The Youngsters

It now has been a week of 'Mr F' being on his own in his field. As mentioned before, he does have other horses in the fields around him. His field is right next to the yard and there is always something going on. Further neighbours of his are the ducks in the pond and the chickens in the small fenced off run about.

'Mr F' is now more accepting of the youngsters and they call out for each other during the day. Quite often they go and greet each other at the gate.

At the moment they are turned out and brought in at the same time but it soon is time to change this routine a little.

The weather has now truly turned wintry, rain, winds, freezing nights.

Every evening, while I sit on my heap of straw in 'Mr F's stable, I am so grateful that we managed to complete the stable training just in time. What joy it is to sit inside the sheltered stables, listening to the wind blowing and the rain drops hitting the roof while the boys are relaxed, dry and contently munching their haylage.

'Mr F' is less bossy with 'Rookie' and they are getting used to each other, slowly. 'Rookie' frequently sticks his little head over the partition gates, doing his chewing motion as though he is saying  'Look, I am friendly. Come say hello.' 'Rookies' favourite past time is to chase 'Zac' around the field. It is this little chap that has at the moment the upper hand. Meanwhile 'Zac' just wants to be left alone. It's easier for the little one to charge around. It seems 'Zac' has his mother's temperament: 'Why rush? I am not interested in running, I just want to eat.'

 'Rookie' - Cuddly and cheeky - also the stirrer upper

'Zac' the gurmpy - I am sure this will change though!

And then we have 'Zac' the grumpy. His ears mostly pinched back even though he doesn't actually mean it. Pretty much like a grumpy teenager. 'Hmmpf. Get away - Nope, don't want to do that. Grmbl - Bah! bored. Get away with that rug! DO NOT look, I am eating!'   etc etc

Especially around feeding time does he have a grumpy face and we are quite sure that this stems back to when he was with his mother 'Ester'. She used to eat 'Zac's food after she'd finished hers if he wasn't quick enough. 

'Mr F'  and his shiny rear-end ... my usual view from my stable 'office'.

As the night is drawing in I spend some more time watching what the boys get up to. The youngsters are quite keen on rolling, especially 'Rookie'. It seems 'Zac' has yet to develop spatial awareness: quite often when he lies down to roll he is too close to the partition and lands up on his back with feet in the air, unable to get himself back up. More than once did 'Jackie' have to give him a hand by pulling him over onto his other side.