Donkey Tales

Hazel and little Homer

We have wonderful news to report.  As you know, if you read my earlier article on foal rejection, we had a sweet little jennet, Hazel, who gave birth for the first time to a little girl named Hermione.  The mom was petrified of this shiny wet spunky little girl that had caused her so much pain and in no way would she accept her.  Little Hermione became ours to raise.  With trepidation we bred Hazel once again.  Last evening she became extremely flighty and uptight.  Was holding her tail up and fitfully walking around in the foaling pen.  We stayed our distance so as not to increase her anxiety, though once two front feet and a nose were sticking out, Rod quickly helped break the sac, then left the scene again.  It was no time at all before the little wet foal was born.  Hazel accidently had her leg resting on him, which no doubt helped with no sudden moves possible by this little guy.  She looked and looked at him with ears straight forward, then started licking him.  We had tears in our eyes...They were bonding!  Once he was up and steady, we whisked in to dip his umbilical cord with iodine, not even taking the time to check his sex.  In no time at all little Homer was nursing.  Hazel will now know the joys of motherhood.  We are so happy for her...and for us!