Our time so far has been restricted but as my work load eases, our relationship continues to grow & he certainly has my heart for keeps (I know, in reality *vegetarian or not* he'd have a go at eating it).
Today we chilled a bit on the forecourt & had fun with the kids & Scooby-Doo, although Elle found it less funny when Eastar took out half the “blue grass” plant she’d brought Martin *oops*. Eastar then decided he was being left out & wanted a cup of tea too, so progressed to steal mine which in the end I gave over as it was so funny to see him pulling faces at the unfamiliar taste :D
I thought we'd try some games but Eastar wasn't really into it & seemed as if he just wanted to go out/EAT after being shut up all night. We managed a pretty good yoyo until a stone found it’s way into his hoof & was clearly uncomfortable (poor baby), I noticed it instantly & picked his feet before ending our time together with a little walk around & nibble at his favourite spots :D Then he got what he wanted & was given his field, or was it what he wanted?..
On the way to the field Eastar the eager beaver wanted to dictate the speed which I corrected by making him do a circle & follow my lead. He also wanted to snack (or attempt too) at every possible opportunity which I wasn't up for either. At the gate he was a complete gent & gave a nice entrance, head collar removed I gave him his normal forward rub & said goo-on then, he stood there :( no sheep still today just those in the distance! He then walks a few paces & begins to graze. Is Eastar lonely?
The companion issue is a big thing for me & something I'm not sure about at all!
We all know that horses are herd animals & a massive part of me thinks I'm neglecting his needs by not having a companion for him (in some books I've even read it's classed as abuse *eekks*!). Yet there are those who say "some can manage without & it's so much easier in the long run (not to mention cheaper)". So what's right? From Eastar's history I know he's not one for herd politics & was often picked upon/ more a lover (of food mostly) than a fighter.
Ask me if Eastar is lonely & I'd say no, but when the sheep get taken in for a dose I'm not so sure. He doesn't call or anything like that & overall doesn't seem that fussed, but there is something *incy niggle I can't put my finger on* like today when I turned him out.. Maybe it's just him seeing if they're around/other more vulnerable prey on the hill? There are other sheep & cattle in the next fields over which he can hear, but I'm not sure about see?
I'm pretty sure the sheep coming & going isn't good but I have no control over that. I do know that by the end of the year there will be none for sometime /if ever. Do I just carry on playing it by ear until November & see how he is then, or do I need to sort something now?
Can you answer any of the questions above or do you have opinions /comments? (be gentle)
I get hardly any comments & I wants some (two to-date & both from the same person *btw thank you*). I know I get views as I've checked my stats (two different counters) & have a couple of loyal friends who for some reason seem to find my rants amusing, but not even they leave COMMENTS!
let him settle even more and then think again on it. We have a horse who although likes being in a herd (she's bottom of this and gets a few niggles which she copes with okay, that's just herd politics)can cope on her own if she has to. Doesn't mean she is fully okay but she knows how to deal with it in herself and it can often make my bond with her better as then I become her herd of two ;-)
ReplyDeleteIf Eastar can bond with you more and more and you're with him as much as you can be then he may be able to cope okay...although not a natural state a lot of horses throughout the world do it so just see how it goes and give him as much of you as you can.