As part of the annual horse replacement plan in the stables of Hotel Las Torres Patagonia, eight adult horses were recently added to the herd. But the baqueanos who oversee their care and guide trail rides were surprised to discover a ninth horse — a newborn foal.

The discovery was made when “Criollita,” one of the new mares of the herd, returned with the stables after spending the night grazing with the herd. She was accompanied by her tiny foal, which was only hours old.

Immediately, the baqueanos sprang into action, launching protocols to protect the safety and well-being of the newborn foal from threats like the puma. And they gave it a name — Kikín.

“One of the protection measures is our six mules, which we divided into two groups, one which accompanies the foal and the other the entire group,” explains Ramón Díaz, who oversees the reserve’s stables.

Why mules? Because they stand firm in the face of the threat, like the puma. Grouping them with the herd protects the horses from this type of attack.

“After six or eight months, we will begin general care such as filing his nails,” Díaz adds. “This way, the new horse can start to adapt to the maintenance done to all horses. A way to help him develop a serene and tame personality and not suffer from any deformities, too.”

The first foal to be born in the reserve in four years, Kikín is already a favorite with the staff and visitors. However, we remind visitors to watch him from a safe distance, as mother horses can be very protective of their young.

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