'Zac' & A New Arrival

Another new arrival was due and the boys' night quarters had to be re-arranged slightly to make room for this last resident at 'Hill Farm'. We are now full.

'Rookie' is back in the wooden stable where he spent the fist few days when he arrived at 'Hill Farm' back in Autumn last year. 'Rookie' wasn't too pleased to be separated from 'Zac' and 'Mr F' but quickly accepted that that is how it is. Mind you, the little guy does so much running around during day that he is asleep most of the time when he is in his stable. The wooden stables are much smaller but offer ample of room for a pony. 'Rookie' will have 'Victor' and 'Slippers' as companions. They can see each other if they stick their heads out of the stable doors.

'Zac' moved one place along and is back next to 'Mr F', leaving the first large stable free for the new horse, 'Jake'.

Just like last time when 'Zac' was 'Mr F's neighbour, he observes everything that goes in 'Mr F's stable. 'Zac' is a very fast learner and likes to be part of whatever is going on. When I go into their field, 'Zac' comes to greet me first, with 'Mr F' right behind with his years back: 'hey you, she is MY human, get your own.'

'Zac' - "What are you up to?"

Keeping one ear pointed towards the building work which is still going on outside their stables.

'Zac': "I'd like some of that stuff you got there ... " 

'Mr F': "Not until I am done, you wait boy."

One mustn't miss an opportunity ...

.. and 'Zac' quickly grabs some of 'Mr F's haylage while the space is free and the neck is just long enough ...

I enjoy 'Zac's company. We do have some play time across the stable partition. Our most recent one is to play 'catch the tongue'. 'Luke' used to like it when I gently massaged his tongue while he was standing still (or trying to) when 'Lillian' trained him to lift his feet. It relaxed him.

But there is much happening outdoors too. The old barn had been demolished and the new barn is currently being erected. Over the past months the boys have been exposed to all kinds of building work right outside their stables. Loads of small and large, moving machinery handled by lots of people producing all kind of sounds. At first it was a little much to take in but the boys quickly relaxed from within the safety of their stables. Now hardly anything bothers them.  It's good training.

'Zac' is observing the building work going on outside. 

It is interesting to observe that since 'Rookie' is on his own at night he is much less interested in chasing 'Zac' around the field. 'Zac' on the other hand is becoming more confident and they now seem to be equal in terms of hierarchy. 'Zac' is learning from 'Mr F' and they both seem rather fond of one another. 'Mr F' is a lot more gentle with 'Zac' nowadays. I can spend hours observing them and their body language. 'Zac' likes to test the boundaries with 'Mr F', who is very patient. But sometimes enough is enough and when 'Mr F' does get angry 'Zac' reverts right back to the for youngsters so typical 'air mouthing'. "Please be nice, I am still learning ..."

Different day, same scenario ... 'Zac's mission is to get a few bites from 'Mr F's haylage ... clearly it must be better than what he's got even though it's from the same bale ...  

But back to the new arrival:

To avoid any unnecessary charging around in their fields, we have the new horse join 'Zac' and 'Mr F' in their night quarters. Hopefully, after having spent the night next to each other, meeting in the field is less exciting. Jackie' doesn't want the horses to charge around turfing up her well kept fields and I don't want 'Mr F' to charge around as I aim to reduce risk of any further injuries. It is helpful that the ground has dried up nicely, it is not too soft and not too slippy.

I wanted to have some time to spend time with 'Mr F' in the morning and to observe all of them together and arrived at 'Hill Farm' earlier than usual. Judging by the way they behave in the stable, turnout should a mostly  calm affair. If anyone is going to be troublesome it will be 'Mr F' who probably will be wanting to put up a show for the new guy. We first turned out 'Zac' and 'Mr F'. On the out we go passed 'Jake' stable and I let them examine each other for a little while. They seem OK, 'Mr F' seems to be quite accepting of 'Jake'. 'Zac' is waiting in the field for us and as 'Mr F' joins him, they both wander off a little further up the field.

'Jake' had some time to examine his field the previous day so he'll know it. His field is right next to the boys, separated by new fencing with electric fencing on top. Once 'Jake' enters his field, he performs a little showing off run up the hill with his tail up high. 'Mr F' and 'Zac' follow somewhat halfheartedly at first. 'Zac' is not bothered at all and just tags along with 'Mr F' who of course feels that he has to run up the hill too.  They all met at top of field to say hello. 'Mr F' and 'Jake' spent some time head to head, having some kind of 'meeting'. It seemed there are no issues between the two.

Then 'Rookie' joined the boys in the field. He was torn between going for the pile of haylage in middle or chasing up the field to join the others. But 'Rookie' cannot resist nagging 'Zac' and so he gallops up the field to join the others. 'Rookie' has a beautiful, springy gait and very agile. It's easier for him to charge around with his short legs. The boys and 'Jake' do a few small circles at the top of their fields where it was fairly flat and dry. Then they all went settle and busy themselves with grazing.

'Jake' on his 2nd evening at 'Hill Farm'. He settled instantly, like most of them horses do.

There is always an air of peace about the place ... and all the people present are calm and go after their own business. All is spread out and one has space to just be.

 The boys club, 'Mr F', 'Zac', 'Jake'.