http://archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/17893075#p17915566

>Maud was never terribly emotionally accessible
>but since she's become pregnant, she's certainly been demanding
>in a sense.
>"My back hurts."
>Which is your cue to massage her back
>Not that you mind, but she rarely really thanks you
>But with Maud, it's the little things
>your hands rub her back and flanks, and she sighs, almost too quietly to hear
>after a few minutes, she speaks in her deadpan voice again.
>"I'm hungry. For pickles now. And hay."
>Easy enough. Stuff like this you have in the house.
>she eats without much fanfare, looking blankly ahead
>but her tail twitches a little, so you know she's happy about it
>after she's done, she pushes the plate away, and lays down on the couch
>she looks at you expectantly
>you smile and lay down behind her, with your arms around her
>your hands rest naturally on her large, pregnant belly
>it's nice and quiet, the two of you laying together
>her coat is warm and soft under your fingers
>she speaks in her normal deadpan
>but you know how to listen for that extra, almost undetectable edge of emotion
>"I love you."
>and the effort of putting up with a pregnant mare's demands is all worth it.