Simply Heaven by Patricia Hagan

Author:Patricia Hagan [Hagan, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: C429, Extratorrents, Kat
Amazon: B005BJV9XC
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2011-06-28T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Raven knew that foaling was ordinarily a quick process, and, if all went well, was usually over in about half an hour. The mare would break out into a sweat, appear uneasy, get up and down a few times, and then begin to strain. After a while, if no part of the foal appeared, it was a sure sign something was wrong.

"You say she's been like this for over an hour?" she asked Jasper.

"Maybe longer. I'm so scared I've lost track of time. It's gonna break Master Ned's heart if this horse dies."

She rolled up her sleeves. "We aren't going to let that happen." She sounded braver than she felt, because time was important when a mare was having problems. Even a short delay could mean her death as well as the foal's, so there wasn't a second to lose. It appeared Belle had been suffering for quite a while.

A quick examination confirmed her fears that the foal was in the wrong position. Normally, forelegs arrived first with the nose lying on them. In a breech, the hind legs would be first. Any other position meant danger if the foal couldn't be turned, which was what she now faced. "Joshua, run to the kitchen and bring back a bucket of lard. And hurry."

While she waited, she attempted to soothe Belle by stroking her neck and talking to her in a gentle voice. Belle's eyes gleamed with fright, and she was sweating profusely as Raven rubbed her.

Josh returned, and as Raven slathered her hands and forearms with the creamy white lard, she tried to remember everything the army doctor had told her when she had helped him once with a hard foaling at the reservation. He said there was lots of room farther up inside the mare, and the foal had to be pushed back before trying to reach for a leg, which could be bent down. Or she might have to draw forward a twisted-back head.

"Get a good grip on her now," Raven urged. "I'm going to try to turn the foal."

Bracing herself, she tried not to hear Belle's painful grunts and prayed Joshua had a tight hold or she might get kicked in the face.

Time seemed to stand still as she manipulated her slick fingers, but finally, with a gasp of triumph, she fastened about a leg and began to tug gently. "I've got it. Praise God, I've got it."

Slowly, patiently, she succeeded in finding the other foreleg and carefully maneuvered it into position. "Joshua, you can let go," she said breathlessly, moving back. "It's up to Belle now."

In seconds, the foal slipped into the world, and Raven was struck with wonder, as always, to witness the miracle of birth.

Joshua had tears in his eyes. "You done it, Missy Raven, you really done it! Praise the Lord. Belle's fine, and she's got herself a fine colt."

They laughed with joy as they watched him struggle to stand on wobbly legs and finally take his first uncertain steps.

Raven knew she was a mess.

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