Herd update

The Internet tells me it's International Horse Day, so it seems a good time to get around to the post I promised about how the horses are doing. 

Bristol's death hit us all hard, but probably Java most of all. Since she is nearly blind, she really relied on Bristol to get her through the day. I've written before about how reactionary (and not terribly safe) Java was when she first arrived here. She had come so far and was doing so well, I was extremely worried about her through the summer. More often than not, when I came in the barn I would find Java with her head down facing into a corner of a stall. Emmy would often be hanging around outside the stall keeping her company. It felt like deep, deep grief. 

As time progressed, Java did this less and less. Adding Major was a small distraction, but herd life still felt very unsettled. Major was going through his own grieving process it felt like, with me finding him with his head down, just standing by himself behind the barn. 

Adding to the complications, Bristol was without a doubt, the leader of the herd. She led the way, always. Without her, the other horses didn't know what to do and there was no obvious leader that Major could trail along after. Nothing felt right and I'm sure that's how the horses felt as well. 

Time, consistency, and safety helps. In a surprising turn of events, Java has taken on the mantle of herd leader. She is the one who leads them through their day and everyone feels more settled. And as with all good leaders, there is nothing overt that you can point to that screams leader. I've been amazed to watch my rather crazy, reactive horse who could never settle, preferring to disrupt everything at all times become calm, even keeled, and self-possessed. If she moves to another field, they all follow. If she moves to another hay net, whoever is there quietly moves out of her way without a flick of an ear. Even Emmy, who is not known for sharing. 

I think this filling of a leadership vacuum has helped Major start to settle in a bit more. He seems more relaxed, less perpetually worried. My farrier actually didn't recognize him on his second trim because he had a completely different demeanor. 

What's also interesting is that it seems Vienna has taken him under her wing a bit. One day I had put out hay nets in a different spot to help keep life interesting. Vienna spotted me doing it immediately, but waited until Java ambled over to head towards them. The hay net moving game was a new one for Major and he was somewhat confused. Vienna kept trotting into the field with the hay nets, pausing, looking to see where Major was, then heading back to him as if to encourage him to join her. It took a bit, but he finally followed her and they headed to the hay together. 

For the most part, herd life is calm. Well, Emmy gets a bee in her bonnet every so often, but that, too, feels more normal. Some pictures of the horses from earlier in the month, when we still had snow. (Ignore the mud, with our current freeze-thaw cycle, I fear this is just the state of things.)

Vienna 

Emmy (I warned you about the mud)

Java 

Major

Major has such stocky legs and such a thick winter coat he looks very teddy bear like.

And for your amusement, Java went into heat a couple of days ago. As a result, she cannot get enough of Major. (Major seems more than a little clueless.) Here is Java doing kissy lips all over Major's face while he is trying to eat. Java couldn't have cared less about the hay nets full of hay. 

And a brief advertisement..  the horses and I work all winter, come see us! It's cold, but with the right layers it's manageable. Plus, not only will hanging with horses have a positive effect, getting outside in nature, even if its cold, will as well. Contact me at my Bittersweet Farm website.