First, Lucy. I move Lucy first so she doesn’t get excited watching the others race around in the pastures, which is what they all do when first turned out after a long stint in the barn. I hope for a calm horse and prepare for an animated one... As it turned out, she was pretty mellow on our walk to her pasture. Once inside the gate, I took off her halter, gave her a cookie and she trotted away. She took two steps of trot and then exploded, hoofs thundering, and mud flying down the length of the pasture. She slid to a stop, blew like a freight train, and took off again. Sage immediately joined in the fun, racing alongside the fence, barking and jumping in circles.
Second, Pistol. When I approached the back of her run-out with her halter, Pistol came flying out of her stall at a canter and slid to a stop at the gate. She had her head up and a bit of spring in her step as we walked but she behaved. She’s always a good girl. Once she was in, and had her cookie, she gave a huge yee-haw buck and took off at a lope to join Lucy.
Third, Tex. I take Tex before Flash because it I take Flash first he hangs by the pasture gate and tries to bite Tex on the butt as I bring him in. Tex was an angel on our walk over. Sage followed us but kept her distance; I think she remembered Tex and I herding her around. Tex politely took his cookie, walked over to a smooth, wet, muddy area and dropped to his knees and then rolled. He rolled on one side, then flipped to the other, then balanced on his back and ground the mud into his butt and back. He flipped back to his front, got halfway up and then changed his mind and rolled six or seven more times. Once he finished rolling, he stood, shook, bucked and took a lap around the pasture. The goats scattered.
Last, Flash. Normally, I can count on Flash to be a gentleman when walking him. He’s 23 and has a “been there, done that” attitude about things. Sage was following us, as she had done with the other horses, and Flash took exception to her presence. Or maybe it was anticipation of being in the pasture with Tex. Whatever the reason, he decided to rear and buck. Fortunately, it was more thought than execution and some stern words from me kept all four of his feet on the ground. Barely. Once in the pasture, he jumped, kicked back while airborne, and then hobbled a bit when he landed. He didn’t stop though. He started squealing like a pig (honest, he squeals) and running around, still a bit gimpy on his hind.
Eventually, they all settled down and ate their dinner.
Ah horses. They are so cute when they start squealing and bucking (and farting).
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