Easter in the sun

Mama Belle was pretty restless yesterday and wanted to be out of her pen. Since the adjacent pen is still too muddy for little foal legs- don't want to strain those new legs!- the choice was to halter and lead him along with mama to the pen I use for first foal turnout; it's actually Beamers summer paddock. So with a little judicious rearrangement of the other 3 horses because I didn't want to have them pestering us, it was time for baby's first haltering.

A little practice, and the addition of a butt rope so that we didn't have to pull on his head and neck too much, and off we went. He wasn't too sure about the mud, but with a little encouragement with the butt rope he came along nicely- and was even in the lead once he figured it out. Smart boy!
Then it was funny watching him figure out all that space, and that he was s'posed to follow mama- he kept wanting to visit with Ted and me.

After a few tries, and a bunch of stink-eye from Belle, off they went.

This is the best Belle has ever looked after foaling, she really maintained her weight and her coat is dappled and healthy.

First thing on Belle's agenda was a good roll, and then it was time to teach the little fella what those long legs are for.

He got lots of exercise!

He learned to follow mama.

Napping in the sun....

They stayed out until around 3, then Belle was looking to come back in. The leading session went well, and they will go back out this morning.