oh to understand the contradictory brain of a horse

[0ldmare]

Earlier this week I turned my 2 into a fresh paddock, not been grazed since october. Good green fresh grass and about 2.5 acres with only 2 horses. In one corner there is a small area where I planted 5 trees and ran an electric fence to keep the horses from demolishing them, but not got around to turning it on. Why would I, there's no grass under them worth speaking. This morning they have broken down the electric fence and reduced my poor trees to little stumplets.

Aside from the wanton stupidity (yes I am cross with them as one has cut its leg) it got me thinking what contrary creatures they are.

Take my old mare - terrified of lorries (in fact anything bigger than transit size has always caused her to have a mini coronary). And yet park a socking great big lorry in the yard with the ramp down and she will load herself without a headcollar on and stand there happily all day in the hope that we might be off to a party.

Equally, she can't bear her hooves getting wet but will happily roll her fat hairy body in any swamp/bog available

And my other one, if he badly wants to come in because its wet and cold, will always go to the furthest point in the field away from the stables and stand looking miserable

Oh to understand what goes on in their pea sized brains lol

 

[teddyt]

I can understand it from the horses point of view.
Horses are grazers and browsers- they dont just eat grass. And a nice young tree is variety and very tasty. Given the opportunity horses will eat far more than just grass. Annoying that it is though!

The loading- your mare gets no reward for a lorry passing her on the road and the size, movement, noise, etc is frightening. But she understands that going in a stationary one brings enjoyment. To her there is a big difference and she doesnt associate the two.

The feet wetting- again, walking through a puddle brings no reward. But rolling in a bog relieves itches, stretches muscles and insulates the body.

And the coming in- does he REALLY want to come in? Or are you thinking he wants to come in? If he had his friends, shelter and food outside and was conditioned to the same conditions inside and out,most horses would stay out. Even if they 'look' miserable theyre probably not!

If you think from a horses point of view rather than a humans then all of these funny things make sense. I agree, its not the way we would think but we are people and they are totally different species, so think totally differently!

 

[skychick]

I have to admit i really cant get my head around my new pea brain pony!

He is relatively spooky.
The other day we were out and trotting past a gateway with a trough in it....he lept to the side and knocked the horse i was riding with a rising 4yo ex racer right into the ditch!
he did this again lastnight.
Also the hideously scary salt and grit bin lastnight that caused him to again knock the other horse sideways...yet the man who was chainsawing........that wasnt scary at all!
We had to pass a stationary trailer with no vehicle attached to it......that took some serious persuasion, but when it came hurtling around a 90degree bend at us clattering away.....he just stood patiently and let it career past.
And when we got home to the yard last night......well......the sheep on the bank......we were not going past those. I tried to lead the way but paddy lept back right into the other horse, spinning around, jumping backwards, 3 times this happened and then we backed into the electric fence....that made him buck! so the 3yo race horse had to lead the way and led him past it not batting an eyelid at the sheep whilst paddy was right up his rear end dancing around all over the place......but then the dog that shot out of the gateway and cause the youngster to jump forwards paddy didnt even notice!!!
I just dont get it at all!!!!

 

[MrsMozart]

I have decided that there is a direct correlation between horses brains and those of adolescent humans....

 

[0ldmare]

I have decided that there is a direct correlation between horses brains and those of adolescent humans....

Lol Mrs M you are so right, I would have forgiven them quicker if they hadn't looked so darned smug and pleased with themselves!

Teddyt I do see the advantages to them of some of their actions, except if you had seen how pitifully tiny these little trees are versus how lovely the fresh grass is you might wonder why they felt the need for breaking and entering

As for the getting in, oh yes he wants to come in, he stands there whinneying pitifully and digs with his front feet. When the weather is nice he still wants to come in but does it at the gate ha ha