"Hey, you! What does it say on this sign - I can't read it!"
'Little Sam' is probably fed up with being called 'sweet' and 'little' just because of his size. He is in fact perfectly able to stand his own grown among 'the crew'. Although generally he just stays out of the way and waits for the right opportunity to get what he wants.
With having 4 horses and one pony together in one field, studying the pecking order is interesting. In the mornings, I feed them in or near the field, it is quicker and works without troubles.
Before bringing the food, I go into the field and have a quick check up on them all. This way I get a hint in what mood they are all in and also to ensure all are OK.
I then leave the field to get the food and upon my return I place it out of sight. They of course know I have it with me, 80% of times my appearance is associated with food.
It has been quite warm again lately so they are not wearing their rugs.
Right at the front nearest the gate is 'Mr F' (yawning), 'Rose' opposite him and right behind 'Mr F' is 'Madame'. 'Luke' is, as always, keeping himself right at the back, out of the way. And he doesn't like standing on graveled surface ...
Top of pecking order, as clearly shown above: 'Mr F' (this NEVER changes) 'Rose', 'Madame' and 'Luke' and then 'Little Sam'. He is in this field somewhere hiding in the fog.
'Mr F' will try and get at everyone's food. He must be fed first
or in a separate corner if there are several horses, or else there will be trouble. Although he is never nasty about his 'bossiness', they just 'know' and never argue or question it. He clearly has this presence of 'don't mess with me'. Although he does actually let 'Luke' share his food with him!
So, to let the girls eat in peace I keep him out the way and it also makes it easier for me to brush him.
Next 'down' in pecking order is 'Rose'. Even if she already has a food
bucket in front of her, she will always go for any of the other buckets
that are put down only to eventually return back to her first bucket!
Hence why 'Rose' is tied up in one corner when eating so she can't harass the rest who will leave her
well alone (else I wouldn't tie her up as it would not be fair).
3rd down is 'Madame' who now only has to deal with 'Luke'.
'Luke' always remains in the background, looking very sorry for
himself. He does get a small handful of food so he is not all left out.
'Lillian' does not want him to be fed like the others as quite clearly
'Luke' does not need feeding, looking at his well built figure.
Once
he has finished his little bit of food (which takes him a looooong
time) he then tries to sneak up on 'Madame' to get some of her food.
Depending on which mood she is in, 'Luke' may sometimes get a special treat as 'Madame' lets him
finish off the last bits in her bucket. Although that is rare and certainly not the case when it is cold and every corn of food counts!
'Luke' makes for very amusing watching with his attempts to sneak up on other horses' food. And no matter how many times the answer is 'NO!', he tries, again and again, pulling
the funniest faces!
Luke:"I bet your food tastes better than what I had, let me try ..."
'Madame': "NO! How many times do I have to tell you: leave me alone when I am eating!"
But there is a 5th creature awaiting to be fed, it has been hiding in the mist. It is 'Little Sam'. He is a very smart little pony and knows to stay away from the big guys when feeding. He knows his turn will come. When all others have finished and have been set up for the day I call 'little sam' who gratefully devoured his food. He knows that he is safe now as none of the 'big guys' will interfere. I would let them and they have learnt that by now, even bossy 'Mr F'.
'The crew' all well out the way ...
... and 'Sam' can eat in peace ....
.... but guess who turned up to clean up the left overs on the ground? ('Luke') ;)
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