A new neighbor moved into the lot down a ways with his two horses, to my delight. There were horses there in the past, but had been gone for a long while now, and I really missed them and my "chats" with them. So this new neighbor came with his horses, and even acquired another one after a while. And I could not wait to make friends with them.
When I first approached the fence the two original ones, Blaze (male) and Rosebud (female) were hesitant. Even though they are used to people, as they are being ridden, but I was a stranger, right along with Tipsy, my dog, who even barked at them at first. But after a couple of visits they trusted me and came up to the fence as soon as they saw me. By now, even when they see Tipsy first, and have not heard my voice from the distance, they will come to the fence knowing I will be there shortly.
What I noticed instantly though was that Rosebud (and I had not learned their names until much later, just called them "horsies") the female was dominant. Blaze the male, even though older, would be pushed aside by Rosebud when I petted him. So he learned quickly to retreat, as soon as she came up. I would have to go to the fence a bit further down, to try to pet him, before she would catch up with us.
Finally I decided to take a treat, either apple or carrot, and of course, they loved that. But again, it was impossible to give Blaze anything, because Rosebud would simply shove his head away with hers, and hog the food. So I learned to have a bite in each hand, and reaching to either of them at the same time. So Rosebud being busy with her chew, did not have time to bother Blaze as he got his. But Blaze never came up as close to the fence, as Rosebud did. It was often hard to give the food to him, because I could not reach in far enough. So I learned to toss it to him. And he learned that that was a way that Rosebud did not bother him and yet he was not being neglected. He realized he was as important to me as Rosebud was. Therefore, after a while, he decided he could get to me, by running up first. And it worked, at least for a minute or so, when Rosebud caught up.
Then came Dixie. She was a bit shy at first. According to the owner, she had not been treated too well in her previous home, therefore the eye problem, inflammation all around the lid. But after a couple of visits, she too became relaxed. And now I observed something even more interesting - she had no problem with Blaze being there, so generally, Blaze would stand on one side of her and Rosebud on the other. And Rosebud did not pre-empt the food from Dixie, she recognized her as her slightly superior pasture mate, even though Rosebud was older. But there was a calmness, and yet a strong sense of competence in Dixie that made all the difference in their hiarchal setting. And Blaze slowly learned to come closer to the fence again realizing that he was not threatened by anyone now.
One time though, we all jumped. That was when I happened to slightly touch the top wire of the electr. fence. We all jumped back, and, of course, the horses were momentarily spooked. It took a while for them to come back near the fence. A longer while for Blaze to do so.
One day, however, Blaze really got the upper hand, and seemed to have relished it. After our visit, he decided to leave the fence first, but this time, running full tilt toward the back of the area, then make a big circle along the entire fenced in enclosure. Naturally, having become curious, Rosebud and Dixie followed him, but he did not let them catch up with him. Suddenly he began to make the circles smaller and smaller, until he wound up at the gate-end of the front fence in a tight twirl, and the two ladies still following his pattern. Yet they never ran into each other. It was quite a ballet by that time. Eventually, Blaze stopped, looked toward the road, and so did the other two, standing closely together by now. It was a sight to see, the relish Blaze had in goading his dominant ladies for a change.
When I am out of food, I always say that is all, no more, stretch out my empty hand to let them lick it, and they understand. But they will not walk away, they are quite happy to simply entertain me with their company, until I tell them that Tipsy and I have to go home. Then they usually walk away, but do at times, return to watch us disappear down the road.
I also noticed that the owner, having met him eventually and talked to him, does not leave the fence charged, knowing I treat the horses. That was very nice, and we all appreciate it.
My immediate neighbor's dog has lately decided to join us in our walks. And being very laid back and placid, as well as curious, not worried about any dangers, got so intrigued by the horses being near the fence, that he stuck his head in and nuzzled Dixie's nose, Tipsy joining him, while Dixie nuzzled them, audibly inhaling the odor to obviously make herself remember these critters' ID.
As of spring 2016 the horses are gone. Their owner died and they were sold. I miss them daily when I walk up the road and don't see them on the property.
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