Please let me know how you like it <3The first thing I remember is coming out of something warm, into something cold and wet. A shiver overtook my body from the sudden change and I let out a weak little whinny. I was immediately answered by a nicker, the familiar smell of my mother filling my nostrils as she nuzzled me, her lips moving against my fur as she licked and groomed me.
I started feeling warmer, and nudged my mother, nibbling at her mane. I let out a snort as her muzzle softly knocked against me, letting me know I needed to stand. My first try ended up a disaster. I tried to stand up and abruptly fell over, letting out a squeal and I ended up on my back with my legs in the air.
My mother shook her head and let out an amused whinny before nudging me over and helping me up this time. I stood shakily on legs that wanted to wobble and do everything but stand still. After a few moments, I felt steady enough to take a step forward. That seemed to work, so I continued to take small little steps all around my mother, trying to get used to these legs of mine.
I sniffed the ground, feeling the green grass prick my nose and the rain drops soak my muzzle, snorting in surprise at how cold it felt. I lifted my head and shook my body, the drops from the constant drizzle flying off my fur. I went over to my mother, nuzzling across her body until I found her milk, suckling her and flicking my tail in happy abandon as I got my fill, resting against her front legs with my head against her stomach, sleepy and content. We both dozed, tired from the days' events, knowing that tomorrow I would be introduced to the herd.
4 months (July) ~~~~~~~~~~
I pranced a couple yards from Echo, my mother. I had learned that I had got my mahogany bay colored coat from her, white tobiano and frame markings covering our similar coats. My splash white markings came from Father, who I had come to find out was the lead stallion.
I lifted my head and looked for him, seeing him a little way from the herd, keeping watch. His splash white markings contrasted brightly with his black coat, muscles moving under his fur as he took a step and leaned down to grab some grass.
I nickered to my mom to say I was going to see Father, and she nickered her agreement, warning me not to irritate him too much. I snorted and trotted towards Father, his form growing as I got closer, reminding me of how big he was. I neighed a greeting, and he huffed in reply, his amber eyes glancing down at me.
I flipped my tail as I raised my head towards his, and he briefly touched my nose to his before returning to his watching. I munched happily on grass next to him, lifting my head occasionally and tried to pretend I was Father, watching over the herd. I quickly got bored, and spotting the other foals playing, nickered a good-bye to Father before joining them.
I whinnied in greeting, jumping into a game of tag. Merca, a black filly nipped at my rump, making me 'it'. I immediately turned and chased after a palomino colt named Tocka. I was intercepted by Scarlet, a blood bay filly, who bared her teeth at me and challenged me to catch her as she took off. She was fast and quick, and it took me a little bit, but I finally caught her. By that time, everybody wanted to race, and we took off around the herd, hooves thundering, hind legs kicking, neighs and squeals rushing all over the meadow we were in.
Most of the adults just flicked their ears and continued munching grass, some snorted irritably, but none put up a fuss. That was just foals to them. It went on awhile before Father got tired off it, flattening his ears and stomping his foot before letting out a loud neigh that immediately made us split and arrow back to our mothers.
Echo huffed against my cheek and flipped her tail against my rump, the gentle retort sending me to snuggle under her belly and peek between her front legs with my big brown eyes. She snorted and rolled her eyes before continuing to eat, making it clear it was what I should have been doing as well. I went and suckled what I could before turning to eat some grass. Playtime was over, so it was time to graze and lazily doze in the sunshine.
8 months (November) ~~~~~~~~~~
Echo and I followed within the outskirts of the herd, plodding ahead slow and steady with our heads bowed down slightly. The warm weather had passed and turned into a bitterly cold winter. Icy wind blew over the hills and bit through our thick furry coats, making us shiver and huddle tighter together. Snow had already lightly falling, leaving powdery flakes all over the ground. The trail was hard and rocky that we followed, causing us to have lost an older mare named Ova, who had broken her leg and couldn't keep up with us anymore. Her weak whinnies full of pain and panic at us leaving still rang in my ears, long after we left her.
I shook my head and snorted, trying to get her cries out of my mind. I looked forward through the whipping wind at the black mare Tinna, who was our lead mare, hoping she would say she had found some shelter. I bowed my head as she continued pushing forward, ears back and head low as she continued walking into the wind. I sighed and turned to my mother, nuzzling her neck and letting out a whimper, hungry and wanting to rest. She gently huffed at me, blinking her tired eyes back at me as she continued on. I dutifully continued beside her.
I know not how long we clomped along on heavy legs, the white rolling land seeming to go on forever. Father suddenly let out a loud whinny, causing us to stop and look up, letting out cries and neighs of relief as we see the trees that he had seen. We trotted quickly to the crooked and bare trees, happy all the same to have some kind of shelter to hide under from the bitter wind. We huddled together, using our body heat to keep each other warm, nuzzling what sparse milk I could from my mother.
She nudged me into the middle of the circle when I was done, huddling against the other foals where we got the most of the warmth. Merca and Tocka were leaning against their mothers and dozing, warm and fed. Scarlet nickered at me softly, moving towards me and brushing her head against my shoulder before moving to groom my sparse mane. I returned the favor, flicking my tail happily at the thought of having someone to help pass this boring time of waiting for warm weather to return. We leaned against each other and dozed for some time, knowing only that we were glad of the shared warmth and the break against the chilly wind. Maybe this winter wouldn’t be so lonely after all.
12 months (March) ~~~~~~~~~~
Spring had come at last! My fuzzy coat grew out into sleek patterned fur, and my mane and tail had started to grow out from its scraggly looks. My mother had finally got through to me that I no longer needed to suckle her, and became more adventurous; maybe too much so. As a young colt, I wanted my freedom yet I also wanted the protection from the herd, so as much as I strayed, I always came back. Of course, I had many reasons to. My mother was here, as well as Father. It was all I knew.
Then, of course, there was Scarlet. Her sleek coat had a shine of copper in the sunlight, and whenever she looked at me her warm brown eyes had a shiver running through my body.
It was a warm day, sun shining and puffy clouds creeping across the sky. The herd was calm, dozing, eating and grooming each other. Father had took a liking to Marcella, a red roan mare with a wheat colored mane and tail. We knew within a month or two she would be with foal and we would be looking forward to another new generation.
I was grazing contentedly next to my mother, letting out soft wickers that she returned. The sun felt so nice on my fur, and I let out a long stretch before shaking myself out, hanging my head and lifting a back foot slightly as I decided to doze myself, closing my eyes and relaxing. I slowly started to fall asleep, knowing I was safe surrounded by the herd and with my mother close by.
The sound of panicked neighing woke me immediately, eyes white as I spun around, trying to find out what was going on. Echo whinnied loudly, helping me pinpoint her as I galloped straight towards the herd, spinning to thump against her side, asking what was going on.
Snow and Sleet Mix, Clearing at Night
