Thursday, December 16, 2010

Coalesce



Thursday December 16 2010

I turned the Gray Mare (named Perry) out with the whole herd today... and it was about as uneventful as it could get.

I timed it after everyone had had their breakfast, and it was time for a morning siesta as the sun rays crested the bluffs, starting to thaw the 8* morning and warm up furry horse hides.

Perry and her babysitter Krusty strolled out into the big paddock... and everybody just stood there in a sort of morning sun stupor, watching her.

Eventually, one by one, the horses moseyed up to her to give her the Owyhee Welcome (From most of them: "You're new. Get away.") No serious chasing though, no biting, only one or two squeals; and Perry mostly ignored them.

It's all about the ears - you can watch a horse's ears and pretty much tell what they're thinking.


Perry: Keeping an eye/ear on Jose, but not worried. Jose: Interested!


Perry: wary of Ted. Ted: Doesn't particularly like her.


Smokey: doesn't like Perry!


Sunny: doesn't like Perry!


Rhett: doesn't like Perry!


Perry: keeping an eye/ear on Jose and Batman, but not worried. Jose and Batman: interested!


Rhett: still doesn't like her!


Perry: uninterested. Jose: still interested! (Later I saw him trying to get her to play!)


Give her a few days... and she'll slip in with the herd like she's always been here.

3 comments:

  1. Horses are so funny with the new herd memebers. Its just so intersting to watch the dynamics of it all.

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  2. More great photos to tell the story.

    Horse ears are so expressive. I bet in a day or so, the ears of the herd will be telling a different story with Perry. She certainly has adopted the right attitude to fit in.

    And you were very wise in choosing the proper time to turn her out--after feeding time.

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  3. I think I'm falling in love with Jose.

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