...have you ever wondered?...
......why your horse fidgets, paws and swaps dinners at meal time?
I have read some alarming letters about this in magazines, some people complaining and assuming their horse is ill-mannered. And how they'd much rather if they could park their horse like they'd do with a bicycle and for it to stay where it's put. (though obviously, not leaned up against the fence).
But of course, horses have survived these millions of years because of their ability to move as a group. Constantly seeking better grazing, safer plains to wander. To get out of harms way, usually by running faster than the animal that wants them for a tasty snack.
Sticking a bucket of dinner on the ground is not the way a horse likes to eat. it likes to move constantly. some horses will of course except this because all horses are different as are we. some however don't.
...you can see where i'm going with this can't you?
Tom and Henry get their breakfasts in the yard. I place them a few metres apart, and get on with my jobs.
Half-way through usually, Tom will leave his and wander to Henry's, who has been pawing his left leg (never the right one), in the air the whole time. Because he wants to move.
To assume Tom just wants Henry's breakfast is also incorrect since they get exactly the same, swapping is Tom's way of keeping on the move. and they often swap a few times too.
...and for all the T&H fans out there appalled by the lack of grooming at WW, I had brushed them to within an inch of their lives the day before, this was their punishment to me!
well-deserved, I'm sure you'd agree.
