Therefore 'Lillian' offered to deal with him but to do so 'Oli' had to come to 'Buttercup Farm'.
I remember 'Oli' when he arrived here for a very short stay in winter 2012 (I think). He was very confused and was charging around like crazy. I wasn't at all involved with 'the crew' back then but took an immediate liking to 'Oli' even though I only saw him from a distance.
He soon moved on to his new home where he was looked after well. But now he is back for the above mentioned reasons.
I don't know much about his history and therefore cannot comment.
As usual, new arrivals seem to land up with 'Mr F' which means that I handle them quite regularly as part of the routine. This time however I wasn't sure that the two would get on so I requested that at first we had them separated by an electric fence for a couple of days.
After two days it seemed safe to put them all in together. 'Mr F' never has his authority questioned and he just continued with business as usual. It is always the ones at the 'lower' end that have to set the rules and so 'Oli' and 'Luke' had a few fall outs but nothing major.
I realise by now all these horses have their own character. But some are just a bit more odd than what is classed as 'usual'. Having 'Oli' here was very strange for the first few days because he would follow me and 'Mr F' when I was with them and would observe everything VERY intensly. He seems very 'wanting' for attention and is most grateful for a bit of back scratching. 'Oli' can make the strangest sounds, too!
He is perfectly behaved, I have not seen him kick out or any of that sort. Although I had to establish straight away that he cannot ever push past me. He tired it once but after that never again and instead moves out the way willingly.
I am by now convinced that horses observe how the other horses react to what a human does with them. In my case I am sure it is helpful that 'Mr F' is top of the pack because any horse that has ever seen me handle 'Mr F' automatically showed more willingness to listen to me. So far I have not had any problem with any of the horses here and I am quite sure that is not just down to my behaviour.
Meanwhile, while 'Oli' is here, I shall continue observing with great interest.
I do however think something isn't quite right with him but I don't know him well enough to yet know what it might be. He seems to just stand in this somewhat depressed position, with quite tensed up lower lip. In fact I haven't seen him yet with a droopy lower lip like 'Mr F' and 'Luke' so often display.
'Oli' spends much time standing somewhat awkwardly.
I can't help but think he is in discomfort.
'Oli' again, can look rather similar to 'Mr F'.
'Oli' 'Luke' and 'Mr F'
No comments:
Post a Comment