"Come on baby," I crooned to the beautiful beast as I put her head in my lap, "Push."
She neighed in pain and snorted on my knees.
Quickly I gently placed her head on the grass, and moved to the other end.
The foal was a breach baby. I could see legs, but no head.
"How long have you been in labor?" I asked the mare.
"We have no way to keep track," she panted, "Maybe one of your hours."
"We have to get him out of you…he's gonna sufficate," I whispered more to myself than to her. I then took my hand and grabbed the unborn foals legs, and slowly and gently began to pull.
"Push," I told her. And as she heaved I pulled the foal a little farther out, "Again," I urged her, and she whinnied quietly. I could tell she was tired. "C'mon! PUSH!" I yelled, and the baby slid a little farther out. "One more," I said, "Go," and with one more giant heave the little foals head popped out. I smiled.
The new mother lay still for a moments rest. Then suddenly she turned her head to face her baby, and she started to lick and nuzzle him.
"A beautiful colt," I told her, "What are you naming him?" I asked.
"I know not," she said in my head, "You name him."
Touched, I thought heard for the perfect name. Finally I gave up, "Aaron. Aaron sounds good."
"Yes, he looks like an Aaron," she told me. And to my amazement, Aaron attempted to stand up.
"Oh, wow," I crooned, "Wow. Elf! Do you see this?" I yelled, turning to look at Legolas.
"That I do," he smiled.
A few moments later Aaron took his first steps.
The mare thanked me and I left them to their mother son bonding time.
"Did you see that, Elf? Did you see? He's walking already," I exclaimed approaching him at the gate.
"Yes, they all do it."
"Don't tell me that it gets old," I said, squinting at him.
"No, in all my long years. It never has," he said and helped me over the fence.
I came back to the pasture the next day after breakfast, which I refused to eat. Aaron and his mother whinnied a greeting and trotted over to me.
I smiled and stared in wonder at the colt, who was just born yesterday and was now running in whatever direction the wind would carry him.
"Aaron!" I yelled to him, and smiled widely when he recognized his name, and galloped to me.
"Hello," he said, "What is your name?"
"Jonny," I told him and smiled, "Aren't colts your age supposed to be sticking close to their mothers?" I asked him.
"Maybe," he said, "But it's much more fun doing it this way."
I laughed, "You have a spirit like me little one."
"Then we will get along," he replied and nuzzled my face before taking off to chase another horse.