Yes, already! So much for BLM predictions of May :). Born yesterday morning (March 21) around 8:00am. We know because there was no baby at 7:20am when Kathleen drove off to work at her new passion, teaching American Literature to 11th graders at the renowned Webb School in Bell Buckle. And there was a baby when I went down to feed around 8:30am. A mere three and a half days after a nine hour trailer ride for mom! When Kathleen got my photo-text she immediately took her class on a field trip home, and thank goodness for that. Her photos (like the one above) are so much better than mine :)
Firestorm – Less than 2 hours after her
surprise entrance into the world
She was conceived in the wild last April – believe it or not on my birthday if her gestation was exactly eleven months – four months before her mom was “gathered” by the BLM and shipped off to a holding facility in southern California. Later mom (soon to be Saffron) was moved to a BLM holding facility on the campus of The Piney Woods School south of Jackson, Mississippi, where we made her acquaintance (see Tuesday’s blog and video). This new little mustang will be named Firestorm because that’s what she will be causing for the benefit of horses everywhere. And because she appears to have a funnel cloud emblazoned on her face :).
We will call her Stormy.
Those who saw Tuesday’s video of Saffron’s adoption know that she took hay from my hand on her very first night home, and has done so several times a day everyday since. It took 19 days for Noelle to allow herself to take feed from my hand. Thankfully Saffron is much more willing and confident than Noelle was. So long as I am sitting on that hay bale. And from that position I was able to get my hands on Stormy twice yesterday just a couple of hours after her birth, and so far twice again today. Saffron munches Safe Starch from a tub nestled between my feet and pays no attention at all to me giving Stormy a good rub-and-scratch down. Fingers in her ears, and mouth, down her legs, tail and butt. Even got a tiny lick on my ear this morning. But, at least so far, it all has to be done sitting on that hay bale. It’s Saffron’s safe spot. Meanwhile she’s giving every other horse in the herd a big what for any time they attempt to poke their heads across the fence. I think she’s even intimidated Noelle.
I’m spending a lot of time with mom and daughter but I’ll try to update you as things happen. And this weekend when Kathleen is here to shoot we’ll try to get some touchy-scratchy-imprinting photos.
This is so exciting. Please stay tuned. And if you missed the blog and video on Tuesday called Here We Go Again please check it out. We’re very proud of it and what it’s accomplishing. – Joe
Also see these posts:
(In chronological order)
What an Extraordinary Weekend!
Firestorm’s Amazing First Day in the Playpen
No-Agenda Time – So Much Value!
An Amazing Birthday Gift from a Wild Mustang!
Follow Our Entire Journey
From no horses and no clue to stumbling through mistakes, fear, fascination and frustration on a collision course with the ultimate discovery that something was very wrong in the world of horses.
Read the National Best Seller
The Soul of a Horse
Life Lessons from the Herd
…and the highly acclaimed…
What a lucky horse!
[…] a look at this brand new wild mustang foal she is adorable and very lucky indeed as she was adopted into Joe Camps farm “The Soul Of A […]
Beautiful Stormy and mom are so lucky to have you guys – I love it. Enjoy every moment with this little firestorm, as she will grow up so fast ! Congrats to all !
She is beautiful!!! Congrats, and what timing! So glad you guys made it home with everyone safe and sound. Firestorm, love it. Must be meant to be!! Isn’t it amazing how the universe tells us things.
Congrats on your new little one!!! Love the blaze that storms down her nose!!!
Oh Joe & Kathleen, Stormy is so sweet! Congrats! Wishing all the best for your two new family members. I was just reading Parelli’s comments on imprinting and thought of your impending arrival, and then the birth notice hit my inbox!
Amy, Kate, and Caroline
Babbs, Toots, and Rocky
Hey!! Let me be the first to congratulate you both! This is wonderful! Welcome Little Stormy!! She’s darling. Bet you and Kathleen are very proud (human) parents indeed. Enjoy her. A blessing from above for sure.
Thank you Margaret.