Equine Body Language -- Funny event Friday evening

[suebingham]

Background: I returned to work on Tuesday after having been unemployed for 5 months. During those months off, I spent a lot more time than previously, hanging out with my mare.

After I got home on Friday, I ran out to the corral to feed, water, and say Hello. It was snowing like crazy so she was already predisposed to be grumpy. I put the hay down, turned to leave in hurry because of the weather, and she had a FIT!!!!! Crow-hopped off about 12 feet, squealing and grunting all the way, and then kicked (both barrels) twice in my general direction. IMHO -- purely a symbolic gesture -- I totally believe that if she had a middle finger, I would have been seeing that as well. She was completely PO'd with me cause she wanted some company and I was just not cooperating.

Obviously, I will be watching closely for any incipient instances of up-close and personal nastiness in the near future but I really don't think that is what this was. I honestly think she was just letting me know her feelings were hurt.

 

[YorksG]

My old girl gets grumpy if she thinks that she is short of attention and should I be away for a couple of evenings she refuses to speak to me at all for a day, she has always been like this, but is worse now that she has retired.

 

[ruscara]

It's great that you can look in and see what she is telling you, rather than just thinking she's being bolshy. Bless her. They do try and communicate, don't they, if only we will listen.

I have a funny one: I was mucking out today and on one of my trips to the muck heap, I looked in our field and there were all our horses (three mares, three geldings) all standing evenly spaced on a circle facing inwards, like a seance. And there they stood, not moving. Really weird.