My herd consists of 4 horses and a pony. Trick is the boss, followed by Alcott, Eva, Tequila and Sage. Trick and Alcott are geldings, Eva, Tequila and Sage are mares. I would consider their pecking order arrangement textbook. Youngest gelding is boss; old pony mare is at the bottom of the list. None of the group members were ever buddies, until this past Fall.
Alcott was leased-out for the summer. When he arrived home in September, he was at "deaths door". (I'll write about this nightmare at another time) For a month Alcott was kept separate from the other horses. Towards the end of the month, I noticed he was taking some interest in Tequila, by going over to the fence that was separating him from the other horses, and watching her. Now Tequila is 4, very impish and always busy pestering the other horses, trotting around the field, and getting into whatever trouble she can find! Trick and Eva ignore her, or chase her away. Sage usually just trots away. Its always amusing to watch Tequila and her antics, I guess even for a horse.
One day I noticed that Tequila was watching Alcott over the fence. She probably wondered why he got to have a field of grass all to himself!! Both horses gradually starting hanging out closer to each other along the fence line. Eventually, they could be seen nuzzling one another over the top of the fence. I've owned Alcott for almost 5 years. He has always been a loner, and never shown any affection or interest in any of my other horses. The two of them started spending more and more time next to each other.
Finally Alcott was strong enough to join the herd. Tequila and Alcott walked up to each other, and then as they say "the rest is history"!! Now when they are together, they nuzzle, groom each other, eat together, bite, squeal, and run around the field chasing one another. It always make me smile to see the two of them together, especially since Alcott is 26 and Tequila is 4. What a great way for Alcott to retire, having a young chestnut mare chasing him for his affection. Its every mans dream come true!
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