved to Michel Kaplan and Beau Geste S.O.A.R.

This page was last updated on: December 30, 2001