Today we visited Elvis. We hadn’t seen him since Monday, when we dropped him off. I was surprised that as we drove up, he wasn’t in his assigned pasture. We got out of the car and ran into the BO, who was finishing up working a horse. We stopped along the fence line to chat, and she told us that she had decided yesterday that Elvis wasn’t happy in his old group. Tuesday we had spoken and, at that time, he was doing OK. He wasn’t fully accepted by the herd boss, but things weren’t unusual. Sometime on Wednesday though, the BO noticed Elvis standing by himself in a lonely corner of the pasture. This instance, coupled with the fact that he had gotten a fresh kick mark and she saw him trying to bond through play with the lowest horse in the group with no success, caused her to decide things weren’t working out for him. The problem though was that he was already with the most mild group, the herd made up of the most subordinate horses! There was one other option though… the pony herd!
The BO has a mini donkey (pictured in the last post), two small ponies, and one medium. She figured that this would be a very non-threatening group, even if somewhat untraditional for a horse to join. To make sure that he had the best chance at building confidence, she put him in a smaller pasture with only one of the ponies. He’s now been with his new friend for a day or so, and things appear to be working out much better. At first he was frightened when the small hairy beast boldly trotted up to him, but then was pleased to find that the diminutive equine was friendly. They have reportedly been seen galloping in circles in play – Elvis may have found his first friend!
For such a bold horse, I find it amusing and interesting that Elvis can have his confidence shaken within a herd of horses. I tend to believe this will change with time and maturity, but what an interesting thing! The BO sees him as extremely immature. I do as well, but then again she has a fresh pair of unbiased eyes. Perhaps he’s even more of a baby than I realize on a daily basis! Aww, that makes me think he’s even more adorable.
Elvis and his Little Friend.
Riot was the same way exactly! He doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his body and was/is such a baby! He was easily intimidated by the other horses, but LOVED two little pony buddies that we turned him out with for awhile. He just wants someone to play with, share a hay pile, and groom
) He’s out in a big herd now and is finally “testing” the old herd boss successfully. I think it’s a sign of mental maturity too because it corresponds with his growing confidence undersaddle and in new places. It’s so cool to watch these guys grow up! And yes, very cute!
) Congrats on the move!!
I love Elvis’s new digs and little friend!
Jamie, Thanks for sharing your similar story! It sounds like Riot is just like Elvis! I hope that Elvis can stay with the ponies to gain confidence, and I’m also really thankful that my new barn owner reacted so quickly to this situation. I don’t think he’d have been in terrible danger staying in his old situation, but he may have suffered long term confidence issues and I’d much prefer avoiding that.
I know he’ll gain confidence, especially once we relocate as well and I can get back to a regular routine. I can’t wait to start some jumping lessons with him… being in my old and familiar environment is making me want to split our time between jumping and dressage! That would be a fast way, for sure, to build his confidence – as long as we took it slowly.
Awwwww. Ponies are good people. Besides you call him Pariah PONY not Pariah horse. He knew he was with the wrong group.
Sort of OT, but I’m curious what your take is on human-horse height ratio. Riot is right at 16H but not nearly done filling out yet. His line of ASB’s are pretty solid, but very late bloomers. I also wonder if he’s done with all of his height growth. Even though he just turned 5, our dentist said, interestingly enough, that his teeth are about 1.5 years behind average (also ties into the maturity discussion!) and she said that’s a good indicator of where they are physically as well.
That being said, I’m a pretty fit 5’11″, so I do worry I’m a little big for him, although he’s never shown any signs of fatigue or soreness. I think you and Elvis are a nice looking pair, and I remember reading that you prefer horses no taller than 16.2H. I found that interesting as well. So was just curious about your thoughts.