Out, amidst a vast area of land, and a sprawling herd of varying bands, mares and foals can get separated in an instant, due to the never ending curiosity and playful wanderings of these young ones. A mare will suddenly lift her head with laser focus and determination, emitting a call with a strong resonance, the very call of the wild. Her foal, no matter how far has strayed will recognize that call and swiftly return to their mother’s side. Oftentimes you will see the mare give a reprimanding nudge or a nip, in an effort to remind the youngster where they belong. 

Likewise, a young foal can let out a panicked squeak or whinny from a distance they have traveled, serving as a distress signal. The mare will hear the young ones call of vulnerability and the two will find each other from hundreds of feet, and multiple horses away. This extraordinary connection, and communication is profound, rooted in thousands of years of navigating their wild world without the assistance from human interaction.

I am reminded to honor precious life bonds that unite us all, and to the never-ending, enduring beauty of our greater wild world.