On May 13, Gary and I spend the day caring for an adult grandson who has had minor surgery. Arriving home at four in the afternoon, we slide the barn door open to bring the girls in for dinner. Sara and Sparky are in the west pen, separated from Zena. Zena is standing at the far back of the east pen, a hundred and thirty feet from us … with a clean, dry foal standing at her side!

Ruby was not born in our fluffy straw. She was born in the sand and we missed the whole affair! I cannot help but wonder what Sara and Sparky must have been thinking all the while Zena was in labor – and when Ruby slid out! I so wish I had been there. I walk into Zena’s pen, trying my best to contain my excitement, as Gary runs up to the house for his real camera. He snaps a great shot, with both Zena and the baby looking right at him. Without getting too close, I call back, “It’s a girl! And, she has a star!”

This is Zena and Ruby at about two hours old. Note the newly cleaned fur on Ruby’s back, and the sand adhered to wetness from birthing fluids on Zena’s legs. But, is not Zena just grand?! What a beautiful mother. I did NOT look this good just after birthing Andy!

Thank goodness Gary is here to take a video because my attention is forced elsewhere. Our neighbor’s three-year-old twins have, for the first time – why today?! – scaled the property line fence and crawled through the eight-inch opening at the bottom of the west pen. As I first catch sight of Zena, I also catch sight of them standing with Sara and Sparky. I spend much time, finding their grandmother and getting the kids back home. But, you will have much time here to observe Ruby at less than two hours old. I apologize for the background conversations regarding the kids.