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October 18, 2007
Change can be hard for critters
Willy is having a very hard time adapting to farm living. For 11 years, he has lived in the same stall and only been allowed to go to the pasture 3 times a week. Petey, our other horse, lived in the stall right next to Willy. They are very attached to each other.
Currently, there are 7 other horses here on our land. They belong to Major, who helps me with numerous hard chores. Willy does not like the other horses.
The problem is, Petey does like the other horses. So Willy stays away from them all, and once or twice a day, he will come to the gate and cry for Petey. I bring him in from the pasture - to his new, beautiful, much larger stall, with much fresher hay and an airier space. And Willy will eat his grain and some hay, then he gets upset - he keeps looking over at the empty stall (Petey's) next to him, and will cry for Petey again.
Petey has no interest in coming into the barn. He is loving the grass in the pasture, and his new friends. So Willy pines for him.
Willy is 23 years old. Petey is 14. Major's horses range from 2 to 5 years of age.
I think Willy is not fond of those young whippersnappers. I'm very sad for him.
Tomorrow, I'll go hunt him down (trickier than you might think, we have acres and acres of woods and grassland for him to hide in), and I'll try again to bring him to the barn, to his nice stall, out of the never-ending rain. And then, I'll go hunt down Petey, and make him come in, too. Willy really deserves to have his friend with him.
Posted by Beth at October 18, 2007 7:34 PM
Comments
Mebbe you and Willy should go do some riding?
Posted by: John of Argghhh! at October 19, 2007 8:54 AM
That is so sad and touching. There are times I just don't think of animals as being attached
to other four footed friends, and then something like this comes along. But he is an old horse and set in his ways. That had to be hard on him, seeing the 'new' kids on the block.
Are there ways to socialize horses that don't involve threats to life and limb?
Posted by: Cricket at October 19, 2007 10:26 PM
sometimes when a horse gets lonesome they will start to crib..maybe get Wiley a rooster or goat to keep him company
Posted by: GUYK at October 20, 2007 9:16 AM
Willy has Sergeant S'mudge, who is charge of Barn Security - though if previous experience with barn cats is a guide, it will have to get cold enough for S'mudge to want the heat that Willy can offer. In the stables at Fort Leavenworth, the barn cats used to sleep on Willy's back, so if S'mudge wants a warm safe place to sleep, Willy is used to providing feline comfort.
SWWBO has been thinking about getting some goats, too.
With Gunner having score a kill on a guinea, I think we'll hold off on the rooster until we get Gunner trained that family isn't food, nor sport.
Posted by: John of Argghhh! at October 20, 2007 10:23 AM
I'm looking forward to meeting Willy and Petey...and wandering around your acres of land. Only 6 days to go! It'll be such a nice change from the Florida heat that just won't let up this year.
Posted by: Tammy at October 20, 2007 8:30 PM