Page 26 of The Rancher

All the stalls appeared to be overly large and allowed for the horses to make circles.

The third stall on the right held yet another mare, this one a gorgeous chestnut with a red body and black mane and tail, in the throes of labor. She was laying on her side and breathing heavily.

Lyris removed her flannel shirt, leaving her in a white t-shirt. “I want to start with the bay. She seems to be the furthest along.” Before walking to the stall, she turned on Ray, hands on her hips. “You couldn’t bother to tell me this yesterday? We could have missed it, and one of the mares could have died in birth or the mareandthe foal. What were you thinking?!”

Ray mimicked her stance, his hands on his hips. “I didn’t find out until this morning that they were all in labor. My men didn’t know, because yesterday the mares were fine.”

Lyris let out a long breath. “I’m sorry. This is just a mess. What’s the bay’s name?”

“Junebug. These are my riding horses not my breeding horses.”

“I knew they aren’t thoroughbreds. American saddle horses if I was to guess.”

“You’d be right. They are good animals and will make great mothers. This is Junebug’s third foal. The previous vet said she’s having twins. We don’t expect both of the babies to live. It would be a miracle if they do.”

“I haven’t lost a foal yet and I won’t start now. Do you have gloves available?”

“Yes, let me get them.” He left the stall.

Lyris walked over to Junebug and sank to her knees next to the huge animal. She ran her hands along the horse’s belly. Her stomach was hard and Lyris knew she was near to birthing.

Junebug was now laying on her side.

Lyris pressed on her stomach. She counted legs and felt both foals. One was already in the birthing position. She stood and walked around to the horse’s rear and lifted her tail.

The mare was ready, and the foal was just starting to exit the birth canal.

The foal’s arrival was imminent.

Junebug stood and walked around the stall. With each step she took the foal came farther out.

Lyris made sure to stay out of her way.

Finally, after about twenty minutes of her walking, the first foal dropped.

The mare bit and pulled at the sack the foal was in until it opened, then she pulled it away from the baby.

Lyris helped her. Normally, she wouldn’t, but a second foal was on the way, and she wanted Junebug to concentrate on birthing that little one.

Ray returned with the gloves. “Sorry—holy cow we have a foal.”

“It’s a colt. Do you have a towel handy to dry him?”

“I found the gloves under the towels and brought both. That’s why it took me so long.”

“It doesn’t matter. It’ll be okay. I mostly use them so I don’t pass anything on to the animals.”

“I understand.” He looked over at Junebug. “She looks ready for the next one.”

“Yeah, it won’t be long now.”

The second baby got stuck.

Lyris donned the gloves and put her hands and arms in to help Junebug by repositioning the foal. It was a messy business but necessary if Junebug was to deliver the foal. After getting the foal in the right position, she guided the sack until the foal was about halfway out. Then the birth was entirely Junebug’s show.

After the birth, Lyris checked Junebug for damage. She had some tearing but not to serious. While Junebug was busy with her foals, she wanted to see if the bleeding continued. Once they got her back to the ranch, she would put in a couple of sutures if she was still bleeding substantially.

Junebug took care of the placentas for both colts. Eating it helped to increase her milk production, so Lyris let her consume them. She would need all the milk she could get to feed two new babies.