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| Rosie taking a look around |
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| Rosie & Sami |
Last Saturday Rosie went to her paddock and we introduced Blue to her. That went very well for a while and they seemed to get along just fine. Blue got a little studly at times and acted like he might be stallion material (which he definitely is not)! When it looked as though she had had enough of him we switched her little buddy Sami in and all was peaceful.
For the remainder of the week, since she was still in heat, we put her and Sami in the small paddock. Everyone could see each other across the driveway and get used to the idea of a new horse. It seemed to work out well and the boys started to lose interest eventually.
Today, Saturday, we decided it was time to put them all together to get acquainted up close and personal. Sami and Rosie went out first and we let her explore her new surroundings for a while. Then we turned Blue out and he didn’t seem too interested in anything but his hay basket. Next in was Donnie then Grady. Donnie was very interested in making friends. Grady…not so much, the hay basket was calling his name. Once Blue noticed that Donnie and Sami were hanging around her by the run-in shed he decided to claim her for his own. He chased Donnie and Sami off and he tried to herd her around, which she took exception to, and threw a few warning kicks in his direction. After the initial meet and greet Rosie decided she might like to explore some other fields and had quite a conga line following her around. She is curious and very sensible and calm.
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| Adventuring out of the catch pen for greener pastures |
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| Donnie, Sami & Rosie |
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| The herd figuring out what to do next |
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| Rosie checking out more things with her followers |
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| This was Blue's basic position with her all day...what a pest |
There was one time they all broke into a canter as a herd in the second field. Rosie missed the exit ramp over the culvert and wound up in the corner. The rest of the herd thundered through the culvert only to realize she was no longer with them. This led to an impressive U-Turn by the herd as they went back to
So for the most part they’ve been grazing and Rosie has been exploring her new surroundings. Blue has been right up her butt the whole day and I’m sure it’s getting on her nerves by now. No girl likes to have a personal stalker! But all in all the whole day went very well and in time they will all get used to one another.
Quote for Today
The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire. ~Sharon Ralls Lemon
This made me laugh out loud - I think she is stirring up the boys and hopefully enjoying all the attention. When Salina was with us it was always HER stirring up attention - alternating between bossing the boys or romancing THEM. I’ll be curious to hear how things settle out with Miss Rosie! As usual I love seeing photos of your horses and farm. You were not kidding about all the leaves being off the trees already! Such a gorgeous place. Rosie will be the queen before you know it. :)
ReplyDeleteShe’s still finding her way with the herd but she’s holding her own so far. She’s not nervous but wary of the boys. I don’t think she’s used to being in a herd situation. She’s eager to come in at night and be by herself in her stall. Probably likes seeing the boys but not having to deal with them.
DeleteAnd yes it took quite a while for all those leaves to be picked up!
Introducing a new horse takes time, but it is well worth it. She is a real beauty!
ReplyDeleteIt does take time and patience. We’re trying to reduce the chance of any major incidents that would make her uncomfortable.
DeleteI must have missed the last post - a new addition. Congratulations A - Rosie is lovely! Looking forward to reading about what all you get up to together. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks C! I’ll keep everyone posted on what we’re doing.
Deletewell, it's sure not hard to pick her out of the crowd! Glad things are going so well - no harm if the new girl thinks she's the popular kid for a while, the new & improved herd seem to settling in well.
ReplyDeleteYour horses run through a culvert? Picture? Maybe I just don't know what you mean by culvert.
Even leafless, it still looks a good deal warmer @ your place...*envy*
It has been warmer than we're used to to (48 F) today but I'll take it! Last week we had some days in the teens.
DeleteI probably should have said 'entrance' or 'land bridge' but in truth it is called a culvert, who knows why. I'll try and explain it. All of our paddocks run into one another by gates that open so they can use the whole farm. First is the catch pen, where they get turned out into, then they have the option to go through a wide gate into the second paddock ( this is where the culvert comes into play). Dividing the 2nd and 3rd paddock is a ravine with a stream, originally they couldn't get to the 3rd paddock because of this so we had to walk them down the driveway on the side of the pond and let them in the 3rd paddock that way. It's not much fun in the snow so we devised a different plan. We got a huge corrugated metal tube that we laid down between the two paddocks in the ravine. It lets the water run through it while creating a bridge between the two paddocks. Next we added a lot of dirt which they've since pounded down to a hard dirt road (we occasionally add more dirt). Then we put fences on the sides of the metal tube and attached them to the existing fences in both paddocks, so they can't fall off. There is also a gate on one side in case we want to keep them close to the barn for vets or farrier etc. The bridge is wide enough for three or four horses abreast and it works out well, it's also the level with the paddocks on either side. I even drive the tractor or mule over it. I don't know if I explained this correctly but I gave it a shot. So all in all it's basically a man-made land bridge over a stream.
Now I get it!! I thought they were actually walking through the tube - I have seen horses go through large cement tunnels before.
DeleteMost of that sounds good. It's funny reading about all of their personalities and the herd dynamic.
ReplyDeleteIt's always interesting to watch herd dynamics around here.
DeleteShe really is lovely. Well, they all are. Beautiful herd :-).
ReplyDeleteThank you! They are a sweet herd.
DeleteI am so glad it went well! She seems sensible and beautiful, the perfect combo ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I’m glad it went well too. I’ve done this a few times over the years and you just never know what’s going to happen. This was the best introduction I’ve seen.
Delete😂 Oh, the drama! I’m glad someone else has a proud cut gelding. We deal a lot with that around here. She’s kinda outnumbered, but I think she will be Queen Bee.
ReplyDeleteI think she’s getting used to the herd of annoying boys. She stays calm and carries on with what she wants to do. Things are working out well so far.
DeleteHow wonderful that they're getting acquainted and for the most part, all getting along. Peace shall reign...
ReplyDeleteShe's a pretty girl, and reminds me of my Missy. Redheads and saucy. :)
Thanks Lori. They’re getting along even better now. It’s like she’s always been here. So peace in the realm.
DeleteCongrats on the new addition! She's a cutie. I'm glad she's holding her own with the boys and settling in well.
ReplyDeleteThanks! She’s doing really well with the herd.
DeleteLove the photos! Aw, that's so sweet, that she seems to get on best with lovely little Sami. Don Juan Donnie - that made me laugh! But Blue, really young man?? Annoying sounds like quite the understatement.
ReplyDeleteRosie looks like she'll settle happily with you and the herd :)
Hi Joy! Rosie has settled in very well with the herd. I was just out with them in the field and she actually chased Blue away. So she’s asserting herself more each day.
DeleteYou added to your herd family ~ congrats!! Will look forward to reading her backstory. I think my eyeballs would be glued to the herds "new girl" interactions all day!
ReplyDeleteHi aurora! Rosie is doing really well with the boys. I think she might be the queen of the herd soon. It is very interesting to watch the herd interaction.
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