My poor baby!
This is her third yard since I had her just over a year ago, and each time she's been the boss. Not any more though.
When I went last night (much much earlier than my normal time) she was waiting by the gate for me (her first turnout at the new place) and as I was told that all the horses that come in at night were in, I was concerned about her jumping the gate (regular readers will know she's got form).
I got held up in traffic and got there really late, and she wasn't there. When I'd done her stable I went to fetch her, but she couldn't get past this mare. I made to go in the field and got the ears, then the teeth, so I waved my rope at her, and she just turned her rump on me. Kels walked off and this mare followed her, then Kels turned back to the gate and got there just in time for me to get the headcollar on and lead her out.
All the way back to the stable she plodded along with her head down, looking most sorry for herself. It didn't help that she was caked in mud from head to tail.
I'm going to have a word with the mare's owner to get advice on the best way to handle her if this happens again because obviously I don't want her to be the boss of me as well, or I'll have untold problems! (I have to admit I was a bit rattled by her, specially as my bossy mare was subservient to her).
TBH I'm not used to mares as Kels is my first, and all the geldings I've owned have been... well, geldings, so is this how it's going to be now, or could Kels still face up to her? I know it's only Day 3, but I'd like to know. Truth be told, aside from the fact that the other mare worried me a bit, the worry of her jumping the gate if I turn up late's taken away, so as long as I can deal with her when I fetch Kels in I'm not overly concerned.
This is her third yard since I had her just over a year ago, and each time she's been the boss. Not any more though.
When I went last night (much much earlier than my normal time) she was waiting by the gate for me (her first turnout at the new place) and as I was told that all the horses that come in at night were in, I was concerned about her jumping the gate (regular readers will know she's got form).
I got held up in traffic and got there really late, and she wasn't there. When I'd done her stable I went to fetch her, but she couldn't get past this mare. I made to go in the field and got the ears, then the teeth, so I waved my rope at her, and she just turned her rump on me. Kels walked off and this mare followed her, then Kels turned back to the gate and got there just in time for me to get the headcollar on and lead her out.
All the way back to the stable she plodded along with her head down, looking most sorry for herself. It didn't help that she was caked in mud from head to tail.
I'm going to have a word with the mare's owner to get advice on the best way to handle her if this happens again because obviously I don't want her to be the boss of me as well, or I'll have untold problems! (I have to admit I was a bit rattled by her, specially as my bossy mare was subservient to her).
TBH I'm not used to mares as Kels is my first, and all the geldings I've owned have been... well, geldings, so is this how it's going to be now, or could Kels still face up to her? I know it's only Day 3, but I'd like to know. Truth be told, aside from the fact that the other mare worried me a bit, the worry of her jumping the gate if I turn up late's taken away, so as long as I can deal with her when I fetch Kels in I'm not overly concerned.
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