Wagtail
Horse servant
Anyone that knows anything about horses knows that you should get the dominant horse out of the field first and continue down the pecking order. Failing to do so can cause all kinds of problems such as the lower ranked horse getting crowded and threatened by the higher ranking horses, which can be dangerous for the person trying to get them out. I always follow this rule, without fail, and so it was not surprising I was apprehensive turning the six month old newly weaned foal out with the two big boys. At coming in time, I knew he couldn't be left until last and so thought I would get him out first. The two higher ranking boys just let him through, no bother at all. I would have real trouble if it were an adult horse. This has continued like this for 4 weeks now. The lead gelding has really taken him under his wing. He watched him being born through the bars of his adjoining stable and has been thoroughly besotted with the little mite ever since.
Anyway, back to the original question. This gelding obviously knows the foal is a baby and therefore makes huge allowances for him, including allowing him to eat from the same haynet (definitely not allowed if anyone else) and allowing him out first. Is this just instinct or is it empathy?
Anyway, back to the original question. This gelding obviously knows the foal is a baby and therefore makes huge allowances for him, including allowing him to eat from the same haynet (definitely not allowed if anyone else) and allowing him out first. Is this just instinct or is it empathy?
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