This mare had such presence running across the pasture with her mane flowing out behind her that I had to try to capture her sense of command and power. She was the alpha mare and all the other horses knew it.
Another view of this same mare and foal walking together across the pasture gave me the feeling that this mother would always look out for her baby and see that he came to no harm. The foal stays close enough to touch his mother.
When things are going on around my horse, Nifty, she has to find out about it. Her curiosity has to be satisfied. I’ve seen this look so many times, I had to put it down on paper.
Watching this mare teach her foal how to cross the pond and urging him gently with a push now and then was so captivating to me, I wanted to portray that motherly love in action. He’s taking the opportunity to grab a drink while he has the chance.